Domino’s appoints VCCP as lead creative and strategic agency

Tuesday 27 August 2019

Domino’s came to Britain in 1985 and is recognised as the UK and Ireland’s favourite pizza company, delivering around 100 million freshly made pizzas every year.

Tony Holdway, Sales and Marketing Director of Domino’s, said:

“After a thorough pitch process during which we saw some truly amazing agencies and work, we are pleased to announce the appointment of VCCP as our new creative and strategy agency.

VCCP’s understanding of Domino’s and their creative ambition to cement Domino’s position as a brand icon shone through, and we look forward to establishing a successful long-term partnership. Iris will continue to work with Domino’s in a digital, social and local marketing capacity.”

Energy as Nature Intended

Britvic owned Purdey’s has released its first campaign with VCCP, featuring documentary-style realism to highlight the energising power of nature.

This will be the first ‘natural energy drink’ to advertise on TV, positioning itself as a more natural alternative to traditional energy drinks.

With energy cited as the fastest growing reason why people drink soft drinks, Purdey’s is well positioned to tap into this desire without compromising on health as it contains no added sugar, caffeine or other artificial ingredients.

This new campaign takes inspiration from the surprising amount of energy found in the natural world. As energetic hummingbirds transform into the iconic Purdey’s bottle, the film demonstrates how it is possible to get an energy lift from the naturally sourced ingredients in a Purdey’s like fruit juices, botanicals, and added B vitamins.

‘When people think of nature, they often picture calm, tranquil environments. We wanted to show that there is actually a surprising amount of energy in nature, therefore demonstrating the power of a natural energy drink. Hummingbirds can beat their wings over 70x a second, hover and fly both backwards and forwards, making them the perfect heroes of our ad.’
Tony Hector, Creative Director (VCCP Blue)

Chime Acquires Method Communications to broaden US footprint and create a £20m ($26m) Global Technology practice

Thursday 20 December 2018

LONDON (December 20 2018) — Chime, the global sport, entertainment and communications group, today announced it has acquired Method Communications, a technology PR and marketing agency based in San Francisco and Salt Lake City.

Through the acquisition, Method will become part of the Chime Specialist Group, a family of best-in-class agencies that are challenging traditional agency models. It will grow the group’s technology practice billings to more than £20 million (USD$26 million) and cement its’ presence in the U.S. technology market. By aligning Method with Harvard, an award-winning European technology agency, and inEvidence, the customer advocacy specialists, Chime is building upon its strategy of creating a differentiated global marketing services network for the technology sector.

“David and his team have built an outstanding business by shaking-up traditional agency thinking,” said Jo Parker, CEO, Chime Specialist Group. “This has made them one of the fastest growing and most recognised technology agencies in the U.S., with an enviable client roster. The synergy with Chime’s challenger approach is obvious, and we are excited to bring together our global ambitions to drive impact and value in the technology sector and beyond.”

Method, which was founded by David Parkinson and Jacob Moon in 2010, has grown rapidly and established itself as the agency behind some of the most exciting technology companies in the U.S., including Check Point Software, Domo, Freshworks, New Relic, Pluralsight, Qualtrics, Traeger Grills, Vivint Solar and Vivint Smart Home.

“Like Method, Chime has built its success on challenging outdated thinking. Since day one, we have had a goal of creating the best technology agency in the country, with the best team and clients in the industry,” said David Parkinson, CEO of Method. “From our very first conversations with Jo and her team, it was apparent that we shared a unique focus on culture, values and vision. We are thrilled to be part of Chime and anticipate a phenomenal partnership as we move forward.”

Louie St Claire, CEO of Harvard added: “Technology is now at the heart of every major global narrative. Delivering best practice PR and marketing to brands leading those narratives requires a global footprint. With Harvard in Europe, Method in the US and the global coverage from inEvidence we have a proposition to deliver across the globe and build something truly differentiated for brands with a technology story to tell, wherever they may be!”

Method, Harvard and inEvidence will report into Chime Specialist Group CEO Jo Parker, who also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of parent group Chime. Louie St Claire, CEO of Harvard, will step up to chair the newly-formed tech group to co-ordinate global collaboration across the network and build out its global technology proposition.

About the Chime Specialist Group

The Chime Specialist Group has best in class agencies across technology, financial services and sustainability. Operating across the world with offices in London, New York, Santiago to Singapore with over 250 people.

About Method

Method is the communications catalyst for breakthrough brands and category leaders. Founded in 2010, Method helps its clients share their ambitious visions with the world. As The Holmes Report’s 2016 Technology Agency of the Year, we produce award-winning results from Salt Lake City and San Francisco. To explore how Method Communications creates engaging storytelling and compelling narratives for highly successful brands, visit methodcommunications.com or connect through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Harvard

Harvard is an award-winning PR & Marketing consultancy that works with brands who use technology to effect change. From global giants to the coolest start-ups, every one of our clients puts technology at the heart of what they do to leave a lasting impact. We exist to help them tell their stories in the most imaginative ways possible, and take them to the right people, in the right places, time after time.

About inEvidence

inEvidence is the specialist customer advocacy and reference agency within the Chime Specialist Group, part of Chime Communications Limited. inEvidence helps its clients build their brand and grow their business through customer stories, closing more business, more quickly.

Press Contacts

Neil Bayley, Chime +44 (0) 07788352046

Georgina Greenspan, Harvard

+ 44 (0) 07788 352 056 georgina.greenspan@harvard.co.uk

Jacob Moon, Method Communications

801.461.9797 jacob@methodcommunications.com

Applications for VCCP’s ‘The Table’ are now open

Wednesday 19 December 2018

Once upon a noughties, four people sat around Charles Vallance’s kitchen table and made a pact to start an agency that challenged everything. With the founding principles of simplicity, collaboration, un-preciousness, and integration around ideas, VCCP was born. On that very day, at that very table.

A few hundred employees later, we continue to search for people with just one important characteristic; a passion for challenging everything in the pursuit of the brilliant. If that sounds like you, no matter who you are, what experience you have or where you’re from, there could well be a chair at the table for you.

The programme runs for a year and recruits for entry-level roles in Account Management and Planning, perfect for those looking to get their first job in advertising. Click here to download the application form.

To apply to Good Relations, our PR and content agency, please complete this form. For more information, look here.

Applications close on Sunday 13th January and the 20th January for Good Relations so be sure to send your application form to thetable@vccp.com before then for a chance to take your seat. If you are sending a video file, please make sure it is not too large to attach or, if it is, included it as a download link within the email using a filesharing site.

Please also apply if you’re interested in joining our sister agency, SNAP LDN. You can find out more about SNAP here.

By emailing your application form you agree that you have read our recruitment privacy policy and consent to the collection, retention, use, and transfer of your personal data by VCCP (including transfer outside of the EEA) in accordance with our policies. If you are happy to proceed, please include your details on the application form and send this to us to confirm your consent.

“The scheme was amazing as it allowed me to experience the different departments and disciplines at VCCP, giving me an idea of what I actually wanted to do! I’ve been here since and I love it because the people and culture are second to none.” Anna Skinner, Senior Account Manager, VCCP

Chime’s Insight and Engagement Division Joins VCCP and Re-Brands as Watermelon

Thursday 18 October 2018

Chime’s Insight and Engagement Division (CIE), which includes Facts International and Opinion Leader, announced that it has consolidated and restructured its agencies, re branding the division under its award-winning Customer Experience Consultancy – Watermelon Research.

In a further move, which will enable Watermelon to enhance and expand its range of CX services, it has also joined VCCP and will be moving into the Victoria offices on 15th October.

Mark Squires, Watermelon’s CEO explains: “From 1st October for our existing clients, staff, and suppliers it will be business as usual and just a change of name. However, over the coming weeks the re-brand will enable us to bring together all the expertise and services within CIE’s legacy agencies and restructure them under one unifying brand.

This makes us an extremely powerful team, fully able to deliver the really large scale customer experience programmes, by truly bridging the gap between technology and insight. Furthermore, joining VCCP will not only give us the opportunity to provide Watermelon’s services to their current clients, it will also enable us to contribute directly to the really exciting work VCCP are delivering on Customer Experience Design. For our clients, this really is a case of the whole being many times greater than the sum of its parts.”

Adrian Coleman, Group CEO, VCCP, added: “Combining the services, expertise and insights under the Watermelon brand enables us to further build on our integrated customer experience offering. Growth in this market has been phenomenal in recent years and working closely with Watermelon puts us in a strong position to help brands better understand their customers.”

VCCP Launch Cadbury – There’s a glass & a half in everyone

Friday 12 January 2018

Cadbury has launched a new global brand platform which takes it back to its roots; a family brand founded on generous principles. The new positioning shines a light on the kindness and generosity that we see in society everyday, and facilitates moments of real human connection.
The first creative under the new global brand platform is centred on the nation’s favourite chocolate, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and sees the brand embrace an authentic and caring approach, capturing the spirit of the nation in a way that individual consumers can relate to.

The campaign kicked off with a new TV advert on Saturday 13^th January during The Voice on ITV. The 60 second TV ad tells the story of a young girl who enters a corner store wanting to buy a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk. However, it’s not for her – it’s for her mum’s birthday. As the girl has never bought something on her own before, she attempts to emulate what she has seen her mum do and gets her purse out to pay, but inside there is only a collection of small knick-knacks. She goes to pay using these trinkets, including a button and fake diamond ring, which the shopkeeper generously accepts. Even though it leaves him out of pocket, the shopkeeper ensures he doesn’t take the girl’s favourite trinket (her miniature unicorn!) and she is able to leave the shop with her Mum’s favourite bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk, and a smile on her face.

Benazir Barlet-Batada, Brand Equity Lead for Cadbury said, “In today’s world it’s easy to overlook those small moments of authentic human generosity, but actually they are happening all around us. We want to shine a light on these genuine acts of kindness and true moments of human connection that are occurring every day.”

This new £12million campaign will be further underpinned by digital, social, PR, experiential and sampling activations, as well as a second TV advert later in the year. In addition, brand new Out of Home will include the famous Cadbury Dairy Milk glass and a half of milk icon with other positive symbols, such as a heart, smiley face and thumbs up. There’s no Cadbury branding, it simply features the new Cadbury Dairy Milk tagline – There’s a glass and a half in every one – showing the human kindness in us all.

Barlet-Batada continues “Cadbury is a treat which has been bringing enjoyment to people for over a hundred years and we want to use this as an opportunity to reconnect with the nation and drive talkability amongst our biggest fans through this very unique new brand platform.”

Darren Bailes, ECD for VCCP added, “This is our first work for Cadbury and we are very proud of it. Our intention is to make people really feel something again for Cadbury…the feeling you get when you watch ‘A finger of Fudge is just enough’ adverts from the seventies. Warm. Homely. Fabric of the nation. Our work finds moments of generosity and goodness in a world that at first look can seem pretty selfish. There are no special effects, no fakery…just honest real life.”

Finally, between 25th and 28th January, Cadbury will be bringing the new TV advert to life by giving chocolate fans across the UK the chance to get a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk for the price of a knick knack, trinket or even a button! The five-day long pop up store will be appearing in Greek Street, Soho and will be open between 10am and 6pm with Cadbury looking to give away a whopping 10,000 bars.

For more information please visit www.facebook.com/CadburyUK or tweet us at @CadburyUK using #glassandahalf.

Congratulations to Watermelon on their fantastic win at the MRS Awards

Thee well-deserved win was for the MRS/AURA Insight Management Award which Watermelon won jointly with Barclays.

The judges commented on the win: “There is clear evidence of collaboration between Barclays and Watermelon. The synthesis between the agency and client, and of the insight itself, makes this a hands down winner.”

This win comes shortly after the MRS Operations Awards, where Facts International picked up the MRS Award for Best Data Collection (Face-to-Face) for their work on the National Rail Passenger Survey.

Highlights from Campaign The Annual 2017

Monday 04 December 2017

VCCP has had a fantastic year and this was translated to a flurry of mentions in the Campaign 2017 Annual. Firstly they came a close second to adam&eve in the race for Campaign’s ‘Agency of the Year’ with a new-business record that was unsurpassed by any other agency. A total of 23 wins across the year included some of the most keenly contested pitches – for Cadbury, Britvic and Domino’s.

Their O2 Oops campaign appeared on three occasions and most notably scooped the No.1 spot for ‘Outdoor ads’ as well as being runner-up for the ‘Creative Grand Prix’.

easyJet was named as the first runner-up for ‘Brand Story of the Year’ with the work being described as “standout creative” that had strengthened the brand.

Nationwide ‘Voices’ campaign made the Top 10 Press Ads round-up with a focus on the Mother’s Day campaign that came out in March this year, with printed poems that “beautifully complimented” the television work. Staying with Nationwide, CMO, Sara Bennison took the No.1 spot this year for ‘Top 10 Marketeers’.

Canon’s ‘Live for the Story’ was also a runner-up in this year’s roundups, coming second in the Top 10 Customer Engagements.

Plenty of VCCP people got a shout out in this edition too. Vice Chairman Julian Douglas “a potent force” appeared in the ‘Top 10 Advertising Suits’ whilst ECD Darren Bailes also made the charts after a “barnstorming year”, featuring in the top 10 of the Top 20 Creatives. Marie Oldham took part in a roundtable discussion about automation with her quote being featured in the write-up titled “What are the Robots Missing?”

2018/19 Chime Graduate Scheme is now open

Thursday 02 November 2017

We are delighted to announce that the 2018/19 Chime Graduate Scheme is now open for applications!

If you are determined to succeed and have the passion, ambition and drive to become the best in the industry we can offer you the opportunity to join one of the leading graduate schemes. You will receive industry leading training sessions, take part in a residential campaign planning workshop and collaborate with other graduates on a 6-month team charity project. In addition, we will support you with appraisals throughout the graduate year.

Click here for more information about the scheme.

VCCP named New Thinking Agency of the Year

Friday 06 October 2017

It was a very exciting night at the Marketing New Thinking Awards where VCCP were named Agency of the Year’ and picked up two awards for both easyJet and Nationwide.

The Marketing New Thinking Awards celebrate the brands and agencies that are finding innovative ways to cut through in an increasingly fast-moving consumer environment. The awards, which are powered by Campaign, were held ) at One Marylebone in central London.

VCCP brought home wins for the following campaigns:

Agency of the Year
Live Brand Experience – The Why Not? Plane Door to Holland, easyJet
Social Storytelling – #GotThisFromMum, Nationwide