In the world of digital marketing, it’s tempting to always be looking forward to the next big thing - but sometimes, it’s just as important to look back and reflect on how far you’ve come. In that spirit, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate I-COM’s 20th anniversary!
We’ve now been operating in the heart of Manchester for a full two decades, growing from a small, passionate team into a thriving and innovative full-service digital marketing and web development firm. We offer our expertise across web design, web development, content marketing, SEO, PR, email marketing, and PPC to a diverse range of clients, and we’re immensely proud of everything our amazing team has been able to accomplish since we first opened our doors back in 2005.
As we mark this milestone, let’s take a look back at the history of I-COM, and highlight some of the fantastic achievements and cherished memories that have defined our journey…
A potted history of our agency
I-COM began 20 years ago in 2005, founded by Ravi Bhalla with just a handful of employees. Since then, we’ve gone from strength to strength, growing to a 30-person team of passionate digital marketers, web developers, designers, project managers, and a fantastic leadership team.
Over the years, we’ve been based out of five different Manchester locations at various times - but our true home will always be our current office at 131 Portland Street. Our Grade II listed office building is full of personality and character, and is located just a stone’s throw away from fantastic lunch spots, bars and pubs. In short, it’s the perfect place for our team to meet, collaborate and deliver insights and results for our clients!
For most of its lifespan, I-COM was headed by Mike Blackburn as managing director, but since he stepped away from the role in 2023, leadership was handed over to our founder and current managing director Ravi, who is committed to maintaining and building on our longstanding values of innovation, client success, and a strong company culture.
However, although the core vision of our agency’s success remains the same, today’s I-COM has changed in one crucially important way: in 2019, I-COM reached a transformative milestone by transitioning to an employee-owned model, reinforcing our ethos of collaboration, shared success, and long-term commitment to our team and clients. This move has empowered every team member to play an integral role in shaping the business’s future, and to have a deciding voice in how we achieve our goals.
With Ravi at the helm and a strong collective buy-in for our employee-led vision across the whole team, we’re confident that the next 20 years of I-COM will be even more successful than the first 20!
I-COM today: a snapshot
So, that’s the big-picture view of our agency - but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Here, we share a few choice facts and figures that will give you a clearer view of what it means to be I-COM, and what we’ve been able to achieve together…
- Our team has more than 200 years of combined experience working at I-COM in digital marketing, development and design.
- Nearly a third of I-COM employees have celebrated a decade with the business - something rarely seen in this fast-moving industry!
- I-COM’s diverse team includes: a former chef; a professional pianist; a client services manager with a special love for hedgehogs; an email expert with a penchant for tattoos; and a PR exec from the lush landscapes of Brittany! You can find out more about our motley crew here.
- We host regular socials, because our team deserves to be rewarded for their hard work! These have ranged from quiz nights and drinks out to more unusual pursuits like talent shows, Dungeons & Dragons taster sessions, shuffleboard parties and epic scavenger hunts across Manchester!
- We’ve delivered successful website projects, SEO overhauls and creative campaigns for clients across multiple sectors, ranging from law firms and professional services through to utilities, ecommerce, fashion and education. Find out more about our most successful projects here.
- Over the years, our PR team has delivered amazing coverage for our clients across national newspapers, broadcast news media, and countless industry-specific specialist publications.
- We’ve helped clients generate millions of pounds in revenue - and fostered ongoing working relationships with several clients that are almost as old as the agency itself!
Looking forward
What’s next for I-COM? As we enter our third decade, we’re looking ahead with plans for continued innovation and growth. We’re going to be refining our methods, developing our skills, seeking new opportunities and staying on the cutting edge of this fast-paced, ever-changing industry.
A lot has changed for I-COM since 2005, and a lot will change in the years to come. But we’ll always be driven by the same passion and dedication that have been the foundation of our culture and our longevity since day one - because some things never change.
Fittingly, we’ll leave the last word to Ravi, the man who started it all...
"Reaching 20 years in business as an employee-owned marketing firm is more than just a milestone - it’s a celebration of the people who have shaped our journey. As a business, we believe in the power of shared ownership to inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and empower every team member to take pride in our collective success. Over two decades, we’ve navigated a rapidly changing industry, grown alongside our clients, and delivered results that truly make a difference. Our ability to offer headless web development solutions has been key to ensuring that our clients are ahead of the curve as we continue to innovate our services.
“This anniversary is a reflection of the dedication, creativity, and shared vision that drive everything we do. As we look to the future, I am excited to explore new opportunities for the growth of our business.”
Find out more
If you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane and want to know more about our story, take a look at our About Us page. You can also check out I-COM’s blog for the very latest industry insights from our team of experts.
If you believe that working with I-COM would be the right fit for your business, then we want to hear from you. Call us on 0161 402 3170, or use the contact form to get in touch - or, if you’re local, you can find us at 131 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4PY.
