Events 101

Events are a legitimate extension of a brand. They are an experiential and visual representation of
your business. So how do you make sure that you stage a quality event that delivers tangible results?

Firstly, let’s get things straight and shake off the outdated stereotype that the world of public
relations is all parties, Champagne and schmoozing. Events can be a very powerful tool in PR and
marketing campaigns and should be planned strategically with specific objectives.

Here are littleBIG’s six tips for event success:
1. Set your event objectives. Are you launching a new product or service? Opening a new restaurant?
Announcing a partnership? Or, celebrating the kick-off of a Festival or event series? Whatever your
‘news’ is, at the very beginning, set your sights on what you’d like the event to achieve, whether it’s
‘x’ volume of media coverage, ‘x’ increase in ticket sales, or ‘x’ increase in social media engagement,
for example.
2. Plan, plan, plan. Plan well in advance. It seems simple really, but the more time you allow to
research the event concept, the more options you’ll have to secure a perfect venue and partner with
like-minded suppliers. If you’re hosting media at the event, be prepared to send invitations between
four and six weeks out.
3. Get the right people there. It’s all very well having a venue or activation that looks the part, but if the
right people aren’t there then the outcomes could be lost. Research your target media list
thoroughly, or if it’s a public event, make sure you know the audience profile you’d like to attend.
4. Make it memorable. Make sure the personality and the qualities of your business shine from the
moment people walk through the door. From the venue and choice of entertainment, to the food,
drinks and styling, choose elements that complement your brand and contribute to the story you’re
trying to share.
5. Capture content. Events can produce extremely valuable content that can be amplified through your
social channels in both real-time and post-event. Broadcast event highlights via socials, book a
photographer to capture the event, and if budget allows, a videographer. Create a bold entrance or
backdrop (and not just a branded media wall) that guests simply won’t be able to resist for a quick
selfie!
6. Track the outcomes. After the relief of running a successful event, don’t forget to review the results.
Who actually attended on the day? What media coverage was a direct result of the event? Did you
attract more social media followers/engagement? And how did it impact your business? e.g. Did you
experience an increase in sales or enquiries?

Images below from the Moments Condoms launch at The Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney

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DR. MARTENS: AUSTRALIAN STORE LAUNCH

On Wednesday 28 February, two littleBIG guns flew to Sydney to help launch Dr. Martens‘ Australian store – marking the first time in the iconic brand’s 58-year history that Australians have a physical, Docs-branded retail store and online space in which to indulge their passion for Docs.

Our fashion PR guru, Jarryd Pentony, shares the top line on how the littleBIG team pulled off a totally awesome launch party and got word out on the streets of Sydney and around Australia, with a super tight turnaround.

FIRST UP! HOP TO IT WITH…

  • Key detail gathering
  • Initial media and guest list comms

ONE WEEK OUT…

  • Ramp up the media and guest list hustle

LAUNCH WEEK…

  • Wrap up the door list
  • Final media opportunity coordination

PARTY TIME…

Located at Westfield in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall, the Dr. Martens store launch saw 90 media and influencers celebrate in true DM’s style: Sydney rock band, Polish Club, played live sets in the store’s shop window; Aussie artist, Maddy Young, was on-hand to customise pairs of Docs; local barber, Tommy J, provided guests with fresh cuts and the crew at Sailor Jerry took care of the bevvies.

THE RESULT…

littleBIG’s PR campaign and event launch saw news of the Docs store opening appear 40 times across print, online and social media; generating more than $400,000 in publicity. Key highlights being:

The new Docs store offers the largest range of men’s, women’s and kids’ styles available in Australia, including Originals, Made in England, DM’s Lites, collaborations, vegan and accessories collections.

Check it out the next time you’re in Sydney or browse the Docs range online at: www.drmartens.com.au.

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Palettes & patterns inspired by the 80’s & 90’s

From pretty pastels to electric hues, colour schemes from the 80’s and 90’s have been gaining serious fabulous-ness once again. Expect to see the abstract and geometric patterns inspired by the era move from the fringes into the mainstream as well.

As children of the 80’s and 90’s become more prominent and influential as both brand leaders and key target audiences, this trend can add visual excitement as well as a touch of retro-chic to your brand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Six Instagram design pages for #inspo

In today’s technology-driven society, social media is a powerful platform for communicating your ideas and designs. Instagram is one of the most popular social media networks across the world. Many of us look to Instagram for inspo, whether it’s design-related, fitness, lifestyle, fashion, recipe ideas, health or home decorating – there are no shortage of Instagram accounts to peak your creative interests.

Many designers choose Instagram to showcase their work; amongst all the clutter and #fitspo pages here are some of our favourite designers and artists on Instagram.

 

Steven Harrington – An L.A. based artist and designer who brings a fresh cartoon-style to his viewers.

(@s_harrington)

 

Cryril Vouilloz – Shows off an enticing range of strong typographical artwork, with a bio that reads “Fighting against boredom… one drawing at a time”.

(@rylsee)

 

Erik Marinovich – A lettering artist working out of San Francisco, California.

(@erikmarinovich)

 

Leta Sobierajski – An experienced Graphic Designer and Art Director whose bright colour pallet will bring a spark to your feed.

(@letasobierajski)

 

Hey – Hey studio is not a page showcasing a single graphic designer’s work, rather it is the account of a studio based in Barcelona. Hey showcases an eye-popping contemporary style that will keep your creative ideas flowing.

(@heystudio)

 

Jessica Walsh – Jessica’s page hosts a combination of her own work and others. With a wide variety of works including photography, digital design and animation, it’s sure to brighten up your week.

(@jessicavwalsh)

 

So be sure to unfollow that D grade celebrity and add a few beautiful Instagram pages to your pocket.

 

This design inspo post was brought to you by littleBIG studio designer and young gun Joel Langford.

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Tips to pimp up your Instagram feed

Instagram is one of the top social media apps in the market. With over 800 million active users and over 95 million photos and videos uploaded on Instagram every single day, it’s a tough gig trying to stand out of the crowd. Have no fear, we’ve got some quick and simple tips to help pimp up your brand’s Instagram feed.

 

Instagram Tip #1: Understand the Algorithm

Unfortunately, Instagram tends to keep the details about its algorithm pretty close to its chest, making it that much tougher to figure out exactly how you can maximise your reach and engagement. However one thing we all know for sure is that chronological ordering is out and Instagram users can no longer see posts in their feed based on date.

The following elements can help boost your post visibility on Instagram;

  • Time of Post
  • Engagement
  • Profile Searches
  • Relationships
  • Relevancy
  • Hashtags

 

Instagram Marketing Tip #2: Create Your Posts on Desktop

We all know that back in 2010, Instagram was built for mobile phones. While this is how users engage with Instagram, creating images and editing photos on your computer is much faster and of higher quality. An example of this is our client, RIDDIK whose Instagram feed consists of bright high-res imagery incorporating the colours of its logo – all thanks to our super talented design team (Our Creative Director will love this mention!).

 

Instagram Marketing Tip #3: Schedule Your Content

In agency land, one thing we thing we love for sure is time-efficiency! By using a scheduling tool for your Instagram account, you can create content months in advance with the ability to preview your Instagram feed before it goes live. Plus, we love that it automatically publishes its content at an exact time, with the perfect caption and image. Not to mention, you also get plenty of reporting functions allowing you to track your reach, engagement and impressions.

 

Instagram Marketing Tip #4: Take Advantage of User-Generated Content

Sharing content that your fans are posting on social media is an effective method to repurpose existing content on the platform, as well as engage your audience. Don’t forget to give them credit or at least a shout-out for using their image.

Instagram Marketing Tip #5: Add Locations to Your Posts

Don’t forget to add the geotag or location to your posts!  By doing so, it can improve your search optimisation and geo-targeting. Users who are looking at posts from that specific area will see your post pop-up.

 

Instagram Tip #6: Think about your Instagram Captions

Instagram is predominantly a visual platform, however captions are a key way for users to find out more information about the company and engage with your page. It’s important to keep the caption short, clever and relatable. Most importantly ensure the language fits with the overall tone of the brand.

 

Instagram Tip #7: Ensure Your Hashtags are relatable to the Brand

Hashtags are a great way to connect with a range of users from different audiences to engage with your account. However, seeing the hashtags in the caption can be distracting for viewers, so make sure you keep it between 5-10 hashtags per post. 

 

Instagram Tip #8: Create content pillars

Before creating an Instagram account, it’s important to establish what you want to achieve from the account. A content strategy plan should include objectives, the desired look and feel of the brand, tone of voice, key content pillars and messaging. Applying content themes that tie into your social media objectives, allows you to engage with different sections of your audience who may have different interests, without alienating anyone.

 

Instagram Tip #9: Make your feed look the part

Be sure that your account is visually pleasing. Cohesive themes, colours and filter choices are important to ensure the overall content theme flows and the social feeds are recognisable from platform to platform. 

By following these few tips, you are sure to stick out from the crowd and increase the engagement rate on your page. Or alternatively, you can speak to us and we will do it for you ;).

This blog was inspired by an article by Clare Acheson. 

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6 ways to ‘own’ your return to work

6 ways to ‘own’ your return to work

It’s that time of year when we say goodbye to holidays and hello to a new working year! Here’s our guide on how to shake off the holiday blues and ‘own’ your return to work.

  1. But first, coffee. Need we say more? This instant energy boost not only tastes delicious, but research shows that drinking coffee boasts a list of health benefits that will keep you strong and healthy all year long.
  2. Read, read and read some more. Get up to date with the hottest trends of 2018 by reading your way through every blog, Instagram feed, magazine and newspaper to ensure you’re filled with fresh pitching ammunition.
  3. #GoalDigger: It’s time to get serious, revisit previous goals and set daily, weekly and monthly goals so you can ensure you’re on the right path from day one.
  4. New year, new stationery. What’s more motivating than starting the year with a fresh selection of clean, untouched workbooks.  Not only do you begin the year with a clean slate, it’s the perfect way to get organised and plan for what lies ahead.
  5. Music therapy. Studies show that a killer playlist can play a major role in enhancing your mood. It has even been known to boost happiness and reduce anxiety.  There’s nothing like a ‘pop hits playlist of 2012’ to get you pumped for a big week ahead.
  6. Drop a line. Spend your first week back re-establishing contact with your beloved media contacts. Who doesn’t love a cheerful “HNY!” email first day back?!

We’d love to hear your top tips for smashing the first week back at work. Good playlist suggestions are especially welcome!

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Best of 2017

And just like that, another year is done and dusted! What an incredible year 2017 has been in littleBIG land. We’ve loved working with our clients to achieve some huge goals, and celebrated some wonderful milestones, including our very own 10-year anniversary (congratulations Sal and Rich!).

We’ve had so much fun working with old and new clients on clever campaigns, hosted some fab events and launched some awesome new products, whilst introducing a bunch of new faces to our ever-growing family (including baby Bennett).

We’re grateful to all the amazing people we are lucky enough to work with to make the magic happen and thank you for your support.

From everyone at littleBIG we’d like to wish you a very merry (and over-indulgent) Christmas and a happy New Year.

As we close out this year, we reflect on some of our favourite moments of 2017:

Getting Social
Yes, we’re a social bunch here at littleBIG but this year we’ve gone next level – and I’m talking about social media. Social media is an integral part of any marketing strategy and this year we’ve focused on growing our social expertise in this ever-evolving channel to ensure we can provide our clients with compelling content and maximum ROI. We’ve implemented new processes and are proud to see the value this is delivering across our 13 (!) social media clients. We’re also continuing to build our strengths in the world of influencer marketing; seeing consumers rush to Big W to get their hands on the super fun Creativity for Kids Australia craft kits. The successful seeding campaign saw the likes of Pixie & Hunter Curtis share their craft creations and the brand’s followers grow overnight.

Creating Content

A key challenge in this social age is keeping your audience engaged with good content (without spending a fortune). We’ve had a ball working with some brilliant partners to create an epic amount of content (over 75 videos!) with stills and video shoots for POL, Australian Blueberry Growers Association, Workwear Group, Moments, Preston Market and more.

Building Brands

One of the key strengths of our team (if we do say so ourselves) is our ability to act as a one-stop-shop or outsourced marketing partner. We’ve loved being able create brands from strategy to implementation across all channels for amazing partners like Winemakers of Rutherglen and Australian Blueberry Growers Association. One of our highlights of the year was creating a condom brand. It’s been thrilling to develop a strategy to build Australia’s first condom brand aimed at empowering and supporting women; and then to execute all elements from packaging to website, to PR.

Sharing Fashion

We have our own style icon in the office (YASSSSS JP!) but we are also privileged to work with some of the greats in Australian fashion. This year we’ve had the pleasure of seeing one of our very own clients, Hoodedwept debut at Paris Fashion Week; showcased the brilliance of Felicity Cooney’s sophomore summer collection; supported amazing new start-up Closet Raid with their socials; helped get Daniel Wellington on the wrists of some of Australia’s leading fashionistas (including, yep JP); worked with some of Australia’s most high powered influencers and fashion media legends to show of Skechers’ awesome styles; and executed a high end editorial series of catalogues featuring over 400 products for the Workwear Group. We’re also super excited to be working on an Australian first for Dr. Martens… hush hush, but stay tuned in early 2018…

Celebrating with events, good food and good wine.

It’s no secret that the littleBIG team loves a good event and is crazy for good food and wine. Lucky for us, that’s our job and this year we’ve been celebrating up a storm with Moments’ fabulous launch event; Skechers store openings, influencer events and the big 25th Birthday; a huge 70th birthday party for Australian icon Wizz Fizz at Holey Moley, plus behind the scenes tours for the likes of the Today Show, Channel 7 and The Age; the biggest year yet, cracking 1 million visitors for the iconic Queen Vic Night Markets; and the transformation of a Melbourne laneway to a 3 day pop up cellar door event “Rutherglen in the City”, bringing all the magic of the Winemakers of Rutherglen to the Melbourne.

Growing our littleBIG family

On a littleBIG note, we’ve gained some incredible new team members (most notably Bennett William Harley) and celebrated 10 fabulous years.

Thanks again to all for your contribution, and we look forward to more amazing things in 2018.

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The littleBIG guide to wellbeing at work

The littleBIG guide to wellbeing at work

It’s the busiest time of year with Christmas parties, social gatherings, concerts, night markets, and plenty more. We are all trying to fit everything in and DO IT ALL. Our health can take the back-burner and saying ‘yes’ to some things may mean pushing other things down our priority list. Sadly, one of the first things we tend to sacrifice is our own physical and mental health.

We’ve got a list together of tips to stay on top of your health this silly season!

  1. Wake up and move your body – Laura Vanderkam, author of “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast”, interviewed and studied the behaviours of CEOs for years before writing her book. She explains prioritising your morning and the way you start your day has a direct correlation to how successful you are at work. If you are a procrastinator, waking up and doing exercise will not only get the workout done early but it will also boost serotonin levels in the brain, increasing your mood and let’s face it, making you a happier, nicer colleague to be around! Hallelujah!
  2. Eat a healthy breakfast – Unfortunately, this is a huge one for most busy professionals. You get to work, the phone rings, your meeting arrives early, you’ve got 100 unread emails, you fed the kids, but you forgot to eat yourself! This is setting you up to make bad food choices because your blood sugar levels will drop and before you know it, you are craving and reaching for that processed sugar snack or that caffeine fix to satiate you until lunch.
  3. Have a water jug at your desk – If you are in an office with heating or air conditioning then it is easy to get dehydrated. If you have a jug at your desk, you will be reminded to drink water throughout your day.
  4. Be mindful at work – Mono-tasking is the new multi-tasking. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with workload so before you open ten tabs on your desktop, write a list and prioritise your tasks. If you work mindfully on one task at a time, you are going to work smarter not harder. You won’t have to check over the mistakes you’ve made so you’ll take half the time.
  5. Check yourself before you wreck yourself – Self awareness is the key when it comes to working in teams. Your attitude and behaviour will always affect those around you. Do you ever have a feeling or get a vibe when you meet someone without them saying one word? If you need to take a break or have five minutes in peace, go for a walk, have a coffee, or even chat to a colleague about how you are actually feeling. It helps to ride the waves of those emotions with supportive people around you – and be honest about it, suppressing will only make it worse.
  6. Let it go – Nobody is perfect and if someone annoys you or does something that you don’t agree with, talk about it with them directly and then move on. Don’t waste extended time and energy on things you don’t need to. We are all guilty of creating an elaborate story in our head and holding onto negative feelings.
  7. Take regular breaks throughout your work day – There is plenty of research now that proves productivity comes in bursts. The Pomodoro Technique is one method that enables you to learn to work with time and not against it. The aim is to focus while the timer is on, then you are rewarded with a break where you can snack, get a cup of tea or coffee, or just a bit of fresh air outside.

These tips, along with choosing real and wholesome food, scheduling in regular workouts, putting yourself first when it comes to health, and just learning to say no, are absolutely essential to being the healthiest and happiest human you can be. It’s time to make this December a good one by getting ahead of those New Year’s resolutions!

 

 

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littleBIG guide to influencer seeding

I’m sure we can all appreciate the power of social media in the 21st century. When it comes to public relations and marketing, the likes of Instagram, Facebook and YouTube (among other platforms) play a massive role in brand awareness and can even translate to sales. The statistics speak for themselves – 71% of us are more likely to make a purchase based on a social media reference.

While it’s important for brands to have their own presence on social media, a great way to gain even more exposure is to get products into the hands of social media influencers.

Over the last few years social media influencing has become a booming, multi-billion-dollar industry. This year alone, a Medikix study estimates that total spend on Instagram influencers has exceeded $1 billion. This amount is expected to double by 2019, so, if you think you have what it takes to influence the masses, now might be a pretty great time to jump on the influencer band-wagon.

Here in littleBIG land we’ve been busy bees working on our latest influencer seeding campaign for Creativity for Kids Australia (CFK).

Based on our experiences, here’s our top seeding tips to make the most of an influencer seeding campaign:

Know who you’re trying to reach

Influencers have the potential to tap into enormous audiences – 800 million monthly active users on Instagram, 2 billion on Facebook, and 1 billion on YouTube. However, when engaging with influencers it’s important to keep in mind who you’re trying to reach, and to select relevant influencers who speak to that audience.

In preparation for our CFK influencer seeding campaign we hand-picked 50 high-reach influencers with strong audience engagement across both parenting and craft, with the hopes of reaching parents with purchasing power, and kids (young and old) with an interest in getting creative.

Choose the right items to accompany your product

Pack your seeding boxes full of goodies to heighten your chances of gaining exposure across influencer channels (remember, if you’re using a contra approach the recipient isn’t obligated to post).

When selecting additional products to send, think about the influencer’s experience upon opening the package. Consider: What do you want them to do, think, or feel? What do you want their social post to look like?

Use a personalised approach

When it comes to gifting it really is the thought that counts. Know who your influencers are and tailor each gift to the individual recipient. In our approach for CFK, we read up on our influencers to ensure that we selected the right craft kit for their child in terms of age and gender. A personalised note is always a nice touch, too!

Stay tuned for updates on the outcomes of our Creativity for Kids Australia influencer seeding approach!

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STAFF UPDATE: Meet the newbies at littleBIG

With so many exciting new clients joining our littleBIG family of late, our team has expanded! We have added two new faces to the littleBIG crew in recent times – Talia, taking on the role of Social Media Manager, and Steph, our new Account Director.

Help us welcome the new littleBIGsters on board and learn all about them below.

Talia Schirippa – Social Media Manager

Highlight of 2017 so far?
Travel! I started the year living in Berlin, then camped around the Australian Outback. Now I’m back home.

Something you can’t live without?
My friends, music, my best cat friend Dizzy (9 years old), escaping the city on the weekend.

Favourite place to eat?
My nonna and nonno’s house!

What do you do when you’re not working?
I’m always with friends, playing/listening/watching music, hanging with my boyfriend and using Pinterest.

What are you passionate about?
Music, friends, family, having a good time and always trying to be the best version of me.

 

Steph Ridley – Account Director

Highlight of 2017 so far?
Spending two weeks exploring NYC. It is the most amazing place!

Something you can’t live without?
My phone! Between being a social media junkie, keeping up-to-date with the latest news and touching base with my friends and family, my phone is never too far out of reach.

Favourite place to eat?
You never need to go far for great food in Melbourne, but Mr Miyagi on Chapel Street and San Telmo in the CBD are my absolute favourites – I am obsessed!

What do you do when you’re not working?
I love to keep active through running, pilates and yoga.

What are you passionate about?
Taking time out to enjoy the little things – whether it’s a trip to the beach, a jog on a nice sunny afternoon or discovering the ultimate espresso martini.

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