Is your crisis plan up to scratch? Hear journalist Andrew Lynch talk through some of the worst crisis strategies he’s seen when breaking major news stories during 40 years at national and international newsdesks.

This May, we will be joined by seasoned journalist Andrew Lynch, who has served at the likes of the Bristol Evening Post, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph, and The Daily Mail, and The Sunday Times.

From working as a night editor during the London Bridge attack, to deputy night editor during the Hong Kong handover ceremony, he is perfectly positioned to explain the process a journalist takes when investigating a story, what is helpful to know from PRs, and what not to do.

Join us for a relaxed 90 minutes of good food, good vibes, and good company, all topped off with critical insight on crisis communications and what you need to do to ensure your strategy is foolproof. Andrew will break down some of the worst crisis responses he’s seen, and what PR professionals can learn from them.

Price: £27.50

The Festival of Sustainable Business on 9-10 June is the South West’s most impactful sustainability event. Hosted in the green capital of the UK, Bristol, this year’s Conference and Exhibition aims to unlock business growth.

A packed agenda of keynotes, panel discussions, seminars, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities to connect you with the right people, the right knowledge, and the right products, alongside a free Exhibition of over 50 sustainable solutions.

The Festival of New Business is a one-of-a-kind event designed exclusively for UK independent agencies and consultants – empowering them to learn, network and thrive.

From data and systems to pitching and client management, this unique 1-day event takes you through every step of the new business journey.
Gain invaluable insights from leading experts, connect with like-minded professionals, and walk away with actionable strategies to elevate your agency’s success.

Unlock Your Business Growth Potential
Whether you’re a founder, CEO, MD, New Business Director, Account Director or Consultant – everyone plays a role in driving new business.
Join us at the Festival of New Business, One Birdcage Walk, London, on Tuesday 7th October, and discover how to transform opportunities into long-term success.

Hosted by Bristol City Council | Featuring keynote speaker Mark Horton

AI isn’t coming — it’s already here.
And the small businesses learning how to use it today are the ones gaining time, creating smarter content, and staying ahead of the curve.

Join us for a high-impact session with Mark Horton — a digital veteran who won’t let you miss this next shift.

In this free session, you’ll learn:
– Why AI is a game-changer for content creation
– Practical, easy-to-use tools to get started now
– How to overcome overwhelm and take real action

Whether you’re a solo founder or leading a growing team, this session will give you clear, actionable insights to start using AI in your business today.

This one-day Content Production workshop with industry expert Leila Bartlam provides attendees with a deeper understanding of planning, production and the delivery of filmed content plus the associated business affairs. You’ll look at all types of content from small-scale social posts to TV broadcast.

What you’ll take away

Workshop agenda

Who is this event for?

This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to add moving image production to their skill set.

About Leila Bartlam

Leila has worked in production since 2000. In this time she has headed up film output at agencies including Iris, Havas, adam&eve, Accenture Song and was MD at edit facility Cut+Run. Leila’s work has won many award, including Creative Circle, D&AD, British Arrows and Campaign Big.

Since ChatGPT exploded into the public view in 2022, generative AI and Large Language Models have become ubiquitous in nearly every industry, especially digital. It’s incredibly easy to use tools like ChatGPT or Copilot to help you do your job.

But with that ease comes risk – what are these companies doing with the data you send them? How do you make your clients aware of what AI tools you’re using and their  implications? What AI tools are out there that can help boost your productivity but retain your privacy?

And WON’T SOMEONE THINK ABOUT THE PENGUINS? Generative AI has significant energy requirements, and therefore significant potential carbon emissions, that are contributing to heating up the planet. Bad for the planet. Bad for the penguins.

Our panel discussion will cover these topics from a range of angles and point you towards tools and approaches to help you make the best use of this exciting technology.

People and culture speakers, learning, networking.

Join us at The Engine Shed in Bristol on June 24th for Inspire: Bristol & Bath and discover what makes an inspiring and engaging workplace culture.

Find out how to:
– Create a sense of connection/belonging
– Bring purpose and meaning to employee’s roles
– Build a high trust environment

We’ll have a panel discussion, a keynote talk on employee wellbeing from Gethin Nadin and you’ll leave with new insights, new connections and a copy of Gethin’s new book ‘A Work In Progress: Unlocking Wellbeing to Create More Sustainable and Resilient Organisations’.

From the shapeshifting client brief to nitpicky pricing queries, we all have moments where a “yes, of course that’s fine!” response to a client won’t cut it. With profit, client relationships, and your business at risk, it can be hard to navigate through those discussions without making overly painful compromises.

In this webinar, business strategist Meg Lovell will walk through a few simple-but-effective tactics you can use to dramatically improve the outcome of those client exchanges without burning goodwill or undervaluing your work.

Register here!

 

Who’s it for?

This session is for anyone working in the creative sector, from graduates to seasoned professionals. The techniques and strategies discussed will apply equally to those just starting out who need to advocate for themselves, to freelancers and agency owners dealing with demanding clients.

 

About Meg Lovell

Meg Lovell is a business strategist and fractional CEO, offering compassionate, clear-headed CEO expertise for business owners with plates full of all the things. A former lawyer and professional photographer, she specialises in helping creative businesses shape their strategy and manage business risk.

See Meg’s BCI profile

Connect with Meg on LinkedIn

 

This 30 minute webinar will involve introductions from the BCI team, a 15 minute presentation followed by a 10 minute facilitated Q&A. You can ask questions via the question/chat box during the webinar, or submit in advance.

This session is exclusively for BCI members – register your free place below! Not a member with BCI? You can read about the membership perks and how to join here.

 

More about our ‘Wake Up Call’ webinar series

These sessions take place every other Friday morning from 8.30-9am, for the BCI community to share their pearls of wisdom with one another. The half hour webinars will involve a 15 minute presentation followed by a 10 minute facilitated Q&A, with introductions from the BCI team. The sessions will be a mix of expert tips and tricks and case studies – the perfect opportunity to learn something new before the week is out.

Please get in touch with Dan if you’re interested in speaking at a future session.

Calling all aspiring creatives! Ready to level up your creative portfolio?

We’re hosting an evening of portfolio reviews at our Bristol studio.

This is an opportunity to meet like-minded people, get real feedback on your creative tinkerings & ask any burning questions to a team of working designers who’ve been where you are.

What to expect:

You’ll rotate through quickfire reviews with our team – Motion Designers, Graphic Designers, Copywriters, Art Directors, and more – and leave with fresh perspectives and practical feedback.

There’ll also be time to mingle with other creatives, chat to the Shaped By team over drinks and snacks.

What we’re looking for:
This night’s for anyone with creative energy and something to share. Whether you’re self-taught, switching things up, or fresh out of uni.

To apply, just:
• Be 18 or over
• Tell us why you’d like to come
• Share at least three pieces of work (digital or printed – finished or in progress, all good)

We’re not expecting perfection. So whether it’s a fully-fledged project, a work-in-progress, or even just initial concepts, we care how you think!

Frameworthy is a celebratory exhibition series that honours local changemakers through powerful, bespoke artwork and uplifting pop-up shows. We’re redefining who is celebrated in art—spotlighting those driving real impact in their communities and exhibiting their portraits in some of the UK’s most iconic cultural venues.

Join us on Saturday, 5 July 2025, at the stunning Arts Mansion, Ashton Court Estate for the Bristol edition of Frameworthy. This one-time-only event brings together portraits, storytelling, and community pride in a vibrant, emotional tribute to the individuals shaping the spirit and future of the South West.