blog

Always turned on in Hollywood

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:19:20 +0100

oomph has been working with the world's first online desktop, nivio, for 18 months now and nivio's initial step into the USA was done with more than a little splash last week. A platinum sponsor of one of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) events in Los Angeles, and a launch party at a Mulholland Drive residence, made quite an entry into the online desktop space. We're expecting serious interest from Microsoft and more work to help build the nivio brand and product globally. And yes, always turned on! is the tagline. Want to know what it does? Drop us a line or check out the website.

Discovering Saudi Arabia in a Bank in Riyadh

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:53:08 +0000

oomph have just completed a 4 month journey of discovery - literally. Having beaten Mckinsey's and Forresters to win the Dicovery Phase for a digital strategy for Riyad(sic) Bank, we submitted our final presentation, proof of concept and implementation programme on November 8th. By all accounts , plaudits have been very positive. We think it's a game changing piece of work for the Bank and hope to be involved in implementation in 2011 follwowing further procurement dicussions. (It is a serious Bank, it is the Middle East). We covered organisation, processes, business rules, technology platforms, strategy, online marketing, social media (this will be big!), brand, usablity and eCommerce, interviewed over 60 people and reviewed over 50 sites in our work. Fascinating and compelling. We'll work with our client to develop best practice models from this work so watch this space......

Microsoft must be cool

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:39:00 +0100

Hush hush. New project about to be signed for Microsoft. Thanks to a very edgy IT research consultancy we know. Full of very clever folk. More to come soon when we do some fabulous work.

We always wanted to be in the Top 40

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:56:00 +0100

Chart positions may not be quite as important to us as they are to the likes of Madonna, Lady GaGa and The Wurzels, but our mums love the fact that oomph are in at a very respectable number 40 in the Bristol Media Top 100 for the South West. As one of the biggest creative networks in the country, Bristol Media aims to support and promote an exciting, competitive creative and media industry right across the region. For the compilation of this Top 100 list of creative agencies, all 3500 member companies were asked to rate each other. For more information, take a look at www.bristolmedia.co.uk.

Oomph spins the Good With Money coin for The Co-operative Financial Services

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:54:00 +0100

oomph have just launched a new website for The Co-operative Financial Services in support of their current brand campaign, which is aimed at explaining exactly how they are 'good with money'.

The site is designed around a 3-d animation of a gold coin, which can be flipped from one side to the other to demonstrate the two equally balanced sides of The Co-operative's story. On one side sits their ethically based community programmes, social responsibililty and green credentials. One the other side is the bank's financial expertise, their history of financial solidity and their long-standing commitment to good value.

Carl Sharples, Head of Customer Propositions, said 'We've worked closely with oomph on proposition, creative and execution on this project to evidence our commitment to good value and customer support as well as our well known ethical credentials and the fact we're owned by our members. There's a clear strategic thought, a powerful, imaginative and engaging concept to bring it to life, and rich content linked to guidance, products, general information and our brand. We'll be building on this work in the future to enhance our reputation for commitment to Value, Fairness and Social Responsibility'.

Stephen Priestnall, Planning Partner at oomph added 'The Co-operative brand has a massive part to play in the financial sector in the midst of a recession, as consumers seek out trusted partners. The purpose of this site is to start to engage them in an understanding of what the Co-operative Financial Service's commitment to looking after your money means. We know it's hard to be original, different and relevant in the FS sector so it's great to get the opportunity to look at a creative route that really can't be owned by anyone else.'

Desk Shortage

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:49:00 +0000

It looks like we'll soon need to fetch a few more of these lovely glass-topped desks from Ikea if we take on any more new staff this year. So far in 2009 we've seen three fresh young faces joining the team here at Oomph headquarters in Cirencester.

The rapid expansion of our all-girl, all-skills media team continues with the arrival of 25year old Helen Houghton as a Media Analyst. Getting page after page of numbers to add up comes naturally to our Helen, whose career path has lead her to Oomph's door via Nelson Thornes publishers and Pop2 Internet, which she informs us is where she discovered her interest in marketing and analytics with a particular fondness for FMCG Branding and Consumer Behaviour. A native of the most northerly and unspoilt parts of the Welsh countryside, Helen's cheerful and outgoing personality hides a hidden determination and strong character. How else does someone get to the Gym like clockwork twice a week, every week and still have time to drink a dozen cups of tea a day? When asked for a few interesting bits of personal info to add to this blog, Helen came back with these two fascinating facts; she is the proud owner of a pair of original size 9 feet and has an irrational fear of bones, which we couldn't confirm the phobia name for at time of going to press. Possibly Cartilogenophobia? But that was on Wikipedia, so who knows.

After spending a number of weeks freelancing with us, 30year old Interactive Designer Richard Kean enjoyed our lively banter so much that he decided to stay on, hoping we wouldn't notice his freelance contract had run out in February. Seriously though, before joining the Oomph creative team Richard worked as a successful freelancer, was an in-house designer at Cheltenham design agency Room 58 and even owned his own design agency down in Bournemouth. And, if we ever throw a cocktail party, he apparently does a mean Tom Cruise impression. The well-travelled Richard brings with him a wide array of print and design experience - from putting together complex exhibition stand designs to creating brand identities for major blue chip companies. Of course, as a self-confessed family man with two lively young children, Richard doesn't have a lot of spare time to himself. When he does, he tells us he likes to play guitar, swim and shoot people on computer games - but not necessarily all at the same time.

Richard is not the only one to join us hailing from the South Coast. We have recently welcomed aboard the lovely Louise Bryant-Hunt. Louise joins us as an Account Handler on The Co-operative Financial Services account team. Relocating to the Cotswolds from Southampton, Louise has previously worked with the Remarkable Group and Fusion Marketing and Communications. With a keen-eye for detail, (the other eye is not so keen), Louise launched into her first Oomph project - a major website redesign - with real gusto and great success. Once she's at home with her manic rescue cat on the sofa and certificate for GCSE Russian hanging on the wall, cheese-loving Louise likes nothing more than to practice her passion for all foods Italian. She's even learnt to make her own Pasta. Nice. With outside interests in every activity from gardening to scuba diving, Louise wants to try out Zorbing next. You know, when you get zipped into a giant hamster ball and pushed down a steep hill by a farmer. After that, who knows?

Cotswold Outdoor launches edgy new website.

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:58:00 +0100

Outdoor equipment specialist Cotswold Outdoor have this week launched www.stayontheedge.co.uk - a new forum-style website that gives both climbers and mountaineers an online base camp for mountain safety, spreading the important message about keeping your mountain senses sharp. It was conceived, designed and built by Oomph and aimed squarely at the mountaineering and climbing community, where even the most experienced members know you need to strike the right balance between the instinct for adventure and the instinct for survival.

With the valuable participation of the Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre and support of the British Mountaineering Council, Cotswold and Oomph have created stayontheedge.co.uk as an independent mountain safety information source. The site's aim? Simple. To help make enjoying the world's mountains safer for everyone.

www.stayontheedge.co.uk gives newer members of the climbing and mountaineering community the opportunity to learn key safety issues and develop crucial skills. It also enables more experienced mountaineers to share their valuable knowledge with each other so they can better understand their individual limits and find the best way to safely overcome them.

The website has launched with a thought-provoking competition, where the members of one lucky UK climbing or mountaineering club will win themselves a prize worth over £2,000.

Vicki Owen, Marketing Director at Cotswold Outdoor, said 'Our DNA as an outdoor retailer is firmly grounded in expertise and affinity with real outdoor adventure enthusiasts, and we've always tried to maintain a range of products and to recruit and retain staff with real and relevant experience to climbing and mountaineering. This site and the partnership with Plas y Brenin is a great example of this commitment'. Stephen Priestnall, Planning Partner at Oomph noted 'Making a decision to focus on an online execution to a very tight community, naturally sceptical of advertising, has proven to be a real test of our media, planning, creative and design practitioners. The result is a piece of communication with genuine relevance and value to the audience, supported by great content from Cotswold and their partners.'

Cotswold Outdoor is one of the UK's leading retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment. With over 40 stores around the UK, Cotswold stocks all leading outdoor brands and helps people make the most of the outdoors with its uniquely enthusiastic approach to providing expert advice and service.

Insight Research goes deeper with Oomph

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:07:00 +0100

Insight Research Group, a leading healthcare & consumer global research company, has just launched their new website, created and built by Oomph at www.insightrg.com . Richard Gilmore, Chief Executive of Insight and Chairman of Cello Research, commented "there is as much art and intelligence to research as there is science and the sector is not great at making this clear. We worked with Oomph on a focused brief to show how we think in getting to the root of the problems our clients use research to resolve - in all sectors and across the world. The website achieves this brilliantly with 'the truth is not always on the surface' as a concept". Stephen Priestnall, CEO at Oomph noted that "clearly we wanted to achieve an elegant and innovative visual design, but we also succeeded at making the site 95% AAA accessible (the rest is AA) as well as using a cost effective CMS so Insight can control key areas of their own content."

Insight Research Group is a global marketing research consultancy established in healthcare and with a growing consumer and business division drawn from a huge pool of expertise and different techniques. A leading member of the Cello Research group of companies, they work in more than 50 countries across Europe, Africa, North America and Asia.

The Cheltenham Ladies' College appoints Oomph for brand and web task

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:05:00 +0100

Cheltenham Ladies' College, one of the UK's leading international 11-18 academic institutions has appointed Oomph, the multi-channel communications agency, to redevelop their website. This will also be used as a platform to promote their brand reflecting not just their stellar academic performance but also their long track record of innovative approaches to personal development through the arts, music, sport and technology. Amanda Naylor, Marketing Director commented "The Cheltenham Ladies' College has an impressive reputation for providing an excellent education. For over 150 years we have been in constant evolution as the needs of our students and the outside world have changed. Today we prepare our girls for the global and technological challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Through our website, we want to highlight the leading role played by the College and by our Principal, Vicky Tuck in shaping opinion about what constitutes a high value education for tomorrow's women. Oomph presented themselves as an agency thinking of the big picture as well as having the expertise to take our brand through all channels." Rodger Williams, Creative Partner at Oomph noted "researching for the proposal, it's clear Cheltenham Ladies' College has massive strength in its brand values. If we can help present these to their current, former and prospective students & parents as well as opinion formers, it will be a genuinely rewarding job of creative brand development and execution".

The Cheltenham Ladies' College is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1853, the College has been at the forefront of girls' education for over 150 years and has a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. With some 865 students, the girls thrive on expert teaching, small classes, state of the art facilities and a vast range of extra-curricular activities and go on to study at leading universities, both in the United Kingdom and in the United States.

Oomph hires jungle tracker

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:09:00 +0100

As Oomph expands its media team, the jungle that is online media buying and planning needs someone who can machete their way through to some sensible numbers. Charlotte Summers, fresh from skydiving, camel riding, desert trekking and rainforest tracking is that person and has joined Oomph to take on a more adventurous challenge. Having spent time previously with Ecclesiastical and Intel as a proving ground for serious marketing skills, now its time to get down and dirty with serious spreadsheets, clicktags and lunches with media aggregators. Yes.

Oomph lets Cotswold Outdoors’ mind wander

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:11:00 +0100

With spring breaking through, Cotswold Outdoor has launched a national campaign that aims to inspire the spirit of walking in experienced and beginner walkers alike. Founded on Cotswold Outdoors' reputation for advice and expertise, the campaign encourages consumers to 'let your mind wander' as many of man's greatest thoughts have sprung to life during a walk in the fresh air. To run in all stores, national press, inserts, online and specialist outdoor magazines; creative development, and media planning were done by retained agency Oomph. Vicki Owen, Marketing Director said "we continue to expand our appeal to the customers by building on our heritage and core values of advice and expertise through development of insightful communications that speak from the heart of our brand". "This is a bold and creative campaign that will strengthen Cotswold's position as market leader for advice and range in the outdoor sector" added Rodger Williams, Creative Partner at Oomph.

Cotswold Outdoor is one of the UK's leading retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment. Since 2006 it has expanded its reach from 13 to 30 stores, with further store openings planned this year. Cotswold stocks all leading outdoor brands and helps people make the most of the outdoors with its uniquely enthusiastic approach to providing expert advice and service.

Two to tangle

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:17:00 +0100

Oomph says hello and welcome aboard to a new creative team - Stuart Richings and Matthew Connors-Jones. Stuart creates the ideas and plays about with the words. Matt also creates the ideas and draws the pretty pictures.

Together they bring a wealth of experience, as well as a great deal of passion and drive to Oomph's creative department. Stuart has been dreaming up daft ideas and crafting copy in advertising and direct marketing agencies for more than 20 years. Among other things, Stuart is a member of both the D&AD and the VW Type 2 Owner's Club. Matt joins Oomph following 10 years of styling big brands with his very own type of conceptual direction whilst jointly and often helpfully suffering from the delusion that one day he will play point guard in the NBA.

On top of raising vital funds and inspiring volunteers for our charity clients, Stuart and Matt will be helping Oomph create campaigns to help sell everything from current accounts and data processing to walking boots and beer. With their experience above the line, below the line, online and linesmen, all things are possible. Probably.

Oomph appoints Ask Jeeves ex-chief

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:19:00 +0100

Oomph have appointed Adrian Cox, recently CEO & EVP Ask Jeeves Europe, to a non-Executive Director position on the Board. Previously Cox held posts as Head of Marketing at Cadburys and Marketing Director St Ivel. "The timing of the appointment of someone with Adrian's experience in strategic marketing across old and new media and big brand development is perfect for us as we prepare for our next stage of development", said Stephen Priestnall, CEO at Oomph. Adrian Cox said "I've followed Oomph's progress closely since they started in 2005 and look forward to helping them develop their clear plan as a serious creative and strategic advertising agency working genuinely across all channels."

Oomph appointed Co-operative Financial Services online media buying and planning agency

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:28:00 +0000

Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has awarded its online media buying and planning account to Oomph. CFS, part of the Co-operative Group, includes brands such as the Co-operative Insurance Society, the Co-operative Bank, and smile, the UK's first full internet bank. The appointment is a return of the account to Oomph who handled media buying and planning on selected product lines previously. Oomph will focus its activity on all areas of the CFS business, with the remit of growing customer numbers using display, affiliate and aggregator activities as cost effectively as possible.

Stephen Priestnall, CEO and Planning Partner at Oomph, said: "Matching innovation in media planning with effectiveness in building business from smart buying is what we want to do. We know CFS has the brands and products to make that strategy successful and we're looking forward to getting on with it." Sean Barton, E-business manager at CFS, added:"Oomph have a history of doing extremely effective work with us, they have a great media offer and consistently show an understanding of the complexities of online media planning and buying that should make our lives simpler and our business better."

For more information, contact:

Stephen Priestnall

stephen@oomphagency.com

Notes to editors
Oomph are a multi-channel advertising agency intent on originating cut-through creative communications grounded on marketing planning and effectiveness.

A member of the AIM listed Cello Group, they are a strategic partner of Tangible Data and work with clients across retail, charity, financial services, travel and B2B, with Partner expertise across FMCG, automotive, technology and drinks sectors

www.oomphagency.com

Co-operative Financial Services appoints Oomph to online media

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:26:00 +0000

LONDON - Co-operative Financial Services has awarded its online media buying and planning account to Oomph after it split with i-level.

The appointment is a return of the account to Oomph, which had previously handled the media buying and planning on selected product lines.

It was only reported earlier this week that i-level had parted company with CFS, part of the Co-operative Group, and includes brands such as the Co-operative Insurance Society, the Co-operative Bank, and internet bank Smile. I-Level had handled online activity for CFS for the past eight years.

Sean Barton, e-business manager at CFS, said: "Oomph have a history of doing extremely effective work with us, they have a great media offer and consistently show an understanding of the complexities of online media planning and buying that should make our lives simpler and our business better."

Oomph will focus its activity on all areas of the CFS business, with the remit of growing customer numbers using display, affiliate and aggregator activities as cost effectively as possible.

Stephen Priestnall, CEO and planning partner at Oomph, said: "Matching innovation in media planning with effectiveness in building business from smart buying is what we want to do. We know CFS has the brands and products to make that strategy successful and we're looking forward to getting on with it."

Read more about this story at:

Merry Independence Day from Oomph & WRVS

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:30:00 +0000

The charity WRVS has launched a Christmas campaign hijacking Christmas day as Independence Day to mark the important work they do in ensuring older people retain their independence. Conceived by Oomph, the campaign talks about the 1000's of people WRVS has helped through 2007 and uses regional press, online and email as well as WRVS' own media in community centres, shops and cafes throughout the UK. It targets the general public, volunteers, MPs, MSPs and Welsh AMs.

"WRVS has around 60,000 volunteers doing work across the UK that help older people to stay independent. This campaign will break some of the preconceptions about WRVS and help establish our cause in the mind of the wider public," said Robert Longley-Cook, Fundraising and Marketing Director of WRVS.

"WRVS is a charity we are proud to campaign for and Independence Day is a thought that summarises the attitude of WRVS volunteers and service users," noted Stephen Priestnall, CEO and Planning Partner of Oomph.

WRVS has nearly 70 years' experience of giving practical help to people in communities throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Around 60,000 volunteers and employees work together to support people in need who might otherwise feel lonely and isolated, whether at home, in the community, in hospital, or in times of crisis. They deliver services and provide practical help so that older people get more out of life and stay independent for longer.

Oomph broadens Cotswold Outdoor horizons at Christmas

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:33:00 +0000

As the countdown on shopping days gets going in earnest, this week sees the 2007 launch of the Cotswold Outdoor Christmas campaign.

The 'Broaden someone's horizons' activity will go across regional press, store and web and will jointly promote the Christmas gift range and prompt a return to the store during 2008. Cotswold continues its plan to attract all outdoor audiences into the store, on and offline with appeal based on advice and range whether you're an experienced climber or an 8-year old sledger. Vicki Owen, Marketing Director acknowledged "In one of the most competitive periods of the year for us, it's imperative we persuade new customers of our brand values and range with an invitation to shop with us all year round. This campaign executes that brief perfectly". "Cotswold continues to develop its retail advertising for longevity and impact and should expect a successful Christmas from this work" added Stephen Priestnall, Planning Partner at Oomph.

Cotswold Outdoor is one of the UK's leading retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment. Since 2006 it has expanded its reach from 13 to 30 stores, with two further store openings planned before Christmas, Cotswold stocks all leading outdoor brands and helps people make the most of the outdoors with its uniquely enthusiastic approach to providing expert advice and service.

WRVS launches campaign with Oomph on the digital switchover

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:35:00 +0100

WRVS has launched a campaign, developed by multi-channel ad agency Oomph, linking in to the digital switchover in Whitehaven. It will talk about the work that WRVS does across the country in helping to end isolation. "One in five older people in the UK go 5 days without seeing someone - often the TV is the main way they keep in touch with what's happening and we'll be supporting all of our service users in the transition to digital services" said Robert Longley-Cook, Marketing Director of WRVS. 'This is a great opportunity to use an issue of national interest to show how WRVS helps prevent isolation in communities" commented Stephen Priestnall, CEO and Planning Partner of Oomph.

WRVS has nearly 70 years' experience of helping people in communities throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Around 60,000 volunteers and employees work together to support people in need who might otherwise feel lonely and isolated, whether at home, in the community, in hospital, or in times of crisis. They deliver services and provide practical help so that older people get more out of life and stay independent for longer.

Oomph helps Cotswold Outdoor continue retail expansion

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:38:00 +0100

The latest Cotswold Outdoor store to get the Oomph treatment is Birmingham. Cotswold opened their 3^rd new store of the year with the Oomph originated 'Now part of the landscape' campaign. This has followed store openings in Belfast and Preston with 3 more stores planned to be opened before Christmas.

Vicki Owen, Marketing Director, noted: "Expanding quickly in a competitive market means we need to achieve impact locally and develop our brand with national consistency. Oomph have helped us achieve this with their strategic brand development and campaign ideas." Stephen Priestnall, CEO and Planning Partner at Oomph, said "it's encouraging and rewarding to see one of our first clients performing so strongly and taking their brand with confidence to the retail outdoor market in new locations".

Cotswold Outdoor is one of the UK's leading retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment. Expanding its store portfolio as it helps people make the most of the outdoors, it now has stores in every corner of the UK, stocking all the leading brands with its uniquely enthusiastic approach to providing expert advice and service.

World Vision appoint Oomph for eCRM role

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:41:00 +0100

Oomph have been appointed as eCRM agency for World Vision, with a focus on the Alternative Giving Products. Andrew Barton, Deputy Marketing Director, said "Oomph's unique combination of online technical expertise and overall creativity were critical factors whilst they also brought some serious thought to the brand and communications challenges we face in the sector". Rodger Williams, Creative Partner at Oomph, said "If we can link the giving of a goat to the great things that World Vision do around the world, it will be a worthwhile and fascinating creative project".

World Vision works to make a serious and sustainable impact on poverty and its causes, especially as they affect children. They are committed to long-term change, which means connecting people. Whether it's enabling people in developing communities to support each other, or linking donors to those in need through child sponsorship, or creating networks to campaign for justice, they believe that getting people connected is the best way to make a difference.