Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 03.11.2025 Who are YBM and how are they shaking up the US Agency Awards with 4 nominations.
When Sofia Stannard founded YBM just three years ago, the vision was simple: do the work and let quality speak for itself. There were no grand plans for award ceremonies or industry accolades – just a desire to build meaningful campaigns, create real value, and immerse ourselves completely in the craft. Today, being shortlisted in four categories at the US Agency Awards feels both surreal and deeply rewarding. It’s a reminder that when you focus on the work, recognition often follows naturally.
From the very beginning in 2022, YBM was built on genuine partnerships and a culture where creativity could flourish. Sofia’s leadership philosophy centers on giving people the space to excel, not pressuring them into it – and that organic approach has shaped a team of passionate problem-solvers and true “workaholics” devoted to their craft. They tirelessly identify clients’ challenges, dive deep into understanding their businesses, and work around the clock when urgency calls. In marketing, where even a minor delay can cost a client competitive advantage, responsiveness becomes everything – and our team embodies that standard.
Brainstorming sessions at YBM often turn into lively debates, because every team member steps into the client’s shoes, viewing problems from different angles to find the most effective solutions. At times, we overwhelm clients with questions, not out of formality, but out of genuine immersion in their workflows. This is why we say YBM is not just another external agency – we see ourselves as part of our clients’ teams. Growth, after all, is only truly possible when we grow together with them.
Our shortlisting in four categories represents far more than individual achievements. It is proof of what can happen when a young agency aligns around a shared vision. Each campaign we submitted reflects countless hours of collaboration, trial and error, late-night refinements, and those rare moments when someone’s “what if?” becomes “let’s do it.”
So what do we excel at?
At YBM, our strengths lie in automating and structuring clients’ internal sales processes (such as CRM systems), conducting deep competitor and market analysis, performing behavioral research on target audiences, integrating AI tailored to each client’s needs, and synchronizing seamlessly with client teams to respond rapidly to any challenge.
Being shortlisted has energized us even further. It’s a reminder that age or size doesn’t define an agency’s potential – vision, consistency, and execution do. We’re grateful to our clients for trusting us, to the US Agency Awards for recognizing our work, and to every member of the YBM team who shows up daily with passion and purpose. This nomination belongs to all of us – and it’s only the beginning.
