And so today, the end of another financial year for Impress and many, many of my clients. The annual shake down that reveals all. A flurry of activity with invoices hither and tither, plus a crazed admin. nightmare for us creative types!!!

The year has been superb for turnover, new clients, inspiring projects and profile, but we await for the accountants to tell us if we have found profit - that most elusive of ladies! Turnover is vanity - profit is sanity! As I mentioned, many Impress clients are going through the same process and the results will be varied. I have a fair idea of the ones doing well as they have marketed themselves consistently throughout the year; embracing new ideas, open to fresh thinking and not fighting the Internet revolution.

Needless to say, most can do more and the digital age offers limitless potential for targeted, relevant and stimulating advertising campaigns. Familiar themes I know, but the convergence media explosion is unstoppable and the natural habitat of the "digital native" (Maurice Saatchi).

So much opportunity and so many reference points to draw from; Kevin Roberts new blog (www.krconnect.blogspot.com) is a phenomenal source of visionary thinking, big ideas and examples of truly inspiring marketing/brand stuff. Richard Edelman's 6am blog (www.edelman.com/speak_up/blog)  is also a provocative and a rich seam of corporate insight and media vision.

I borrowed from both sources at this week's Impress 'First Tuesday' Babington House seminar and the themes found favour with a great audience. It was an excellent evening and personally very rewarding to have the opportunity to talk about my passions in such a wonderful setting. As ever, Impress attempts to bring the strategies and experience of corporate life to the SME market in an environment guaranteed to inspire. Shame on those who didn't attend without prior notice as lots of others could have taken your place if we were afforded the courtesy of a cancellation call or email. A minor quibble and thank you to those who made the evening so fulfilling for all - especially Mark Scoble (www.sales-star.com).

And finally, a few creative links that have caught my attention in the last few weeks:

www.lisagerrard.com - Wonderful new website for the angelic former Dead Can Dance singer. You will all know Lisa's voice from the Gladiator soundtrack and her heavenly music is now represented by a magical site courtesy of Clive Collier - www.storm-creation.co.uk.

www.shinytoyguns.com - A great site for a truly brilliant LA-based band that blast out a mega fusion of electronica and razor wire guitar rock. Check them out now or wait a couple of years until Vodafone or T-Mobile put one of their tunes on those oh so trendy TV ads.

www.brettanderson.co.uk - As ever, stylish and simple, from Brett who has just released his first solo album and shaken of the ghosts of Suede, eyeliner and the London underground! The voice remains his "credit card" and the album reflects the personal journey of a man coming to terms with his own place in the world.

Ok, enjoy the Easter hols. and recharge the batteries for the next quarter.