Sometimes, it really is the little things.

As I wind down 2019 and Strand's celebration of our 25th anniversary, it's great to share some local press that helps communicate what we're really all about. What started out as modest beginnings and with, quite honestly, very little idea on where it all might be going, the agency has blossomed into something I could have never imagined. I'm certainly proud of the number of satisfied clients, industry creative awards, and the like, being one measure of our success, but it's the little things that Strand has been able to contribute to in our local and global economy that mean just as much to me as I reflect back, and look ahead.

Recently, the agency received a Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry “Anchor Award” in recognition of our 25 years of dedication to our community and economy. And recognition came not only from Newburyport, but also from the State of Massachusetts’ House of Representatives, as Newburyport/Amesbury State Rep., James Kelcourse (2nd from right), joined the Chamber and presented the state’s official seal and certificate of appreciation at a gathering here at Strand last week. 

Among the many accolades that culminated in this award for Strand, includes this month’s community coat drive which marks the 5th year in which we've organized our “Keep Our Community Warm” campaign. It’s resulted in hundreds of winter coats, clothing items, and blankets reaching those in need throughout the holiday season. (To learn how you can contribute, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StrandMarketing/)

We're very proud to be also noted for being an avid supporter of the Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF), Port Pride (a get out the vote initiative to support the building and renovating of elementary and middle schools in Newburyport), the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, Newburyport’s Riverfront Music Festival, Newburyport Education and Business Coalition (NEBC), Newburyport Youth Services, Triton School District PTA, Custom House Maritime Museum, the Salvation Army, Newburyport Community Services, and the Jeanne Geiger Women’s Crisis Center. And I'm personally honored to have been asked to be a board member of the Chamber of Commerce (acting as Chairman in 2017), and the NEBC, as well as being asked to lend my business experience as a strategic adviser on the committee for Newburyport’s latest master plan. And nothing has given me more joy than the freedom I've had to give time to many local schools and colleges as a regular speaker and mentor.

It truly has been our pleasure to participate in keeping this ocean-side borough one of Massachusetts’ true gems. When it comes to balancing all the cultural, recreational, creative, and economic necessities, and community spirit, that make a community an awesome place to live, work, and play, greater Newburyport is simply one of the best in the country. We’re lucky to be a part of it.

And while Strand is recognized as one of the world’s leading branding and demand generation experts for manufacturers of complex materials, devices and equipment, we're again equally proud to leave our professional mark on the local landscape too, having designed the brand identities for Newburyport’s Chase & Lunt Insurance (now Eastern Insurance), Port Pride, Newburyport’s 250th Anniversary Celebration, Vaunix Technology Corporation, Axis Computer Networks, and the non-profit, Turning Point, as well as Amesbury’s ARC Technologies (now Hexcel).

In short, this is what being in business is really all about for me: Making a decent living to support my family, creating great jobs for great people who live throughout the area, delivering impactful services that are propelling our clients forward and employing more people every year, and taking a little time to enrich our community by giving to, and actively supporting, a few neighbors that are near and dear to us.

I can only hope the next 25 years are as rewarding.

To learn more about our successes and endeavors, visit: https://strandmarketing.com/updates/