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
If you you missed the October offer at Gather Round, fear not – this November, for BCI members only we’re extending the ‘First month free’ discount!
Our BCI offer is available across all Gather Round locations and all membership packages. Whether you’re curious about Part Time or Full Time Flexi memberships, or prefer a fixed desk with Flexi Plus, or if you are looking for a studio for your team, we’d love to show you around.
Our co-working spaces at Brunswick Square, Trinity Church and Cigar Factory each have their own unique energy – but it’s the community that truly makes them special. Collaborations between members happen daily, just by bringing creative minds together.
Created by creatives for creatives, Gather Round is more than a co-working space, it’s a growing network of like-minded professionals who go to work every day and sit, write, design, consult and hang out. Soaking up the energy, passion and positivity from the ideas and expertise of others.
For more info on the different options, book a tour – we’d love to meet you.
Terms & conditions:
🚫 “It’s great to be here.”
🚫 “Hello, I am [insert name, job title]. Today I’m going to talk about…”
🚫 “Thank you for having me”
Avoid these predictable presentation intros. These just set up your talk as nothing new.
If you want your talk to be memorable you need to hook your audience from the very beginning and give them a compelling reason to pay attention.
The graphic below from Sequoia Capital illustrates a typical attention span over 60mins and the potential to lose 90% of your audience within the first five mins…but how to remedy?
Here are three ways (and a bonus fourth😁) to help to set up your talk as unmissable:
🎬 Set the scene like a movie.
“Our industry is facing seismic challenges. That’s what I would have said – until six months ago we discovered something that changed everything. Here’s what happened..”
📊 Drop an eyebrow-raising stat.
“If women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men, we could create £250 billion in additional value to the UK’s economy, according to a recent review. Here’s what needs to happen…”
🔍 Use a prop or an attention-grabbing slide.
One influential presenter wordlessly put up an image of an elephant to kick off a talk where they went on to talk about tackling ‘the elephant in the room’ of their industry, while another promised a visual to capture the current state of the economy…and put up a completely black slide.
Remember: with audio only, retention of content three days later is around 10%, but with an image that increases to an incredible 65%
⭐ Or you can call us. We can to help you to be memorable in all your business interactions.
Integrated brand agency saintnicks has taken home two honours at the UK Social Media Awards 2025, reinforcing its position among the country’s leading independent creative agencies.
Competing against ten national and global network agencies and household names including Waitrose, TUI, Specsavers and Currys, saintnicks claimed Gold for “Best Long-Term Strategic Use of Social Media” for its partnership with Ascot Racecourse, and added Silver for “Best Integrated Campaign” for Royal Ascot.
The UK Social Media Awards celebrate excellence in creativity, innovation and impact across the industry. These latest wins mark saintnicks’ fourth major award of 2025, recognising the agency’s ability to deliver standout results for high-profile clients against world-class competition.
“This recognition reflects the strength of our team and the quality of work we deliver,” said Fraser Bradshaw, CEO of saintnicks. “It’s great to see our efforts acknowledged and to have our clients’ trust reaffirmed through results like this.”
The win reflects saintnicks’ continued success in delivering social media strategies and campaigns that break through the noise. The agency’s award-winning work for Royal Ascot can be seen here.
Looking ahead, saintnicks will be continuing to push boundaries in social and content, with fresh ambitions for 2026 and beyond.
If you’d like a chat about your challenges or request a complimentary social audit, drop them an email and say hello. You can find out more about our social media and content expertise here.
Season 3 of High Notes, the podcast about the business and art of voice, will drop from Monday 27th October for eight weeks. It will see host Melissa Thom talking to leading figures across business, culture, and communication.
Guests include world-leading speechwriter Simon Lancaster, voice coach Dr. Rockford Sansom, writer and historian Jane Duffus, BAFTA’s Colin Burgess, PR legend Lynne Franks, and broadcaster Janey Lee Grace.
Together, they explore how voice shapes influence, leadership, and true connection at work: how to stay composed under pressure, engage an audience and speak with authority.
The full line up of episodes and release dates are as follows:
27/10/2025 – Simon Lancaster: speechwriter to business and political leaders, on the Language of Leadership and the hidden patterns that make communication persuasive.
03/11/2025 – Jane Duffus: writer and historian, on Women, Wit & the Power of Speech and how women’s voices have shaped and continue to shape public life.
10/11/2025 – Colin Burgess: BAFTA’s Executive Director of Operations, on the Resilient Voice, building legacy, and nurturing new creative voices in film, games and television.
17/11/2025 – Tricia Duffy: leadership coach, on Creative Confidence and finding your voice in times of change and uncertainty.
24/11/2025 – Dr. Rockford Sansom: voice coach to executives worldwide, on Influence & Impact, and how leaders can speak with presence in the boardroom.
01/12/2025 – Janey Lee Grace: BBC broadcasting legend and coach, on Executive Presence, clarity, sobriety and having the courage to speak up.
08/12/2025 – Lynne Franks: author, entrepreneur, communications strategist and fashion pioneer on Leading with Wisdom, and using voice as a force for visibility, purpose, and change.
15/12/2025 – Margaret Heffernan: business thinker, writer and voted one of the “Top 100 Media Executives” by The Hollywood Reporter on Voice, Creativity and Embracing Uncertainty, and why leadership today demands adaptability.
High Notes’ host, Melissa Thom is a speech and communication coach and acclaimed voice actor with decades of experience voicing projects including Grand Theft Auto V for Rockstar Games, Elder Scrolls for Zenimax, LL COOL J, Google, Amazon, Nike and many more.
Melissa is also the Founder and CEO of BRAVA, and has trained thousands of people in communication and voice from the UK and beyond – from rappers and reverends to ad creatives and countesses.
Melissa Thom said: “This season of High Notes is focused on how professionals can use their voice for impactful communication in the workplace and beyond. Our guests bring a wealth of experience from different sectors and creative disciplines – we hope our listeners will both be entertained and come away with actionable tips to supercharge communication confidence.”
High Notes season 3 can be found at brava.uk.com/podcast and all major podcast platforms, from October 27th, 2025.
When you think of branding, chances are your mind jumps to the sexy stuff – ads, taglines, packaging, maybe even a catchy jingle. And yes, all of that matters. But the brands that people remember, the ones they talk about, trust, and come back to? Those brands are built on something much more human: connection.
At Epoch, we believe branding is about more than just looking good, it’s about meaning something. And meaning something starts with relationships. Not just between a brand and its audience, but also between us and our clients.
In a lot of agencies, Client Services are seen primarily as project managers. Scheduling meetings, tracking budgets, delivering and re-delivering timelines. And while we do all that and do it well, a great Account Manager is about so much more than just managing meetings and margins. Client Services at its heart is about building bonds. It’s about being a partner who listens, challenges, supports and truly gets it. Someone who cares just as much about the why as they do about the what.
When brands get too caught up in numbers, impressions and deliverables, they can forget that they’re speaking to real humans, with complex feelings, challenges and lives that don’t revolve around a product.
It’s not that deep, I hear you say. And sure, fizzy drinks don’t save lives, but they are a part of people’s lives. Sometimes a key part, proven by my very real Diet Coke addiction. They can represent celebration, nostalgia, identity, joy or just that small shoulder dropping moment of your day. Brands that become a part of people’s lives, earn the right to shape culture. That kind of cultural weight isn’t built by accident, it comes from an intentional effort to understand people deeply, and to not dismiss the importance of their small moments. And we believe that kind of effort starts not with a campaign, but with a conversation.
That’s why our Client Services teams make a point of showing up. Literally. Even though we’re based in a single office in Bristol, we travel the world to spend time with our clients in person. It’s something we get a lot of feedback on, and it means a lot to us. Because while emails and Teams calls are great for keeping the wheels turning, nothing beats the energy of being in the same room. The off-hand remarks that spark an idea. The shared laughter over dinner. The moments that remind us that we’re not just client and agency, we’re people with a shared passion working together to make something great.
And here’s the thing: how we show up for our clients is directly shaped by how we show up for each other. We’re big believers that internal culture drives external impact. When your team is built on trust, respect and openness, it shows. It shows in the friendships it creates, in the way we collaborate, the way we push creative boundaries, and the way we navigate challenges together.
That culture of care makes us better agency partners. We’re not just ticking boxes or hitting deadlines – we’re invested. In the relationship, in the work, in the long-term success of both our clients and our brands. That means sometimes having difficult conversations. It means knowing when to ask more questions, when to push, and when to pause. And it means both celebrating the wins, and addressing the challenges, big and small, because we genuinely care.
So yes, Client Services is about getting things done. But it’s also about how we do it. With empathy. With clarity. With curiosity. It’s a role that sits at the intersection of strategy, creativity and commerciality. Always striving to make the chaotic and complex, clearer and easier to digest. Constantly translating between client and studio, between vision and execution, between the impossible and possible.
When it’s done well, Client Services becomes a quiet superpower, a force that holds everything together and elevates everyone’s work. It’s not about being the loudest in the room, but the one who makes sure everyone in the room is heard.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just helping our clients build brands. We’re helping them build brands that build bonds. And in a world of easy disposability, those bonds are what truly last.
In my role and a fellow member of Bristol Creative Industries, I often sit down with founders of small creative agencies. They grow their teams from two people around the kitchen table to a buzzing studio of 40. Business is good, clients are happy — but there is a nagging worry about staff turnover.
“I feel like we’ve got a great culture”, “We pay fairly, we’re flexible about working hours, but people still leave for bigger companies. I can’t compete with their salaries — but maybe I’m missing a trick with benefits?”
That’s where an employee benefits audit comes in.
What exactly is an employee benefits audit?
In simple terms, it’s a review of the perks and support you give your team. It looks at the obvious things — pensions, healthcare, life insurance — but also at the less visible, day-to-day benefits: training budgets, wellbeing support, cycle-to-work schemes, flexible working, and even perks like free coffee or social events.
The goal isn’t to overhaul everything. Instead, it’s to answer three key questions:
Why does it matter?
Last month was a crying example for a BCI Member. When we ran their audit, we found they was paying for a health cash plan that most of her staff didn’t know existed — and those who did weren’t claiming. At the same time, their team wanted something much simpler: access to mental health support and more training opportunities.
By reallocating spend, they ended up with a package that cost her less but delivered more. Staff engagement has improved, and they noticed fewer people scanning job ads for “what else is out there.”
For SME/Mid-sized organisations, the stakes are high. Recruitment is expensive. Losing a key person can disrupt client work. The right benefits package won’t stop every resignation, but it can tip the balance between someone staying or leaving.
Isn’t an audit complicated?
Not at all. It’s not a mountain of paperwork or a six-month consultancy project. For Bristol Creative Industries members, it’s simple and free:
That’s it. No jargon. No disruption to your business.
Why now?
The world of work has shifted. What employees expect from their employer in 2025 isn’t the same as it was even three years ago. Hybrid working, mental health, flexibility, and personal development now matter as much — sometimes more — than traditional “perks.”
An audit helps you see whether your benefits reflect that reality. It’s not about spending more, but about spending smarter.
The takeaway
For the BCI Member I mentioned earlier, the audit was a turning point. They didn’t need a bigger budget — just a clearer view of what worked and what didn’t. The result? A happier team, better retention, and money saved.
Your people are your biggest investment. A benefits audit is a small step that makes sure that investment is paying off — for them, and for you.
👉 BCI members can access a free audit via myself. It takes less time than your morning coffee run, but it could make a real difference to your business.
As a teacher, I had one hell of a timetable to follow. The entire day was mapped out in tidy little 50-minute boxes, and the vast majority of my time was allocated for me. But as a full time writer and when launching two businesses, I had the whole day to play with. Like several people I’ve spoken with in the past week, the downside of such blank-page flexibility is making the most of this time and not falling prey to procrastination.
Through a lot of trial and error (and maybe a dash of procrastination along the way) I found strategies that helped me write and self-publish two novels. I’ll share what worked for me, in case it works for you.
Make a list and put it in order: At the start of the day (for me, it’s while eating breakfast), I make a list of everything I would like to achieve that day. Nothing is too small a task – my list contains ‘Reply to X’s email’, ‘Send photo to Y’ – all the little things take time too, and we don’t want them to fall down the cracks. Next, put the list in order, starting with what ‘must’ be covered today, moving into what ‘should’ be covered, and then end with the ‘coulds’ – you’ll complete these if you have time but it’s not the end of the world if you do them tomorrow. It’s also a good idea to put ‘heavier’ tasks earlier in the day too, like that piece of writing you’ve been putting off because it’ll take some brainpower. Now you’ve got the list, that anxious part of your mind that’s worried you’ll forget something can sigh, take a back seat and let you get on with it.
Commit to a 3-hour block: In Stolen Focus, Johan Hari talks about how three hours of flow in the morning can really set you up for the day. We’ve all had days when we’ve done 3 hours of work in 5 or 6 hours, and we know we’re better than that. So find a three-hour window and stick to it. For me, that window is 8am – 11am each morning. I’ve had my breakfast, I’ve made my list. Phone in the kitchen, laptop open, here we go. Working through your list, you’ll do more in those three hours than you’d otherwise do in a whole day. Work like this, and you’ll do more in a week than most people do in a fortnight.
Find an app that works for you: I’ve heard great things recently about NotePlan, and if you want an app that syncs your calendars and gives you reminders, check it out. For me, it’s Notes and Google Docs all the way – I like something that will sync between my phone and laptop, and I like to create my bullet point lists and tables in my own way, so the blank pages work for me here. Whatever you choose, you want something that you can easily refer to when you’re on the go. When you’re having a chat with someone and they ask you to drop them that link – open the app and make a note. Then when it comes to planning your day, you can refer to the Note and bingo – you’re the person that gets things done.
If you’re managing your own time and would like someone to talk through what works for you and help to hold you accountable, get in touch and book a free clarity call.
From a structural perspective, success might look like this: smooth client onboarding, a fully scoped project, clear timelines, and budgets securely locked in.
Sounds like a recipe for success? But, here’s the catch — even with all these components in place, projects can still derail from time to time.
It’s rarely the project process or workflow tools that fail (especially with AI and automation accelerating efficiency). More often than not, it’s the human side, such as communication gaps, mismatched expectations, or even rising frustrations that throw things off track.
That’s why emotional intelligence and soft skills are essential to project management alongside your planning, processes and workflows. Examples such as communication, empathy, adaptability and self-awareness provide the glue that holds projects together, especially when deadlines loom and pressure rises.
In our experience, projects succeed because of the tools we use, and even more so because of how well we connect with clients, stakeholders, and teams, while staying aligned on the outcomes that matter.
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a practical skill set that helps project managers deliver stronger outcomes for both teams and clients.
Here are a few ways emotional intelligence shows up in day-to-day project management:
For small businesses and creative agencies, where teams often juggle multiple priorities, these skills make all the difference. Strong emotional intelligence leads to stronger collaboration, clearer communication, and ultimately, better project outcomes.
Now that you’re aware of emotional intelligence, here are a few soft skills that complement it, providing further clarity and structure across the project cycle:
Soft skills like these may seem small, but in practice, they can determine how projects feel, and how successful they become.
To conclude, projects don’t succeed because of perfectly polished timelines or automated tools. They succeed because of the people involved — from project managers and internal teams to contractors, stakeholders, and clients.
Soft skills and emotional intelligence aren’t just extras; they are the foundation of clear communication, resilient teams, and smoother project delivery.
That’s the core of what we do at Tell ’em Mo: combining both skill sets to deliver people-first project management that creates clarity and structure, so businesses, creatives, and founders can thrive and hit their goals.
Need help with an upcoming project this Autumn/Winter? Let’s have a chat about what you need and how we can support you.
Bristol-based Burleigh Design, founded in 1895, set for a brand new era as directors eye growth following changes at the top of this 130-year-old firm
A new leadership team has taken charge at Bristol’s oldest commercial graphic design agency.
The Bristol-based Burleigh Design agency is set for a new era following co-owner Greg Corrigan’s retirement with Jonathon Galvin-Wright joining forces with co-owner director Fraser Ebbs at the helm.
They have pledged to take the Leigh Court Business Centre-headquartered business forward by building on Burleigh Design’s rich heritage which stretches back to 1895 when it was first established as a family firm of designers and printers based in Park Row.
Corrigan’s move away from the business signals a new beginning for Burleigh Design because he had been a fifth-generation member of the same family to have formed part of the senior team.
That tradition is now set to change as a new management team take the reins with Galvin-Wright coming into the business as a director alongside Ebbs who has led Burleigh Design since 2012 when it merged with his Portishead Press enterprise.
Galvin-Wright said: “I’m proud to have joined Fraser in a leadership role as a director of Burleigh Design which is one of those brilliant, historic businesses which make the Bristol business community so special.
“Burleigh Design’s status as the oldest design agency in town and to have been continuously serving local businesses since 1895, says a lot about the way we like to do business which is based on trust and great relationships.
“Burleigh Design has the richest of histories so there’s a lot to live up to but I’m relishing my new role and really looking forward to working with Fraser to make sure the business keeps going from strength to strength.”
The new management team have promised to stick to the principles that have ensured Burleigh Design has stood test of time.
“In a way we’re going back to the future because we will follow the traditions that have ensured Burleigh Design has thrived over the years.” Ebbs added.
“Everything we do will continue to be based around clients, evolving our own design services around their business needs, and our business-led design philosophy will ensure our design is both commercially fit for purpose and benefits the bottom line.”
The two Burleigh Design Directors have recently conducted a re-brand and are now set to extend the scope of its work.
Galvin-Wright says, “We like to see ourselves as a bunch of ‘business creatives’ and our senior and experienced team will always look at brand and design challenges from a business perspective first and foremost.
“We have earned a stellar reputation for our ability to fulfil hard-working design needs across brand, graphic design, content and marketing activation in industrial, commercial, corporate and manufacturing markets and that won’t change, although we have also always worked within the charity and edication sectors too.”
Bidding farewell to the company, Corrigan said: “Burleigh Design could not be in better hands and both Fraser and Jonnie’s expertise and experience will make sure the business prospers so these are exciting times which will be full of new opportunities.
“Burleigh Design has a proud place in the South West business community which is a real hotbed of entrepreneurial talent and I’m looking forward to watching from afar in retirement as the new era takes shape and Burleigh grows.”
Burleigh Design clients include air conditioning manufacturers Daikin, engineering conglomerate Avon Group, Smith Brothers Stores – the largest air-conditioning merchants in the country – as well as charities and professional services companies including Penny Brohn and Cushman & Wakefield.
For further information visit the Burleigh Design website: https://burleighcreate.co.uk
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