Year in Review: Looking Back on 2020
As 2020 comes to an end, it is clear that this year has been characterized by unprecedented change and extraordinary challenges. On January 1st, no one could have expected what 2020 would have in store. For many, this year has been an uphill battle. The world as we knew it came to a grinding halt, creating an environment of uncertainty, panic, and pessimistic frustration. Rashida Gayle, CEO and Founder of Twenty Six Marketing Agency and her Partner/COO Kyle Jacobson, flipped their frustration into optimism and determination. They would not let the challenges and hardships of this year stand in their way of accomplishing something great.
Twenty Six Marketing Agency was founded in March of 2020–the pivotal month in which COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic, and the nation began the unforeseen lockdown process. Much like the rest of everyday life, sports were put on pause as the virus spread around the world, with no answer as to when play would resume. Even amidst the economic crisis and sports hiatus, Twenty Six embraced the challenge of establishing a business built on culturally-attuned and meaningful brand collaborations. In a time when all the lights went out, we turned ours on.
Twenty Six Marketing Agency is a full service agency servicing the best in-class talent across sports and entertainment. We are a team of young, innovative, motivated, and hungry individuals who have come together to maximize brand opportunities for our clients through smart and strategic marketing initiatives. 100% of our team is under the age of 30, making Twenty Six one of the youngest agency teams in the industry. Our relentless optimistic spirit and driven personalities gets us out of bed every day to do what we do best: individualized talent representation and relationship building.
Since our launch in June, Twenty Six Marketing Agency has created a diverse roster of talent, boasting athletes, content creators, and entertainers. We developed an influencer division and expanded into the entertainment space, forming many new and exciting partnerships. Whether it was working with Nickelodeon for an upcoming show or partnering with What Do You Meme for a new game launch, Twenty Six has embraced all opportunities to establish a strong presence in the influencer marketing space and cultivate meaningful brand collaborations.
As our entertainment division came into fruition, our athlete representation division continued to grow. We are so grateful to our athletes who have remained with us from the start of this journey and for those who have joined us along the way. Twenty Six celebrated many creative brand collaborations this year, including a special partnership between Miles Boykin, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver, and Xbox which honored Miles’ mother for her service as a labor and delivery nurse during the pandemic. We always prioritize establishing partnerships that are genuine, purposeful, and truly align with the client’s personal brand. This is something we have prided ourselves on since the beginning, and we will continue to prioritize in the years ahead.
Over the past eight months, Twenty Six Marketing Agency has proven that hard work, persistence, perseverance and resilience are the key to success. Nothing came easy, but the great team that we have behind us has allowed us to rise above and overcome the obstacles we have faced. As we look back on this crazy year, we are so proud of where we are now. Since our launch in June, we have partnered with over 30 brands across the health and wellness, fashion, technology, and sports industries (plus many more). We launched campaigns across all digital platforms, including Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube. We expanded our client roster to include NFL and MLS athletes, a professional boxer, influencers, media personalities and entertainers. Twenty Six CEO and Founder, Rashida Gayle, was recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in the sports and entertainment space. Our ability to pivot, be flexible, and adapt to the changes that 2020 has brought is what positions us for even greater growth and success next year.
We can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for us. We enter the new year with thankful hearts, optimistic excitement, and a hungry mentality. Bring on 2021.
