Bristol’s hospitals charity Above & Beyond has appointed AgencyUK for its latest campaign.
Following a competitive pitch process, the Bath-based agency will be delivering a creative, integrated campaign for the charity, focussing on cancer services in Bristol’s hospitals.
Julie Worrall, director of fundraising and development for Above & Beyond, said: “This is a really exciting time for Above & Beyond as we look to increase our support of Bristol’s hospitals and health services in Bristol.
“We believe that every patient receiving cancer treatment in Bristol deserves the best possible care and through this campaign we’ll be investing in services that ensure they receive it.
“AgencyUK has been crucial in the design concept of the campaign and we look forward to rolling this out across Bristol.”
Amy Stobie, director of AgencyUK, said: “It became clear early on that Above & Beyond is a vital enabler for furthering cancer care and treatment for patients in Bristol.
“As its work is so focused in the region, it means a lot of our AgencyUK people have had first-hand experience dealing with friends and family who are treated in these hospitals.
You can find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/BristolAgainstCancer
Jo Johnson and Steve Stanley appointed following investment
Access Creative College, an independent college for the creative industries, which launched a new state-of-the-art campus in Bristol in 2019, has made two senior appointments. The move signals its continued commitment to education and learning within the creative industries in the city.
The announcement follows a significant year for Armstrong Learning group*, the owners of the College, during which it secured investment from Apiary Capital, announced its new Bristol facilities and welcomed the National College for the Creative Industries (NCCI) to its portfolio.
Jo Johnson has been appointed by Access Creative College as Chair. The former Minister of State for Universities brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in education, technology and the creative sectors. Jo will provide leadership and guidance to the College, helping the team to navigate the educational environment in which it operates during a period of growth.
Steve Stanley has been appointed as Director of Evaluation and Impact. He has worked in education for 33 years. Around half of which, was as an inspector at Ofsted and the Adult Learning Inspectorate. As a former inspector, he brings an aptitude for assessing the impact of the curriculum on learning. As an educator, he has expertise in how education can make a positive difference to the futures of young people and adults.
Jason Beaumont, Chief Executive at Access Creative College, comments,
“Welcoming Jo and Steve to the team is big news for us. They will help us to have a voice on a national scale and deliver education and learning that students want and industry desires.
“The creative industries will be a very different place post Covid and we are aware of the challenges ahead. But, with the creative industries sector having grown at a rate more than twice that of the total UK economy over the last decade, we are confident that it will bounce back.
“By adapting to change, bringing in the right expertise and listening to the needs of our students and the wider industry, we’ll be in the best position to provide meaningful education for the new creative economy and continue our track record of high student achievement and progression.
“There are exciting times to come. As we approach our 30th academic year, we are focused on growth at our existing sites and in new cities. We are adapting our curriculum to support the increasingly digital market and we are extending our commitment to support BAME learners, staff and minority communities within the College network.
“Our passion to help young people from a diversity of backgrounds prosper in the creative industries remains constant, and at the heart of what we do.”
*The Armstrong Learning Group owns Access Creative College and Coaching Connexions and delivers creative industry apprenticeships under licence to NCCI Ltd. as part of a partnership with South Essex College and DfE.
Strange have launched a competition for their client Animal, the lifestyle clothing brand. The campaign, supported by PR and digital marketing, aims to inspire creatives to enter designs inspired by the competition theme of ‘Coastal’.
The lucky winner will have their design printed on an Animal T-Shirt and retailed on line and in store alongside Animal’s 2019 Spring Summer collection, plus £1,000 of Animal clothes. The competition is open to creatives that work in any medium they choose, whether that be digital, photographic, a painting, graphic, illustration or typography.
“We’re lucky to live and work in such a great location and this area is full of creative talent” explains Laurence Hall, Managing Director of Animal. “We want to offer one lucky person the opportunity to showcase their creative skills and add an amazing piece of work to their portfolios.”
Open to UK residents over 18, entries close on April 7th. Shortlisted entries will be showcased in South Coast Roast, Bournemouth’s much-loved independent coffee shop. South Coast Roast will also be hosting the awards night on April 27th where the following prizes will be awarded;
• 1st Prize – winner’s design printed on an Animal T-Shirt and sold in store and online + £1,000 worth of Animal products
• 2nd Prize – £500 worth of Animal products
• 3rd Prize – £250 worth of Animal products
The theme of the competition is ‘Coastal’, celebrating Animal’s close relationship with the sea and their heritage as one of the leading lifestyle brands.
Further details about the competition can be found at https://www.animal.co.uk/design-a-tee
After 15 years of supporting and promoting Bristol’s creative sector, Bristol Media has undergone a make-over. Designed to better reflect the breadth and depth of the city’s creative community, we’d like to introduce Bristol Creative Industries.
Since launching Bristol Media in 2005, the creative sector and city profile has changed significantly. Bristol today is home to one of the UK’s largest, most diverse and creative communities. From world-leading animation, film, TV, AR and VR to brilliantly creative advertising, PR, social and digital agencies and freelancers, event production and more, Bristol is a hotbed of innovative thinkers, creative dynamos and world-class talent. Given this breadth, our new name, look and feel is designed to embrace all our creative talents and ambitions.
Bristol Creative Industries will continue the good work of Bristol Media – supporting the creative sector to learn, grow and connect. A myriad of open-to-all and member-only learning and sharing events, workshops and training sessions will continue to enable Bristol’s creative community to develop valuable skills and make important new connections. Recent keynote events and workshops have seen the likes of Rory Sutherland, Ann Hiatt, Bruce Daisley and Margaret Heffernan all come to Bristol to share insights and inspire new thinking. Whether online and virtual or up close and personal, we’ll continue to bring the experts and innovators in creative thinking, business development and skills expansion to share their experience and inspire us all with their passion.
And of course, we’ll be supporting members as much as possible. Our new-look website offers members an enhanced, highly engaging platform to showcase work and share thought leadership. The Member Directory and Project Gallery offers the opportunity to promote specialist skills and offers, enabling the creative community to seek out talent and members to boost career opportunities, offer their services and build new business-generating connections and collaborations. Whether looking for a new role or seeking out new talent, members will continue to benefit from our acclaimed Jobs Board which enables roles to be posted at a fraction of the cost of other recruitment routes. With over 750 jobs posted in 2019 it’s an active and accessible route to talent recruitment for the creative sector.
Everyone involved in Bristol Creative Industries passionately believes in the brilliance of creative Bristol. Alongside our website providing a valuable introduction to the city’s talent for the many companies seeking out creative services, our Board of Directors will continue to act as ambassadors for the city and the sector, telling our collective story and working to attract further support for our initiatives and collective ambitions. With a hard–working Operations Team making everything happen, plus a voluntary Executive Board including BAFTA winners, tech trailblazers and creative pioneers providing support and guidance, we’re also expanding our Advisory Group to help build our offer and support the sector still further. We’re actively recruiting so take a look at the roles on offer if you’re interested in supporting us.
“Bristol may be known for Banksy, Gromit and Brunel, but in between the cider, boats and balloons we nurture a hugely diverse network of creative talent that is ever-expanding in scale of offer and of ambition”, says Chris Thurling, Chair of Bristol Creative Industries. “Since 2005 Bristol Media has done a great job supporting the sector, but the name simply didn’t reflect the offer. With an ambition to embrace and support the full breadth of the city’s creative talent, we wanted a name to match. Bristol Creative Industries does just that.
“The collaborative, connected nature of Bristol’s creative community is quite unique in the UK and a great, untapped strength. Individually all our creative businesses and individuals have great skill, and when we combine our talents we can do even greater things. By engaging with Bristol Creative Industries, whether attending an event, joining a training session, sharing thought leadership, creating a showcase or simply posting a new role, the opportunity to grow and prosper expands. And that, I have absolutely no doubt, is a very good thing for everyone.”
Lis Anderson, Director at Bristol Creative Industries, agrees: “Sharing our achievements inspires talented people to work here, attracts more customers and bolsters growth for all. With Bristol’s long-standing reputation for innovation, the enhanced digital platform created for Bristol Creative Industries gives Bristol’s creative community the voice it deserves. I would urge everyone in the creative community to get involved – the more noise we make, the more business we’ll attract, it really is that simple.”
If you would like to find out more about supporting Bristol Creative Industries or becoming a member, get in touch.
The iconic ‘Cheers Drive’ sign, one of nine light installations which featured in this year’s inaugural Bristol Light Festival has been permanently installed at the city’s bus station in Marlborough Street as a symbol of gratitude to the many thousands of frontline workers.
The neon sign was installed late last night and will be officially switched on by tomorrow Friday 21 August as a permanent feature for visitors and Bristol residents to enjoy.
As organisers focus on their plans to bring the Bristol Light Festival back to the city next February, they are asking Bristolians to nominate their preferred local phrase to be turned into a light display. The Overheard in Bristol installation which this year featured the ‘Cheers Drive’ saying will light up a new well-known Bristol phrase for 2021. With a wealth of ‘Brizzle’ phrases to choose from ‘gert lush’ and ‘alright me luvver’ to ‘where’s it to?’, people can nominate a phrase for next year by tweeting @bristol_light their ideas.
Supported by Bristol City Centre BID (Business Improvement District) alongside Bristol-based creative directors Katherine Jewkes and Vashti Waite, this year’s highly popular event was the first in a three-year series planned for the city.
Expressions of interest are also now open for artists keen to be involved in the 2021 event. The creative team are keen to hear from artists and makers of any discipline, interested in working with light as a creative medium in Bristol City Centre.
Vicky Lee, Bristol City Centre BID’s lead for the Festival added: “We’re excited to be giving Cheers Drive a permanent home in our city and it’s fitting that it is going to be displayed in a location which every day welcomes residents, workers and visitors alike into the heart of the Bristol.
“It’s great that so many people are already returning as we continue to work with local businesses and organisations to safely reopen the city following lockdown, as part of the Bristol Together initiative.”
James Freeman, Managing Director, First West of England commented:
“As we get the region moving safely again this new eye-catching addition to the city’s bus station from the Bristol Light Festival is right on cue. The ‘Cheers Drive’ sign gives us a highly visual, creative way to show our gratitude to the thousands of keyworkers – including our First staff – in true Bristol fashion now and for years to come.”
Katherine Jewkes, co-creative director for the Bristol Light Festival:
“The last few months have been difficult for everyone, but as always Bristol has come together with its own sense of community spirit and care, which we think is summed up in this artwork. We’re glad to see it reinstalled in the city centre as a gift to everyone who has kept the city going through such uncertain and turbulent times.
We are moving forward with plans to stage Bristol Light Festival again in 2021, bringing light and joy to the city centre at a traditionally dark time of year. We are currently open for expressions of interest from any kind of creative talent in the city who have an idea they would like to make happen, or an installation which has never been seen in Bristol before, we’d love to hear from you.”
In addition to the giant ‘Cheers Drive’ sign as part of the Overheard in Bristol installation which was originally located by Watershed, the 2020 event included eight other installations for the city to enjoy, such as the transformation of Castle Bridge by Tine Bech with Pink Enchantment, immersing those who walked across it in an ethereal pink light. While Queen Square hosted Wave-Field Variation Q, eight, giant illuminated see saws by Lateral Office and CS Design with Soundscape by Mitchell Akiyams, and Neighbours, which saw four Bristol-based Graffiti artists and illustrators to show us what they think the neighbours are up to next door to Banky’s famous Well-Hung Lover on Park Street. Neighbours is a celebration of Bristol’s residents and how we interact with each other as a diverse community.
The Bristol City Centre BID (Business Improvement District) has continued to deliver many initiatives throughout the pandemic to ensure the city and its businesses can safely reopen. These projects include additional overnight security, street cleansing and disinfecting high-contact locations in the city centre to help minimize the spread of Covid-19 and most recently the city-wide marketing campaign, Bristol Together to support local businesses as they safely reopen in partnership with Visit Bristol and Broadmead BID.
For more information about the Bristol Light Festival and Bristol City Centre BID please visit https://bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk/ and follow the Bristol City Centre BID on Twitter @BrisCentreBID #Bristollight.
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.
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