A week of networking for Whale!

We’ve all has a busy networking week, attending events across the North West...

Hannah - Woman in Property Students Awards, Steelcase Solutions

“As with all WIP events there was a great attendance from both those already in the industry and those at the start of their career. First time at Steelcase Solutions; a quirky and unusual venue which made for interesting networking!”

Kevin - Manchester’s Creative and Media Industries AGM, Manchester City FC

“The first annual Creative and Media Industries AGM was held at Manchester City Football Club. Speakers from the film, TV, radio, marketing, print, gaming and web industries voiced their opinions and predications for the creative world. Looking forward to regular events in order to catch up and network with likeminded people!”

Kirsty - Faculty for the Built Environment (FBE) breakfast meeting, Freemasons Hall

“The event showcased the Co- Operatives new Headquarters which are being built later on this year. At 500,000 square feet, the base, once completed, will be Manchester’s largest commercial office. FBE held the event over several rooms in the Freemasons Hall, highly effective for networking!”

Laura - Coach to Deliver’s, Steelcase Solutions

“With the title, “Just get on with it and Jackie Chan meets Carl Jung,” I was intrigued by this event! I was not disappointed, Martin Gibbons from People Maps discussed understanding personality in business through the use of Tai Chi...a memorable networking event to say the least.”

Any clues...?!

The Whale Pod have no ideas as to what is going on in this clip...

However very cute and entertaining on a Friday afternoon!

Take a quick look at this!

Intergen move forward

Intergen CIC is an intergenerational partnership which brings younger and older people together. Intergen CIC volunteers spend time working with children in schools within their local area.

The charity was initially established in Trafford, Manchester, however they have recently secured four more regions to run the programme. The vision is to establish Intergen CIC across the UK and bring old and young people together in communities up and down the country.

In order to do this, Intergen CIC needed to formalise their standards, their “housekeeping” so that the brand is communicated effectively. The brief to Whale was a “Starter Pack” to give newly recruited Intergen CIC Coordinators everything they need to establish Intergen in their area. We worked closely with the charities founder, Professor Norma Raynes, to create all the items, documents and procedures that the Coordinator would need.

Whale then set off writing the copy for the Starter Pack as well as creating a portfolio of branded tools and documents which could be used to promote Intergen CIC to Head teachers, to recruit new volunteers and to communicate the Intergen CIC brand. This included power point presentation, a leaflet titled “The Vision and a set of artwork templates for promotions leaflets, standard documents, posters, certificates etc

The end result was a coherent Pack to help Coordinators to confidently set up an Intergen CIC in their local area.

The benefits of E-Zines

“The recession has changed the way people and businesses buy for example searching on line, determined to find the optimum price,” said Hannah Whale, Whale’s Managing Director. “Now the economy is picking up companies need to adapt to this new way of consumer behaviour in order to survive.”

“Whatever the chosen marketing method, it has to be integrated,” continued Hannah, “A great solution to revamping old and new literature is the e brochure. Literature printed before the recession can be amended and created into a digital online “magazine” at a relatively low cost.”

Whale Marketing have recently recreated a portfolio of Peel Holdings property brochures (also created by Whale) into E-brochures.

Cost is not the only benefit of this tactic,” continued Hannah. “If the brochures are uploaded onto your website, it has a positive impact on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) as is seen as additional content by the likes of Google, MSN and BING, all directing targeted traffic to your site. Return on Investment can also be monitored through Google Analytics. The “green” benefits should also not be overlooked. E-zines often have a wider distribution because they are cheaper to produce and easier to send out to all relevant audiences helping businesses get their message across”

Communicating core values; It’s clear to see why CT chose Whale Marketing!

CT Glass, an architectural glazing company based in Bradford, have appointed Whale to drive their marketing communications forward in 2010.

CT Glass have come through the downturn by following their core values; offering a proven quality product with exceptional service and reliable delivery. The company has stood their ground and now wants to increase their customer base and raise their profile.

To start this process Whale have refreshed the CT brand and developed an informative website for their wide supplier base. Corporate literature that will make them stand out and start a positive dialogue with prospects is currently underway.

Whale has extensive glazing industry experience including working with including Pilkington Glass, IG, Brownhills, K Glass and Float Glass Industry.

Whale clean up with Vileda

Whale Marketing have worked alongside Brazen PR to create an innovative “cleaning” report for Vileda...

The “Clever Cleaning Report 2010” was used by Brazen PR to inform journalists of Vileda’s forthcoming product range in a fun and quirky way.

The brief was to develop the “Clever Cleaning” trend, which promotes using your cleaning time effectively, as well as showcasing new products to be launched in 2010 in an interesting way. Whale firstly decided to create a “Clever Cleaning” sub brand which gives the campaign an identity. A magazine style page design was then created which features top cleaning tips and is printed on a glossy stock.

The pack was distributed to journalists to increasing brand coverage within relevant publications.

New Year, New look for OLC Europe!

OLC Europe, a Greater Manchester College, has started the new year with a brand new look.

We all know the importance of a having a brand that conveys your ethos, structure, heritage and vision.

With a rich heritage and a strong ethos of growing through learning, it was important that when rebranding OLC we took their culture and beliefs into consideration.

We also had existing brands to deal with which represented the two main subject areas within the college. We therefore created the Organisational Leaning Centre umbrella brand under which OLC Europe and eettec the two faculties now sit. Through establishing the umbrella brand, the Organisational Learning Centre now has a strong identity as a Greater Manchester College which reflects the company’s roots in engineering and business management. The added benefit is the ability to add faculties to the college in the future without any disruption to their overall company identity. Whale Marketing have created the new OLC website which is to launch later on this month. The team are also developing the college course prospectus as well as leading their PR campaign.

Movie Foundry hit the ground running with Ground Warfare

Whale client, CGI studio Movie Foundry, has recently created a set of visuals for "Ground Warfare", a four part documentary for Granada.

Movie Foundry, part of the Image Foundry Studios Group, created 26 graphics and 22 graphical maps, for the series which explores the history of war, and is a sequel to the highly successful, "War Planes".

"The graphics were used to visually explain the narrative; therefore the brief was to be as clear, concise and understandable as possible," said Anand Kapoor, who manages the Mumbai base. "To meet the brief we went back to basics, stripping down the design rather than using complex new technologies; this gave the end result authenticity."

Movie Foundry was also commissioned to design and produce the opening title sequence and contributed to the creative style of the programme.

Ground Warfare, which runs to the 24th November, traces the evolution of warfare from ancient Egypt to modern - day Afghanistan and studies our development of 3,500 years of conflict.

Pass Go and collect your guide to Las Vegas!

The Whale studio have been busy designing “A Guide to Las Vegas,” for the Monopoly World Championships to be held later this month.

The travel guide to the city that never sleeps, was distributed to the worldwide competitors including Bjorn Halvard Knappskog from Sweden, Oleg Korostelev from Russia and Rick Marinaccio from the USA.

Creative Director, Kevin Whitter said, “We always enjoy working on a big brand and who doesn’t love playing Monopoly?! It is a brand that we have all grown up with and one that will be around for years to come.”

To find out more about the Monopoly World Championships visit http://www.worldofmonopoly.co.uk/

Sweet Express is on the right track!

Whale client, Sweet Express, market leaders in pick n mix, are going full steam ahead and have moved into four large railway stations.

Bury based Sweet Express, will open stalls in Manchester Piccadilly, London Victoria, London Bridge and Glasgow Central later this month.

Whale has been working alongside Sweet Express on a PR retainer and which has recently grown into a full service retainer to include Account Management and an element of Creative.

Whale is currently designing a new consumer pick and mix website for Sweet Express which will be launched later on this year.

For more information visit www.sweetexpress.com

OLC Europe turn to Whale Marketing

OLC Europe, a management and leadership organisation based in Bolton, have turned to Whale for marketing support.

“We initially met OLC at a Greater Manchester Chamber event last year and invited them to our offices to chat through their current marketing and how they intend to move forward,” said Kirsty Forman, Whale’s Client Services Director. “Over the next few months we will be working alongside OLC to create a new brand, a website; design and content and a mini campaign for their Credit Management Courses.”

Welcome to the Pod...Paul Braddock

The Whale Pod are pleased to introduce Paul to the team. Paul joins us on his placement year from The University of Huddersfield where he is studying Graphic Design.

“I’ve already been working with Kevin on some big projects including a Guide to Las Vegas for Monopoly,” said Paul. “I’m looking forward to developing and learning new skills while at Whale.”

Creative Director, Kevin Whitter said, “We are looking forward to watching Paul grow at his time here at Whale. Experience in the studio during academic study is vital, it allows Junior Designers to develop their own style, learn new skills and see how a studio works. It is surprising how many graduate designers are unable to do the simplest of tasks including print order when they start out.”

Welcome to Gaming Foundry!

Our client 3D animation studio, Image Foundry, has recently launched Gaming Foundry which has been set up to reflect the company’s growing portfolio of work for game developers. Gaming Foundry will partner with development studios worldwide to provide game artwork. The sister company will be headed by industry veterans John Harris formally of Redhound Studios and Eric Elms co founder of Warthog Games.

Whale Marketing have rebranded the company to reflect their four areas of expertise; movies, advertising, property and games, and are in the process of resigning the new website. Whale will handle all marketing requirement for all four companies under the Image Foundry umbrella brand.

We have also gained coverage in business and trade publications, follow the links to find out more:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/image-foundry-forms-dedicated-games-company-to-create-in-game-art

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090826/FREE/908269996/1036/-/-/image-foundry-acquires-redhound-and-moves-into-videogames-outsourcing

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-digital-media/image-foundry-studios-sets-up-gaming-arm-200908276214/

Animated rebrand by Whale

Manchester based animation studio, Image Foundry have recently completed a rebrand undertaken by Whale Marketing.

The re brand reflects the studios restructure which now encompasses four dedicated divisions for the game, movie, property and advertising industries.

“When we first started working with Image Foundry two years ago they were mainly focussed on creating CGI for the property market,” said Whale’s Managing Director, Hannah Whale. “We helped highlight other areas of Image Foundry’s success which led to them to re-evaluate their product offering to reflect their experience in other sectors.”

Whale Marketing are a fully integrated marketing agency based in the Manchester. The rebrand included 4 sub brands as well as refreshing Image Foundry Studios umbrella brand. Whale is currently working on a new website to reflect the realignment.

Whale add CT Glass to their client portfolio

We are pleased to introduce a new retained client to our portfolio, CT Glass.

CT Glass, independent processor of toughened glass, will be directed by Whale’s Managing Director, Hannah Whale (formally of Pilkington Glass).

“Our first task is to create a new modern website for CT Glass; the brief is to create a site that doesn’t conform to those traditionally preferred by industrial companies. We want CT to stand out from other people in the industry and for it to reflect CT’s architectural offerings.”

Other glass clients include Pilkington, Independent Glass (IG) and Brownhills Glass.

WWOOF!

Through an organisation called WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) I recently spent some time on a finca in Southern Spain.

Las Nanas, or lullabies, is located in the heart of the Sierra de Aracena and lies between the villages of Santa Ana and Alajar. A mountain stream called El Barranco del Negrito forms the western boundary.

In return for accommodation and food, I worked for several hours a day on the farm; weeding, collecting wood, cooking etc. It provided the perfect opportunity to practice my (limited!) Spanish and experience the real Spain which included my first (and last!) bull fight!

http://www.campozendo.eu/en/index.htm

http://www.wwoof.org/

By Laura

A winning Whale Tale

A whale obsessed author has won the £20,000 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction.
Leviathan, Or The Whale, written by Philip Hoare depicts the authors life long passion for the mammal as he travels the globe in search of the creature.
US journalist Jacob Weisberg, led the panel, "What made Leviathan stand out in a shortlist of wonderful reads was Philip Hoare's lifelong passion for his subject and his skill in making his readers share it," he said. "His prose is dream-like and rises to the condition of literature."

To find out more about Leviathan, Or The Whale, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8127527.stm or to purchase a copy of the award winning book go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/buybooks

Kevin Goes to the British Grand Prix

Unfortunately Button didn't do as well as predicted but a good weekend was had at the British GP!

My Father is the Crew Chief of the BARC (British Automobile Racing Club) Race Rescue Unit and was at the British GP for the 11th time over the weekend with his crew.

He managed to get 2 spare weekend passes for myself and my brother, bot of us hadn't been to a GP since we were very young.

From Thursday to Sunday we spend the long weekend geeking out over the various amazing cars and drivers we met, old and new including Nelson Piquet (above).

My Father has also been selected in the crew to do the 1st Abu Dhabi GP in October this year, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that some spare tickets will come my way!

If anybody is interested in racing or marshaling log onto http://www.barc.net/

Kevin Whitter

Dragon Boat Racing

Congratulations go to the Women in Property team who took part in this week’s Dragon Boat racing event at Salford Quays. The Event saw 36 teams from the construction industry battle it out for dragon boat supremacy, all in aid of a good cause. Funds raised by the event will go to CRASH, the construction industry charity in aid of homeless people. The team improved their speed with every race and were crowned overall Mixed Crew champions. An excellent achievement!

SAVE THE WHALE!

Save the Whale Week 8th-14th June

Get active for the Whale and Dolphin Society’s save the Whale week ... or maybe bake a cake... I know which we’re likely to be doing in this office!

http://www.wdcs.org/stop/killing_trade/index.php

http://www2.wdcs.org/hych/getactive/stww/stww.php