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.

Lights, camera, action at Blackpool Zoo

March has been a busy month of filming for the ICG PR team and its client Blackpool Zoo.

With the summer almost in touching distance, and the birthing season in full swing, children's TV favourite Blue Peter embarked on a nationwide tour of zoos, with Blackpool being its first port of call.

We met up with presenter Barney and his film crew and took them on a really wild tour that included hand feeding a 32 stone gorilla and getting up close and personal with an adorable set of ring tailed lemur twins.

We also 'flew' with a story about 16 guinea fowl keets who think one of the zoo keepers is actually their mother. Granada Reports picked up on the piece and the footage made a fantastic 'and finally' piece on the regional news.

Three in the bag for ICG this Spring

ICG has welcomed three new clients to deliver a range of integrated marketing services.

MedicX Pharmacy, Warrant Group and Seatruck Ferries are now working with our design, digital and PR teams to implement a range of projects during the next few months.

MedicX Pharmacy operates a national network of pharmacy practices, providing award-winning patient-focused services in modern, stylish environments. ICG is delivering public relations, marketing and design support as the company continues its rapid expansion programme throughout 2012 and beyond.

Warrant Group, based in the port of Liverpool, provides a wide range of export and import services as well as key services in airfreight, customs clearance and UK transport solutions. ICG is helping the company refresh its corporate identity and roll out essential brochure information in traditional and digital formats. Our PR team will also begin raising the company's profile in the trade and business press as well as providing support for Warrant Group's social media platforms.

ICG has also started working with Heysham based Seatruck Ferries - a dedicated freight ferry company for the Irish Sea. ICG will be rolling out a new website for the company which is part of the Clipper Group.

From lucky lanyards to exhibition material

ICG has been busy helping new client SG World showcase its products and services at this week's health and safety exhibition.

The Crewe based company specialises in 'behind the scenes' documentation and software for administration, health & safety, security, finance and visitor management.

In preparation for its presence at the IOSH health and safety exhibition (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), ICG's PR and design teams have been working together to organise exhibition materials and raise the company's profile among potential new customers and professionals in the health and safety sector.

Product brochures in both printed and digital formats have been produced while e-newsletters have been issued to SG World's customer database.

ICG also helped to organise SG World's 'lucky lanyard' invitation offering delegates the chance to win Red Letter Days vouchers when they visited SG World's stand.

Press information was also distributed to the health and safety press, facilities management press and warehousing and logistics press. www.sgworld.com

Making waves for Oceanarium - The Bournemouth Aquarium

Oceanarium - The Bournemouth Aquarium approached ICG to bring a fresh approach to its visitor information leaflet in line with the stylish branding of its sister attraction, Blackpool Zoo.

Bespoke animal silhouettes and bright, bold colours were used to create the eye-catching design that leaps out from the competition in tourist information leaflet stands and appeals to the family market.

The leaflet is packed with details about the attraction and its exhibits including the Interactive Dive Cage, feeding times, the Offshore Café, The Cove gift shop and how to buy discounted tickets online.