This year, when the topic of our 25th anniversary came up, we were determined to mark the occasion in a fitting manner, given that many companies didn’t even survive the pandemic, whilst we’re still here as an agency of 55 people. We’re growing steadily, building on one success after another.
So let’s pause for a moment and celebrate the past 25 years!
Our message: Progressive Next25
That’s certainly a long time in the life of an advertising agency, but we’re not dwelling on the past. Of course, we’ve put together a timeline in the office covering the past 25 years, where you can follow, year by year, just how much has happened to us, but this year isn’t about looking back either – it’s about where we’re heading over the next 25 years. Our birthday vibe is to look back so that we can look ahead. It’s not about reminiscing, but about building the future. We’ve taken stock of just how many times we’ve reinvented ourselves in the past, and how many more times we’ll do so over the next 25 years.
In line with this, we’ve unveiled a new brand identity, a new logo, and refreshed internal and external communication platforms. Our programmes show not only our current colleagues, but also our clients and partners, that we’re on a roll!
A barrage of birthday surprises featuring haute cuisine and a time machine
I took on quite a challenge, as I decided that the full programme for the Progressive Next25 party would be a surprise not only for the guests, but also for the whole team and the founders. Apart from me, only a few of my colleagues were in on the secret; together with them, we organised the entire evening down to the last detail.
The big celebration took place on 11 September. More than 200 of us partied in a fantastic atmosphere, timed for a Thursday evening. We raised a glass with our most important clients, partners and colleagues, and there was also a concert featuring one of our colleagues with a golden voice. Thanks to Tibor Hodik, of course, top-class cuisine was a given, with the Michelin-starred chef from Natura Hill Zebegény cooking for us. We owe the entire hospitality to our clients and partners; on this evening, they too helped to ensure we had an unforgettable experience.
But that’s not all. Fulfilling a long-held dream, we also launched the time machine. No, this isn’t a joke. This AI-based development made its debut at this special event. After all, who wouldn’t want to travel a little way forward or back in time every now and then?
How old will you be in 25 years’ time?
One of the highlights of the evening was a surprise film, which we projected onto the façade of our office building. The short film wasn’t about reminiscing about the past, but about the present and the future. In it, our colleagues, clients and partners shared why they love working with the Progressive team. Well, we also asked them how old they’ll be in 25 years’ time.
The responses were turned into a real ‘credo film’, which beautifully sums up who we are, what we believe in and how we think.
Stability and momentum
If we had to summarise briefly what Progressive’s 25th anniversary means, we’d say: we’re stable and we’re on the move. Our client base is strong, our projects are exciting, and we have devoted almost the entire summer to tenders – with great success. We look ahead to 2026 with great confidence.
This year is special not just because of Progressive’s anniversary
I myself have been working at the agency for 15 years, and our hugely popular Borsuli programme – which is also part of our family – will be celebrating its third birthday this October. So we’ll have plenty of reasons to pop the champagne. But what really matters is that we’re here, we’re together, and we’re getting ready for the next 25 years. For the stories that, when we look back on them one day – perhaps another quarter of a century from now – we’ll be happy to share. So it’s good to celebrate, but it’s even better to build the future. And at Progressive, we’re always looking ahead!
What you’ve just read was the third instalment in our series of articles. Our aim is to show what it means to be Progressive today – both professionally and personally. And if a client, a colleague, or even a junior project manager says, “Finally, a place where they understand that it’s not just the deadline that matters”, then it was worth starting this series.
Follow the series! The next instalment is coming soon – it’ll be worth checking back!