Thursday 9 April 2015

Be more interesting.

The work life balance is one that is often difficult to get right, especially in an industry of tight deadlines, pitches and the ‘always-on’ mindset that we have in advertising.

In a very generous bid to ensure that all St Lukers take an opportunity to continue to expand their social and ‘extra curricular’ lives there is an annual grant available for each permanent employee to learn to do something to “Make yourself more interesting.”

The value in a well-rounded person should never be underestimated and St Luke's has remarkably valued this for around 20 years. People have done all manner of things such as nutritionist courses, learned to salsa or taken swimming lessons.

I’d been toying around with the idea of doing a few different things with my fund this year, until over Christmas I realised that I was now as an adult craving a hobby that I spent most of my teenage years enjoying – performing arts.


I set about researching immediately, and on Jan 2nd I signed myself up to a 12 week course for adults at Pineapple Performing Arts School – held for 3-4 hours every Sunday at the legendary Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden. Gulp.

After the first session I was beaming with excitement and the next day came bounding in to work, still buzzing off the adrenaline. The singing teachers had been in the original casts of Wicked, Billy Elliot, The Lion King and Mamma Mia. Drama was led by a pair of actor/directors, and dance classes were taught by performers at the top of their games in Street, Hip Hop, House and Musical Theatre. I was in awe of their talent, and it was overwhelming and terrifying to think that in 3 months time I’d be on a London stage, performing a showcase of pieces that we would learn over the 12 weeks.

                                            

When show weekend arrived I felt sick with nerves, and was glad I only had a few select friends coming to watch the 2 shows we were performing on the Sunday. Having a singing solo and a drama duologue, as well as numerous group numbers, made the personal pressure feel heightened, but in the end these were some of the standout memories where I felt I thrived most. The feeling of the adrenaline rush after both performances and seeing my friends' grinning faces in the audience is one I have tried to bottle.

The whole experience reminded me that you should never feel like you’re too old, too busy or too tired to throw yourself into doing something you find nerve-wracking or challenging. The buzz is amazing, and sometimes you just need reminding of that.

                                                     

Even if it’s not something you find daunting, it’s a sterling reminder that we should all make time for hobbies. And when an agency like St Luke’s will freely offer you money to learn to do whatever you like, you should grab the opportunity with both hands! 

Who's next?

Tuesday 7 April 2015

CAN’T WAIT FOR SUMMER? THEN DON’T!

Having come back to the office after the long four-day Easter weekend, summer is definitely in sight. And what better way to celebrate, than with the launch of the new “#cantwaitforsummer” campaign for Very.

Centered around the anticipation of summer and the ideal, relaxing, carefree life it brings, the campaign shows that with a bit of imagination and products from Very, you can create your perfect summer whenever and wherever you are.

The campaign launches with a 40” TV ad featuring Fearne Cotton and Rochelle Humes and is supported by a 20” TV ad, print, interactive digital banners, and bespoke social creative.





So go on, it may only be April but put on those sunnies, listen to your favourite summer playlist and join the conversation – what can’t you wait for this summer?


Friday 3 April 2015

Mecca Bingo with Friends


Our debut campaign for Mecca Bingo launched at the end of March, following our pitch win back in November.

The new campaign, entitled ‘Friends that play together, stay together’, positions Mecca Bingo as an authentic gaming brand with a big heart, bringing friends old and new together for a fun, relaxed time.

The campaign features 2 sets of creative, each with 30", 20" and 10" spots and is set within an animated world where a group of four busy friends come together through Mecca Bingo. The campaign shows that friends can enjoy a fun relaxed game of bingo and connect with each other socially, either online or in one of the many Mecca Bingo Clubs.


Friends being of both two and four legged varieties (of course!) as we also introduce the pet pug of one our female characters. During pre-production we named all the characters to help refer to amends to be made to each of their designs, we had Carol, Lynne, Pete, Rani and Sidney the pug, however after launch the client went on to run a successful Facebook campaign to name the pug who
is now officially known as Dabber!


And to celebrate the launch, we sent the client and the rest of the agency a set of customised pug cupcakes. Delicious.

The campaign was picked up in the Creative Showcase for The Drum, and initial results have seen it working extremely well for the brand. The second of the films launches in May. Let us know what you think @stlukescomms.