Backlash

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Beauty Pie is an online beauty brand. I am a senior brand manager there managing experiential elements.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backlash, and what were your goals?

Our brand didn’t have an outdoor element, so we hired backlash to support with our pop up store branding and delivery,

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The team were the most personable and answered the brief as clearly on the first pitch.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

They worked on the project from concept, rounds of iterations to the final delivery of all the creative and staffing elements including liaising with landlords, hiring of set up and take down. They also were integral to the event process of launch day. Throughout the process we had weekly catch ups

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with around 4/5 people across account management, art direction, and designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Because of the project we gained mass awareness within the beauty industry, we also broke even on project costs based on revenue driven by the event. We had queues outside the door and thousands of engagement across social with their visually exciting store vision.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

They were very strong on communication with the main elements being email and WhatsApp. They were contactable at all times and provided lots of updates throughout the journey.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their ability to manage all changes and stay positive is impressive. They strongly showcased they had it all at hand.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

We used slack as an internal team, we could have benefited with this as a method of communication, especially as we can share high level documents more easily.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

FitXR is an award-winning VR fitness app, with studios across boxing, HIIT and dance. My role is Director of Partnerships, looking at how we expand our reach and increase our retention.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backlash?

We decided to exhibit at Balance Fitness Festival, to test out the reaction of our product from a fitness consumer, whilst also providing a premium brand experience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found 3 companies offering similar services, and on inviting all of them to share their approach and quotes, Backlash were the most accurate in terms of listening to our needs and requirements, whilst also being able to do this within budget.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Creative design and management of a technology-based exhibition stand, showcasing a VR fitness product.

What was the team composition?

We were supported by a client services team, a creative team and a production agency.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We were, undoubtedly, the most impressive stand at the consumer trade show that we were exhibiting at. We surpassed our expected footfall on the stand by around 25%. All feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Hugely effective communication between the businesses, both in the run up to, and during the, event.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The Backlash team was incredibly flexible and very solution-oriented. They went the extra mile on several occasions to ensure that everything went off without issue.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

There's some learnings we've taken together which we've discussed in a wrap-up, but these were not specific to either business, but more the nature of what our stands need to look like in the future.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Manager for Weddings & Personal Shopper Service

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backlash?

To take our presence at the National Wedding Shows to another level, to ensure maximum PR exposure and return on investment.

What were your goals for this project?

To inspire and excite visitors to the Wedding show with our wedding collection, driving personal shopper appointments for the bride, bridesmaids and wedding guests.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A tender process that was driven by innovation, creativity and maximising return on investment.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

To design and deliver a 'show stopping' wedding stand for the National Wedding Show that exhibits our wedding collection and encourages visitors to dwell and browse.

What was the team composition?

Backlash quickly earned our trust through clear, open communication. It was easy to develop a strong and effective working relationship with them. They are exceptionally professional, but made the experience of working with them friendly and fun - their approach is very refreshing. The contractors they worked with to implement and deliver the stand were also highly skilled and professional.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The term 'best ever' was used by business stakeholders and the Wedding Show event organisers to describe our Wedding stand. For the first time we were able to provide an interactive experience for visitors, within an environment that inspired and delighted. Visitors spent longer talking to our stand team, which converted to a 20% uplift in high value Weddings appointments during the Wedding Show season.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Impeccable! The project management side of things was first class. Meetings were well managed, with a clear agenda and outputs and all communication was clear and prompt.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their innovative approach to our brief. Their solution far exceeded our expectations, raised our profile at the Wedding Shows, and positively changed customer perception. In all regards, they are an absolute pleasure to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

From experience of working with other creative agencies - NO! You get the whole package with Backlash — innovation, creativity, a strong ROI, and impeccable project management.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Customer Marketing Manager at NEOM Organics, a wellbeing brand that creates a range of home fragrance, skincare and bath & body products. Our expertly blended 100% natural fragrances use only the purest possible essential oils to give you true wellbeing benefits to help you sleep better, stress less, boost your energy or lift your mood.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backlash?

Concept, design and project manage the production and installation of a Christmas pop up in a key department store and roll out additional feature spaces across other regional branches.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a creative agency that could be highly creative, challenge our thinking, bring to life our Christmas packaging and natural wellbeing credentials and execute the production to exceptionally high standards which we demand as a premium brand.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were sent their credentials on email, I liked their straight talking approach and asked Backlash to do an initial pitch against two other agencies. Backlash impressed with their understanding of the brand, the customer insight, the years' of retail experience that was evident in their thought process and ultimately won the project based on the beautiful concepts.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

- Creative concepts - Design - Retail submission including detailed technical drawings, 3D render designs, all RAMs, health and safety aspects of the projects, material sourcing. - Production of pop up furniture, feature wall, product highlighter/ counter top center piece, window design, printed POS and overnight installation - Roll out of elements to 9 additional feature spaces in 9 different locations.

What was the team composition?

I worked closely with James Barnes as the main lead on the project but met with Katie and Aarron in their creative team regularly either over the phone or in person.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

NEOM, the wholesale customer and our consumers were all delighted with the pop up. There was significant sales increase, we saw lots of engaged shoppers sharing their experience and images on Instagram and the duration of the pop up was extended.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Exceptional. We had a weekly status conference call, regular phone calls, Whatsapp messages and face to face meetings when samples were needed to be signed off. Backlash are brilliant at communicating, keeping you in the loop, sharing work in progress, being honest and open. They felt an extension to our marketing team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was blown away with their little black book of contacts, freelancers, suppliers, and manufactures. You name it, they know who to speak to and how to get things done quickly and to a very high standard. Their creative response has been tried and tested over year's of retail experience but is still fresh and modern. Backlash are great to work with - nothing is too small or too big.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing on this project. There were a few snags as there is with any production build but they dealt with them incredibly quickly and efficiently.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Project Manager for one of the most influential Beauty Company's today. Breaking the UK market in 2017 and working across a range of retailers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backlash?

For various Pop Ups, Brand Launches, Multiple activation spaces and Internal & external conferences.

What were your goals for this project?

To have engaging and captivating activation spaces. To be efficient and creative with the use of furniture and to deliver all within a specific time & launch plan.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Aarron and the team always delivered high energy ideas. They were always very flexible and went above and beyond for our team. They have a real GSD attitude which is something highly needed in the cosmetic industry!! No challenge was too much and they always delivered to a very high standard. They are so great to work with!!

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They designed the initial works for a demanding Brand and succeeded in nailing the Brand identity. They worked seamlessly with all our internal companies, the retailers and other suppliers. They designed, created all the artwork, built all the furniture, they then installed and de-rigged. All within budget .

What was the team composition?

To be honest, I mainly only worked with Aarron. I know there were a lot more people involved but they wanted to keep the Brand contact to a minimum which was very helpful for me!!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We worked with Backlash to launch multiple Fenty Beauty products into Boots. Sales ambitions were exceeded on each and every launch, social media interactions were high. The Projects were delivered amazingly well, high quality & with short lead times. The retailer, the brand and the customers were all very happy and loved the pop ups/ conferences that Backlash have installed and provided.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication was great and very clear. It was not over complicated. They simplified it for the brand, knowing that we have a lot of plates to spin. They gave definite deadlines and dates and kept to them.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They themselves are spinning a number of plates and yet shield the Brand for any kind of disruption. They take everything in their stride and find solutions no matter what. They are very dedicated. What I found most appealing was they were very grounded. They would bring you in the room and have good honest conversations, it was clear and collaborative.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing of a beauty & cosmetics company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Beauty Wellness

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Backlash to accomplish?

• Awareness
• Sales

SOLUTION

How did you find Backlash?

previously worked with them

Why did you select Backlash over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Backlash were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Campaign Experiential event management Pop Up and Sampling Roadshow

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Brand awareness increase and increased sales

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Delivered on time and delivered what was required

What was your primary form of communication with Backlash?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They were great to work with. Have a good attitude and take their work seriously. Delivered to a high standard

Are there any areas for improvement or something Backlash could have done differently?

Budget updates + agreement on an ongoing basis