The COVID-19 lockdown and remote working forced a complete rethink from our clients about how they communicate with employees, customers and members.

It also made us reconsider how we work and forced an emphasis on digital publishing over our much-loved traditional print format.

We will continue to champion print publishing – it’s in our DNA – but there’s no denying digital came into its own during these unusual times.

Throughout lockdown we’ve been asked to create a host of e-guides, newsletters, and magazines – all through the latest interactive publishing software. They’ve enabled clients to speak to the right people irrespective of which part of the house in which they’re working!

We can write, design and host the publications with guidance from clients keen to share their latest news in the tone of voice that works for them.

The benefits for this format during a period of remote working are great. We’ve listed ten reasons below:

Colmore Cook Book, Birmingham Business Park ‘Our Community’ and Safer Spaces for hospitality venues – three of the recent digital publications we’ve been asked to produce

1. You’re back in business… tell people about it

Update remote-working staff and stakeholders with latest company announcements, offers, appointments and opening times

2. Simplicity

Digital publications are easy to share through social media, email or your website

3. Convenience

Read your news on mobile, tablet or desktop browsers anywhere, any time of day

4. They look good

Publications can be designed to match existing company branding, design and typography

5. Interactive publishing

Embed special videos (a message from the CEO, perhaps?), CGI visuals and links to e-commerce pages

6 Budget friendly

No print or distribution costs to consider

7. No wastage

Share only with the readers and people who matter

8. No barriers to distribution

Digital means global. The online world is your oyster!

9. Commercial potential

Host advertising or themed and timed promotional content

10. Get started now, remotely!

Get in touch now to begin working on your first bespoke digital newsletter or magazine.

 

A selection of our latest digital publications:

Birmingham Business Park ‘Our Community’

Colmore BID ‘Safer Spaces’ guide

Colmore ‘Cook Book’

Colmore Lite digital magazine

Retail BID ‘Welcome Back’ guide for city centre retailers returning after lockdown

Birmingham Business Park has released a special digital magazine to highlight the Park occupiers and tenants who have adapted to support the UK-wide COVID-19 effort.

The special edition of the Park’s seasonal ‘Our Community’ magazine has been created by Edwin Ellis Creative Media.

The digital magazine features companies such as IMI, Minebea Intec and Goodyear, who have adapted production to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Also featured is Business Park-based Rolls-Royce, which is part of the VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium and has been working hard to investigate production of a range of ventilator design options to help increase the UK’s supply of ventilators.

Set within 148 acres of mature parkland along the M42 corridor, multi-award-winning Birmingham Business Park is the most established out-of-town office park in the Midlands with 15,000 people working there.

Read the digital magazine here: https://www.birminghambusinesspark.co.uk/life-on-the-park/news/


Read more from Edwin Ellis Creative Media: The Journal of History & Nostalgia, a digital magazine looking at Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry:

Like us, you’re probably missing Birmingham city centre’s loveliest landmarks and dashing past them to get to your next meeting as coronavirus guidelines force us to work from home.

So here are nine pictures of some of the most picturesque spots in town for you to brighten up your Zoom meeting backdrops for the times when the kitchen just won’t do.

You just need to right-click, select Save Image and download.

To work out how to change the meeting backdrop, follow this guide.

All pictures copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media. Feel free to use them for your video calls, screen savers or social media, but get in touch for any commercial usage. Thanks.

Alpha Tower Birmingham and HSBC HQ

Birmingham Cathedral and Colmore Row

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Round Gallery

Birmingham Hall of Memory and Centenary Square

Moor Street Station, Birmingham

Shakespeare Memorial Room at Library of Birmingham

St Paul’s Square, Birmingham

Birmingham Town Hall and Midland Metro tram

The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham


Read more from Edwin Ellis Creative Media: The Journal of History & Nostalgia, a digital magazine looking at Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry:

Edwin Ellis Creative Media has launched a new digital magazine for people to read online or download during the coronavirus lockdown.

The PR and publishing agency, founded in 2015 by former Birmingham Post editor Stacey Barnfield, has created the Journal of History & Nostalgia, which covers Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry.

Using the latest digital publishing software the magazine can be read on any digital device or downloaded to read offline.

It features links to websites for museums and heritage sites and covers news about local history and regeneration projects plus a look at the virtual gallery tours being offered by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery during its closure to the public.

Stacey Barnfield explained how he hopes the magazine will evolve into a printed publication, distributed across the Midlands, to help raise the profile of the area, its history and heritage after coronavirus closures.

“I’ve always wanted to launch a local history magazine that appeals to families who have grown up in the Midlands and have family connections to its biggest brands; the likes of Jaguar, Cadbury and Rover. There are lovely stories behind these incredible organisations that I hope to share through the magazine.

“However, with print publishing being impacted by coronavirus, it seemed appropriate to try a shorter digital ‘stay-at-home’ version first. I’m really pleased with the response and getting some positive feedback.”

It’s been a busy few weeks at Edwin Ellis with a flurry of fine publications rolling off the presses to be distributed quite literally as I type.

You probably know by now that we LOVE producing magazines, brochures and newsletters for our clients. Don’t get us wrong, we love creating digital content, too. But print’s in our DNA. After long careers getting inky fingers working on a range of leading newspapers, I guess you’d expect nothing less.

So, in addition to our headline-grabbing PR work, here’s what’s been keeping us off the streets lately in the world of design and layout.

Colmore Life magazine spring 2020

COLMORE LIFE

First up, it’s the latest edition of Colmore Life magazine produced for Colmore BID and it’s a belter.

We’ve tried to add a sprinkling of spring to the front cover circular montage (designed with the BID’s circular logo in mind).

Inside, there’s all the Business District’s movers and shakers, dining news, people and places, health and wellbeing and property announcements – with a look at the rise and rise of co-working spaces (from one of which this overview is being typed).

Hunt down a copy in a Colmore Business District bar, restaurant, office reception area, or at Snow Hill station. You can also download the digital version on the Colmore BID website.

Colmore BID ‘Progress’ Annual Report 2020

COLMORE BID ‘PROGRESS’ ANNUAL REPORT

Staying with Colmore BID and we were asked to produce its Annual Report with a brief to ‘try something different’ (we love such an instruction!)

The 12-page publication features a semi-circular die-cut front page and a showstopping skyline picture taking out three folded pages at the rear. It certainly catches the eye.

Content features all the latest initiatives the BID is leading across the District, to maintain its reputation as a great place to work, visit and invest. Read it online here.

Birmingham Business Park’s Our Community magazine

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS PARK ‘OUR COMMUNITY’

Next up it’s Birmingham Business Park’s seasonal ‘Our Community’ magazine, which talks about the internationally-renowned companies based at the bustling Business Park along with BBP’s packed diary of wellbeing, food and charity events.

A pleasing aspect to Our Community is that the first edition was so well received we were asked to double its pagination.

Like Colmore Life, we were feeling spring-like when deciding on the cover image. Can someone tell the weather gods to keep up?

Read the digital version here.

(Footnote: We’re conscious of the environmental impact of printed products and aim to source suitably accredited paper stocks whenever possible)

Edwin Ellis Creative Media was asked to create design concepts and produce Colmore BID’s 2020 Annual Report, called Progress.

Wanting the document to stand out for its year-long ‘shelf life’, we opted for a semi-circular die-cut front page, showing an image of the BID’s new Chair and Deputies. Behind this is the welcome message from the senior leadership team.

The document is then broken down to cover each of the Business Improvement District’s working groups; from Safe & Sound through to Leisure & Hospitality.

Another eye-catching element is the triple-folding pages at the rear of the brochure showing a single Business District skyline image, taken from the roof of Bank House in Birmingham city centre specifically for this commission.

Colmore BID’s ‘Progress’ Annual Report front page

Colmore BID’s ‘Progress’ Annual Report inside front page

Colmore BID’s ‘Progress’ Annual Report Safe & Sound pages

The Business District skyline image taking out three pages of Colmore BID’s annual report

These pictures of Birmingham show what you get when you combine stunning sunrise light with one of the highest points in the city centre.

I gained permission from the management company at Bank House on Cherry Street for special access to take photographs from the roof of the skyscraper.

The photography shoot was on behalf of Colmore BID and images for its annual report (we provide PR and design services for the BID, in addition to producing Colmore Life magazine). Look out for the document and you’ll see how one of the skyline images takes out three pages in tri-fold format, with text overlaying the blue sky.

The panoramic viewpoint also gave stunning views of the wider Colmore Business District, Birmingham Cathedral and the awesome 103 Colmore Row tower as construction continues on what will be the city’s tallest building.

With it being such a clear winter morning, I could see the Rotunda and Digbeth to the south and the Library of Birmingham and Brindleyplace to the west.

Thanks to Bank House front-of-house and management teams for their help.

Birmingham city centre skyline. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Birmingham city centre skyline. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Birmingham city centre skyline. Copyright: Edwin Ellis Creative Media Birmingham 2020

Colmore Business District Birmingham. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Colmore Business District and Birmingham city centre skyline. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Birmingham city centre skyline. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Grand Hotel Birmingham, Colmore Business District, Birmingham. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Snowhill Birmingham. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media Birmingham 2020

Birmingham city centre skyline – Brindleyplace, the Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Copyright: Edwin Ellis Creative Media Birmingham 2020

The Rotunda, Birmingham. Copyright Edwin Ellis Creative Media

Organisers of the annual Great Birmingham 10K have unveiled a best-ever route that showcases Birmingham city centre landmarks such as Grand Central, Mailbox and the historic Jewellery Quarter for the first time.

From the Hippodrome theatre to St Paul’s Square and a roll-call of city centre attractions in between, the 10k, which takes place on Sunday, May 31, shines a light on the historic heart of Birmingham, its latest developments and world-famous heritage sites.

The new 10k route has been unveiled just two years before Birmingham hosts the 2022 Commonwealth Games and welcomes visitors from across the world and a global TV audience of billions.

Starting near the much-loved Hippodrome theatre in Southside, the opening stages of the Great Birmingham 10k will take runners through gritty and bohemian Digbeth where old industries and new bars and apartments sit alongside each other.

The BBC’s coverage of the Great Birmingham 10K announcement

At 3km, runners and walkers will see one of Birmingham’s oldest areas – St Martin’s Church and the Bull Ring Markets which date back to the Middle Ages – before the route passes the unique Grand Central at New Street station, one of the city’s more recent skyline additions. The mall’s reflective exterior will provide a brilliant photographic backdrop to the event.

The cool and contemporary Mailbox building and its premium retail stores features at 4km, before participants cross bustling Broad Street – the city’s ‘Golden Mile’ – at 5km.

Birmingham’s world-famous canal network is a highlight at 6km with runners passing King Edward’s Wharf and Vincent Street near Brindleyplace and Arena Birmingham.

New for 2020, the 10k will take runners through one of the city’s gems – the Jewellery Quarter – home to 40% of the UK’s jewellery production and the world’s largest Assay Office. Runners will go along Frederick Street, around the iconic Chamberlain clock, down Vittoria Street and alongside beautiful St Paul’s Square and its heritage-listed Georgian buildings housing creative companies and buzzing bars.

After heading along Newhall Street and Great Charles Street at 9km, the sight of the new HSBC UK and PwC offices at the Arena Central and Paradise developments will boost Brum runners looking for a personal-best time.

St Paul’s Square in the Jewellery Quarter

Business Challenge teams taking part for corporate bragging rights and fastest-time trophies will enjoy passing their city centre offices as the 10K reaches its grandstand finish at the Town Hall, Victoria Square and Colmore Row, where goodie bags and finisher medals await.

The new city-centre finish-line gives participants the perfect opportunity to meet friends and family for a post-run visit to the Event Village, before heading to one of Birmingham’s many cafes, bars and restaurants or a spot of retail therapy at an independent boutique store in Great Western Arcade or Piccadilly Arcade.

The Great Run Company, organisers of the annual 10k, have worked with Birmingham City Council, public transport providers and the city centre’s five Business Improvement Districts to create the new route.

Steve Hewlett, Manager, Retail BID Birmingham, said: “It’s a great time for Birmingham to introduce a new 10K route through the city centre as it offers runners and visitors an opportunity to experience the city as it rapidly develops. This could easily become the biggest and best 10k in Europe!”

Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am excited that a route for the Great Birmingham 10k has been developed to showcase the best of the city and feature one of the most iconic areas, the Jewellery Quarter. It’s a route that we know participants will enjoy with a finish in the heart of the city centre.”

Press release issued by Edwin Ellis Creative Media on behalf of the Great Run Company. The announcement featured on BusinessDeskWM, BBC Birmingham & Black Country, Brumpic and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce among others.

Edwin Ellis Creative Media Director Stacey Barnfield is celebrating being named Businessman of the Year at the Birmingham Awards 2019.

Now in their fifth year, The Birmingham Awards celebrate the best of the city’s entrepreneurism and commitment to the regional business community. Broken into categories covering small business, leisure and hospitality, venues and arts and culture, they attract hundreds of nomination and thousands of public votes.

This year’s event was held at The Library of Birmingham with the new-look Centenary Square, HSBC and the Big Wheel providing a stunning backdrop.

Stacey, who founded Edwin Ellis with co-director Catherine Hendrick four years ago, would like to thank the judges and voters for honouring him with the award.

He said: “As a born and bred Brummie simply being nominated for such a prestigious award in my home city was fantastic. To then win the category of Businessman of the Year is extra special. I’m over the moon.

“Knowing first-hand the highs and lows of launching and running a small business during turbulent economic times, I congratulate all my fellow finalists and winners at the Birmingham Awards. They deserve their moment in the spotlight.”

Read the full list of winners and awards evening highlights here.

Edwin Ellis Creative Media has been commissioned to produce a new magazine for Birmingham Business Park.

The first edition of ‘Our Community’ will be distributed throughout the autumn and winter of 2019 to Business Park tenants, stakeholders and potential investors.

Our Community features company profiles, latest news and updates from the management, landscaping and wellbeing teams.

Set within 148 acres of mature parkland along the M42 corridor, Birmingham Business Park is the most established out-of-town office park in the Midlands with 15,000 people working there.

It boasts high-profile occupiers including Rolls Royce Control Systems, Fujitsu, BT and Sulzer, which is in the process of building a new facility. The park has won awards for its landscaping, environmental best practice and sustainability.

The new magazine is the latest addition to Edwin Ellis’s portfolio of PR and publishing clients. Founded by former Birmingham Post editor Stacey Barnfield, the agency produces Colmore Life magazine, Retail BID’s Edit member magazine and manages PR for mass-participation events the Great Birmingham Run, Great Birmingham 10K and Vélo Birmingham & Midlands 100-mile cycle, among others.

Stacey said: “We’re proud to be partnering some of the Midlands’ biggest organisations who are looking for new and creative ways of speaking to their clients, tenants or members.

“Working with Birmingham Business Park is an absolute pleasure. Home to some of the most innovative businesses in the UK and acres of parkland to support the Park’s wellbeing initiatives, there’s always something to talk about and we’re looking forward to planning the next edition of Our Community for Spring 2020.”

Our profile-raising PR work is driven by the need to come up with creative ideas that help our companies get in the news. It’s what we do on a daily basis.

Some ideas, however, are more fun than others, particularly when they combine two Edwin Ellis Creative Media loves… Lego and running!

We had a great time working on this with the brilliant Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham. The end result was featured on various local news websites and social media channels, generating a combined reach of well over one million followers.

Here’s the press release:

 

It’s a small world as Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run recreated in LEGO

Ready, steady, LEGO…! How’s this for a new view of the Midlands’ biggest half marathon?

Birmingham’s Legoland Discovery Centre has unveiled a miniature version of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run to pay tribute to the annual event, which takes place in October.

The scene took nine hours to complete and shows some of Birmingham’s most familiar landmarks with 220 running LEGO Minifigures, 297 spectators and… a TV crew.

The Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run is known for the diversity of its runners and the Miniland version is no different, featuring Giraffe Guy, Watermelon Man, Boxer, Nurse, Spaceman, Master wu Ninja, Postman and an Elephant!

It was created by Master Model Builder Michelle Thompson and Legoland Discovery Centre visitors can admire the sporty scene ahead of this year’s Great Birmingham Run, which takes place on Sunday, October 13.

The Great Birmingham Run in Lego form, with New Street and Grand Central on the left

Starting on New Street, the half marathon features a new and improved route for 2019, passing the famous Rotunda, Primark on High Street, Selfridges and St Martin’s Church before taking thousands of participants along Pershore Road and into Bournville.

The new route sees a return to some of the event’s most popular running locations of past years, including Cannon Hill Park and a ‘Brummy Army’ cheering zone at Edgbaston Stadium, the scene of some of English cricket’s most memorable matches.

Children of all ages can also enjoy the excitement of an organised running event with the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Junior and Mini Runs taking place on the same day as the half marathon.

The 1.5k Mini Run is open to children between the ages of 3-8, while the 2.5k Junior Run is open to 9-16 year-olds. All finishers receive a medal to show off at school or to friends.

Master Model Builder Michelle said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to put this display together and had a lot of fun individually piecing together the 220 participants.

“Using all the crazy and wacky Minifigure parts I have meant I could really bring this great event to life in LEGO form.

“At a glance it seems like a normal race but I’ve added some funny hidden scenes in there too for guests to find. It now takes pride of place in our Miniland where you can see the crowds cheering the runners through Birmingham’s city centre.”

Sign up for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run at greatrun.org/great-birmingham-run

Sign up for the children’s events at greatrun.org/great-birmingham-run/juniorandminibirmingham


Press release issued on behalf of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run