Lucy Humphreys

We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership with the newly launched bespoke agency, Media MDs, to bring a game-changing opportunity to creative companies in our region. Introducing the North East Screen Business Growth Programme – a transformative initiative designed to help company leaders seize strategic expansion opportunities, bolstering the region’s creative economy. Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen, said: “When Media MDs first came to the market, we knew their offering could be of benefit to so many of the creative companies we work with in the region.” Production in the region is up 89% and our business development initiatives support North East companies to drive future growth. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZAIRRv #NorthEastScreen #CreativeIndustries #BusinessGrowth #MediaMDs #Partnership #Development #Business

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#ad | This month, In partnership with ITV Studios, we're shining a spotlight on the mastermind behind critically-acclaimed, award-winning dramas like Line of Duty, Vigil and the hit returning drama Showtrial. Join us as we talk to Simon Heath, CEO and Creative Director of World Productions, part of ITV Studios, to uncover the secrets of suspenseful storytelling. #itvstudiosspotlightseries

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Our latest Let’s Talk session, hosted by Which? executive producer Grace Forell, focused on age discrimination and stereotypes. Here are just a few of the highlights: ✅ ‘The only thing we can do wrong is to do nothing at all’ says Ashton Applewhite about challenging discrimination of any sort. She recommends responding to a biased comment with ‘What do you mean by that?’ which encourages reflection.  ✅ No one wants to be condescended to, at any age, Ashton points out. She recommends avoiding any assumptions on the basis of age, and keeping in mind that we grow more different from one another over time.  ✅ 'Watch out for ‘unthinking ageism’ in terms and phrases, we’re much more aware when it comes to racist or homophobic language but we’re not there yet with ageism' Joyce Wlliams ✅ ‘I believe less in call-out culture and more in ‘call-in culture’ and not engendering a mob mentality which escalates conflict. The word ‘should’ stops us from having flexible thinking.' Shaun Flores Many thanks to our fantastic panel featuring: Ashton Applewhite activist, public speaker, and author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. Shaun Flores TEDx Speaker, mental health advocate, and emerging author dedicated to fostering change. Joyce Williams retired physiotherapist, writer and TV presenter turned blogger. #EDI #Inclusion #Ageism #Discrimination

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Some great advice from Theo Paphitis today at The London Stationery Show “Don’t lose your reason to exist.” My greeting cards & stationery brand, KitsCH Noir exists to: 1. Represent black and brown people via greeting cards and stationery products in a playful, light hearted, quirky & often humourous, yet extremely tasteful manner. 2. To help you create an aesthetically pleasing & organised lifestyle, resulting in you reaching your goals. 3. Put a smile on your face & brighten up the dullest of workspaces. What is your brand’s reason to exist? #NatStatWeek

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It's Halloween AND our performance review deadline at IPG Mediabrands UK today - eee scary!👻 Jokes aside, at IPG Mediabrands, we have a clear, annual performance review and goal-setting cycle. And I think it's great because... 🎃 It's important to feel confident and comfortable discussing our achievements. (see post from 2023 following our Brag Better event!) 🎃 This is an opportunity to reflect on the last year and consider areas for development and progression in the upcoming year. 🎃 Receiving constructive feedback is crucial for our career development and progress. 🎃 Reflection allows us to evaluate the aspects of our roles that we enjoy and those that may need improvement. 🎃 Reviews provide an excellent platform for open career discussions with managers. Anyone else agree that reviews are beneficial and not as daunting as they seem?

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Always good to focus on the future whilst also focusing on 'the now'. Elijah is a great example of us looking ahead. Regarding the now - Our efforts by the likes of Hailey Cuttler who are providing I.R.L, on stage opportunities is just another added value we can provide. It's something we can provide now. The future: Commercial Sponsorship Opportunities for our digital creators and comedians.

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Recently we had the pleasure and the privilege of sitting down with Steve Tannett, Director of Music Platforms at Marshall Group to discuss what it takes to turn an artist like Nova Twins into a Brit Award Nominee. Steve shares his experiences and the transition from being the artist to being behind the record label, discovering artists and discover how the Marshall brand evolved from Amps to Albums. Listen to episode 167 on all leading podcast platforms using the link in the comments. #musicbusiness #businessadvice #businessgrowth

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Applications for the Skills Bootcamps in Virtual Production are still open, but places are limited! Learn more about the initiative, the growing role of virtual production in TV & Film and future proofing your career in the sector, in this one-stop blog ✍🏽💡

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Proud moment yesterday speaking for BBC Introducing on how artists can have an impact from the perspective of being a booker / programmer and marketing at LAB11 Birmingham to artist management at LGRP. Not bad going for someone who was at 3 raves on Saturday until 6am Sunday morning haha. 😉 I believe the panel was recorded but a few of the points below: • Hard work + talent + patience & consistency over time should help you succeed. • Marketing is just as if not more important nowadays. Especially likes of TikTok where the organic reach is way better. • Network is your net worth. • Cost of living crisis is making the music industry less accessible for talented working class artists but it's not impossible to make it. • Stay humble, never forget your roots, build a fan base organically & engage with your community online and in person. • Don't buy followers because sooner or later you'll get found out. • Having a good team around can help for longevity - from agents to managers. • Being surrounded by yes men who inflate your ego will not help. You need to know your self worth but don't get deluded about what you’re worth financially when it comes to fees if you can't back hard tickets away from brands and venues who are booking you. #bbc #bbcintroducing #musicindustry #electronicmusic #birmingham

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Change is in the air......

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What can you do 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, to nurture new talent and support a new starter in our industry? Lisa Lavender has always loved welcoming new people into our industry, and now as MD of British Arrows is responsible for The Young Arrows which celebrates the next generation of great storytellers and creatives. To hear about the work of British Arrows, including The Young Arrows Awards, listen to the full episode for free: https://lnkd.in/ei3N6wHP #talent #awards #advertising #career #nurture #celebrate #future

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Sticky Label or Sweet Success?   In February, our founder and MD, Brigid McMullen, hit the airwaves via live BBC Radio London interview with DJ Shay Kaur Grewal. She was invited to discuss a bold decision by Tate & Lyle to redesign (termed a ‘rebrand’) its iconic golden syrup packaging - a whopping 150 years on. The move had hit mainstream news channels that day. Why? Because 'the world’s oldest unchanged brand packaging' which had remained almost identical since 1888 had been refreshed in order to appeal to modern consumers. The familiar household brand was suddenly less so!   Brigid explained the power of branding in terms of how it can reshape a brand’s psychology, and thus its appeal to consumers. She concluded that a brand's decision either to amplify or tone down its heritage depends on the wider brand strategy, but, regardless of that strategy, branding & packaging can absolutely influence a decision to buy.   As the headlines showed, some were shocked by Tate & Lyle’s choice to ‘rebrand’, but Brigid wasn’t surprised because the roots of the original design were Biblical – “Out of the strong came forth sweetness” - and given today’s predominantly secular society, the reference could indicate an out-of-touch brand. She advocated that at The Workroom, consumer research would have been recommended, to confirm 'time for change'.    As the media flurry proved, when it comes to repackaging a heritage brand - tread mightily carefully and don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! Tate & Lyle was wise to retain essential brand elements, such as the iconic, heritage labelling on the recyclable tin (way ahead of its time). Based on 40 years of experience, Brigid noted that the power of nostalgia helps people to form lifelong bonds with certain brands - whether it's Quaker Oats in the pantry, or Heinz baked beans – so IF the brand still delivers, change it at your peril!    #BrandPower #Rebranding #HeritageBrands #ConsumerPsychology #TateAndLyle #GoldenSyrup

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Not been a good couple of weeks for Kraft Heinz / Hogarth : https://lnkd.in/e3zt9AKM I'm currently available to help at any level, in the short term freelance but ultimately looking permanent. Yep, any level, decision making or coffee making. What I do: #PrintDesign #UIDesign #CreativeArtwork #BangingCoffeeMaker What I use: #InDesign #Photoshop #Illustrator #Figma #Sketch #HotWater Where: #Remote #Onsite #TheKitchen

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Bristol Nights has won Best Night Time Economy Initiative at the Music Cities Awards for its Women's Safety Charter campaign, which promotes a zero-tolerance approach to harassment in music and night time venues. Launched in March 2022, the Women's Safety Charter is a seven-point code of commitments aimed at helping venues and night time businesses address harassment and discrimination. Signing up to the Charter demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to a zero tolerance approach to all types of harassment, including sexual harassment and gender-based violence. The Music Cities Awards is a global competition designed to acknowledge and reward the most outstanding applications of music for economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in cities and places all around the world. Find out more: https://orlo.uk/9qqUI

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Our early bird deadline is TOMORROW so do make the most of it! And remember, you can make changes to your entry up until the entry deadline. So even if you haven’t quite finished answering the entry questions, you can still submit to get the early bird discount and then continue working on your entry! Enter now:

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Day 2️⃣ of Music Ally’s 12 Days of Campaigns! Today, Marlen Huellbrock explains how indie label Artist Theory ran a cost-effective Instagram fan engagement campaign for their artist Emily Jeffri. To find more inspirational campaigns like this - head over to our Campaigns Database on Music Ally Pro, where you can research campaigns based on any keyword you like - such as artist names, labels, country, genre and more: https://lnkd.in/ep_B2hWE #musicmarketing #musicindustry #musicmarketingtips 

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Pass us the tissues... THE ad of the year is here! 🎄🎅 The 2024 John Lewis Christmas ad, #TheGiftingHour, has dropped, and it’s already setting the festive mood across the UK! We’ve gathered reactions from Brits to see how it’s hitting home 👇 ❤️ Heartwarming & relatable 62% found the ad memorable, loving the ad’s no-frills portrayal of family life—the ups, downs, and everything in between. 47% said it met or even topped their expectations, with 23% saying it went above and beyond. There are no glossy fairytales here—just real, cosy moments that made 46% say John Lewis felt more relatable than ever. 🎶 Soundtrack that sets the mood Richard Ashcroft’s “Sonnet” was a curveball, giving the ad a tender, reflective vibe. It's not your typical Christmas jingle, but it hit home for many, adding a twist that’s got people talking (...and humming along!). ✨ Nostalgia galore 1 in 4 felt the ad was a beautiful throwback to family-centred values, with comments like “hit home with my daughters” showing how the story resonates with cherished traditions. However, 20% found the storyline a bit complex, with some feedback saying it didn’t have the clarity of past ads. Still, it’s sparking conversation across the board! 🛍️ John Lewis store cameo This detail was a hit with 36%, who felt it grounded the ad and brought the story closer to home, though 1 in 5 felt it leaned into product placement territory. It’s a classic “love-it-or-loathe-it” moment! 👀 The annual tradition of comparison And what’s a John Lewis ad without sparking some yearly debate? About 10% said it didn’t quite reach the highs of past classics, but that’s all part of the tradition—each new ad brings a fresh take on Christmas, and the yearly “Which ad was best?” chat is now a beloved part of the season. Big well done to the teams at John Lewis & Partners , Saatchi & Saatchi and MG OMD for a thoughtful and down-to-earth ad. This one is one of the best in a while! 👏👏👏 #GiveKnowingly #JohnLewisChristmasAd #JohnLewisChristmas

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And some 875 music festivals each year in the UK ranging from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds to small community-led festivals. Seems like a huge opportunity for making a positive impact to the environment, and our happy vibes There are over 800 music festivals in the US and 32 million people attend at least one yearly. Many concerts and music festivals have now pledged to become sustainable. As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, the call for sustainable practices in the entertainment industry has grown louder. Sustainable event management can aid in a path towards a brighter future for both humanity and our planet. The Event Sustainability Management System (ISO 20121:2024) is the standard for sustainability in the events management industry and can improve the sustainability of your events. https://gag.gl/VlpyVU #ISO20121 #EventSustainability #BSIUSA #SustainableConcerts #SustainableFestivals

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