Creative agency Voice Brand Design creates a new home

Leicestershire-based creative agency Voice Brand Design has moved into new offices after recording its most successful year.


Business revenue increased 60% in 2009 over the previous year, which has spurred the agency to expand into new premises at The Holt, Narborough Wood Business Park, Desford Road, Enderby.

The company, run by creative director Tim Harrison and client services director Samantha McKenna, produces creative and marketing material, both online and in print.

Clients range from national property developers, European holiday companies, and a global software developer, to a boutique jeweller and an exclusive private jet club.

The agency hopes the move will represent the start of a new chapter in the firm’s life, and will lead to the creation of job opportunities in the future.

“We are very excited and proud that Voice Brand Design has moved into new, larger premises,” said creative director Tim Harrison. “We hope this will lead to an expansion of the team and create employment opportunities in the East Midlands region.

“Our twin aims are to demonstrate to larger brands the benefits of using a smaller, boutique agency, such as ourselves, and to show small and medium-sized enterprises in the East Midlands and beyond that they can have access to ‘large agency’ design standards.

“We are looking forward to settling into The Holt and our future growth.”

Voice Brand Design, which features a team of five creative experts, was previously based in Aylestone. The firm has expertise in brand creation and evolution for a whole range of marketing and presentation tools, in graphic design, in web design and in interactive content.

The company also collaborates with larger agencies using specialist skills in image manipulation and image management.

For more information visit www.voicebranddesign.com

Anila's Handmade Lemon Pickle gets a glowing review in Cook Vegetarian magazine

Here at Perfect 10 PR, we were delighted to see that the reviewers at Cook Vegetarian magazine share our opinion about how tasty Anila's products are.

In the March 2010 edition of the magazine, Anila's Handmade Lemon Pickle is one of three pickles chosen for review in the Tried & Tasted feature on condiments.

'A real surprise for the palate,' 'it packs a real punch' and 'invigorating and unusual' were just some of the terms used to describe the delicious pickle.

Don't just take their word for it though, visit http://www.anilassauces.com/ and try for yourself!

The Handmade Lemon Pickle is one of 16 varieties of mouth-watering ‘handmade’ chutneys, pickles and dips, which are made with single fruits and vegetables, and eight curry sauces produced by Anila's.

Enjoy!

Lincolnshire drinks firm says 'cheers' to Food and Drink iNet Innovation Support Grant for help with Percy's range

Drinks entrepreneur Claire Hall is ready to speed up production of her alcoholic iced tea range after receiving an Innovation Support Grant (ISG) from the Food and Drink iNet.

Claire has been hand producing her two flavours since launching Drink It Limited six years ago. But the £4,600 ISG has helped her to research the best equipment to automate the process, and now she is hoping to move the business forward.

“Manually I can produce 300 bottles a day, but it’s a struggle and not consistent,” explained Claire. “The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Support Grant has helped me to find out what equipment I need to automate the process. Now I need to invest in the equipment.”

Claire, who is based at Kirton Holme, near Boston, worked with experts at Nottingham Trent University on trials and tests to pinpoint the most suitable brewing vessels for her alcoholic iced tea, which is a blend of fruit juice, iced tea and vodka.

The equipment chosen will allow her to produce 2,000 bottles a day.

“The process will be less manual, the product will be more consistent and I will be complying with all the regulations,” added Claire. “The ISG has enabled me to go to the next stage in my business. Now I am looking to secure investment.”

Claire produces the Percy’s range of alcoholic iced tea. She currently has two flavours – mango and lemon and lime – but she hopes to expand the range in the future and use seasonal and local fruits to create new flavours.

The Innovation Support Grant also allowed her to work with University of Nottingham spin-out company Flavometrix.

The Food and Drink iNet Lincolnshire business adviser Rachel Linstead said: “Innovation Support Grants are designed to encourage innovation in businesses, and Claire’s plans for Drink It Limited are the perfect example of how innovation, in this case by automation, can help a business to develop.”

The Food and Drink iNet is aiming to foster innovation in the region’s food and drink sector by encouraging businesses to turn new ideas into new business through the development of new technologies and products. It’s also hoping to stimulate new processes, services and ways of working in the industry to help boost the sector.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham.

Around £250,000 in Innovation Support Grants has been allocated to around 50 food and drink firms across the East Midlands by the Food and Drink iNet since the iNet was launched in 2008. The iNet hopes to have more funding allocated as part of a new contract in 2010, said Peter Maycock, Food and Drink iNet project director.

Firms wanting more information should contact the Food and Drink iNet on 0845 521 2066 or visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

For information about support for innovation that is available in the East Midlands, visit www.eminnovation.org.uk

Maggie's Appeal raises a glass to The Orange Tree pub customers in Nottingham

Maggie’s Appeal has said ‘cheers’ to regulars at The Orange Tree pub in Nottingham who have raised more than £200 by joining the pub’s loyalty card scheme.

The Orange Tree in Shakespeare Street introduced a Clubcard for cocktail-loving customers last year, with 50p from the £1 cards being donated to Maggie’s.

The Clubcard entitles holders to special prices on cocktails and a range of other benefits, including food and events, as well as access to discounts and offers from local shops.

Now Orange Tree manager Mel Newbold has presented £220 to Maggie’s to help towards the final push as the Nottingham Evening Post’s appeal heads towards its £500,000 target.

“We’re delighted that the Orange Tree customers have so far raised more than £200 for Maggie’s Appeal by joining our Clubcard scheme. It’s an extremely good cause which will help many families in the future,” said Orange Tree managing director Ben Hings. “We’ll be continuing to support Maggie’s Appeal through our loyalty scheme, and wish the charity every success as it gets closer to its goal.”

Maggie’s Appeal is aiming to build a cancer caring centre on a site at Nottingham City Hospital.

http://www.orangetree.co.uk/
 

Coffee specialist Cherizena stages a 24-hour Spring clearout from 11am on February 3rd 2010

Coffee specialist and Perfect 10 PR client Cherizena is having a Spring clearout.

From 11am today (February 3rd) and for 24 hours only, Cherizena is offering selected coffees at half price.

Stocks are limited. Once it's gone, it's gone!

Visit http://www.cherizena.co.uk/ from 11am today and grab a bargain!