Manchester Digital, a trade association for the North West’s digital sector unveiled its new identity on 8 July, at their Summer BBQ in Dukes 92 in Castlefield.

With a brand positioning strategy written by The Savvy Partnership and the new marque created by strategic partner and award winning brand and digital agency, Fudge. The new identity dubbed ‘Hello World’, draws its influence from basic programming language and encompasses exactly what the platform has delivered – a ‘window on the world’.

Shaun Fensom, Chair of Manchester Digital said “we love the confident tone and style. It carries our brand message and reflects perfectly the confidence and style of the sector here in Manchester”.

David Eccles, Fudge’s MD explains; “Hello World has been created to appeal to anyone involved in, influenced by or simply aware of the digital industry. Non-digital audiences who may not fully appreciate the programming origins of the campaign, will see the message at its purest, i.e. through the use of digital, geographical boundaries simply do not exist.”

Shaun Fensom, Chair of Manchester Digital said “we love the confident tone and style. It carries our brand message and reflects perfectly the confidence and style of the sector here in Manchester”.

Manchester Digital’s role is to position Manchester’s digital business sector as a ‘centre of excellence, influence and innovation’, and stimulate regional growth. The association also organises the ‘Big Chip Awards’ which celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year where Fudge collected the award for Best Use of Digital Design.

The Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA), in partnership with Manchester Digital, the independent trade association for the regions thriving digital industry, has commissioned leading Manchester marketing agency The Savvy Partnership, to carry out a survey into the Digital Sector in Manchester and the North West region.

The aim of the two phase survey is to help Manchester Digital and the MDDA gain a better understanding of the digital sector and its needs in order to more effectively inform, influence, advocate and promote the best interests of the regions digital businesses.. Participants will be invited to complete a short online survey about their particular business and any issues they might currently be facing as a digital company.

It is the first time that such an in-depth survey has been carried out and it is hoped that the results will not only provide an accurate overview as to the size and profile of the regions digital sector, but also offer an insight into the issues facing those operating in the digital sector as well as help identify the areas where such organisations need support and assistance from organisations such as Manchester Digital.

Shaun Fensom, Chair of Manchester Digital commented - “The digital sector has grown enormously over the last ten years and the progress made in the North West has been incredible, resulting in a wealth of expertise across the region.

The survey comes at an important time for the digital industry in the North West, celebrating this year the 60th anniversary of the world’s first computer ‘baby’ who was born in Manchester and the scheduled opening of Mediacity in Salford in 2012.

What we hope to gain from the survey is a much better understanding of the digital sector in the region and the issues faced by those working in it. By asking directly what their experiences are and how they see the industry developing, the results from the survey will enable us to develop services and membership benefits in direct response to the real world needs of our members and the sector in general”.

The first phase of the survey is scheduled to be carried out over the next three weeks.