Creative Brkfst « Tee Design | Integrated Marketing

Guest Lecturer at University

November 15th, 2011 | No Comments »

After taking part in Plymouth University’s Portfolio Review last year, Nathan was recently asked by their award winning Designer Society to host a lecture for their members.

On October 21st Nathan joined over 50 design students to talk to them on the topic of ‘The Business of Design’, focusing particularly on pricing and ethics and giving a series of business behaviour guidelines.

One major point raised is that Intellectual Property (IP) is the core of graphic design – we need it to respect other creatives IP including film, audio, photography – as we reap what we sow!

During the lecture, Nathan also outlined the importance of every business looking after 3 key people:

yourself
your client
other designers

Nathan encouraged fledgling designers and business to take an entrepreneurial approach – during a session of Q&A, when asked ‘what prices should I charge?’, Nathan advised the young designers to increase their hourly rate – they have to value their talent.

It was in this Q&A session that Nathan was also asked about his biggest mistakes, he responded that it was not putting a cap on the number of revisions or charging an hourly rate for a fussy client, this meant getting caught in an endless revision trap.

This was a very practical seminar, with Nathan talking about topics and issues that the students had never heard or discussed before, and it will hopefully help them to make it, and get paid in the real world.

The lecture was well received by the 50+ attendees, with the Designer Society Chairperson, Bryony Warren, adding that “The talk opened my and others minds to different topics of design that we don’t normally approach in university lectures. It was inspiring and interesting and his answers to the array of questions were spot on. Thanks again Nathan for giving the society your time, we really did appreciate it!”

Nathan was presented with a bottle of Plymouth Gin and a screenprinted poster of the event:

Resources:

The Designers Society

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines
(Nathan spoke about this during his lecture)

Presentation: The Business of Design
(view a slideshow of Nathan’s presentation)

Presentation photos from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_f/

Creative Brkfst with Simon Chamberlain

October 14th, 2011 | No Comments »

This month at Creative Brkfst we did something a little bit different, a VIP breakfast.

Simon Chamberlain of Succession Advisory Services (amongst many other things – you can read more about Simon’s vast range of experience and previous roles here) was kind enough to join us to share his wealth of knowledge and expertise on Creating Capital, which, let’s face it, is what most businesses are aiming to do!

The small group of guests enjoyed hearing a mix of practical advice, relevant information and some very funny personal anecdotes from Simon, were able to take away a considerable amount of ‘food for thought’.

Simon’s presentation, though obviously a lot more detailed, really came down to the fact that, as a business – you need a plan. This might sound glaringly simple, but Simon really emphasised the importance of knowing where you are going and when you want to reach there – if you are not clear about your goal how will you know how to reach it, or even when you do? This is the thinking that helped Simon to achieve his business success - a set of clearly defined goals, timeframe and measurables that were written on the back of a cigarette packet (honestly!) in a moment of inspiration – Simon knew where he wanted to go, all he had to do was to put the tools in place to get him there.

The guests, including an independent bespoke jeweller, a voiceover artist and a social media consultant all took away some interesting stories, specialist knowledge and practical guidance that will benefit their businesses.

… the other main talking point of the morning was Simon’s shiny black Ferrari… a rather interesting sight at a BMW dealership!

A special thanks also to Wendy Clift from Rahab Plymouth about their unusual work befriending street prostitutes, and those being abused by prostitution in the sex industry.

October – Simon Chamberlain – Creating Capital and Preparing your Business for Sale

September 13th, 2011 | No Comments »

This month we are running a very special VIP Brkfst.

This invitation-only event will take place at Ocean BMW on Friday 7th October 2011 8am – 9.30am, where we will be joined by Simon Chamberlain of Succession Advisory Services

Following some refreshments and informal networking, you will be invited to the board room to hear Simon share his knowledge and expertise on the topic of ‘Creating capital and preparing your Business for sale’.

About the Speaker:
Simon Chamberlain joined the Financial Services Industry directly from university, and in his early career held senior positions in both Merchant Investors and Royal Life.

In 1992, Simon took his team from Royal Life and became a founding partner of J. Rothchild Assurance (now known as St. James’s Place Capital) and became their number one partner in 1993 and 1995. The company was floated on the stock market in 1997 for approximately £365m and is today one of the top 200 companies in the U.K.

After the flotation, Simon became the National Development Director for the Zurich Advice Network, which was an amalgamation of all the financial services companies owned by Zurich in the U.K. These included Eagle Star, Allied Dunbar and Abbey Life. The main role of the Development Director was to move 5,000 individual advisors into a structured business practice model, creating firm business, succession and exit plans for the practices going forward.
In 2003, following legislation changes occurring within financial services – particularly the depolarisation of the whole industry – Simon took the opportunity to launch Thinc. This was a new kind of financial services proposition that incorporated all kinds of financial advisors, whether they were corporate, mortgage or IFA’s. This new approach created a one-stop shop and became known as a multi-distribution platform. Over a four year period, the Thinc Group (now known as BlueFin) grew to approximately 900 advisors over all disciplines, £75m of estimated turnover, £3bn of funds under management, placing £4bn in mortgages and was eventually sold to the French giant AXA in a deal worth £100m in 2006.

In July 2007, Simon left BlueFin to pursue other opportunities. He has now formed his own consultancy business. Simon is currently the acting Non-Exec Chairman of the Tamar Science Park and has a host of other Non-Executive appointments including Defaqto, Goss Interactive and an International PR company called Loco Comms, and ICO3; a Plymouth based E-commerce business.

Simon is also a Board member of the Plymouth Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN), a board member of the Plymouth Growth Board and an adviser to the University of Plymouth Business School.

In November 2008, Simon formed a new Wealth Management consolidation business called Succession Advisory Services, which was funded by an Australian VC called Committed Capital and the Guernsey based Discretionary Fund Manager – Spearpoint. Succession now has 32 Member firms that control over £5b of assets and has a target of 50 Member firms and £7b assets by 2013. He is also a board member of the Tax Incentive and Savings Association (TISA).

More detail on Simon’s career can be accessed and is well documented on Google by entering “Simon Chamberlain – Succession”.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01822 618 658 or email aimee@tee-dp.com

September 2011 – Bracken Vernon-Jelier: The Power of PR

August 9th, 2011 | No Comments »

This month we will be joined by Bracken Vernon-Jelier of Crossways Communications. Bracken will be sharing her knowledge and expertise on ‘The Power of PR‘, giving you an insight into a vital part of successfully marketing your business, organisation or cause.

About the Speaker:

Bracken is the founder of successful PR and Events Management Company, Crossways Communications. The company was formed in 2008 and has worked with clients across the public and private sector, charity, leisure, education, B2B and events, implementing reactive PR strategies and researching, devising and launching proactive news agenda-setting stories for clients. She puts her continuing success down to established professional contacts and an inside knowledge of the media industry.

Bracken is passionate about her work and has a thorough understanding of the UK and international news landscape having previously worked for a short spell within BBC Radio and then, for 15 years, as an ITV journalist, presenter, researcher, producer and director. She still freelances within the broadcast television industry, most recently working on a network cooking series for Denhams TV to be broadcast in the Autumn on ITV.

Following working within broadcast Bracken moved on to become a key member of the PR team at ITV, responsible for both internal and external communications. She helped to coordinate national campaigns, crisis planning and response, and on developing a new regional identity. Bracken was part of ITV’s diversity committee, and also managed events for the company.

Bracken is also a freelance writer and Copywriter. She has written for Devon Life Magazine, Cornwall Today, Cornwall Life, The Western Morning News and for the websites and marketing literature of many local businesses.

The breakfast will take place on Friday 2nd September, 8am – 9.30am at Ocean BMW in Plymouth. For more information and to book your place (places are strictly limited… so be quick!) click here!

August – Power of Community – Ash Mashhadi

July 18th, 2011 | No Comments »

We are pleased to announce that for our August meet-up we have the fantastic Ash Mashhadi joining us, to talk about ‘The power of community‘, including such topics as running a twitter hashtag (#) and more specifically the #loveplymouth hashtag. Ash is somewhat of a tribe leader himself, and has vast experience as a leader of a platform and community.

About the speaker:
Ash Mashhadi is the founder Partner of successful Plymouth web design business, Design Inspiration. They have been helping businesses to promote themselves for over 18 years, both online and offline.

People who know Ash often call him the Inspiration Guy because he is an inspiring public speaker who helps businesses use the internet and social media for success. Ash is also available for television appearances; he appeared on Channel Five’s “The Hotel Inspector”.

Ash is a Charter Member of Plymouth’s Toastmasters chapter. He has been Vice President in charge of Publicity for Armada Speakers, Plymouth’s public speaking club.

Design Inspiration is a member of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and is a well-known figure in Plymouth’s business scene. Ash Mashhadi is also the driving force behind Plymouth’s top commercial tourism website, www.inplymouth.com as well as www.plymouthbarbican.com the official website for Plymouth’s Barbican.

Ash is considered one of the area’s most prominent social media consultants. He speaks fluent Twitter.

Ash’s newest venture is blazing a trail. Inspiration Zone (http://inspirationzone.co.uk) is the first website in the world to tackle the subject of inspiring and empowering success using a professional, businesslike approach.

Places are strictly limited, so make sure you book yours quickly!

You can book your ticket here!

July 2011 – Facebook for Business, Electronic WOM

June 23rd, 2011 | No Comments »

Do you want to achieve more electronic word of mouth for your business?
Have you got a facebook page yet?

Well.. this month we will be doing something a little bit different during our Creative Brkfst meet-up!
Returning to our original location at Ocean BMW, Plymouth, we would like to invite you to our July meet-up, an invite only event where Nathan will be sharing his expertise on using Facebook for business – a powerful but somewhat underused tool that can help your business reach new audiences, connect with consumers and raise your profile.

After some informal networking and refreshments in the fantastic Ocean Cafe, you will be invited to join us in the boardroom for this engaging seminar.

Facebook is the most widely used Social Networking tool globally – in fact, if Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd most populated country in the world. With more that 400 million active users. Facebook gives businesses access to an audience that few other mediums can offer or reach.

But for businesses the thing about it is that it can be… how do you say…… complicated!

But this ever growing platform is evolving, and businesses need to get their foot in the door and make use of this valuable business tool – we will show you some specific plans and case-studies so you can get rolling without getting tied in a knot.

Facebook can be an excellent communication channel for your business, it can drive traffic to your website, enforce and demonstrate your brand and brand values, and build a community around your business or brand. Social Media continues to evolve and develop, as does the way in which people and organisations communicate with each other – business need to make sure that they do not fall behind and need to actively participate in these developments.

During the meet-up, Nathan will be taking you through some of the ways in which you can create a successful and effective profile for your business, the benefits of doing so, and some of the tools available to help you do this.

Places are strictly limited, you can book your place here:

BOOK A TICKET

The meet-up will take place on Friday 1st July, 8am – 9.30am at Ocean BMW, Plymouth.

June 2011 – Tony Cobley

June 3rd, 2011 | No Comments »

This month we have SW based photographer Tony Cobley, sharing his expertise on how quality images can help optimise your marketing and draw in potential customers to your website and literature.

He will also be talking about and guiding us on “choosing a photographer”, “how to set a photography brief” and the key issue of digital file rights and licensing.

As if that wasn’t generous enough, Tony will also give some compositional tips and creative ideas and encourage questions and discussion.

About the speaker:
Tony is a professional photographer covering Devon and Cornwall, specialising in commercial photography for business, industry, education and leisure. Tony is passionate about creating quality images with a fresh and contemporary style, and is an Associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography. Tony also runs Creative Photography Workshops and personal photography tuition for those of you aspiring to get behind the lens!

May 2011 – Matthew Cross

May 6th, 2011 | No Comments »

May 2011 is the 1st Birthday of Creative Brkfst!

This month we will be joined by Matthew Cross, Head of City Marketing, who will be talking to us about the Positively Plymouth brand.

The Positively Plymouth brand is owned by Destination Plymouth, the public private partnership responsible for the marketing of Plymouth.

Positively Plymouth brings together Plymouth based people and organisations, defining what Plymouth is really about to visitors and investors.

Plymouth offers a combination of a rapidly changing environment and a new found confidence – Destination Plymouth uses this dynamic environment in their approach to marketing and place management, giving investors and visitors not an agency’s impression of the city, but instead a true reflection of what the community feels about itself – a unique sense of Plymouth and its value.

The partnership ensures that all organisations in the city that have a vested interest in city marketing are able to get involved, with information and support being provided by partners such as City Council, Chamber of Commerce, South West RDA and Homes and Communities Agency amongst others.

Through collaborations with the University of Plymouth, Plymouth College of Art and Design, City College Plymouth and University College of St Mark and St John, as well as other private sector partners, it can also harness the city’s open approach to learning – allowing enterprise to develop and thrive.

During this month’s brkfst, Matthew will be talking to us about how Creatives can use the brand in their work for clients, and how businesses can incorporate it into their marketing.

April 2011 – Jake Jennings

April 1st, 2011 | No Comments »

This month we are pleased to announce that we have Jake Jennings talking to us!

Across the pond

Recently returned from an internship at Pentagram in New York (and now no longer jet lagged), Jake will be sharing his recent experiences with us, divulging a number of lessons learned and unveiling some of the mysteries behind one of the most well respected agencies in the creative industry.

About the speaker

Jake Jennings graduated from the University of Plymouth last year as Graphic Communication’s ‘Student of the year 2010′. Since then he has toured the country (and internationally too) completing a number of placements with renown studio’s such as Hat-trick Design, Navyblue, Pentagram and Devon’s own Tee Design.

Jake has played an active part in the recent development of Plymouth. He partnered with ‘Lloyd Northover’ on the ‘Positively Plymouth’ rebranding of the city; created the branding for the local ‘Mayflower Community School’ alongside a fellow student and also helped co-ordinate the design process for the ‘Jigsaw Garden’, situated outside Drake Circus.

Dedicated to supporting and encouraging others whilst aiming to ‘bridge the gap’ between education and industry, Jake founded and chaired the award winning ‘Designers Society’ in 2009 at the University of Plymouth. His role included organising guest lectures, events and workshops from creatives such as Harry Pearce; a partner at Pentagram, arranging sponsorship, competitions, exhibitions and directing a committee of 15 people; all working together to benefit the creative industry. Through the society he won an award from the University for ‘Contribution to Societies’.

You can now watch the video/slideshow of Jake’s talk here:

Creative Brkfst – April 2011 – Jake Jennings from Creative Brkfst on Vimeo.

March 2011 – Nathan Davis

March 4th, 2011 | No Comments »

This month we are pleased to announce that we have convinced Nathan to not only host the event, but be our speaker too!

Nathan will be talking about Removing the mystique from the branding process by showing inside the mysterious and often construed as mythical process, and the common sense approach. All without using any buzzwords! (Well… he says he will try, but he cannot make any promises!)

With a vast array of experience, working with brands such as Boots, Orange, Strepsils and PriceWaterhouseCooper to name but a few, he is now offering to share some of his wisdom!

About the speaker:

Nathan Davis is Tee Design’s designer and managing director. As a a graduate, he is fascinated by information design and built his experience of the marketplace whilst working with big brands ranging from Boots Healthcare International to PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He has been designing websites for over 10 years and working in branding for 13 years.

Nathan’s sturdy business background, his flair for design and his up-to-the-minute skills evolved alongside a rare strategic and tactical understanding and it is this which ensures Tee Design’s very contemporary work is as effective as it is eye-catching.

Tee Design has an impressive number of clients ranging from small businesses to multi-national. Tee is committed to marketing projects that move business.

You can view the video of Nathan’s talk here: