WE'VE BOUGHT AN OFFICE!

After renting 5 different offices in 8 years we’ve finally managed to find the right building, in the right location, at the right price. And having secured a change of use and funding for the refurb, we’ve just completed on the purchase.

Whilst it may not be an iconic design shed at the moment (it was previously a St Johns Ambulance training hall) we have plans to transform this sleeping beauty into the long term home for the Bluesoupers. We’ve been lucky to secure a grant from Unlocking Business Investment, administered by North Devon+, to help cover some of the refurb costs.  Building work starts in the new year….but for now, check out the new pad.

BLUESOUP TAKE OVER PAID SEARCH FOR MY AMERICA HOLIDAY FROM JANUARY!

After a tough fought pitch, Bluesoup are to take on the paid search activity for My America Holiday from the new year.

As an online only travel brand, operating in a hugely competitive sector running efficient and optimised paid search is central to the brands long term success.

Our analytical approach,our track record of success and our approach to customer service won through.

To say we’re excited would be an understatement!

HALL FOR CORNWALL CHOOSE A BIT OF BLUESOUP MAGIC

We’re pleased to announce that Hall for Cornwall have asked us to take on their media planning & buying.  Hall for Cornwall is an amazing theatre in Truro. The theatre stages everything classical to rock concerts, and musicals to drama with national touring productions and household names a regular feature.

Having recently appointed a new Marketing Director a refreshed approach to media planning was called for to better target audiences whilst also using media more creatively to showcase some of the shows coming to the theatre.

INVITATION TO TUSCANY APPOINT BLUESOUP

How excited are we?  We’re now working with the beautiful brand that is Invitation To Tuscany.  Lovely brand.  Lovely product.  Lovely region.  Our job……to look at the media strategy & execution and evolve it to better engage with consumers whilst delivering a strong ROI.

Great news is that we’ve been given a totally blank sheet of paper by an open minded client so watch this space.

LYME BAY OPT FOR BLUESOUP CREATIVITY

How exciting is this….a new product on the way from Lyme Bay Winery and we’ve been chosen to develop the name and brand identity with Blazye Pearce, Brand Consultants.  Can’t say much more at this stage…..but watch this space!

BLUESOUP APPOINTED BY SECRET TURKEY

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been appointed by Secret Turkey to help evolve and develop their media strategy.  Optimising press activity, sniffing out late space deals and finding new ways to engage with consumers are all high on the agenda.

Exciting times!

WORK EXPERIENCE – THE BLUESOUP WAY

We’re not sure what Tom was expecting, but a 6am pick up to get to Nottingham to meet with Indoor Sports Services probably wasn’t it. Nor was an introduction to the Wattbike and the SkiErg…or the  quick session on both.

Still he was up for the challenge but perhaps the early start, the exercise and a hearty lunch explained the little doze he enjoyed on the way home!

BLUESOUPERS TACKLE THE 3-PEAKS

Excitement was at fever pitch as most of the team flew into Glasgow Airport on Friday evening. The minibus was collected and we headed north to the Highland Hotel – thanks to Lochs and Glens for the rooms!

After just 5 short hours sleep we met at the bus for the short drive to the foot of Ben Nevis – Peak #1. There was a desire to chat at the bottom, but the midges put pay to that!

Nevis offered a good challenge; gravel paths, boulders, with freezing fog, ice & snow at the summit. Tough going for the older members of the group but we were back at the bus shortly after lunchtime, on track, on time and with a welcome tray of doughnuts and Iron Bru courtesy of team driver and photographer – Tony Atkinson.

No time for a rest though as we needed to bag Peak #2, Scarfell Pike, before the end of the day so a long journey later (with one allowable food stop) and by 5pm we were off again.

Stunning views made up for the wet and slippery rock path….but yet again thick fog clouded the summit.

A welcome stretch for a few hours in an M6 hotel and we were off again – fuelled courtesy of McDonalds – with Tricker sporting homemade hotpants – much to the delight of Charli.

Snowdon proved a clearer climb, right up until the last 10 minutes when it unleashed the worst of the weekend weather at us – fog (for a change) with driving rain and freezing winds! No summit shot this time as the café proved too appealing. Warmed with coffees and pasties we set off for the final descent….then a long drive home.

We conquered the 3Peaks in just 30 hours and raised £3,150 for Edukid.

Thanks to Lochs & Glens for the rooms, Ellis Brigham for the discounted kit & Tony “the driver” Atkinson from Just Focus Photography.

SUMMER'S HERE

Nothing says summer in North Devon like a Hockings Ice Cream, whilst listening to the Appledore Brass Band on the quayside. If you’ve never sampled Hockings….you’ve yet to live. Steve says, “it’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited!”

Lovely!

RAINBOW TOURS APPOINT BLUESOUP

We’re delighted to welcome Rainbow Tours to the Bluesoup party. Rainbow Tours specialises in tailor-made holidays to Africa, Madagascar and Latin America and were taken with our approach to client service, keeping our fingers on the editorial pulse of the national press, and as ever, our keen rates! We’ve already evolved the media strategy, securing much better media value and impact….creative evolution is next. In the meantime, check out the rhino!

ITT FUTURE YOU

When we were invited to be part of the ITT Future You Roadshow at Plymouth University we jumped at the chance. 

The event is designed to provide an insight into different travel related careers for current students. As well as a brief 20 minute presentation about the agency, their careers and what’s it’s like to work in advertising, Team Bluesoup spent time answering questions from smaller groups in the afternoon. 

Good work from Kate Peters and Andrea Kenny. Quite daunting but judging from the feedback-a job well done!!



CHECK OUT OUR LORRY!

We’ve only gone and branded a lorry!

To celebrate the launch of the new North Devon Marketing Bureau, a local haulier offered the bureau the side of it’s newest lorry.

Step up Bluesoup. A clever line (I’d rather be in North Devon). A cracking shot. Some impactful design. And there you have it.

We’re pretty pleased…

HERE'S THE FINISHED TGA AD!

3 days prior to it’s UK premiere….here’s the finished TGA TV ad.

Sit back. Relax. Enjoy.

BRIDGEND ROCKS!

Bridgend Bites is a site dedicated to driving tourism to the area – but our specific goal in this case was to drive traffic to their film & TV location pages.

And boy have we done OK. Our Geo targeted Google Display campaign has delivered 3.5 times the industry average click through rate.

How did you manage that we hear you cry? Clever stuff heh…..or is it as simple as understanding the target audience, their media habits?!

TAILORED WEALTH TAKE A STEP UP

With an existing look & feel which needed a little refresh, Tailored Wealth appointed Bluesoup to the task.

The company offers financial planning to ensure pensions & investments deliver against the objectives of the client. They were looking for a contemporary, fresh yet professional look.

TGA TV SHOOT

How exciting!

We’re in the studio for 2 days to shoot a brand new ad for TGA Mobility Scooters as well as a number of product videos. The brief for the ads was to celebrate their revolutionary Minimo folding scooter – making the product the hero and celebrating the scooters unique benefits.

Long days ahead – but exciting times.

Ads on air in March so watch this space

3 PEAK CHALLENGE

To raise money for Edukid, 6 Bluesoupers (and 3 of their partners) are taking on the 3 highest peaks in the UK – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon in June.

Training has already begun, the flights are booked, the minibus is fuelled & ready to collect at Glasgow Airport.

Steve has managed to find walking boots which are nearly the same colour as his coat (but not quite).

Charli is preparing her delicate feet.

Leona & Peters are jockeying for who will be fastest.

Wish us luck.

A SAD FAREWELL TO THE BEST COPYWRITER IN THE WORLD....

It is with huge sadness that we have to let you know that our genius copywriter, Tony Bodinetz passed away yesterday.  Tony was 72 and an absolute ad land legend who we were privileged to have on the Bluesoup team.  Tony was the great mind behind “Probably the best Lager in the World” for Carlsberg, BT’s Buzby and countless other greats.  In fact, was there a brand Tony hadn’t worked on!? And as for the stories….I think we all wished we’d worked in the heyday of advertising – pre internet and pre mobile phones! Long lunches and months to work on briefs. Ahhhhh Tony still thrived on the daily challenge of writing great ads and scripts and was with us when he sadly collapsed. A great friend, inspiration and colleague. Sadly missed.

WORK PRAISED BY A BISHOP!

It’s not often you get complimented by a Bishop – but that’s exactly what’s just happened to us!

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of St Mary’s church in Bideford we helped produce 24 banners to hang in the church, celebrating the past, present & future.

Hugely popular with young & old alike!