Brighton Agency Welcomes Colleagues from Around The Globe

Gateway to Growth

Brighton recently had the unique honor of hosting industry colleagues from around the world.

We’re a member of the ICOM network, a global network of more than 80 top independent advertising, digital marketing and media agencies from 60 countries. Members collaborate by sharing regional research, highlighting powerful work and extending one another’s capabilities. But perhaps more importantly, ICOM members meet several times a year to network, help one another solve challenges, congratulate each other on new business wins and, of course, have fun.

Agency leaders from Canada, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico and states across the U.S. convened in St. Louis, and our host city did not disappoint. We took in a Cardinals game, toured our vibrant downtown and enjoyed lots of amazing food. But more importantly, we came together as people, and realized that, despite language barriers and cultural nuances, we’re more alike than different.

Great People Doing Great Work for Clients

In the words of Brighton’s president and CEO, Tina VonderHaar, “ICOM agencies are a lot like us — they are great people who all desire the same thing: to do great work for our clients. It’s really about the people.”

“We often focus on the work, but I loved being able to take a few days and focus on the agency business model with people who are as passionate about the industry as I am,” adds Stephanie Lynch, Brighton’s strategy and insights director. “ICOM members are a very trusting and open group, which made for insightful discussions.”

“I was interested to learn that business on the ‘client side’ is evolving as fast as the ‘agency side,’” noted Serge Traylor, Brighton account director. “From maturing markets to price wars, old- guard legacy to intense competition, our clients are dealing with challenges; it’s our job to provide specific marketing-generated opportunities to help impact their bottom lines.”

One highlight of the conference for all was keynote speaker Dave Peacock, Schnuck Supermarkets president and chief operating officer, who spoke of the necessary attributes of good employees: will, grit, humility, work ethic and compassion. As Brightonians, these are characteristics we hold dear, and the ICOM conference confirmed that no matter where they live or what language they speak, people are the most valuable asset of any successful agency.

We look forward to reconvening with ICOM colleagues next year in beautiful Paris, France!

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