Member Article

Member News: Three is the ‘Better’ number!

Three certainly is a better number for award winning local brand agency, Better as it celebrates both its third birthday and also three years of solid growth.

Since its formation in 2008, in the midst of the economic recession, the Stokesley-based agency has gone from strength to strength. Offering brand, creative, marketing and web services it is now regarded as one of the leading agencies in the North East. This year has seen Better win a number of high profile contracts with clients such as Five Lamps, Business & Enterprise Group, NDI UK, Coast & Country Housing, Northumbria University, The Trout Hotel, Cleveland Fire Brigade and Gentoo.

In its first three years, the agency has also extended its reach internationally. On the back of great work for UK & Ireland SAP User Group (UKISUG), Better were selected from other European agencies for the design and development of a new website for the Swedish SAP User Association (SAPSA).

As the client base has continued to grow, Better have doubled in size by investing in its studio team and now employs eight people with a powerful mix of skills in brand, digital, design and marketing. The eight-strong team also includes six graduates from the North East’s universities.

Mark Easby, Managing Director said; “Our consistent growth of over 30% year on year over the last three years has been exceptional. This year we’re set to exceed our projections again with the last 6 months being our best period so far. We have continued to see a growth in demand for our services as businesses across the country look to market their way out of the recession.“

“In this environment clients demand a return on their marketing investment and our clear focus on results means our customers continue to have the confidence to invest their marketing budgets in Better. We are proud to have developed long-standing relationships with a number of clients and have become brand partners for national companies such as MPI Offshore, NDI UK and Anabas. Our work on all aspects of their online and offline communication has helped them build a strong place in the market whilst increasing visibility for their products and services.“

The agency is passionate and committed to the development of the region’s businesses. They have backed this up through contributing directly to the skills of over 300 SMEs and Start Ups by sharing their knowledge delivering marketing workshops and seminars at a number of regional events including Marketing:TheArtOf, CIM, Service Network, Entrepreneurs Forum and more recently the Keeping Your Business Fit Conference.

Better has also embraced social media and is at the forefront of new web technologies. This has seen them form a partnership with Explain, a Newcastle-based market research business, to develop and launch Better Communities. The product is a bespoke private online community platform which allows companies to gain insight and feedback from their customers. The online platform encourages customer engagement and collaboration though discussion areas, focus groups, polls and surveys backed up by powerful profile reporting and analytics.

Mark Easby said: “We understand how social media and web technology is developing, and see private online communities as a key tool for brands to communicate with their customers to drive loyalty, engagement, innovation and co-creation.“

Since its launch earlier this year, Better Communities is already being used by brands such as Northumbria Water, Scottish Power Energy Networks, and HOME Group with many others interested in the platform.

Even with financial growth, the flurry of new clients, success in The North East Business Awards and recognition of it’s team through the Culture for Success Awards, the agency has set itself ambitious growth plans and is looking forward with excitement to the next three years!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Easby .