We devloped a CDROM for the Youth Sport Trust containing over 100 tips and ideas using PE and sport to raise attainment and achievement in English and maths.

The ideas are real-life examples, tried and tested in schools around the country. A quick search function allows you to select a tips or ideas of varying lengths, for use either in English, maths, or both subjects. 

If an idea can be used as part of the QCA’s Assessment of Pupils’ Progress guidance on the relevant assessment focus is included; users can also search for tips suitable for use in an SEN context.  Also included in the resource are a range of supporting materials, a section on using sports data in maths and science lessons provided by a consultant to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme, useful weblinks and an action planning tool to support implementation of the ideas.

Packington Pork is one of many successful brands under the Mercer Farming umbrella and no advert is ever too PIG (I mean BIG) to promote… their newly positioned roadside banners prove this…

We designed the banners to fit in with the brand and these pigs are off to a flying start…

We’re not saying slow down to view these oversized pigs, but take a glance when driving on the 513 to Tamworth, M6 Toll, A38 to Burton.

Keep a look out for other well fed pigs as there are another four around…!!

Originally designed and printed by us in 2009 we have recently updated and reprinted the product broadsheet for James Gibbons Format. The chart is A1 folded down to A4 and highlights some of the key products available in their range.

James Gibbons Format is the oldest Architectural Ironmongers in the UK with an internationally recognised brand name for service and quality, supplying “Format” door hardware to some of the most prestigious buildings worldwide. 

You can view an electronic version of the chart on their website http://www.jgf.co.uk/ebrochures/wallchart/

Kusuri are a leading supplier of high quality food and medications in the pond and aquarium industry.

After a successful 10 years in business they wanted to uplift their image and produce a catalogue that really showed their products off to the best.

We designed and printed a new 40 page product catalogue celebrating their 10 year anniversary and we’re hoping the fresh new look will give them a cracking start to the fish keeping season.

Our client; Signalling Solutions required some large, lightweight pin boards to display frequently changing health and safety notices and certificates in offices and workshops across the country.

We worked with them to specify the size of boards required, printed their corporate branding and tagline and then finished off with the felt pin area.

They’re delighted with the end result and we’re pinning our hopes on more orders! (sorry – couldn’t resist)

If your travelling up the A38 to Burton (just past our office) keep an eye out for the new Packington Pork roadside banner we’ve designed.  We were asked to supply seven of them, designed to catch the eye and withstand the elements, and as one would be seen from the M6 Toll, it was crucial that they were clearly visible from a distance, hence keeping it simple with image, web address and strap-line.

With two of them at over 7 metres long it was by no means an easy task quality checking them, but we have to say they look stunning and will surely attract quite a lot of attention.

The current, well worn banner will be replaced very soon, but if you can’t wait here’s an artist impression of what it looks like.

When your customers and prospects start thinking about reinvesting in the services or products you provide, you must make sure your business is at the front of the queue; ready to pick up those early orders.  

Ok so how does that work in practice?

STEP 1 Your brand

The first thing to consider is; does your business look presentable? Is your brand looking tired, both from a design and a delivery perspective?

Have changes over the last few years to your products, services or markets been considered? Does your brand represent your business with authenticity, is it still relevant to your target audience?

Broken signs, poorly produced marketing material, no consistency in brand sizes or colours? If this is how you deliver your brand would you be surprised if your customers were confused or just plain disinterested in you?

STEP 2 Your marketing material

Is your marketing material upto date? Have you got the latest information on your products and services in an easily deliverable format, ready and waiting to go out to an eager prospect? Can you post upto date leaflets or brochures? Email a PDF or a link to an e.brochure? Or point them to your web site?

STEP 3 Your web site

It’s one of the first places your prospects are likely to check, so is your web site upto date? Are there still old news stories hanging around like a bad smell? Does it contain all the current information about your business, your services or products as well as your people? Out of date information will make your company look tired, which is hardly a great impression to make in the newly energised economy.

STEP 4 Making regular contact.

It might be a while since you contacted your existing customers or new prospects. You simply might not have had anything new to say. Well a brand facelift, some new product or service based marketing material, an updated web site and e.brochure are all great ways to start a fresh dialogue.

And what better way than a targeted and regular email campaign; using an email distribution provider (like us) is an ideal way of delivering a professionally managed email campaign and getting back the right data. Data on which emails made it through, how many were opened, which links were followed and was your email forwarded.

STEP 5  New opportunities  

Have you investigated the new and emerging social networks? Networks such as Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter can all provide opportunities to promote your business products or services. Get on before your competitors.

STEP 6 The budget

OK so what about the cost? Well of course it’s going to cost because all businesses need to invest in growth, otherwise you’ll end up going backwards. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Tidying up a web site or adding a simple content management tool that allows you to update your web content, won’t break the bank.

Starting to build your email marketing list now could save you plenty of time and money in the future. And creating marketing emailers isn’t as expensive as you might think.

What of the traditional brochure or catalogue – well why not forget the print run? Or at the very least reduce the number of copies dramatically. Create an e.brochure or e.catalogue instead. Easy to link to or email with no print costs. You’ll even be helping the environment!

If you’d like to know more get in touch and we’ll happily evaluate your brand and marketing material and give you some considered and (hopefully) insightful advice.

We have just completed the design and build of the Thames Valley University International CDROM prospectus for the third year in a row. The CD is designed to be mailed out to students both in the UK and overseas. The CD contains a number of the University prospectuses and education guides which are easy to access and view by the user.

The finished master was replicated, printed and packaged by our own CD/DVD replication company www.dupe.co.uk

Back to school & work!

With the memory of another beautiful August (sic) fading behind us, it’s time to start thinking about our return to school and work. The next few months are a great time to pick up the marketing pace and start planning for an Autumn or New Year launch. New product catalogues, company brochures and web sites or even a new brand, these are just the sort of projects to get underway in September. 

We have lots of examples of successful, results orientated online and offline advertising and marketing. Take a look at our recent marketing project examples and if you like the creativity shown and type of work we’ve been producing; then get in touch.

September 2010