The account win, the third of its kind for Savvy in September, reflects a growing number of companies who are taking the decision to outsource their marketing function to benefit from high quality cost-effective marketing support on an ad-hoc, project or retained basis.

Helen recently attended an induction session for the Skills Bank, a project management based volunteering programme, through which business managers are matched with arts organisations and museums needing advice in a particular area. She has also been asked to sit on the Board Bank where her advice will be provided at Board level to arts organisations across the region.

“As a keen supporter of the arts in the North West for many years, I was looking for a way to get more involved in an area I feel passionately about.

The idea of giving my time and energy on a voluntary basis was for me, a natural progression of the many ways in which I already support the Arts.

Not only will I help any organisation I work with, by bringing a different perspective and problem solving approach to their individual issues through my business experience, but in acting as a volunteer I am also satisfying a very personal need to ‘give something back’ – to an area that has given me so much over the years.”

Business in the Arts North West exists to bring business skills and experience to the arts in ways that are beneficial both to business and to the arts.

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 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 ‘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.