Highlights
of the year
You never know what the year has in store - and 2022 has proved to be quite an adventure.
We've had some great experiences and plenty to shout about.
We've embraced new clients, new team members, new ways of working and despite lots of hard work, we've had some laughs along the way.
As ever, we would like to thank our clients, suppliers and partners for their continuing support and wish everyone a great 2023.
January
ICG embarked on a new era with Simon Couchman as sole Managing Director.
Simon, who has been with the company since 2004, previously held the role of joint Managing Director and now heads up the business with the support of a newly created leadership team.
Dave Mallalieu, Head of Digital, Sarah Huddy, promoted to Head of Design and Julie Hackett, who now leads the marketing team as Account Director, formed the new leadership team.
The changes followed the retirement of former joint Managing Director, Peter Cobley.
February
Each year we ask our clients about their marketing priorities and challenges for the next 12 months.
In 2022 we wanted to know what, if anything, had changed? Was confidence higher? Were different channels being used? And, how much planning was being carried out?
The results of the ICG Marketing Survey 2022 offered a snapshot of how people were feeling about their marketing activity for the year ahead, click here to download the survey.
Look out for the 2023 survey launching early next year.
March
We have focused more on our team's mental health and wellbeing during 2022. Account Director Julie Hackett attended a Mind‑that‑Gap Personal Resilience and Psychological Wellbeing session organised by the Business in the Community.
One of the key learnings was that we should look after our brains in the same way we look after other parts of our body and other things going on in our lives.
The session focused on stress, thinking habits and coping tips and was run by Neil Sladen, a fully trained counsellor, who explained the need for a 'care package' for our brains.
April
It's been great to be back out visiting clients all over the country. While we now hold more meetings online, nothing beats the opportunity to visit our clients' offices, factories, depots and places of operation to really see how they tick.
It's also been exciting to attend events and talks again as well as networking with our industry peers.
We've been conscious of our carbon footprint too with car sharing and train travel used where possible.
May
After a super busy start to the year it was time to recharge our batteries and venture into the wild for a good old camping trip.
We packed our bags, cars, kids, spouses, food and, of course, a couple of medicinal beers and headed to the lovely Lake District.
The stunning surroundings provided the perfect backdrop to a weekend of laughing, wood carving, castle visits, woodland walks and great food.
It was absolutely fabulous to get all our families together after the pandemic, and we're already looking for campsites for next year.
June
ICG welcomed 12 new clients to our roster this year.
The new wins included Sixty Eight People, Ideal4Finance, Moxy Communications, Lancashire Community Rail, Shawton Utilities and Women In Racing.
We were also pleased to begin working with a number of charities including Morecambe Bay Partnership, Lancashire WIldlife Trust, Sightline North West and the British Dyslexia Association.
We look forward to welcoming even more new clients in 2023.
July
There was no shortage of excitement during 2022!
From bowling to meals out, our social team made sure we had a packed calendar of events.
It was all cream teas and union jack bunting for the Queen's jubilee celebrations.
Later in the summer, we cooled down with some funky new personalised ICG water bottles.
We also baked, ate and donated to raise money for Save the Children and the British Red Cross DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
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August
After working with Fylde Council on campaigns to keep the local beaches clean, we joined volunteers and Coastal Conservationist and Marine Medic, Tracey Hope for a beach clean at St Annes.
Armed with bin bags and litter pickers, we headed out to help pick up rubbish that had been left behind on some of the Fylde's beautiful beaches.
In the hot weather, we came back laden with bags of discarded beach toys, crisp packets, drinks cans and much more.
September
ICG was shortlisted for a leading industry marketing award.
The team was delighted to be shortlisted for the Prolific North 2022 'Best Midsize Agency' award.
Simon Couchman, Managing Director and Creative Director at ICG, said: “It feels like only yesterday we collected our Prolific North award for 'Best Small Agency' so we're excited to be a finalist in the midsize agency awards category.”
October
We were honoured to pledge our support once again to our friends at Fylde Council for their annual sporting awards.
Account Director, Julie Hackett and Senior Account Manager, Paula Holden joined the Fylde team to celebrate the Fylde Active Community Awards - a great night was had by all!
More than 240 people of all ages took part in the glittering event at Ribby Hall to share their incredible stories about sport and how being active makes a real difference to their lives.
November
A career in marketing? That was the question we posed to year nine pupils attending a careers fair organised by the Responsible Business Network.
From talking Tik Tok uncovering youngsters' creativity, we had some wonderful conversations about their futures.
The event was held at the new Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre in Blackpool which was a great venue for the event.
December
We love a good Christmas tradition - and ICG's Give Back Fridays are definitely becoming one!
For the third year in a row, we have used the last four working Fridays of the year to make a donation to charities close to our hearts.
This year we have supported a local youth group, Streetwise, as well as Bloomin' Warton, Fylde Foodbank plus a series of random acts of Christmas kindness.
We donated raffle prizes for festive celebrations at St Chad's Primary School in Chorley and Lytham Cricket and Sports Club. We also got behind our client, Rochdale Riverside, which was a collection point for the local council's Give Back Toy Appeal.
We helped fund a Christmas tree for children at Scotforth St Paul's Church in Lancaster and went shopping for much needed items on the Fylde RSPCA's Amazon wishlist.
With just a few days until we close for our Christmas break, it's nearly time to say goodbye to 2022.
If you're looking at new ways of working in 2023, please get in touch for a strategic review, where we'll delve into your past marketing plans, helping you see what's working and what's not, and how you can create more value for your customers.
Get in touch with Simon Couchman to find out more email simon@icg.agency
