Archive for September, 2008

Congratulations to new creative team Sean Cullen and Pete Higgins who have got off to a storming start at the agency by bagging a nomination for the monthly Anna’s for the best use of media for a recent press ad for Robert’s new Solar Radio.

In a one-off Wall of Weird special, we welcome today’s Kitchen Table guests with a rare glimpse of our Chief Exec in his favourite party outfit. (more…)

She’ll be sadly missed will Joyce Kelso. Our Client Services Director is off to pastures new - Caribbean pastures to be exact as the lucky old thing (see how polite that was) has bagged a gig running an ad agency in Barbados!

Funny how, as soon as we cottoned on where she was going Joyce suddenly became Number 1 agency heroine, which is fitting given that we’ve got a picture of her in bed with Number 1 agency hero Andy Brander (you’ll have to click the more button for that). (more…)

Faster broadband for consumers and better compression technology means we are looking at using video more and more for our online advertising.

We are particularly proud of this recent campaign that takes the family togetherness theme developed for TV online: (more…)

Recent viral for the RNID. The film received more than 50,000 hits in the first four days of the campaign for Deaf Awareness Week. (more…)

SeaFrance has launched its ‘The Great SeaFrance Treasure Hunt’ where consumers are able to find fares from only 1p. (more…)

SeaFrance 6 Sheet Poster

We developed a new strategy for SeaFrance a few years ago that positioned the cross-channel experience as an enjoyable part of your holiday as opposed to the confined-to-your-car chore that other crossings offer. (more…)

In turbulent times for airlines, our work for Flybe has helped them not just buck the trend but positively take advantage of it. This year’s new press campaigns proved very successful and enabled Flybe to post record pre-tax profits, coupled with a 46% increase in turnover.

We’re now looking for the new winter holiday season work to carry on that success: (more…)

Production Director Adam needs to get out more. His most embarrassing moment to date is simply falling in Exeter canal. Being a rugby loving chap we thought at the very least he’d have been stripped naked, covered in Nutella and tied to Nelson’s Column by now. Or perhaps caught in flagrante with a group of fellow pie fanciers at Fortnums. Shame those things didn’t really happen, eh Adam?.

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Meet Claus, our Creative Director. Having been around for about six months now you’d think we’d have plenty of dirt on him by now. But no, he’s squeaky clean. Except…

Asked, as is everyone, what he most likes about SOUK he replied, “The free chocolate on reception every Friday afternoon.” Hmmm, I bet that’s not the answer he gives the chairman. That said, he does get maximum points when asked what in life he is really passionate about. “Art,” was the answer, commendably relegating his wife and children to also-rans.

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No one can remember quite how it started, but it was probably the lunchtime after a major pitch win*. All we know is that every time someone joins SOUK it’s only a matter of time before it’s pointed out they bear an uncanny likeness to somebody, or something, famous.

Once the connection’s been made, the Studio deftly mocks up a look-a-like picture to go up on the Wall of Weird:

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“Google is preparing to launch a UK trial to put branded search calls to action in TV ads, in a bid to drive search volume and revenues.”

Source: NMA 18.09.08

Seems like a rational step. We know that consumers are highly likely to start their online relationship with your brand via Google anyway, as many people simply type URLs into the Google search box when they have the search giant as their home page.

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On the 14th August this year an article appeared in the Guardian in response to a piece of Ofcom research into TV viewing habits. The research explodes the myth that families religiously sit glued to the television giving it their undivided attention. While TV viewing is not in meltdown it now competes with mobile phones, laptops and even personal games consoles like PSP and Nintendo DS.

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If you know Saritha, Head of Creative Services at SOUK, you would know how loud and annoying she can be. This particular day she had annoyed us all, so…. (more…)

A short story to prove a point.

About a month ago I watched the film Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger with my wife. It was a great film to watch on a sunday evening. It’s not too intellectual but is a beautifully shot and an entertaining film. Our two young daughters had managed to exhaust us throughout the day so the film was just what we needed.

What was interesting (if you are a people watcher like me) was my wife’s reaction after the film. (more…)

In case you missed the Thinkbox and IAB joint research earlier this year. It is really worth a read. The sceptics amongst you may feel that the research is inevitably biased but when I read it I thought I must have covertly been one of the guinea pigs in the research.

I am writing this blog post while sitting in front of the TV watching the BBC news at 10. Sad I know but I really can believe that in the sample 61% of people do just that on a weekly basis.

Key findings from the study include:

• Using TV and online together results in 47% more positivity about a brand than using either in isolation
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