August sees the launch of management consultancy Ascend Twentyone’s new website design and branding. Foundry34 were approached by Director Mandy Sandhu to develop an umbrella brand for the company and sub brands for each of the company’s service areas; Strategic Management & Planning, People Management, Business Development and Public Funding and projects

The brief was to present a professional, competent persona for the company yet maintain an approachable and clear message through the corporate communications and language.

After research and discussions and in negotiation with the client, Foundy34 designed a crisp minimal brand using a strong colour scheme to differentiate the service areas.

Once the core branding was established the look and feel was carried through to the website design and direct communications.

Results? A very happy client and a start-up business that instantly has the professional look and feel to compete with the established competition.

Check out the ascend twentyone website here

Over the past month Foundry34 have been out and about the North East delivering digital marketing workshops to Social Enterprises. Designed as introductory sessions to the fundamentals of digital marketing these have went very well and apart from absolutely mucking up the pace of the first session (ouch!)we have really enjoyed them. It is intriguing to see the diverse uses of digital marketing throughout  different sectors. What was very rewarding was to be able to help out the absolute beginners and technophobes with jumping in and getting started with social media like Twitter as well as going through some structured plans with more experienced organisations , working through how they could lever digital marketing for their particular needs and put digital marketing in the context of their available resources and objectives.

We will be posting some of the tips from the workshop soon so keep checking back…

Last and by no means least August sees a great client win in the shape of global consultancy blackswan.  Foundry34 have been selected to design and develop their new online presence and work is already well underway. We see this client as a great coup for Foundry34 and shows that Foundry34 continue to go from strength to strength. More on this brief soon

Finally this month will be the last for the current Foundry34 website before we launch our new and improved site. To finish us off we have the ‘Foundry34 adventures in design’ homepage, next month will see a new site with a range of new features and a much improved client showcase area to show exactly what we have been up to. Keep checking back!

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March sees the launch of the Assure brand and website. Assure approached Foundry34 to handle their communications as they wanted to get away from the staid and inflexible image often associated with building control. With ‘respect for design’ as their mantra, Assure wanted to project a professional  and high quality image which could stand alongside the brands of their clients such as architects firms. The brief covered logo and brand development, design and build of the company website and graphic design for their company stationery and conference brochures and associated materials.

Check out their site here:
www.assurebuildingcontrol.co.uk

The start of a New Year and the gyms will be packed with the New Year resolution inspired masses looking to lose the xmas pounds. A far cry from the faddy diets and obscure gym programmes is start up company 2ACHIEVE who have just launched their brand and website

www.2ACHIEVE.co.uk

This company takes a much broader view of health, fitness and nutrition and how they link to overall wellbeing, life enjoyment and work performance.  They approached Foundry34 to develop their brand and website incorporating a client area where they could allow attendees of their course and members to download and access course specific information.  The site and brand speaks volumes about where this ambitious company want to be and the knowledge and skill they bring to wellbeing. Whether working for the commercial sector in improving worker performance and sickness rates or helping parents manage the eating habits of their children they balance an approachable and friendly attitude with complete professionalism.

Check out their site at www.2ACHIEVE.co.uk

Advertising and promoting your company or organisation has changed dramatically over the last 5 years or so, with computer and internet usage reaching virtually every office, home or factory throughout the developed world. These changes coupled with the downturn in the global economy have resulted in a new landscape and new rules for advertising and marketing.

Online or internet marketing has been a huge growth area but one often misunderstood. In many cases technology is put before strategic planning or even straightforward common sense.

To make the most out of internet marketing, you should really start where you would have traditionally stated with any marketing or advertising. Asking fundamental questions such as who are your customers, what would you like to say to them and how you can reach them are the bedrock of any marketing and communications and apply in the same way to internet based marketing.

So in practical steps how can you start to make the most out of your internet marketing?

1. Ensure your website is working for you. Make sure your customers can find and interact with your website in an easy and intuitive way and ensure it fits into your overall business plans.

2. Consider the bigger picture when promoting your site, Search Engine Optimisation is very good at increasing your traffic but e-flyers and email newsletters can also be very effective and cost-efficient routes to promoting yourself.

3. Engage your customers. Don’t just bombard your contacts with generic information on your company, make what you are sending out is useful, engaging and worthwhile.

4. Utilise other techniques such as social networking, viral advertising and linking strategies.

5. Understand than just like any other form of promotion or marketing, no one method is likely to work in isolation, you need to consider a whole range of techniques in a marketing mix that is appropriate for you and your customers.

6. Yes we know we said top 5 hints. Last but not least establish a good relationship with a knowledgeable web design and internet marketing company. Having a good relationship means you can talk through the marketing (online or offline) that has worked for you in the past and your agency can work out a programme of internet marketing that is appropriate for you and explain the various methods and techniques available to you.

To discuss any of your company or organisation’s internet marketing or marketing and advertising plans please contact us on 0191 293 1866 or send us a mail at hello@foundry34.co.uk