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.

The Savvy Partnership is about to launch the first of its ‘Free Friday’ workshops in Barnsley South Yorkshire, with the anti-poverty charity The Penny On Trust.  

The ‘Free Friday’ initiative has been developed by Managing Partner David Adams and Head of New Product Development & Innovation, Barry Bassnett.  Designed specifically to help small, start-up and incubator businesses, members of Savvy’s four strong management team will work for free on Fridays helping non-client business with free marketing consultancy across the areas of Marcomms, New Product Development & Innovation and Online Marketing. 

To qualify for a ‘Free Friday’, applicant businesses must be of ten employees or less and based along the M62 corridor. They will also need to demonstrate a need for marketing advice in order to improve their internal and external communication, build brand, generate media interest or stimulate customer demand in order to help their business become more successful. 

“The concept of ‘giving something back’ is a powerful one for all of us at The Savvy Partnership’ said Barry Bassnett. ‘We have all been involved on a personal and business level with Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for many years and Free Friday is perhaps our version of this. It’s about giving something back to the next generation of entrepreneurs and young business men and women”. 

Managing Partner David Adams commented - “The type of businesses who approach us and the advice they will want will vary enormously and this in itself will be a challenge. I’m hoping that through our Free Friday initiative we can help the next generation of entrepreneurs and businesses out there in a very practical way by providing access to high quality marketing support at no cost.  Savvy’s recent expansion in both consultant numbers and office locations means that with our combined skill set and geographical coverage we’re now in a position to do this”.

Formed in 2003 The Savvy Partnership has a wealth of marketing and business development experience across industry sectors ranging from property, leisure, manufacturing, automotive and professional services.  As an agency Savvy is dedicated to helping businesses to become more successful through the provision of outsourced marketing consultancy, coaching and support. Available on a project or retained basis, The Savvy Partnership offers clients strategic planning, implementation, delivery and management of a range of business critical services covering Marcomms, New Product Development & Innovation and Online Marketing. 

Having already run a number of Free Friday workshops in both London and Manchester on an informal basis, the agency is now inviting anyone interested who qualifies to contact them via the email enquiry form on the website’s Contact page if they would like to be considered for some free strategic consultancy.

The Savvy Partnership is to work alongside Bolton based marketing communications company Fudge in the development of a new brand identity for Manchester Digital as part of a new stage of development and growth for the organisation.

Manchester Digital is the independent trade association for the thriving ICT and new media industries in the North West of England.  The association’s aim is to actively promote Manchester’s growing digital business sector as a centre of excellence, influence and innovation, as well as attract business and inward investment from the UK and worldwide.  

As part of the ongoing growth and development of the association which was set up in 2001, a brand positioning and strategy proposal is being written by David Adams of The Savvy Partnership who will work alongside Fudge’s creative team in the development of the new identity.

David comments: “It is felt that as an organisation, Manchester Digital has come of age. Certainly as the association with the responsibility of representing and promoting what is arguably the most influential and innovative creative and digital hub in the UK, it was thought appropriate to both re-position the brand and develop a new brand identity that would reflect the values and aspirations of the association as well as those of the companies, industries and region it represents as we move into what is a very exciting and challenging time for Manchester and the NW, with landmark initiatives such as Mediacity:uk just around the corner”

Also being looked into is the establishment of a ‘Kitemark®’ badge that can be attributed to member companies for use in their communications and on their website.

David Eccles of Fudge comments: “We are really looking forward to getting our teeth into this project as Manchester Digital is at the heart of our NW industry. There is a challenge to develop an identity that will move the association forward in the right way, and are looking forward to working with The Savvy Partnership and other member organisations to make sure we get it just right.”

www.fudgestudios.com
www.manchesterdigital.co.uk