Agency's banner design hits the mark at the Oval!

A banner created by The Phoenix Partners for the gas holder at one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, the Oval, has been enjoying world-wide media coverage for client Scotia Gas Networks (SGN).

Measuring over 25m by 13m the banner advocates the necessity for alarms to prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The banner featured in terrestrial and satellite TV and print coverage of the Kia Oval Test Match between England and India, with England emerging the undisputed victors winning the final test match in four days completing a 4-0 series win.

Michael Cavanagh, Corporate Communications Manager at SGN said: "CO is a toxic gas that can kill and we are always keen to raise awareness of its dangers. Our gas holder at the Oval provided the perfect location to do this and we were delighted to work with The Phoenix Partners to create a great, eye-catching banner with a clear message that achieved widespread print and broadcast coverage."

SGN is one of several clients in the energy sector the agency has undertaken work on behalf of.

For more information call Roger Bradshaw, Head of Design at The Phoenix Partners on 01509 815026 or email roger@thephoenixpartners.com

The Concierge Club - the next dimension in incentive campaigns

If you need an incentive programme which works on several levels you might be interested in hearing more about incentivise-me’s Concierge Club.

As the name suggests it offers those experiences that are just that little bit more exclusive, elite and exciting. Experiences which will give your staff members memories that will literally last a lifetime. Imagine inviting family and friends to join you on a specially commissioned trip on the Orient Express, or hosting a box at a prestigious sporting event for all your colleagues in your business unit.

These are prestigious opportunities that could inspire the crème de la crème of your workforce and work not only throughout the UK but internationally across multiple divisions. All the logistics are handled on your behalf in exactly the same way as a traditional Incentivise-me campaign. The only difference being that qualifying participants are given access to a special part of the website to explore the opportunities available to motivate them to reach beyond any perceived limitations.

Concierge Club campaigns are bespoke to each and every client, and can operate alongside a conventional incentivise-me strategy, so if you are looking to engage your employees at all levels it could be the ideal solution.

For more information on our incentive and reward programmes contact:

Rachel Hargrave
t: 01509 815026
e: Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com

Fellowship Awarded

Rachel Hargrave was made a Fellow of the Institute of Directors for services to the Leicestershire Branch last week, amongst congratulations from her peers from the region’s business community.

Rachel has been an active member of the IOD for the last seven years and is currently Vice-Chair of the Leicestershire Committee. The award was in recognition of her work in promoting the organisation to new and existing members, co-ordinating events and generating sponsorship.

She was honoured at a dinner alongside Murray Macnab, associate partner at Ellis-Fermor & Negus Solicitors.

For more information about the Institute of Directors call Rachel on 01509 815206.

How Incentivise-me incentivises us!

Witnessing on a daily basis the points being logged for Incentivise-me participants and hearing about their well-gotten-gains, resulted in one intrepid team member asking if it would be possible for The Phoenix Partners itself to get in on the fun –so we have.

Always keen to motivate and inspire from the front in a variety of ways, our MD Rachel agreed. Now everyone here is registered and points are awarded at the end of the month during our Monday production meeting.

The criteria for nomination is that the team member must have contributed to bringing new business into the agency, either with existing clients or through pitching for new projects across the whole range that we offer including live events, design, video, PR and, of course, incentivise-me campaigns.

It’s quickly become a fun dimension to the business and the amount of nominations by fellow colleagues and subsequently points deservedly being awarded have increased steadily over the few months it has been running. Great news for us spendaholics (hardly a day goes by without some kind of personal on-line purchase arriving at the door) and obviously great news for the agency’s profit line too.

Just think, our next point could be the result of your next campaign!

To find out more please contact:

Rachel Hargrave
t: 01509 815026
e: Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com

Our gorgeous new addition

It’s champagne all round at The Phoenix Partners as we join proud grandparents Malcolm, our non-executive advisor, and wife Carolyn in celebrating the safe arrival of baby Samuel.

Punctual to his due date he came into the world on Wednesday 10th August at 3.40am, weighing a healthy 8lbs, 1oz and is pictured here taking it all in his stride as in the arms of Nannie.

Samuel is new baby brother to three year old Alex and their delighted parents are Katy and Ritchie. Many congratulations to the whole family.

How to start a creative business?

Ten years ago The Phoenix Partners was a dream yet to be realised, and like every new business it had to start somewhere and be clear from the start about the kind of business it was going to be.

So it’s fitting that the agency was recently commissioned to deliver one of a series of workshops as part of the Creative Enterprise Hub’s programme of support to new creative businesses in the city. Titled ‘Press and PR for Creative Businesses’, the seminar gave a comprehensive introduction as to how new businesses can build good relationships with the media and get their key messages across to generate positive publicity. Delegates gave excellent feedback and an extended version of the same seminar to include press release writing has already been confirmed for next year’s programme.

Devised by Leicester City Council, Creative Enterprise Hub offers successful applicants nine months of bespoke training and seminars, plus practical support from a personal business adviser. To be eligible applicants must be passionate about running a creative business in Leicester. Places are limited and the deadline for applications for the forthcoming programme starting on 5th September is 19th August. For more information contact Cheryl Gill at Creative Enterprise Hub on 0116 242 2955.

The Phoenix Partners can deliver a range of seminars and practical workshops across a wide range of subject areas including film and video, event management, PR, copywriting and design, all at competitive rates. To find out more get in touch with Rachel Hargrave on 01509 815026 or email Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com.

Bistro Live Birthday Bonanza!

The Phoenix Partners will be celebrating its 10th Birthday this Autumn so it’s highly appropriate that we’ve been asked to co-ordinate a regional press and radio PR campaign on behalf of Leicester party venue, Bistro Live, for its 10th birthday in November.

The first week of the month will feature five specially created live music and party events will be fundraising on behalf of Leicester Charity Link, the same charity I am supporting through my Kilimanjaro trek in September.

As well as the city centre location in Leicester, Bistro Live has two more venues in Nottingham and Milton Keynes, all offering a popular venue for all manner of social and corporate occasions including Christmas parties. The Leicester and Milton Keynes venues also host Business Live, a networking group conceived by Bistro Live, which brings together between 80 to 100 business owners and senior decision makers every month.

Leicester Charity Link changes the lives of people in desperate need throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. In 2010 the charity raised over £724,000 to help over 5,000 people by buying them vital items including beds, clothes, school uniforms and wheelchairs. For every £10 donation the Charity raises £50 from charitable trusts.

For more information about Bistro Live call Theresa Abbott on 0845 33 11500 and for more information about the great work done by Leicester Charity Link call 0116 222 2200.

Rachel Hargrave
t: 01509 815026
e: Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com

So what's hot (and what's not) in incentives?

Motivation is a very individual thing. While I personally can be convinced to do (almost) anything in the name of Tiffany, I understand that not everyone feels the same. So it’s important that any incentive scheme reflects the diversity of its participants – and with an ever evolving gift list that already includes over 475 hot items – incentivise-me can do just that.

Hot!
i-anything – Pods, Pads, Phones and Apple computers are always a favourite

Not!
Luncheon Vouchers – yes they still exist and are ideal for buying prawn cocktail, black forest gateau and other 1970’s favourites

Hot!
Tents – for frugal family holidays and funky festivals camping is the way to go

Not!
Certificates of Achievement (unless you are at primary school)

Hot!
Multi Retailer Gift Vouchers – excellent for the undiscerning gift buyer or inveterate ditherer

Not!
The same gift for everyone – variety is the spice of life!

Hot!
Irons – it’s true and it makes sense - you need a new one and you’d rather spend your own money on something else

Not!
Corporate branded pens, mugs, post-it notes etc – most people can remember where they work

Hot!
Games Consoles and peripherals – perfect for relaxing and de-stressing after work

Not!
A work night out on the boss - not everyone is a party animal

Hot!
Champagne – you know where you are with a bottle of bubbly

Not!
The same gift every year – how many of these do people need?

Hot!
Double your lunchbreak or a cheeky lie in – an extra hour off work can make a big difference

Not!
Forgetting to say thank you – it can’t be banked but it does make a difference!

To find out more about our incentivisation and rewards campaigns through our online platform do get in touch.

Rachel Hargrave
t: 01509 815026
e: Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com

Video Era

Video has really come into its own since the social media revolution has taken hold. Whereas once the production of a video would have been a lengthy and costly process, it’s not as expensive as you might think, and it could do your business the power of good.

Forrester Research reported that a video is 50 times more likely to come up on the first pages of Google results than the exact same page without a video. Worth remembering if you are in charge of marketing budget optimisation as well as search engine optimisation!

Here’s some easy ways in which video could easily become part of communication tactics.

Portfolios and case studies – A happy customer can be your most powerful sales tool. Ask one or two if they’d be happy to be interviewed and interweave with your own video coverage, photography and commentary. Or use quotations to cut and paste slides and pics into a snappy PowerPoint presentation.

Newsletters via email – A video link is more likely to prompt the recipient into action as a moment of light relief in their potentially monotonous day.

Events – Set the scene and bring your company ethos to life with a fast-moving video which captures the attention of your audience, be it a conference, product launch or team briefing.

Video Blogging – Feature a day in the life of the office or the announcement that a new account manager has joined your firm. Putting faces to names and showing the energy behind your business can pay dividends.

Product explanations – Demonstrate your production process from start to finish or use video to explain all its uses and benefits. The use of animation will really bring it to life.

Facebook and YouTube – Uploading a video of any kind will enhance your search engine optimisation – fact!

Interviews – Introduce yourself or a new topic to your blog with a video.
Key influencers – If you are trying to influence others to join you in a quest, request an interview with someone who is well known and respected for their work in your field. Associating your company will endorse your brand and assist in SEO rankings.

To see our own virtual portfolio visit www.thephoenixpartners.com/portfolio/
or give us a call to chat about your requirements.

Rachel Hargrave:
t: 01509 815026
e: Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com