2022 began with real confidence. We'd bounced back well from lockdown and were looking forward to the year ahead with continued confidence.
The year began with a new member of the team. Rich joined us as a senior creative. Turns out he’s a really great creative, really quick and a really nice bloke too. What could be a better start to the year ahead?
As the year unfolded, and we found ourselves, in a challenging business climate, we decided to be positive and proactive. Adopting a strategy of ‘attack being the best form of defence.’
The resulting new business drive has had some notable success.
Early in the year we pitched for and were successful in winning a re-brand project for Saks hair and beauty apprenticeships.
The new brand ‘Kleek Apprenticeships’ has recently been launched. Part of the project was a glamorous photoshoot in London with top models and stylists.
In line with our plan for continued growth, we redeveloped our website, integral to the refresh was a full day of photography in and around our office at St Peter’s Wharf. A fun day for the team and a lot of great shots.
The biggest change for our team this year has been the addition of a Social Media Manager.
We had a very precise idea of the kind of skills that the person would require; the ability to think strategically as well as creatively.
We were lucky enough to find the perfect fit. Nicola is producing really amazing results for clients existing and new. So much so, that we were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach to the national shoe retailer ‘Schuh’. We now work with their in-house team to produce Social Media campaigns.
After our client Parkdean Resorts spotted that there was no Emoji for caravans, we helped them run a campaign on Social Media to lobby the public’s support to have an official Caravan Emoji introduced.
Other notable client acquisitions were the Cumbrian business ‘More Handles’ and the community car share brand ‘Co Wheels.’ Most recently we began working with a new brand in the property management sector, ‘Clementine.’ Everything from vans to uniforms from websites to online marketing is in the pipeline.
We’re also delighted to be working with DeKuyper, the Dutch Royal Distillers to create the brand and packaging for an all-new range of four vegan Liqueurs for worldwide distribution.
Some long-standing clients met some long-term objectives in 2022.
Durham Distillers launched their full range of re-branded spirits, heralding the introduction of their new brand identity. They are also within weeks of opening their stunning new distillery in the heart of Durham City. With that comes the laying down of their inaugural Single Malt Whisky.
A brand we created and launched a few years ago, Kendal Mint Co, came to us to add to their already extensive range with new product lines and packaging designs.
Finally, after five years of working closely with GBB on design, branding, strategy, copy and artwork, they were successfully awarded their full banking licence to become the UK’s newest bank; The Great British Bank. Members of the HMc team attended the launch event at the bank’s HQ in Middlesbrough in September. It has been a very exciting journey so far.
What am I most proud of this year?
Well, working with a new bank, and taking them to launch has to be up there.
Ruth leading the team to secure the Schuh business with zero input from me made me feel really proud as it bodes well for the future.
But, what makes me proudest of all is the sheer resilience, dedication and talent of the team to get stuck in when times are difficult. As the song goes; ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going.’
