Paul talks to jfdi about being true to yourself and staying strong to win more.

No matter how good we are, we can all get blown off course from time to time or get lost, muddled, disheartened even. And given the last couple of years anyone could be forgiven for any of the above. It can seem as though everything is conspiring against success no matter how talented you and your people might be. It’s hard running an agency and winning new clients is becoming harder by the minute, becoming more and more like some ridiculous lottery nightmare.

At isobel we are no different. We have had our fair share of headwinds and the year before last we wobbled. Coming off the back of a good year we accepted every pitch that we were invited to do and won very little. Probably one of our worst years for pitch/win ratio. Everybody was worn out from too much pitching and deflated by not winning. So what did we do?

We took a good long look at ourselves and realized that we had lost sight of who we are. We weren’t being true to ourselves. We weren’t being strong.

We were pitching for anybody that seemed to have a half decent budget (and some who didn’t) regardless of whether it was really our ‘type’ of client. Which is ridiculous because the most important rule of having an attractive business is to be strong. Recognize your truth and position your agency to be as much ‘one of one’ as possible.

At isobel, we know that we aren’t right for everybody so why pretend we are? 

Our superpower is helping clients with brand resets. When smart clients are looking to the next chapter in their business, we help them find an inspiring brand idea and then drive that through comms both internally and externally. By definition this excludes a whole host of clients. And it isn’t a position particularly well suited to the short termism of a quick, creative pitch.

Well, it’s amazing how much confidence it gives everybody when you are strong about who you are and what you offer. It has given us the backbone to turn away pitches that we all know aren’t really us (you always know deep down anyway) and as we begin to re-articulate what we stand for, it separates us from other agencies.

In 2025, we will be building on that and with a bit of a following wind, it will pay dividends!

Paul On Staying True to Yourself

Skates on. Sticks at the ready. Mouth guards in – isobel are on ice for Christmas. 

This is the newest, baddest, most kick-ass ice hockey team to ever slide face first across the rink in the NHL. 

This year's card, shot and produced 100% in house, is all about embracing the spirit of 'work hard, play harder'.

Merry Christmas from all of us here on the team.

Christmas 2024

Great to be shortlisted for Agency of the Year again this year. 

Big thank you to Oystercatchers and good luck to everyone shortlisted.

Shortlisted Agency of the Year

Why is independent creative agency isobel, called isobel?

a. I.S.O.B.E.L stands for: Inspire, Strategize, Optimize, Build, Elevate, and Lead
b. The agency is named after St Isobel, who was creative, generous and kind
c. Because all of the founders have a daughter called Isobel
d. The agency is named after Isabela island in the Galápagos, the agency’s first ever client

We joined the Marketing Academy last night to raise money for two incredible charities: Cyclists Fighting Cancer and The Marketing Academy Foundation - in a 90s themed quiz special. 

As well as taking part, we even featured as one of the quiz questions. 

So which answer did you go for? Want a hint? It’s not a, b or d.

The Massive Marketing Quiz

Paul On Staying True to Yourself

Christmas 2024

Shortlisted Agency of the Year