Dan (on e-spam): Has anyone come across a black Nokia touch screen mobile phone that I have lost?
Allan: “What a twit.” (or similar) “He called yesterday from home after he’d gone to ask me to put it in his drawer as he’d left it.”
Allan again: “IN FACT I TEXTED YOU TO LET YOU KNOW!!!!”
Dan: “YES, TO MY MOBILE, WHICH YOU PUT IN THE DRAWER AT WORK! You div.”
Allan: “Oh.”
Moving on from future creatives, to creative folk from the past - old photos with funny glasses, big hair and ghastly trousers are great to chuckle over, providing you’re not in them. A couple of our team’s previous agency was G.H. Creative Group, now sadly no longer around. Dave, one of our senior creatives is such a person, and was sent an email through the other week with an old photo from days gone by there. GH stood for Ghastly Hairdo we think. Feel free to think of your own acronym. Do you know any others in this photo? (1) is John, Creative Planner, and (2) is Iain Hills, Art Director, albeit quite a bit younger… Oh how the rest of us laughed…
Also is it me or does this remind you of Life on Mars?
Our summer of love for work experience interns continues this week with Scott and Maisy. No doubt regretting being in an old attic without air conditioning during the hottest week of the year so far, they got stuck in to creating solutions for two sudo-briefs we set.
It’s important to clarify a difference here. Work placements (final year of uni or graduates) work on live briefs, but we work ‘em hard with real deadlines for clients, so school work experience students get mock ones (we still work them hard, but without the “we need you to work until midnight for the pitch to the board tomorrow” requests).
Maisy and Scott set about designing two pieces of work going through the full process we’d go through with a live brief. Two weeks in our sweltering attic paid off for them both, taking back to school their finished pieces.
Well done to you both!
Some of us at BMB, along with a few of our close client friends, headed off to Silverstone last Friday - practice day for the Grand Prix - where food, noise and more food resulted in a fantastic day.
Peering through the chain link fence that surrounds the F1 Paddock at Silverstone we saw the eventual winner of the British Grand Prix being interviewed by a TV crew. And just moments later we witnessed Max Mosley desperately trying to escape the world’s media as Lewis Hamilton’s dad strutted through the Paddock entrance.
Other highlights? Well it has to be Ben’s shorts - he obviously has an alternative understanding to that most confusing of dress codes, ’smart casual’.
So will we be back at Silverstone or up to Donnington next year? That probably depends on Mr Mosley…
This is James. Well the head is, the body is the Attacking right-handed Batsman Kevin Peter Pietersen but this post doesn’t really concern our Kev.
James was selected for a placement with BMB and bowled us over with his own attacking enthusiasm. After sitting back to see how the wicket was playing he realised it was a fast-paced pitch. Knowing this we swiftly delivered a googly which he casually knocked for six. This was largely due to his brain thinking outside the box, unusual for a teenager. We’ve been bowled over with his ability though, and would put money on him hitting a century of winning shots in his career. If you’d like to take James ‘Pietersen’ Abbott, for design placements (or for cricket) get in touch.
There’s not been much work posted on here of late, and it’s not because we haven’t done much, we’ve simply been too busy to post. One of the things we’ve been so busy working on is a project across ambient, recycled print and online about building community around energy saving. It’s for a leading British client who are very, very serious about being more environmentally considerate. It’s Big. It’s Green. And it’s got Balls. In fact it’s balls are over 3 metres high – which is making a massive non carbon impact.
They don’t want to go shouting about it, as it’s more a case of a serious change, and not some public ‘oh look at how good we are’ campaign. Here’s a hint at just a fraction of the activity taking place.
So say NIESR. Phew, everyone relax. As you were…
Alan runs all that is creative here at BMB. He’s an important man. He makes important decisions. But today he make an unusually bad one. He had a spot of bother with the old, “Is it green or black” dilemma at the pumps today. And failed.
We weren’t there to witness the mishap, but we understand it went along these lines…
We spoke back in December about the work we’d won for St John Ambulance - well no sooner had we designed and produced their exhibition, when they dropped us an email to let us know their appreciation. For an organisation who likely go without thanks for large parts of their great work, we fully appreciate them taking the time to let us know they’re chuffed. We’ve loved working with SJA, and like all first aid, we hope more is to follow! Here is said email:
A wonderful example of interactive design. Following the D&AD’s Sanky lecture we saw a while back, this is the kind of thing which can move people’s minds. All those hours spent by kids 20 years ago on computers wasn’t all wasted then:
GUTEN TOUCH from Multitouch Barcelona on Vimeo.
Last night a science-based spot of research for an important client we’re developing a new site for, led us to three pieces of ‘boffin-art’. I don’t remember science at school looking this interesting.
The first is a graph of our blog, based on all of it’s links and codes. Make your own here:
The second is a photo from an interesting chap in Ann Arbour, Michigan, who took this rather lovely shot of microcrystals, formed around the helium outlet of the cryostat when the flow is right. Apparently. A wonderful example of what our eye can miss, a camera can preserve.
And the last one is a set of beautiful images of bubbles taken by Jason Tozer, which look eerily like planets.
If this is science then it’s an A* to all of them. See, science IS cool.
Engineering and development specialists, Parker, are an extremely versatile bunch with a wealth of skills and technology up their sleeves to suit almost any industry sector.
Aiming to increase their presence in the medical technology market, Parker booked a space at this year’s Medtec exhibition at the NEC and tasked BMB with designing and building an eye-catching stand that would demonstrate their expertise and capture the imaginations of those attending the exhibition.
At an event traditionally packed with techy images, complex products and mind-boggling information, we delivered a concept that stood out for its innovative design, emotive imagery and simple strapline – Trust Parker.
Interactive areas allowed visitors to test the connection components and also featured a striking LED light display that visually demonstrated how Parker’s ‘coupling’ technology actually works.
The stand was a resounding success, generating over six times the number of positive leads that Parker was hoping to achieve and proving they were right to choose us as sole agency for 2009 to design, develop, manage and install their events and exhibitions.
Widespread doom and gloom? The worst economic climate in history? Could there be a better time to dip your toe in the murky world of TV advertising?
One enterprising Saab dealer certainly thought so and we’ve just helped turn his entrepreneurial vision into reality in less than two weeks.
With 50 Saab 9-3 Convertibles to shift, the team at Riders & St Davids Saab wanted to try something new after exhausting all of the classic DM, email, press ad and radio ad routes. Television was the next step – but a big one for them as they’d never tried it before.
Thankfully, their proposition was strong and they had our phone number. Having bought the cars centrally, they were able to offer up to a third off the list price and we set about developing an idea that was simple to execute (in line with the budget), powerful and, most of all, on brand.
So, less than two weeks after a sunny round trip to Cornwall to present the initial concept, the ad made its debut in the middle of a Corrie double wedding special on WTV (West Country TV) with follow up appearances in Emmerdale and Law & Order.
The dealer was absolutely delighted and it’s been such a success that he has committed to taking another 25 cars.
Towards the end of 2008, Caterpillar appointed BMB to help ensure an unforgettable experience for everyone who walked through the doors of its new visitor centre.
The spacious and impressive facility, based at Caterpillar’s plant in Leicester, provides excellent marketing support to its dealer network and, by extension, to its customers. There is a light and airy showroom, a meet and greet area and well-equipped conference rooms. Visitors also get the chance to see product demonstrations and take a factory tour.
BMB’s brief was to design a fresh marketing pack that mirrored the excitement and prestige of the new centre, and that would be presented to each visitor at the end of their tour. The striking materials produced used dramatic black and white photography throughout, with key products and logos highlighted in Caterpillar’s trademark yellow. Incorporated into the comprehensive pack were modern additions such as a USB stick, preloaded with Caterpillar’s product brochures, and a souvenir photo frame. The pack was a hit with staff and visitors alike and BMB is looking forward to working closely with Caterpillar to further develop branding within the centre in 2009.
Thanks to BMB,Big Yellow can now offer customers the most user-friendly, targeted and comprehensive online reservation facility of any self storage company.
Recognising the potential to generate more online business through which they could ultimately increase sales, Big Yellow briefed BMB to work closely with its above-the-line agency to develop its website, making it more efficient and attractive for customers.
Following extensive research and close liaison with both client and customer, BMB reconstructed Big Yellow’s website to make it much more targeted at individuals – incorporating separate areas for business and personal users and highlighting a unique wine storage service in the company’s new flagship store in Fulham.
Customers are now able to manage the whole storage booking and payment process online, and features such as the 3D builder enable people to tailor storage to their own unique requirements.
Behind the scenes, the new website has significantly improved Big Yellow’s efficiency in collecting and managing its customer data, and staff can now process immediate responses to customer queries through the ‘live online chat’ instant messaging facility.
The new-look Big Yellow website was officially launched on 9th February. To check it out, click on www.BigYellow.co.uk
In January 2009, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) opened its 40th station at Woolwich Arsenal and, to mark the occasion, produced a unique commemorative publication in collaboration with BMB.
A Brief History of the Docklands gives readers an informative and entertaining insight into the history of each Docklands location that is served by a DLR station.
As the area continues to grow, DLR commissioned a document to record some of the historic highlights, extraordinary events and fascinating facts that have shaped the development of the Docklands, to inspire readers with a sentiment of local pride and encourage them to explore the area using the railway.
From high-profile news events such as the Docklands bombing to local folklore and gruesome tales of early life on the docks, the book balances historic and contemporary references to create a unique overview of the rich and colourful life of this extraordinary area of London.
To communicate the vibrant character and remarkable past of the Docklands area, BMB elegantly combined historic pictures with simple, bold illustrations and contemporary images with innovative photography – including cleverly contrasting shots of toy soldiers, plastic fruit and hot cross buns!
The book has been issued to DLR staff and stakeholders and copies have been snapped up in local libraries, public attractions and schools.
Following a brief from the world’s leading airport company, BMB delivered a stand that made a fantastic impression, turned heads and picked up a prestigious award in the process.
As part of BMB’s long-standing relationship with BAA, the agency was invited to design an exhibition concept to feature at Civils 2008 at Earls Court in London.
The stand was to form part of a broader vision and strategy that BMB is developing with BAA, as it updates and expands the current Heathrow site. The main objective of BAA presence at the exhibition was to drive the recruitment of high calibre suppliers and encourage them to get involved with the £4.2 billion Heathrow construction project.
Against a backdrop of compelling imagery, artists’ impressions and insightful video clips, BMB gave those browsing the stand ‘a look into the future’, showcasing BAA’s vision of how it intends to deliver the expansion of the UK’s most famous airport over the next decade.
BAA was delighted with the stand that not only attracted a large number of visitors but was also highly commended by the exhibition’s organisers who judged the stand as the ‘Best in Show’. Moving forward, BMB will continue to work closely with BAA to find new ways of engaging audiences around each stage of Heathrow’s development.
Yes they can. And do every day of the year. We’ve just gone live with a clear and intuitive website for our client Morrison Utility Services. These guys and girls exist to fix, improve and install most of your home services each and every day, making your very own dreams come true. We worked closely in fundamentally improving the way in which they engage with both business customers and the public whom they improve the services for.
Put simply, every time you take a shower, put ‘big light on’, play Wii Fit, or crank up the gas fire, it’s quite likely that our chaps over at Morrison Utility Services have played a part in either making it happen, fixing a problem with it, or upgrading the service. They are the UK’s leading services contractor, so they understandably resent the image many have of ‘the people who put holes in our routes to work’. In fact tears come to the hardened road diggers’ eyes when we get angry with them.
So next time you flick the kettle on, think of those guys standing knee deep in mud trying to locate a crack in a mile long cable so we can have a cup of tea. Sing. Dance. Wave with conviction and rejoice! (Ok, maybe don’t go overboard with it)
Nicola/Nic/Nicnac/Nickers/Nic Nic/Nikki has left us for Russia and beyond. At least for now anyway. She decided that 2009 was the year to go offski (sorry) and travel the world whilst she still could and wasn’t too old. (She’s only 20-something but backpacking isn’t for the middle aged really, it hurts) Her first stop is Russia, and we suspect it has something to do with her love of fresh orange with a dash or 7 of Vodka. It must be, as she has trouble not wearing gloves in a southern studio in Blighty in the Summer let alone in -30 Russia!
As any self-respecting creative traveller would, she has a blog for her travels. Follow her mad adventure here:
Over the years, Nicola has been an important part of our studio. Not only for being female and helping to correct the male bias, but also for consistently imagining new ideas. Amongst the client-pleasing and award winning, she was famous for her wacky and fantastical. Her most famous being the Designbus™. So save the world, and free up traffic from all the BMB folk clogging up Luton, her proposal was a wireless-enabled bus, picking us all up from our doors so we could work on the way in and reduce our carbon footprint. She self-admits that the time taken could mean it never arrives at work before it’s time to go home, but you can’t knock a good idea…
We’ll also miss the daily “If you were a (add random object here) what would you be” question. So in homage, here is one final question for you to fill in on the comments page.
“If you were abandoned in a random country, which one would it be….”
Answers in a comment please.
Good luck Nic! From all at BMB
X
P.S. Thanks for the gift Nic… He’s hanging out in the studio:
