2023 round-up - Brand By Me ‘Wrapped’

How’s your year been? We’ve been taking the time to reflect and look back at what we’ve done, and I recommend you do the same.

As a founder, I tend to overlook my achievements and the world often encourages minoritised folks to keep quiet about their wins.

So, taking our cue from Spotify, we’re sharing some highlights of our own.

1. Your top genre was ‘Workshops’

We love running online workshops and hybrid events (we also love in-person ones too!).?

Here are some great bits of feedback from our clients about the impact of our workshops:

?“What most impressed us was the passion and enthusiasm. Just being on a Zoom call for 20 minutes is a wonderful experience and you come off it wanting to do so much more.”

“There’s just no way we could have got anywhere near delivering what we have done without Collette. She’s facilitated all the workshops which has been brilliant because I wouldn’t have the skills or the expertise to do that, no chance. But she’s come into a difficult space, where having conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion can be uncomfortable and she’s just set the tone right from the start all the way through, just done a brilliant job.”

2. You spent on average 40 HOURS a month on Zoom!

Zoom is still our preferred platform. But, no matter what platform you use, make sure you know it inside out before the workshop – it’s frustrating for you and attendees if you’re spending time working out how to do the basics during the workshop. We’ve written a couple of blog posts on how to run both online workshops and hybrid events - you can learn more here and here.

3. Your top three podcast episodes

?– Leadership in Colour hosted by Shez Iqbal

– Strategy Sessions podcast hosted by Andi Jarvis?

– Are you sitting uncomfortably? hosted by Gemma Greaves

4. Brand By Me album ‘Proud Sponsors’ was released!

We’ve had a great year and so have made sure we’ve paid it forward, and supported organisations and initiatives we really believe in.

– Lead sponsor of Join Our Table – Sponsored PRECIOUS award ‘Creative Business of the Year 2023”

– Provided match funding for Abram Wilson Christmas campaign

– Corporate donors for The Ebonista Project and Youth Concern

5. Most-played song was ‘Team Days’

We came together in person for the first time ever as a team, for a very special photo shoot in November 2023. It was a glorious day and part of a very exciting project that we will reveal early in 2024!

6. Your top seven songs by the Brand By Me Team

1. ‘Do The Work’?“I think this has been my catchphrase for the year - encouraging marketers and leaders from a breadth of industries to do the work of moving their organisations from ticking diversity boxes to anti-racism. And I am so proud of the work our whole team has done to make this happen” – Collette Philip , Founder and Managing Director
2. ‘Not an AI’“One of the most memorable highlights of 2023 was undoubtedly the Brand By Me photoshoot. It was a rare occasion where our entire team, save for one, gathered in person. We’re a dynamic group, typically connecting online where, I’m trying my best not come across as an AI bot, but witnessing everyone's vibrant personalities unite face-to-face was an unparalleled experience. It solidified the incredible coworker friendship vibes within our expanding team. Being part of such gatherings is something I treasure, and it only fuels my excitement for what's in store for us in 2024 – a secret that's brewing with anticipation!” – Leah James , Creative Administrator
3. ‘Anti-racism in Action’ “Working on the anti-racism strategy for Ramblers was incredibly rewarding and I’m looking forward to seeing our work in action!” – Almaz Ohene , Content Lead
4. ‘Radical Badass'“A particular highlight of working with Brand By Me in 2023 is that we got to work with some incredible clients and that I was challenged even further to embed anti-racism into my work.”– Sulaiman R. Khan (?????? ???? ???) , Disability Justice Lead
5. ‘Train Reaction’“One of the most incredible experiences I've had this year as part of the Brand By Me team has been supporting Collette and Sulaiman to design a training programme that covered anti-racism, Disability justice, inclusive language, equitable storytelling, progression over perfection and celebrating success.” – Ettie Bailey-King , Inclusive Communications Lead
6. ‘Booked & Busy’
7. “My highlight of the year has to be the rebrand shoot for sure! It looks absolutely incredible and I’m so excited for everyone to see it. As a Virtual Assistant, you don’t often get to meet up with or see your clients in person so this was such a lovely experience. Working with Brand By Me is incredible. Collette is fantastic and such a powerhouse within her field. Absolutely honoured to be able to assist such a fabulous team!” – Tia Denton , Virtual Assistant
8. ‘Dream Team’ “My highlight has been working with Collette and meeting the team for the first time this year. I love Collette’s approach to work and the vibrancy of both herself and everyone involved with Brand By Me. I feel excited to be part of the journey!”

– Theresa Jones , Research Lead

Read our blog post in full here.?

As founder of Brand By Me, this is not just going to be my mantra but our collective energy. We are who we are and you take us as we are or not at all. Fuelled by justice and collective liberation. With anti-racism at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for all of your support in 2023.

See you in 2024!

Collette Philip, Founder and Managing Director, Brand By Me

PS Check out our full wrapped video on instagram! Do you follow us? If not, then why not? Follow us to keep up to date with all things Brand by Me!

PPS Creative Brief wrote a brilliant article about the Join Our Table campaign - have a read!