22nd December 2020

I really enjoy writing our round up of the year at Silver, reflecting on all of the highlights and achievements before we all go off for the break and spend time with our friends and family, even though this year’s holidays are going to be very different.  

However, when starting this year’s note, I really didn’t know where to start in a year like no other in my career. It’s been an emotional note to write and a much more personal than I would normally share.  

36 quizzes and counting… 

A week before the government announced the first national lockdown in March, we decided that as we had just completed a successful migration to Microsoft Teams, that we would do a practice run of everyone working from home that week.   

I remember at the time thinking this could be for a month maybe, but never did I think we would finish the year working more virtually than in person, or that we would have completed over 36 weekly quizzes – including a Christmas one last week hosted by our Chair.  

Continuing to adapt 

During those first couple of months, I’m not afraid to admit that I felt a bit anxious reading all the articles shared of what we should be doing and how, but these were totally uncharted waters, and no one had been through this before. We just used any facts we had and then worked on instinct to do what we thought was the best for our team, our clients and suppliers.   

There were articles out there using the analogy of ‘it’s like a war’. Having been brought up by parents who spent most of their formative years living through a war and being isolated from family at such a young age through evacuation, not being able to get a haircut or having to queue at a well-stocked supermarket didn’t seem like being in war.  

Plus, constantly hearing the term “new normal” was even more depressing because nothing about this has been normal. We will just continue to adapt as we go and we will get through this. 

Lows, but many highs 

It’s certainly been a crazy year with lows but with many highs. We have been fortunate enough to have the support of our clients and also gained some new ones. I would like to thank all our amazing clients for their continued support and partnership.  

We have hired new talent across the team including three paid interns and one graduate permanent hire. I have so much admiration for these hires, especially those who have joined us for their first jobs, not having met anyone in person and operating completely virtually – even for our Christmas party! 

We have delivered some amazing work for all of our clients. In fact, two projects for Dell Technologies led to us winning one Drum award for Best ROI Campaign and one B2B Marketing award for Best Channel Marketing Initiative. To achieve this in a year that we’ve had is something we are so super proud of.  

Making a difference, one step at a time  

To help keep us physically and mentally fit, we set up Silver Steps which involved the whole agency walking, running, stepping and even dancing our way in collective miles to our Austin office. We reached our destination, and have decided to keep going, but have more importantly raised over £2,000 for four really deserving charities: MIND, Age UK, The Trussell Trust and Feeding America. 

Lastly but never least, Team Silver. 

I cannot express enough how honoured I have been to work with each and every one of this fabulous team this year. They have shown courage, resilience and great humour which has been so needed! They have embraced the changing situation with true grit and determination and delivered outstanding work, whilst being supportive and kind. I have learnt so much from you all. I would also like to thank Graham Dodridge our Chair and Founder of Silver for his positive outlook and support. 

So, as we nearly head off to the holidays, I know this year it’s going to be different, but in whatever way you are celebrating, I hope it’s peaceful and safe.  

As we move forward into 2021, we all look forward to better times. No more ‘new normal’, that’s just too depressing! We will continue to adapt, be agile, learn, create great work, build relationships, be thankful and enjoy the journey.  

Wishing you and yours a much better 2021. Onwards and upwards!