Thompson Brand Partners

Temporary photography studio

As if it wasn't hot enough in the studio last week, the guys rigged up a temporary studio in the studio (!) to get some shots together for the Roses Design Awards 2009 submission. Great opportunity to capture all of the most recent work we've been producing - it's amazing how much new stuff we've been doing.

We'll post some of the shots next week when they've been titivated (technical photoshop term).

I predict a riot

Fresh from the sponsorship of the Northern Design Competition, there was a great piece on BBC Look North. National treasure (Ok, regional treasure) Harry Gration was reviewing the awards and speaking to world famous songster, Ricky Wilson from the Kaizer Chiefs.

It was all very interesting and informative however, I was distracted by Ian Thompson's giant fizzog in the background along with super prominent Thompson branding. Genius! I couldn't concentrate on Ricky's sage words on the pitfalls of fame and fortune whilst Ian's mocking grin loomed large over proceedings.

Have a look at the full video and everything here

In case that's not exciting enough for you, influential Leeds blogsite Culture Vultures seemed to have captured the pointy shoes I wore at the awards for some reason. It does prove I had made a bit of an effort in the shoe department but not how handsome I looked obviously.

Studio downtime

Rather than a cheesy mug shot of two guys gurning to camera, we thought we'd apply a little creativity to the press shot for the Leeds College of Music DBA effectiveness win.

So we called Richard Moran

Rich is a specialist at making anything and anyone look cool (even me) and he pulled it off I think.

Shot in a vacant live room down at LCM, the shot features David Warren, Comms Director at LCM and Phil Dean, MD at Thompson along with our respective DBA 'bullets'.

Sure, it was extra hassle to fix it up and sure, we owe Rich yet another beer but it was worth it to get an image that a picture editor might fancy giving some space to.

Phoenix Nights

Roses was great as we all know, a good time had by all. After the event the Thompson staff made their way to a club which distinctly resembled Peter Kay's finest... Check out the pics!

Thryth, Chloe, Ian, Phil

Liz, Lynn, Nat, Anna

Second coming

We were very pleased to have been awarded overall second place in The Drum's 2008 Design Consultancy of the Year awards, which were held in Manchester recently.

Following surveys with clients, peers and editorial research, The Drum unveiled a list of the Best 25 Design Agencies outside of London and we were in the running. The results were based on four key polls - financial, creative, peer and client satisfaction. Thompson's success across the board, including 2nd place in the Creative Poll, ensured us 2nd place overall.

As one of our clients noted 'It must be really gratifying to note that you have such a strong brand in the industry'. She's right to a degree but we think this kind of recognition is especially great when the result comes from our work, our peers and our clients.

We'll try and win it next year.