Creative: Agency tunes up for growth Michael Bublé website gig; Hackathon returns to Leeds; and more
SINGING sensation Michael Bublé has turned to a Leeds agency for the design and build of his latest website.
E-commerce specialists Ina4, based at Pudsey, created the virtual shop window for the king of swing’s new perfume range, which has just been launched globally in New York and streamed via Facebook Live to his worldwide army of followers.
The scent, Bublé’s first, is called By Invitation and is designed to tap into the star’s vast female fan base.
The link-up marks the start of a new era of growth for Ina4, which opened its doors in 2002 with a team of three.
On the back of new business wins and the changing demands of the internet, the specialist website design and marketing agency has now launched an office in Wigan.
Staff numbers have grown to 17 after a recruitment drive – with more appointments planned.
Founding director Carl Willock said: “Directly on the back of our e-commerce expertise, we are delighted to have been invited to create such a high-profile website.
“It is a ringing endorsement of the sector-leading skills and experience that we have been built into the Ina4 team as we aim to reaffirm our standing as one of the North’s premier web agencies.”
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IN October, software developers, designers and creatives from around Yorkshire will come together in Leeds for the annual 24-hour hackathon, Leeds Hack.
Taking place at Futurelabs, Leeds’ latest tech co-working space on Eastgate, the event will kick off on October 8.
Leeds Hack, which is supported by Sky, Futurelabs, Ticket Arena and Yorkshire Digital, invites teams of up to four people to compete for 24-hours to create the most innovative hack they can, solving specific challenges set by sponsors. At the end of the 24-hours, teams present their ideas to the audience and a panel of judges will crown the winners and hand out prizes at the closing award ceremony.
Macs Dickinson, Leeds Hack organiser, said: “Leeds is a real digital hub and houses some great tech talent. Leeds Hack provides the opportunity for developers, designers and creatives to come together and show off their skills. We’re really excited to be hosting this year’s event at Futurelabs for the first time and we hope people are looking forward to competing this year.”
Emma Cheshire, Futurelabs, said: “We opened Futurelabs to be the home for tech events in Leeds. I am excited that Leeds Hack is being reinvented by a new team and look forward to a crazy weekend of comparative code making.”
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LEEDS-based PR and social media agency Source Marketing Communications has marked its 15th anniversary with amakeover that has seen the company revamp both its branding and its website.
The agency was formed in April 2001 by Steve Clark and Peter Downey following their departure from the board of what was then one of the biggest PR operators in north of England.
Mr Downey, said: “When we launched Source in 2001 we didn’t dare think we’d still be operating one-year down the line, let along 15. Yes, there have been a few lows during that time, but thankfully the majority of Source memories have been overwhelmingly positive.
“Source is now looking to the future, with new directors, Daniel Kennedy and Martha Phillips, seeking to prolong the company’s success story for the next 15-years. A key part of this has been future-proofing the agency with the addition of a social media division, which in less than a year has proved itself a major success, both in helping to expand existing clients and secure a host of new accounts.”
Source’s current client rosta includes manufacturers, global exporters, debt managers, contract packers, national housebuilders, equity release specialists, invoice financers, an adult gaming and bingo operator, and a globally renowned chocolate maker.
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ACORN Stairlifts is supporting its international ambitions with a new pan-European advertising campaign.
Established in 1992, Acorn is the world’s largest company dedicated solely to the manufacture, sale, installation and servicing of stairlifts. It has appointed Leeds-based content agency Brawl to create a series of commercials for the UK and international markets.
Simon Webster, UK marketing and design Mmnager at Acorn Mobility Services, said: “Acorn is an international success story, and we are continuing to build the brand in key overseas markets. Brawl bring a real rigour to the creative process and have strong track record in tailoring content to international markets.”
Acorn makes over 60,000 stairlifts a year and exports to 84 countries. The West Yorkshire stairlift company saw turnover in mainland Europe leap by 37.5% to £20.5m last year and aims for further growth with a new marketing campaign.
Brodie Harkess, content director of Brawl, said: “Acorn is a fantastic brand that makes a big difference to the lives of its customers. It was a great experience working with them to develop the UK and international campaigns.”
