Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from #icgRocks

Best wishes to everyone for Christmas and the New Year.

As we pen this blog, Cliff Richard's Mistletoe & Wine is bringing us plenty of festive cheer. We hope you have a rocking  holiday and if you've  enjoyed some of our #icgRocks, then life is good!

We've had a great 2012 - see ICG's Highlights of the Year book to find out all about it - and we promise there's lots more excitement to come in 2013. It's available for download on our website too.

See you next year from everyone at team ICG.

If you didn’t know already #icgRocks

One of the biggest debates here at ICG is, what’s the best Christmas song? Santa baby? Driving Home for Christmas? or Walking In the Air?

It’s a tricky one, so we let everyone have their say. And here's the results!

Tell us your favourite song @icgbrandbuilder #icgRocks or on our Facebook page and you might find some of our Christmas goodies winging your way!

• Zat You Santa Claus, Louis Armstrong (Dave  Mallalieu)
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Frank Sinatra (Julie Hackett)
• Winter Wonderland, Tony Bennett (Harry Bennett)
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Bruce Springsteen (Stephen Daniels)
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee (Sarah Southworth)
• Stop the Cavalry, Jona Lewie, (Stephen Taylor)
• Driving Home for Christmas, Chris Rea (Paula Holden)
• I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Gayla Peevey (Nicola Chew)
• Last Christmas, Wham (Ian Jones)
• Stay, East 17; Baby its Cold Outside, Zooey Deschanel & Legon Redbore (Emily Windle)
• Home for the Holidays, Emmy the Great/Tim Wheeler (Simon Couchman)
• Walking in The Air, Snowman (Peter Cobley)

ICG extends services to The Mall Blackburn

ICG has been appointed to assist The Mall Blackburn with its social media campaigns throughout the busy Christmas shopping period.
   
The team will work alongside the marketing team at The Mall to ensure a continuous stream of engaging and informative content is delivered to fans and followers at key times during the festive season.

Late night shopping, special offers and incentives and information about The Mall's hugely popular RewardME card scheme are just some of the posts that are currently being planned in.

Click here to 'Like' The Mall's Facebook page and keep up to date with everything you need to know on the run up to Christmas.

New addition to the team!

ICG has made its second new appointment this year following a series of exciting account wins.

Graphic Designer, Stephen Taylor, joined the creative team in late October, bringing the total headcount to 13.

He will work on across ICG's exciting portfolio of clients including Realm, Blackpool Airport, Iveco, MedicX Pharmacy, Central Training and VIP Computers.

Seatruck Ferries' new website sets sail

The UK's only dedicated freight ferry company on the Irish sea turned to the ICG design and digital teams when it embarked on voyage to launch a new website.

The brief was to create an information and sales portal that would allow current and potential clients to find everything they need in one place.

ICG's digital and design teams got to work and the resulting website includes sailing schedules that are updated in real -time to give the most accurate information, shipping forecasts, media gallery with free downloadable images, an online quoting facility, all the latest Seatruck news and the contact details for each of the ports used by the company.

Designed in accordance with brand guidelines, the site is easy to navigate with a clean, fresh look.

New services and signage systems for Central Training

The ICG design team has masterminded the creatives for the launch of three new services that are being offered by Central Training.

A new state of the art gym, modern hair salon and 3G sports pitch, which are all located in Central Training's Central Park Campus in Wigan, all have their own specially created sub-brands, which have been rolled out across a suite of promotional material including flyers, banners, local press advertising and web advertisements.

In addition, ICG has worked with Central Training to devise and design a signage system for the whole Central Park site, which was officially launched in October.

The way-finding system colour-codes buildings across the campus so students can easily navigate their way around.

Helping Windows 8 take off

Following on from the success of the inaugural Evolution event, IT distributor VIP Computers turned to ICG's design team to help promote Microsoft's latest version of Windows.

A radical re-imagining, this is a historical event for Microsoft, so our creative campaign takes inspiration from great events in history, such as the moon landing and the discovery of DNA. The visual style marries the new Windows 8 brand alongside distinctive monotone photography and incorporates the core VIP brand.

The creative has been rolled out across trade press adverts, e-shots, web banners and a video guide to Windows 8.

Fashion event was right up our street!

The ICG PR team have been rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous at a fun filled fashion extravaganza at The Mall Blackburn!

Coronation Street sweetheart Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, was at the shopping centre to sign autographs and pose for pictures with shoppers as part of a day of fun for all the family.

The event, which the PR team have been busy promoting in recent months, was organised to celebrate the fantastic fashion offering available from some of The Mall's flagship retailers, which include Primark, Next, River Island and Bank.

In the months leading up to the big day the PR team worked with The Mall's award winning marketing team to promote a Lancashire's Got Style model search,  announce the winners, secure the celebrity appearance and raise awareness of the fashion show.

Thousands of people from across Lancashire flocked to The Mall to watch the four Lancashire's Got Style model winners strut their stuff on the catwalk and many queued for hours to meet the soap star.

The day was hailed a huge success and, with press cuttings still coming thick and fast, the ICG PR team have almost trebled the set target for media coverage.

ICG leads Evolution!

When the UK's largest independent distributor of computer components, peripherals and consumer products launched its inaugural exhibition for leading vendors and key customers, it turned to ICG for creative, digital and event support from start to finish.

The exhibition, which was entitled 'Evolution -- The future of gaming and technology' required a brand identity that would  attract potential exhibitors and delegates and this was achieved by using recognisable gaming characters as well as technology style colour palettes and fonts.

This branding was rolled out across the www.evolution-expo.co.uk  website and targeted e-shots designed to introduce and raise awareness about the event. Online and offline promotions, including trade press advertisements and web banners, were also devised as part of the marketing strategy.



Other essential marketing collateral included an exhibitor's manual, event guide, artwork for VIP's exhibition stand, material such as colour co-ordinated lanyards, flags, banners, signage, animation for onsite screens and branded beer mats, table decorations, menus and banners for the celebratory evening event.

Members of the ICG team were also on hand throughout Evolution to assist with the smooth running of the event and oversee photography and video recording.

Evolution was a resounding success and plans are already underway for the 2013 exhibition!

We're hiring!

ICG is expanding following an exciting series of new account wins! We are looking for a Senior Graphic Designer and a Web Developer to join our team here in Warton, near Preston.

Graphic Designer
This role is perfect for someone that is passionate about design and has a desire to produce their best work yet in a fast paced, highly creative environment.

We are looking for someone with more than three year's agency experience who wants to take the next step up the career ladder.

The appointed person will work both individually and as part of a team on B2B and B2C creative campaigns. Strong typographic skills are vital and web and new media experience would be an advantage, but not essential.

Strong communication skills will be needed for direct contact with both clients and suppliers and a degree of project management will be required.

Anyone wishing to apply must be highly competent on a Mac, using InDesign predominantly as well as other CS5 applications.

Senior Web Developer
This person will be responsible for the development of major and minor applications and the maintenance of existing websites and internal systems.

The successful candidate must be able to develop, test and deliver websites and web applications, perform defect resolution and implement enhancements on an ongoing basis.

Experience with best practices and design methodologies to ensure the success of projects is essential.

Other required skills and experience for this role include:

• Involvement in all stages of project life cycle from the requirements stage through to integration and delivery
• Practical experience in developing with PHP5, (x)HTML, JavaScript, CSS and SQL
• Practical experience with CMS
• Familiarity with or a desire to learn and use new technologies such as HTML5 and CSS3
• Ability to implement web designs from briefs and layouts from our design team
• Excellent creative, technical and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both in technical and business environments
• A desire and willingness to work in a collaborative, innovative, flexible and team-oriented environment to deliver quality work, enhancements and fixes to deadlines
• Knowledge of developing social media applications will also be an advantage
  

If you have what it takes and you are looking for your next career move please send your CV and examples of your work to simon@icgonline.co.uk

Social media engagement strategy for IVECO & Realm

Engaging with customers on social media is the focus behind prize give-aways for two ICG clients.

Taking advantage of this summer's team GB and Jubilee celebrations, truck manufacturer IVECO is currently giving away Union Jack flags as well as Sat Nav system promoted through its Twitter and Facebook pages.
The profiles have been updated with competition branding to deliver maximum exposure while a competition app is being used to provide a simple platform for individuals to enter and boost engagement as well as generate useful data about the campaign's success.

Meanwhile retail client, Realm is currently running Facebook competitions for six of its shopping outlets to give away gift cards worth £150. In order to access the competition page entrants need to have liked the profile and once through, they answer a simple multiple choice question and input their personal details. Likes are being tracked to gauge the campaign's success.

ICG provides design and digital services for six retail outlets on behalf of Realm including Junction 32 in Yorkshire, Freeport Fleetwood in Lancashire, Clark's Village in Somerset, Freeport Braintree in Essex, Freeport Talk in Stoke on Trent and Lakeside Village in Doncaster.

Bumper coverage in Blackpool Zoo's 40th anniversary month!

July was a month of huge celebration at Blackpool Zoo and the ICG PR team gained some fantastic coverage of the festivities.

It all started with the zoo's landmark 40th anniversary, which attracted media coverage from across the UK.

Both Granada news and BBC North West news featured the story on its televised news bulletins throughout the day, with live links to the zoo and feature length reports on the tea time programmes.

The Blackpool Gazette, Lancashire Evening Post, Manchester Evening News and Lancashire Telegraph were just some of the regional and local newspapers that ran in-depth articles on the history of the attraction and reported on the celebrations.

BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Manchester interviewed Blackpool Zoo's longest serving staff member Russell Catlow and the Daily Express featured the zoo as one of the top UK days out.

The fun continued on July 18th with the official opening of Wolf Ridge, a new £500,000 enclosure. The ICG PR team sent wolf teddy bears to key national and regional press with an invitation to the launch event.

National Children's Newspaper First News, Rock FM and Visit Blackpool were amongst many that tweeted, facebooked and reported about the unveiling.

Other July PR coups included an article about a career in zoo keeping, which was covered in a variety of regional titles including The Nelson Leader, The Colne Times, Clitheroe Advertiser, Lancashire Evening Post and many more!

Key messages and Windows 8 for VIP Computers

Why choose VIP for selling Microsoft products? That was the strapline for a trade ad campaign on behalf of ICG client, VIP Computers.

The campaign focused on demonstrating the benefits of using the authorised Microsoft Distributor including its commitment to competitive pricing and its impeccable credentials as a long standing official distributor.

Clever use of icons and key message brought three complementary designs to life which were featured in the computer trade press including PCR magazine.

It was followed by a successive campaign to promote the forthcoming launch of Windows 8.

ICG, in partnership with VIP Computers had to meet specific Microsoft guidelines about the design of the pre-launch marketing collateral with the issue of information and imagery being tightly controlled before the new operating system is fully unveiled in October.

The campaign is being featured in the trade press while VIP Computers also issued a direct mailer to customers featuring a Windows 8 'upgrade offer' as part of a drive to encourage consumers not to delay buying new PCs, laptops or tablets preinstalled with Windows 7.

The issue of the A5 mailer was timed to coincide with Euros 2012 to reward VIP Computer customers with the chance to win a 3D gaming notebook.

Yeee....haaaa for The Mall's Retailers

Paula and Julie from the ICG PR team joined cowboys, Indians, a cow and even a horse at Ewood Park on Saturday 14^th July to celebrate The Mall Blackburn’s annual Retailer Awards – hoe-down style!

The annual event is aimed at celebrating the achievements of The Mall’s 100 plus retailers, recognising the hard work and dedication of staff who all came wearing their best wild west dress.

Primark, which has enjoyed another fantastic year in Blackburn, picked up two out of the eight awards including the ‘Shopper’s Award’; which as its name indicates, is voted for by the public as well as the sought after ‘Best Overall Retailer Award’ for the second year running.

Manager of Primark, Dawn Smith, was also presented with the Best Fancy Dress Award after impressing judges with her amazing ‘cowboy riding a horse’ outfit!

River Island won ‘Best Retail Presentation’, whilst New Look scooped the accolade for ‘Best Involvement in Marketing Initiatives’ for the second time in as many years. Once again, Debenhams took the top spot in The Mall Safe category for its work on health and safety.

The Best Independent Retailer went to Peter Jackson the Jeweller in a hotly contested battle against previous winner Degya News as well as Time Piece and Blackburn News.

ICG PR Manager Paula Holden presented the awards for The Mall’s annual Mystery Shopper programme, which was carried out earlier this year by internal staff from across the portfolio. Ann Summers, Eurochange, Thorntons, Infinities, Time Piece, Love Forever, First Choice, Santander, The Money Shop and Clinton Cards were all recognised after scoring an impressive 100 per cent in the surveys.

The evening was branded a huge success and the line-dancing went on into the night!

Digital Tube Talk Take Two!

The second digital edition of Tube Talk, KME Yorkshire's bi-annual newsletter, is hitting the inboxes of more than 10,000 plumbers, contractors, merchants, colleges and apprentices across the UK.

ICG managed the entire project from writing and designing to building and distributing it and our digital and marketing teams will now coordinate and manage a competition to win a Makita site radio.

Stories and features include the results of the latest industry wide survey, an interactive map of exhibitions and trade shows that KME Yorkshire is visiting this year, an in depth product spotlight and an article outlining strategic sales force changes at the company.

The dedicated microsite, www.tubetalk.co.uk, has also been updated with the latest issue and details of how to enter the competition.

Tube Talk was launched in 2007 as an eight page direct mail newsletter and made its digital debut in January 2012.

Anyone wishing to join the ever growing mailing list can simply email tubetalk@icgonline.co.uk with their details.

Lovely, lovely ice cream!

ICG PR client Twelve Restaurant & Lounge Bar's delicious home-made goat's cheese ice cream served with a salted chocolate tart was profiled in the June edition of Restaurant Magazine.

ICG arranged interviews with Chef Proprietor Paul Moss and provided photography for the feature which focused on how chefs were making their own ice cream to create innovative, quirky desserts.

And, ICG can vouch for its deliciousness (one of the perks of the job)!

New openings publicity & stylish marketing for MedicX Pharmacy

ICG is spreading the word about MedicX Pharmacy as new practices open across the country.

MedicX Pharmacy started working with ICG’s PR and design teams in March and since then we’ve promoted new practice openings in Merseyside, Greater London and Hertfordshire as well as generating publicity about charity contributions and achievements.

So far, coverage has been secured in a number of regional newspaper titles as well as in the business press. MedicX Pharmacy has a total of 13 practices located across England including the North West, Yorkshire, Greater London and the South East.

ICG’s design teams have created generic marketing collateral including framed swing signage, flag banners and pull-up banners which can be tailored to the requirements of individual practices.

MedicX Pharmacy provide innovative and integrated pharmacy services. As well as traditional dispensing, they support patients in a better understanding of their health as well as working in partnership with NHS commissioners to provide commissioned health care services.

Many practices provide late night opening hours throughout the week, weekends and also on Bank Holidays including Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

New branding and communication collateral for Warrant Group

A MAJOR rebranding project for supply chain management company Warrant Group has been successfully completed by ICG.

Warrant Group approached us to revitalise their logo and branding as it sought to fully embrace digital and traditional communication platforms.

The company wanted to retain its corporate colour palette but update its logo and create a branding strategy which could provide definition and identity to its people, products and services.

Greater depth of colour and gradient were introduced to the logo complemented by a wave and ripple design which became a motion graphic on digital output as well as a stylish design feature of printed material.

The animated brand mark gives motion and life to the design and demonstrates innovation and quality – themes closely associated with the company’s ethos and ‘can do’ attitude.

New photography was commissioned for staff images and location based photography at the Port of Liverpool where Warrant Group's headquarters and key facilities are located.

The new logo and branding has been rolled out on a new website and social media platforms while a new company brochure, product information sheets, stationery and business cards have also been designed and printed.

ICG’s PR team also worked on the project to provide copy writing, editing and proofing services; it is also embarking on a B2B PR campaign to raise awareness about Warrant Group in the logistics and business press. The digital and PR team also delivered a social media workshop to help Warrant Group create ‘conversation strategies’ and educate staff about social media content and output.

See Warrant Group on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn

ICG helps serve Taste Lancashire on a plate!

A TASTE of Lancashire was the theme of an evening organised by ICG with leading tourism bosses on behalf of client Twelve Restaurant & Lounge Bar.

Members of Marketing Lancashire and Cookery Writer Philippa James were among the guests for a new initiative by Marketing Lancashire to help promote the county’s food heritage.

Twelve was among a small group of leading restaurants specially approached to link up with a local food producer and hold a Taste Lancashire Produce evening.

Social media played its role in setting up Twelve’s partnership with organic vegetable growers, Alan and Debra Schofield from Growing with Nature based in Pilling near Poulton-le-Fylde, Over Wyre.

ICG provided photography, provided extensive copy for press releases, blogs, profiles and social media to keep everyone fully briefed about the event; the digital team at Marketing Lancashire also tweeted and Facebooked about the progress of vegetables specially planted for the event.

The Taste Lancashire Evening was widely featured in the local press and media and attracted more than 70 diners.

Dishes included aromatic Spring vegetable soup, slow cooked 40-hour beef and to celebrate Twelve’s 12th birthday in 2012, a new version of their signature dessert, the Banana Butty.  To find out more about the fabulous food served by Twelve follow their blog here.

Driving interest for the Iveco Daily

The ICG design team were the driving force behind a creative direct mail piece for Iveco this month.

A new model of the company's celebrated Daily light commercial vehicle was the subject of a four page tabloid newspaper called 'The Daily Courier', which was aimed at small and medium business owners across the UK.

Punchy headlines, in depth information on the specifications available, exclusive deals, incentives and big, bold imagery made it a must read! A handy QR code on the back page also allows readers to view fantastic video footage of the Daily being put through its paces.

ICG's marketing team then organised the fulfilment and postage of the mailer, which is dropping through letterboxes now!

ICG PR scores (tangerine) dream coverage for Blackpool Zoo

There was a flurry of filming at Blackpool Zoo last week as Granada Reports came to film Blackpool Football Club's furriest fans!

When the PR team found out that the Tangerines were once again set for the play-offs at Wembley they put together a list of filming opportunities for Granada, and even managed to get an XXXXXL team shirt from the club!

Sports Reporter David Chisnall spent a sunny morning in Blackpool filming Summer the orang-utan wearing the football kit, Danny the donkey looking dashing in his supporter's scarf and a brand new tangerine and white striped Sitatunga baby.

He also called in on sand-grown sea lions Gina and Anya to check out their ball skills and have a chat with them about the team and its chances.

The really wild footage was weaved into Friday's lead sports report on Granada Reports and it was also featured on the Granada late news in the evening.

Although the football results didn't turn out as we had all hoped -- the ICG PR team scored some (tangerine) dream coverage for Blackpool Zoo.

ICG helps The Mall Blackburn scoop national award

Work carried out by the ICG PR team helped The Mall Blackburn scoop a prestigious national award for its marketing campaign for the launch of the completed £66m redevelopment in 2011.

The Mall was awarded a Purple Apple Award for the 'Strategic Overall Integrated Marketing Campaign' category after beating off stiff competition from across the UK.

During the campaign, which saw footfall in the shopping centre increase by a massive 14 per cent, the ICG PR team worked with The Mall to drive entries to its country wide hunt for real 'models' for TV and print advertisements and a launch event fashion show.

We also worked with celebrity booking agents to secure appearances by Coronation Street favourites Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald) and Chris Fountain (Tommy Duckworth).

TPW from Darwen was commissioned to work on all printed marketing materials whilst White Noise, also from Darwen, produced television advertisements that were aired throughout the campaign.

A survey carried out following the campaign revealed that 82 per cent of those questioned said that the campaign had portrayed Blackburn in a positive way and had encouraged them to visit more often.

The Purple Apple Marketing Awards recognise and reward shopping centres that have delivered effective creative marketing campaigns that stand out from the crowd.

Seasiders, Sunny Skies & Wembley for ICG client

ICG client Blackpool Airport has shown its loyal support for Blackpool FC ahead of tomorrow's play-off with an advert featured in the Wembley football programme that ties nicely into the start of the summer flying schedule.

Wishing the Seasiders the best of luck for the match against West Ham, the advert designed by ICG highlights the airport's connections to sunny spots in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Madeira as well as closer to home in Dublin, Jersey and Belfast.

On the PR front this week we've also been organising photo shoots demonstrating Blackpool Airport's unwavering support for the club from their flight operations staff, firefighters and management with picture stories issued to the local and regional press.

While football fever hits the Fylde coast, ICG has just completed the summer edition of Blackpool Airport's bi-annual magazine Horizons which is packed with information about facilities at the airport as well as holiday destinations and flights.

More colour, product and pace at Junction 32

ICG's design teams have updated the marketing material for retail outlet Junction 32 to include more product, colour and pace.

New graphics, greater use of product images and brighter colours have been introduced to the marketing collateral featured on-site and in the surrounding region.

The revamped design has been rolled out on posters, lamp post banners and bill boards at Junction 32 as well as on 48-sheets, bus mega-rears and bus super-sides in the local area.

The design for off-site marketing material has been created to follow seasonal trends with a single colour palette. Spring kicks off with zingy green while plans for summer and autumn colours are now under discussion. The new design has also been rolled out on Junction 32's website and Facebook profile.

ICG provides design and digital services for six retail outlets on behalf of client Realm, including Junction 32 located in Yorkshire.

VIP Tech bursts into life!

The second edition of VIP Computer's interactive online product catalogue, VIP-Tech, has burst into life on the internet today -- courtesy of ICG's design and digital teams.

Aimed at resellers of all the latest gadgets and technologies, the interactive publication is packed with margin making suggestions to add to stock portfolios.

Links to further information, reviews and handy quick link navigation tools ensure buyers have everything they need to make an informed decision in just a few clicks of a mouse.

The inaugural catalogue was created by ICG in December 2011 and received fantastic feedback from the customer and resellers. The second edition, which carries big brand names and 96 new products, look set to be just as popular.

ICG ENJOYS DIGITAL GROWTH

ICG has expanded its digital team with two new key appointments.

Senior Graphic Designer David Mallalieu has been appointed Head of Digital while Harrison Bennett has joined us as a Web and PHP Developer.

The digital team (pictured) including Web Designer Stephen Daniels, complements ICG's design and PR departments which are increasingly providing digital marketing services to help clients make the most of online platforms.

ICG digital services include creative design & art direction, HTML, PHP, CMS and E-Commerce web development, search engine optimisation, social media, content generation and copy writing/editing, motion graphics, digital publication and online marketing.

CHARITY CAKE BREAK AT ICG

Who could resist such a spread especially when it means raising money for charity?

Two designers at ICG put their baking skills to excellent use as part of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Cake Break 2012 fund-raising event.

Not surprisingly this delicious platter of chocolate muffins, oak cookies, melting moments and leek, cheese and potato pasties went down a treat with the ICG team.

And, today with support from our neighbours at Freightlink,  we've raised an impressive £80 for the MS Society.

But the cake baking and eating doesn't stop here. We're planning a post bank holiday plate of meringues to keep everyone going next week...

Retail Factor celebrates sweet success!

The Mall Blackburn's annual business competition has been hailed a huge success as it continues to build momentum year on year!

ICG's PR team has been working with the shopping centre to raise awareness of the The Retail Factor, which saw a 117 per cent increase in entries for 2012.

The finalists were Baitful Fhunoon, which produces hand painted artworks, printing and embroidery specialists Inkthreadable and bespoke chocolate making company Simply Chocolicious.

Each took turns to trade on a retail merchandising unit in The Mall for two weeks in a bid to win a prize worth £10,000.

Simply Chocolicious proved it had all the ingredients for success after being crowned the winner. It is owned by Sabiha Patel, who hand crafts unique, delicious chocolate treats such as edible roses, chocolate engagement rings, three foot chocolate cars and chocolate pizza!

ICG worked with each finalist to maximise publicity and is now helping Simply Chocolicous to spread the word about its exquisite products to chocolate lovers everywhere!

ICG PR CLIENT MARKS 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

ICG PR client Scott Rees & Co Solicitors is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The Skelmersdale firm, which employs approximately 250 members of staff, is celebrating the last two decades of business and its active involvement with the community.

A special anniversary logo was created by ICG's design teams which has been uploaded to the firm's website and integrated blog.

News about the anniversary has been featured in the local and regional press while plans are afoot to hold further anniversary celebrations later this year.

The firm, which specialises in claims for accidents on the road, in the workplace and in public places, has also been featured in the legal press for industry related appointments and activities.

Lawyer Chris Walker has recently been made Chairman of the Liverpool branch of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and solicitor Maryam Khan hosted the English Asian Business Awards in Manchester last month.

Enterprising ideas for newsletters

When the maintenance and service provider giant Enterprise wanted to refresh and revitalise its Utilities and Defence Division staff newsletter it turned to ICG's creative design and digital departments.

Management took inspiration from a previous format that we used for one of our own in-house newsletters and decided the tabloid sized design would best suit their needs. They also opted for a digital version that could be emailed to staff.

The first eight page edition of 'Focus' covered all the latest news and views from the division and provided in depth coverage of their annual road show, which is aimed at informing staff of all the latest services on offer to clients.

ICG's design team created a fresh and clean look centred round the green colour palette of the Utilities and Defence Division and used Enterprise's specialist silhouette illustrations throughout to add extra pace and vibrancy.

The digital version was completed first and focussed on easy to read snippets with links to further information on the company intranet. Following this, 2000 printed copies of the newsletter were delivered into Enterprise.

ICG takes copper on tour!

ICG client KME Yorkshire has started a whirlwind tour of key trade exhibitions this year and our PR and design teams have been busy spreading the word and arming the copper tube giant with everything it needs to make a big impression.

From creative concepts for the all-important exhibition stand to revising and reprinting brochures and stocking up on promotional giveaways, our designers have worked to tight deadlines to ensure delivery ahead of key dates.

Press releases to trade press, copy for show guides and websites and detailed information for in depth preview features are just some of the activities carried out by the ICG PR department to date.

Kicking off with EcoBuild in March, the KME Yorkshire exhibition calendar for 2012 includes three appearances at PHEX shows, two at HIP-EX and a tour with the Renewables Roadshow later this year.

ICG has been working with KME Yorkshire to promote its brand Yorkshire Copper Tube for more than a decade and has many more exciting projects in the 'pipeline'!

Easter brand awareness campaign to boost footfall

An Easter brand awareness campaign to boost footfall for retail client Realm has been undertaken by ICG's design teams.

Refreshed marketing collateral for shopping outlets Freeport Braintree in Essex and Freeport Fleetwood in Lancashire was rolled out ready for the holiday period.

Freeport Braintree's look was enhanced to reflect its strong fashion credentials while Freeport Fleetwood's captivating illustrations were given a Spring make-over.

The refreshed designs have been featured at a variety of outdoor advertising locations including large scale 48-sheet billboards, bus backs and sides as well as six sheet posters at places including bus stops and train stations.

All about the number 12 for Twelve

ICG is helping client Twelve Restaurant & Lounge Bar celebrate its 12th birthday in 2012.

The Lancashire fine dining experience has already kicked off its year of anniversary events with a fund-raising birthday party for Trinity Hospice.
Local press coverage, as well as regular content on Twelve's Facebook, Twitter, e-newsletters, website and blog pages are helping bring the landmark anniversary to life including stories about their unique dessert -- the Banana Butty -- which has been continuously served on the A La Carte menu since 2000.

The restaurant's profile is also being raised through competitions in the media including Smooth Radio as well as planning for forthcoming events such as a new Taste Lancashire evening organised by Marketing Lancashire to promote restaurants working with local food producers.

Twelve profiling has also been secured on the Visit Lancashire website for The Open Championship at Lytham St Annes which is expected to bring thousands of people to the region this summer.

Since Twelve began working with ICG PR it has been featured on Daybreak, Granada, Rock FM, Lancashire One, Lancashire Life as well as being regularly profiled in The Blackpool Gazette, BBC Radio Lancashire and local community magazines.

ICG roles out Create Your Legacy brand

SPECIALIST careers events jointly hosted by League Football Education and The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust were successfully brought to life by ICG's design and digital teams.

Elite young athletes seeking their next rung on the career ladder attended the exhibition, workshop and mentoring conference called Create Your Legacy held in both Manchester and Reading.

Designed to help young sports men and women 'create their own legacy' by planning for new careers in sport, education and business, delegates also got the chance to hear from Kelly Holmes herself.

Create Your Legacy branding was rolled out online, on social media and on exhibition material including the event guide and pop-up stands. Iconic black and white photography was used alongside a dynamic black and yellow colour palette. A digital presentation was also produced to help delegates get the most out of the help and advice available.

ICG has worked extensively for League Football Education which has hosted the event for the second year running under its Progression brand.

New Facebook timeline converts tomorrow

For those who have not migrated to the Facebook timeline, the new style will be automatically transferred to all profiles from tomorrow!

According to early published research, the Facebook timeline is already having a positive impact for brands thanks to the visual impact of the cover image space and the wider layout.

The top image is the first thing people see when they land on a Facebook page and offers a great opportunity to use good photography that encapsulates businesses' products and services.

The wider layout is ideal for bespoke Facebook pages. For example, ICG has already transferred Blackpool Airport's Facebook page to the new timeline and has made the most of the wider format for its bespoke Welcome page, the Destination of the Month page and destinations map page. Visit Blackpool Airport's Facebook page here.

Businesses can encourage more followers to like them by providing additional content that is only available once they have hit the Like button.

The timeline format also allows followers to see company information over a time frame which is helpful if your business has a significant history or is celebrating an anniversary or landmark date.

As well as Blackpool Airport, ICG has also been designing new Facebook pages for retail client Realm which operates a series of shopping outlet villages throughout the UK.

For more information about how to make the most of your Facebook timeline profile, speak to our digital design team by calling ICG on 01772 679383 or email info@icgonline.co.uk

Central Training's digital prospectus goes live

ICG has been working closely with longstanding client Central Training to produce its very first prospectus encompassing its full range of vocational training and apprenticeship courses.

Central Training is a nation-wide provider of education courses at a variety of entry levels from school pupils to school leavers, apprentices as well as businesses and individuals.

Information on all Central Training's courses is now easily accessible in the new digital prospectus which uses a simple colour-coded structure to help readers navigate its content.

The new prospectus is available for download via www.centraltraininggroup.org

Alongside the new prospectus, ICG has also been helping Central Training launch its new Wigan campus, Central Park in partnership with Rugby League Club, the Wigan Warriors, and with support from Wigan Council.

The campus provides vocational courses in sectors such as construction, hair and beauty and catering and hospitality. It is also the new headquarters for the Wigan Warriors as well as the base for its Community and Foundation operations and also its youth development programme. The club is also involved in the campus' sport and active leisure teaching programmes.

Bespoke new signage for Central Park has been created by ICG which has also produced marketing collateral to raise awareness about the new facilities and the courses available.

ICG has worked extensively with Central Training for its facilities in St Helens called Central Fitness as well as its new location in Manchester called Central Trafford.