We are delighted to announce a major expansion with the launch of Varn and Varn Health in London. This strategic move integrates an expert content team uniting deep technical search and data expertise, with world-class specialist content, strategy and account management capabilities.
As the landscape of search shifts, driven by AI Overviews, complex algorithms, and Google’s increasing demand for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) brands can no longer view content and technical SEO as separate silos. The launch of Varn and Varn Health London is a unified solution combining our reputation as “search & data innovators” with a London based team, renowned for producing impactful and engaging content.
“2025 has been a year of real momentum for our agency, as we help our clients navigate a very fast moving SEO and search AI visibility space. Investing in our new expert London team, we are accelerating our momentum and raising the standard of what clients can expect from a specialist search consultancy. Our standout achievement has been onboarding 40 brand new clients, whilst delivering brilliant results for our existing partners with an outstanding retention rate of 94%. Looking ahead to 2026, we are ambitiously focused on being the market leader in AI search, SEO, and data. Expanding with the launch of our new Varn London team is a critical part of that vision.”
Rob Wilde, Managing Director at Varn and Varn Health
For our specialist Varn Health team, this expansion of expertise addresses a specific market need: the ability to produce compliant, expert medical content that also performs technically in search engines. It strengthens our capability to deliver search led healthcare content across websites, campaigns and digital channels, from patient and HCP engagement to conversion focused and AI search ready content that supports performance today and future proofs visibility tomorrow.
Find out about our new Content Marketing services
Formerly Head of Content and Business Director at Wallace Health, we have appointed Stephanie Mackay-Stokes as Strategy Director. Steph has previously led multiple complex content and digital programmes for global businesses. Her team’s experience spans large-scale website transformations, multi-channel content strategy and search-led digital marketing initiatives.
“Joining the Varn and Varn Health team allows us to expand our expertise and get our high-quality, informative and engaging content in front of our clients’ target audiences with a ‘search everywhere’ approach. Clients often struggle to get their creative content to rank and, increasingly, to get it cited on new AI search platforms. Or their SEO content is generic, lacks authority, original thinking and a brand voice to drive meaningful engagement and action. By aligning the team’s content heritage with Varn’s technical innovation, data specialism and AI visibility expertise, we are perfectly positioned to solve that challenge and drive commercial growth for ambitious brands.”
Stephanie Mackay-Stokes, Strategy Director of Varn and Varn Health
“For our healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, this strategic expansion is a significant development. We know that in a regulated environment, trust and accuracy are non-negotiable, yet to compete for visibility in the age of AI search, that content must also be technically structured and optimised. With Varn and Varn Health London, we are bringing ‘compliant creativity’ and ‘technical excellence’ under one roof. It means we can now offer a seamless service where deep medical writing expertise is powered by our data-led SEO and search strategies. This ensures our clients aren’t just publishing content, but are building genuine authority and trusted content that not only ranks and informs, but also engages, converts and drives patient outcomes.”
Tom Vaughton, CEO of Varn and Varn Health
Our Varn and Varn Health London team are now operational, working in close collaboration with the team HQ in Bradford-on-Avon.
If you need content that attracts the right audience and delivers measurable growth, find out how our content marketing team can help.
Find out about our new Content Marketing services
This article was written by Epoch’s Marketing Manager, Ricardo P Martins.
Getting that first job is hard.
Even harder in an industry like ours, filled with self-doubt, giant egos, cut-throat competition, and most recently, the threat of an AI revolution. In this industry, opportunities for new talent to get a foot in the door are few and far between.
At Epoch, we believe that opportunities should be giving to everyone, not just to a few privileged people from the “right” schools and/or “right” backgrounds. So, if we see talent, we want to help.
With that drive in our hearts, we created the Epoch Academy.
The Academy, as we fondly call it internally, is Epoch’s internship programme. It’s our way of giving back to our community, providing opportunities for the next generation, nurturing both the future superstars of the industry and those who haven’t yet had the opportunity (or luxury) to break into the creative workforce yet.
We do that by maintaining strong relationships with a handful of universities across the UK. These are universities that not only produce incredible talent every academic year, but also align with our values of putting people first and building meaningful bonds.
We start creating these bonds by sending a team out to each one of these universities to spend time with the students, getting to know them on a one-to-one basis, hearing their stories, their ambitions and learning about what drives them. The Epoch Academy Workshop, held in Bristol around springtime, is the cherry on top of this beautiful relationship. It’s a day of celebrating all the talent we found along the way and spending quality time with them creating, brainstorming, conceptualising, and most importantly, having loads of fun together.
The Workshop is also an opportunity for them to bond not only with us but also with other young creatives from different universities, backgrounds and walks of life.
It’s important to say that, as we can’t visit all universities across the country, we also take applications for the Epoch Workshop on our website. We make sure that at least 40% of workshop attendees come from these website applications.
The biggest bond of this journey, however, is created during the internship itself. By then, they know us. They’ve met us in their classrooms, connected with us on LinkedIn, and spent a whole day with us in Bristol. So, when they come through big grey door at 54 Queen Square on their first day, it feels like arriving at a friend’s house.
It’s warm. It’s familiar.
Not to toot our own horn, but many of them want to stay.
A few already have.
And those bonds? They are for life.
At Shaped By, we’ve always believed in the power of bold strategy and well-crafted expression. Right now, we’re riding a wave of momentum that is bucking industry trends, driven by the clients we work with, and the ambition we’ve set for ourselves.
Our clients are high-growth tech companies. They are growing fast with some building categories as they go, and others challenging them. New entrants are often popping up nipping at their ankles, and some go from seed stage to billion-dollar valuation in just a few years.
It’s exciting, but it’s also a fight for relevance. They need people who can help them stand out, shape their market, and say something only they can say.
That’s where our growth is coming from.
We are helping global brands find their bold voice, sharpen their positioning, and express what makes them genuinely different. Whether they’re a challenger brand needing to find their “je ne sais quoi” or an established company looking to rediscover it. That’s our space. That’s what we’re built for.
To meet the opportunity ahead, we’ve grown our team welcoming eight new Shape-lings to the team in the last 6 months. Each one adds a different kind of firepower, strengthening the work we can deliver and the relationships we build. Reinforcing our position as a unique creative force in Bristol.
Growing our creative power:
Wowing our clients with great relationships and delivery:
Amplifying our voice worldwide: Betty Dartois-Vanneck, who joined our Marketing team.
Our success today is the direct result of a bold choice we made in 2021 – the strategic rebrand from Workbrands to Shaped By. This was more than just a new name, it was a commitment to focusing on a new market and audience – high-growth tech companies largely based in Silicon Valley.
To meet that challenge, we invested heavily. Putting significant capital into people, and increasing our marketing and sales budgets. We’re really seeing the fruits of our labour. Strong improvements in our marketing ROI, has encouraged us to invest further. Plans are now underway to expand our growth team and introduce a new business model that will deliver better, more exciting, projects to our incredible client services and creative teams.
I’m a firm believer that agency growth is something every single person contributes to, and this collective effort has given us the foundation to build our reputation and an ever-stronger client base.
The future ambition for Shaped By is clear. We’ll continue to deliver projects that have a real, strategic impact on some of the world’s most innovative companies. While our current success is largely focused on North America, we’re confident in our ability to stretch our services to new markets across Europe and Asia.
Ultimately, we are only as strong as the team we have working for us. I’m incredibly proud to have attracted and maintained such a talented group of people. I’m committed to being a genuine agency of choice for talent in Bristol – investing in and training our team to be the best that they can be. I’m genuinely excited about our progress and the ambitious next steps we’re planning to take.
If you’re interested in seeing the kind of bold work that demands this level of growth, please explore our work page. For those inspired by our ambition, keep an eye on our careers page!
We have a brand new shiny website on the horizon and will be advertising further positions soon as we continue to grow our team built for global impact, from our very local Bristol studio.
GenAI video has been causing quite a stir recently: whether it’s backlash over the tide of AI slop, something being decried as an AI fake (whether it is or not), or an agentic AI business formula that’s made ‘millions’ overnight. Oh, and the ‘ultimate’ prompt-writing masterclass? You’ll have seen all the ads…
But look a bit harder and there’s some really interesting work out there:
One thing is undeniable: AI is going to affect digital industries – the debate around the extent and exact timeline gets far more complicated.
With all that in mind, we wanted to use our yearly Xmas video as a test bed of GenAI, to see what it could do and, importantly, what it couldn’t. And we thought we’d bring you along for the ride…
It all started in August (don’t judge). We had just ironed out our company-wide AI training roadmap and we were updating our AI usage policy. As a creative agency, it felt like we were taking real leaps forward. But it also gave our creative studio a lot to think about. We each mulled over our own questions around authenticity and the future of creative production (the part of our job many of us love most of all).
So we got our heads together and talked about how we should be doing things. What we arrived on was that creative thinking, sketching, scribbling, chatting, tinkering, and FUN should all be ring fenced and given the time they deserve. That’s why we decided to collaborate on a brief so ambitious and outlandish it simply had to work.
It should no longer come as a surprise that typing a basic prompt into AI engines only leads to AI slop.
So, before we even touched a computer, we came up with a basic concept – the ultimate tongue-in-cheek pastiche of Christmas perfume ads – and then had a mass brain-storming session where we asked the whole company for their craziest ideas. And boy did they deliver!
In a short space of time, we had suggestions ranging from a simple Xmas magic box to rivers of gravy, something about a unicorn that didn’t quite make the final edit, and the perfect name – ‘Sléj’ (pronounced as ‘slay’, obviously).
Our copywriters pulled the ideas together into a script, using a knowledge of Christmas-related puns that took a lifetime (or previous life editing rather niche magazines) to develop.
This isn’t the place to be overly reliant on AI. Allowing people free reign to throw stuff at the page works well. Importantly, don’t shut down ideas too early. The most unlikely suggestions can get workshopped into something surprising and brilliant.
This could turn into a whole blog by itself. More than any other, this stage will determine the look of your film so the more references you can include the better.
It’s crucial to find references that you have rights to both use and pass to a third party – in this case, an AI model.
For this reason, we used Generative AI to generate our reference images, feeding the output images back into the AI multiple times and asking for tweaks and refinements.
This produced a combination of a storyboard and multiple accompanying style frames (high-quality images that give a good overall feel for what the video will look like once animated).
You’re aiming to find references for each part of the shot you want to generate, for example the setting, tone, pose, character and composition etc. You want the AI to have as much information as possible and limit how much it figures out by itself.
We quickly learnt that there isn’t one AI model to rule them all, with different options performing better for different tasks. We’d highly recommend experimentation here to find which works best for your requirements.
Using detailed prompts and the bank of reference images we had gathered for each shot, we generated our footage. Prompts were written in a similar way to how we’d add
notes on a storyboard, i.e. ‘camera push in’, ‘talent to walk across frame left to right’, ‘high-key lighting’ etc but they also included additional things that wouldn’t usually be directable without heavy VFX work, i.e. ‘swirling wind kicks up dust behind legs’.
The point here is to think like a filmmaker and art director, you need to be able to supply image references but, just as importantly, you need to be able to articulate what you want to see in the frame. Playing AI like a slot machine will lead to slop.
In the same way that you rarely edit footage together straight out of the camera, generative video will almost always benefit from some post work. Again, this is a place to add further human touches that a text box often doesn’t offer. This could be reframing, changing the colour, or in/out painting of items in the scene.
Editing and sound design is another area where, as far as we’re concerned, humans just can’t be beat (not yet). Editing – the process of deciding where to push and pull those beats and gaps – and sound design are very much a process of creating a feeling and mood.
As with traditional film making, have in mind what you want to see. Those hard-won post skills still have lots of value.
It would be remiss not to briefly discuss some of our thoughts behind the ethics of our experiment.
The ethics of AI are extremely complicated. As with most things, a simply binary choice may feel tempting, and at times compulsive, but this rarely does justice to the many nuances of a topic. There is so much for every individual and organisation to consider, and I’d argue the often-discussed environmental and job-replacement angles are just the beginning.
For further information I’d highly recommend:
For me, I think After Effect’s AI roto-brush sums up a lot of the debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXMTHe8z6Tw
So, how do I feel about the finished video? I think the team have done a great job of making a whimsical and audacious Xmas vid with just the right level of self-awareness. And with a level of production that, prior to GenAI, our budget simply wouldn’t have stretched to.
I also hope it’s as clear to you, as it is to me, that we couldn’t have come anywhere close to the result without the thought, skill, talent and humour that went into it from right across the agency.
And how do I feel about AI? It’s complicated…
Where most mural artists begin
The mural industry is an exciting place, and many young artists dream of becoming full-time muralists and creatives. Through our time in the industry, we’ve seen just how strong that ambition is. But we’ve also noticed some major barriers that make it incredibly difficult for upcoming artists to progress.
One of the biggest issues is simple: access to walls. Without physical spaces to paint and gain real experience, artists struggle to build portfolios, prove their credibility, and move from small personal work into professional projects. This lack of opportunity also plays a wider role in the graffiti challenges we see across Bristol, and is a key reason why there are fewer emerging mural artists than there could be.
For businesses looking to hire mural artists, this lack of early opportunity often means fewer emerging professional mural artists to choose from.
The biggest barrier for new mural artists: access to walls
The start of a young mural artist’s journey is often unclear. How can you build a portfolio without access to space? Private clients and businesses want to see how you deliver, and want to know that you’re confident working at scale. Without clear experience to back you up, you’re often relying on trust, which can be inconsistent. As a result, many artists turn to the street, finding quiet walls to paint. This helps build practice and confidence, but it doesn’t always translate well on a professional portfolio.
It quickly becomes a loop for new artists. You can’t get projects because you don’t have experience, and you can’t get experience because you can’t get projects. It’s a frustrating place to be, and it takes real grit and effort to escape.
This barrier doesn’t just disappear when you get your first wall either. If you want to go bigger, and work on larger-scale murals, the opportunities become even slimmer. Access remains one of the biggest limits on progression.
There are some ways to break through this that we’ve seen. Some artists use grant funding to incentivise clients to work with them, and there are occasional graffiti festivals that you can pay to enter. But these opportunities take time and effort to find, are often competitive, and rarely offer a clear or consistent route forward.
Why being a great mural artist isn’t enough
We’ve realised that you don’t just need to be a good artist to make it into the mural world, you also need to become an entrepreneur. Throughout your journey you often end up needing sales skills, web development skills, marketing, negotiating, and even accounting just to stay afloat. It’s hard enough to be exceptional at your craft, let alone good enough across all of these other areas as well.
That’s why we’ve noticed that many of the artists who do break through aren’t always the most naturally gifted, but they work relentlessly and fully embrace the entrepreneurial side of the journey. Not every artist is willing to cold call, walk into businesses, pitch themselves, and face rejection again and again. You often begin this career for the love of art, and slowly find yourself becoming a struggling salesperson for your own work.
This doesn’t even touch on the level of competition within the industry. Another skill you quickly realise you need is the ability to stand out and find your own lane. That takes time, trial and error, resilience, and business strategy, all alongside trying to stay creatively motivated.
Our experience building Art Sync
We saw this barrier first-hand while building Art Sync. We knew we had the ability to deliver, but back then we had no portfolio. It took time to secure our first project, and even then, it wasn’t at the scale we originally wanted. But it got our foot in the door, and helped us to start building momentum.
We came into Art Sync with experience in business and sales, so we knew from day one that putting ourselves out there and facing rejection was unavoidable. That background gave us the confidence to approach conversations properly, build trust with clients, and establish a visible online presence from the start.
Most artists aren’t fortunate enough to have experience in these areas, so a lot of the journey becomes learning by doing. From what we’ve seen, one of the most effective ways to get that first experience is through your network. Who do you know with walls? Do you know any business owners? Would your family let you paint a mural? These small opportunities can help build early experience without relying on street work to represent your professional identity.
Creating real mural opportunities for artists in Bristol
We’re not just sharing this problem, we’re actively trying to solve it from the inside. By building strong relationships with businesses and institutions, we’re starting to unlock real wall space opportunities and create access where it didn’t exist before. Our latest partnership with UWE and New Wave is beginning to bring some exciting projects to life in early 2026.
We’ll be installing six murals for UWE across Bower Ashton, Frenchay Campus, and their new Kingfisher Court accommodation. Alongside the installations, we’ll be offering students the opportunity to shadow, assist, and take part in design workshops to begin developing real mural skills. The first project will be at Bower Ashton, where students will be involved in the full design process, from concept development through to helping paint the final winning design. This is just the first of several UWE projects that will include learning opportunities.
Alongside this, we’ve also received permission to paint at Skyline Park. We’ll be organising a spray day to give artists open access to a wall where they can experiment, practise, and gain real experience. The aim is to create a space for artists to learn by doing, connect with one another, and build confidence. We plan to offer this as a free experience, removing the financial barrier to entry.
Building a stronger mural ecosystem
This problem is real, and we genuinely want to help. Of course we care about supporting upcoming artists, but we also believe that by strengthening the mural ecosystem as a whole, we strengthen what we’re building too. Bringing new talent through keeps the industry moving, and keeps our own work evolving.
We’re excited to see where artists go when they’re given real opportunities, real walls, and real experience. If you’re an artist trying to find your way in this space, we see you, and we’re committed to doing what we can to make that path a little clearer to walk.
Whether you’re a business looking to hire mural artists, or an artist searching for real mural opportunities in Bristol, we want to play a part in making those connections happen.
If you’d like to hear about upcoming spray days, student projects, or future opportunities, you can follow our journey on Instagram.
Fiasco is excited to announce that Nathan Crosby has joined the team as its new Creative Director. Nathan brings over 14 years’ experience working as a designer and creative director, with past clients that include Lego, Coke, IHG, OVO, Heidi, and Bath Rugby.
Nathan’s commercial experience, creativity and leadership skills make him a fantastic addition to Fiasco as it continues to expand its breadth of work to take on bigger, bolder, more diverse projects.
“Nathan’s perspective brings fresh thinking to the agency and helps raise the bar for our strategic and creative output. His experience working across an impressive roster of big-name brands along with his sharp strategic lens make this an exciting time to join as we continue our trajectory of growth” – Ben Steers, Co-founder and Executive Creative Director.
“I’m thrilled to join the team at Fiasco. Their new brand promise, to move businesses
forward with feeling, puts emotional resonance squarely at the heart of the work they do – as both a platform for creativity, and a true value driver for the businesses they work with. I’m excited to help shape what this means for the agency’s output with a team already setting the bar for creativity and craft so high.” – Nathan Crosby, Creative Director
Fiasco’s recent rebrand – a collaborative effort shaped by the team – sharpens its proposition and expresses with greater clarity what makes it different, and why that matters. This includes the repositioning of its client services team, along with strategic new hires across different areas of the business. With its focus on growth and ambitions to penetrate a larger international market, including the USA, it’s a pivotal time for the business and an exciting time to reposition what Fiasco stands for.
Emotion-led, feeling-first design sits at the heart of everything it does – and is based on the fact feel-good isn’t just a vibe, it’s a value driver. Work this year has expanded to include high profile clients in the technology and AI sector, such as $1 billion dollar valued business planning platform Pigment, and it recently won an award for its rebrand for Britt. Its approach translates into stronger relationships, greater retention, and more sustainable growth.
About:
Fiasco is a brand and digital agency that combines strategic thinking with creative craft to drive businesses forward. By pairing strategic clarity with creative conviction, Fiasco turns complexity into connection, building brands that move both hearts and minds. You can read more about Fiasco and Nathan, over on their site here.
Bristol-based video games Creative and PR agency, Diva, has been named one of the UK’s ‘Best Places to Work’ in the UK gaming industry, as recognised in the 2025 GamesIndustry.biz awards.
GamesIndustry.biz, a leading website for the global video games industry, held its annual UK awards ceremony at the Royal Institution in London on October 2, 2025. The awards celebrate excellence among UK games companies, recognising their staff and overall impact on the industry. Diva was among 23 winners selected across various categories, which include company size and specific areas of excellence.
This recognition coincides with Diva’s 18th anniversary. Founded in 2007 by Andy and Suzy Barnes, the agency operates from Bristol, with a Dutch office in Culemborg and an international network spanning North American, LATAM and EMEA, as a full-service creative and PR partner for entertainment brands, game publishers, and developers. Clients range from AAA publishers and brands to indie developers including industry names such as Sony PlayStation, Activision, Bethesda, Disney, 505 Games, Arc Games, VOID Interactive, and Bandai Namco.
“When we founded Diva in 2007 we wanted to build an agency in Bristol where people could grow and thrive, so we are immensely proud to be recognised as one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ in the UK gaming industry. After 18 years of producing globally reaching creative campaigns for some of the biggest names in gaming this award is an incredible achievement for everyone that has made Diva what it is today and those that drive it forward.” – Suzy Barnes, Diva CEO
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Get in touch if you are interested in working together, we would love to hear from you: [email protected]
When Piers Tincknell and David Darke founded Atomic Smash in 2010, the digital landscape looked remarkably different from today. The iPhone had only been around for three years, the term “responsive web design” had just been coined, and WordPress 3.0 “Thelonious” had only recently launched (currently on version 6). Fast forward to 2025, and Atomic Smash stands as a testament to what happens when you embrace change rather than resist it.
To truly appreciate Atomic Smash’s 15-year journey, we need to rewind to where it all began.
The Mobile Revolution Was Just Beginning
The iPhone had launched on June 29, 2007, meaning it was barely three years old when Atomic Smash opened its figurative doors in Spike Island’s Incubator space. Smartphones were still a novelty rather than a necessity, and the iPad wouldn’t arrive until later in 2010. The idea that people would primarily browse the web on their phones seemed far-fetched to many.
Most websites were still designed exclusively for desktop computers, with fixed-width layouts that would break spectacularly on smaller screens. The concept of a website that could adapt to any screen size was revolutionary.
From University Friends to Business Partners
The Atomic Smash story actually begins before 2010, when co-founders Piers Tincknell and David Darke met during their first week of university. What started as a hypothetical business assignment: “creating a podcasting network” turned into a real partnership upon graduation.
They gave themselves three months: if they didn’t get any work or ran out of money, they’d get “a proper job”. Fortunately, that ultimatum never came to pass.
The duo moved to Bristol and rented desk space at Spike Island, where they immediately collaborated with businesses there. This early decision to work in a shared space rather than from home proved crucial, the connections made in those early days formed the foundation of their business.
What sets Atomic Smash apart is how they’ve embraced change rather than resisted it. During their university studies, they observed how quickly the digital environment changes and recognised the importance of embracing it, a philosophy that has driven the company ever since.
In 2015, Atomic Smash decided to trial a new methodology: a continuous delivery model. Rather than building websites as one-off projects, they pioneered an approach focused on constant evolution and improvement of existing sites that could have potentially been built by anyone.
By trademarking “Always Evolving®” Atomic Smash staked their claim to a methodology that challenges the traditional agency model. It’s not just a tagline, it’s a business model, a philosophy, and now, a protected brand that distinguishes them in the marketplace.
This “Always Evolving®” philosophy has become central to their identity. It’s results-driven, combining commercial insights and technical expertise for strategic website enhancements that amplify growth. The message is clear: you’ll never need a new website again because they’ll keep your current one evolving.
Starting with just two co-founders in 2010, Atomic Smash has grown to many different sizes but currently 14 curious minds. By 2019, the company was highly commended as Best Place to Work in Tech at the Sparkies Awards, demonstrating it’s commitment to workplace culture alongside technical excellence.
With the challenge of attracting talent, when large technology companies offer competitive salaries. Their solution? Compete on flexibility, workplace culture, and the opportunity to work with interesting clients who do meaningful work.
Atomic Smash’s commitment to doing business responsibly led them to become a Certified B Corporation, joining a global movement of companies balancing profit with purpose. This certification reflects their values around sustainability, workplace culture, and community impact.
What can we learn from Atomic Smash’s journey?
Community Matters: Their decision to work from Spike Island rather than from home enabled them to build the relationships that sustained their early business. Being part of Bristol’s creative community has been integral to their success.
Specialise and Own It: Atomic Smash positioned themselves as WordPress and WooCommerce specialists rather than generalists. This focus allowed them to develop deep expertise and become known for specific skills.
Rethink the Model: Their 2015 pivot to continuous delivery challenged the traditional agency model of one-off website builds. This “Always Evolving” approach created ongoing relationships and recurring revenue while delivering better outcomes for clients.
Values Drive Success: From workplace culture to B Corp certification, Atomic Smash has shown that doing business responsibly and building a positive team culture aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re competitive advantages.
As Atomic Smash enters it’s sixteenth year, the digital landscape continues to evolve. AI is transforming almost everything, voice interfaces are starting to change how people search, and new devices constantly emerge. But if the past 15 years have taught us anything, it’s that Atomic Smash will continue to embrace these changes.
The co-founders have also expanded their impact beyond the company itself:
Piers Tincknell now serves on the board of trustees for Spike Island (a fitting full-circle moment given that Spike Island provided their first desk space and initial clients back in 2010).
David Darke sits on the Board of Directors for Bristol Creative Industries, helping reinvest in the creative sector that has been so integral to Atomic Smash’s success.
These leadership roles reflect how Atomic Smash has grown from being part of Bristol’s creative community to actively shaping its future. The company that once relied on connections made at Spike Island is now giving back and helping to foster the next generation of Bristol’s creative businesses and individuals.
Happy 15th anniversary to the Atomic Smash team. Here’s to the next 15 years of innovation, growth, and to always be Always Evolving.
We want you to get ahead in new business in 2026, and on the front-foot with the latest data and best practice insights for what winning looks like in agencies like yours.
We’re a proud partner of the ninth annual jfdi/Opinium New Business Barometer, an industry report that gives you the numbers you need to measure and benchmark your agency’s new business performance.
Why take part?
✅ First eyes on the results
Everyone who completes the survey will be invited to a preview of the results when published early in the new year. And subject to the final number of Bristol Creative Industries members taking part, we will organise a members-only event, where we’ll unveil the Barometer findings alongside actionable insights to help you win in 2026.
✅ Your personal benchmarking dashboard
You will be given the opportunity to join a beta test and gain access to a personalised dashboard, showing your agency’s new business performance compared to other agencies and highlighting where you can hone your strategies.
✅ Access to segmented reports
Subject to sample sizes, the plan is to cut additional reports by specialism and size.
You’ll get a laser-focused, drill-down view, an invaluable game-changer for driving your growth strategy in 2026.
If you want to benefit from this competitive advantage, take part in the ninth annual jfdi/Opinium New Business Barometer at https://survey.opiniumresearch.com/XMIy9Y?smpl=19
Navigating the intricate world of insurance requires meticulous organisation and efficient communication and a lack thereof can create significant barriers to a successful outcome.
When poor organisation becomes a problem
Imagine facing a significant business interruption claim. However, an outdated filing system has left you without detailed financial records, inventory lists, or proof of lost revenue, how can you substantiate your losses?
Insurers require concrete evidence to process claims and information gaps raise red flags. This can lead to lengthy investigations, requests for further documentation and in worst-case scenarios, outright claim denials.
Insurers dislike uncertainty
They may view incomplete or inconsistent information as a sign of potential fraud or misrepresentation. This can lead to increased scrutiny and a reluctance to accept the claim at face value.
For example, in a property damage claim, if you cannot provide receipts or detailed descriptions of damaged items, the insurer may question the extent of the loss, potentially leading to a lower settlement or a complete rejection.
Efficiency is paramount
Ultimately, delays caused by disorganised documentation can lead to missed deadlines and policy limitations. Insurers operate within specific timeframes and failing to provide necessary information promptly can jeopardise your claim.
Furthermore, disorganised communication can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations and a breakdown in trust between you and your insurer.
Ensure a smooth claims process with RiskBox
Having your information in order empowers you to proactively address potential issues. By maintaining detailed records, providing clear documentation, and communicating effectively, you demonstrate your commitment to a transparent and legitimate claim.
This not only facilitates a smoother claims process but also significantly reduces the risk of denials. In the face of a complex claim, organisation is not just good practice, it’s your essential safeguard.
Want to make sure your business is prepared for a future insurance claim? RiskBox can help you get your records in shape and guide you through the process. Call us on 0161 533 0411 or email [email protected] to find out more.
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash
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