Twelve years! That is how long Quirk, the marketing agency that's "born digital", has been pioneering the Internet on behalf of clients, ever since those lonely days back in Rob Stokes' garage. Over a decade later, Quirk is a bustling agency of more than a hundred smart and quirky individuals as passionate about their company as their fearless leader and founder.
Back in 1999, Rob Stokes had an idea for a little technology business, but even he would not have guessed that the business would eventually evolve into an international ad agency of note. What initially started as a general one-stop, doing everything from selling hardware to networking offices and building Web sites, is now one of the pre-eminent digital agencies, certainly in Africa, and very soon, the world.
"Even up until 2001 the idea of using the Internet as a marketing tool was so new and badly understood that people had very little idea of what was possible. Through trial and error and a lot of thought, we have learned about the benefits of digital marketing and have packaged this knowledge into great marketing strategies for our clients," says Stokes.
"Over the years there have been many ups and down, but looking back, it's amazing how far we have come, and I think the entire Quirk team should feel immensely proud of the role they have played in getting us here. What's really fantastic for me is that even after 12 years, I'm still having a great time and have never been more excited about what our future holds," adds Stokes.
Happy Birthday Quirk, here's to another 12 years!
Rob Stokes' 12 reasons to feel good:
In the last year, Quirk has more than doubled its headcount from 49 to 120 and boasts a 115% growth in turnover.
Quirk Johannesburg and Quirk London now have bigger, better offices.
Quirk Innovations, Idea Bounty and BrandsEye have evolved and have become fully-fledged businesses in their own right.
Quirk was short-listed as most innovative agency in the UK by eConsultancy in 2010.
We won our first Silver Loerie in 2010 for Hogwarts Wizarding Class – an innovative use of technology to promote the launch of the fifth Harry Potter film.
The awesome graduate program for students wanting to get into digital; responsible for training up the brilliant young minds who will be the QuirkStars of the future.
Quirk's Scott Gray being awarded Best Social Media Marketer and Andre Britz Best Display Marketer in the Bookmarks 2010.
The big talent we have attracted over the past year. Justin Spratt who joined Mary Mzumara as Managing Partner at Quirk Jo'burg in 2010, and was appointed as CEO of the Agency Group in February 2011. Clint Bryce came on board as Chief Creative Officer and Tom Brady joined Nic Ray as Managing Partner in Quirk UK. Andrew Allison joined as Group CFO and industry veteran, Mark Sherrington, is now Chairman of the Group.
Quirk has won distinguished clients, including Distell, Woolworths, Investec and DStv and continues to work with valued clients, including Sun International, Capitec Bank, Keedo and Warner Bros.
BrandsEye launched a hugely upgraded Version 2 to great accolades and a Services Seta award for best marketing company in the small business category.
Idea Bounty winning briefs for top international clients like Vodafone Global, Financial Times UK, Chevrolet and Peparami.
And finally, the feeling that 2011 is going to be the best year yet!
