Celebration? In truth, now doesn’t feel much like the time for rejoicing. In the midst of global turmoil and economic strife, celebration is perhaps bottom of the list for most of our realities. However, as July marks a monumental 25 years in business for Headlines, this is perhaps the most apt time for reflection.
Our journey as communication specialists was opportune in its beginnings. In 1996 our first client had initially requested that I work for him full time. However, taking an opportunity, I suggested we come on board as an agency instead. Fortune truly does favour the brave as within months that bold leap of faith had led to multiple recommendations and a growing client roster. The information technology sector in particular were our greatest allies. Fueled by a bustling tech scene, Headlines emerged as the go-to boutique agency with referrals from journalists and clients alike..
Business though has a funny way of never really letting you stop and smell the roses. As the 90s drew to a close, Y2K loomed and with it came a wave of uncertainty. The mild gloom of the vast unknown left me anxious and equally eager to once again venture outside our comfort zone.
Fortunately the scope of work for one of our clients encapsulated advertising, marketing and tech, and it is through this that we broadened our client base to include consumer brands, hospitality, personalities, financial services and education while still keeping a strong foothold in tech.
Looking back it’s been nothing short of amazing crafting strategies for SAs leading brands and personalities. The memories made remain etched in my heart and not a second goes by where I do not feel eternally grateful.
The journey however would be wholly impossible without the team that walked beside me all these years. Headlines has always been proudly small. But this was a feature not a bug. It’s what empowered us to be agile and dynamic. We became a family. Without the ever-fierce Kate, the quintessential wordsmith Tambu and the media maverick Lindi, and those who were with me in the beginning, none of this would have been possible.
And so now as we look ahead to the next quarter century, I can’t help but feel excited to experience the next chapters. We’ve shifted toward being communication specialists away from public relations practitioners. It’s an evolution that has allowed us to offer our clients more turnkey solutions that align with a shifting landscape. Partnership has long been a cornerstone of our success, and now with both local and international collaborators in our stable, we feel stronger than ever to conquer new territories beyond our borders.
It feels daring to dream when the clouds appear to be hanging ever so low of late. But we’ve made it this far. Who knows what the future will hold when we take the next big step. Something tells me though that with our amazing clients, our phenomenal team and a pinch of elbow grease, this story is going to one day make the headlines.
Thank you for 25 years of supporting Headlines Communication Specialists.
About Headlines Communication Specialists
Headlines was founded on the 1st of July 1996 by Simone Lipshitz. It is one of the leading communication agencies in South Africa with over 25 years experience serving clients across information technology, hospitality, finance and media. Headlines offering public relations, digital media, social media and media training services.
Visit www.headlinespr.co.za or email simone@headlinespr.co.za to find out more.