Wilo Invitations and Registration Page to Ecobuild

Wilo the manufacturer of energy saving pumps and pump systems for heating and air conditioning use, invite their customers to their stand at Ecobuild 2013 to see the latest range and have a free beer and bites whilst Wilo take them through some of the energy saving pumps. The invites consist of an HTML email version and a DL size print direct mailer to get the installer to register for the beer offer and presentation on their stand at the Ecobuild Exhibition.

kelvinhughes.eu

The Design Agency Pitch

Is pitching an out-dated process? 

We talk about the value we add to a brand and then we give our work away!

As an independent designer and creative director I try not to get involved in pitching for work projects,  favouring instead a presentation of credentials. However agencies I'm involved with will almost always pitch as the prospect of gaining new business drives them on. To decline to pitch, immediately writes me off a roster, even though I may have the most relavent experience. The benefit is that I'm not one of eight or more creative hopefuls spending £5k each to win a £5k project.

If a client can't make a decision to work with you based on your previous work and track record then you've got to question how they will be able to judge any work you produce for them either at the pitch or in the future.

There's no problem in pitching as long as the client agrees a fee, this at least prevents a fishing expedition for free ideas. The IPA and ISBA have come up with a best practice guide for clients and agencies, here's their six pitch principals for clients and agencies:

1. Openness & transparency

Ask yourself is there a need to pitch in the first place. Clarifying the business opportunity is key from the outset.

In most pitches there is an unnecessary amount of secrecy. Do you need to keep the name and numbers of agencies, budgets and timeframes a secret? 

There needs to be transparency all the way through the process, to allow agencies to make informed decisions on wether to pitch and to assure clients full participation and a more straightforward pitch journey. 

For fairness and consistency all agencies should be briefed on the pitch at the same time and place.

2. Respect

Treat pitching with the respect it deserves. It requires senior involvement/authority from both sides from day one. Don't just bring the decision makers in at the end of the process. Only with senior client involvement from day one can the agencies be judged fairly. Consider paying a fee to an agency as a sign of good intent. 

Design and instigate a process that gets your housekeeping in order before the pitch.

Agencies need to be discerning about what they pitch for. Be clear about what opportunities are right for the agency business.

3. Bravery

On the part of both clients and agencies. Push back on bad briefs or too much/too little time and always challenge bad practice. 

Eliminate agencies, including the incumbent, along the way if they really don't have a chance. You will end up saving them a lot of heartache and money.

Explore the fact there may be alternative ways of pitching that could be more efficient and effective for the task in hand.

4. Access & navigation

Have the process clearly mapped out from the outset in terms of numbers, timings, people involvement and location. Who is the decision-maker, and what will the decision be based on? 

Treat all pitching agencies as if they were the incumbent. Allow them to navigate their way through your business in the same way.

5. Timing

Pitches can often go on too long. Set a timescale and stick to it.

A creative pitch in four weeks may not always be possible but could be worth aiming for. Contemporary practice indicates that pitches are elongating mainly due to lengthy negotiations which should be contained within the pitch time frame.

6. Power of collective action

Encourage both parties to sign up to the IPA/ISBA mutual pre-pitch NDA and be cautious of clients and agencies who are not willing to respect these principles.

At the very least remember the five P’s of pitching:

— Process 

— Preparation 

— Professionalism 

— Partnership 

Exhibition Stand Design

It all starts with a consultation with the client to establish a design brief so a complete understanding of the client needs are correctly interpreted in the design solution. The first stage in creating a successful purpose built exhibition stand is to identify what is to be included in the design to ensure the maximum exposure of products or services and achieve an inviting business environment. An item check list could include: the company products, video monitors, internet connections, literature and racking, meeting areas, office, bar or coffee lounge and storage facilities. Assessing the available exhibition space, the visitor traffic flow and how it can be best utilised for displaying the company products together with any accompanying graphics to insure the visitor will easily find what interests them and communicate the benefits effectively. To achieve the desired result research and gather the required information (usually established in the client brief) and create a series of first stage design sketches with photo references of all the mandatory inclusions.

Applying the company branding and the look and feel of their corporate identity to the overall stand design together with corporate, product and information graphics in a second stage design visual together with 3D representations of the first stage thumbnail sketches. At this point the stand contractors should be consulted with reference to producing the accurate working plans with dimensions, timings, lighting, electrics, finishes, construction materials and platform / floor coverings.

Once these have been established a detailed specification and costings can be put together, with a 3D rendering of the finished design solution.