Clock Creative - Official News

In these uncertain times, many companies are feeling the pinch and starting to make cutbacks. Often, one of the first areas to have its budgets slashed is PR and marketing – indeed; some companies choose to stop communications activity all together.

Successful companies know that they can really benefit from making their marketing spend work harder, even in the present economic climate. Ultimately, Customers are still spending money and companies must do all they can to ensure that it is spent with them.

When budgets are low and expectations are high, PR can be a really effective method of delivering real results. Whether a client requires an increase in sales, generate customer enquiries or simply build their brands profile, PR can make budgets stretch a long way.

Unlike advertising, which will give one hit in a publication, a good PR story can be used in several different media outlets, generating an impressive amount of column inches, at a fraction of the cost.

It’s also a useful way to promote a positive company image, directly to the target audience. This helps to build the public perception of a brand and in turn, build customer confidence.

And the reason that PR can deliver all of this while not breaking the bank? PR is all about ideas. Often, a clever idea is all that is needed to capture a journalist’s imagination.

Clock PR have used this philosophy to deliver highly effective PR projects for many clients with very different budgets. We’ve come up with great ideas to give real stand out and point of difference – and then delivered real results.

What’s more, we won’t even tie you into a retainer – you can dip in and out of PR as required, which is a great way to show you what we can do for you.

The following projects all had budgets ranging from £500 to £3000 – simple, creative, effective and with real results.

Pet marketing specialists Clock Creative held a timely seminar at the UK’s biggest pet expo, to advise the pet industry on maximising their marketing activity in tough financial times.

“Effective Marketing in an Economic Downturn” was held at GLEE Petindex at the NEC in September. Clock’s Managing Director, Mark Taylor, spoke on a range of topics which explored how marketing activity can improve business performance, customer loyalty and attract new customers – specifically aimed at the pet industry.

Manchester-based Clock Creative has been offering design, PR, new media and strategy expertise to pet clients across the UK and Europe for the past five years.

Brands worked on include Staywell Petdoors, Petsafe, Sport Dog, ECMA, T.COG, PetBrokers, Quicko and ByoFresh as well as British equestrian and Olympia Showjumping champion John Whitaker.

Clock used Glee as an opportunity to show the pet trade how they can really benefit from making their marketing spend work harder, even in the present economic climate.

 In these uncertain times, many companies are already feeling the pinch and starting to make cutbacks. Often, one of the first areas to have its budgets slashed is marketing. Indeed, some companies choose to stop promotional activity all together.

Clock’s 50 minute presentation highlighted how there is much that can be done to prepare and prosper during an economic downturn – particularly for companies in the pet industry.

 The UK is renowned as a nation of pet lovers with many owners treating their animals as a member of the family - so people will still spend money on their beloved four-legged friends. Buying criteria may change and customers may need to be more price sensitive, more open to offers and promotions and will need to feel that they are getting real value for money. However, they are there and willing to spend - and so it’s essential that companies maximise each opportunity to make a sale.

 Effective marketing and communications activity that delivers a real return on investment is crucial to achieve this. By using the following tips, the pet industry can continue to thrive – whatever their budget.

PLAN, PLAN AND PLAN – It’s crucial that any business which wants to stay afloat during difficult times has a robust marketing plan.

LOVE YOUR CUSTOMERS – Your existing customers are your biggest ally , especially end users (consumers) and so it is crucial to develop and nurture your relationships with them.

 CONVERT NEW CUSTOMERS
Converting new customers is a time consuming and challenging task – but its one that is essential in the current climate.

KNOW YOU BRAND
This may seem obvious. But it’s surprising how few companies within the pet industry carry out a basic self assessment exercise.

 PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY
There is a huge array of promotional activity that a brand can carry out in order to boost its sales. The pet market is particularly responsive to such activity and this can be done within the confines of a tight marketing budget.

INCREASE BRAND AWARENESS
Keeping your brand in the public eye is a great way to attract new and retain existing customers. Your reputation is your most valuable asset  and .its important to continually tell new and existing customers just why they should spend their hard earned cash with you.

Mark Taylor, Clock’s Managing Director said:

“We were thrilled to be asked to hold our seminar at Glee, the UK’s biggest pet trade show. With our experience in the pet sector, we are well place to advice the industry on how to make the most of their marketing spend in these tough economic times.

“The ‘credit crunch’ is an unavoidable news headline and with it will come changes in consumer behaviour. Marketing does not necessarily require a huge budget and there are plenty of ways that companies can adapt to the change in landscape. This is what we aimed to get across to the pet industry at Glee”.

Ends.

Clock PR, the public relations division of Clock Creative Communications, has recently been appointed to handle the trade and consumer PR for an award winning pet brand.

ByoFresh, is a range of pet hygiene products designed to combat the age old problem of smelly dogs. Unlike other similar products, ByoFresh contains Byotrol, an active ingredient which is clinically proven to destroy the micro organisms that cause nasty niffs – rather than simply masking them.

The range comes in various forms including shampoos, sprays and for ultra-convenience, wipes. The PR campaign kicked off with a pink party product launch held in Cheshire. The guests of honour were Fraser and Nikita, two standard poodles – who were dyed pink to take part in the celebrations.

The pink poodles were chosen to front the product launch to demonstrate the clean and fresh smelling effects of ByoFresh and proved a great success with everyone who met.

The event was captured by a film crew for a documentary to be broadcast in the Autumn on Channel 5. “Lights, Camera, Animals” is a series about how animals are used in the media, in this case how the poodles were dyed pink in order to generate interest and promote the ByoFresh ranges.

For more information on the ByoFresh range please visit www.byofresh.com.

Clock Creative, have announced that they will be holding a seminar at the UK’s largest pet trade exhibition, GLEE, to advise the pet industry on maximising their marketing activity in tough financial times.

“Effective Marketing in an Economic Downturn” will be held on Sunday 21^st September at 10.00am, at GLEE Petindex at the N.E.C. Clock will be speaking on a range of topics which look at how marketing activity can improve business performance, customer loyalty and attract new customers – specifically aimed at the pet industry.

Manchester-based Clock Creative has been offering design, PR, new media and strategy expertise to pet clients across the UK and Europe for the past five years.

Brands worked on include Staywell Petdoors, Petsafe, Sport Dog, ECMA and T.COG as well as British equestrian and Olympia Showjumping champion John Whittaker.

Recent additions to the client portfolio include Carr Day Martin, ByoFresh and Pet Brokers.

Clock have undertaken a range of projects for these client including branding, public relations, packaging and POS, product launches, brand strategy and management of international shows.

In 2007, Clock appointed Scott Grieve to head up its Pet Marketing division, bringing 5 years experience in the pet industry gained in the wholesale sector.

Clock work on the principle that for a creative agency to add value to a brand, it’s essential that it has an in-depth knowledge of the industry it operates in. With his inside knowledge of the pet trade, Scott is able to work with Clock’s intergrated teams to devise and deliver effective campaigns of pet clients.

Mark Taylor, Clock’s Managing Director said:

“The ‘credit crunch’ is an unavoidable news headline and with it will come changes in consumer behaviour. However, confident, focussed businesses will see an opportunity to grow market share and marketing investment will support this objective.

“Marketing, however, does not necessarily require a huge budget and there are plenty of ways that companies can adapt to the change in landscape. This is what we will be aiming to get across to the pet industry at Glee”.

Clock Creative are delighted to have achieved an acclaimed industry standard  after being rated one of the top creative consultancies in the country - by our clients.

The achievement comes after extensive independent research was carried out , aimed to help marketing managers in selecting the best marketing agencies to work with.

The Recommended Agency Register (RAR) is a unique consultancy specialising in agency search and selection, matching the needs of businesses with their ideal marketing partners.

 It is based on comprehensive independent research into UK agencies (carried out by MRUK research). The full RAR lists over 200 of the UK’s top marketing agencies across advertising, design, direct marketing, digital, media buying and sales promotion.

 The research for the RAR was conducted in early 2008 and consisted of three aspects - extensive client research undertaken by research company mruk research, a formal information feed from creative industry publisher Carnyx Group and independent qualitative research with selected clients and agencies. Agencies achieving strong results from the research are included in the RAR

A selection of our clients were asked to rate Clock’s performance across five criteria: account handling, creativity, value for money, strategic thinking and overall professionalism.

Clock’s MD, Mark Taylor said:

 “We’re thrilled to have achieved recommended agency status. The standard is well recognised within the industry and beyond.

 “We have always strived to offer excellent levels of customer service and make a real difference to our clients businesses. The fact that this research is based on what our clients have said about us is testament to this.”

Ends.

Clock Creative has become a corporate member of the Pet Care Trust, in order to demonstrate its continued support to the pet industry.

The Pet Care Trust is a national charity that promotes the benefits of responsible pet ownership and pet care education and training. The Trust has around 1,550 members, overwhelmingly small and medium enterprises including pet shops, groomers, kennels, catteries, manufacturers, wholesalers and colleges.

Bury-based Clock Creative has been offering design, PR, new media and strategy expertise to pet clients across the UK and Europe for the past five years. Brands worked on include Staywell Petdoors, Petsafe and Sport Dog as well as British equestrian and Olympia Showjumping champion John Whittaker.

Clock took the decision to join the Trust after strengthening its offering to the pet industry with the appointment of a full time Account Manager to head up its Pet Division. Scott Grieve, 30, joined with 5 years experience in the pet industry gained in the wholesale sector, and will use his knowledge and insight to advise clients on their marketing and communications requirements.

Bury based Clock Creative Communications have been selected to carry out a year long creative campaign for leading theatre and gallery venue, The Lowry.

The project, which will be carried out for the corporate relations department, consists of four creative direct mailings and a full promotional brochure. Clock will handle the entire campaign including creative, art direction, copywriting and managing the photography for the brochure.

The successful business win is largely due to Clock’s previous work for The Lowry towards the end of 2007. This included a Christmas “create your own gingerbread man kit” gift mailer for the corporate team, along with a DM piece.

Clock PR have also worked alongside The Lowry press office, devising a creative PR campaign to promote the venues Christmas Pantomime, Dick Whittington.

Tony Smith, Head of Operations at The Lowry, said:
“Clock did a super job on the first project that we gave them and so they were the obvious choice when it came to this campaign.

“We’ve built up a fantastic relationship with the team and it’s great that we can work directly with our lead designer rather than through an account handler.

“Clock also has a very results driven approach and work to ensure that each piece of design delivers a measurable return on investment.”

Clock is a full service creative communications consultancy offering design, PR, new media and creative strategy.
Based in Ramsbottom, Bury the agency has just celebrated its ninth birthday. It offers a fully integrated service to a range of clients across the North West, including Aimia Foods, Bury Council and PetSafe Ltd.

Today, Clock Creative is nine years old! We’ve been on an amazing journey over the years – we’ve recruited loads of great people, worked on some fantastic accounts, launched our digital and PR arms and won loads of awards!

We’d like to raise a glass to everyone who has been part of Clock’s success – our people - old and new, our suppliers, our partners, our journalist friends – and of course, all of our clients.

Here’s to the next 9 years - and beyond!

Three nurses from Bury Hospice have received a well earned treat – thanks to a balloon race held by Ramsbottom’s Clock Creative Communications.

In July, the team from Clock released 312 yellow balloons in Nuttall Park, each one representing a member of staff or volunteer from Bury Hospice.

Unlike a traditional balloon race where the people who find the balloons win a prize, Clock decided to donate gifts to the people who work for the hospice instead.

The winners were three nurses whose designated balloons had travelled the furthest - Rhona Kallee, Cath Shivnan and Ruby Boyd - who will be treated to a deluxe spa day at the Village Hotel, Bury as a special thank you for their tireless work at the hospice.

Amongst other things, Ramsbottom is the home of the World Famous Black Pudding Throwing Competition. This annual event takes place this weekend, and the team from Clock will be competing to win the title. (more…)