It Has To Be Brilliant calls itself
a ‘pioneering cross-media
production agency’ that does
everything from web design,
digital campaigns, bespoke
photography, illustration and
graphic design through to print
and installation of ‘creative
environments and exhibitions’ as
well as packaging, direct mail,
promotional goods.., oh, and
now it sells cakes…and houses
and… other stuff. Sounds like
diversification gone mad? I put
that exact question directly to
founder and MD Simon Tabelin.
By Lesley Simpson
Business
Interior Motives
Wallpaper print specialist john mark is doing rather well by providing an innovative service. So could any printer with large-format digital capability follow suit?
Buy and sell them
To most business owners, selling a business is uncharted territory, and there are many pitfalls along the way. But, with his vast experience in selling - and buying - print businesses for clients, Paul Holohan leads you through this quagmire.
IR Talks to.... Mark Jerrard, commercial director, Simpson Group
News of an MBO at North-East-based Simpsons Group came in February. The move saw well-known chairman Mark Simpson and his shareholding brother and sister exit the business formed in 1972 by Bill Simpson. Bill McNally (MD) and John Quinn (finance director) have stayed on to “lead the new management team through a period of transition” but in August the new management team takes over. So how will an MBO affect what was a family business? I asked new commercial director Mark Jerrard.
By Lesley Simpson
Burning Bright
Digital Tyger is really one-man-band Chris Pitts. He doesn’t print, but he works with those that do - and with customers they might not otherwise reach - to deliver creative printed interiors. But could closer working relationships extend that market?
Making the most of a mentor
Wondering about employing a mentor and how to get the best out of them? Colin Thompson, managing partner at Cavendish academy and long time mentor, explains how to do just that.
Heaven sent opportunity
Heard of Brief Cases? It’s a model for co-operation between academia and industry, to ensure the right talent gets to the right jobs. Its founder Veronica Heaven wants large-format print companies to get involved, so should you?
IR Talks to... Frazer Chesterman, Co-founder, FM Brooks
The first Pure Digital event will take place in Amsterdam in April. Organised by former Fespa men and InPrint founders Frazer Chesterman and Marcus Timson of FM Brooks, it aims to ‘excite the European creative industry with truly innovative digitally printed applications.’ Great idea, but will it work, and should you be involved? Here’s what Chesterman had to say…
By Lesley Simpson
Ensuring personal protection
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect on 25 May 2018. It applies to any business that has control over personal data, and those that process personal data on behalf of another business. If you’re not already compliant, this is how to become so.
IR talks to ….. Mark Bartlett, MD, Signbox
Are PSPs in the large-format sector likely to flourish in 2018? That very question is being asked in our annual Widthwise poll, but being impatient to provide you with a grassroots point of view going into the new year I asked Signbox MD Mark Bartlett for his take on the situation.
By Lesley Simpson
Thinking outside the box
Imaginators is giving itself a year from the installation of a Durst Rho 512R to increase turnover 20%. So is it all about that machine’s speed and flexibility?
Stand up and be counted
Want to get your print possibilities in front of more creatives? Then get on the conference circuit. Don’t panic! There are strategies to help you conquer your fear of pubic speaking. Trainer and coach John Scarrott explains.
IR talks to… Mark Thompson, co-founder, PrintDesigns
As a company specialising in all kinds of portable displays, including banner stands, exhibition stands and fabric displays, PrintDesigns knows a thing or two about how important offline marketing remains to companies and to consumers - despite the digital revolution. But co-founder Mark Thompson also expects more integration between the two as he outlines here.
Your Wrapt attention please
How one Portsmouth-based start-up is ‘refreshing’ interiors with self adhesive vinyls - and how it could be creating opportunity for large-format PSPs.