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One Black Bear named Birmingham’s leading independent agency

One Black Bear named Birmingham’s leading independent agency The Drum have announced their findings of a study into the UK’s top independent agencies announcing the top 100. Tim Molony, Head of The Drum Recommends said “Of the 25,000 marketing companies to choose from in the UK, these are the 100 you really should consider.” We’re …

One Black Bear named Birmingham’s leading independent agency +

Couldn’t get my Ed round it

The power of love or loathe advertising September 2017 saw TMW Unlimited launch Kinder Bueno’s Adulting campaign, using social language to tap in to a grown up audience. Designed to resonate with Bueno’s majority audience who would “prefer to permanently remain 29 if they could”, vloggers and influencers are shown rewarding themselves for ‘adulting success’. …

Couldn’t get my Ed round it +

It’s time I faced up to things

I am working in my third agency. At my first agency, my manager always asked me to deliver information “In a nutshell please Beth!” when time was of the essence, and my detailed narrations were perceived to be a little much. In my second agency, it appeared I had mastered the art of verbal summary but to the detriment of my expressions.

It’s time I faced up to things +

Carrot Wars

We all get carried away at Christmas, it’s part of the fun. Whether that’s eating your body weight in Quality Streets, buying enough presents to sit under and occupy a forest of Christmas Trees or drinking your sixth mulled wine on a Tuesday night and going to work the next day because… well f*ck it, it’s Christmas. However, getting carried away with the season isn’t just limited to Wednesday morning hangovers, it can also spill out into the work we do.

Carrot Wars +

Be Fierce

2018 has been a rollercoaster of a year. At the end of March we were closing our best year ever financially but with the knowledge that by July we would have a big hole in the numbers for the coming year.

Be Fierce +

Now that’s what I call music!

It was a year of mood rings, Bang On The Door pencil cases, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and the film that changed all our lives, Titanic. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, 1997 was topped off when the best female group in the entire history of my 11-year life released ‘Never Ever’.

Now that’s what I call music! +

Curtain lifts on The Alex’s new identity

As part of The Alexandra's £650,000 revamp, Birmingham's flagship theatre has unveiled a new brand identity, developed by Digbeth based One Black Bear.

Curtain lifts on The Alex’s new identity +

Is lying OK?

Most normal people – sociopaths and psychopaths excluded – have a moral compass and know what is acceptable and what is not.

Is lying OK? +

Do not read this blog

There’s something strangely satisfying about doing something you have been told you shouldn’t do.

Do not read this blog +

All aboard the cyborgs.

Tech in travel Swedes can now have their train pass implanted. So hands up who wants to be a Transhumanist. In Sweden you can now have your train pass implanted into that small bridge of skin linking your thumb and forefinger.  Implant Party About the size of a grain of rice, commuters need only waft …

All aboard the cyborgs. +

Do we need a new recipe for diversity?

Diversity and Inclusion in advertising It’s nearly Bake Off time. Yesssss. Surprisingly, what got my attention more than the concept of cakes was actually the way I found out Bake Off was back. Unlike 2017’s ad that showcased a singing selection of pristine pastries. This year’s campaign has embraced those, shall we say, more unconventional …

Do we need a new recipe for diversity? +

And how would you like your creative Madame?

Creative led agencies Whether you like your creative served raw or done well, we can all agree it needs to be produced with love and expertise. If you’re going to really enjoy and savour it, make it with love and knowledge. Running an agency without a creative at the helm (and by that I mean …

And how would you like your creative Madame? +