Ed James takes Hippodrome audiences behind the scenes

THEATREGOERS in the West Midlands are being given exclusive back stage access to the stars of new shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome via a series of podcasts created by city-based marketing and communications agency, Ed James Group.

Stagecast was developed by the two organisations to enhance the audience experience for shows being staged at the theatre.

Produced by Ed James Group and Sony Award Winning Heart Breakfast producer, Stephanie Mayoh, the first Stagecast was released in September 2012. Due to its success, the theatre commissioned the agency to record a further three podcasts.

The latest in the series has seen host Ed James interview Xfactor’s Marcus Collins, star of musical Hairspray, Welsh National Opera’s David Pountney, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s David Bintley as well as The Lion King’s Gugwana Dlamini, War Horse producer Chris Harper as well as the latest on the forthcoming musical Wicked in 2014.

Mandy Rose, Press & Public Relations Officer, Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Over the last couple of years the Press team at the theatre has been increasing its digital output to compliment traditional media.   As well as our regular podcasts, currently made by students at BCU, we wanted to produce an additional quarterly audio output containing information on our full season including celebrity interviews, music, theatre news and competitions, similar in content and quality to a radio programme.  

“As a very well respected broadcaster and supporter of Birmingham Hippodrome we were delighted to welcome Ed on board as the official presenter of Birmingham Hippodrome’s ‘Stagecast’.”

James, managing director of Ed James Group said: “Nowadays organisations are looking for new and exciting ways to get their content out to potential consumers. At Ed James Group we continue to look for alternative methods in which to reach new audiences, sometimes even going back to basics but with a twist.

“With the Stagecast, we have created something which people can listen to at home, in the car or even at work. It gives audiences a way to access information about Birmingham Hippodrome and its fantastic shows on the move, increasing both accessibility and engagement.”

Green Room puts Timberland in a world of its own

CLOTHING and footwear brand Timberland has engaged Birmingham-based retail design and digital practice, Green Room, to develop an International ‘marketplace’ concept for global store portfolio.

The first realisation of the new concept has been applied at the new company’s store in Barcelona, left, where Green Room was responsible for the store design and implementation.
 
Green Room was awarded the strategic brief following a series of successful projects for Timberland, including high profile window and in-store displays at the brand’s flagship stores in London, Milan, Paris and Munich.
 
Timberland wanted to evolve the existing store format to create a fresh image for the company.

Richard Ash, founder and CEO of Green Room said: “Our work with Timberland has gone from strength to strength and we’re relishing the opportunity to play a strategic role in the evolution of the brand’s retail presence worldwide.

“The marketplace brief has been a very satisfying challenge, allowing us to flex our true muscle and expertise in delivering profitable and rewarding retail experiences on an international level. This project is illustrative of the high regard in which major brands now hold Green Room.”
 
 Ross Adam, Green Room’s senior account director responsible for the project, said the firm was now looking forward to rolling out the concept across other Timberland stores over the coming months.

Black Arts Company cleans up with vacuum ads

MIDLANDS-based The Black Arts Company is cleaning up in the creative stakes, enjoying global success with a host of campaigns.

The Leamington Spa-based business has seen commercials screened in the UK, United States, Canada, Israel and Japan, all produced by the company’s 15-strong team.

With a strong portfolio that includes Hoover Inc, Vax and Meantime Brewing Company the business has enjoyed strong growth since being launched by Ian Cassie in 2011.
In the vacuum cleaner market the firm has 11 ads live across the globe, all promoting various Vax and Hoover Inc products, from the Dirt Devil, Floormate, Max Extract and Rapide Ultimate carpet washer.

The latest, for the Vax Air3, helped to launch singer Luke Higgins into the download chart. Directed by Cassie, written by Rich Ward, edited at The Attic by Paul Jones, the Wish Campaign was created to promote Vax’s latest model.

Cassie said: “The Black Arts Company works closely with the Vax marketing department as a natural extension of the team, and we’ve had input into all aspects of product marketing; from packaging through to advertising.  Since we produced their first ground-breaking TV commercial, we’ve worked hard to become an extension of Vax’s team, ensuring we are as close to the products and sales figures as they are.  By being up to speed with this information we can be ahead of the game with our work and react much quicker as a result.”