David Pead

The Construction Marketing Awards, presented  on 29th November 2011, gave the construction industry the opportunity to recognise its very best marketing campaigns. Winners are invited to contribute a summary of their entry to this blog:  today it is Alumet Group for the successful launch of their EOS Energy brand of solar panels

The Warwickshire based construction company, Alumet undertook a huge challenge to diversify into the renewables market in 2010 with a £200k campaign to launch EOS Energy, a brand offering solar panel solutions to both the commercial and domestic markets.

The product launch was managed by Alumet’s internal marketing team and incorporated trade shows, literature, advertising, community engagement, networking and much more.

Their creative brand awareness included innovative techniques such as an Open Day event and EOS Energy Pocket Guide. Their Open Day saw the number of over 500 attendees offering a key audience to promote the brand to a large audience. Journalists also attended, helping to promote the brand even further. As a result of this technique, they received over 100 bookings for people to have their houses surveyed for PV from this day alone.

Their EOS Energy’s Pocket Guide offers detailed information to potential customers about Solar Energy. The 20 page booklet explains everything you need to know about PV and what services EOS Energy can provide. The pocket guide was successful due to its pocket sized design which made it very attractive to people at trade shows who don’t want to carry large literature around.

The judges commented “Alumet have demonstrated a strategic marketing campaign that has been professionally implemented throughout the whole business and achieved significant results. The company utilised innovative techniques to ensure a cost effective campaign which has successfully placed the business high up in the renewable energy market.”

The success of EOS Energy’s brand campaign has allowed The Alumet Group to achieve significant growth and provide employment for an additional 25 members of staff.

For more information visit www.eosenergy.co.uk

The Construction Marketing Awards, presented this year on 29th November, gave the construction industry the opportunity to recognise its very best marketing campaigns. Winners are invited to contribute a summary of their entry to this blog:  today it is Optima Systems winners of the Best Use of Technical Information category for the newly released Optima iPad App.

It was familiar territory for office partitioning specialist, Optima Systems and multiple award-winning digital agency Cyber-Duck in 2011, as they returned to the Construction Marketing Awards ceremony in London. This year the duo was awarded with the ‘Best Use of Technical Information’ award for the newly released Optima iPad App.

The app was rewarded by judges for its usability and interactive features which have helped to present Optima in a slick and professional manner.

Optima Systems are the UK’s leading partitioning specialist and specialise as a supply and fix subcontractor in the office partitioning market. The company has offices in the UK, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, selling Optima products and the company has extensive experience in the design, development and installation of silicone and dry jointed glass partitioning, demountable system partitions and advanced system drywall.

The app has only been distributed to the Optima sales team and is used during sales pitches as a way of engaging the audience and allowing easy browsing of technical guides, marketing material, project images and video content all from one place.

Benefits of the interactive app include its user friendly design and functionality, the vast range of multimedia content and the convenience of having all material in one easy to access device.

The app also presents Optima in a professional manner as all Optima sales material can be accessed using the latest handheld technology and the app’s native features which mean the application can be accessed at all times, without the need for internet connectivity.

The app can also boast an array of financial and environmental benefits, which include reducing Optima’s dependency on printed literature, reducing the amount of ink and paper used and a reduced time to market as the Optima team now has the ability to quickly update all sales material.

The 2011 award is the third time Cyber-Duck has been bestowed with a prestigious Construction Marketing award after earlier successes in 2008 when the company took home the ‘Best Use of a Website’ award with Optima Systems as well as in 2010 when the same award was taken for the OAG website (another part of Optima Group).

Looking towards the future Cyber-Duck and Optima will once again be looking achieve success at the Construction Marketing Awards in 2012. This comes after confirmation that Cyber-Duck is again the agency of choice to completely revamp the Optima website to add extensive new features which will reaffirm Optima’s position as an industry leader.

The Construction Marketing Awards, presented this year on 29th November, gave the construction industry the opportunity to recognise its very best marketing campaigns. Winners are invited to contribute a summary of their entry to this blog:  today it is MRA Marketing, winners of the Best Use of Advertising category for their Talk2Stuart campaign for Acheson & Glover

Irish-based hard-landscaping manufacturer Acheson & Glover (A&G) engaged MRA Marketing in January 2011 to devise and implement a strategic campaign to launch its hard landscaping range in Great Britain. Central to this campaign was the creation and placement of a series of four adverts – for which MRA has been awarded Best Use of Advertising at this year’s Construction Marketing Awards.

Irish-based hard-landscaping manufacturer Acheson & Glover (A&G) engaged MRA Marketing in January 2011 to devise and implement a strategic campaign to launch its hard landscaping range in Great Britain. Central to this campaign was the creation and placement of a series of four adverts – for which MRA has been awarded Best Use of Advertising at this year’s Construction Marketing Awards.

Despite being market leader for hard landscaping in Ireland, at the start of our campaign A&G was virtually unknown in Great Britain. Added to which, the market for hard landscaping in GB is dominated by three major suppliers who have locked the large national merchants into long-term deals.

To break into the GB market, A&G would have to reach out to independent builders’ merchants and their powerful buying groups. MRA needed an advertising campaign that would dramatically increase awareness of A&G Commercial Director Stuart Cook; a campaign to raise A&G’s brand profile as a leading hard landscaping supplier while simultaneously advancing a USP – something which A&G could offer customers that other suppliers didn’t.

MRA made a bold decision to put Stuart centre stage and to use him to introduce A&G’s offer to merchants. This decision reflected the fact that A&G’s potential customers needed to recognise the man with whom they would soon be doing business. MRA also needed the advertising to stand out and grab attention – almost all adverts in the sector press are product and not people focused.

The campaign also reflected MRA’s belief that by “making it personal”, A&G could hit existing suppliers where they were most vulnerable: on their lacklustre record for service, relationships and support. MRA saw that this campaign could not be won on product alone. Customers didn’t complain about product. But they did grumble about service and relationships. This would be A&G’s point of difference.

In a short space of time MRA’s campaign delivered impressive results. Stuart’s is now recognised across an industry in which just six months ago he was unknown and A&G have just been approved by the H&B buying group as an approved supplier.

The Construction Marketing Awards, presented this year on 29th November, gave the construction industry the opportunity to recognise its very best marketing campaigns. Winners are invited to contribute a summary of their entry to this blog:  today it is SLG Marketing, winers of the Agency of the Year catagory

Judges Comment: A clear and concise way to help their customer’s needs. Bespoke campaigns designed for each client illustrate an impressive range of skills and industry understanding.  The successful delivery of diverse campaigns makes SLG the stand out agency for 2011.

SLG is a Manchester-based, independent B2B marketing communications agency that offers a full range of integrated services.

Employing 25 staff, SLG’s considerable experience and consultancy-led approach (using qualified architects and engineers to provide input) have helped establish it as the leading marketing agency in the construction and building products sector. SLG’s core principles and bespoke approach focus on understanding its clients’ markets, producing high-quality creative work and delivering the very best service.

SLG’s expert knowledge of the construction sector has grown over its 30 year history, during which it has worked with some of the market’s biggest companies, communicated with a wide range of target audiences in the sector and developed a detailed understanding of the marketing communications channels that deliver maximum impact.

The agency’s business strategy for 2011 was to focus on developing its services, increasing its knowledge of construction issues and assessing the viability of the various new communication channels that are appearing. SLG has recorded an excellent level of client retention during 2011. And also added a number of new high-profile names to its client list. The agency recognizes that the most effective way to protect its client base is to achieve the objectives that are agreed with those clients, and this lies at the heart of the agency’s work. Devising a strong strategy with clear objectives and measureable parameters allows the agency to demonstrate that client’s budgets are being spent as effectively as possible.

SLG’s core proposition is the ability to deliver high-quality, creative marketing communications based on specialist knowledge of the clients’ markets and target audiences. This is underpinned by a highly personal approach to client service which promotes long-term, open and transparent relationships.

Coupled with its reputation as a highly experienced player in this sector, plus its existing client roster and previous award winning campaigns, this makes SLG well placed to attract and retain new clients.

The Construction Marketing Awards, presented this year on 29th November, give the construction industry the opportunity to recognise its very best marketing campaigns. Winners are invited to contribute a summary of their entry to this blog:  today it is Lafarge Cement, Winners of the Best in-house marketing team category.

Judges comment: “This team delivered a wide range of marketing solutions tailored to different customer groups. They managed a range of campaigns and had a great deal of success. Their work was consistently of a very high quality, and always made a positive sales impact and exceeded objectives.”

Lafarge summarises: A big challenge for Lafarge’s marketing team is how to effectively communicate a single brand identity to a diverse and broad target audience.

At one end of the scale Lafarge manufactures bulk cement products for large construction companies, who use cement in hundreds of tonnes for projects such as power plant builds or sports stadium construction, and at the other end of the spectrum Lafarge also produce specialist bagged cement products for Pro-DIYers to buy from their local B&Q outlet.

In-between these very different purchasers, there are smaller construction companies, jobbing builders, sustainability managers, DIYers, architects, civil engineers, technical directors, local authorities and many more. All of these have different purchase drivers regarding building materials.

Strategy, engagement plans and creative demonstrated dynamism and innovation in each of the 2011 campaigns, with results providing sufficient evidence of their effectiveness. Lafarge Cement has also launched many more campaigns over the last 12 months such as an Extra Rapid Cement promotional campaign that provides customers with a chance to win a ride in a dragster, launched a range of ready-to-use products in B&Q with heavily researched Point of Sale communications, and released an iPhone app for DIYers plus much more.

Fifteen categories of marketing excellence were recognised last night at the annual Construction Marketing Awards, with Manchester based specialist SLG Marketing taking the top Agency of the Year accolade and Anil Govind of Groundforce, being awarded the title Marketer of the Year.

Run by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG) the awards recognise and celebrate the best and most innovative marketing campaigns in the construction industry year.

In 2011 there was a marked rise in the number of entries for the digital and on-line categories, with new technology well represented: Optima’s ipad application particularly impressed the judges in the Best Use of Technology category.

However, if there was one characteristic common to many of the entries, it was that of really effective targeting.  The Build Centre (and its agency Tangent Snowball) won in two categories for its thorough and well-planned campaign targeting existing customers with personalised promotional material, while NICEIC won the Best Use of Exhibitions category for its own live event whose success was down to careful analysis of the target audience to deliver an attractive programme.

The event coincided with the 40th anniversary of the founding of CIMCIG and the awards evening was enriched by the presence of a number of past members of the Group.  Renowned British architect, Ex RIBA President and CIMCIG founder member Owen Luder gave a welcome address in which he reflected on the importance of the marketing discipline.

“Marketing is not just about being known – it is recognising that you have a skill or a product that someone wants to buy and then knowing how to sell it to them.  You must know your market.

“The great thing about awards is that they raise standards.  Even if you don’t win, just by entering you focus on raising your standards.  I am all in favour of awards.”

CIMCIG Chairman Ian Exall summed up his reaction to this year’s entries: “the level of professionalism and articulate problem solving is definitely more advanced than we have seen in previous years. More and more of the entries demonstrate that marketing isn’t just about a nice brochure or golf day but good strategic analysis and implementation.

These are certainly tough times for the industry. However, the winners in the awards give me huge confidence that we have the skills to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.”

The full list of winners and shortlisted entries are as follows:

Category One: Best use of Strategic Marketing
Winner: Build Center (Tangent Snowball)
Shortlist: AJA  Fermacell (AJA),  Kingspan Benchmark (IAS B2B),  Lafarge Fact (McCann Manchester) Barrett Steel (Netconstruct)

Category Two: Internal Communications
Winner: Imtech Process
Highly commended: Apollo

Category Three: Best Use of Advertising
Winner: Acheson & Glover – MRA Marketing
Shortlist: Redrow, Caterpillar (Young & Rubicam), Forbo (CIB)

Category Four: Best use of Public Relations
Winner: BSS – Willoughby PR
Highly Commended: Swisspacer (MRA) Shortlist: Glidden (Tangerine),  Eurovia (Wildwood)

Category Five: Best Use of Direct Marketing
Winner: Build Center – Tangent Snowball
Shortlist: Trelleborg (IAS B2B),  Lafarge (McCann Manchester, NBAT), BLP (TC Communications)

Category Six: Best Use of Technical Information
Winner: Optima – Cyber Duck
Shortlist: Trelleborg (IAS B2B), Fermacell (AJA)

Category Seven: Best Use of Events and Exhibitions
Winner: NICEIC
Shortlist: Kingspan (IAS B2B),  Knauf (TGV), Surestop

Category Eight: Best Use of Website
Winner: Door-Stop – MRA Marketing
Shortlist:  Minster (CIB), Woodhouse,  Lafarge (McCann Manchester, NBAT), Sotech (Harris),  Barrett Steel (NetConstruct) , Megaman (Neonlite)

Category Nine: Best Use of Digital Communications/Media Winner: Tubosider – Considered Creative Shortlist: IES, Trelleborg (IAS B2B)

Category Ten: Best Product Launch
Winner: SitexOrbis
Shortlist: Alumet, ESG Polyvision, Lafarge Cemergi (McCann Manchester), Kingspan (IAS B2B), Tata Steel

Category Eleven: Best Campaign under £25,000
Winner: Groundforce Highly Commended: SitexOrbis Shortlist: Trelleborg (IAS B2B)

Category Twelve: Best Campaign over £25,000
Winner: Alumet
Highly Commended: Glidden Trade (Tangerine PR)
Highly Commended: Polypipe (SLG Marketing)
Shortlist:  BLP (TC Communications), Lafarge Big Boys (McCann Manchester NBAT Redmark),  Lafarge FACT (McCann Manchester), Goodman (Campaign Works), Catnic (CIB)

Category Thirteen: Best In-house Marketing Team
Winner: Lafarge Cement
Shortlist: Alumet

Category Fourteen: Agency of the Year
Winner: SLG Marketing
Shortlist: Tangerine, IAS B2B, CFA, Harris Associates

Category Fifteen: Young Marketer of the Year
Winner:  Anil Govind, Groundforce; Shortlisted: Carina Watson, Built for Marketing; Daniel Jenkins-Ferguson, NICEIC

The Construction Marketing Awards, presented this year on 29th November, give the construction industry the opportunity to recognise its very best marketing campaigns. Winners are invited to contribute a summary of their entry to this blog:  today it is Apollo, winner of the Best In House Marketing Team category

In November 2009, marketing was given standalone status within Apollo for the first time in its history.

Set against national economic downturn, Apollo’s new marketing department had a challenging task ahead.  The first strategic decision in meeting this challenge was to cut agency support and build an in-house team that could deliver far better internal communications, with minimal increase in cost.

With a clear strategy in place to weather the economic storm and grow into a national provider of integrated property services, the Board understood the importance of retaining Apollo’s high standards, unique culture and excellence in health, safety and sustainability.  They also recognised people as key to Apollo’s success.  So, Marketing’s objective – to ensure all employees were kept informed, engaged and encouraged through difficult economic times – was acknowledged as playing a vital part in Apollo achieving its long-term vision.

Against this backdrop, Marketing set out to make dramatic improvements to staff communications and success is notable. Today, Apollo’s unique culture remains and all employees, across regions and workstreams, have clarity on the company’s business objectives, understanding the importance of maintaining high levels of commitment to health, safety, sustainability and quality.

Also, by creating an in-house team, Marketing has had a huge impact on Apollo without breaking the budget. Costs have grown just marginally, while productivity, quality and consistency have increased dramatically.

Better still, while competitors have been forced to close, Apollo remains a growing, financially-stable company (ranked 50 in Sunday Times Top Track 250, 2010) people want to work for. Its employees continue to be recognised as the driving force behind achieving the business vision; to become a national provider of integrated property services and, what’s more, Marketing is now valued as key to Apollo’s continuing success.