This is the absolutely fantastic creative work Reading Room did for last week’s GP Bullhound Media Momentum Awards 2010. The visuals around Sketch in London looked absolutely awesome! A great use of creativity and wall space.
Now deal flow is picking up after what has been a single dip recession thusfar, I am spending a lot more time in the City again.
Last week meeting Prince Charles at the Guildhall, the reception thronged with City suited types and was a good demonstration the deals are back on.
Since the announcement of the General Election, the company founded by Stuart Wheeler in the 1970s, IG Index, has been running these simple but catchy and timely adverts. Placed around the Tube network at stations such as Southwark, a prime commuter interchange, and inserted in the relevant business and financial press.
Above is just one of IG Index’s latest adverts. As well as attracting potential employees and customers, it is an excellent campaign for general brand building.
The advert is taken from a series of around half a dozen on a similar General Election and current affairs strand.
I have been tracking Metro Bank for a while.
Modwenna Rees-Mogg of AngelNews recently invited me to an evening with Howard Flight and other City figures. Howard is involved in Metro Bank, and I have to say, the approach and branding so far are really interesting. A garish colour scheme and logo, shouts consumer and looks more akin to a supermarket than bank.
Metro Bank has been brave to break the norms and really think about its offering and target customer. This is reflected in its communications.
With low interest rates, in branch toilets and favourable opening hours, Metro Bank is certainly taking an alternative approach. Initially opening two branches in Central London, it aims to spread around the M25 area.
Is this a time to be launching a new bank? Has Metro Bank taken the right approach? Does Metro Bank look serious enough for a bank?
What is it? Looking like it has just arrived from space, it is actually the new i-MiEV from Mitsubishi. Currently manufactured in Japan, it goes on sale in the UK from late 2010.
Having driven one this week in Central London, I actually quite like it. Apart from the hefty price, nearly £ 40 000, it provides stress FREE motoring. Free Congestion Charge, free parking and almost free electricity on London and other city streets, if you can find a space.
There is no doubt, more and more alternatives to the internal combustion engine are going to accelerate (!) their move on the market.
The i-MiEV despite its odd external looks, cost and agricultural looking interior, is actually quite good.
It can carry four with luggage, is easy to drive, zippy and quite agile. It is a town and urban car.
Running for a published 80 miles on a single charge, range anxiety questions will be asked, but it is a good start, and good to see a major manufacturer investing in a pure electric vehicle.
What do you think? Is the future electric?
We like a good pun here! Fortunately this is also a good headline. When someone called the other day from Land Rover, I had to quiz them on why sales were up? Is this just good PR?
Admittedly, like for like sales broken down by month, should show an uplift in 2010, as 2009 was generally a tough year across the motor sector. Government incentives in some regions did help particular manufacturers with their sales.
With the cost of purchase, high fuel prices and an unfair ‘Showroom Tax’ in the UK. There is no doubt a buyer in 2010 has to be a car fan.
This is the slightly updated Peugeot logo with new tag line. A somewhat under rated marque in the UK. This brand update reflects the sleek lines of the French makers’ cars. Definitely a hit.
This was London Waterloo Station recently. BMW had wrapped a significant part of the station with its advertising; to brand build and demonstrate its precision engineering. Unlike the fun colour campaigns which follow. This is much more what we expect of the Munich based motor manufacturer.
BMW usually runs very factual and teutonic style marketing. Talking about the vehicle and what it can do. In this fun press advert from last week, they offer different coloured badges for their cars. Based on the three main UK political parties. This is quite a diversion from their usual approach, and can maybe be tracked back to an equally fun and colourful marketing campaign for the BMW Z4.
A while back my friend’s father in law labelled the 2009 Formula 1 Drivers World Champion, Nearly Man.
As my friend recently said, he was nearly right.
Having had an accidental drink with Jenson Button one afternoon in Chelsea, I felt this was a somewhat unfair title.
Working with a number of motor manufacturers and race teams, I have more insight than most, and most of the time considered Jenson worthy of his F1 seat. The Honda withdrawal of late 2008 looked like Jenson would be left high and dry.
Since Jenson and Brawn GP won the Championship recently, it would appear many now agree. He is a bona fide sportsman.
Isn’t it amazing how attitudes change towards a winner?
The above snapped in London’s Savile Row.
I have always said communications need to be consistent. A quick blast of PR may make the Chief Executive feel good, but is a quick spike in marketing spend really the way to go.
Back in 2002, I remember being near the Tate Modern on London’s Southbank and first seeing the Starbucks Red Cup promotion. Really simple, red cups for Christmas. That is it.
Every year Starbucks does a low level push of the red cups. This simple idea gives Starbucks some variation on its usual product range and helps to bring customers to the coffee shops. As well as the feel good factor of the brand getting in on the seasonal action.
Marketing does not need to always be about the big ubiquitous idea.