At the end of this year, IWS will celebrate our 10th birthday.
I have been thinking a lot about the last ten years in business — our clients, the people who have worked here to help make IWS successful, the ups and downs of running a business, our content management system that is 2nd to none, being proud when our clients are successful and the terrible feeling of “what else could we have done” when they are not.
I remember flying back into DC and freezing as I stood at the BWI train station about two months after the tragedy of September 11; just about broke, and not being sure if IWS was going to be able to pay our bills. The mail wasn’t moving, client’s budgets were non-existent, and the world had been changed.
I have also been thinking about the impact we have had over the years. We communicate hundreds of millions of messages a year for our clients. Just this year alone we have helped facilitate over 600,000 contacts to Congress and I am confident that nearly every voter in Arizona has been touched by what IWS has produced.
We have made a difference and will continue to do so.
We have also tried to make a difference by giving back. This includes supporting groups like Make-A-Wish, Esperanca, COAR, the Arizona Food Banks, ADL and March of Dimes.
I am proud that IWS is able to support these organizations.
So what’s next?
First, IWS is taking care of business by continuing to be a strategic partner with our clients. Providing the very best service to our clients is and always will be our number one priority.
Second, even though about 30 percent of our current business is online general marketing, we are focusing on expanding more into this area and have built the infrastructure to do so.
Third, IWS continues to expand our reach with the addition of the Fluent – a full service online marketing agency, and JoyCom – a traditional public affairs firm.
Finally, if I could give an online toast to everyone reading this post it would be this:
To our clients who hire us, our mentors who have guided us along, our friends who sent us business – we thank you for your trust, your wisdom and your friendship. We wouldn’t be here without you and we sincerely thank you. Here’s to another 10 years!
Tags: Integrated Web Strategy, IWS, Max Fose
Max,
Congratulations on your first 10 years. I remember when you got your start and the successes you had with John McCain.
You are a good friend and I wish you many more successful years!
Frank Hinds