A Preston marketing firm launched from a Chorley bedroom in 2002 has marked its 20th birthday with a beer and pizza party for 50 guests.

Fifty2M, founded by managing director Lee Petts in his spare bedroom in June 2002, ‘celebrated in style’ at Preston’s Baker Street bar with guests that included current and past clients, colleagues and loyal suppliers. 

The firm works to raise the profile of businesses and charities across Lancashire and beyond with PR and marketing, including media storytelling and advertising campaigns in print, online and social media.

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Lee said: “If people can’t find you, they can’t buy from you or support your charity, and that’s what we fix.

“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, so 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 the support of some brilliant colleagues and amazing partners along the way.”

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Lee said the journey had been ‘challenging’ at times, especially during the pandemic when businesses and charities stopped spending on promotional PR and marketing.

The Fifty2M founder feels ‘privileged’ to have enjoyed twenty years of making ‘lifelong friends and earning a living by doing things he loves’.

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.

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Dawn Cheetham, the director of Blackpool-based CKS Catering, attended the birthday event.

Dawn said: “It was a lovely evening and always good to celebrate the success of a Lancashire business!”

Babs Murphy, the chief executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Lots of businesses sadly don’t survive the first three years.

“Making it to twenty is quite an achievement, including 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.”

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