A Balancing Act
"April 2011. The recent budget detailed the Government's economic policy objective to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth that is more evenly shared across the country and between industries - a policy which I'm sure most of us hope will work. It still remains, as it has for some time, difficult to find new and interesting ways in which to get our messages to market and we continue to trial new ways to win business to succeed in achieving that sustainable growth. As a marketing agency, it is important for us to keep an eye on emerging communication trends and those new ways of getting and staying in touch with target audiences - the challenge is the timing of when we should take these new ideas to customers to incorporate into their communication strategies. All the current hype is centred around online marketing techniques such as Facebook, Twitter and so on, but at what point should we listen to the hype and when do we ignore the trend because it may not be suitable for the people we want to reach? And how do we manage it to ensure we are getting it right? With damages awarded in the first UK Twitter libel action recently, it is a warning to all those considering new means of marketing, not to do so without ensuring you seek advice and support from those familiar with these tools.
 |
|
"So is this the answer - ensuring your communications strategy achieves a balance between online and print? I suppose the simple answer is yes, but of course it's more important that you're giving your customers and potential customers what they want. There is no point in setting up a Twitter account and posting frequent messages on Facebook if the people you want to reach haven't yet signed up to these communication channels. It's great to get to grips with new technologies but they shouldn't become the focus at the expense of your tried and tested techniques.
"It sounds like common sense, but many companies are tempted to join the 'online revolution' because that's what everyone else seems to be doing and that's what seems to be the done thing. By all means show your customers you are forward thinking but don't forget it's more important to them that you demonstrate and understand you know their business, and new online tools may not feature in what they view as important..... We hope you enjoy our inaugural email issue of Flare! Wishing you all a Happy Easter."
 |
|
 Award success continues...
Brouha is delighted to report that since our last issue of Flare, we have been lucky enough to scoop no less than 5 awards to recognise the work we do for our customers. Returning from the Chartered Institute of PR PRide Awards 2010 with four awards - having been successful in all of the categories entered - was a fantastic achievement that was quickly followed by a Commendation in the Marketing Industry Network Awards.
Brouha has recently been listed in The Drum Marketing and Media Magazine as the 47th Most Awarded Agency outside of London throughout 2010, which took into account the results from 30 different award schemes vying for both national and international accolades. The list aimed to highlight and celebrate the top 100 most decorated agencies and Brouha was proud to feature.
Congratulations to our customers....
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Edgetech and ERW following their success at the G10 Awards in the Best Promotional Campaign - Trade and Best Promotional Campaign - Retail respectively. Further congratulations go to Nationwide Windows who, more recently, was successful at the Chartered Institute of Building Committed to Construction Excellence Awards in both the Committed to Excellence and Quality and Committed to Sustainability categories. |
|
|
|
Spring has officially sprung in the Brouha office as we embark on an overhaul and begin to convert the floor upstairs into an additional office and meeting room. The extra office space means that we are able to escape for some peace and quiet if needed - as one of us can sometimes be a little more 'enthusiastic' than is always required! |
|
 The Brouha team was on the road again and spent a couple of days at Ecobuild in March - a time to catch up with customers, media and other industry friends. The show proved a massive success for customer Edgetech who took their first stand at the show. Visitors were impressed by the design, concept and overall layout of the stand but also enjoyed the opportunity to actually see the range of product benefits, demonstrated in a variety of different ways.
As customer Securistyle embarks on their first ever Open Day at their site in Cheltenham in May to launch their Defender Door Lock - the hardware developed in response to the tightening legislation on the issue of Secure Escape - preparations are in full swing. And with Edgetech also officially opening their new European manufacturing facility in Heinsberg, Germany in May, it's going to be a busy time in the weeks ahead. We wish both customers every success. |
|
Show your support
 Lucy (and her friend Laura) will be running the Bristol 10K on Sunday 15th May as they are raising money for the charity 'Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research' - a charity very close to our hearts. They have joined the 'Banana Army' in a bid to help beat blood cancers and Brouha would like to ask for your support for this worthy cause - to sponsor them please go to original.justgiving.com/lucyandlaura10k where any donation will be greatly appreciated. |
|
|
 A newcomer to the stable, Brouha is pleased to represent the market leaders in the supply of decorative products for the flat glass industry, RegaLead. As longstanding players in the window, door and glass processing industries, RegaLead boasts an impressive 25 years experience operating in over 60 countries and we are looking forward to providing PR and marketing support for them, across the UK.
 Promac, the machinery giant established over 32 years ago is the UK's leading supplier of glass, PVC and aluminium machinery well known and respected for its service values and supply of highly engineered window fabrication and glass machinery, has appointed Brouha to help bring their messages to the marketplace and promote new initiatives in the coming months.
 Things have been busy for Inagas, the industry leader in the supply of British manufactured gas filling and testing equipment. The launch of their Smartfill machinery range coincided with revision to Document L and the more stringent Window Energy Rating standards so as companies look for ways in which to meet those standards, Inagas have been on hand to help.
 ERW, the Middlesbrough based timber window manufacturer and retailer enjoyed unprecedented success at its recent Homeowner Open Weekend. Run regularly, the weekends give homeowners an opportunity to visit ERW's award winning showroom and get a personalised factory visit. Just under 50 people with current and future home improvement products in mind attended the March weekend. Carefully targeted direct marketing - and of course the extra hours Lawrence, Helen and Philip put in, have made these open weekends a powerful vehicle in the G10 Retail Campaign of the Year winner's marketing campaign.
  All is busy for Brouha on the Continent as we make final preparations for the official launch of Edgetech Europe's third warm edge technology manufacturing facility in Heinsberg, Germany. With over 150 guests expected, and presentations from local ministers, Euro lobbyists and leading glazing test houses, the day looks set to be a success - we're just hoping for sunshine for the evening BBQ and classical music quartet!
|
|
 With the announcement that the window industry has yet more legislation to adhere to in just a couple of years time, CENSolutions is busy educating and helping affected companies comply. As of 1st July 2013 the European Construction Product Directive will be changed to the Construction Product Regulation and as a result it will be mandatory for companies to CE Mark.
 Following a great show at Ecobuild, Edgetech has been busy helping more customers pass EN1279 Part 3 for gas loss, including the retail giant Safestyle UK. Two of Edgetech's experts are now preparing to give papers at the Glass Processing Days event later this year.
 Despite the wider economy remaining flat Tradelink continues to report strong sales. Achieving between 20-30% growth each month for the last five months, the trade fabricator with 19 years experience of understanding installers' needs has also continued to invest in machinery, people and some exciting new products for 2011.
 Brouha is pleased to welcome Securistyle, the leader in quality, innovative hardware for the window and door industries, to its stable of customers. Securistyle has recruited Brouha's help in raising awareness of the Secure Escape issue - the conflict of interests between clear escape routes in the event of a fire and keeping homes secure from burglars. The company will also be launching some new product innovations in the 2nd quarter.
 Leading social housing and new build window & door fabricator, Nationwide's winning streak continued in Q1 2011 when they won Highly Commended awards in the Chartered Institute of Building's Committed to Construction Excellence in the East Midlands in the categories of Excellence and Quality and Sustainability. As the only window company to even make it to the finals, this was a real endorsement of their operational and marketing efforts. In addition, Nationwide also firmly cemented their place in the top 7.5% of the highest scoring construction sites in the UK, winning a coveted Silver award in the Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Awards 2011.
|
|
 |
|
