Full-service outsourced brand and marketing consultancy The Briefing Room has been appointed as Marketing Partner to Timestrip, world leaders in low-cost, technologically advanced smart-tagging solutions.

The Briefing Room will provide a retained marketing service to the company, creating and supporting global marketing initiatives spanning all communication channels, reporting to CEO Reuben Isbitsky.

Commenting on the appointment Reuben said "Chris is coming on board to help us penetrate sectors and manage our brand communications. His work will span planning, sector propositions and campaign executions across web, PR, advertising, events and social media. Having worked with Chris on a couple of projects in recent years I had no hesitation with the appointment. We need his skills, knowledge and hands on ability to drive marketing forward at this important phase in our growth.

We are kicking off with initiatives in the cold-chain sector but there is much to do across the product range and in the markets we target.”

About Timestrip

Timestrip is a global business bringing low-cost, technologically advanced, patent protected ‘smart tagging’ solutions to market. These technologies comprise Timestrip® and Timestrip Plus™, both of which operate in the field of time and time/temperature measurement.

Timestrip indicators show clearly and accurately elapsed time and/or temperature variations, critical factors in the Healthcare, Consumer Products and Personal Care markets where breaches of acceptable ranges can compromise safety standards or component efficiency.

Timestrip indicators can be supplied lose for storage or logistics environments, where quick ‘peal-and-stick’ application and monitoring sits within company standard operating procedures.

For product enhancement initiatives they can be designed into an engineered solution, where the Timestrip becomes a highly visible feature, integral to the physical product, creating a clear USP for our customers.

Timestrip technologies help reduce wastage, monitor component lifetimes, deliver quality assurances, improve sales and build consumer confidence.

Timestrip is working with some of the world’s biggest manufacturer and consumer brands including 3M, Whirlpool and Siemens - as well as the UK’s National Health Service.

For more information visit www.timestrip.com

To discuss your marketing needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

To discuss your marketing needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

Following on from a rebranding exercise in 2010, PBD commissioned The Briefing Room to assist them in a new business venture. An innovative use of the Moodle virtual learning platform and PBD’s content has allowed them to create a license based sales channel, offering virtual learning to students at FE Colleges across the UK. The project involved database building and telemarketing, trade press advertising and email campaigns to promote and engage with key decision makers. The eQual Learning suite of resources is now being used in several colleges to help students achieve the new diploma in early years training.

Ross Midgley, MD of PBD commented “Chris has given us a coherent and consistent brand framework. His input across advertising design and emarketing has led to successful campaigns that have opened new doors for us and brought us new revenue streams. He has become an invaluable extension of the business since we contacted him last year.”

To discuss your marketing needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

The Cromwell Business Systems brand evolution has now been fully deployed across online / offline channels. With the addition of a new strapline ‘IT in Safe Hands’ the business is busy promoting at trade events using newly created literature, presentation templates and branded demonstrations of its best-in-class consumer electronics retail software. The website is helping support enquiries and the business is currently tendering for major contracts with leading retailers.

Speaking about the input from The Briefing Room, Cromwell MD Sonu Kundi said “We’ve strengthened our branding and clarified our position in the market place thanks to Chris’s input. His project management of the rebrand and delivery of marketing communications materials has been of great value to the business over recent months”.   Visit the website at http://www.cromwells.co.uk/

To discuss your marketing needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

2010 was a challenging year for Alimentum. A change of ownership caused concern in the marketplace but with the services of The Briefing Room retained by Chef Patron Mark Poynton and the new directors the restaurant has risen to new heights over the last 12 months. A rating in the Top 60 UK restaurants list in the 2011 Good Food Guide was probably the icing on the cake, but an improved year-on-year financial performance was probably more satisfying. All aspects of marketing are handled by The Briefing Room, from advertising and PR to Facebook and online profile – including website and search marketing campaigns. “The support we get from Chris takes a huge weight off my daily commitments, said Mark. We simply couldn’t achieve the coverage we get without Chris.”

To discuss your marketing needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

Suffolk based Disposable Medical Instruments Ltd has seen the benefits of cost-effective outsourced marketing support, following the appointment of The Briefing Room Ltd. A complete overhaul of brand communications has resulted in an updated branding, new literature, e-commerce website, advertising and modular exhibition graphics. Acting as the marketing manager to the business, Chris Ellis of The Briefing Room has also managed public relations in support of trade exhibitions and the website relaunch.

Disposable Medical Instruments Ltd (DMI) is small business with big ambitions, as demonstrated by their appointment onto the new NHS Supply Chain Framework Agreement, making them one of only ten companies in the UK accredited to supply single use disposable medical equipment to NHS hospitals, surgeries and teaching hospitals. The business was stared by Patrick Chaney and his partner Yvonne Valentine in response to the growing use of disposable instruments in the NHS is a direct result of healthcare providers seeking viable, cost-effective alternatives to reusable instruments and the associated central sterilization costs.  DMI Ltd can provide full traceability on all instruments and procedure packs, all individually sterilized and packed to ISO 13485 quality standards.   As a relatively new business in the marketplace Patrick and Yvonne have concentrated on developing an extensive portfolio of quality instruments, with successful direct selling allowing them to create a platform for growth. The NHS appointment encouraged them to seek external guidance on marketing matters and a Google search led to the initial contact with Chris Ellis at The Briefing Room. Speaking about the projects that have been completed over the last 3 months Patrick said “We just didn’t have the time or expertise to address the marketing needs of the business. Our website, literature and exhibition materials have been aligned to the new branding and our messaging is coherent and consistent. Chris has worked strategically and tactically, driving conceptual work and supplying copy for web and print materials. Together we’ve delivered a great deal in short space of time and we certainly couldn’t have done it without Chris’s help. He has been a real asset to the business.”

To find out how The Briefing Room could provide a much needed pick-up for your business please call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

See www.disposablemedicalinstruments.co.uk

The Briefing Room has been called in by a leading early years training provider to support the directors as they look to refine the branding, develop sector marketing plans, improve website performance and overhaul marketing communications.

The relationship stems from an initial Google search and subsequent exploratory meetings.
The project is likely to span branding, positioning, website optimisation, e-marketing and online marketing, literature and presentational materials.

A group marketing workshop has taken place involving all trainers and assessors from across the south of England to ensure key learnings from the early years training environments are factored into thinking going forward.

Client details and project work will be revealed in due course.

To discuss your marketing needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

The Briefing Room continues to develop its search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) skills with two commissions from clients looking for a better return on website investments.

The first project involved a full SEO audit and scoping report for the fastest growing UK based FTSE 100 business with a range of divisional businesses running e-commerce operations. The report was submitted in the summer and implementation programs are now being resourced. Ongoing marketing support has also been commissioned from this new client of The Briefing Room.

At the other end of the corporate scale is a long-standing client which continues to out-perform its local competitors and its market sector in growth terms. Restaurant Alimentum has jumped to page 1 on Google for organic search results across key phrases, thanks to a redesign and optimisation program completed in September.

At the other end of the corporate scale is a long-standing client which continues to out-perform its local competitors and its market sector in growth terms. Restaurant Alimentum has jumped to page 1 on Google for organic search results across key phrases, thanks to a redesign and optimisation program completed in September. Onsite optimisation involves making sure Google gets the information it wants, in the way it wants it, in order to rank the site and substantiate its content. This starts with ensuring the site is built correctly but relies heavily on good keyword analysis aligned to the search terms being used and the relevancy to the business. This led to the identification of viable words and phrases – with copy and SEO code from The Briefing Room’s Chris Ellis working to maximise keyword usage within the Google best practice guidelines.

Central to the SEM work for Alimentum is tactical paid search campaigns using Google Adwords. In addition, online press release submissions to vital news channels, including Google News, along with link strategies to build quality inbound links are contributing to building quality site traffic and good conversion rates.

Many businesses are still not using paid search effectively, when it represents the best route to page 1 nirvana and provides instant learning. Clients gain important insights around offers (and the testing of click-through rates using Adwords promotional variations), traffic flow metrics and visitor profiles. Organic improvements take time, commitment and a lot of hard work – and for some page 1 will never be achievable – making paid search the best route to the top. Some of the UK’s leading brands are actively spending six figure sums on paid search every month and are achieving returns of 10 and above, in some cases, for every pound spent.

To discuss your SEO and SEM needs in a free, no obligation meeting, call Chris Ellis on 0780 8159077.

Screens & Graphics Ltd have been valued suppliers to many of the top local businesses in the science, technology, hi-fi, aerospace and product fabrication sectors for nearly 40 years. There reputation has been built on fabulous service, a "can-do" attitude to tricky screen print challenges and their consistent embrace of new technology and techniques in digital printing.

But like many small businesses with no dedicated marketing resource, the task of aligning their new company identity with a website that told their story in a creative, compelling and distinctive manner was marooned on the hectic shores of everyday production deadlines, with wave after wave of rush jobs, paperwork backlogs and client meetings pounding the project back to shore each time the coast seemed clear. 

Screens & Graphics Ltd have been valued suppliers to many of the top local businesses in the science, technology, hi-fi, aerospace and product fabrication sectors for nearly 40 years. There reputation has been built on fabulous service, a "can-do" attitude to tricky screen print challenges and their consistent embrace of new technology and techniques in digital printing.

But like many small businesses with no dedicated marketing resource, the task of aligning their new company identity with a website that told their story in a creative, compelling and distinctive manner was marooned on the hectic shores of everyday production deadlines, with wave after wave of rush jobs, paperwork backlogs and client meetings pounding the project back to shore each time the coast seemed clear. 

In July this year Managing Director Jay Lewis called in the services of Chris Ellis at The Briefing Room to take ownership of the project and steer the website delivery on to completion.

With a clear vision of how the website could be aligned to the newly created branding, The Briefing Room sought confirmation of internal perceptions with in-depth research from client research. Interviews were conducted with current, old and lapsed clients to identify gaps between the claims of the S&G team and the real-world experiences of the customers.

On top of that, the new website needed to convey all aspects of the S&G operation, from traditional screen printing to new digital techniques - including unique hybrid printing techniques combining specialist screen and digital print solutions, ideal for prototyping and short run call-offs.

The creative brief was issued to the web design team Cubiq Design, along with new copy and search engine code content written by Chris Ellis and batch of newly commissioned images by photographer Marcus Barnes. Ongoing project management and art direction from The Briefing Room allowed the Screens & Graphics website to glide successfully down the slipway, out into the open waters of the world wide web on October 1st.

Screens & Graphics have what they would never have found the time to deliver; whilst customers old, new and soon to be united by Google searches have a website flying an on-brand flag of a cracking business, focused entirely on delivering quality and service to appreciative clients.

And in the words of Mr Lewis the Managing Director, "I love it!"

So much so, that the route to even more new customers via  integrated marketing campaigns is already being charted. 

To visit the Screens & Graphics website click here

If your business is in need of that loving feeling, call Chris Ellis on 0780 815 9077 and ask for a free consultation session to help knock the barnacles off a project going nowhere fast.

After 5 months intense work across all aspects of the business, the new management team celebrated their achievements with a VIP launch event last month, revealing the stunning new facilities and the fabulous interior make-over with guided tours, drinks and canapés. The event was organised to showcase the venue to key journalists, regular clients and corporate partners.

Guests were given first viewing of the fully finished hydro-spa area with private rooms housing the 4-seater rasul steam chamber, the hydro-spa wet treatment room and luxurious relaxation area. The interior design make-over by Amara Interiors has transformed the hair salons, beauty treatment rooms and reception area to create a luxury day spa environment unrivalled in the town.

Excited guests were also entered into a draw as part of the ongoing data-base building program and one lucky guest went away with over £600 worth of treatment vouchers!

The event was covered with in-depth articles and photography in the Leamington Courier, The Coventry Telegraph and the leading monthly lifestyle magazines from across the region.

With a fully optimised website now live, advertising and direct marketing campaigns are being rolled out to build the brand and generate demand for the unique range of day spa, beauty,  hair and aesthetic treatments available at The Spa Leamington. Where else…

For more information visit www.thespaleamington.com

The marketing campaigns deployed in support of Restaurant Alimentum’s Jazz Club initiative have been recognised with a nomination for Best Marketing Campaign by the judges of The Cateys – the prestigious awards run by the industry bible Caterer & Hotel Keeper Magazine.

The Award for Best Marketing Campaign, Independent Hotels & Restaurants, will be announced at the black tie awards ceremony at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on July 7th.

Commenting on the nomination, Restaurant Owner John Hudgell said “The professionalism and quality of the performers we’ve attracted to the Jazz Club evenings has been matched by a stylish, well executed and comprehensive marketing campaign. 

We have successfully introduced the Jazz Club format and attracted new customers to the restaurant. The promise of affordable fine-dining and world-class jazz thrown in free is a quality proposition and the delivery does not disappoint.

The affect on Tuesday night trade has been dramatic to say the least and the success has encouraged us to develop the Jazz Club into regular 12-week runs – Season 3 is currently running up until July 31st.

I am particularly pleased for Chris Ellis, our Marketing Consultant, who has conceived and managed the execution of the integrated marketing campaigns with press, web, direct mail and PR coverage instrumental to the success of the Jazz Club initiative. It would be a brilliant achievement for us to win this award, at the industry’s biggest award ceremony, and I would be delighted to see Chris pick up a Catey on the night. They are the industry equivalent of an Oscar so we have our collective fingers crossed!”

For more on the Jazz Club visit www.restaurantalimentum.co.uk/jazz

Following a change of ownership and a substantial rebuilding program, the Eden Day Spa has been rebranded as The Spa Leamington, with all marketing and brand communication activity outsourced to The Briefing Room.

The new brand identity was revealed in February and a program of integrated marketing communications is now under way encompassing direct mail, advertising, PR, events and affinity partner recruitment. The new web site will go live in April to coincide with the completion of the stunning new hydro spa facilities being installed in the basement of the Spa, which occupies a substantial regency property in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa.

The new brand identity and consumer proposition of ‘Where else…’ reflects the luxury offering, unrivalled range of treatments and facilities and incentivises consumers to make it their destination of choice.