Black&Ginger Blog

word of wisdom

Ive just been to a great keynotes presentation by James Averdieck, the man behind the GU chocolate brand. It's great to see that were preaching from the same alter as James when it comes down to building a brand and I can't think of a better sector example than GU puds! So here's a few wise words on how to build your brand;
1- 'Good product' Obvious but if what you've got is no good then it just ain't go work!
2- 'Stand out from the crowd' How important is this!!! We keep telling our clients time after time if you want to be remembered that get noticed! Get creative...
Don't go with the obvious, that's what everyone else will be doing.
3- 'Be seen in the right places' If your brands a premium product, then it needs to be seen in premium places. You won't see kappa in Harvey Nick's ( unless miss moss is sporting a pair then were on a different level)!
4 - PR fastest way to get your stuff seen, but its got to be in the right place at the right time. Make sure its in the right publication with the right focus.
5 - growth! Good people in your business creates a good culture and this creates growth. People need a dream, make them part of your dream.

This is all basic stuff that if you stick to it then you really can't
go to wrong!

Matt

Power Dressing

Alex and I are on the train to London to go over a website with a new client. The train journey from liverpool to london is usually a pretty boring run. However, we have found ourselves sitting in a real life episode of 'the office'. Two guys sitting behind us are doing a sterling job of trying to out do each other with some serious corporate lingo. Guy on left "if you put a propper manager in place they will manage not micro manage without close control systems and not expoloiting geographical location or distribution levels", Guy on right "totally agree" Guy on Left "Agree on what?" Guy on right "err what you just said" Guy on left "err what did i just say?" Guy on right "something about managing" Guy on right " we need to evaluate this, put an online test in place that will remove us from the jigsaw" Guy on right "yeah good idea, its all about getting the peices in the right place, like a sandwich guy on left "err, yeah your right.... Do you think i look cooler with a big knot in my tie or no tie?" guy on right "big knot, absolutly, says power dressing, your in control," guy on right "yes, thats right, i am in control".

NEW BRAND DEVELOPMENT FOR LIVERPOOL AIRPORT.

'Liverpool John Lennon Airport will officially unveil its £1.6m design and branding enhancements tomorrow, designed by Broome Jenkins.
Funded by the North West Regional Development Agency, the Air Portal Initiative is intended to create a ‘positive first impression’ for visitors to Liverpool, particularly during its reign as European Capital of Culture this year.
Broome Jenkins managed the project and designed the Liverpool 08-branded seating areas in the airport.
Broome Jenkins commissioned illustrator John McFaul to create a 300m-long mural for the airport, column wraps for the baggage hall and seven shuttle-bus wraps.
The consultancy also contracted River Media to create a welcome video that will appear on plasma screens installed in the shuttle buses.
These elements will be unveiled ahead of the opening ceremony for the Capital of Culture, which takes place next weekend.

Design Week, 7th January 2008

Now here's a question. Liverpool Airport is key to our cities growth, in fact it in an integral part of commerce throughout the North West, so my question is this, why did the job to re-develop the brand and its internal space go to a south coast agency? Broome Jenkins are a great team with a proven track record in their field, but there are also agencies within the city of Liverpool who also have award winning work that I'm sure would have offered a truly exceptional service. Its another blow to the growth of the Liverpool creative sector that is finding it tough to change the current mindset that if you want good work, then look elsewhere. In these times of economic uncertainty, we should be investing back into Liverpool. As with any business, growth is only obtainable by re-investment, and Liverpool is no different.

M.W.