We’ve seen some good ones in the past, including ‘William the Concreter’ for a local builder but we reckon these ones take the biscuit. Take a look for yourselves…

This was a business card leaflet dropped off at our business centre yesterday for a local car wash business.

and then this leaflet appeared soon after…

Website: http://www.chaptershotels.co.uk

You can also find Chapters Hotel & Restaurant on Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Facebook.

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Website: http://www.fudgefancies.co.uk

Michael, the founder of Fudge Fancies, is the eldest son of three children. As the eldest Michael enjoyed a lot of quality time and attention from his grandparents and had a particularly close relationship with his maternal grandmother, Jean, whom he spent a lot of time in his early years. Michael’s first spark of interest in cooking came from watching his grandmother bake her legendary fudge.

Michael loves the care and precision that is needed in creating the perfect piece of fudge as opposed to his usual style of cooking which requires no measurements! This need for precision only encouraged Michael to strive for perfection and after trial and error he has achieved his goal with Fudge Fancies.

Michael now regularly sells his gourmet fudge at various farmer’s markets across the North East of England including Saltburn and Stokesley. Michael believes the markets are a brilliant way of testing new flavours, such as his upcoming Cherry Trifle, as people are always more than willing to try a sample of his scrumptious fudge. With his recipe book getting fuller by the day, Michael believes he has more to surprise and delight his customers!

Project Details.

Brand Design, Brand Development, Marketing Support, Website design, WordPress CMS Development, Social Media Strategy and Support.

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Jul 27 2010 by Karen McLaughlan, Evening Gazette – Read article online

We are Teesside – that’s the verdict of local business leaders when it comes to the region’s identity.

As well as a strong Teesside, the message also came that we need to be part of a strong North-east to take the region forward. Business leaders also overwhelmingly rejected the Tees Valley brand at a meeting held by the Evening Gazette and the Institute of Directors last night.

Members of the local business community were asked to attend the event and give their verdict on the Gazette’s identity survey. Almost 2,000 people recently completed the survey – with just over half opting for the name Teesside as the one to describe the place where they live.

Those responding to the survey also gave the name Tees Valley a resounding thumbs down. The sentiments were echoed at last night’s event with an almost unanimous rejection of the Tees Valley brand.

Many agreed that having a clear, unified brand was essential to help the region continue to grow and prosper. Almost all believed in a strong Teesside within a strong North-east region as the best way to move the area forward.

Stockton-born Robin Bloom, head of legal functions at Gibson O’Neill on Teesside – the company built by Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson – said: “We don’t have an identity that everyone is behind. The reality is people have never got behind the idea of Tees Valley.”

He added it was also key to be part of a strong North-east, though – with the “bigger regional picture” just as important.

Businessman and Wynyard Hall owner Sir John Hall said: “We need an identity to be a sub-region, it’s all about leadership.

“If we’re not united, we are weak.”

Alan Ransome, who runs a Middlesbrough-based sporting goods business and is chairman of Ormesby Table Tennis Club, said “I’ve been disappointed for a long time. Wherever I go I have to explain where Middlesbrough or Teesside is.

“That puts us at a serious disadvantage to other major centres in the North.

“When it comes to Leeds or Manchester, people know where they are.

“Our area is losing out badly because it has no identity, we’re lost.”

He added: “We need one name we can all agree on – one name we can all get behind.”

New Century Inn’s chairman Alistair Arkley, who was previously chairman of the Tees Valley Partnership, said the Tees Valley brand was born out of a need to bring the five local authority areas together under one title.

“Tees Valley was never meant to be for the image of the area.”

The Gazette’s identity survey also showed relatively strong support for traditional counties and for people identifying closely with their own town.

A total of 60.4% agree that Middlesbrough should be a city in its own right.

People saw the area having a single identity as an important issue.

A total of 1,672 respondents (84%) said it was very important or quite important.

Asked about the areas people would include in the sub-region Middlesbrough (1,794 – 90.9%), Redcar & Cleveland (1,667 – 77.9%) and Stockton (1,537 – 77.9%) scored highly.

Hartlepool got 850 votes (43.1%), Darlington got 436 votes (22.1%) while Hambleton had 479 votes (24.3%).

The geographical make-up of Teesside was also questioned at last night’smeeting.

Paul Sheperia, founder of Middlesbrough software company Applaud, added: “I’ve always said I’m from Teesside – but I don’t see Darlington as part of the area.

“And areas such as Guisborough and Brotton, I feel they’re more part of Yorkshire.

“However, I feel more affinity with Hartlepool and Stockton.”

However Graham Robb, director of Darlington-based Recognition PR, said it was important the region retained all five local authority areas.

He added that many companies and organisations based in Darlington had strong links with the Teesside area – including the National Skills Academy for the Process Industries which is based in the town.

Maximising opportunities in Teesside’s key industrial areas was also championed last night.

James Robson, MD of Hartlepool chemical processing firm Exwold Technology, said organisations such as NOF and NEPIC were helping take the Teesside message around the globe.

The identity survey found 72% of people disagreed or strongly disagreed that Teesside was an old-fashioned and damaged brand.

Most people felt the name Tees Valley was a term only used by the public sector.

“Teesside is still a strong brand,” said Andy Hatton, technical director at Billingham-based Global Anodes.

“People identify with it, especially amongst the younger generation.”

Mr Arkley added: “People have got to feel that they belong to something.”

:: For more about the Evening Gazette’s Identity Crisis campaign log on to www.gazettelive.co.uk

Jul 19 2010 Evening Gazette - Read article on nebusiness.co.uk

LOCAL business leaders are being asked to give their verdict on the region’s identity.

Almost 2,000 readers recently completed the Evening Gazette’s identity survey – with just over half opting for the name Teesside as the one to describe the place where they live.

Those responding to the survey also gave the name Tees Valley a resounding thumbs down.

There was also an overwhelming support for the area’s airport to revert to using the Teesside name again.

Gazette Media Company and the Institute of Directors are now holding a special event on Monday, July 26, and are inviting members of the local businesscommunity to come along and share their thoughts on the identity issue.

Darren Thwaites, editor of the Evening Gazette – who will present the key findings of the survey at the event – said: “The number of responses to our survey clearly demonstrates just how important this issue is.

“At this special event we want to find out what the local business community’s thoughts are on the area’s identity – and how best to move our region forward.”

The event, being held at the Evening Gazette on Borough Road, will start at 5.45pm.

Following a presentation on the survey’s results, the audience will be asked for their comments and feedback, before finishing with a vote on the region’s identity.

In the survey, the Teesside name got 1,000 votes – 50.7% of those responding – well ahead of any of the other options.

Support was even greater among those aged 35 or under, with 62.1% opting for Teesside.

Cleveland, which existed as a county for just over 20 years and was abolished in 1996, scored 254 votes (12.9%), while only 59 (3%) respondents backed the name Tees Valley.

North Yorkshire or Yorkshire had a combined total of 504 votes (25.6%).

There was a clear view about what the area’s airport should be called with 1,801 (91.2%) backing the name of Teesside. Just 173 (8.8%) supported the name of Durham Tees Valley, which was adopted in 2004.

The identity event will be covered in the Gazette on Tuesday, July 27, and on www.gazettelive.co.uk

It is set to finish at 7pm, but numbers for the event are limited.

As part of this, the BBC is looking to explore the supply chain between the public and private sectors. They want to find companies who have laid off staff because they have either lost contracts with the public sector or there is uncertainty over future work. The BBC would also be interested to hear from businesses that have put staff on to short-time working  /  annualised hours / reduced salaries etc., again as a result of the public sector squeeze.

The objective is to attempt to trace the impact through the supply chain from the private company (and individual) hit by the spending squeeze to the public sector organisation making the cut.   In addition, the BBC is also looking for an audience for the programme and would welcome contact from individuals who want to share their views and generally get involved.

Anyone wishing to participate should contact:

Mark Denten,
Political Correspondent,
BBC North East & Cumbria
07714 322 629
mark.denten@bbc.co.uk

Things are hotting up, and I don’t just mean the weather.
What a blur of activity the last couple of months have been.

We’ve attended some great events and recent conferences, and we’ve welcomed new clients on board that we’re really excited about. We’ve also been continually impressed by the commitment that our existing clients show to their customers, which we support them with through their brand and marketing activity.

Investing time and resource in new product development (NPD) was always part of our long term strategy, and this has already started to reward our efforts. Our new digital product (currently in development) is on target for our scheduled release date and we’re already having some exciting conversations with prospective clients in the B2C and B2B sector who want it as part of their brand/marketing tool box. Over the coming months we’ll be getting set for launch and I’ll be in a position to talk to you more about it.

Part of the investment in our digital product has been to recruit a new member of the team who has headed up the development. Ian Chilton, who brings to Better a decade of digital experience, has taken overall responsibility for our digital project management and is a fundamental driving force behind our NPD. Having Ian join our team is indicative of our growth over the last 18 months. He joins Senior Web Developer, Simon Scarfe to create a skilled digital team capable of delivering fantastic results for our clients and positioning Better for further growth.

We’d also like to say a warm welcome to some nice new clients.

Please look out for them, they’re great businesses and organisations led by good people.

Contemporary Hair Salons.
The team at Contemporary have appointed us to help them develop their brand and deliver a new marketing and social media strategy for the salons and hair academy. We’ve been busy helping them make the most of the opportunity for using social media to connect with their audience and putting in place the channels to power the conversation. This includes an new website for the Hair Academy.

Five Lamps.
Five Lamps is one of the largest community led social enterprises in the North East. We’re so pleased to have won the pitch to help re-develop their corporate website and the supporting development of the organisation’s digital footprint. The new website (coming soon!) will help their diverse audiences find information faster and gain an insight into the organisation via their social media channels, presenting them with a great opportunity to engage with their community.

Jacksons Law Firm.
Jacksons Law, one of the regions major law firms has appointed Better to develop a social media strategy for the business. Law firms have traditionally held back from this kind of marketing engagement but Jacksons see the relevance social media has for it’s clients and believe it provides a perfect opportunity to open the door on what a law firms do apart from represent their clients, offering advice across a wider spectrum of business and personal requirements.

Quay2 Media.
Quay2 Media is a PR agency with a difference. Owned by Christian Cerisola and Antonia Clifford, Quay2 Media excels in public relations, media relations and crisis management. We’re proud to have been chosen by the Quay2 team to deliver the design and development of their new website.

Lead and Transform.
The inspirational Alison Freer and Colin Ashurst are working with us to develop the brand and online presence that will support the launch of their new business. Lead and Transform deliver development, education and consulting specifically for IT leaders, IT professionals and senior business people who want to get more from their IT investments.

Above and Beyond…
Going the extra mile for your client is something we’re all prepared to do but I want to mention Paul’s two day round trip to Aberdeen to support one of our clients who needed a fresh supply of promotional materials for an international expo. Putting in a full day in the office and then jumping on a train (One of four over the two days) at 7pm, an overnight stay in Edinburgh and then a dawn start to ensure the client had them on time showed real commitment. He even spent the day on the stand with the client helping out before setting off home (which he finally arrived at 11pm).

Being part of your team is better…
Working long term with our clients brings huge benefits. We get closer to the culture within our client’s company which makes our work intrinsically better and the client ensures there is no delay in generating their day to day marketing communication. MPI Offshore, Anabas, Artsbank, Chapters Hotel and The House work with us regularly.

From the Blog.

We’d rather contribute to the conversation than sit on the fence.
That means poking your head up above the parapet to get shot at. We have opinions and ideas we’d like to share so here’s one of our most recent blog posts.

Be a Storyteller Brand (written by Declan, our Marketing Director).
I recently enjoyed a two day storytelling seminar given by Robert Mckee, the legendary story doctor who has worked with luminaries of the movie industry for more than 3 decades. Stories are art, crafted to take the reader on a journey designed by the author to deliver a meaningful emotional experience. This seminar, and I recommend you seek out one of Robert’s London seminars if you have the chance, provided me with a rich learning experience that helps me in my desire to understand better the correlation between our emotions and values and the brands we buy.

Out and about.

Where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Declan and myself had high expectations for Thinking Digital Conference this year and we weren’t disappointed. Highlights included the Robert Mckee Storyteller course prior to the conference starting and speakers like Christian Payne, Luis Von Ahn, Tom Scott and the inspirational Ken Banks.

I’ve been fortunate to have spoken at the Teesside University Business School Debates (amongst others), and was proud to represent the team at the Service Network Culture for Success Awards which was a great evening. I’m also looking forward to Middlesbrough’s first business conference on 1st July and speaking at both the Institute of Directors Tees Valley meeting and Business For Breakfast meeting next month.

From left field (but it shouldn’t be).

Jonathan Harris. An old favourite of ours since his presentation at the first Thinking Digital conference.
Particular favourites from his online projects include The Whale Hunt and We Feel Fine. Take a look at www.number27.org

Social Media updates.

From our Flickr Channel.
We’ve updated our Flickr channel with pictures from some of the recent goings on in the world of Better.
Check out some of the photos of the recent Thinking Digital 2010 Conference at the Sage Gateshead. www.flickr.com/betterbrandagency

From our YouTube Channel.
Some great new videos from a friend of ours, Alastair Griffin. www.youtube.com/betterbrandagency

Follow us on Twitter.
Keep up to date with the day to day goings on in the Better studio. www.twitter.com/better_studio

Become our friend on Facebook.
Better Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/betterbrandagency

The Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) is a new accreditation federation aiming to stamp out cowboy web developers in the north east. According to the FMDC, “most businesses look at web developers as being cowboys and rip off merchants” and claim the good news is that “they are here to put that right with the help of quality caring development companies”.

Two Teesside business partners, who head up their own website development companies, launched the national Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) in an event held at Middlesbrough Football Club last night in response to alleged growing criticism that too many web developers were taking advantage of businesses.

The two men behind the The Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC), Stuart Davies and Saheed Rashid, said that the Federation is aiming to prevent businesses from being lured into unfair contracts that leave them vulnerable to overpricing, poor service and withdrawal of services without notice. Mr Rashid founded the Middlesbrough based Com IT in 2005, and he is also a director with Mr Davies of Stockton firm LocalRus.

According to NEbusiness, local firms that have suffered at the hands of industry rogues have welcomed the Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC), but many in the web industry have questioned the move.

Rashid spoke last night of how he wanted to position the non-profit organisation as the preferred quality standard for providers. On the organisation’s website it claims that ‘being a part of the Federation will allow you to increase credibility and reputation and will provide peace of mind for your current and potential clients. Displaying the FMDC Logo will increase sales, as like the Corgi badge of old this will be a trusted sign within the industry that will ensure your business is highly considered when companies choose their provider in an ever increasing competitive market’.

After inspection, the concept seems to have several flaws.

Although it’s free to register with the Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC), developers will be required to add at least FIVE domain names at a cost of £60 EACH per month. At last night’s event, the Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) argued that these conditions would discourage rogue operators from joining the network and give website owners confidence, but it could in fact, have the opposite effect. The domain requirement could lead to many web developers in the region being labeled as ‘cowboys’ as they will struggle to meet the five domain name quota.

The Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) has also come up with the concept of web developers adding login details of created websites onto its database in an attempt to protect the clients. This idea would provide significant risk in terms of intellectual property rights, data protection and security from hackers.

At last night’s event, it was suggested to the Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) organisers that if they are to preach about online brand management and accrediting an industry that is full of ‘cowboys’, then they should get their own house in order first. North east digital agencies such as ourselves, that are already establishing themselves as leading digital specialists in web and digital media, could argue that the standard they work to is already over and above the quality expectation set by founders of the Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) and the organisation itself.

Also many agencies, including leading developers and freelancers, are finding it hard to understand how the founders think they can just invent an accreditation organisation and expect it to be taken seriously without engaging or consulting with others in the same industry. At the launch event we were told that the organsation has been 2 years in the planning however when we asked our social media network and the digital community around our business there had been no engagement or awareness of the organisation. It is also particularly startling that there has been no engagement with existing agencies and digital support organisations in the region, especially Codeworks who are driving digital innovation in the North East and heavily promotes innovation through research and development for North East digital companies. Questions we’re asked regarding this last night.

Questions were also asked about their tendering system, the accrediation system, their charter and the guarantee that Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) would give to its members. Unfortunately, for us, the answers were not convincing.

When asked about who is their watchdog to ensure that the FMDC remains independent, quality driven and gives them the accreditation to take this position in the digital sector it was suggested that a board has been established of ‘accountants, solicitors and other people from the business community’ put together from the founders business networks.

The Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) are reportedly holding another event similar to last night’s in Newcastle over the coming months, it will be interesting to see how many members will have signed up to the federation by then. More interesting, we’re sure, will be the level of attendance from digital companies in the north of the region questioning the organisations agenda.

The most important question must be, should a private group of companies or individuals be able to establish themselves as regulatory organisation for a sector such as ours when there are existing organisations that could be much better positioned to become the independent watchdog.

Website: http://www.artsbank.co.uk

ArtsBank is a major new artistic initiative, privately funded, and based on Teesside. Successful local businessman Bryan Goodall (FRSA and chairman of the Hambleton Group) has formed ArtsBank, with a £600k initial investment. ArtsBank aims to give a massive boost to the work of creative people across the north east, and beyond. It has acquired and converted a substantial Victorian property (the old HSBC bank) in the heart of the beautiful and spectacular resort of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The whole building has been transformed into a five-floor gallery and centre for the arts, with something for everyone.

ArtsBank will showcase more than eighty visual artists including the ‘Death of Steel’ Exhibition, with many, many more to come.  They are the cream of an enormous and rich crop of northern talent: painters, photographers, sculptors and craftspeople, from all generations, along with film makers, and artists who work with digital media. Some are renowned. Some are neglected. Some are unknown. But all deserve the widest exposure.

Project Details.

Brand Development, Marketing Campaign Design, Print Design, Website Design and Development, Social Media Support.

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by Peter McCusker, The Journal

Executives on course for business network

EXECUTIVES with a passion for golf can do business on the course by joining a new networking club.

The North East Golf Network is aimed at business owners and senior executives in the North East and has been set up by Mark Stancer and Ian Pilkington.

Mr Stancer, who was the director of golf when De Vere Slaley Hall hosted European Tour events, said: “Membership works on a corporate level, with between one and four named golfers per organisation, and members can view other members’ profiles on our website.

Mr Stancer, who is now the PGA professional at N1 Golf in Morpeth, says the network offers members the chance to bring guests and each golf day will include a golf clinic given by himself along with dinner and prizes.

Mr Pilkington, managing director of i2i Consultants, said: “Business owners work incredibly hard and find it difficult to find time to network and play golf so we created a format to do both and it’s proved very successful elsewhere

“The common ground for everyone attending our network is golf, everyone has an opinion and it provides a great ice-breaker for the members.

“Our inaugural event is intended to give people a feel for how the network will work without any obligation.”

The launch day takes place at Close House, near Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland on Thursday, April 22, with days planned for Seaton Carew, Matfen Hall, Bishop Auckland, Slaley Hall and Goswick.

For more information, email enquiries@northeastgolfnetwork.co.uk or phone Mr Stancer on 07745 861888.

The website, www.northeastgolfnetwork.co.uk , will provide members with access to other members’ profiles and event details.