Sutton Coldfield: Video firm moves into new premises

Sutton Coldfield Chamber

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Changing spaces: Ark’s state-of-the-art new offices

Fast-growing video firm moves into new premises

Video production company Ark Media has moved to larger offices at Wrens Court in Sutton Coldfield to accommodate a growing team and ambitious plans for the future.

Despite the challenges of the last 12 months, the company has major plans and a growing client base including the likes of Willmott Dixon, Twycross Zoo, Ishida and the Department for Education.

Phil Arkinstall (pictured), managing director at Ark Media and president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, said: “There’s no doubt the last year has been significantly challenging and I think as a business we have managed this well.

“We have seen more enquiries for animation work plus with the media deals available for television advertising many organisations are realising how accessible and lucrative this can be.

“Right now, with the roadmap out of lockdown we are also producing return to work videos for clients who want their staff to feel comfortable about their return to the workplace.”

Lockdown presented the firm with a number of challenges, including being unable to have film crews out on the road.

However, an increased number of animation enquiries and a commission from the Department for Education meant the crew could film as keyworkers to deliver videos for children learning in lockdown.

Phil added: “The team at Ark have really stepped up during the past year, winning some good projects and giving us a great platform for coming out of the pandemic. I’m really looking forward to settling into the new office and we are looking forward to when we can introduce our clients to the new space.”

A business owner and copywriter from Sutton Coldfield has contributed to a new book about best practice in customer experience.

Anita Ellis, director of Lexicomm, is one of 28 co-authors from around the world who have contributed to the new book, ‘CX3’, which is out now.

Featuring authors from Europe to the US and UAE, the book brings together the best in global thought leadership on the subject of CX. It is the third book in the best-selling series, and Anita has written a chapter on the impact of marketing communications on customer experience.

Anita, who set up Lexicomm during lockdown, said: “I see so many businesses with an opportunity to make their marketing more meaningful.

Putting the customer at the heart of your communications, especially your website, makes content so much more compelling. It’s a simple tactic but easy to get wrong.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of a project that brings customer experience to the fore, and humbled to be working alongside CX experts from all over the world.”

Sutton Coldfield Chamber vice-president Naeem Arif is the founder and project manager of the book series.

He said: “I wanted to give a voice to new talent who maybe haven’t been heard before.

“Customer service and experience is so important right now, especially for the retail and hospitality sectors which I am very passionate about supporting.”

‘CX3’ is available to pre-order now on Amazon and follows ‘CX1’ and ‘CX2’ which were both No.1 best sellers across three different continents.

Town Hall receives crucial recovery grant

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall has received a grant of £34,400 from the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

More than £300m has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including the charitable trust-run Town Hall in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The venue, which is currently being used as a vaccination centre for the NHS, will now be able to recommence planning of its 2021/22 shows and room hire.

The staging of ‘Cinderella’ had been in jeopardy with not enough reserves to support the production of the show, which is key to the venue’s financial sustainability.

As a result of the grant, the Trust can return more staff to work, enabling the venue to market its autumn programme, which starts in September with the sell-out Gary Powndland comedy show.

The Town Hall’s managing director, Julie Rennison, said: “This funding is crucial to our recovery. With this support, and with confidence in a return to full houses once vaccinations are complete, we have a much better chance of a successful relaunch in the autumn and a welcome return of our traditional Christmas shows.”

CX expert: Anita Ellis