Fifty2M, founded by managing director Lee Petts in the spare bedroom of his house in Chorley in June 2002, is celebrating a major milestone having recently turned 20 years old.
The firm works to raise the profile of businesses and charities across Lancashire and beyond with expert PR and marketing, which includes everything from storytelling in the media to running sophisticated advertising campaigns in print, online and on social media.
“If people can’t find you, they can’t buy from you or support your charity, and that’s essentially what we fix,” explained Lee.
“It hasn’t always been what we do, but early on in my career I ignited a passion for marketing and communications that never stopped burning and so, eventually, we changed direction to become the full service agency we’re known as today.
“The last two decades have flown by, and I’m lucky to have had the support of some brilliant colleagues and amazing partners along the way. It’s not been without its challenges, especially during Covid when businesses and charities stopped spending on promotional PR and marketing, but I feel privileged to have enjoyed twenty years making lifelong friends and earning a living by doing things that I love.”
Fifty2M celebrated in style recently at Preston’s Baker Street bar with a beer and pizza party for 50 guests that included current and past clients, colleagues and loyal suppliers.
The evening featured a quiz to test people’s memories of 2002, a long service award for a member of staff, and entertainment provided by singer and event host Velody.
Dawn Cheetham, director of Blackpool-based CKS Catering, attended the birthday event and said afterwards: “It was a lovely evening and always good to celebrate the success of a Lancashire business!”
Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said: “Lots of businesses sadly don’t survive the first three years, and so making it to twenty is quite an achievement, especially when that includes surviving the 2008 financial crash and, more recently, the pandemic. Fifty2M is a great example of what it takes to succeed, which includes accepting the rough with the smooth and being unafraid to reinvent and refocus. We wish them well for another twenty years.”
