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All About Guitar Partners with Distiller Music Group

Bristol, UK – March 25, 2025 – All About Guitar, the UK’s premier resource for guitar enthusiasts, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Distiller Music Group. This collaboration aims to enhance the range of services offered to guitarists, combining All About Guitar’s expertise in custom-built instruments and educational content with Distiller’s renowned recording facilities and industry network.

David Gillam, founder of All About Guitar, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:

“At All About Guitar, our mission has always been to support and inspire guitarists at every level. Teaming up with Distiller Music Group allows us to expand our offerings, providing unparalleled resources and opportunities for the guitar community.”

Expanded Services for Guitarists

This partnership introduces several enhanced services:

• Custom Guitar Builds: All About Guitar specializes in crafting custom-built guitars tailored to individual preferences. Clients can select from premium tone woods, electronics, and finishes to create a unique instrument that reflects their personal style and sound. This bespoke service ensures each guitar is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and playability.
• Expert Guitar Setup and Repairs: With over 15 years of experience, All About Guitar offers professional setup, repair, and customization services for all types of guitars, enhancing playability and tone. This includes everything from routine maintenance to complex modifications, ensuring instruments perform at their best.
• Comprehensive Educational Resources: All About Guitar offers in-person lessons in Bristol, covering electric, acoustic, and bass guitar for all ages and skill levels. These lessons are conducted in a safe, well-equipped environment by experienced instructors, complementing the online tutorials and resources available through the partnership.
• Community Engagement and Events: The collaboration will facilitate workshops, Q&A sessions with top musicians, and networking opportunities, fostering a vibrant community where guitarists can learn, share, and grow together.​

David Gillam added:

“This partnership is about more than just services; it’s about building a community where guitarists can thrive. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, we’re here to support your musical journey.”

For more information, visit All About Guitar or Distiller Music Group.

Media Contact:

David Gillam

Founder, All About Guitar

About All About Guitar:

All About Guitar is the UK’s leading platform for guitar enthusiasts, offering custom-built instruments, professional setup and repair services, educational resources, and a supportive community for guitarists of all levels.

About Distiller Music Group:

Distiller Music Group is an independent, artist-focused company encompassing records, publishing, live events, and a state-of-the-art  recording studio. Their mission is to support musicians at every stage of their creative journey.

A couple of weeks back was Earth Day, and the 2025 theme is Our Power, Our Planet. This year, the Earth Day movement is uniting the globe around renewable energy to help us achieve ‘triple clean energy’ by 2030. Sustainability is at the heart of Bristol Creatives and as a community we should constantly strive to innovate and provide eco-friendly employee benefits.

But where do you start? Well, here’s a few pointers to embed sustainable and eco-friendly employee benefits into your business.

With CSR strategies becoming a must-have, companies are coming forward en masse to share their green credentials, giving birth to the term “Greenwashing”, where organisations talk the talk but don’t walk the walk when it comes to employee wellbeing practices. The same is true with greenwashing, but the scrutiny is even higher. If you make a claim about your environmental commitments, you must have the data to back it up. Without the data, it’s simply talk, and you’re at risk of being seen by your clients, consumers, and partners as greenwashing.

Clients and employees increasingly seek businesses that do good environmentally and socially, but they will also want to see the proof. Being branded a greenwasher will harm your reputation among employees, clients and partners, and you could find yourself in court.

So, how do you get CSR right? What are eco-friendly business practices?

There’s a long list of ways you can embed sustainability into your business through eco-friendly benefits and ways of working.   Employees want to work for a business that authentically demonstrates ethical behaviours, and they’re scrutinising your corporate social responsibility policy alongside your Employee Value Proposition (EVP).  Conscious quitting is a growing trend among socially conscious employees seeking equally socially conscious employers who contribute to the communities and environment in which they exist. By 2025, Millennials will make up nearly three quarters of the global workforce, and they’re looking for socially responsible employers.

Climate anxiety is real, especially among the younger generations, and these are the people who will make up the future workforce. Research tells us that young people don’t think the government is doing enough to avoid a climate crisis and expect their employers to act responsibly.

How can business’s embrace sustainable business practices through eco-friendly employee benefits. How about helping employee’s retro fit their homes…double bonus of improved financial wellbeing with energy bill savings and improvements in sustainability?

You can’t discuss eco-friendly employee benefits without stepping into the world of green car and cycle to work schemes. Both encourage greener ways of commuting to work, whether by an electric vehicle or bike and bring tax and NIC savings to employers and employees.  Greener commuting and money back in your pocket!  The more employees who take up a salary sacrifice scheme within your business, the more you’ll save on National Insurance Contributions. Cycling promotes physical wellbeing, and healthy people have less sickness absence = another saving to your outgoings. Your employees’ finances also benefit from a reduction in the taxable element of their payslips.

Cycling may not be feasible for those travelling long distances, but with your support, they can still make their commute greener. Offer your employees a salary sacrifice car scheme to create tax savings and make low-emission travel more affordable.

How about considering CSR Partnerships? Embedding paid volunteering opportunities into your strategy boosts morale, social value, and engagement. There are clear benefits to the business, such as being more attractive to potential partners and customers, but it isn’t without cost.  Whenever you pay for a person to be out of the business, you’re funding time that’s essentially non-productive from a business output perspective.

Still, most employees think their employers should incorporate paid volunteering days as an employee benefit, claiming it allows them to learn new skills they can bring back to the business. There are employee benefit providers that allow employee to access even more volunteering opportunities within their local communities and is proving incredibly popular – a definite morale booster!

Post COVID flexibility in contracts is becoming the norm, which is excellent because they’re in demand. There are also measurable business benefits, such as a high increase in productivity. Offering flexible, hybrid, and remote contracts helps talent acquisition and retention, with two thirds of job seekers claiming they’d reject a role that didn’t offer flexibility. The more flexible you are as an employer, the more you support your employees in finding a healthy work-life balance, which will increase employee engagement levels.

From a sustainable business practices perspective, there are additional benefits to having a hybrid workforce including lower fuel and energy usage within the office and fewer employees driving to the office means lower emissions that you can chart against your climate or social value pledge.

Wellbeing matters and is THE core key feature within any employee benefits package.

Wellbeing (noun) Definition: A good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterised by health, happiness, and prosperity.

We know that employee happiness and wellbeing are directly linked to the benefits they receive. Employees who feel valued and happy at work are more productive and effective in their roles. Additionally, organisations that provide appropriate benefits to support employee wellbeing are more likely to foster engaged and high-performing teams.

In today’s fast-paced, competitive corporate world, prioritising employee wellbeing is no longer a perk, but a necessity.

But why does employee wellbeing matter?

Employee wellbeing goes beyond physical health, it also includes mental, emotional, and financial wellness. Employers who invest in the wellbeing of their workforce not only meet their Duty of Care obligations but also create a positive workplace culture. This results in higher retention levels and enhanced productivity.

According to latest research, 82% businesses have seen their employees demanding more wellbeing benefits, with 56% of employees saying that they would leave their job if another company offered them a better benefits package.  In addition, it’s widely recognised the need for benefits packages to address unprecedented employee stress levels causing burnout, decreased engagement, and higher absenteeism, highlighting how great wellbeing and benefits are not just good for employees; they are good for business.

Tangible benefits, especially those with high (perceived) value, can significantly boost employee morale and fulfilment. There is a lot of noise now for electric vehicles supplied as an employee benefit. A brand-new car, for example, is more than just a mode of transport, it’s a symbol of appreciation, recognition and support from an employer. Car benefit schemes not only signify support and recognition to employees, elevating job satisfaction and motivation but they also host several other perks that boost workplace wellbeing and engagement levels.  One benefit of the scheme to employee wellbeing is financial peace of mind. Employees don’t need to worry about car loans, credit checks or deposits. A fixed monthly reduction from their salary covers it all- insurance, tyres, VED, servicing, and even breakdown cover.

Sustainable benefits have become vital to the wellbeing of a large proportion of employees in recent years, particularly Gen Z and Millennials.   Offering environmentally conscious benefits, like EV schemes, helps promote a sustainable culture that aligns with employee’s values. As an added benefit, it also supports corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

A new report by Creative UK has revealed the challenges faced by creative industry freelancers.

According to the study, almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents had experienced low or unfair pay in their careers, and “an overwhelming majority” said late payment of invoices had impacted their ability to meet everyday expenses such as rent and household bills.

In other findings, a fifth of freelancers said they had seen a decrease in demand for their services as a result of generative AI, and structural inequalities were highlighted too.

There was a recurring theme of “tokenism” reported by ethnic minority respondents to the survey who said their inclusion in projects felt performative rather than substantive, while the report highlighted barriers for disabled freelancers such as inaccessible application processes and limited workplace adjustments.

Caroline Norbury, chief executive of Creative UK, said:

“The Covid pandemic changed so much about all of our working lives, but this is especially true for freelancers. Many who work in this way have found opportunities to be more precarious than ever. We need to find ways to better support this vital part of the creative workforce, and to create new systems in a post-Covid world.

“This means adapting provision within both the public and private sector to ensure it is more fit for purpose, incentivising the creation of new products and services that support the freelance workforce, and in the process, unlocking the potential of an expert, committed, agile and flexible workforce. It’s vital that we get this right – for creatives, and for the wider economy.”

Among the recommendations in the report were:

• Address the “devaluation” of creative subjects in the school curriculum, allow freelancers to claim tax relief on expenses related to professional development courses, and explore the option of offering grants or a percentage subsidy for CPD costs to reduce the financial burden on freelancers.
• Champion freelancers across government and appoint a freelance commissioner to represent their interests and tackle the challenges they face.
• Strengthen payment protection measures and requirements for invoices to be settled on time to deal with the impact of late payment on freelancers.
• Encourage the publishing of anonymised data on diversity of freelance workforces and pay gaps to help highlight systemic issues, inform targeted interventions and support continuous sector-wide improvement.
• Enhance workplace protections for freelancers such as minimum standards for contracts including payment, schedules, IP rights and termination conditions, and explore how freelancers can access workplace benefits such as pension contributions and sick pay that are not tied to a single employer.

Freelancers are the backbone of the creative industries, accounting for 30% of the sector’s workforce. It’s vital that they are supported.

Bristol Creative Industries freelancers

In the Bristol Creative Industries membership community, we have several hundred freelancers and many business members who employ freelancers. See them in our member directory. If you’re not already a member, you can sign up here.

Collaboration, sharing of ideas and meeting freelancer-friendly employers is a key benefit of the network. We facilitate this at our freelancer networking drinks events at The Square Club in Bristol. They are free for BCI members including a free drink or £5+VAT for non-members.

The next event is on Tuesday 10 June at 5.30pm. Sign up here.

Other freelancer networking drinks events take place in 2025 on 9 September and 11 November.

It’s the question every Business and HR leader asks. You’ve rolled out new benefits, negotiated better coverage, even launched a whole new platform. But after all the internal comms, budget cycles, and supplier meetings, how do you know it’s working?

If your first instinct is to reach for usage stats or participation rates, you’re not alone. But true success in benefits design isn’t only measured in dashboards. It shows up in how people feel, how they work, and how they talk about your company when no one’s watching.

Here’s what measuring success really looks like.

Employees are happier (and it shows)

The most successful benefits programmes don’t just boost uptake; they boost morale. When employees feel genuinely supported and valued, that sense of security and appreciation spills into how they show up at work, and how they talk about your business when they’re not at work.

You see it in how confidently people recommend your company to others. You feel it in team energy, reduced attrition, and stronger engagement. In fact, plenty of research shows that benefits are one of the biggest drivers of overall job satisfaction, right behind pay.

Happiness at work is about creating an environment where people feel like their wellbeing is genuinely supported, and where they can bring their full lives not just their job titles to the table.

There is genuine flexibility

A one-size-fits-all approach might be simple to manage, but it rarely delivers what today’s employees need. This is especially true for organisations managing larger workforces with varied cultural norms, regulatory frameworks, and expectations.

Successful programmes prioritise real flexibility: custom allowances, region-specific design, and meaningful choices that reflect employees’ personal lives and priorities.  It’s not about offering everything, but about curating something thoughtful and responsive, and allowing space for people to make it their own.

You hear stories, not just see stats

The most meaningful benefits are the ones people remember for life, not the ones they click on most.

Last week I wrote an example about how people remember getting access to fertility support that led to a baby, receiving healthcare when they needed it most, or being able to visit family because of an annual leave purchase scheme. This stuff is harder to put a number on, but infinitely more impactful.

None of these outcomes show up neatly in a usage report. But their impact? It’s enormous. Not just for the person involved, but for everyone who sees that story unfold, and quietly logs it as a reason to stay.

Storytelling isn’t fluffy. It’s one of the most powerful ways to measure emotional ROI and increasingly, it’s what leadership teams care about. If any business leader can explain the value of their benefits programme through stories, not just numbers, they’re doing something right.

Engagement over spend

Companies are investing huge amounts into employee benefits, but many struggle with low awareness and poor utilisation. This isn’t always a design problem it’s often a communication problem.

If your employees can’t name even three benefits they have access to, that’s not on them. A successful programme is one that people remember. One that shows up in their lives in relevant, timely ways. One they can talk about without needing to consult a portal or policy document.

The bottom line? Focus on impact over optics

A successful benefits strategy isn’t about chasing 80% participation rates or offering the longest list of perks. It’s about building something that matters. That makes people feel supported, empowered, and proud to work for you.

That might look like:

• Better communications that drive awareness, not just noise
• Regional flexibility that shows cultural intelligence
• Tools that surface hidden benefits at the right time

And stories that connect the dots between policy and real life!

Rooted in emotion, built for impact — Fiasco’s rebrand puts feeling at the heart of creativity.

Design that moves people

Marking 15 years in the industry, design agency Fiasco is unveiling a rebrand that reflects its evolution and deep-rooted belief in the power of emotion. The agency has built a reputation for crafting work that harnesses human connection, visual storytelling, and impactful digital experiences. Now, with a bold new identity, Fiasco is doubling down on its core belief: emotion belongs at the forefront of design.

“Every project we work on is strategically built around a core emotion to create a powerful and meaningful connection with the audience. We’ve turned this approach into a transparent offering: humanising brands by delivering that emotion at every touchpoint, building lasting associations over time.” — Chris Tozer, Partner & Creative Director.

A story of growth, values, and care

“We started Fiasco 15 years ago with no clients, no agency experience, and no roadmap. What we had was a set of values and a belief that we could do things differently by carving our own path.

We care deeply about the people we work with. From the Fiasco team to our partners, our work is driven by energy and strives to make people feel something. Now, our own brand reflects that belief and level of care” — Ben Steers, Co-founder and Exec. Creative Director.  

A rebrand built from within

Fiasco’s year-long rebrand was an in-house, studio-wide collaborative effort influenced by every member of the 16-person team. The process was challenging,  iterative, and at times chaotic — but that’s exactly what made it meaningful. By handing the reins to the people who shape Fiasco daily, the agency has created an identity that every team member can proudly own.

“By giving our team the freedom to shape our brand in-house, it has become a true reflection of the care we put into our work and the people we impact.” — Gabby Luciani, Account Director. 

A fresh identity, a life-long philosophy

“The new visual identity is built on a creative tension: the balance between the maturity and expertise we’ve developed over 15 years and the playful, spirited personality that defines us.” — Julia Darze, Partner & Design Director. 

To achieve this, Fiasco has carefully paired two contrasting typefaces — one functional, one playful — and anchored the design in a minimal based palette of dark and light, accented by bright, celebratory secondary colours. They introduce ‘little moments of joy’ through motion and interaction. 

Custom glyphs disrupt the structure of the refined logotype, creating unexpected moments that delight and surprise. Now, the way text animates or a button moves on rollover holds as much significance as the words themselves — reflecting their broader approach to brand identity that merges strategy with emotion. 

Here for what’s next 

Fiasco isn’t just evolving its own identity — it’s sharing 15 years of lessons, insights, and creative thinking with the wider design community. Through open conversations, skill-sharing, and knowledge exchange, the agency is committed to helping others grow, learn, and push the boundaries of brand and digital design. 

Over the next year, these initiatives will include open studio days, portfolio reviews, career advice, internships, mentorships, and an FAQ resource hub, to name a few.

Fiasco’s rebrand is a bold reaffirmation of what they’ve always believed: great design isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about evoking emotion, shaping experiences, and creating meaningful impact. 

Check out Fiasco’s new look and feel here: fiasco.design

Following a competitive pitch, SIM7 has been selected by the British Council as a key agency on its framework to supply services over the coming years.

SIM7 will work in partnership with the British Council’s international marketing teams, creating strategic messaging, copywriting and content to drive the organisation’s global initiatives.

This work will involve developing digital and OOH campaigns, creating assets across all channels, and supporting the British Council’s extensive international outreach.

SIM7 will join a handful of leading UK agencies selected to support the British Council’s strategic goals.

About the British Council

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Operating in over 100 countries worldwide, the British Council builds connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education, and the English language, reaching millions of people annually.

Says SIM7’s Simeon de la Torre, “As an agency with extensive international experience, this is a perfect partnership for us. We’re excited about working on some of the most significant cultural and educational initiatives globally, and empowering the British Council by delivering the effective messaging that we’re known for.

“Our capabilities closely align with the British Council’s mission to promote and uphold the English language worldwide. Our expertise will enhance the British Council’s efforts to make English accessible to learners across diverse cultures and backgrounds. Through innovative campaign strategies and engaging content, we’ll support the British Council’s role as a global leader in English language teaching and assessment.

“We’re looking forward to connecting with the international communities that the British Council fosters and supports.”

“The British Council is one of the best names in the industry for cultural exchange and educational opportunity, and the SIM7 team are all keen to help them deliver their mission of building connections between the UK and the rest of the world.”

SIM7 is an award-winning creative agency that uses language to empower design. We drive growth by creating brands, campaigns and strategy – for marketing teams around the world. Our experience in international education extends to universities, leadership organisations, business schools and more. For more information, contact Simeon de la Torre sim@sim7creative.co.uk

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