It is a massive second for us – the beginning of a brand new month-to-month ritual the place we shine a light-weight on the wins, hires, shake-ups and whispers shaping our trade. From headline-grabbing consumer strikes to the side-of-desk experiments everybody’s speaking about, Booms & Shakes is right here to maintain you within the loop.
The thought got here earlier this yr, once we realised nobody else was doing these traditional Movers & Shakers options anymore. We used to stay for these. What occurred to them? Properly, we’re bringing them again. So watch out what you inform us once we’re out and about (solely joking). And should you’ve obtained one thing value sharing, we’d love to listen to from you. Sufficient scene-setting. September’s right here, the trade’s buzzing, and it is time to spill the tea.
Shopper Wins
ARK wins loveholidays
Impartial company ARK has been appointed as lead artistic associate to loveholidays, the UK’s fastest-growing journey agent. The win follows a aggressive pitch course of managed by Ingenuity+ and can see ARK main artistic technique and marketing campaign supply to help the model’s progress throughout Europe. “We have been the trade’s best-kept secret. That is about to vary,” mentioned loveholidays model director Jacqui Grimsey-Jones.
VCCP lands Co-op Funeralcare
Co-op Funeralcare has appointed VCCP as its artistic and technique associate, increasing the company’s remit throughout the Co-op Group. The ‘Owned By You. Proper By You.’ platform will now prolong into funeralcare, aiming to make the class really feel extra human and accessible. Anticipate the primary work to be accomplished later this yr.
Genoa Black companions with Curtis Stone
Scottish consultancy Genoa Black has landed a brand new transient with LA-based chef and entrepreneur Curtis Stone. The workforce is engaged on model structure and design throughout Stone’s wide-ranging companies, strengthening Genoa Black’s rising fame for worldwide model work.
Evergreen picks VCCP for international backyard care transient
One other massive coup for VCCP as Evergreen Backyard Care (residence of Miracle-Gro, Roundup and extra) names the community as its international built-in company of report. The connection spans technique, artistic, media, PR and social, with Miracle-Gro set to debut below the brand new mannequin in spring 2026.
New Hires & Promotions
Amongst Equals bolsters workforce with 4 senior hires
Inventive firm Amongst Equals has expanded its workforce with 4 new hires throughout design, manufacturing, PR and technique. Greg Bartlett (ex-Revolt, Village Inexperienced), Flavia Casà (ex-W+Ok, Saatchi), Kiki King (ex-Unusual), and Rose Shephard (ex-Otherway) convey heavyweight expertise throughout manufacturers akin to Nike, Tate, BFI, and extra. Founder Emily Jeffrey-Barrett mentioned: “Their expertise and understanding of what a contemporary enterprise actually must do to make folks take discover – then care – is unparalleled.”
Technique Division launches in Toronto
Since leaving her function as affiliate associate at Pentagram, Katee Hui MBE has based Technique Division, a brand new model technique studio primarily based in Toronto. Early purchasers embody YouTube and Chancen Worldwide.
Katee Hui
Thomas Heckel and Katie Tricot
Recent faces at Genoa Black
Genoa Black has welcomed new designer India Rankin, who joins straight from her first-class diploma at Edinburgh Faculty of Artwork, following a profitable internship. On the similar time, Rosie Maclelland has been promoted to Senior Designer after three years with the studio.
Promotion at OurCreative.
Leeds and Hull-based studio OurCreative. has promoted Ollie Jackson to Senior Designer. Since becoming a member of in 2024, Ollie has labored on a number of ASDA initiatives, together with Noodle Blocks & Bowls and the current Crimson Sky rebrand.
Espresso & TV strengthens design management
Espresso & TV has introduced two senior additions. Katie Tricot joins as Govt Director of Design Studio, bringing over 20 years of expertise in movement and VFX, whereas Thomas Heckel is available in as Artwork Director after a decade at The Mill. Collectively, they’re going to assist drive the studio’s international design providing, working alongside ECD Steve Waugh and Inventive Director Ed Kevill-Davies.
Goulding, Davis and Rudaizky
Ollie Jackson
Atomic London names Cat Davis Group CMO
Atomic London has introduced in seasoned progress chief Cat Davis as Group Chief Advertising Officer. With senior stints at Gray, Cheil, gyro and MISSION Group, Davis will assist scale Atomic’s “Orbit” mannequin after a record-breaking run of recent enterprise wins.
JOAN London appoints Matthew Robinson as MD
Impartial company JOAN London has tapped Matthew Robinson – previously CEO at Fashionable Residents and associate at Joint – as Managing Director. He’ll work alongside ECD Kirsty Hathaway to construct on the company’s speedy progress since opening its London store in 2023.
The Midnight Membership launches The Starting
Inventive firm The Midnight Membership has unveiled a brand new brand-building studio dubbed The Starting, billed as an “anti-consultancy consultancy.” Alongside the launch come heavyweight hires, together with Stephanie McArdle (previously of Droga5) as Head of Design, Caleb Al-Jorani (previously of Unusual) as Group Inventive Director, Liam Campbell (previously of Gray) as Inventive Director, and Anne Mills Côté (previously of Adidas and Ear to the Floor) as Group Inventive Director.
Management modifications
D&AD CEO Dara Lynch steps down
After 18 years at D&AD, CEO Dara Lynch has introduced she is going to step down later this yr. Throughout her tenure, Lynch guided the non-profit by the 2008 crash, the COVID-19 pandemic, and different challenges, whereas launching initiatives such because the White Pencil and Shift. “After 18 years, it looks like the correct time to show the web page and begin a brand new chapter,” she mentioned. Chairman Tim Lindsay praised her “instrumental” function in shaping D&AD’s inclusive tradition.
Dara Lynch
By means of the grapevine
GOOD Company launches GOOD Studio
In response to the monetary challenges going through small charities, GOOD has launched GOOD Studio, a “straight to artistic” service providing cost-effective campaigns that don’t compromise high quality. Aimed squarely at serving to smaller organisations do extra with much less.
Bottleneck podcast
Rory Sutherland (Ogilvy) and Elfried Samba (Butterfly Impact, previously of Gymshark) are teaming up for Bottleneck, a brand new podcast that explores the hidden blockers stifling creativity. Friends embody Margaret Heffernan and Jordan Schwarzenberger. Launches 8 September.
Money Studios’ ‘Belief Mannequin’
Money Studios has lifted the lid on its experimental new strategy: zero rounds of suggestions, half the fee, and half the timeline. Dubbed ‘The Belief Mannequin’, it has already attracted purchasers like Substack and SFMOMA. Not for everybody — however for the courageous few, it may very well be game-changing.
GM Inventive Industries Mixer kicks off in Manchester
Better Manchester is launching a brand new collection of Inventive Industries Mixers, the primary of which takes place on 25 September at Band on the Wall. Anticipate sector updates, networking, funding alternatives, and a highlight on native expertise. The collection is a response to this yr’s Inventive Industries Sector Plan engagement, designed to attach freelancers, independents and small studios with greater gamers throughout the area.
Birthdays
Mondays turns one
North East studio Mondays.Design is celebrating its first birthday, and what a yr it has been. Practically 200 initiatives delivered, new partnerships throughout the UK (plus one worldwide), and a transfer into a brand new studio. Founder Mickey Devine displays: “Working solo after years of main groups has been an enormous shift… but additionally extremely rewarding.” Here is to yr two.
