That’s how our new Business Development Director, Simon ‘Calders’ Calderbank describes himself on his Twitter bio and we’d struggle to disagree as we serve up a better late than never introduction to one of our recent recruits.

So what do you need to know about Simon? Well, firstly he used to run nightclubs & restaurants back in his original Manchester days. This comes in quite handy because whenever you are out and about in Manchester with Simon there’s nearly always a forty something greying ex-Hacienda geezer waiting to greet you with either a free ticket, a beer or something stronger. On a more commercial level, these early career experiences have given Simon a real entrepreneurial edge and clients are already enjoying the benefits of his business acumen and natural northern warmth.

Simon had then moved down south for a slice of the quiet life where he settled in the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames. His career also begun to gradually shift direction towards senior client services and business development roles across advertising & marketing, live communications, digital and event hire agencies. You can find out more about Simon’s career progress on his Linked In profile where I’m sure he will be glad to connect with you.

Last year, after eleven in exile, and now married with one child and one on the way, the Calderbanks decided to return to their northern roots to be closer to family. Him, Manchester, his better half, Cumbria. Simon eventually put his foot down and they compromised on Cumbria (see loving hubby bit) which now sees him commuting out of Kendal everyday. A proper Studio Northerner if you like.

I bumped into Simon at a local creative networking movement, Northern Soho, (thank you to Sarah Cheal for the introduction) and the rest as they say is history.

In a short space of time, Simon has already won us some fantastic new business and hopefully our shared values are resonating with clients and those to be. Business development is something the whole agency now rallies behind and the increased levels of energy and collaborative approach towards developing the Studio North brand is down to Calder’s unswerving ability to motivate and inspire others around him.

Clearly, feel free to link in above but if you wish to follow Simon on Twitter you can find him at the remarkably obvious @simoncalderbank where you’ll be joining a very very select few.

So we have this theory…a healthy brand is a healthy business. We’re sharing our thinking over some breakfast and asking people to take some time out of their day to reflect on your own brand.

We’re holding a mini-series of these free seminars. The sessions will provide practical overviews to demonstrate why effective branding communications make sense. The first of these interactive sessions ‘A healthy brand is a healthy business’  will provide an overview of:

1. The theory behind good branding

2. What is a good brand?

3. Our perspective

4. Brand communications

Serving the session – Allie Johns, Brand communications & strategy

Allie Johns is proudly in her 20th year as a brand builder, having experienced all aspects of integrated marketing strategy from brand creation to campaign delivery. An award-winner in external and internal communications, she has proactively devised, managed and delivered a wide variety of work in the UK, Europe, USA and the Far East – both agency & client-side.

Register your interest now by calling Becky on 0161 237 5151 or email becky@studionorth.co.uk

For those of you that can’t make it, share your thoughts with us #northerninsights

Strictly clientside marketers only.

Alongside his core web design and front end development skills, Paul’s obvious passion for web standards and excellent HTML/CSS skills have yet again strengthened the departmental offer.

Now very often, on the first Friday night beer, our new recruits provide us with enough inebriated ammunition so we can very quickly humilate them through social media channels. Steve Moon is still trying to scrape off his Jeremy Kyle tattoo, the poor thing.

However, the Tockster has been reluctant to give much up, in fact he keeps his cards that close I wouldn’t recommend inviting him to your next poker tournament. We could probably make an assessment from the picture supplied that Paul has in fact been operating as a CIA operative behind enemy lines on the Afghan borders for these past years. But his CV gives him up and describes years of previous agency experience at the likes of Red C, WRG and Drumbeat as well as clientside experience at the Thomas Cook Group.

We will however be continuing our Tockwatch and as soon as we find an angle we’ll be straight back on here to have a laugh at his expense. Hopefully before his probationary period expires…full rights kicks in…employment tribunals can take us to the cleaners etc etc.

Anyway a big welcome to the Tockster…

When he’s not confused about court injunctions regarding his favourite football team, Steve is a seasoned digital campaigner having worked at some of the region’s most highly regarded and purely digital agencies over the past few years. With extensive experience in digital design and video production Steve brings a whole new skillset to the Studio North offer.

Having started his career at the fledgling new media department (Magneto) of the then famous TCW right here in Manchester, Steve then developed his trade further via Elevator and Pavilion (now Amaze) before most recently working at Photolink. Exposed to working creatively with brands such as John Lewis, Odeon, Microsoft and Astra Zeneca we are already excited about some of his early creative output.

Finally, Steve likes to record the Jeremy Kyle show.

COMPETITION. You can win a second hand tape cassette copy of the ‘The Very Best of Cilla Black’ by guessing what Steve is doing with his left hand in ‘the best picture he could find’. I’d hate to see the worst.

My time at Studio North has been short and sweet in a sense. I’ve only been here 5 days, and made a handful of brews (good brews though!), but I’ve had chance to work on some exciting past projects from Studio North’s locker.

I worked on the R U SURE campaign (researching chlamydia was eventful), as well as working on their successful campaign launch ‘Every Can Counts’. Both projects tested me in every aspect. From creating the logo, right through to the brand feel and style. I enjoyed both briefs, and think I’ve come away with some great pieces for my portfolio!

Not only have I managed to develop work for my portfolio, I’ve also gained some cool insight into agency life and learnt a few tricks on the way (cheers Gary, Sean, and Stu). Big thank you to Steve (who bares a great resemblance to Patrick Stewart) as well for all his help.

I’ve had a great time, and hopefully get to come back in the near future!

……they say its grim up north, they surely haven’t been to Studio North!

Nick aka Torres

Richard previously spent three years at Aylesworth Fleming having graduated with a degree in Operations Management at Lancaster University Management School. Hailing from Wolverhampton, Richard excels at most sports notably a keen rower at University and the captain of both rugby and cricket college teams.

Dominic has worked both client and agencyside in previous roles, most recently at Finch in his native Liverpool. Again, a graduate in Politics and English at Loughborough University, Dom also holds a CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing and is currently working towards a Masters.

Both lads have got stuck right into the client base and we wish them well. They are pictured here letting their hair down for childrens television. From left to right, Richard & Dominic.