Challenge

Spid the Spider is a character devised by author John Eaton. John asked us to help launch his children’s books and music to the world.

Approach

Initially we researched mums, dads, and teachers with children across a range of age groups.  Firstly, we asked them to chose, read and review the stories. Then via Zoom discussions, we understood their needs and reactions to the stories and illustrations. This enabled us to determine the optimum target market and what made the books different and better. Also to guide how to improve the stories, create a ‘brand’ proposition’  and tell a compelling brand story.

Subsequently, working closely with the author, John Eaton, and some fantastic copy editors, illustrators, animators, and PR experts, we worked up a series story arc, optimised the stories, created illustration briefs, artwork for the books, and commissioned printers.  Thus far resulting in sixteen books with a further four stories at various development stages and due to publish in 2026-2027. 

All books are promoted in phases; first via book trade cataloguing systems, media, the book trade itself, then to book reviewers, influencers and finally to consumers. We manage awareness and interest raising activity working with social media experts, media companies and independent and  multiple booksellers. This includes direct mail, telemarketing, advertising, and social media promotion via all main consumer and B2B channels, partner collaborations, primary schools and also via in-store display both in the UK and beyond. To do this we’re working with a multi-national team based in Ukraine, Canada, Australia, the USA and South Africa as well as the UK.

As all books include songs, with animated music videos of the songs accessible by scanning QR codes; these have also been packaged as singles and albums. 

We also produce fun children’s activities to further engage and help them learn to read, grow and succeed in life. These are available on Spid’s website. 

Via a growing multi-media company, work continues on projects spanning children’s, poetry, comedy-crime fiction, television and musical theatre. 

Results

Spid, a lowly spider, who loves to write songs and wants to better himself, though he is prone to hilarious mishaps mostly of his own making. His books are great fun for mums and dads to read with their children and are unusual in empowering them to read, grow and succeed in life.

Kris Plazier, Primary School Teacher and Blogger, The Children’s Bookshelf

The first sixteen children’s books are available globally via stores including Foyles, Waterstones, Blackwell, Amazon and BN.com. The seventeenth story Spid the Spider Helps SuperSpid publishes in March 2026. This adventure teaches the importance of staying safe online. Spid loves to watch the adventures of super-hero SuperSpid on TV. But when Bid has her money stolen through an Internet scam, he suddenly finds himself working with the real-life SuperSpid to catch the thief. Together, will they be able to track down the scammer and get Bid’s money back? 

Spid the Spider’s songs are also available individually and in three albums.  His debut album, We’re Having Fun includes the single, I’m Having Fun. His second album is called The Fun Goes On, and the third – Fun, Fun, Fun.  Hear Spid’s songs via music streaming services including Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music. And watch the music video of his debut single below.  Thus far Spid has amassed over 8k followers on YouTube. To help on our journey do get in touch.

Challenge

Having developed prototype ‘business process’ software, our client wanted to explore opportunities for the software, and then specify, and develop a marketing strategy to commercialise it.

Approach

3 stage research and software development approach:

First, we worked with our client to create research stimuli bringing-to-life the software idea, what it does, and how it worked. This comprised one page software summaries, a list of features and benefits as well as wireframes or screen-grabs.

Second, depth interviews (over two dozen) with a range of potential business customers and covering a range of industry sectors. The purpose of research was to understand businesses needs, issues and frustrations. Also reactions to the software idea and details. This enabled us to create an outline marketing strategy; target market ‘sweet-spot’ and software development specification to focus coding activity.

In a subsequent stage, we compiled further stimuli covering brand names, communications, more detailed software screen-grabs, and pricing. All was explored with a further sample of the priority target groups (again around two dozen). The aim was to assess what resonated most and what didn’t. This then allowed us to recommend an ‘optimal’ software development specification, brand proposition, communications and pricing.

Results

Our work gave management confidence to establish a new business and software brand. Called Process Bliss, it is a simple way to help teams work together and do great work. It works by embedding simple processes and workflows to undertake key tasks. Thus empowering those new to roles, and boosting business efficiency and effectiveness, while keeping everyone in the loop. Read more about how Process Bliss works and schedule a discovery call or start a free trial.

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How we helped a TV and film casting agency achieve record placements

Background

Guys and Dolls Casting provides supporting artistes (SAs) to the television and film business.

Challenge

To grow the customer base of Assistant Directors (ADs) in TV and film, and also provide even more supporting and featured artistes to TV and film productions.

Approach

• Review of company and market situation with the CEO, including financials, customers and productions served, and also strengths and weaknesses.
• Depth interviews with a range of Assistant Directors (mainly 2nds/3rds, some 1sts) in TV, film and commercials sectors. Our aim was to understand their needs, attitudes, behaviour. And also reactions to proposed new Guys and Dolls Casting services.
• Analysis of findings and production of recommendations to better meet AD’s needs.
• Also analysed online marketing performance. And then developed communication strategy and plans to refresh the website, increase awareness of services (such as new Extras Manager), and leads.

Guys and Dolls has built an envious reputation for supplying fabulous extras; high calibre supporting srtistes and crowd for feature films, television programmes and commercials.

Results

Marketing collateral, processes and resources put in place to grow the business. As a result, in 2019, the team smashed previous records for getting SAs and featured artistes on set. Lots more artistes are also being lined up for 2020 productions.

If you need professional supporting artistes or want to be one, get in touch with Guys and Dolls Casting.

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How we helped an amazing brand treble sales in four years

Background

The Pauline Quirke Academy for Performing Arts is a small business with big ambitions. Their success to date has been driven by their entrepreneurial team. With no professional in-house marketing competence PQA also relied on management judgement and design agencies to grow. Concerned about becoming stale they wanted to make sure they had effective plans to drive growth.

Marketing challenge

To double turnover and the number of academies from 50 to 100 in 3 years.

Approach

One of PQA’s promotion flyers

• Research-led; secondary research and analysis of media costs and impacts, customer leads and sign-ups by drive-time. This clarified the geo-demographic target market for new Academy openings. It also inspired more cost-effective media strategies and plans.
• Primary research among Academy principals, students and parents (both new, current and lapsed, also new, high and weaker performing academies). This helped understand product and promotion strengths and weaknesses, and also performance drivers/barriers.
• Created mini advertisements and leaflets to help understand student and parent needs and also define the most compelling brand messages.
• Recruited in-house marketing team to improve marketing capabilities, and also foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Results

Identified the most motivating ideas to position and promote the brand and deliver a distinctive brand experience. As a result, we launched a new performing arts marketing campaign and student numbers increased c. 20% after the Autumn opening season. Since the first marketing hire, the team has grown to 7 executives over four years. All are highly motivated, and also focused on delivering an amazing brand experience. In addition, overall student numbers, and sales have more than trebled.

Read more about The Pauline Quirke Academy online.

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Challenge

To create an engaging event for the local community, boost interest and trial of new sports, and local clubs. Also to raise the profile of Marlow Sports Club, and raise funds to pay back the land purchase cost

Approach

It all started with an idea from a tennis club member who is a qualified pyrotechnician. Thereafter, we set out to fill a gap in the local market. Also to create a distinctive experience to inspire kids and adults alike. Nearly 9 months of planning goes into staging the show. It is an organisational challenge led by members of Marlow Tennis Club, and also involving help from all other sporting sections.
Marketing promotion aims to reach over 90% of the community half a dozen times in the 2 weeks before the show.
The offer itself is also designed to involve local sports clubs, great music, as well as purveyors of fine local beers, wine and food.

Results

The Marlow Monster Fireworks Show is now in its 6th year. From a standing start, attendance has grown every year, and visitors now include over 10% of the local community.  As a result, it has raised over £30,000 to pay back Marlow Sports Club’s land purchase cost. Thus also helping to provide a lasting legacy for the local community.

The 2021 show is on Saturday 6th November; for advance tickets, visit the Marlow Monster Fireworks Show ticketing website. Thankyou for supporting the cause.

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How we revealed insights and event ideas to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease

Background

Parkinson’s is a charity focused on promoting awareness of, research into and help to alleviate Parkinson’s disease. In particular, they wanted help to understand needs and motivations to take part in events and generate and assess ideas for new events to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease.

Challenge

To research why participants take part in events, and also provide guidance to develop new events to promote Parkinson’s.

Charity Market Research Approach

• Brainstorming and team working to devise and bring-to-life potential new Parkinson’s event ideas
• Charity market research involved depth discussions with a wide range of event participants, from popular to more unusual events such as the Dryathlon, Secret Cinema and flash mobs.
• Research analysis to reveal findings and conclusions

Results

Revealed a clear picture of the type of event participants, their event needs and factors that drive participation. Also reactions to a range of events and what would most stand-out, appeal to event goers and match Parkinson’s objectives. Our work ultimately focused Parkinson’s UK communication and fundraising strategies and event development strategies.

Read more about and then support Parkinson’s great work.

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How we researched and helped develop a new energy service that has increased customers three-fold

Background and challenge

Ovo Energy is a small energy supplier who also wanted to create a new service to take on the might of the ‘Big Six’.

Approach

• Team working to create stimuli to express the new energy service.
• Customer depths and groups with existing and potential Ovo customers in all energy regions. This also included lapsed Ovo customers and customers of the ‘Big Six’.
• Research and product development involved recycling and refining ideas in just 4 weeks.

New Ovo Energy Proposition that’s helped increase customers three-fold

Results

Identified widespread unmet need for a new brand to challenge the ‘Big Six’, and also the ingredients for a new service. Since launching the new service, and energy marketing campaign, the number of Ovo customers increased three-fold. In addition, Ovo became uSwitch ‘Energy Supplier of the Year 2017’, winning 11 out of the 12 awards.

See Ovo Energy’s refreshing new energy services.

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How we helped improve public services and value for money

Background and challenge

With pressure on public finances, both national and local Government wish to contain costs and also maximise cost recovery.

Challenge

To understand family information and service needs and assess awareness. Also usage, drivers and barriers to use Buckinghamshire Family Information Service.

Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website

Approach

• Management team discussions to identify issues and opportunities to improve service appeal and generate income.
• Research included depths with parents of pre-schoolers, primary and secondary school age children. Also businesses targeting families in the county.
• Online quantitative research survey covering adults in local authority areas in and also around Buckinghamshire.
• Analysis of findings and production of marketing recommendations. These were finally delivered in a face-to-face management meeting.

Results

Our work bench-marked Buckinghamshire Family Information Service performance, information and service needs, usage and drivers and barriers. As a result this revealed many insights on geo-demographic penetration differences. It also spotlighted opportunities to improve online information provision, service value, develop new business services and help recover costs.

The Buckinghamshire Family Information Service provides lots of ideas on fun family activities in Buckinghamshire.

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How we’re helping build a pioneering reputation in investment research

Background and challenge

Berenberg Bank is a global investment bank. The telephony team wanted to uncover insights on demand and income potential. Also to understand drivers and barriers to bundling fixed line, mobile telephony, broadband and television services. This would input to an equity investment analysis and report for their clients.

Telephony market research approach

• Initial discussions to agree objectives and devise quantitative survey questionnaires.
• Survey translation, coding and testing.
• Conducted fieldwork in several countries; UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany
• Devised quantitative analysis specifications, and also cross-tabulations.
• Analysis, report copywriting and finally production.

Results

Contributed many insights on drivers and barriers to, and also the financial implications of bundling telephony and TV services. For example, across all the markets surveyed, customers’ desire for bundled services, increases as customers experience more bundled services. As a result we predict more mergers, acquisitions and strategic relationships among telephony and television providers.

Berenberg’s reports continue to help build a pioneering reputation in equity research and investment.

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How we researched and helped develop a new magazine

Background

Match of the Day is the BBC’s flagship football programme. A earlier attempt to expand the brand was unsuccessful and a new opportunity foreseen in the teenage publishing and online market.

Challenge

To understand the market for football news and gossip, and also identify gaps in the market for a new multi-media football offer.

BBC Match of the Day Magazine

Magazine Market Research Approach: Three stage process:

• Research planning session to decide issues and opportunities to explore and also create/compile new ‘offer’ stimuli.
• Group and depth insight programme. Methods included paired depths with pairs tasked as investigative journalists, and groups with respondents asked to complete football and football media diaries. In addition, paired father and son depth interviews and individual football enthusiast interviews. These respondents were also asked to buy and review magazines.
• Working session to debrief findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Results

Identified opportunities and created blue-print for new Match of the Day magazine and website targeted at tweens.
The magazine launched in 2008. In year 1, sales amassed c. £8.5m thus enabling it to vye for category leadership.

Read BBC Match of the Day magazine

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