Editor's Blog

I read a very interesting LinkedIn message from FaberExposize UK MD Iain Clasper-Cotte on Friday, outlining the pitfalls of driving an electric car. His frustration was palpable – and I’ve heard from others who are just as concerned that the infrastructure just isn’t yet ready to support a wholesale switch to electric vehicles, halting many a company’s greening-up journey. What are your thoughts?

It’s been confirmed that Clerkenwell Design Week returns to London on 23-25 May. This promises to be the most ambitious iteration to date - with more exhibition venues, showroom partners, installations and brand-new design destinations to get stuck into. You might want to pop over to EC1 and check it out, even if only to rub shoulders with those in the global interior design community. 

Is it worth forking out £345 (£245 for members) to attend POPAI’s Retail Marketing Conference in London on 8 February? If you have retail clients it probably is given the speaker line-up and the topics being covered, such as ‘Making POS pop! with AI’ presented by James Waterworth, head of trade marketing, AB-Inbev and Phil Barden, MD, Decode. The event website gives you the full run-down, but I thought I’d bring it to your attention.

As you read this Fespa UK will be hosting a group of the industry’s youth to help them learn new skills while having a bit of fun. Importantly, the sessions will also be something of fact-finding mission for Fespa UK, to suss out what the youngsters want to focus on in upcoming networking/training meetings, and to see if any of them are happy to sit on a new ‘Next Generation’ committee in the embryonic stages of formation. Perhaps you have enthusiastic young people who would be interested in getting involved. If so, I’m sure Fespa UK MD Suzie Ward would like to hear from them.

As you read this Fespa UK will be hosting a group of the industry’s youth to help them learn new skills while having a bit of fun. Importantly, the sessions will also be something of fact-finding mission for Fespa UK, to suss out what the youngsters want to focus on in upcoming networking/training meetings, and to see if any of them are happy to sit on a new ‘Next Generation’ committee in the embryonic stages of formation. Perhaps you have enthusiastic young people who woukd be interested in getting involved. If so, I’m sure Fespa UK MD Suzie Ward would like to hear from them.

I did the usual supermarket trawl at the weekend, only to have my culinary plans undermined by the lack of stock on shelves. Are supply issues biting more or less than they were last year when it comes to your business? Are there specific problem areas? I’d appreciate you sharing. Thank you.

News that CarbonQuota has been boosted by institutional investment has me thinking about how many large-format PSPs have made it a resolution to reduce their carbon footprint in 2023. Are you one of them - and if so, are you willing to talk in some depth about how you aim to achieve your goals? I’d love to hear from you if you are.

I’m starting to look at the trade shows coming up in 2023 and I am wondering which events you’re likely to attend this year - be they on home soil or abroad. Are ‘independently’ curated trade shows still very much your go to, and if so, which ones and why, or do you now eschew these for smaller invitee type events organised by the industry’s suppliers? I’d love to get your take before I start thinking about putting together show previews.

Apparently, it’s World Hypnotism Day today so repeat after me, 2023 will be a good year, 2023 will be a good year…. Let’s hope that works! Actually, this sector is rather optimistic I find, and when we held our Widthwise discussions at the end of last year the participating print chiefs were cautiously so for the year ahead. You can watch the full discussion at: https://www.imagereportsmag.co.uk/image-reports-videos.

Well folks, this is it - the last Image Reports newsletter of 2022. All I can say at this point is that I hope you all have a well deserved rest at the end of what has been a turbulent year. May 2023 bring us all peace and prosperity!

How is this cold snap going to impact your bottom line given there is no price cap on business energy? I know the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will give business owners some financial support with their energy bills, but are you having to make significant strategic decisions to keep costs within manageable parameters?

We have snow, and I’m thinking about those snow days we used to pray for as children so we didn’t have to go to school – though ‘Up North’ we were expected to get there anyway! But snow, freezing fog, train and bus strikes must make it pretty difficult for some to get to work this week. What’s your policy on that – not everyone can do their job from their kitchen after all.

This is what I’m forever on about - getting large scale printed graphics in a place where they turn heads. I’m referring to the interchangeable art frieze and banner graphics that MacroArt has installed at Soho’s ‘The Photographers’ Gallery’ in London. The project is breathtaking - and it puts the power of print front and centre. Let’s see more of it!

Pantone is going for the fearless vibe for its colour of the year 2023 with 18-1750 Viva Magenta. Apparently, it is a “pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes optimism and joy. Powerful and empowering, it is an animated red that encourages experimentation and self-expression without restraint. Audacious, witty, and inclusive of all, it welcomes anyone and everyone with the same rebellious spirit”. Wow! Pantone worked with creative partner Huge to “engage in a design experiment that explores the relationship between new technology and human creativity. Working with the AI generative tool Midjourney, the team created Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta by incorporating the messages and ideas embodied by the colour to curate an immersive world that examines the connections between nature and technology. The key visual - a bold and brave statement that amplifies the fearless yet natural elements of Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta, designed with the help of artificial intelligence - serves as an invitation into an optimistic and endless new ecosystem to be explored, called ‘the Magentaverse’.” Ok - just wondering if you think many of your clients will be calling upon you to enter it? Is the Pantone colour of the year ‘a thing’ in your experience?