Palmer Hargreaves Blog

One Team, One dream!

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:42:00 GMT

We had a pretty big pitch recently here at PH, and to wish us luck our friends over at PH Germany sent us the above Good Luck message to spur us on. You see, we really are one big happy family here. Altogether now...... aaaaahh!

PH triumph at Burns Night Quiz

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:32:00 GMT

To celebrate Burns Night, some of the PH team took part in a themed quiz at our local pub. As well as sampling the Scottish themed menu, the team managed the first place spot. This was despite not knowing that the Scottish National Animal is the Unicorn! Pictured are Account Handlers Lucy and Noelene enjoying their deep fried Mars bar....yum!

New Starter

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:20:00 GMT

Sales & Marketing Manager Louise Wilce joined the New Business team here at PH in December. Having spent the last 6 years working client side for a global Leisure company, she has a strong background in brand development and CRM. Here are her interesting facts:

Have been renovating, and living in, a run down 1920’s house for what feels like forever. To anyone considering taking on a huge renovation project, my advice is: DON’T!
Favourite meal is dippy eggs with marmite soldiers
Once arranged a police escort for a giant crab
Have a fluffy black cat called Stanley. He rules our house.
Claim to fame: last year I was working with the BBC on their ‘First Life’ series and got to spend a day filming with David Attenborough. He is absolutely lovely, a real legend and as he was leaving gave me a hug!

PH Hits the Airwaves

Administrator — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:40:00 GMT

PH headed to London in search of fame and fortune as we were invited to appear (or would that be heard?) on Greg James ‘Feet up Friday’ show. We arrived at the studios in good time, and were welcomed by the likes of Wesstttwwoooooddd, Annie Mac and the cheeky Greg James. Whilst there we ate copious amounts of cake and crisps, burst balloons with body parts, toured around the R1 building and stalked Scott Mills. An amazing day. Thank you to management for allowing and trusting the team to be live, on air, and thank you to the teams for not swearing!

Bonkers about Conkers

Administrator — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:38:00 GMT

As autumn descends, the events team organised a very sophisticated, seasonal get-together... a conkers competition. Competitors battled it out to become the king or queen of the conkers, which was brutally won by designs Jason and his mean-faced conker.

MB Racing Day

Administrator — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:33:00 GMT

On the back of the successful Mercedes-Benz pitch-win, we have acquired some new recruits on the account management team. One of their first tasks was to join the client for a spot of go-karting. The team came a triumphant 9th out of 16 at the charity Daytona 2 hour marathon event. Top honours go to learner driver Rich, Jules 'Scooby' Grange, Matt 'he didn't write it off' Catlin and new bod Vicky Charles. Steve unfortunately had several Scalectrix moments, which meant he spent most of his time getting his car back on the track. Check out the pictures below.

Steve's Pottery

Administrator — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:27:00 GMT

When Steve Woodcock is not working he spends his time trying to prove really he's a creative type. His pottery creations were part of the Warwickshire College of art and Design's 'Best of 2011' exhibition showcasing everything from photography and film, through to textile design and fine art.

PH Summer Regatta

sandrews — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:04:00 GMT

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream... No we haven't turned into a Nursery. For our posh sounding 'Summer Regatta', PH headed to Mill Gardens where a bunch of boats awaited. Preceded by a bring-and-share picnic, we hired out rowboats to take a leisurely ride down the River Leam. Most of us ended up in the trees, some had oars stolen and luckily no-one went overboard (apart from finance Matt's foot due to his inability to walk on water).

(Not so) New Starters

sandrews — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:03:00 GMT

It's been a while since we last blogged about new starters, since then we have accrued a few more new faces. Here they are below.

Richard has joined our MB team as an Account Executive. Richard studied Politics and International Studies at Warwick University and got his first break at an agency in Sutton Coldfield. Here are his interesting 5 facts:

1. My surname is a typo - having previously been known as Sharrat (his surnames now Sharrad) in the 1700s.

2. (Increasingly) disgruntled/disillusioned Villa fan.

3. Best goal ever scored - bicycle kick at the park... Never repeated.

4. Loves barbeques and ice-cold beers.

5. Once managed to convince my work colleagues my uncles were Ozzy Osbourne and Noddy Holder - they were quite a gullible bunch!

Scott joins us also as an Account Executive. With a degree in Advertising, Media and Design Management and a background in music and film, Scott has gained plenty of industry experience. Here are his top 5 interesting facts:

1. I was a production and camera assistant on a film called 'Loves Kitchen', which has just come and bombed at the cinema but it was a great experience.

2. As of next season I will be a football manager/coach to Alvechurch Lions under 9s.

3. 3 years ago I injured my leg in a football match, went on a two week holiday to Ibiza only to return and be told at the hospital that I had in fact broken it.

4. I once worked as the assistant manager to some of the worlds top DJ's.

5. I am the first English generation in my family as the rest are from across the sea in Ireland.

Chantelle is our glamorous new Receptionist with a background in banking, beauty and travel. Here are her top 5 facts:

1. I have done Gymnastics for 15 years...

2. ...and played football for 7 years.

3. Is really accident prone.

4. I have a dislocated knee that I have to whack in place every month.

5. I really love making my own vintage clothing.

After arriving with us from down south from a previous copywriting role, Nicola joins PH as a Copywriter for the majority, if not all, of our clients. Here are her top 5:

1. I really love Blues, Soul and Motown - I must've been a soul diva in a previous life.

2. I've had a variation of jobs, ranging from being a coil winder in an electrical components factory and separating flood damaged papers in a document resotation company, to teaching aqua aerobics classes as a hotel entertainer in Greece (to name a few).

3. I love running and taking part in long distance races such as The Great North Run and The Clandon Park 10K.

4. I like making cupcakes and cocktails. I enjoy tasting them even more!

5. I adore the theatre. I've written and directed two pantomimes, performed in lots of stage shows and before studying Advertising in Cheltenham, I originally went to the Institute of the Arts in Carlisle to study Musical Theatre.

James Crerar originally came to us for work experience straight out of University, and eventually due to hard work and tea-making abilities became a permanent face in the PH team. Now an Account Executive, James works on clients JLR, Ford and Feva. Here are his interesting 5 facts:

1. I grew up in Hong Kong for 16 years.

2. I used to play basketball for a high school team.

3. My parents now line in Doha, Qatar.

4. Last name is pronounced in the same way as the Porche Carrera car.

5. I have met ad-man Trevor Beattie at University, then went for drinks with him where we proceeded to charge copius amounts of alcohol to his card (it's what you get for offering to buy drinks for poor students).

John Hegarty - Talking Advertising

bcleaver — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:40:00 GMT

This week the Creative and Design teams headed to London to attend a talk on international advertising by none other than the legendary John Hegarty. Hosted at the V&A, the talk gave an in depth view of John Hegarty's high profile career as co-founder of global advertising firm Bartle Bogle Hegarty. After having their copies of Sir John's latest book, Hegarty on Advertising, signed by the man himself, they returned to Leamington full of inspiration and fresh ideas, so watch this space...

Fire Training

bcleaver — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:00:00 GMT

This week PH's designated fire marshalls were given a scorching lesson on fire fighting skills. Consisting of the standard health and safety videos and presentations, staff were in for a shock when they were assembled outside to face a real life blaze (ok, a controlled fire in extremely safe circumstances). Still, each person got to test out their Fireman Sam credibilities and safely put out the searing flames, earning themselves a lovely new crisp certificate in fire safety. Well done everyone for taking part.

The Serco Prize for Illustration

bcleaver — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:02:00 GMT

A massive well done to Henry for entering and succeeding in the Serco Prize for Illustration competition. Henry was just one of 400 applicants who entered the Serco Prize for Illustration, organised by the London Transport Museum and the Association of Illustrators, out of which only 50 made it onto the exhibition. Congratulations Henry!

Easter Egg Competition

bcleaver — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:28:00 GMT

Congratulations to Nicola H for creating an egg-traordinary (yes, I cringed at that joke too) model and coming a very well deserved first place in the Easter egg competition. Competition was stiff as entries rolled in, ranging from an owl to a self portrait, from clowns to a rabbit complete with real rabbit hair. Have a look at our the pictures entries of the winning egg and all entries. Than you to everyone that got involved and spent egg-tra (cringe) time on their model, they were all fantastic.

Winner Nicola's Lady Goo Goo, complete with real egg and bacon.

All entries for the Easter egg competition.

Party in the Park

bcleaver — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:00:00 GMT

We love any excuse for a celebration. So what better than to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of our William and Kate. Dressed in red, white and blue we took our hampers and fizzy beverages (lemonade) to Clarendon Square for a mini party in the park, complete with renowned PH silly games. Laden with delicious homemade cakes, cucumber sandwiches and a selection of Tescos finest savoury items, we indulged in a 'buffet' style picnic before adjusting our Royal warrior team masks in place to compete in the group games. Activities included the highly skilled cup and water racing and a balloon race, with a twist. Thanks to everyone who took time out to come and join in!

Leamington Regency 10k

bcleaver — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:32:00 GMT

Congratulations to Adam, Jason and Henry for completing the 10k Regency race. Joining 2000 competitors and battling the early morning heat, they managed to finish the race with a respectable time and position. Well done guys!