In the press

Management Today: Strategic sacrifice

In the race to attract top talent, many employers fall into a familiar trap: trying to be everything to everyone. The result? Employer brands that feel safe, vague, and ultimately forgettable- speaking to no one. But the strongest brands sacrifice, deliberately. In an article for Management Today, Kuba Trzcinski explores why sacrifice is the secret weapon in employer branding, and how to do it right.

CampaignRed: Tim Harford on the three key rules of data

We had the privilege of hosting award-winning economist Tim Harford at a With The Team event; his talk was picked up by Campaign.Red who divulge the three key rules for media and marketing when it comes to data.

My Life In Design Podcast with Dave Recchia

Raconteur: How to conduct a culture audit

The BBC has just completed a cultural review.

Sam Forsdick in Raconteur explores how to conduct a cultural review and quotes our director, Cliff Ettridge. “If cultural failings have occurred,” Cliff says, “acknowledge them upfront. The organisation’s credibility depends on it.”

Business Reporter: Personalising Employee Experiences

‘All too often, employees are met with communications that feel as impersonal as 1970s customer service.’

Our Employee Engagement Consultant, Jennifer Robinson, has written a fantastic piece for Business Reporter, advising employers on the best ways to personalise employee experiences. And why we need to.

Branding Mag: A Powerful Brand Story Doesn’t Crumble Under Pressure

Today’s brand stories can’t just be clever, they need to be real.

Our Director, Cliff Ettridge, shares why truth and action are essential for genuine connection. A thought-provoking read.

Growth Business: How Employers Can Rebuild Trust With Employees

In a world where trust seems to be slipping, our Director Cliff Ettridge says: ‘Change has to come from the top.’

He dives into how leaders can rebuild that crucial connection with employees through transparency and genuine understanding. It’s a must-read for anyone aiming to cultivate a workplace where trust isn’t just a buzzword, but the foundation.

Dezeen: Brands must manage resource consumption

Our Executive Creative Director, David Recchia, calls for brands to be transparent about exceeding their natural resource quotas.

He emphasises the importance of sustainability in design and advocates for brands to go even further, with repurposing of old products as a key solution.

As Dave says: “We need to stop using “innovation” as a shorthand for “new”.

Maddyness: Growth comes from surprising areas

Director of Strategic Planning, Toby Mortleman talks about how unconventional thinking can spur growth for your brand.

Sometimes learning new skills can kick start new approaches. As Toby says, “Taking (a new) mindset into my strategy work has shown me that values, beliefs, etiquette and purpose are way more influential than I had ever believed.”

On Brand Podcast: Employees during crisis and AI

Our director Cliff Ettridge has been sharing his thoughts on how brands connect with employees during a crisis, and on the emergence of authenticity in the face of AI.

He has been talking with Nick Westergaard on the ‘On Brand’ podcast. Our huge thanks go to Nick.

Minute Hack: Three lessons from the world of fashion

Our director Sally Tarbit shares three tips brands can learn from the world of fashion.

“Many brands avoid transparency as much as possible for two reasons: they’re afraid they’ll be called out for greenwashing, or, because they want to keep their ‘competitive edge’ to themselves.”

The Drum: Tate & Lyle Rebrand

Our MD, Kevin MacKenzie, comments on the Tate & Lyle rebrand.

Kevin talks about how the product’s removal of its original biblical script encapsulates a broader issue with brands shunning tradition, adopting golden idols and getting into sticky situations.

Conscious Connections: A conversation about sustainable fashion

Our Brand Actication Director, Sally Tarbit explores the challenges and opportunities for fashion brands embracing sustainability, and the crucial role of incremental change in fostering a more sustainable future.

Triple Pundit: Why incremental change is everything

Sally Tarbit shares three simple steps for fashion companies to start making a meaningful, sustainable difference.

Minute Hack: Airlines should reimagine the flight experience

Following the spring 2024 budget and the hike in tax as well as increased regulation, airlines need to make some customer choices.

This could be a big brand opportunity says our director Cliff Ettridge.

Green Business Journal: Total honesty is the way forward

Sally Tarbit talks about the importance of authenticity when communicating purpose.

With so many brands seeking to carve out a purpose. It’s easy to make over-claims and mistakes.

Brandingmag: The Balance of Values

‘Having a single-minded vision is often touted as the path to a strong business. It is seen as creating a focus for everyone and demonstrates a clear sense of purpose – in reality, it’s a mistake.’

Read the full article by Cliff Ettridge, featured in Branding Mag.

Campaign Live: Nostalgia in advertising

Brand Activation Director, Sally Tarbit, shares her thoughts about the role of nostalgia plays in advertising.

To read the full article, please login (free) via Campaign.

Brandingmag: Brand purpose and football

Maggie Murphy is CEO of Lewes FC, a fan-owned and community focused football club in the UK famous for being the first team in the world to commit to equal playing budgets for their women’s and men’s teams.

Our director Cliff Ettridge interviewed her about brand, purpose and football.

Business Reporter: Employers and Cost of Living

There’s never been a greater urgency for businesses and their leaders to take responsibility and help their employees.

Director Cliff Ettridge shares 7 ways to support your employees as they navigate the cost-of-living crisis.

Communicate Magazine: The green web

3.8% of the world’s CO2 is generated by the internet.

Kardo Ayoub puts forward the case for digital sustainability being embedded within every brand strategy.

People Management: Purpose and People

The danger of a single-minded organisational vision.

Cliff Ettridge discusses how the pursuit of one mission above people and customer satisfaction can be disastrous for businesses.

Business Reporter: Blended working is what matters

Changing the language around the “return” to the office.

Cliff Ettridge looks at why language matters when it comes to persuading employees that spending some time in the office.

Management Today: Entertainment in communications

Taking the Love Island approach to internal communications.

Cliff Ettridge shares his insights, along with the unlikely tale of Dame Anita Roddick, the late founder of The Body Shop, flying through the air as a fairy godmother.

The Drum: post-pandemic lessons

Attending Industry Festivals: Weighing up the pros and cons

Cliff Ettridge shares his thoughts on the considerations needed and what we can learn post-pandemic.

Startups Magazine: Brand intelligence

What does an emotionally intelligent brand look like?

Sally Tarbit looks at how companies can to recognise and prioritise the role emotional intelligence  plays in brand activation.

Business Leader: IWD and the journey so far

What does International Women’s Day mean to female entrepreneurs?

Sally Tarbit reflects on how far we have come and how much further there is to go.

Creative Boom: industry gender parity

Challenges in the design industry and how to overcome them.

Sally Tarbit shares her thoughts on the wider issues to be tackled surrounding gender equality.

ESOMAR: BeSci matters

Behavioural Science in Action: How brands can cut through the noise.

Our Applied Behavioural Scientist, Mark Hauser, shares his thoughts.

The Drum: Talking about money

Raising agency fees.

Cliff Ettridge shares his thoughts on how to avoid uncomfortable conversations at uncomfortable times.