conceive (Retail Why)

• Researching and understanding our customers' businesses and their target markets, both shoppers and consumers
• Development of brand plans and genuine strategic insight through our proven methodology Ready, Aim, Fire^TM
• Development of campaigns to achieve objectives – from total holistic programmes to short-term tactical activity

create (Coutts)

• Applying knowledge gained through planning and experience into an inspirational creative idea to span the total campaign
• Outstanding creativity across the marketing mix to enthuse and inspire consumers and to engage them both at and beyond the point of purchase

activate (bezier / pointer / enyanga)

• Market leading manufacturing and fulfilment capacity and capability to allow our customers to be able to react to their competitive marketplaces
• Store friendly solutions to minimise impact of implementation on store colleagues
• Store Services Support to aid implementation and maximise compliance

evaluate (Retail Why)

• Understanding what worked – and what didn't – across the campaign
• Identification and interpretation of ROI
• Using knowledge gained to feedback into the consultative process

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• History
• Vision, Mission, Values
• Customer Service
• Awards
• Biogs
• Corporate Social Responsibility

History

bezier is born

bezier was born in May 1998 following a funded management buyout of the former Wace print group. This provided bezier with the manufacturing base and capacity to form the core of the UK's leading retail marketing agency.

bezier responded to the needs of its customer base by offering additional services such as design and consultancy.

Rapid growth

bezier's ability to tailor solutions to meet customer needs and the ever-growing importance of retail marketing saw bezier enjoy rapid growth from 2000 onwards with turnover tripling to £80 million between 2004 and 2007. Named in the 2006 Sunday Times Fast Track league as one of the top 10 "Ones to Watch", the company continued to grow and dominate the market.

Further expansion

At the end of 2006 bezier acquired Pointer, a leading retail communications company specialising in permanent design and manufacturing. In March 2008 bezier group acquired Coutts Retail Communications which offers further strength and depth to the bezier group and gives us unrivalled creative and production capability for retail marketing in the UK.

Ongoing investment in our creative shopper marketing agency has seen our capabilities go from strength to strength. In June 2008 we brought all creative shopper marketing expertise under one agency: Coutts Creative Shopper Marketing. This provides the bezier group a specialist powerhouse for creative retail marketing across the UK with sites in Soho, Leeds and Leicester.

In addition, enyanga, our b2b digital agency was launched, allowing us to bring our expertise from around the group to form a dedicated agency that provides a full range of e-commerce solutions to some of the some of the world's largest retailers and brands.

Finally, as we understand how important it is for our customers to understand the ROI of campaigns and evaluate what works – and what does not - we have a new consultancy agency specialising in this area: retail why.

In addition to strengthening the front end of our business we have continued to invest significantly in our manufacturing capability and capacity to ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our customers' competitive marketplaces.

Where are we now?

We believe that these developments allow the bezier group to offer an unrivalled retail marketing proposition in the UK with a group turnover approaching £100 million. We want to ensure that all the agencies that make up the bezier group retain their individual identity and best-in-class proposition. Yet we also want to make it more recognisable that they are part of a group. Therefore we have created the bezier group as the holding company for all our businesses.

Vision, Mission, Values

Vision

to understand retail marketing better than anybody else

Mission

to always deliver value, creativity and customer service excellence in retail marketing

Values

• Pursuit of excellence
• Open and honest
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Empowerment
• Enjoyment
• Innovation

Customer Service

Fanatical customer intimacy is a core value for all bezier group companies and we consider this to be the key differentiator of working with us.

We want to work as an extension of your marketing team and think and act from your perspective.

In order to consistently deliver customer service excellence the following statements are embedded in our culture as our way of working:

• We will never stand still; we will always look to innovate and improve all we do
• We will always bring new ideas and solutions to our customers
• We will do what we say and say what we are doing
• We will be as passionate about our customers' businesses as they are

Awards

• Number 1 in the In-Store League 2008 for a record-breaking fourth year running
• Gold Award - Alcoholic & Soft Drinks, POPAI Awards 2008
• Gold Award - Cosmetics - Temporary, POPAI Awards 2008
• Silver Award - Cosmetics - Temporary, POPAI Awards 2008
• Silver Award - Skincare, Health & Beauty - Temporary, POPAI Awards 2008
• Silver Award - Skincare, Health & Beauty - Permanent, POPAI Awards 2008
• Bronze Award - Cosmetics - Permanent, POPAI Awards 2008
• Growth Strategy of the Year, National Business Awards 2007
• Customer Focus, National Business Awards 2007
• Finalists in National Customer Service Awards 2007 - E-Commerce Team
• Gold Award - Cosmetics Temporary Display category, POPAI Awards 2007
• Silver Award - Alcoholic and Soft drinks category, POPAI Awards 2007
• Bronze Award - Travel, Automotive, Leisure and Entertainment category, POPAI Awards 2007
• Bronze Award - Cosmetics Permanent Display category, POPAI Awards 2007
• Best Back Office Solution Award at Retail Systems Awards 2006
• Highly Commended in Customer Focus Award, National Business Awards 2006
• Highly Commended in Customer Service - Business to Business, National Customer Service Awards 2006
• Silver Lion - Grocery, British POP Awards 2006
• Innovation Award, British POP Awards 2005
• Highly Commended in Customer Focus Award, National Business Awards 2005
• Customer Service Team of the Year, PrintWeek Awards 2004 & 2002
• Golden Lion - Home and Garden Category, British POP Awards 2004
• Silver Lion - Home Entertainment Category, British POP Awards 2003
• HR Team of the Year, BPIF, 2003
• E-commerce Solution of the Year, BPIF, 2003

Biogs

Mark Shaw, Chief Executive

Background and training: Mark has a background in general management roles across manufacturing, sales and commercial, always supplying major bluechip retailers and brands.

Career: Mark has worked at bezier group for eight years in senior management roles incuding Sales Director and Managing Director before progressing to Chief Executive. Prior to this he worked in senior management roles at Coats Viyella, supplying garments to M&S, Next and Laura Ashley that were sourced from across the globe.

Bill Ronald, Executive Chairman

Background and training: Bill has a strong background of marketing and senior board level roles in FMCG firms. He possesses an honours degree in Statistics.

Career: Bill joined bezier group as Executive Chairman in January 2006. He is also a non–executive director of Halfords. Past high profile roles include Chief Executive of Uniq from 2002 to 2005, and former Managing Director of Mars and Vice-President of Masterfoods Europe. Bill is a former Deputy President of the Food and Drink Federation and has held a variety of director roles within the BCCCA (Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Association), ISBA (Incorporated Society of British Advertisers) and the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution).

Gary Knights, Group Managing Director

Background and training: Gary has a strong record in sales and marketing, extensive manufacturing experience both in the UK and overseas plus 15 years' general management experience. He also holds a BSc in Biology.

Career: Gary held the position of Divisional Managing Director at bezier's Poole site for a number of years and now manages manufacturing operations across bezier group and has responsibility for the Poole and Leicester sites. Prior to this he has been employed as General Manager at Williams Lea, Divisional Managing Director at Pilans and Wilson Greenway and Sales and Marketing Director at TFG (part of Saatchi and Saatchi).

Ian Carnazza, Group Managing Director

Background and training: Ian has a marketing and business background possessing a HND in Business Studies, an MA in Marketing and the CIM Diploma.

Career: Ian has worked at bezier group for over 10 years in senior management roles including Sales Director and Account Director before progressing to become Managing Director. Previous to this he worked in sales, business development and marketing roles at firms including David S Smith Display, Plastique Ltd and Mailway Packaging.

Richard Courtney, Group Managing Director

Background and training: Richard's background is in business and sales with a strong track record of senior management roles.

Career: Richard has worked at bezier group for over 10 years in a number of roles including Sales Director, Managing Director of the Bristol site and most recently as Joint Managing Director for Business Development. He has also held senior sales roles within the former Wace Group and Gardners.

Mark Fletcher, Group Managing Director

Background and training: Mark's career spans commercial responsibility for several types of organisation - from small design agencies to AIM listed PLCs. Heavily experienced in sales and marketing, Mark's focus has always been on world class brands and retailers.

Career: Mark has worked at Pointer for six years - starting as Sales Director before progressing to Chief Executive as the business evolved. Prior to this, Mark was Group Marketing Director at Coutts Holdings.

Glenn Batty, Group Technology Director

Background and training: Glenn has an enormous wealth of experience in systems and IT, having held senior IT positions at various organisations during a technology career spanning 23 years. He is a qualified Network Engineer and Systems Developer.

Career: Glenn was promoted to the position of Group Technology Director in January 2006, after successfully directing bezier's IT function for the previous 5 years and having been with bezier since its formation in 1998. During his career he has been responsible for numerous UK and European implementation projects, has provided high-level consultancy in Eastern European initiatives and formulated strategy in a variety of industries. Past roles include Head of IT for British Coal Enterprises and Systems Manager at Compower Ltd.

Helen Davies, Group Head of Consultancy and Research

Background and training: Helen has 20 years' through-the-line experience and extensive international credentials at some of the world's leading marketing agencies, working with major bluechip brands and retailers including Safeway, Virgin Atlantic, Nestlé and Ford. Educated to degree level, Helen holds the ISP diploma and has passed through stringent in-house training programmes of leading global advertising agencies.

Career: Helen has been with bezier for seven years, holding various senior management positions before progressing to Group Head of Consultancy and Research. During her career she has held senior strategic and creative planning roles as well as a director position at the world's leading direct marketing agency, Ogilvy One Worldwide.

Martin Fawcett, Deputy Managing Director

Background and training: Martin trained originally as an Industrial Designer and working on a broad range of creative disciplines as a lead designer. Martin now handles the commercial and creative management for bluechip brands and retailers.

Career: Martin has worked at bezier group for eight years in senior management roles including Creative Manager before progressing to Creative Director. Prior to this Martin held creative management roles at Walkers of Manchester and two below-the-line agencies.

Corporate Social Responsibility

bezier group is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility and as such has worked closely with Business in the Community (BITC) to develop an action plan to improve its four defined areas of CSR in a quantifiable manner.

BITC use 4 indices and therefore we have based our agenda around the following:

Marketplace
Workplace
Community
Environment

Being a good corporate citizen and investing in communities is an integral part of the way the bezier group wishes to conduct business. By actively supporting the community and being socially responsible, the bezier group is bringing real benefit to its customers, colleagues, investors, voluntary and charity organisations. The bezier group's support not only improves the prosperity of local communities but in turn strengthens its reputation and gives enjoyment to its colleagues.

We want to ensure that everyone who engages with the bezier group, be that supplier, customer or colleagues is treated in a fair and responsible manner.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our colleagues, contractors and visitors is of utmost importance to the bezier group and, as such, we monitor a comprehensive range of health and safety data and target a 10% year-on-year reduction in accidents. Our group health and safety manager, who is a chartered safety and health practitioner and a member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, works with the site health and safety managers to ensure we deliver the key health and safety objectives. Initiatives such as new colleague health and safety inductions, strict control of contractors and providing accredited health and safety training such as Managing and Working Safely to our colleagues plus our comprehensive health and safety policies help us to promote and achieve a positive health and safety culture and meet these key performance indicators. In this financial year we have run courses on manual handling, risk assessment, first aid, defensive driving and managing safely to ensure our colleagues remain dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of everyone on site. Health and safety performance is reported monthly to the bezier board of Directors.

Environmental Management

The bezier group is committed to continuously assessing and reducing the impact it has on the environment in a way that reflects the concerns of all stakeholders. We recognise that environmental issues are of fundamental importance to a successful and responsible business strategy.

The bezier group is aware of the environmental impacts of its day-to-day operation, its supply chain, and the products and services it provides. We have established Key Environmental Performance Measures which we measure periodically and report to the Board.

The bezier group has made a number of environmental improvements recently and won environmental awards, such as being commended at the Yorkshire Environmental Awards.

The bezier group keeps up-to-date with the latest developments in environmental management and is keen to inform its customers of the latest advances. We pledge to work hard on our customers' behalf to ensure that they hear about the next environmentally friendly development first and we work tirelessly to offer innovative options to minimise their impact on the environment.

For more information, please contact us.

Jun 2009(2)

• bezier group supports Homebase with innovative Nectar Launch campaign

  bezier group supports Homebase with innovative Nectar Launch campaign

  05/06/2009

  bezier group has been highly praised by Homebase business leaders for embracing the latest technology and delivering innovative POS material for the recent launch of Homebase’ loyalty programme partnership with Nectar. Homebase became the first DIY retailer to join Nectar when the scheme launched across more than 300 Homebase stores on 18 May.

  Virtual Reality (VR) played a significant role in the launch preparations. The computer generated store enabled the store marketing team at Homebase to digitally navigate the store and have a visual representation of the store and message layering.

  Cath Fearon, loyalty marketing manager at Homebase, explains its impact on the campaign:

  “Delivered by bezier, VR played a key strategic role in this project. We wanted to keep the preparations for the Nectar launch as much under wraps as possible, which meant full store mock ups and store previews were not an option.”

  Cath adds: “The bezier VR programme enabled us to see the impact of the designs, the cut through of the messaging and how the different phases of the launch worked with all the other in-store communication not associated with the campaign. It also enabled us to share our vision and plans with a number of senior stakeholders and gain valuable input from key store colleagues.”

  bezier was also centrally involved in the point-of-sale (POS) promotional store material. In total over 237,612 items were produced for the launch including posters, stickers, banners, bus stops and shelf highlighters. Innovative POS elements such as chip and pin units, floor graphics and security shrouds have also been introduced to heighten awareness in store.

  Mark Shaw, CEO of bezier group added: “bezier group has extensive experience of delivering large scale retail launches and we are proud to have played a key role in Homebase’s launch of Nectar.”

  - ENDS –

  For further information please contact Joy Lees, Group Marketing Director on 07779 726117 or email jlees@beziergroup.co.uk

  For more information on Homebase, contact Media Relations, tel: 0845 1204365, mobile: 0771 3064079, email: media.relations@homebase.co.uk

  About Homebase Homebase is the UK’s second largest home improvement retailer and is recognised for choice, style and customer service across the wider home enhancement market. It has more than 300 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, and is planning to open more stores this year. In the last financial year, Homebase sales were £1.5 billion and it employed some 20,000 people across the business.

  Homebase sells over 30,000 products across its DIY, decorating, home enhancement and garden ranges, and has a growing Internet offering. Homebase serves over 60 million customers per year through its stores and offers customers the convenience of home delivery for bulky, high-value items.

  Homebase was the first UK DIY retailer to achieve Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification and the first national DIY retailer to be recognised with a Government TrustMark Award, achieved for its kitchen installation service.

  Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.

  About Nectar

  Nectar, the United Kingdom’s leading coalition loyalty programme is owned by Groupe Aeroplan Inc., a leading international loyalty management corporation.

  More than 50 per cent of UK households collect Nectar points when shopping for groceries, booking a holiday, paying household bills, buying petrol and even eating out. Collectors also earn Nectar points every time they shop online via Nectar eStores at over 220 leading online retailers.

  Since Nectar’s launch in 2002, over £1 billion of rewards have been redeemed by its collectors. Rewards include money off shopping, travel and general merchandise.

  For more information about Nectar, please visit: www.groupeaeroplan.com or www.Nectar.com

  About bezier group
  • The bezier group is Europe’s leading retail marketing agency.
  • The bezier group has a turnover approaching £100 million for 2008/2009.
  • The group employs around 1000 colleagues across 10 sites across Bristol, Leicester, Leeds, London, Poole, Thurrock and Wakefield.
  • bezier was formed from a funded management buy out of the specialist printing division of WACE Group plc in May 1998 by Electra Holdings.
  • The firm divested of its textiles divisions to concentrate on the fast growing POP market which is estimated to have grown by 13% between 1995 and 2002 and is forecast to grow by a further 3.4% between 2005 and 2008.
  • Using its unrivalled understanding of the retail environment bezier has invested in and developed its in-store consultancy, design and e-solutions services in addition to continuing to develop its world-class manufacturing heritage.
  • Seeing its rapid growth and further potential bezier was bought by investment firm MidOcean in late 2005.
  • During 2006, bezier acquired Leicester-based permanent POP supplier, Pointer.
  • In March 2008, the bezier group acquired London-based retail marketing agency, Coutts Retail Communications (CRC).
  

• Kimberly-Clark extends lead supply contract with bezier group

  Kimberly-Clark extends lead supply contract with bezier group

  03/06/2009

  bezier group is delighted to announce that it has extended its current 11 year relationship with Kimberly-Clark for an additional 2 years. The relationship spans POS production across all major retailers in the UK, as well as supplying European markets.

  Mark Shaw, CEO of bezier group stated: “We are thrilled to have extended our long standing partnership with Kimberly-Clark. We believe our proven process of joint business planning with clients enables us to offer fantastic value as well as delivering ongoing cost savings.”

  Steve Lane, Head of Category Management at Kimberly-Clark commentated: “Following a competitive pitch it is great that we have extended our partnership with bezier group. Their ability to look at ways to drive cost out whilst adding value through their retail experience and knowledge is crucial to us as a business. We are very much looking forward to working together to help drive our category profile.”

  Shaw added: “As with all our key customers we look to work as a true extension of the marketing team at Kimberly-Clark. We have a full time colleague that works in KC’s head office as a dedicated account manager and we are always looking for innovative ways to help the team at KC and raise the profile of POP. We also run inductions for KC graduate trainees to support their development and ensure a smooth working process.”

  The scope of the contract includes a library facility, permanent and semi-permanent display, 3D structural design, concepts and artworking and a POS website on KC’s intranet. In addition the group provides ongoing innovation and retail marketing insights to brand and category teams.

  - ENDS -

  For further information please contact Joy Lees, Group Marketing Director on 07779 726117 or email jlees@beziergroup.co.uk

  Notes to editors:

  About bezier group
  
  • The bezier group is Europe’s leading retail marketing agency.
  
  • The bezier group has a turnover approaching £100 million for 2008/2009 • The group employs around 1000 colleagues across 10 sites across Bristol, Leicester, Leeds, London, Poole, Thurrock and Wakefield.
  
  • bezier was formed from a funded management buy out of the specialist printing division of WACE Group plc in May 1998 by Electra Holdings.
  
  • The firm divested of its textiles divisions to concentrate on the fast growing POP market which is estimated to have grown by 13% between 1995 and 2002 and is forecast to grow by a further 3.4% between 2005 and 2008.
  
  • Using its unrivalled understanding of the retail environment bezier has invested in and developed its in-store consultancy, design and e-solutions services in addition to continuing to develop its world-class manufacturing heritage.
  
  • Seeing its rapid growth and further potential bezier was bought by investment firm MidOcean in late 2005.
  
  • During 2006, bezier acquired Leicester-based permanent POP supplier, Pointer.
  
  • In March 2008, the bezier group acquired London-based retail marketing agency, Coutts Retail Communications (CRC).

May 2009(1)

• Home Retail Group sign contract extension to 2012 with bezier group

  Home Retail Group sign contract extension to 2012 with bezier group

  11/05/2009

  The bezier group is delighted to announce that its long standing contract with Home Retail Group has been extended to 2012. This is a real testament to the close working relationship that has developed between the businesses; the bezier group has been working with Homebase for seven years and Argos for three. The contract covers all in store promotional and generic point of sale marketing material.
  
  Harvey Bennett, Head of Marketing Communications at Homebase said; “We are happy to continue our close working relationship with bezier group. bezier group are proactive in supporting us deliver our retail marketing plan and work closely with us to improve processes and drive cost out of our business”
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO of bezier group stated; “We are extremely proud to have Home Retail Group as a client of bezier group and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership in the future.”
  
  In-store support services are also provided including dedicated helplines, online ordering systems and full POS storage and library management to help facilitate compliance in-store. Dedicated store service teams also aid compliance and work on new store openings. In addition Home Retail Group work with bezier group’s creative and research agencies for their point of sale artworking, Virtual Reality tools and in-store activity audits.

Apr 2009(1)

• GSK launch alli supported by a below the line campaign designed by bezier group

  GSK launch alli supported by a below the line campaign designed by bezier group

  28/04/2009

  The long awaited alli weight loss product hit UK stores on 22nd April. Much hype has preceded the launch and the US launch certainly proved to be immensely successful.
  
  The below the line campaign designed by bezier group needed to raise awareness and act as an educational tool. Windows and in-store POS created theatre to generate excitement about the product and a lectern incorporating key aspects of the starter pack provided shoppers with information about the product; it is important that shoppers can access detailed information to ensure that the product is right for them. In addition to finding out information for themselves, the POS needed to encourage shoppers to ask for help and advice from the pharmacist.
  
  bezier group designed a campaign that launched across 27 European countries. The core range incorporated 32 items including window clings, floor media, dummy boxes, innovative vac formed window displays and an FSDU with a lectern to redeem the dummy boxes.
  
  It was also important that the pharmacists felt confident enough to approach shoppers so to aid them starter packs were sent incorporating an educational DVD so that they would be fully briefed on all aspects of the product. In addition, to try to break down the barriers for shoppers and make it easy to approach the pharmacist about weight loss, badges were sent as part of the suite of POS with “ask me about weight loss” on.
  
  The counter top units incorporate an aide memoir on the back for the pharmacists and a checklist of all questions that they should have asked the shopper to ensure that the product is right for them.
  
  The bezier group also produced bespoke Virtual Reality demos for the launch so that all European Sales teams had a support tool for how the campaign should be executed in-store. This helped compliance and also ensured that the campaign received excellent stand out in all stores.
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO of bezier group stated: “It is highly exciting for us to work with GSK on high profile campaigns like alli. We believe that our creativity and our ability to understand the store environment enables us to deliver demonstrable return on investment from retail marketing campaigns”.

Feb 2009(3)

• GSK launch Panadol Advance with an exciting in-store campaign

  GSK launch Panadol Advance with an exciting in-store campaign

  24/02/2009

  GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSK) plans to shake up the pain relief category with the launch of a new, advanced formulation of paracetamol: Panadol Advance 500mg Tablets. This launch is to be supported with an exciting below the line campaign managed and created by the bezier group.
  
  The new, advanced formulation tablets contain a unique disintegration system called Optizorb, which enable them to disperse up to 5 times faster in the stomach than ordinary paracetamol.
  
  To create a buzz around the new product, experiential activity will be rolling out in Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Demonstrators will engage and educate consumers on Panadol Advance by inviting them to take part in the Panadol Challenge. The shopper will be given the choice of taking a Panadol Advance branded mock tablet or a generic Paracetamol branded mock tablet. The demonstrator will then take the one remaining and they will both place the tablet at the top of the tube. The science of the product is then brought to life by bubbles in the tubes being activated and the appearance of the dispersal taking place. Shoppers will have a highly visual representation of the new tablet in action.
  
  Alongside the demonstration activity, the launch is supported in-store by promotional trays, free standing displays, counter top units, literature and a driving experience prize draw.
  
  Katharine Osmond, Senior Brand Manager for Panadol said; “We are incredibly excited about the launch of Panadol Advance. The below-the-line campaign, which has been designed and executed by bezier group, means that we can quickly demonstrate the benefits of this great new product to consumers.”
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO of bezier group commented; “The ability to communicate and engage with consumers at the point of purchase is well documented. By pulling together a full below the line campaign and incorporating experiential into the mix we know that we will be able to offer GSK fantastic return on investment and drive high awareness of the product launch.”
  
  The Panadol Advance shopper marketing activity will take part in stores across the country from 16th February and the above the line campaign launched on 9th February.

• Dedicated Home Entertainment Report details how to maximise Sales and Return On Investment in-store

  Dedicated Home Entertainment Report details how to maximise Sales and Return On Investment in-store

  17/02/2009

  Research and shopper marketing agency, Retail Why, part of the bezier group has released an in depth review of the Home Entertainment category (Film, Music, Game) in-store for the crucial Quarter 4 period 2008 and the January sales.
  
  This report really brings to life sales data from the period by taking a detailed look at merchandising, display, product hierarchies and product and pricing promotions.
  
  Retailers selling Home Entertainment products face huge challenges, ranging from price deflation to a new generation of consumers who increasingly rely on the internet for shopping. Not to mention the credit crunch that is taking its toll on many sectors.
  
  For those focussed on Home Entertainment categories, whether a publisher, studio or a retail owner, the report provides a visual reference point not found elsewhere in the market and is a key planning support tool for strategic development in the year ahead. Real food for thought is provided for maximising both sales and return on investment potential.
  
  Helen Davies, Head of Retail Why commented; “Close to half of the year’s revenue for Home Entertainment comes from the magical Quarter 4 period. Naturally gifting is an important part of this. Considering this, in-store communication was executed with varying degrees of success on a retailer by retailer basis. It remains a mystery, why this opportunity was not communicated more widely to appeal to target audiences.”
  
  The report identifies the hierarchy of impact and interaction within the category across specialist and generalist high street retailers, as well as the grocers and independents. Key areas of consideration within the report are; category management, treatment of new releases, POS support, pricing and promotions, sales and Christmas activation.
  
  Further information about the report is available on the Retail Why website – www.retailwhy.co.uk

• bezier group achieves FSC accreditation

  bezier group achieves FSC accreditation

  12/02/2009

  Europe’s largest retail marketing agency bezier group has achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation at its Poole site.
  
  From the Poole site bezier group manufacture direct mail and point of purchase material for leading blue chip companies such as Honda and Direct Wines. As a business the group is committed to using environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the forests it sources paper from.
  
  FSC is an international non-profit organisation which provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies and organisations interested in responsible forestry. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.
  
  In this way FSC provides an incentive in the market place for good forest stewardship – and enables consumers to track timber and wood products right back to the forest, with the assurance that they have been sourced from responsibly managed forests.
  
  Susan Steyn, business unit director at bezier group in Poole, said: “We are delighted to have achieved FSC accreditation. Paper use is essential in our business and we work hard to find environmentally friendly options. Now we can assure our customers that our paper and card has been sourced from responsibly managed forests.”
  
  Mark Shaw, chief executive officer at bezier group, said: “The Environment is very much at the top of everyone’s agenda and as a group it is essential that we provide our customers with sustainably sourced products. The FSC accreditation demonstrates our dedication to this cause and we are working towards gaining accreditation at all of our manufacturing sites around the country.”
  
  The accreditation adds further to the bezier group’s environmental credentials following last month’s announcement that the group were exclusively launching “Eco” board, an environmentally friendly alternative to foam board.

Nov 2008(1)

• bezier group innovates to support ASDA’s environmental agenda

  bezier group innovates to support ASDA’s environmental agenda

  18/11/2008

  bezier group will now be supplying "Eco" board exclusively in the UK to their customers as an alternative to foam board. bezier group is committed to finding genuine innovations that can benefit customers and the environment. This new product is a real breakthrough in its field.
  
  "Eco" board is manufactured from paper fibres and is engineered around an advanced low-density core. As a result it is recyclable through widely available conventional cardboard recycling systems. ASDA, in their drive to have zero waste to landfill by 2010, will now be using Eco board for all their hanging signs and some gondola end elements.
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO of bezier group stated; "Our customers' challenges are also ours; we work hard to resolve their issues. The Environment is very much at the top of everyone’s agenda and as such we are delighted to be making real strides towards fully recyclable retail marketing campaigns."
  
  Julian Walker-Palin, Head of Corporate Policy for Sustainability and Ethics at ASDA added "Not only has bezier helped with our environmental objectives but they have also reduced cost through significant landfill savings and generated revenue from recycling material at end of the products life. Crucially we are able to pass on these savings to our customers who are feeling the effects of the current economic climate."
  
  This is the second environmentally friendly initiative put in place by bezier and ASDA following the replacement of existing banners to fully recyclable material in ASDA stores.

Oct 2008(1)

• key new appointments for enyanga

  key new appointments for enyanga

  07/10/2008

  
  enyanga, part of the bezier group is pleased to announced the appointment of Jane Illman as Client Service Director and Lawrence Alexander as Client Solutions Manager.
  
  Jane joins the bezier group from Leeds based digital agency Twenty Six. In this role Jane was Account Director for P&G, working across brands including Hugo Boss, Lacoste, and Wella.
  
  In his new role as Client Solutions Manager, Lawrence will provide innovative digital solutions to clients. With ten years experience in his field Lawrence has been instrumental in many high profile projects working with clients including Mars, wagamama, and Land Rover.
  
  Lawrence commented on his new role “The bezier group has always been an industry leader when it comes to staying in touch with consumers. I’m really looking forward to working with the team to create some totally unique cross channel brand experiences.”
  
  Glenn Batty, Group Managing Director added “The success of enyanga is based on our ability to provide innovative bespoke solutions to our clients. The expertise and experience that Jane and Lawrence have brought to the agency will further enable us to provide our clients with inspiring and creative solutions.”
  
  enyanga is a full service digital agency of 35 colleagues with offices in Leeds, Wakefield, and London.
  

Sep 2008(2)

• enyanga shortlisted in two award categories

  enyanga shortlisted in two award categories

  17/09/2008

  
  enyanga, part of the bezier group, has been shortlisted for two Retail System Awards under the categories of ‘best use of technology in the hospitality & leisure sector’ and ‘back office solution of the year’.
  
  enyanga’s ground breaking project with InterContinental Hotels Group delivered a complete Online Asset Management Solution named Genesys. Genesys is a central system that allows individual hotels, franchisees and owners to search for important brand asset information as well as providing the tools to create personalised marketing collateral relevant to each hotel’s specific commercial requirements.
  
  Chris Hale, VP Marketing Communications for InterContinental Hotels Group said “We are the world’s largest hotel group by the number of rooms, and our brands are some of the best known and most popular in the world. This new system will help drive consistency of message and quality of brand communications across the UK, Europe or the Middle East, which for such a large and diverse group is absolutely imperative.”
  
  Glenn Batty, Group Managing Director said “We are delighted to be finalists for the third year running for this prestigious award. It is a testament to the cutting edge solutions that we have the capability to provide to our clients”.
  

• Coutts introduce their specialist Virtual Reality team

  Coutts introduce their specialist Virtual Reality team

  09/09/2008

  
  On 1st September Coutts, part of the bezier group, launched a specialist team focusing on the creation of virtual shopping and retail environments. This will build on the market-leading applications developed by Coutts, bezier's dedicated creative shopper marketing arm.
  
  This newly announced team combines their knowledge of brand, retail and shopper with applied technology that creates immersive and informative virtual environments, to create a ‘best of class’ unit.
  
  Martin Fawcett of Coutts says "The team is a powerful and persuasive addition to our creative shopper marketing expertise. We’ve been developing our virtual tools for the previous two years with outstanding results for key clients; including significant cost savings and reduced lead times between design conception and delivery.
  
  The tools have allowed our clients to make informed decisions before implementing in-store campaigns, and helped store managers to comply with best practice of POP placement.
  
  Fawcett added “It’s really exciting to launch a dedicated team to this vital future-proof area of shopper marketing."
  

Aug 2008(1)

• unique recruitment drive for Boots at white city

  unique recruitment drive for Boots at white city

  06/08/2008

  
  Creative shopper marketing agency Coutts, part of the bezier group will produce a four minute virtual reality DVD for their client, Boots. The DVD will be used as part of Boots’ recruitment campaign for the White City (London) flagship store, scheduled to open at the end of October. Coutts has also produced a special widescreen edition of the film for showing on plasma screens at Boots’ mockup store at Head Office in Nottingham. The DVD includes pans, zooms and photos of the store to give the viewer a clear vision of the new store.
  
  John Savage, MD of Coutts commented: “We’re excited to gain this opportunity to work with Boots and showcase our creative talents. Boots wanted a contemporary, sophisticated visual presentation to accompany their recruitment campaign: it was really enjoyable to work on such a high profile project.”
  
  Darren Wintle, Customer Offer Manager at Boots remarked “The DVD will greatly assist our recruitment campaign in a competitive environment where many other retailers are also trying to attract staff. We already use the bezier group of companies for print, production, fulfillment and consultancy – the harnessing of Coutts’ creativity to produce the DVD has enabled us to enhance our recruitment efforts by generating excitement about the new Boots store to potential employees
  
  Boots are keen to recruit candidates of the highest quality. The DVD will demonstrate a flagship store environment and entice the best candidates to sign up for Boots.
  

Jul 2008(1)

• The bezier Group Scoop Six POPAI Nominations

  The bezier Group Scoop Six POPAI Nominations

  09/07/2008

  
  The bezier group, the leading retail marketing agency has received six nominations in the POPAI awards 2008. The POPAI Awards recognise excellence in the POP market, a market worth in excess of £1bn per annum in the UK and Ireland.
  
  The agency, which employs more than 1,000 people across the UK, has been recognised across five categories as announced in July’s edition of In-Store magazine. The bezier group were nominated for their work for clients and brands including Coty, Fanta, Nivea, and Lynx.
  
  Mark Shaw, Chief Executive for the bezier group, commented: “We are delighted to have been nominated six times over such a wide range of categories; this shows the diversity of the bezier group’s creative capabilities”.
  
  The award ceremony where the winners will be announced will be held on October 9th 2008 at the Marriot Hotel, London. The night will be hosted by top comedian Frankie Boyle.
  

May 2008(1)

• bezier group leads the way with leadership training programme

  bezier group leads the way with leadership training programme

  30/05/2008

  
  The bezier group has completed its first year-long leadership training programme. The bespoke course was designed to maximise individual, team and organisational performance by developing the management and leadership skills of senior individuals in the business.
  
  Andy Woolley, HR Director of the bezier group said: “The programme demonstrates bezier group’s commitment to developing the fabulous talent we have in our business. Retaining a highly skilled management team is key to keeping us ahead of our competition in retail marketing.
  
  “Everyone who passed the programme will be taking a solid understanding of management leadership techniques back to their office or factory floor that will not only yield benefits in the short term, but throughout their entire careers.”
  
  Such was the success of the programme, bezier group is planning to run it out annually to all colleagues in management and supervisory positions.
  
  The group, Europe’s leading retail marketing agency, now employs more than 1,200 people and is made up of the best in class agencies whose services provide seamless retail marketing solutions for their customers. The group has a clear understanding that it is important to invest in the development of their colleagues to ensure its ongoing success and growth.
  

Apr 2008(2)

• the bezier group appoints new CSR manager

  the bezier group appoints new CSR manager

  09/04/2008

  
  The bezier group, Europe’s leading retail marketing group, has appointed Paul Haycock in the new role of corporate social responsibility manager.
  
  Paul will be tasked with developing and implementing the group’s CSR strategy. As well as working with local communities and suppliers, his focus will be on finding innovative ways that the group can minimise its environmental impact and assist its suppliers and customers to do the same.
  
  With a background in ‘green’ chemistry and biofuels, Paul joined from Rockware Glass where he worked with clients including Coca Cola and Britvic as environmental co-ordinator improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints for clients.
  
  Mark Shaw, chief executive of the bezier group said; “We are determined to make real and quantifiable steps to improve our environmental performance. By appointing Paul as CSR manager, we have a fantastic opportunity to find scientifically valid ways of really making a difference and reducing our own environmental impact and that of our suppliers and clients.”
  
  Paul Haycock said; “Too many CSR policies are light weight, have little impact on communities and the environment and instead act as a marketing tool. It is great to find a company who is so keen to lead its industry in finding ways of making tangible results.”
  
  The bezier group now employs more than 1,000 people across the UK, and is made up of individual best in class agencies whose services provide a seamless retail marketing solution for our customers from brand planning and creative campaign development, through in-store implementation to full evaluation of the campaign.
  

• lack of awareness of POP procedures hampers compliance

  lack of awareness of POP procedures hampers compliance

  07/04/2008

  
  Communication breakdown over correct procedure is one of the biggest challenges to POP compliance, according to research results from the bezier group.
  
  bezier, Europe’s leading retail marketing group surveyed a fifth of all stores within the estates of some of its most prominent high street customers, including ASDA, Boots, Homebase, Argos, Kwikfit and Thresher Group. The results also demonstrated that more than 30 per cent of all stores were not aware of a set procedure for receiving, storing and constructing POP materials. But of 70 per cent that were aware, almost all (99.6 per cent) adhered to that procedure.
  
  POP compliance is a growing issue for retailers as they strive to reduce waste and lessen their environmental impact.
  
  While POP is becoming increasingly innovative and space conscious, the research also revealed that one of the most common concerns for stores is that they continue to receive POP that is not relevant for their store and therefore won’t be used.
  
  Mark Shaw, chief executive of the bezier group, said; “The results prove that an in-store POP procedure does work, but that it needs to be tailored to the individual store, to ensure that each store can easily communicate their exact requirements and in return, also understand what is expected of them in terms of implementation.
  
  “We will continue to work closely with our clients to improve compliance so that we can ensure budgets are maximised and potential sales are not lost. Many retailers that we work with have dedicated helplines and store service teams that help train POS champions in-store and assist with new store openings. One size does not fit all, so to help stores in ordering and installing their POS correctly, each store pack is put together according to their individual requirements, in high visibility packaging to aid implementation for store colleagues.”
  

Mar 2008(3)

• bezier group further strengthen their hold on retail marketing

  bezier group further strengthen their hold on retail marketing

  25/03/2008

  
  bezier group is delighted to announce the acquisition of CRC. The move forms a £130 million specialist retail marketing agency offering services from brand planning and creative campaign development through in-store implementation to evaluation of campaigns. Following the announcement this morning Mark Shaw, Chief Executive of bezier group stated: “We are thrilled to welcome CRC into the group. We will now be working on our integration plans and looking at how best we can all work together. I am excited about our extended offering to the marketplace and keen to start working with our new colleagues at CRC.
  
  “In an uncertain economy, retail becomes even more important for maximising brand impact and return on investment - and that’s where the bezier group really adds value and makes marketing budgets work even harder. The bezier group’s unique proposition gives us a fantastic opportunity to work closely with our customers to ensure that they are creating impact at retail and maximising return on investment.”
  
  The bezier group has already proved that it is able to extend its offering to its customer base with many customers now engaging with the different agencies in the group. Commenting on this Shaw said that “Our customers want to work with independent best in class agencies. Our model allows them to do that whilst knowing that as part of a larger group we can offer savings in terms of cost – and significantly time. Retail is an incredibly fast paced market and our customers need to be able respond quickly to their competitive marketplaces.”
  

• Proposed bezier group acquisition of CRC to form £130 million retail marketing agency

  Proposed bezier group acquisition of CRC to form £130 million retail marketing agency

  12/03/2008

  
  Proposed bezier group acquisition of CRC to form £130 million retail marketing agency Today, the bezier group, Europe’s largest retail marketing agency has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase London-based retail marketing agency, Coutts Retail Communications (CRC). The acquisition remains subject to final legal completion, which is expected to be confirmed next week. Such a move would further enhance the bezier group’s impressive customer base across retail, consumer and leisure brands.
  
  Following the announcement this morning Mark Shaw said “The proposed acquisition of CRC would offer further strength and depth to the bezier group and give us unrivalled creative and production capability for retail marketing in the UK. The creative hub in Soho would offer the bezier group our long awaited London base and in addition CRC’s sites in France and Germany would offer a European presence which we feel is crucial for many of our customers who conduct pan-European campaigns. We would be thrilled to welcome CRC to the group with their 30 years of industry experience and excellent creative reputation.”
  
  Alan Wild, Chairman of CRC said “We are very excited about the prospect of becoming part of the bezier group. Our combined expertise and portfolio of services will be unparalleled in our sector and make us by far the biggest and most specialised group in Europe. Together, we will be able to further enhance and develop the retail marketing expertise we can offer our customers.”
  
  Retail Marketing is strengthening its position as a marketing medium with many leading brands and retailers openly discussing the shift of spend from above-the-line to below-the-line. An independent survey commissioned by the bezier group and conduced by Deloitte in August 2007 found that UK advertising spend is growing at roughly 3% per annum with below the line spend the fastest growing part of the market.
  
  News of the proposed acquisition follows the group’s re-brand to tie all agencies into the bezier group family to underline the group’s complete retail marketing offering to retailers and brands. Delivered through best in class agencies, the group offers services from brand planning and creative campaign development through in-store implementation to evaluation of campaigns.
  

• the bezier group wins contract with intercontinental hotels group

  the bezier group wins contract with intercontinental hotels group

  05/03/2008

  
  The bezier group, Europe’s leading retail marketing agency, has won a three year contract with InterContinental Hotels Group, one of the largest hotel groups by number of rooms in the world.
  
  The retail marketing agency has developed an Online Asset Management Solution system, ‘genesys’, which will act as a central portal to the hotel group’s local marketing toolkits. The new system, which launched within the UK on the 18th of February, will be rolled out initially in the UK and then across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) within the next few months.
  
  InterContinental Hotels Group operates several hotel brands in EMEA including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Express by Holiday Inn. Previously, each hotel’s local marketing materials were developed and managed by numerous external agencies. The new system is designed to allow individual hotels to create their own local marketing collateral online in minutes utilising pre designed templates but adding their own personalised messages. As well as being quicker and more cost effective, the new system will create greater brand synergy across the group, as the marketing materials created for each of the 600 plus hotels using the site will be controlled via one source.
  
  Glenn Batty, group technology director for the bezier group said; “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract. The bezier group is dedicated to providing seamless retail marketing solutions, and this new system will enable the InterContinental Hotels Group to have better control over its marketing materials, whilst being more cost and time effective.”
  
  Tamara Strauss, director of leisure marketing for InterContinental Hotels Group said; “Our brands are some of the best known and most popular in the world. This new system will help control and manage each brands look and send our customers the same message no matter where in the region they are which, for such a large and diverse group, is imperative.”
  
  The bezier group employs more than 1,000 people across the UK, made up of individual best in class agencies whose services provide a seamless retail marketing solution for our customers from brand planning and creative campaign development, through to in-store implementation and full evaluation of the campaign.
  

Feb 2008(1)

• the bezier group appoints new group manufacturing director

  the bezier group appoints new group manufacturing director

  08/02/2008

  
  The bezier group, Europe’s leading retail marketing agency, has appointed Andy Harrison as group manufacturing director.
  
  Andy has worked with the company for more than 11 years, progressing from print manager up to manufacturing director of the Wakefield site. In his newly formed role as group manufacturing director with responsibility for seven sites, his experience and expertise will be used to ensure that the skill and talents of the entire bezier group are maximised.
  
  The bezier group employs more than 1,000 people across the UK, and is made up of individual best in class agencies whose services provide a seamless retail marketing solution for our customers from brand planning and creative campaign development, through in-store implementation to full evaluation of the campaign.
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO of the bezier group said: “Offering market leading manufacturing is at the very core of our heritage, and the creation of this position underlines the group’s continuing commitment to world class production.”
  

Jan 2008(6)

• bezier makes innovative new appointment

  bezier makes innovative new appointment

  18/01/2008

  bezier, the leading in-store marketing agency, has appointed Paul Whitehead as innovation development manager.
  
  Paul has 15 years experience at bezier, and has spent this time working on and developing the ASDA account by pioneering innovative new forms of POP. In his new enhanced role, he will now be responsible for using his extensive skills and expertise to benefit the agency's other clients.
  
  Paul's appointment further expands the innovations team, underlining the company’s commitment to advancing innovation and being the global leader for in-store marketing.
  
  Paul comments: "I am delighted to have been appointed to the innovations team and look forward to using my experience and ideas to develop POP for more of our clients. Innovation for us involves constantly evolving and improving ways of communicating with shoppers in-store, and I'm looking forward to bringing new ideas to teams across our client base."
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO at bezier said: "We are thoroughly committed to developing the innovations team and being at the forefront of leading in-store trends. The need for innovation, brand experiences and impressive in-store ideas is vital to grab and retain the attention of shoppers."

• Asda's haunted house halloween

  Asda's haunted house halloween

  18/01/2008

  ASDA is rolling out its largest ever display for Halloween this year, incorporating sound and motion to add the look and feel of the huge in-store campaign. The POP has been implemented by leading in-store marketing agency, bezier.
  
  The campaign materials have been designed to illustrate an 'ASDA Family' haunted house, and include a broken floorboards floor graphic, hanging beams and chandeliers. Other elements of the campaign include a black curtained entrance to the Halloween aisle, and various POP depicting 'The ASDA Family' characters and the different rooms of the house.
  
  Sound and motion have also been included this year in the form of shuddering monsters and revolving bow-ties. The eyes of the family characters also feature LED lights, giving them an eerie 'glow'.
  
  Steph Hughes, events POS manager at ASDA said:
  
  "Halloween is increasingly becoming one of the major seasonal events in stores throughout the UK. For the 2007 merchandising we wanted to build on last year’s success with an even bigger and better campaign. This year we're introducing 'The ASDA Family' in a haunted mansion which we think adds a sense of fun and occasion to the stores."
  
  Nina Butt, business unit director for bezier added:
  
  "Interactivity and adding something extra is more important than ever to grab shoppers' attention in an environment full of marketing messaging all vying for attention. By adding sound and movement into this year’s campaign it gives the merchandise an extra point of interest and is fun for both adults and children browsing the aisle. ASDA do seasonal campaigns very well, and this has been a pleasure to work on."
  
  ASDA's Halloween POP will be rolled out to stores on 20th September.

• bezier & RNIB help clients 'see' benefits of in-store communication

  bezier & RNIB help clients 'see' benefits of in-store communication

  18/01/2008

  Leading in-store marketing agency bezier has teamed up with RNIB to reinforce the importance of clear in-store communication.
  
  As part of its National Customer Service Week celebrations, bezier will hold a training workshop at the Royal National Institute of Blind People for its retail and brand client base. It will demonstrate how in-store signage can often be difficult to read for blind or partially sighted people and what steps can be taken to make shopper communications easier to understand.
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO at bezier said: "Clear in-store communication is essential not only for promotional purposes, but also for informing customers about directions around a store, and identifying available facilities. As the leading in-store agency in the UK we feel we have a duty to inform our clients about the issues involved for those with visual impairment in the retail environment. Many people are unaware that using certain fonts and colours can increase readability. We pride ourselves on being a customer focussed organisation, and feel this training is something that clients can take away with them and implement in future campaigns."
  
  Siobonne Brewster, Senior Manager - Business Development added: "RNIB is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss, and as such we are delighted to be working with bezier on improving awareness of visual in-store communication. The aim of this session is to examine ways that bezier and its clients can change the way POP materials are designed, so that signage and in-store merchandise at least meet the minimum suggested requirements by the RNIB. It is also fitting that the training coincides not only with National Customer Service Week, but is being held during what is also Guide Dog Week 2007."
  
  Supporting RNIB's Access to Information campaign is part of a planned raft of activities bezier is implementing for National Customer Service Week. It will also be running a number of other initiatives including customer service 'oscars' where colleagues and clients nominate each other for a job well done.

• bezier blooms in support of homebase charity campaign

  bezier blooms in support of homebase charity campaign

  18/01/2008

  bezier, the leading in-store marketing agency, has lent its support to client Homebase’s "No Place Like Home" charity campaign to help raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
  
  The retailer has produced a daffodil, which has been specially registered for the charity with the Royal Horticultural Society, and given the name 'Choice'. The bulbs are being sold in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, so everyone who buys the daffodil is helping to give someone the choice to die at home. It is being sold from mid September in Homebase stores across the UK.
  
  bezier has worked with Homebase to produce the packaging and promotional stands, which has ensured that more money will go directly to the charity. The retailer has been able to guarantee that at least 50 pence from every £1 bulb will go to the charity to help provide more Marie Curie Nurses.
  
  As well as donating funds to the campaign, bezier has provided an official Euro 2008 shirt signed by David Beckham which was auctioned at a charity ball held by Homebase’s marketing department in Milton Keynes on 20th September. This raised a further £325 for the charity.
  
  Ian Carnazza, managing director of bezier north said; "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work on this project. We have worked closely with Homebase for more than five years producing their in-store marketing materials, so it is great to be able to give something back."
  
  Hannah Bodley from Homebase said; "In just one year, our staff and customers have helped to raise more than £600,000 for the "No Place Like Home" charity campaign in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. By purchasing and planting our "Choice" daffodil bulbs, local communities can help offer people dignity in their last days with the choice to be nursed at home."

• bezier group scoops four wins at 2007 POPAI awards

  bezier group scoops four wins at 2007 POPAI awards

  18/01/2008

  In-store marketing group bezier scooped one gold, one silver and two bronze awards at the 2007 POPAI Awards this week. The awards celebrate excellence within point of purchase marketing and feature campaigns by top brands such as Coca-Cola, Marks & Spencer and Cadbury.
  
  bezier's permanent POP division, Pointer, took home a gold award for its in-store launch unit of Rimmels' Magnif'Eyes, and a bronze award for Max Factor work, whilst bezier was awarded silver for a cross promotional FSU created for Coca-Cola, and a bronze for its work on Twentieth Century Fox's 'Night at the Museum' DVD launch, which included a 6ft freestanding T-Rex.
  
  Mark Fletcher, managing director at Pointer said: "We're extremely proud to have received these accolades from POPAI. We work hard on all our campaigns, so to be recognised for our excellence and innovation is very rewarding, particularly as the quality of the competition was so high this year."
  
  Mark Shaw, CEO of the bezier group added: "To receive four awards is an outstanding achievement and testament to our strength as an integrated group. We now have more technical and creative capability than ever before, and the quality of these campaigns truly illustrates the results we are capable of."
  
  The awards ceremony was held on 23rd October at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, in London.

• bezier team up with universal music to bring take that beautiful world offer to M&S

  bezier team up with universal music to bring take that beautiful world offer to M&S

  18/01/2008

  In-store marketing agency has produced 200 in-store units for Universal Music to promote the special edition of Take That’s ‘Beautiful World’ Limited Edition Tour CD and Bonus DVD. The unit will be seen in M&S alongside its Autograph range, which the band is currently promoting.
  
  Ian Carnazza, managing director at bezier said:
  
  "We're very pleased to be working with Universal Music on this promotion. This new in-store campaign will highlight the release of the band’s limited tour souvenir CD and bonus DVD, and hopefully encourage impulse and association-led buying at the point of purchase."
  
  bezier will produce 200 units for Universal, each with 6 pockets capable of holding 30 CD’s. They will appear in selected Marks and Spencer stores from 12 November.

Nov 2007(3)

• New appointments at pointer

  New appointments at pointer

  26/11/2007

  Leicester-based Pointer has made two key appointments following another successful year.
  
  The leading retail brands communications agency, based in Wigston, was acquired by the bezier group in late 2006 and since then has enjoyed further financial growth, as well expanding its premises with an additional 15,000 sq ft of warehousing and increased shopfloor area.
  
  Now Simon Brum has joined the 202-strong firm in the new role as Business Improvement Manager.
  
  Simon, of Whetstone, has been tasked with introducing Lean Manufacturing and Operational Efficiency initiatives into the business and will work with bezier’s national business improvement team to help eliminate waste and achieve maximum efficiency.
  
  He joins Pointer from Kongsberg Automotive in Burton-on-Trent where he was a Business Unit Manager, and previously worked at Toyota Manufacturing.
  
  Nicola Colledge, of Rugby, who has been at Pointer for a number of years, has been promoted to the position of Business Unit Director, with responsibility for the sales team with accounts including P&G, M&S Money, Johnson & Johnson, Boots, Unilever, Coty and Superdrug.
  
  Mark Fletcher, Managing Director of Pointer, said: “Nicola has been a very valuable member of our team here for five years and her appointment as Business Unit Director is a key one for the business. She has fantastic relationships with our clients and we are sure she will continue to help take the business forward.
  
  “We are also delighted to welcome Simon to the team. His role will become increasingly important as the business grows and he will be responsible for ensuring that all his colleagues are working in the most efficient way possible.”

• Retailers need to refocus for summer 2008

  Retailers need to refocus for summer 2008

  22/11/2007

  England’s Failure To Qualify Means New Challenges, Says bezier
  
  Marketing plans for some of the UK’s leading retailers will be under review today, following England’s failure to qualify for next year’s European Championships, according to retail marketing agency bezier.
  
  It wasn’t only football fans that put their heads in their hands when England lost to Croatia last night - a football tournament on the doorstep that doesn’t involve our home nation will leave a huge hole in potential revenue streams.
  
  Before last year’s World Cup the British Retail Consortium estimated a minimum related consumer spend of £720 million, with a further £125 million on food and drink for every extra week England remained in the tournament.
  
  While exact post-tournament figures are difficult to gauge, the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimated it boosted the UK economy by more then £1 billion, with bookies, brewers, supermarkets and sports clothes manufacturers specifically benefitting.
  
  So with many England fans now planning holidays – or even weddings – instead of a three week festival of football, many retailers are being forced to rethink their marketing strategy for summer 2008.
  
  Mark Shaw, chief executive of the bezier group, said: “When it comes to football tournaments there is literally everything to play for. We know, from talking to our clients in recent weeks, how crucial this qualification was, not only for the retailers themselves but for the marketing industry. Marketing spend will almost certainly be affected.
  
  “Now that England are not going to be involved, the tournament will have only a fraction of the appeal in this country and therefore marketing activity is going to have to work a lot harder in order to reap similar rewards.
  
  “Major sporting events typically provide a great boost for a range of retailers - food and drink, home entertainment, electrical equipment and much more.
  
  “Drinks brands and retailers would have focussed their offers, advertising, on-pack promotions and in-store activity heavily on the tournament – and that will now have to be revisited. In fact some brands – especially those who are official sponsors - had already rolled out some of their World Cup offers to the trade before last night’s game and while they will no doubt still run with them the rest of their summer campaigns will be under review.
  
  “For us, working with clients such as Coca-Cola, Euro 2008 would have provided a wealth of opportunities for hard hitting point of purchase campaigns and indeed for wider through-the-line marketing activity.”
  
  “Perhaps the saving grace may be that while Euro 2008 will no longer be a key driver for marketing campaigns the Beijing Olympics takes place just a couple of months later.”

• Argos trial ‘virtual reality’ in-store planning

  Argos trial ‘virtual reality’ in-store planning

  20/11/2007

  Retailer uses virtual environments to aid look and feel of seasonal campaigns.
  
  High street powerhouse Argos is using virtual stores developed by leading in-store marketing company bezier to help plan its tactical and seasonal campaigns within the retail environment.
  
  The technology allows in-store marketing and merchandising teams to