A Reflection On 25 Years

Launch has been officially launching for 25 years ... today!

And at the exact quarter-century mark, I was curious to find a picture of our first ever offices, as they look now. Et voila.

Back in 2001, I persuaded my former boss from Rowland Saatchi PR, Emma Brierley - founder of recruitment company XChangeteam - to sublet me a tiny office at 32-34 Danbury Street in Islington, tucked in a rabbit warren of basement space, behind the tree on the right in the picture below.

Our little office housed four Launchers (at a push), including Gary Wheeldon-Doyle (he/him), our 3rd ever hire. Gary's now CEO, as well as a longtime friend, having recently returned to lead the agency. I was on crutches for the first three months (football), and the 5 day a week commute was brutal. Mind you, the organic pub at the end of Danbury St helped things greatly, from memory!

From there, we grew fairly quickly to circa 50 Launchers. We've picked up many awards on the 25 year journey including PR Campaign of the Year and I've been voted Best Independent Agency Leader by Campaign magazine and Stopgap recruitment, too. But perhaps most importantly, it's been the starting, and staying place, for so many exceptional people and careers.

And whilst we all love a milestone, looking back, there are things about business that really matter, I think. They're quickfire and from the heart (with no hint of AI);

Be kind, always. Someone once told me I was too nice to run an agency. I'll never forget it (with a slight smile). Kindness is the currency of good business.

We. Not I. "We" is business love language.

Trust your gut. Looking back at both our successes and failures, the link between gut feel and outcome is fairly consistent.

Enjoy the ride - and challenge yourself if you're not.

Be yourself. One I wrestled a bit with initially, as we grew so fast. But authenticity is the foundation of leadership and is something I admire in both Gary and finance head, Sarah Mahon.

Be honest. With clients, team, and myself. People spot the fluff.

Set sky-high standards, unapologetically. I'm really proud of the consistency of our work - and as a founder, you should champion the standards (even when it's a bit annoying).

Say sorry when you have to. Unfiltered. And fast.

Integrity, always. Whenever we face a hard decision, I ask: "What's the right thing to do?"

Never stand still. We've been Launch PR - the first project PR agency, Launch Group - the first independent to go integrated, holders of the world's longest brainstorm (48 hours), the agency running The Creative Shootout - and more.

Remember to have fun. Life is short. If I did it again, "fun" would sit joint 1st along with "doing great work" (and being kind, of course).

Thank you to everyone who's been part of the agency; Launcher, client, partner, friend or family (often joyfully interlinked). You helped fulfil a boy's dream. Magical, but very real too. And well, that's just business.

Once a Launcher, always a Launcher.