Brass Tacks: One Team, One Dream: Reflecting on Twenty Years in Business

This is our 20^th year in business. I figure that deserves at least one good blog post.

In1991, we had one mantra: “Pride Passion and Results”. It was our theme, our tagline. Nothing stood in our way. Technology was different then. It was about the beginning of enterprise software and intelligent PCs. Journalism was different too. There were lots and lots of magazines and newspapers that people were happy to pay for. PR was different. There were 5 page press releases with long quotes from CEOs, and not much in the way of visuals except for maybe a photo of the CEO that required a “negative” or even a “transparency.” We worked with 100s of companies and 1000s of great people. Most of our clients made it, creating new markets and building new categories along way, changing the way we people live and work. At the end of the day, our goal was to solve our clients’ communication problems by elevating their awareness, leveraging their customers’ testimonials, and showcasing their products’ value.

We’ve always strived to be a great place to work where people work hard during the day, and know they can go home and focus on their families. It’s an entrepreneurial place… “If you don’t know the answer to something, go ask somebody, and if they don’t, just make it up!” I have a strong distaste for politics, I find it gets in the way of getting things done, and I encourage an environment of open communication, accountability and always, teamwork. Results of course, are what have kept us in business, and we won lots awards for amazing campaigns and outcomes. It was fulfilling, and it made us feel proud of our work.

Today, a lot of things are different, but a lot is still the same. Technology is about a new generation of enterprise software (SaaS), and about the digital and social platforms for communication, shopping, and information sharing. There are a lot fewer magazines and newspapers that people don’t want to pay for and the publishing industry is scrambling to reinvent itself, including the journalists who cover more beats than a Smorgasbord in Scandinavia. The press release has been transformed into a digital medium that is alive, visual and in living color. Communication is all about transparency and two-way dialogue. We work with lots of great companies and people who are still creating new markets and impacting our lives and places of business in meaningful ways. Now we focus on solving our clients’ business problems through a beautiful blending of PR, social media and interactive design and even advertising services. It’s sophisticated, it’s interesting, and it’s a lot more about marketing than just “getting the ink.”

Twenty years later, it’s still all about taking pride in our work, loving our business and delivering kick ass results. We are after all, one team of amazing people http://www.facebook.com/pages/Horn-Group-Inc/104301055120 behind one common goal, one dream: to be the best, make a difference, and to learn something along the way. Nothing stands in our way. Happy anniversary to all those who were there along the way: our friends, employees, clients, and media. It has been my distinct pleasure to have worked with you all, and here's to many more years of making dreams come true. -- Sabrina

3 Comments

I know as an employee I'm thankful to be a part of a team that's so fiercely committed to keeping the Horn Group an independent agency. That approach allows us great flexibility in being able to invest in both people and services (like continually adding new skills to our design team.)

Posted by: Katie Neuman | February 01, 2011 at 01:04 PM