It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Damian Penco and I decided to start an ad agency, writes David Quinn, founder of Bloom the advertising agency.

We were both young creatives - Damian an art director, and I a copywriter- with big ideas and even bigger ambitions.  

Having made the big decision to launch ourselves into the world of advertising, we decided we should go for a drink.

It was a Thursday or a Friday evening.

The sun was shining and for some reason, we ended up outside Davy Byrnes' pub on Duke Street. 

Pints in hand, the discussion about the serious matter of what we should call this agency started.

There were a number of options on a shortlist, but none of them were setting our world on fire.

We slowly started to notice that we were surrounded by a flamboyant group of people dressed in Boater hats and Edwardian era frocks.

It was then that we realised it was Bloomsday.

Always one for an interesting fact, I piped up, "Do you know what the central character in James Joyce's Ulysses does for a living?"

"No, what?" came Damian's reply.

"He's an adman".

"Really? And what is this character's name?"

"Bloom", I said. "Bloom"

That was it. Bloom the advertising agency was born.

It's been 25 great years. Since then, we’ve been lucky to work with an incredible roster of clients who’ve trusted us to bring their brands to life.

From Brady Family Ham and Citroën Ireland to Just Eat, West Coast Cooler, and The Labour Party to name just a few, we've had the privilege of helping tell their stories in creative and meaningful ways.

Looking back, it’s been an amazing journey filled with hard work, great people, and memorable campaigns.

I’m proud of what Bloom has become, and deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of the ride.

Here’s to the next 25—and a quiet nod to Mr. Joyce for helping us find the perfect name.

Photo: David Quinn