From Istanbul’s early digital innovations during the internet boom of the 90s to Aksel Digital’s exciting plans for 2025, our journey has been one of growth, resilience, and passion.
As we welcome 2025 with open arms, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our story, celebrate how far we’ve come, and share our excitement for the year ahead.
From Istanbul to London, shaping the World of Digital Innovation
Our story began in Istanbul in the late 90s when we were in our early 20s. Ayca was studying to become a vet, and Oz was on the path to becoming an architect.
Exploring the Early Days of the Internet
We were both fascinated by the internet boom and the endless possibilities the digital world offered. It felt like a whole new universe waiting to be explored, and we eagerly jumped in. That shared excitement and drive brought us together at one of the very first digital agencies in Turkiye — and, in many ways, one of the first of its kind globally.
This agency wasn’t just ahead of its time; it was shaping the future. Together, we played a role in bringing Turkiye’s most prestigious newspapers and magazines online for the very first time. Imagine taking iconic publications like Cosmopolitan and Esquire and giving them a digital home — a completely new frontier in that period.
But that wasn’t all. We were part of the team that launched Turkiye’s first-ever online marketplace, a concept that would later become second nature with platforms like Amazon. We’re talking about a space where people could buy everything from physical products to groceries — an ambitious idea for its time.
We also managed websites for 40+ companies belonging to Turkiye’s largest conglomerate and were instrumental in launching the Odeon Cinemas website, which was the first to let people book seats and buy tickets online. This project went on to win the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Best Website Design — a true honour in Turkiye’s advertising world.
Our First Digital Agency
After soaking up all that experience, we decided to spread our wings and launch our own boutique agency. We specialised in financial services, helping design and build online stock exchange platforms where people could buy and sell stocks. We also took on educational projects, creating training CDs (remember those?) for Microsoft products and enabling online certification exams.
Navigating Challenges and Growth
It was a whirlwind of growth, employing a team of designers and developers. But the early 2000s Turkish financial crisis hit hard, with the stock market crashing and the Turkish lira collapsing. It was a pivotal moment for us, and we made the difficult decision to close our agency. We were still young and full of ambition, so we chose stability, joining a new agency instead.
Adapting, Innovating, and Moving to the UK
At our new agency, we continued to push boundaries. We designed Turkiye’s first consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace — think of it as an early version of eBay. We also got our first taste of mobile app development, working on location-based apps driven by GPS — something that’s standard now but felt like pure magic back then.
Not long after, life took us to the UK. We both studied marketing at the University of the West of England in Bristol, after which our paths temporarily diverged. Oz focused on project management, while Ayca specialised in content management. Despite going in slightly different directions, we both remained firmly in the digital marketing world. We stayed in touch — we were friends, after all — always knowing that one day, we’d work together again.
The Birth of Aksel Digital
Fast forward to eight years ago — Oz founded Aksel Digital Marketing & SEO Agency in London. Ayca, meanwhile, was establishing a strong presence in the travel industry, working with some of the world’s largest travel companies. But sometimes, you’re drawn back to your roots.
In the summer of 2024, Ayca made the leap to join Oz as a partner at Aksel Digital. Back together again, our combined skills in SEO, content, and design meant we could offer even more to our clients. It felt like coming home.
Since then, we’ve taken on incredible web design and digital marketing projects, each one more rewarding than the last. Our shared history means we’re perfectly in sync, communicating effortlessly as if no time had passed. It’s a partnership built on trust, experience, and a shared passion for what we do.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we step into 2025, we’re filled with excitement for the future. We’ve got big plans, new ideas, and a lot of momentum behind us. Our vision for Aksel Digital is stronger than ever.
We’ll be taking on more ambitious projects, offering even more design and SEO solutions, and continuing to help our clients achieve their digital dreams. Our journey from Istanbul to London has been an incredible adventure. From architecture and vet training to digital pioneers, we wouldn’t change a thing.
Here’s to growth, creativity, and partnerships that stand the test of time. We’re ready for 2025 and all the possibilities it brings.
With gratitude and excitement for the road ahead,
Oz & Ayca
