Last year, Google boosted our ego status from Partner to Premier Partner. 

Besides dollars spent, the higher rank recognizes the number of Google certifications our folks have earned and the gains we’ve made in campaign performance. It also provides access to exclusive training and support to keep us sharp.

Bottom line, it’s a pretty big deal and elite status.

So elite, in fact, that Google won’t let us say just how elite it is (it’s confidential, and there’s a secret handshake involved). But rest assured, we haven’t let it go to our heads, as is evident from the photos below.

To signify our new status, Google sent a plaque and a glass award.

Thanks, Google!

We’re proud of our Google-certified employees: Meghan, Tara, and Penney.

Aren’t they lovely!

Their shared achievement is a real honor.

And a heavy one, too. Seriously, that thing is a brick.

But they don’t just share it.

They hold onto it really tightly so it doesn’t get lost or damaged.

Obtaining the certification and status was something they really had to strain and reach for.

But pushing hard for your goals pays off.

At least, it did for Tara.

Because everyone felt such strong ownership for the award, we put it on display where all could enjoy it.

Since then, we’ve observed subtle, yet noticeable signs of pride throughout the office.

But ultimately, the new status didn’t change us.

It simply recognized who we’d already become.