Everyone at Studio North would like to offer our congratulations to Anna and husband Bob on the healthy arrival of baby Freya Scott. Born at 3.15am on 19 Jan weighing 3.1 kgs 
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
New arrival at Studio North!
Nathan Taylor joins the team
Another warm Studio North welcome for our latest recruit, Nathan Taylor who joins us as Office Administrator. As part of his Apprenticeship, Nathan will be working towards his NVQ level 2 qualification in Business & Admin. At the interview stage, we were overwhelmed by Nathan’s strong work ethic and refreshing attitude both of which will guarantee an exciting career ahead of him. Nathan hopes to forge a career in the world of finance and we look forward to helping him on his way. Good luck.
SN Gets pro.Manchester Thinking ABC….
It was an early start for the Studio North crew this morning as we all headed to the felicini restaurant on Oxford Street for an event we staged with pro.Manchester – the corporate membership organisation that represents the 240,000 employed in the financial and professional service community in and around Greater Manchester. Allie Johns, our associate brand strategist, delivered a seminar on branding and having confidence as we emerge from Recession.
The audience was treated to Allie’s wisdom and heard brand hints under the theme ABC: Acceptable, Bolder, Comprehensive.
If you didn’t attend then fret not as a synopsis of the presentation is available – just email dan@studionorth.co.uk for a copy!
Allie doing her thing....
Rachel passes mountains & exams
If you happen to have called into Waulk Mill these past few weeks you will have noticed that our effervescent Account Executive, Rachel Westwood is back in Manchester after a two month tour of China. I’m sure you will all hear about her epic adventure in the months to come, so less of that for now and more of something else. So to follow up from a previous blog where we mentioned Rachel was studying towards a CIM qualification, we can also reveal that Wiltshire’s finest export returned to a letter confirming she had passed her exams with flying colours.
We warmly congratulate Rach on her fantastic effort throughout the past year and look forward to seeing these new skills and knowledge being applied to our client base in the coming months.
Account Director with Branding & Digital experience!
We are looking for an outstanding Account Director with an excellent understanding of brand and digital communications to play a pivotal role in the next stages of our growth plans. Due to a subtle restructure of management responsibilities, the successful candidate for this new role will be expected to take charge of the account management function.
Please either send your CV with salary expectations to michael@studionorth.co.uk or use the same address to request further information regarding the role. We are looking to make a decision on a suitable candidate by mid-September.
PS. Our 5-a-side football team is collapsing around us, so whether you’re male, female, or even a bit of both, if you can stick the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis, I might just be able to look beyond the fact you’re fundamentally hopeless at everything else you do.
Equal Opportunities statement with regards to this role.
Studio North will not tolerate less favourable treatment on grounds of: sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, age, trade union or political activities, religious beliefs, or any other reason which cannot be shown to be justified.
Public Sector Wins…
I’ve been having a bit of a PR push this week on a trio of major public sector new business briefs…..
For Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the team will be developing a new website that will be a 24 hour showcase for the Trust’s services – both for staff and the general public. A number of key aims and considerations are at the centre of the work including; the need for it to be an effective engagement tool for local people, for it to act as an interactive platform where staff can understand how their views can help to shape and reflect the Trust’s good governance and business processes, for it to support tender bids as well as create greater engagement with community GPs. This new project follows the work we’ve recently delievered around the Trust’s customer communications and service branding.
The second brief – for Halton Borough Council – will again see Studio North flexing its online credentials with a corporate website redesign. The new site will be aimed at both business and residential visitors across the Council’s reach which includes Runcorn and Widnes. The core aim is for the site to reflect the cultures and values of the Council as well as being focused on customers’ needs. This will vary from individuals looking to access specific council services to businesses looking to invest in the region.
The final brief – from Trafford Community Leisure Trust (TCLT) – comes hot on the heels of a long term relationship spanning some six years which has been focused on creating and developing the TCLT brand. The new project will be based specifically around the redesign and development of its next generation website. A number of new technical functions will be added such as online booking for swimming and memberships with Studio North’s role being around creative development and implementation. The Trust’s strap-line, ‘More people, more active, more often’, will run as a central theme.
There’s some really exciting stuff going on so keep your eyes peeled for press coverage over the next week or so!
Press Coverage-tastic!
It’s been brilliant to see Studio North getting some great press coverage over the last few weeks! We’ve been working hard to publicise some fantastic new business wins like the National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group and the exciting new jewellery line from G McKenzie – the guys behind the world famous SEVEN label – with articles appearing in Crain’s Manchester Business, The Drum and How-Do just for starters!
We’ve also been called upon to comment on a whole range of topical marketing issues by the media. Allie Johns (SN’s brand vision & strategy bod) was interviewed by EN for a feature in last month’s issue, she’ll also be in the June edition of North West Business Insider chatting about iconic North West brands and she even had a rant in the Manchester Evening News for its Media Matters section- she been a busy girl!…Nick Wright (our creative director) has also shared his wisdom on ‘Coronation Street – the brand’ for Crain’s!
If anyone’s visiting the Studio North offices then have a chat with one of the team who will be more than happy to dig the press coverage folder out so you can have a scan through all the articles! But in the meantime, here’s just a taster….
My work experience
As a year 10 work experience student, I was looking for an insight into the world of work, in order to determine my career path later in life. At school, I study graphics as i am interested in design and thinking behind a product. I often look at a poster or a website and think to myself; “wow, that’s good, i wonder who designed that,” or sometimes say to myself ”I could have done a better job than who ever designed that.” My clear interest in design and branding lead me to think that Studio North would be the ideal placement and it definitely was.
As soon as I arrived on Monday morning, nervous yet apprehensive, I was welcomed into a friendly working environment. It was immediately clear that there is a strong relationship between each member of staff, each with a fun sense of humour. This positive atmosphere proved vital as everyone must work together in harmony to fulfill the clients needs. Each person responsible for a specific area of a job. Perhaps logo design one day, web design another. If I’m honest, this team work is remarkable, clearly shown by the end product. I was able to see each step progress through development and able to understand each part right through to final production on a live job. I was also shown many other projects that Studio North had done. This was a great insight.
Swot a good girl
We’re very proud of the good news that reaches us from the Chartered Institute of Marketing concerning Miss Rachel Westwood. You may or may not already be aware that Rachel is studying part-time towards a Professional Certificate in Marketing and having made fantastic progress with her studies through the year she is now in line for a Top Student Award.
Having been nominated by her course tutor, with acceptance speech at the ready, Rachel will be attending the Institute’s regional Celebration Evening at Radisson Blu hotel in Liverpool City Centre on 12 June where the winners will be announced.
Whatever the outcome, we wholeheartedly congratulate Rachel on this evidence of her hard work, determination and passion for marketing.
We’re on your iPhone!
Yes it’s true. The trumpet fanfare is at the ready, the halls are bedecked and the bunting well and truly hung up, for today sees the launch of our new studionorth.mobi website, specifically created for iPhone users, although fear not if you don’t have one yet – you’ll still be able to see it on your normal mobile.
On the beach, on the train, in your favourite restaurant, you simply can’t escape us now. Featuring an interactive touch-sensitive portfolio section and a live feed from this very blog, there’s now absolutely no reason for you not to keep in touch with all things ‘Studio’ and ‘North’.
Check us out on your phone at: www.studionorth.mobi
Thinking of creating a mobile-friendly version of your own website? Before you do so, read our top tips for designing a mobile friendly website.