Tuesday 8 September 2020, 11:00-12:00
The demand for greater choice, flexibility and meaning was challenging leaders to think differently about their approach to talent and the workplace even before the pandemic hit. Recent experiences have just deepened these desires and been a catalyst for broader change in how agencies work, behave and operate – as businesses, and communities of people.
What comes next for the world of work is not a ‘return’ to anything. It’s a transition to a new era and every business needs to raise their game when it comes to how they lead, the culture they create and how they support and leverage their best talent. Get the balance right and it will be a win-win for your business and the people you want to stay and draw.
Based on detailed research and hands-on experience in recent months, we will explain how agencies need to respond to these new expectations. We’ll share our knowledge and experience and explain how you can manage change in a way that sets your business up for success.
This event is for Bristol Media members only and aimed at all agency founders and leaders seeking valuable insights to help shape a positive and progressive working culture for their agency.
This is the third event in the Future Positive series. The next session on 7th October will cover how to create and manage business value. More details to follow on this.
Places are limited to allow for a more personal and productive discussion. To reserve your space, register here
Whilst this is a free event, we’d be grateful if members would consider making a donation.
Although some of our members have been unaffected by COVID-19, we recognise for others this is still challenging business climate so we want to do what we can to support. As many will know, Bristol Media operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company and revenue comes solely from membership fees and events. We receive no other funding or financial support. We’re hopeful that the donation approach will allow all members to continue accessing our events whatever their financial situation whilst also allowing us to replace some of the revenue we’ve lost over recent months. All our speakers give their time and expertise voluntarily. Thank you for your continued backing and we hope that you’ll be able to support this approach and look forward to being able to deliver a series of worthwhile events that our members enjoy and importantly find beneficial to their businesses.
We’re the business consultancy to add clarity, colour and confidence to your ambition.
We add our collective knowledge and specialist expertise to help you realise your full potential and value.
The Future Positive series will be run by the Tonic senior team, who will draw on their experience leading and guiding some of the best agencies through challenging times.
To find out more about Tonic, click here.
McCann and Another Films put family at the heart of new campaign
McCann Bristol has created a new brand TV advert for Thatchers, to showcase the cider makers’ four generations of family cider making.
The ad is a light-hearted exploration of the contemporary meaning of family, featuring amusing and touching scenes of both blood-related families and modern takes on ‘family’ like close friends and colleagues. It’s packed with stories that will resonate with people across the UK.
Featuring a voice-over from comedian Bill Bailey, the ad has a distinctive look and feel. It highlights the range of ciders during drinking occasions and family life, while still featuring the Thatcher family and their stunning Somerset orchards, to make the point that, no matter what, no-one cares more than family.
The ad was created by Zane Radcliffe and Ken Sara from McCann Bristol, and shot by Steve Reeves from Another Film Company.
McCann Group Executive Creative Director, Jon Elsom, says, “The Thatcher family is deeply involved with life at Myrtle Farm. Their passion for quality and innovation is at the very soul of the business. They are the family cider makers, producing iconic brands including Gold, Haze, Rosé and the newly launched Cloudy Lemon. Our new approach illustrates the importance of that family commitment. When you come right down to it, whatever family means to you, both good and bad, no-one cares more than family.”
Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker says, “This is an ad that’s warm with a smile in its heart. We hope everyone will be able to relate to it. The sense of family runs very strongly throughout all we do at Thatchers, from our heritage and traditions, through to our quality and expertise in cider making. It’s something we’re all very proud of, and we know it’s something that will always stay true. There’s never been a better time to reinforce the message of family and caring for each other.”
The advert will air from 17th – 23rd August in a 40-second format, followed by a 30-second format between 24th and 30th August. It will appear on ITV, ITV Digital, Sky, Channel 4 and Channel4 Digital (E4, Film4, More4, Box music channels and UKTV). It will also feature on social media and through a YouTube campaign.
‘How I See Tomorrow’ – a new global project for children
We’re living through a moment in history, a moment we must capture. Friday 1st May 2020 marked the launch of ‘’How I See Tomorrow”, a global initiative that invites children across the world to share their thoughts on COVID-19 in a creative way.
Whether it’s a drawing, a painting, a photograph, or even a sculpture that tells the story, children across the globe are invited to share their creations on https://www.howiseetomorrow.com/. These pieces of art could show how they’re spending their time, what they’ve learnt and how they’re interacting with loved ones.
In addition to a piece of art, children are encouraged to write a note about what this period has taught them about the future and how they would like to change the world for the better – their ‘how I see tomorrow’.
Life for the time being has been turned upside down, but we know from other historical moments that challenging times spark great creativity as people adjust to new ways of living. This initiative has been designed to capture the creativity and record the pandemic through the eyes of the next generation.
The artwork will be displayed in galleries and museums around the world for all to see, as a record of this moment in history. We are just finalising details of our national gallery partners in Australia, Singapore, London and New York City and we will announce and confirm in the coming days the hosts for a global exhibition of all the amazing ideas and creations. The really exciting bit is the plan to conduct an Agile road mapping workshop at each venue with business leaders, policy makers and opinion formers to see how we might facilitate bringing some of these children’s ideas for a better future to life.
Jonathan Sands OBE the instigator of this project said:
“These are unprecedented times which will be looked back on as a time of substantial change to how we live. We wanted to encourage children across the world to share their thoughts on this current pandemic, the future and what we can learn from it. We wanted to see it through their eyes so that we can make positive changes to the way we live, work and play in the future.”
One of the first companies to come on board and support the project is Hobbycraft.
Katherine Paterson, Customer Director at Hobbycraft says;
“We’re delighted to support How I See Tomorrow and will be helping to raise awareness of the project on our channels in line with our kid’s crafting focus. Crafting and creating is a great way to keep the kids entertained and we think this project will spark some real creativity and some interesting results for how we live our lives in the future.”
As well as The Design Business Association the project is also actively being championed by The Creative Industries Federation
“In times of crisis, as we deal with the unknown, creativity and imagination are the essential tools that help us dream the landscapes of tomorrow. At the Creative Industries Federation, we believe that creativity can build great businesses, but it also brings communities together and enables individuals to lead happier, healthier, more sociable lives. The “How I See Tomorrow” project is an important initiative which provides the space for children of all ages to channel their creativity into optimistic visions – reminding us all that creative skills are vital to building the UK’s future.”
Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive, Creative Industries Federation
The initiative is currently being supported by Elmwood, Hobbycraft, Gordon’s LLp, AND Digital, Pimento, DBA, The Creative Industries Federation and The Social Media Geek.
If you’re a company, museum or gallery interested in supporting with this project, email [email protected]
If you’re interested in entering this project, click https://www.howiseetomorrow.com/
Two of Bristol’s creative agencies and a host of some of the biggest names in illustration, graffiti and design have joined forces to launch a brand new arts community, raising money for the NHS and Mind charities amidst the current Covid-19 crisis.
‘Life on Hold’, launched by Duchess Media and Hey! What?, is a fundraising project which encourages designers, illustrators and artists, both professional and amateur to get involved, creating pieces of art based around the new slower pace of life, which has come about as a result of the current lockdown rules.
Life on Hold has already amassed a range of well-known and up and coming artists from Bristol and beyond to create a selection of original pieces around this theme, including world-famous graffiti artists such as Inkie, Mr Jago, and Feek and illustrators and artists such as Miss Led, Holy Moly and many more. Other creatives will then be able to register to ‘remix’ these original pieces, taking elements from the original creations to produce their own pieces of work. Their creations can then be passed on to other creatives, generating a chain of ever-evolving ‘remixed’ art.
The project will culminate in an online exhibition including the original pieces of work alongside all of the remixed prints, all of which will be available for purchase with all profits raised going to mental health charity Mind as well as selected local NHS trusts, including Bristol based NHS charity Above & Beyond, who work to support city centre hospitals.
Speaking about the project, founder Hamish McWhirter said:
“We’re so excited by the list of key artists we have assembled for Life On Hold and the work that they have submitted is incredible. We hope that the campaign not only raises important funds for the NHS and Mind but also serves as a way of using creativity as a form of therapy during what is a difficult and uneasy time for many of us.”
Life On Hold has already amassed over 350 applications since launching at the end of March, and all 30 of the original pieces of art, created by the key artists, are now available for download to ‘remix’ on the website. Anyone wanting to participate will be able to make a charitable donation to support the amazing work being done by the NHS and Mind. The 30 original key artists pieces will be auctioned at the end of the project, and prints will also be available to buy, with all profits going directly to charity.
Applications are now open at www.lifeonhold.org.
Facebook: /lifeonholdremix
Twitter: @lifeonholdremix
Instagram: @lifeonholdremix
We want to let our members and the community know that we are still very much in operation during this challenging period. Whilst our keynotes, member lunches, workshops, and initiatives are currently on pause, we will continue to deliver value and support the local creative community by sharing advice and positive stories via our digital network.
We recognise that this will be a very difficult time for most of us and to get through it we all need to support each other. Remote working can be challenging but it’s been heart-warming to see some brilliant initiatives appearing within the network.
We’ve already come across some great examples of ideas to help creative businesses get through these turbulent times. For instance, ‘Digital Guzzle’ Friday’s from the Noisy Little Monkey clan, Virtual Book Clubs with Armadillo, and members offering free services such as copywriting, tips for remote working and how to manage your finances.
Our region is known for its unique collaborative spirit, so, we have an ask: share your initiatives and offers of support with us and we’ll add them to this blog page where we’re compiling positive news and stories to keep you going.
Are you offering free drop-ins for creative businesses? Have you set up a virtual networking event to help people connect? Written a blog about weathering the storm? We want to hear it!
Let us know by emailing Kirsty with details of your initiative, including a summary of what you’re offering, who it’s for, your online link (this can be a LinkedIn post, tweet, blog etc), plus details for how people can get in touch. We’ll be regularly adding to the blog so keep checking back for updates.
If you’re a member, we’d encourage you to self-publish your own articles and share the positive activity and good news with the network. Please also continue to post your job opportunities and virtual events to our website over the coming months. The more positivity we can circulate the better.
To kick things off, Chris Thurling (our Chair, business coach, mentor and serial networker!) is opening a virtual drop-in where members can book a free 20-minute coaching and mentoring session. Chris has earned multiple battle scars through surviving three periods of recession, so can provide useful advice and words of wisdom he’s learned throughout his journey.
Slots are available on Wednesday afternoons (between 2pm – 4pm) on 25th March, 1st April and 8th April. If you’re a Bristol Media member and would like to book, please email Chris.
If you’re a local business offering a short-term or freelance role for people working within the creative industries, please get in touch. You can advertise the vacancy for free on our Jobs board until the end of April.
We appreciate that for the smaller businesses and self-employed amongst you, it’s going to be a particularly testing time. The environment is changing at a rapid rate, so we’ve created a Slack channel for our freelance members to share info, resources, opportunities, and anything that will help support the local gig economy through the current situation. If you’d like an invite, please email Alli.
We will continue to work with local businesses and networks to ensure we are all actively supporting the creative industries in our region. If you are an organisation who can offer your services to support creative businesses in Bristol, Bath and the South West, please let us know.
If you have any questions or would like to speak to one of the team, please get in touch.
Together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
In light of the current news surrounding COVID-19, we’ve made the decision to postpone all Bristol Media events until further notice.
Our events rely on collaboration so ensuring our members, facilitators and venues feel safe is our highest priority and we want to ensure the best possible experience for those attending.
Obviously we’re disappointed but this is the right thing to do.
No event is more important than the health of our creative community so we’re doing the sensible thing. We all have a responsibility to look out for others and we hope that you’ll continue to support Bristol Media and other local businesses. Please be particularly mindful of freelancers and small businesses in Bristol and the South-West who will be impacted by the developing situation.
The following workshops will be postponed until further notice:
We are in the process of issuing refunds for all upcoming workshops.
You should receive a refund via the original payment method within the next ten days, please get in touch if this does not happen.
Please note: If you paid via Eventbrite, their policy states that the admin fee is non-refundable, however we understand this does not apply for cancelled events so you should be refunded the complete amount.
As soon as we have confirmed new dates for each workshop, we will contact the original ticket holders prior to tickets going on sale. You will then have the first chance to rebook onto the workshop. If you choose not to rebook, we will release the ticket to the community.
We’ve contacted all attendees, speakers and facilitators via email with more specific information about postponing planned events but feel free to contact us if you have any other questions. Contact Us
“I come from a creative and entrepreneurial family originally from St Thomas, Jamaica. My granduncle founded the Voice newspaper, my grandfather is a Reggae artist and my Mother is CEO of her own fashion company, so I like to think that influenced me to pursue my own dreams and carve my own path in life.
“Like most boys growing up in the 90s I was a big fan of anime. Shows like Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon and Naruto were regular scheduled programming at my home in Fishponds. It was my desire to recreate these shows in my spare time, through pencil and paper, that led me into art.
“Drawing wasn’t my strong point so it was hard to excel in art class, probably in part to me only being interested in drawing characters from my favourite tv show at the time! I was also into video games but, oddly, because I thought they were such a cool medium. I think I grew up in a time where video games were just beginning to be acknowledged as an artform, much like film and tv, and not just something that turns kids into ‘mindless zombies.’ I loved how video games placed you in the mind of the protagonist and allowed you to put yourself in situations you could only dream of before.
“Fast forward and this underlying love of psychology, art and computer screens coupled with a strong sense of ambition is what led me to where I am today – seeking to explore a career in UI/UX & Tech.
“Growing up I knew very little about the creative industries in Bristol. I think that’s what pushed me to study in Cambridge (Lord Ashcroft International Business School), but it was being away from Bristol and coming back that really opened my eyes to how vast and booming the city is which is why I moved straight back. So when I found out about the BMAA and that it was essentially a nosedive into the industry, I knew I had to apply.
“The biggest challenge I faced in my career was definitely making my first ever film, especially when it’s for a nationwide platform like the BBC and will be watched by thousands of people. The opportunity came about through the BBC New Creatives scheme. Managing a whole crew and cast of around 20 people whilst writing and directing a film is about 100 times harder than it sounds! But it was fun and the end result was well worth it.
“Now that I’ve won the BMAA and am travelling to Texas next week it’s hard to pin down what I’m most excited about. The food, talks, art exhibitions, film screenings, the robots… Or the world renowned ‘Southern Hospitality’? Honestly, I’m not too sure. But what I am sure of, is that I am excited. Funnily enough, I’m not really nervous about anything. My perspective is just ‘enjoy it’, take what comes with Texas and the internships as enjoyable experiences which I no doubt will learn and gain a lot from.”
Upon his return from SXSW, Okori and the BMAA runners up will have the opportunity to take part in a series of paid internships at local agencies. For more information about supporting the BMAA and offering a paid internship for Okori and the runners up, click here.
Bristol Media would like to thank our 2020 headline sponsor, ADLIB, for supporting the BMAA. Thanks also to Babbasa and the growing list of agencies who have committed to making a difference: Armadillo CRM, Tallt Ventures, McCann Bristol, Mr B & Friends, Oakwood, Immediate Media, Epoch Design, Halo, Torchbox and Diva.
**TWO PLACES LEFT – BOOK HERE**
Presenting work can be a challenge for even the most experienced presenter. Creative industry professionals come up against numerous obstacles when presenting work – extensive rounds of internal approvals, the confidence to present an effective message, and not to mention the client’s ability to kill the creative idea in one fell swoop. But how do you ensure your work sees the light of day?
Led by former TBWA Executive Creative Director Tom Evans, during this 1-day course you’ll learn how to present your work persuasively to increase the odds of your ideas making it to the outside world. It’s an ideal workshop for those looking to develop (or brush up on) skills for creative pitching, where you’ll emerge as a more confident and more competent presenter.
The 1-day workshop is on Tuesday 31st March from 9.30am – 5pm at Foot Anstey, Glass Wharf, Bristol.
Tickets £249 +VAT for Bristol Media members and £349 +VAT for non-members. Places are limited to 15 so book early to avoid disappointment. Lunch and refreshments are provided.
The Centre for Creative and Cultural Industries, Bristol+Bath Creative R+D, creative writing incubator Paper Nations, and Oxford-based cutting-edge AI company To Play For, are offering up to ten fully-funded places to writers under-represented in the publishing and gaming industries in the South West who will use AI to revolutionise how we interact with characters in stories from games to movies and apps, in mobile, VR online and more. Up to three of the writers may go on to paid, five-week placements with To Play For.
From talking to Alexa, to using virtual reality and tech in immersive theatre, to the way we interact with characters in games, to innovations in TV narrative such as Black Mirror’s Bandersnatch, a revolution in creating stories and characters is underway.
This revolution is driven by AI (Artificial Intelligence). Innovation in machine learning will see stories told where the audience becomes part of the story and can interact with characters who have their own voices, emotions and memories, and who make their own decisions.
The opportunities are limitless, but the worlds of writing/storytelling and tech are still quite. separate and writers in the South-West for the most part have yet to explore everything AI has to offer.
Bambo Soyinka, Paper Nations’ Executive Development Producer: “We are collaborating on these workshops to bring interactive writers and the AI storytelling experts together. Like particles colliding, we believe new and amazing things will happen. We want people with experience in theatre, comics or gaming; writers who work in performing and telling stories in a range of ways, who can breathe new life into their characters and stories with AI.
“We don’t expect them to be tech-magicians, only to have basic computer skills and a keen interest in how we can use AI.
“We’re also acutely aware of the lack of diversity in the world of digital storytelling. Creating opportunities for writers of all backgrounds is at the heart of our mission, so we’re particularly keen to hear from people from under-represented backgrounds in the South-West.”
The workshop will provide a masterclass on the Charisma.ai platform, giving hands-on experience to the writers of how to adapt existing stories as well as create new ones.
To Play For Creative Director Guy Gadney: “What’s really unique with the platform is how we can use AI to create characters that adapt, learn and act based on events the audience or player controls; characters with their own voices, memories and personalities.”
The workshop is a new and exciting opportunity for writers in the region, a chance to work in the cutting-edge, rapidly evolving world of digital writing driven by AI.
The application process is now open on http://papernations.org/writing-for-all/call-for-action/ai-story-lab/. Applications close at midday on Thursday 12th March.
Chris – what opportunities are you excited about in 2020?
I guess the increasing use of audio user interfaces, like smart speakers – Alexa and Google Home. That’s really going to feed into other technologies, like how does your website need to work, in order for the content to be usable on this kind of device. Also the opportunity for rich video, animation techniques and 3D on the web. It’s all becoming a much more immersive experience.
How do you think that’s going to enhance the digital creative landscape?
Advertisers are always looking for something new to punch their message through the noise. As a designer, you’re increasingly having to work with others. There’s no way you could be a designer and a master of 3D and voice tech. Collaboration is needed more than ever to get the best results.
What project are you most proud of to-date, and why?
There’s two really. The first was Katy Perry’s ‘Own the Throne’ campaign. It wasn’t perhaps the best campaign we’ve worked on, but it was a big campaign and it was my first at Spicerack. It encompassed loads of really rich formats. That’s 7 years ago now.
I guess Katy Perry felt pretty high profile to you at the time?
Yeah, it was the first fragrance she did. The TV campaign was everywhere. But the one I’m most proud of from both a technical and prestige point of view was the launch of Dyson’s Supersonic in 2016, because we helped strategise. It was a big deal – a completely new product in a whole new line for them. We ended up working on all sorts of formats – about 12 different routes across about 25 languages. And it was a volume task, a technical task, and this massive brand awareness task.
Tell us about some brands and designers you admire. What makes them stand out?
I think Huel are doing really well. They’re really going for it – innovative and engaging.
Who are they mate? Kuel?
Huel. Like Fuel with an H. Dave has a shaker on his desk. It’s supposed to be complete food. A complete meal in 3 scoops. But their Instagram page especially, for someone who makes something quite nerdy, and quite niche, they’re really going for it on social. So if you look at them online you’ll see they’re getting loads of interest as a result of this great presence. When you get your first pack you get a free t-shirt and they’re really well made. And a shaker. Dave liked the t-shirt so much he bought another off eBay, just because it’s a decent t-shirt.
Designers is a difficult one. It’s more agencies. The big ones are worth keeping an eye on. Pentagram are an inspiring global outfit. I really like the agency Snask, based in Sweden. For an agency, they have a really unique brand persona and tone of voice. I’m really inspired by them actually.
What tools, books or ideas help you with your day-to-day?
We owe a lot to the Adobe Suite. You know, the usual suspects – Illustrator, Photoshop. Sketch more and more too. Increasingly using that for UI design, and UX design to an extent.
Books?
There’s a new book on my desk called ‘Do the Fucking Work’ by Good Fucking Design Advice. That has some gems in it – it only came out this month so it’s nice and fresh. There’s one I’m really into at the moment about design systems. There are other books surrounding design; things like ‘Don’t Read this Book: Time Management for Creative People’ by Donald Roos. A lot of my design inspiration is online, through social, because it’s fresh and up-to-date. Dribbble is great for that. For solid, tested advice – ‘How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul’ by Adrian Shaughnessy – that’s a great book.
Is there anyone you particularly follow – any influencers?
I’ve been using Instagram, following hashtags. For example there’s one that’s #UX_UI. You get updates from all kinds of different people.
How are you influenced by trends … if at all?
I think everybody’s influenced by trends whether they want to be or not, especially in the kind of industries we work in.
In advertising, brands want to be on the pulse – in the thick of it. What you have to do is not get trapped by trends; not get sucked in. Not just copy. There are so many great publications like Creative Review, Creative Bloq. Dribbble, as mentioned, is really good.
You’ve worked with established global brands like Dyson, Disney and CK. What brands would you really like to work with?
We’ve had experience working with Fiat. I’d like more experience with a car brand. Tesla would be awesome. Big car brands that are doing some good – electric vehicles, self-drive tech, that sort of thing.
Thatchers are kind of global but also local for us – they would be a good one to work with. Down the road from us.
Are you a Thatcher’s drinker?
Oh yeah.
What’s your poison?
Poison’s got to be Gold. Got to be Thatcher’s Gold. None of this Haze.
What’s been your biggest creative challenge to-date?
That’s a difficult one. A lot of the brands we work with, like Coty brands, are big. Like Calvin Klein. A creative challenge there is to think outside of their already creatively-defined box. They’ve got brand guidelines, look and feel rules … getting brands to take a leap of faith can be difficult. It doesn’t always pay off. Sometimes you get so far, but then a brand guy gets involved and squashes it.
Are there any occasions where you’ve been able to convince or persuade?
I wouldn’t say there’s one overarching example, but it’s developing relationships with those brands. You look at where you’ve come from on day one, and where you are now, and how much more trust they have – how much more scope you have to push back on their ideas or suggest new ones. It’s more a test of time because none of these brands, quite rightly as well, will just let their brands be manipulated by anybody. Because of our success working with Dyson on the Supersonic launch, when it comes to subsequent campaigns – like they launched a blue and gold version – they knew they had great assets through the TVC. Because we’d worked on the launch, we came up with creative ideas for that. The challenge is to get brands to trust you, but you see it’s paid off when you get more creative rein.
What do you do in your own time, Chris?
I go out on the piss! No, it’s hanging out with mates, going to all the various events across Bristol, like Motion – that sort of thing. I try to get out for some fresh air every now and then. Brecon Beacons for example, just over the bridge. I like going to exhibitions, bombing down to London, bagging a couple of galleries. Bristol’s great – you’ve got Spike Island, the Arnolfini – even the museum and gallery at the top of Park Street, and the RWA at the top … a fine art gallery. Also, I try to pick up a bit of 3D modelling. I do quite a bit of photography, heading over to Wales and stuff.
Awesome – thanks Chris
Chris was interviewed by Spicerack’s Strategic Development Director Paul Stancheris in January 2020.