2021
THE YEAR OF
RESILENCE
WHAT 2020 TAUGHT US
“J
an 1st 2020 - midnight. Fireworks, music, bubbles and people. A new shiny year ahead - filled with optimism, excitement and prosperity in every way. Little did we know what was in store for us. Knowing what I know now - I would have said to myself when the clocks showed 00:00 last year ‘Lauren - strap yourself in - it is going to get rough.’ People talked about kindness, support, change and hope throughout 2020 - all valid, all purposeful. But in many ways if I learnt anything from 2020 was the lesson of perseverance and resilience. Running a business comes with it’s own hardships in the better of times but add a dash of economic shut down, (not to mention Brexit!) a pandemic and then life - the idea of work is an uphill battleground with no end in sight. Resilience however is a marvellous attribute. Defined as ‘the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness’ -we have seen this disguised in many forms across 2020... “ Lauren Brener
“T
here has been a lot of highlights over the last four years of running Duo Creative Media. The biggest is seeing our growth, not only as people but as entrepreneurs. 2020 brought about a lot of challenges. We are constantly thinking of how to navagiate the landscape as a small business, how to put our best foot forward and be as authentic and as resouresful as we can. This year taught us the important of having a resilient spirit and never doubting yourself. I have been tested emotionally and mentally, but thankfully I have come through the other side, stronger and more self assured in who I am. As a creative, I have learnt the power of questioning, being able to look at a problem from many differnt vantage points and remain curious. It is so common to rush to solve a problem, but I’ve found the best work comes from being able to observe and refine ideas over a period of time and through conversation...” Frances Kehinde Para-Mallam
“WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH,THE TOUGH GET GOING”
“TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST, TOUGH PEOPLE DO”
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Lauren Brener
Frances Kehinde Para-Mallam
rom small businesses standing up for one another, collaborating - keeping the lights on wherever possible. Ideation and innovation - pivoting to adapt to the current state of play. Friendships and partnerships standing steadfast in the most adverse conditions both professionally and personally. I am a horse rider in my spare time and when we fall (and we fall often) - you would think this would be enough to stop us from ever riding again. On the contrary we get back on the horse and keep going. Because the worst thing we could do is shy away from something that we love, something we enjoy - no matter how difficult. Resilience becomes second nature and I hope that for businesses, brands, people, places and things - we get back on the proverbial horse and continue to do the things we love. So when the clocks struck midnight and 2021 officially started- I said to myself ‘Lauren - 2021 bring it on!’ Here’s to a year of continued resilience, creativity and to life.”
e look forward to partnering with brands that are future focused and want to create a new realities for themselves. Over the last four years we have had the priveledge of working with small businesses as well as large coporates and we are so proud of the work we have been able to create with them. From product launches to TV ads, to new apps and websites we have experimented with different formats and approaches of combining Creative and Media together. The principle still holds true. An idea is nothing without the right execution - and this is true across the board. Who you choose to involve, greatly impacts the quality of the final output, the channels you focus on can mean the difference between success and failure. It’s these naunces that we have spent the last four years honing in on. As we embark on another year, we are hopeful for more opportunities that challenge us and push us to create our best work.”
“My hope for 2021 is to continue to build momentum, to keep adapting and growing. Having more audacious goals for our business and having the fortitude to see them through. - Frank
“My hope for 2021 is that we become driven to do better. Not more - just better. Better work, better standards, better creativity, better business.� - Lauren
MANTRAS
FOR 2021 I WAS MADE TO BREAK THROUGH
I WAS MADE TO SHINE
I WAS MADE TO CHANGE THE GAME
I WAS MADE TO DISRUPT
I WAS MADE TO STAND OUT
I WAS MADE TO CREATE NEW REALITIES
I WAS MADE TO LEAD
I WAS MADE TO GORW
I WAS MADE TO INSPIRE
“RESILIENCE MEANS FAILING 10 TIMES AND SUCCEEDING ON THE 11TH TURN”
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR BRAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN 2021, WHY NOT SIGN UP FOR OUR BRAND WORKSHOP SESSION TO HELP DECIDE YOUR NEXT MOVE. CONTACT HELLO@DUOCREATIVEMEDIA.COM www.duocreativemedia.com @duocreativemedia