The big standout from 2024 would have to be our 20th birthday (yes, we’re officially 20!). We celebrated with an away day at the Celtic Manor, looking back at key moments in the past two decades plus team games, crazy golf and a delicious dinner. We also raised a toast to the fantastic people who make SBW what it is and to the next 20 years making a positive impact both in and out of the agency. A huge thank you to every client, partner, and colleague who’s been part of this incredible journey, here’s to many more to come!
Moving on from the past 20 years, we have already started the next 20 with an incredible year.
Championing positive change is at the heart of what we do, and 2024 was filled with work that we are so proud of, with more campaigns that truly make a difference. Some of our highlights this year include…
Our ‘Workplaces of Wales. Let’s get it sorted’ campaign for Welsh Government, ahead of the new recycling law that came into effect in April. Not only we hit our ambitious goal of 80% audience awareness but we also got gold at the Purpose Awards for Best Environmental Cause Campaign and won top spot at the CIPR Cymru Awards for Climate Action Campaign.
Joining forces with the South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA) to launch their ‘Targeted Lung Health Check’ campaign. With early detection being key to survival, our key aim was to encourage 55-74-year-olds who’ve ever smoked to book their free check when invited. Key to our strategy (and creative concept) was highlighting the vital role of family, friends and loved ones to encourage eligible patients to book and attend their free screening.
Our ‘Hate Hurts Wales’ campaign, which was a rallying call to ‘Stand Up to Hate Crime Together’, with a focus on raising awareness of the support available to victims of hate crime. Featuring victims and bystanders together, our aim was to highlight the message that Wales stands together against hate crime. We were so proud of working on this campaign for the past 3 years and even more so to win gold at the Purpose Awards for Best Equality & Inclusion Cause Campaign in the Public Sector category.
The launch of ‘Teulu Cymru = Family Wales’ overarching social channel for parents in Wales. It brings Welsh Government’s parenting campaigns under one social channel, with everything from tips for early years development to advice on tricky moments and help with childcare costs— so parents can access the support they need, when they need it, in once place, making their life that little bit easier!
The Leasing Scheme Wales campaign aimed to raise awareness of the initiative to existing and potential landlords (who own a second home), ultimately getting them join the scheme to help boost the availability and affordability of private rentals for individuals and families who most need in Wales, reducing homelessness. The scheme makes renting simpler and more appealing by offering benefits including guaranteed long term rental payments, grants to bring properties up to standards (including empty properties), also taking care of all tenant support and management.
Our Climate Action Wales campaign continued to inspire positive change with incredible stories from communities and businesses championing sustainability. Case studies showcased practical ways to make a big difference, from adopting renewable energy and promoting active travel to encouraging sustainable consumption.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Midwifery Unit recruitment campaign. With a impactful concept centred around a beautiful poem, the film took us through remarkable moments in the work of midwives, inside and outside the hospital, highlighting the incredible impact they make as well as the rewarding nature of the job, especially when you have the amazing support and team culture around you. Our goal was to raise the profile of this vital role, inspiring people to choose a midwifery career as well as joining the midwifery team at Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
It’s been a year of growth for our brilliant teams in Bristol and Cardiff.
We were thrilled to welcome Elinor Dafydd as as our new Head of Client Services, bringing over 12 years’ agency experience to lead our Cardiff team. Eva, Account Executive in Bristol, and Bryony, Account Manager in Cardiff also joined our teams.
We’ve seen some well-deserved promotions, with Angharad stepping up to Account Director, Jasmine to Account Manager and Rob taking on the role of Associate Creative Director. A huge well done and thank you to each of them for all their hard work and commitment.
Outside of work, we celebrated our Senior Account Director Ida welcoming her beautiful baby girl, Freja and Angharad tying the knot over the summer. We also had a real treat when our Senior Digital Animator Geraldo flew in from Brazil to spend a few weeks with the team, bringing a ray of sunshine to the office.
Cerys, Bogdan and Chloe made waves at the start of the year by swimming a total of 40,071m (the length of the Gaza strip) to raise funds for UNICEF’s Children in Gaza Crisis appeal. Meanwhile, Richard, Jasmine, and Kaitlyn laced up their trainers for charity runs, raising money for Cancer Research and Movember.
Eva and Leticia joined The friends of Blaise volunteering group who meet 10.30am every Wednesday to help with woodland conservation work. They got to clear and tidy up the woodlands around Blaise Castle, so all visitors and local community can enjoy this beautiful place!
We also had the privilege of inspiring the next generation of creative minds. From delivering talks at Bristol University to sparking brilliant discussions at the University of South Wales, we loved sharing our passion for advertising and design with future innovators. Leticia and Elinor also had the privilege of attending (and being ‘speed mentors’) at the inspiring Welsh Government’s Comms Cymru Conference, a chance to network with other agencies, and hear some inspiring talks about the importance of strategy and authenticity.
Moving into 2025, we have several new clients and campaigns that we are busy working on, including the Office of National Statistics, Menter Môn, Public Health Wales’ Help Us Help You and IEPAW (Interim Environmental Protection Assessor). We are excited for these projects to keep taking shape over the next few months and to share updates with you in the New Year.
We hope all our SBW’ers, clients, partners and communities have a wonderful Christmas with plenty of quality time with their family and loved ones!
Our offices will be closed from Tuesday 24th December, opening again for business as usual on Thursday 2nd January!
We look forward to seeing you in 2025, the SBW Team.
