“Forty-seven-year-old startup” finds time-honored values pay dividends today
BIRMINGHAM, AL (March 18, 2014) – Birmingham-based o2ideas is taking aim at its second half-century of doing business, by reinvigorating its mission and unveiling a new agency website and social media presence.
The “47-year-old startup” agency, founded by Chairman and CEO Shelley Stewart back in 1967, has for most of its history quietly served clients by relentlessly employing the time-honored values of respect, hard work and relationship-building as it crafts innovative creative work for its clients. The agency continues to gain new clients and grow existing ones it has partnered with for many years.
In mid-2013, Stewart appointed a leadership team to take the agency into its sixth decade of doing business in Birmingham and across the country. That move provided a great opportunity for the company to refocus its 65 team members on an invigorated brand and mission for the future. The agency’s new website, www.o2ideas.com, clarifies that mission and is designed to both attract new customers and inform the general public about its unique work and culture. The company’s social media presence on platforms such as Twitter (@o2ideas) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/o2ideas) also has a fresh face and an engaging, ongoing stream of content.
“Kindness, respect, loyalty, dedication and the notion that all of us working together can make a great idea happen – that’s how we’ve grown our business and lasted this long. We understand the importance of putting people first – clients, families and each individual who walks through our doors. Forging great relationships is one of the most successful keys in business. That’s what has gotten us this far, and what will carry us forward,” Stewart said.
Stewart said o2ideas works for some of the best-known brands at both the national and regional level. One national client, however, is not a company, but a non-profit reaching millions across the country. “Our branding and grassroots work with The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation has been experienced by some 17 million children and adults across 49 states. We are a national partner of the Foundation, which provides kids and adults with tools designed to improve the nation’s high school graduation rate. We reach people where they live, right in their communities.”
“It’s amazing to see how our agency values have stayed the same even as the advertising and public relations industry changes every day,” said Howard Pearlstein, Creative Director at o2ideas. “What we’ve done with our mission and creative direction is to formally nail down our values and say to the world and our team that we intend to be around a long time. Our mission is rooted in creating amazing work, making clients happy, having fun and doing it all again tomorrow. It’s about selfless leadership and focused talent working for the best interests of our clients.”
