RJDA teamed up with Globalkey Translations for a day with a difference at Loughborough University’s Holywell Park Conference Centre recently.

Russia Day was organised and hosted by East Midlands UK Trade and Investment (uktiem) to showcase Russian culture, business trends and openings and provided the perfect opportunity for companies hoping to tap into one of the worlds fastest growing markets.

A wealth of industry experts and guest speakers were on hand to deliver workshops and advice to companies across many sectors such as transport, energy, engineering, automotive, media and pharmaceutical.

Working in partnership with a linguistic professional certainly broadens RJDA’s offer and Russia Day delegates were impressed by the fact that RJDA can now combine translation with marketing collateral and web solutions to provide multilingual localised marketing material.

RJDA have teamed up with large format technology supplier City & West End Solutions in taking delivery of the UK’s first 42″ HP L25500 latex printer.

According to Production Manager Julian Oldham the L25500 is a reflection of RJDA’s drive towards a significantly cleaner, greener and more efficient print process and will sit alongside RJDA’s existing HP products the HP Z6100’s & Scitex FB7500.

In a dual acquisition, RJDA’s creative team led by Account Manager Daran Zikic, will also take over the management of C&WE’s ongoing PR & marketing strategy for the next 12 months.

The so called ‘baby latex’ represents RJDA’s first case study opportunity to utilise their wealth of large format print experience in a marketing capacity.

With many of its staff familiar with large format kit, RJDA’s creative team are perfectly placed to deliver an innovative marketing mix of video, PR, eshots and web based solutions to drive C&WE’s sales over the coming months.

The start of February signals the launch of Creative Sauce, an exciting new design competition bringing together RJDA’s creative professionals with road safety charity Brake and the burgeoning talent from the regions 4 main universities.

Creative Sauce is a vision for student opportunities and an opportunity for RJDA’s graduates to give something back to their university roots according to Studio Manager Chris Reynolds who will be appraising portfolios of the competitions 5 best entrants.

Encouraged by its already successful graduate recruitment program Chris envisages Creative Sauce as a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their design potential to one of the East Midlands fastest growing and most successful agencies.

This years inaugural competition will see RJDA team up Road Safety Charity Brake to deliver a brief for “WATCH OUT THERE’S A KID ABOUT! A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD ROAD SAFETY.”

Check out all the entries on our new website www.mycreativesauce.co.uk to see who is in the running to win the 21″ Imac first prize and a host of runner up prizes.

Strong and trusting relationships with clients is pivotal to RJDA’s success and this looks like the start of a long and creative relationship.

Stancliffe Stone, a Marshalls Specialist Business, has appointed RJ Design Associates (RJDA) as its preferred agency to launch a new look and feel and attract attention to its brand.

RJDA won the creative pitch after competing with three other agencies.

The design of a new web site for the business is the first phase of the brief and RJDA are perfectly placed to deliver not just a strong new stylish look for the natural stone company but also focus attentions on initiating their digital marketing campaign.

Stancliffe Stone has seven UK quarries and an eclectic mix of both stone and products and to deliver this message effectively to their target market of architects, planners, and contractors was crucial to the pitch. Stancliffe wanted a style that reflected the key values of the business.

The Matlock based company is the UK’s largest producer of British dimensional stone and Debbie Rogers, Marketing Manager for the group wanted a new look and feel to take the brand forward.

“ Up until now, web and collateral have been developed independently with different suppliers, however as part of our marketing strategy we wanted to see the collateral, web and e-marketing becoming integrated activities. RJDA ticked all the boxes for us as well as giving us the confidence that they were more than capable of acting for our brand.”

RJDA have began the new decade in spectacular fashion with the announcement that they have made the shortlist for Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber Business Of The Year 2010 Award.

The event is the showcase for the county’s most talented entrepreneurs, executives and successful business models and provides a widely recognised mark of quality. For those lucky enough to make the awards night there is a platform to celebrate their achievements before an audience of peers and prospective customers.

This years event will take place on Friday 26th February 2010 at Derby College’s newly opened Roundhouse site – a venue the RJDA team are all too familiar with having already worked on the external branding for the site.

The Awards are the liveliest and longest established in the area and the evening promises to be a glittering occasion compéred by a well known figure.

Only the winners will be entitled to proudly display the award emblem on their stationery, packaging and advertising, so RJDA staff wait with eager anticipation and their digital and litho presses at the ready for a possible stationery reprint!

RJDA have added yet another feather to their cap by recently qualifying with flying colours to become members of RAR (Recommended Agency Register)

RAR work to identify, qualify and evaluate companies in the marketing sector and RJDA were rated ‘excellent’ gaining 85% in client surveys.

RAR realise the importance of helping company’s source, select and engage the right marketing supplier so their system enable clients to make an informed and efficient choice of agency by viewing key data such as where the company are located, what their skills areas lie and their levels of customer satisfaction.

So if you are looking at reviewing your digital marketing, thinking of adding Direct Mail to your marketing activities, searching for a PR strategy, planning a new integrated campaign or just want to have a fresh look at your creative options you now know you’ve definitely come to the right place!

On Friday 4th December RJDA welcomed Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber members to their 12,000 sq ft contemporary offices for a fast, fun and festive speed-networking event.

The 30 or so visitors really set the place buzzing as they moved round the room exchanging business details and contacts.

This was the first event that RJDA have held at their new location, so it was a real opportunity to show delegates what we do, the enthusiasm we have for doing it and our professional delivery.

The positive feedback from the eclectic mix of business associate’s was really encouraging. Barbi Rodger, Director of Global Key Translations, was full of praise for the set up at RJDA:

“I really enjoyed the ‘Speed Networking’ occasion and, needless to say, was most impressed by the set up and magnificent hospitality.”

The event culminated in a tour of the premises, lunch and drinks. Watch this space for details of further RJDA networking events – one thing is for certain the new business links forged should ensure that the New Year starts off in the best way possible!

The clock is ticking and time is running out for RJDA to get ready and prepare to welcome Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber Members to the last Speed Networking event for 2009.

The event offers a new fresh way to build business connections quickly. Its fast, its fun, its networking with an accelerated twist.

The forty business attendees have 2½ minutes to introduce themselves, their company and their services before they move on to the next ‘hot seat’ and do it all over again!

The event is scheduled for the 4th December and will begin at 9.30am with RJDA serving lunch at 12.30pm

For more information or to book your place please contact the events team at The Chamber
events@dncc.co.uk

RJDA are proud to be ‘along for the journey’ as a preferred marketing supplier for the Balfour Beatty Group in helping them achieve a vision of Zero Harm by 2012.

In common with many other large organisations Balfour Beatty place huge importance on improving safety and as such they have embarked on the immense challenge of ‘Making Safety Personal’ to over 500,000 employees, sub contractors and working partners.

Working in conjunction with Balfour Beatty Rail UK and Balfour Beatty Plant and Fleet Services, RJDA are busy delivering the Zero Harm message across a range of marketing collateral including:

PPE signage
Water bottles
Watches
3m x 1m outdoor banners
Window decals
Doormat
Pads
Pens

The search is on to find the county’s most deserving youngsters for the Young Achievers Awards 2009

The annual awards, now in there 11th year, were set up to highlight some of the outstanding personal achievements of young people across the county with nominations ranging from:

Bravery in fighting illness

Kindness in helping others

Commitment to improving school, community or the local environment

Sporting, musical, artistic or academic success.

RJDA are once again proud to announce their continued support for the Derbyshire County Council event.

2009 will be RJDA’s 5th consecutive year of sponsorship, a fact warmly recognised by Derbyshire County Council Councillor Anne Western, “The event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors of which RJDA’s contribution is greatly appreciated”

Nominations for the reception to be held in Matlock on the 11th December are now closed.

Heating Technology manufacturer Vaillant is celebrating its most recent digital marketing activity, a series of 3 Electronic Direct Mail campaigns (EDM’s) aimed at installers and end users.

As part of an ongoing digital marketing strategy to increase brand recognition, Marketing Communications Manager Alice Cubitt is certainly encouraged with the response rate data feedback thus far.

“We were particularly impressed with RJDA’s eshot portal which enables us to track, manage and report on ROI.”

“As a result our campaigns are completely measurable and transparent with open rates achieved so far of 43% for our tech download service and 27% for the end user EDM. Both campaigns achieved a 30% click rate once opened which was very good indeed”.

With brand recognition expected to increase with repetition, Web Development Manager Matt Underwood is not the only one excited about evolving the digital strategy for Vaillant in the coming months.

October brings about the 1st anniversary of RJDA’s implementation of Synergist – The leading job management, tracking and quoting system for creative agencies from EXsystems.

Brought in to supersede a combination of manual and in-house developed paper based systems, Synergist has more than played its part in a remarkable year of progress at RJDA.

With staff numbers up from 10 to 26 and turnover up a notable 80% it has certainly been an eventful year of change!

Next on the agenda for Synergist is the planned introduction of a sales and marketing module to manage RJDA’s eshot and DM campaigns extending Synergist’s data management qualities to its fullest.

RJDA has recently concluded a national advertising campaign for Europe’s No 1 heating technology manufacturer Vaillant.

‘Kills Bills’ was launched in September 2009 with newspaper and magazine adverts across a range of home interest, specialist interest and Sunday newspaper supplements.

Direct mail, eshots and a complete www.vaillant.co.uk homepage takeover also contributed to end user activity to play a key role in ensuring continued market share growth for the Vaillant brand.

According to Graphic Designer Ross Ballinger, “Kills Bills creative focuses on strong photography and a clean look, with the product very much the hero to augment brand awareness and lead generation.”

“In a market where consumers are increasingly more likely to educate themselves before making major purchases, such as a new boiler or solar system, Kills Bills reinforces the environmental and energy saving concerns of the end user”

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Every once in a while a member of the RJDA team does something that you just have to shout about.

That somebody is RJDA Studio Manager and dedicated Forest fan Chris Reynolds who has just completed a grueling 10k run for Cancer Research at Kedleston Hall in Derby.

Not content with simply completing the course, Rocket Renner finished an impressive 6th of 900 entrants, clocking 44 mins 48 secs and raising in the region of £400.00 at the same time.

Speaking after his arduous efforts Chris said “most people have a story to tell about how cancer in some shape or form has effected their lives and i’m no different, so if you could spare a few quid for the cause that would be fab as it is not too late to sponsor me!!”

If you want to make a donation for Cancer Research click on Chris Reynolds fundraising page

With combined industry experience of over 50 YEARS between them, the twin appointment of Daran Zikic to the position of Pre Press Manager and Ian Hornbuckle as Workflow Coordinator, should signal significant progression throughout all of RJDA’s workflow processes.

Daran brings with him proven Management experience, with over 25 years experience in the print trade, of which 13 years have been in management. His extensive knowledge of Litho, Digital and Pre Press systems has already seen him undertake the successful implementation of not only achieving, but more importantly maintaining, an ISO12647 consistent closed loop print standard on RJDA’s B2 Komori 5 colour litho press.

“Progression is always the key to success and my future within RJDA could precipitate an eventual move into a more hands on Business Development role. Using my print knowledge to help customers, both existing and new, to achieve the best possible end product in design and cost is ultimately where I see my RJDA career developing.” enthused Daran.

Pictured from left to right - Ross Ballinger (Human Torch), Andy Gilmore (The Thing), Matt Underwood (Silver Surfer), Amy Muddle (Invisible woman) and Darren Barrett (Mister Fantastic).

For those of you thinking RJDA’s latest brief is a Marvel comic book adaptation, the Fantastic 5 – RJDA style, is more about the continued expansion of RJDA’s creative capabilities as opposed to any cosmically gifted designers!

The appointment of Amy Muddle to the RJDA studio is the 5th such graduate appointment from Derby University in little over 4 years following hot on the heels of fellow 2:1 graduates Matt Underwood, Ross Ballinger, Andy Gilmore and Darren Barrett.

Amy will bring a fresh approach to RJDA’s corporate design capabilities having worked with prestigious blue chip clients such as Vodafone, EON, John Lewis & Anglian Water.

RJDA have just put the finishing touches to their latest exhibition design and print job, a 3 x 3 portable display system and 500 digitally printed brochures with show specific personalisation, for Ilkeston based Atlas Composites.

The SBAC event to be held at the Cité Internationale Congrès in Nantes on 22 & 23 September 2009 is a leading business convention for the composite industry and one Atlas Director Shaun Maloney is keen to take advantage of.

“With pre-planned meetings over a 2 day period RJDA’s expolinc 3 x 3 display system was easily the best solution to maximise our meeting potential”

“The case to counter lecturn with wrap around graphic meant we were able to ship in advance and and set up on the day within 20 minutes – perfect for our busy schedule!”

RJDA are delighted to announce the recent appointment of Sarah Pritchard to their Account Management team.

Sarah will be joining RJDA fresh from her marketing role with Derby based Dunmar Group as well as bringing with her several years experience gained within the Hotel & Catering Industry.

To complement a wealth of client side knowledge and expertise, often working in tandem with the RJDA creative team, Sarah will be hoping to add her own special blend of passion and enthusiasm to the post.

“I have worked alongside RJDA for over 8 years now and I can not think of a better team of professional, inspiring and artistically creative people to work with. I  am passionate about design in all its guises and am ready to take on the challenge of helping a progressive company meet their objectives. This journey is going to be so exciting , I can just tell!

For those of you familiar with RJDA Account Manager Lucy Thorne, Sat 22nd August saw Lucy take the plunge into marital bliss.

Proceeding her big day the RJDA crew gathered for a cake and bubbly at the RJDA coffee lounge to mark the occasion.

With Allison Hancock, Direct Mail and Database Planning Manager coordinating proceedings and seemingly adding event management to RJDA expanding list of services we eagerly await the next RJDA celebration!

September heralds the eagerly awaited UK launch of MODA, a premium brand of bikes made solely in the UK by Derby based Moore Large.

Working across a range of bikes and colour schemes, RJDA’s logo origination will ultimately form an integral part of the MODA brand and point of sale rollout.

Reflecting on the completion of the recent branding exercise, Paul Stewart, Director of Eurobike UK commented “the creative team at RJDA were able to work closely to my brief and achieve the modern, premium look I wanted within a workable timescale.  We are now on schedule to market on time which is vitally important as a first step to achieving brand success!”

The new Moda logo was designed by multimedia designer Matt Underwood and the bike decals where created by creative designer Andy Gilmore.