news 08

04.08.08 - Libby arrival is good news

Elizabeth Davis, she prefers the name Libby, is the latest exciting addition to the Design Links team, bringing superb organisational and communication skills to the agency at a time when we are really going for it. She brings an experience package, which shows that again and again, she has made things happen. From assistant general manager for the Curve Dance Foundation to an elected representative on Malmesbury Borough Council (she was vice chair of the Youth and Leisure Committee) Libby has enjoyed an amazing breadth of experience for one so young. Add time spent in a clothing store, a couple of restaurants, a Venetian Gallery and we are confident we have found another gem in this Wiltshire lass.

 

25.07.08 - Chloe Conyngham

Chloe is another sparkling addition to the Design Links team. As our Business Relations Manager she brings a wealth of experience, not just in the design and marketing industry, where she previously worked for One O’ Clock Gun, Tayburn and Northcross, but across a range of other industries. Born in Scotland and educated in Australia, Chloe has a terrific ‘can do’ personality and a keen sense of humour. Clients will find her happy, positive and helpful in their dealings with her.

Because of the broad experience she has garnered in her career, Chloe is well connected in Edinburgh and beyond. She is highly intelligent, articulate and writes with clarity and purpose. Chloe joined Design Links from Search Recruitment Consultants where she worked with clients from across Scotland and in all industry sectors.

 

06.07.08 - Design Links Glitters in London

It surely doesn’t get any better than this – a reception at 10 Downing Street, a Gala Dinner at the Royal Albert Hall and then to be named as one of only 21 pioneering companies awarded Business in the Community’s trailblazing CommunityMark.

Lining up alongside the likes of Marks & Spencer, Tesco. Sainsbury’s, KPMG, BT, Ernst & Young, Barclays, Zurich, Deloitte & Touche and Npower, Design Links struck a major blow for Scotland and for the small business sector, proving again that big thinking and ambition are a potent force when backed by real action.

Mike Stevenson, Managing Director said: “Hearing applause for our achievement from some of the most influential people in business, politics and the media was a breathtaking moment. This means a lot, because we want to show that smaller businesses can make impacts on the wider community. It encourages us to continue to play our part in helping Scottish youngsters make their own positive mark on the world. The lesson for them is no matter whom are you are and where you come from you can and should walk tall. Design Links has just proved that.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of the BITC said of the CommunityMark: “It’s a standard that sets the bar high enough to give most business leaders vertigo; and it’s an achievement to be proud of.”

Mike Stevenson added: “Whoever said investing in the community doesn’t pay was talking tosh. I have met more business leaders in the past three months than I had in the previous ten years. They know that the recognition we are getting speaks volumes about our passion and professionalism.”

Design Links was joined in London by Scotland’s other Community Mark winners: Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, The Townhouse Group and Contract Scotland.

To find out what Mike said to Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov watch this space.

For more info visit the CommunityMark's new website »

 

27.06.08 - Seal of Approval

Design Links is thrilled to add the talents of Steve Seal to its creative team. We’ve worked hard this year to attract the very best talent to the agency and when Creative Director Nick Adams visited Telford College’s graduate show, Steve was a real stand out. Despite other agencies being hot on his trail he opted for Design Links. 

“In a nutshell, said Steve, “I was sold on the Design Links exciting vision for the future and the passion that exists throughout the team. I am really excited by the part I will play in going forward.”

Steve’s quite a guy too - a BA Hons in visual arts, a career as a professional photographer, a five year stint with P&O Cruises snapping pictures in South America and the Caribbean, a spot of video production and a year as a pub landlord in Oxford all add up to a ‘lad o’ many pairts’ – music to our ears at Design Links.

 

25.06.08 - Design Links 'Leeds' on
University Marketing

Design Links is working on two exciting new fronts for the University of Leeds. A breakthrough website to help new students develop new insights and relationships before they arrive in the City and to help them maximise their enjoyment during their studies. At this stage that’s all we can say, but this will be a major break with University tradition and we are thrilled about it. We are also working on marketing the University’s sensational new catering offer, which has already won top prize at this year’s catering awards.

We have been producing groundbreaking ideas for the University for the past four years and are thrilled to be set these great new challenges.

 

24.06.08 - Going Stateside

When Andrew Mackay joined our creative team we knew we’d snapped up an exceptional design talent with up-to the minute understanding of the latest digital media techniques. Little did we know we had also brought to the agency an accomplished actor and singer.

A Bostonian, Andrew has taken to Edinburgh like a duck to water and is already appearing in a show at this year’s Fringe Festival.  Not bad going for a newcomer to the city. Most important, Andrew is making a big impact on the agency’s creative output and our clients have really taken to his “can do, will do” approach.

“I love it here.” says Andrew, a graduate in graphics from the University of Massachusetts  “And, Design Links offers me the kind of creative work I really relish.”

 

06.06.08 - What a night!

Design Links was named Scottish Small Company of the Year at last night’s Community in Business Gala Dinner in Glasgow. And, to top off a great night for the agency we also picked up the Merrill Lynch sponsored excellence award (a Big Tick) for our achievement in raising the attainment of young people.

Mike Stevenson, Managing Director said: “This is the best boost imaginable for the team here which has given so much in ideas, time and effort to activities way beyond the normal call of duty. It also recognises our community partners, who have been bold enough to step into unfamiliar territory and run with some big ideas during the past year.

This finally buries the notion that size matters, and is proof positive that small companies can make big and positive community impacts. It should serve as a clarion call to all business leaders in Scotland, who like us, want our young people to walk that bit taller in this brave new world”.

“Design Links have had a remarkable impact in their local community of North Edinburgh, supporting a local High School and helping them to improve significantly in the space of only a few years.”
Samantha Barber, CEO of Scottish Business in the Community

 

14.05.08 -
First Minister praises positive approach

It’s not every day that the First Minister drops in so we pulled out all the stops today (May 14) when Alex Salmond met the Design Links team. The FM was keen to see for himself how the agency has been working with community partners ranging from Craigroyston Community High School in Edinburgh to business across and beyond the city as part of its programme of community involvement and promoting community and business links.

Speaking of Design Links, engagement, Mr Salmond said:
“It’s really important for the government to show that it is prepared to assist the small business sector on which so many Scottish jobs depend. We’ve got an excellent example here – a thriving small business that does a great deal for the community, not just here in Leith in Edinburgh, but much wider afield. .

Recognition has come from other quarters too. Design Links has been nominated for the Scottish small company of the year award and is due to attend the awards ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday, 5 June.

 

25.04.08 Nomination Brings Pride

Design Links is nominee for Scottish Small Company of the Year 2008. Whether we emerge as eventual winner, or not, at the Scottish Business in the Community’s glittering Gala Dinner in Glasgow on 8 June, we are overjoyed to be recognised by business leaders for our imaginative community investments.

This year, the agency has made some big hitting impacts through our work with young people, with the wider business community and with inspirational role model Olivia Giles.

At the same time our profile and reputation have rocketed - sending out a clear message to other businesses that company and community can both benefit from a clever alignment of social and business objectives.

 

21.02.08 - Unravel the Spaghetti

Sometimes language can feel like tangled spaghetti – and every profession has its own type of tangle. The legal profession finds it more difficult than most to ensure effective communication with clients, business contacts and the outside world in general. Mike Stevenson is running a training course to help Scots lawyers cut through it, finding ways to make what they say immediate, compelling and motivating.

The half-day workshop will be held at the Scots Law Society on Thursday March 20. The course promises fun and action-packed activity, as well as practical language tools and skills to take away.

If you’d like Mike to help you and your business communicate more effectively, contact us on 0131 554 2807 to discuss the possibilities. Mike can help you unleash the power of the written and spoken word, remove the ambiguity of language, use speech to create change and to build relationships, and make writing simpler. We will tailor any training programme to your specific business requirements

 

01.02.08 Youth Employability - The Hot Topic

Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) are using Design Links as an example of how businesses can help to support youth employability. Usually regarded as the proviso of big businesses, our work with Craigroyston Community High School, St George’s School for Girls and the Talking Up for a Change initiative are tangible proof that corporate social responsibility (CSR) can have significant impact whatever the size and nature of your business.

SBC are collating a number of case studies to spread good practice and influence other businesses and the Scottish government. We’re delighted to help them out – its testament to the impact some of our initiatives are having.

 

03.01.08 - Make this your best ever year

Welcome to 2008 and a whole new world of opportunity for you and your organisation. We are keen to help you make this year truly memorable. So, if you have a challenge large or small, let us help you tackle it.

Meanwhile, we’ve kicked off the year with designs for a major meningitis awareness campaign set to feature in all national newspapers and magazines, as well as in pharmacies throughout Scotland.

We are on a mission to play our part in creating a more confident, prosperous, healthy and happy Scotland so we were delighted to help.