Noble Oxtales

Space Suits

2012-02-21T10:00:00.000Z

When was the last time you had some space?

Was it space to think or do? Or perhaps just the space to be?

My favourite is usually outdoors, preferably natural, ideally green.

Finding a space to suit can be a challenge and, whatever your preference, it usually means making time.

Space and time

Noble Ox’s recent success in winning a Vodafone World of Difference award ensures that, from March 2012, we have both time and space to work with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT).

A local environmental charity, the Trust believes that quality local green spaces can have a positive impact on people’s health and well-being. Working to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy their natural environment, the Trust collaborates with various partners for the benefit of people, wildlife, landscape and heritage.

Thanks to the World of Difference award, ELGT is able to commission Noble Ox to project manage a range of initiatives in the run up to the Trust’s 21st anniversary celebrations.

So, watch this space and we will keep you posted.

Space race

Back at Noble Ox HQ, the work continues as we create the space our clients need to stand out from the crowd.

Essentially, we help define your brand values, equipping you with the visual identity and on and offline marketing tools to get, then stay ahead.

Contact us to find out how Noble Ox Marketing can help your organisation create its own space in the market place.

All the best
Charlotte

Centre Stage

2012-01-12T12:30:00.000Z

Do you captivate your audience? If so, how?

First, attract attention! Then, spark an interest...

Finally, ignite the desire to take action.

Now, you are centre stage.

For the first ten years of my marketing career, my jobwas to attract and develop audiences for the Arts. 'Getting bums on seats' with shoestring budgetswas hard work and I loved it.

My work was inspired by the limitless energy andcommitment the artistic teams invested in bringing stories to life. With such skill and imagination, they harnessed their strong desire to connect and share their story in a way that had a lastingimpact on audiences.

Horse power

A few years ago, Michael Morpurgo met a First World War veteranin his local pub. The author’simagination was fired by the stories the old man told of the horses he went towar alongside. Fast forward to December2010, I received my own copy of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo forChristmas. Delighted and excited, I readit with relish.

Forward again to December 2011 and the very front row ofthe stalls at the New London Theatre. War Horse is alive and kicking, this time right in front of me. Just inches away from the action, I see, hearand feel every detail of the National Theatre’s truly amazing production, apowerful experience that will stay with me forever.

A glimpse at the ‘Making of War Horse’ documentaryreveals the incredible lengths the artistic team go to as they bring theauthor's words to life. Now Spielberg istaking his turn to breathe new life into War Horse and the story will be sharedwith a global audience.

In the spotlight

Whatever your product or service, I believe lessons canbe learnt from this creative desire to bring concepts and stories to life.

Are you connecting and making an impact in a way that does justice to what youdo and the people with whom you want to do business? For example, how much energy do you invest inthe words you use and the images you present?

Given the rather grey, grim economic backdrop againstwhich we play, there is no better time to shine the spotlight on what you do and bring yourbrand to life.

We'd love to help, socontact Noble Ox to discuss how to take centre stage and captivate youraudience in the year to come.

Many thanks and all the best
Charlotte

PS Thank you to the National Theatre for kind permissionto use Simon Annan's photography.

Water of Life

2011-12-05T08:30:00.000Z

The Water of Life is such a great expression.

Fundamental, elemental and full of promise, it is a phrase found in fairy tales, science fiction and even the bible!

Noble Ox in full flow

For Nicholas Hepworth, founder of Common Futures, water really is fundamental. Pioneering new ways to manage the life-giving resource equitably, Common Futures brings a fresh approach to the complex challenges of international development, climate change, environment and water management, and ‘doing business’ sustainably.

In summer 2011, Nick commissioned Noble Ox to create a brand, visual identity and website for Common Futures. In October, Common Futures launched and the client was delighted:

"Establishing a new entity is a daunting prospect, so working with Noble Ox has been brilliant; we knew we were in safe hands from the start. Listening with sensitivity and perception, Charlotte led us through the branding process. From there, she devised a bold, robust online approach inspiring the rest of the Noble Ox creative team to go the extra mile and deliver a fantastic visual identity and website...”
Nicholas Hepworth PhD ~ Managing Director, Common Futures

Find out more about the Noble Ox approach to the Common Futures project, Noble Ox Case Studies.

Water of life

The phrase also gives us the word whisky, derived from uisge beatha, the Gaelic for water of life. Not surprisingly, this was the preferred definition on the Noble Ox Night at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in November. Here, we were truly blessed with a life-affirming range of stunning single cask malts, a memorable evening, with great company...

"The event had a great feel. On the way home I genuinely thought myself very lucky to have been invited to such a special but low key tasting." John Mark Di Ciacca ~ JEF Developments Ltd

A BIG thank you to the Society, Noble Ox looks forward to hosting more events in the year to come.

Charting new waters

Talking of which, the New Year holds much excitement as we dive into new projects with new clients, whilst making sure all brand and marketing activity for existing clients is water tight!

Contact us to discuss how the Noble Ox blend of imaginative, no-nonsense, hardworking marketing will drive your brand and prosperityin 2012.

Meanwhile, thank you for your continued support for Noble Ox, wishing you all the best for the festiveseason and coming New Year.

Charlotte

The Angels Share

2011-11-01T14:17:00.000Z

Over the last few weeks Noble Ox has been blessed with good fortune.

Flying high and taking new clients under our wing, we have enjoyed great adventures.

And, as for this month’s celestial theme? Well, as you will see, angels really do feature throughout…

More on the new Noble Ox clients in the months to come, meanwhile, set your halo to a jaunty angle and let’s head south.

In the company of angels

Those familiar with my work know that, in business and beyond, I believe ‘communication’ often hides behind dull, jargon-fuelled language that does little to engage, let alone inspire. For several years, I’ve followed the work of John Simmons, writer of Dark Angels – how writing releases creativity at work, a book that inspired the Dark Angels Creative Writing in Business courses. In late September, I managed to squeeze onto one such course and flew to the autumn sun-kissed hills of Andalucia to join the Dark Angels.

John led the course with fellow tutor Stuart Delves, the gifted Edinburgh-based wordsmith with whom I worked on the acclaimed 26 Malts project. John and Stuart treated us to four days and five nights of intensive tutorials, exercises and projects, helping us find new ways to unlock and express our imagination.

The company, the place and the course were heavenly and I was somewhat daunted by the calibre and talents of those around me. So, when it came to the last night presentations, it did feel a little like the closing moments of It’s a Wonderful Life. All we needed was the tinkle of a bell as this Dark Angel was awarded her wings.

Now from Spain to Scotland and the dark to the canny…

The angels share

Within the whisky industry, it is widely known that angels consume approximately two percent per annum of the whisky held in warehouses during the long maturation process. Some call it evaporation; those in the know call it The Angels Share.

In early October, we invited folk to the first Noble Ox Night, a whisky tasting at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. This new venture was very much to test the water, to see if there was an appetite for such a gathering. Well, within two days all the places were taken!

So, to all angels, especially those watching over writers and sleeping whisky casks, thank you for sharing the inspiration and the spirit.

Slainte
Charlotte

Find out more about Noble Ox Marketing

Noble Ox Nights – an invitation

2011-10-03T10:25:00.000+01:00

Don't you just love it when worlds collide and paths cross?

I do, especially when it leads to the discovery of a shared interest and enthusiasm for single malt whisky.

To quote Mark Twain "Too much of anything is bad. Too much of good whisky is barely enough."

Since leaving The Scotch Malt Whisky Society to plough pastures new with Noble Ox, I have met and worked alongside a good number of folk with an interest, indeed a passion for single malts.

So, to celebrate these shared moments, we invite you to our very first Noble Ox Night - a private Whisky Tasting at the Vaults, the Society’s spiritual home in Leith, Edinburgh.

The time, the place

On Thursday 10 November at 6.30pm, a small group of like-minded souls will gather in the Tasting Room, the Society’s inner sanctum. Here, we will indulge in a relaxed evening, whetting the appetite with a welcoming dram, followed by a gently-guided, three whisky tasting and a selection of the chef’s most mouth-watering delights.

The Tasting Room provides the perfect setting. This is the place where keen noses keep strict quality control over the casks put forward for bottling. The individual casks that pass the scrutiny of the Society's Panel are bottled at cask strength, each a limited edition, a truly exceptional encounter.

Talking of which, please note there are only ten places available for this truly exceptional encounter.

The deal (and what a deal)

My good friends at the Society are lending their support to this fledgling Noble Ox Night, so I’m delighted to say each place costs just £12.50 (inc VAT). This is astonishingly good value for an evening of the world’s finest single cask, single malt whisky, savoured in good company and beautiful surroundings.

With such limited numbers, it really has to be first come first served. So, please check your diary and contact Noble Ox soon to secure your places around the Society’s Tasting Table.

I really hope you can join us for a memorable Noble Ox Night

Slàinte mhath

Charlotte

Vintage Oxtale

2011-08-09T12:30:00.005+01:00

Wine is sunlight, held together by water ~ Galileo

Maybe a wee bit early for the grape harvest, but this Oxtale is dedicated to all things ‘viticultural’, in honour of the winner of this year's Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw.

Digging deep...

Yesterday morning was spent amongst the rambling brambles around Arthurs Seat, clearing Himalayan Balsam, an ‘invasive species’ which affects the surrounding biodiversity.

For a short time we were joined by a very helpful 6 year old who was wonderfully curious about the whole exercise. He didn’t speak a word of English but, luckily for me, he was French so we were able to chat to a certain extent, tho’ I had to dig deep for accurate vocabulary to describe what we were doing and why.

Mind you, it is well over twenty years since I lived in Montpellier, France where I wrote a dissertation on the French Wine Industry, the nearest my degree took me to anything to do with the land.

SO what has any of this bramble-type rambling to do with this year’s Noble Ox Prize Draw? Well, not much really, other than a convoluted connection with wine and going back to some roots.

And the winner is...

This year, we’re excited that Linda Ward from Vintage Roots had all the right answers in all the right places and, in grape-like fashion, was picked randomly from a healthy bunch of entries.

Vintage Roots are 'the organic wine people' and, according to Linda, the offer of a free Noble Ox day has come at the right time…

"I first met Charlotte a couple of years’ ago and was impressed by her approachable nature – and loved the name of her business, particularly with my passion for biodynamic wine production and its relationship with the cow..! Since then I have been a follower of Noble Ox Marketing so was delighted to hear that I was the winner of its birthday prize draw. I am really excited about the opportunity to have a day with Charlotte to explore some of the project work I will be developing for our company."

Onwards and upwards...

Thank you for helping us celebrate this year, it is really encouraging to have your support as we reach each modest but meaningful milestone. Meanwhile, back to the current projects as Noble Ox Marketing takes the strain but, as the August rain stops and starts outside, a final dedication to the vine...

There is not the hundredth part of the wine consumed in this kingdom that there ought to be. Our foggy climate wants help ~ Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey)

Cheers and all the best
Charlotte

Happy Birthday Noble Ox

2011-06-28T12:23:00.010+01:00

Does time fly when you are having fun? Well, another twelve months have flown by and as Noble Ox celebrates yet another birthday, we're having fun.

So following the success of last year’s anniversary competition, join in the celebrations by taking part in this year’s Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw.

Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw

This is your chance to win a FREE Noble Ox Day AND either a bottle of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s finest single cask malt whisky or a meal for two at the award-winning Whitmuir the Organic Place.

Simply visit Noble Ox Case studies and the Noble Oxtale archive to find the answer to the following three questions:

What iconic Scottish mammal was used in the new Corporate Identity for Fathers Network Scotland?
Name at least one product featured on the Newtech Hardware homepage?
Approximately how many Social Enterprises has Noble Ox supported over the last 12 months?

Please email your answers, including your name and a contact phone number via the email link on Noble Ox Contact by 29 July 2011. The winner will be selected at random w/c 1 August 2011.

Good Luck!

In the meantime, thank you for your continued support and interest in Noble Ox Marketing

All the best
Charlotte

Out in the Field

2011-05-30T14:25:00.011+01:00

Noble Ox enjoys working with people who want to enhance the quality of life.

In turn, we attract clients driven by the desire to deliver excellence and connect with audiences in a meaningful way.

So, in addition to providing hardworking marketing across traditional business and services, Noble Ox is investing in the UK's dynamic and inspiring Social Enterprise sector.

Identifying the potential

The diversity, energy and vision of the social entrepreneurs I meet reveal a sector that is so full of potential yet often misunderstood and, therefore, underestimated. As with many organisations whose intentions are good and ambitions are great, Social Enterprises need help in presenting themselves, creating an impact and connecting with current and potential target markets.

Work on the ground

Over the last 12 months, Noble Ox has been delivering a programme of pro bono marketing surgeries and workshops through associations with organisations such as the Edinburgh-based Melting Pot. As a result, we have helped some 30 or so organisations kick start their marketing activity. In April, Noble Ox was also commissioned to devise and host a branding workshop for students taking Social Enterprise Academy's groundbreaking Social Enterprise MSc course at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Raising our profile within the sector, Noble Ox has joined the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition, and become a partner with Firstport’s Startbright initiative, supporting social entrepreneurs by providing cost effective marketing packages.

Delivering inspiration, driving prosperity

So, as investment in the UK’s burgeoning Social Enterprise sector broadens the reach of Noble Ox, we identify great new opportunities to create and deliver inspiration, ensuring existing and future customers drive brands and prosperity.

From quick-win tactical and digital marketing to longer-term marketing planning, new product development and brand strategy, keep an eye on all things Noble Ox.

Visit www.noble-ox.com which features regularly updated case studies and client feedback.

Many thanks and all the best

Charlotte

Nature of the Beast

2011-04-26T19:12:00.004+01:00

Survival in the natural world requires massive investment.

It is only by creating an impact, sustaining a presence and finding a way to communicate that species can compete and survive...

So, why are these essentials often overlooked when it comes to competing and surviving in the business world?

Learning from the experts

In between and betwixt running Noble Ox, I volunteer for Historic Scotland's countryside rangers, helping with biodiversity projects in my 'back garden' (also known to Edinburgh folk as Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park!).

Such endeavours provide the perfect antidote to 'the day job' but I also love the fact that lessons to learn from nature are never far away...

Take, for example, the sheer beauty of the plumage and exquisite melody of the tiniest bird, as it invests so much energy in making an impact, claiming a territory and differentiating itself from the competition.

Or, perhaps, it is the striking elegance of two swans engaged in mesmerising courtship display to attract, communicate and establish a lasting relationship.

Then, of course, there's the vibrant, stunning colours and scents of the flowers competing to attract their essential target market for pollination.

The lessons to learn

Luckily for us, the benefits of all this investment are also there to refresh, inspire and invigorate the senses and souls of human beings. An effect that is always welcome.

So, wouldn't it be great if we could bring much more of that creative energy, delight and essential attraction into our own market place? Why not? It is, after all, the nature of the beast!

Investing in the way your organisation looks, feels and communicates is as fundamental to its survival as the proverbial 'birds and bees' are for humanity.

Standing out from the crowd

Such a great expression for this time of year when nature is in full flow with every species looking and performing their very best. Competition is at its peak and territory is up for grabs, so the time to invest is now.

Contact Noble Ox Marketing, to discuss how we will ensure your organisation stands out from the crowd, creates an impact and makes its presence felt.

All the best
Charlotte

Off the Shelf Oxtale

2011-03-23T12:12:00.002Z

“Now, you know we don't do 'off the shelf’ solutions when it comes to marketing...” I smiled.

This was on the day Noble Ox was commissioned by Newtech Hardware, a leading UK supplier of architectural shelving systems.

Needless to say, from the initial brand review to the development of a ‘joined-up’ on and offline marketing approach, including an ambitious website build, the Noble Ox approach was far from flat packed!

Getting the job done

The world of architectural shelving is a seriously competitive business, Newtech operates in a very crowded B2B market place. Noble Ox advised that effective brand definition and differentiation was essential, as was a strategic SEO and keyword approach when it came to planning and delivering the digital marketing approach, including the website build and launch.

Actions speak louder than words

You can find out more about the Newtech project plus other new case studies, by visiting Noble Ox Case Studies and there is new client feedback in Noble Ox Track Record.

AND finally, for a little light relief, visit www.noble-ox.com to view the rather lovely slideshow now gracing the homepage.

Let me know what you think

All the best
Charlotte

Solid as an Ox - A Noble Oxtale

2011-02-07T11:51:00.005Z

A good reputation is paramount when it comes to building a solid foundation for sustained success.

With this in mind, Noble Ox works hard to maintain its reputation as a trusted agency delivering no-nonsense, hardworking marketing to drive brands and prosperity.

We focus on driving up standards of communication and presentation, equipping our clients with the confidence to engage and inspire existing and potential audiences.

In turn, Noble Ox attracts clients who care about what they do and, importantly, the way they do it. Driven by the desire to deliver excellence and connect with target audiences in a meaningful way, Noble Ox clients understand the difference between good and bad marketing.

Noble Ox client feedback from recent projects:

Thanks to Noble Ox, we have a clearer idea of our values and a much better website! We very much enjoyed working with Charlotte and gained a great deal from the process. Our expectations, both of the process and the end result, were well managed through Charlotte’s clear communication style. We look forward to working with Noble Ox again in the future.
Richard Wilkinson, Heartwood Timber Frames (Jan 2011)

Working with Noble Ox has meant we’ve been able to quickly and efficiently tackle a problem which was severely holding the business back. The communication was clear and direct and the project was fun and a breath of fresh air. Noble Ox delivered a high quality solution which has transformed our fortunes.

I would recommend Noble Ox to anyone – finding a team so focussed on and receptive to a client’s needs as well as offering such a direct and personal service is, in my experience, very rare. Their service was exceptional – thank you, Noble Ox!
David Drysdale, Fathers Network Scotland (Jan 2011)

To provide a solid foundation for your brand, marketing and communications, find out more about the no-nonsense, hardworking Noble Ox approach to marketing.

All the best

Charlotte

A Festive Noble Oxtale

2010-12-15T13:00:00.002Z

As the end of 2010 approaches there’s plenty to celebrate: the prospect of a new year, the achievements of the year gone by and a well-earned break with loved ones… phew!

With this in mind, the Noble Ox is looking forward to some great new projects for 2011, and is also celebrating the sign off of some great 2010 projects.

New Noble Ox Case Studies

Noble Ox is proud to have worked with, amongst others, Bailprint Labels and Heartwood Timber Frames over recent months. These are two companies with a story to tell, so Noble Ox set to work defining the essential brand characteristics for both, before planning and delivering a website presence to reflect the ethos, credentials and proposition of both companies.

For details of these projects along with other Noble Ox achievements, please visit the Noble Ox Case Studies and Track Record pages of www.noble-ox.com. Then you could always hop across to the Noble Oxtale archive for a quick overview of previous monthly musings.

And finally…

As we sign off for another year, I’d like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has worked with and supported Noble Ox Marketing in 2010 including:

The Wilderness Foundation, The John Muir Trust, Vodafone World of Difference Foundation, Frank Design, Eero and Riley, Claire Foottit, Scott Howard, Scott McBay, Lazy Lohans, Whitmuir the Organic Place, Modem Operandi, Nicky Orr, The Melting Pot, Joyworks, Prophet Scotland, Heartwood Timber Frames, Bailprint Labels, Newtech Hardware and Fathers' Network Scotland.

Sending very best wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year

All the very best

Charlotte

Sacred Cows, Trapped Elephants - A Noble Oxtale

2010-11-08T15:07:00.000Z

Sacred Cow (idiom) - that which cannot be tampered with, or criticised, for fear of outcry. A person, institution or belief system which should be accorded respect or reverence, and not touched, handled or examined too closely.

Ho hum… well, in my opinion the Sacred Cow of marketing has to be ‘Branding’ the oft misunderstood, misquoted terminology that has people perplexed and bewildered in equal measure.

Stuck spanners and trapped elephants

Not having a clearly defined brand puts a spanner in the works and traps a rather large elephant in the room… but stop STOP with the idioms, enough already? ...maybe not!

The no-nonsense, hardworking Noble Ox takes great pleasure in removing aforementioned spanners and releasing poor cornered pachyderms from confined spaces.

Noble Ox helps clients define their brand which, in turn, inspires a real sea-change and momentum as confidence grows and communications improve. Importantly, once a brand has been defined, the navel-gazing stops. This frees up time, energy and essential creativity for clients to deliver effectively to audiences they respect and understand.

Igniting brands and exploding myths

A recent Noble Ox marketing event (on 5th Nov) focused on the art of branding. Inspired by Guy Fawkes, we also took the opportunity to explode a few marketing myths along the way! Feedback from the audience described the event as…

“Extremely helpful”
“Excellent… Inspiring”
“Relaxed, comfortable and informative”
“Good … a real wake up call”
“Excellent. Really engaging and interesting”

“Really thoughtful and honest approach – great facilitation”

So, if your brand is a trapped beast, sacred or otherwise, do yourself, your organisation and, most importantly, your existing and potential customers a favour. Contact Noble Ox Marketing for some no-nonsense, hardworking marketing to drive your brand and prosperity.

All the best
Charlotte

Never mind the bullocks - A Noble Oxtale

2010-09-28T19:08:00.005+01:00

I must have been nine when my brother returned home with his brand new LP, Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols.

“What does the word bollocks mean?” I asked, with an insatiable curiosity that I'm glad to say has stayed with me.

My brother, being the best big brother in the world, went on to explain, equipping me with the anatomical and figurative definitions, both of which I have been using appropriately and to good effect ever since.

October 2010 marks the 33rd anniversary of the release of this, the Pistols' only studio album. And as the record and my brother continue to inspire, I thought it time to take the figurative definition and air some no-nonsense Noble Ox views...

Pretty Vacant or Fully Engaged

Let's face it, when people think 'marketing', they often think 'bullshit'. The whiff of bad marketing and ill-conceived communications can be detected a mile off, with the hollow sound of lazy clichés leaving your potential customers feeling 'pretty vacant' as Johnny Rotten would say!!

Throughout my marketing career, I've been fortunate to work with organisations that believe and take pride in the quality and presentation of their products and services. In itself, that's great but it has always been as important to me that they really want to engage, understand and serve their target audiences.

This commitment and respect for the target market sounds so obvious, but experience also demonstrates that as soon as this relationship is neglected or taken for granted... that all too familiar farmyard smell can be so easily detected.

Sweet Smell of Success

Refreshingly, Noble Ox Marketing attracts an inspiring range of clients, all of which are driven by a great sense of quality and belief in what they do. Fortunately, they also want to create meaningful connections with their existing and potential audiences. That's where the no-nonsense, hard-working Noble Ox comes in and the sweet smell of success soon follows.

So when you decide that now is time to pursue a no-nonsense approach to your marketing communications, take a moment to check out some Noble Ox Client Case Studies and Noble Oxtales then please remember the line Never Mind the Bollocks Here's The Noble Ox.

All the best
Charlotte

Over the Moon - A Noble Oxtale

2010-08-24T17:26:00.002+01:00

Have you ever seen a cow jump over the moon?

It must be a sight to behold, especially when it’s a full moon, which as it happens is today.

So, keep an eye out later as the Noble Ox takes to the skies... but why such a huge spring in the Ox’s hoofed step?

Well, we're delighted to welcome a new client to Noble Ox and, of course, it’s time to announce the winner of the Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw.

And the winner of the Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw is....

Thanks to everyone who entered, the response was great and very touching, thank you. Susan Pettie, director of Prophet Scotland won the free Noble Ox day and plumped for the bottle of Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s single cask malt. Appropriately, a meeting at the Society’s Queen Street Members Room this week kicked off the start of a great new working relationship… that, and a bottle of Cask 9.53 - Peppery Explosion.

Oak-framed Noble Ox

And, whilst we’re at it, let’s raise a glass to welcome another new client to Noble Ox, this time from the world of wood and house building. This is a fantastic project to define a brand and corporate identity, in turn developing an effective online presence for a Scotland-based oak timber frame company.

So with these new projects, plus ongoing work for existing clients, thank goodness a full moon signals a period of creativity! We'll keep you posted on progress made...

Meanwhile, for those looking for the answers to the Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw, check out the Noble Oxtale archive. And, for more information on the Noble Ox approach to marketing, please visit www.noble-ox.com.

Bye for now
Charlotte

Happy Birthday Noble Ox

2010-07-09T09:57:00.003+01:00

No-nonsense, hard-working Noble Ox Marketing was launched in July 2009 and I’m proud to report that over the last 12 months a lot of no-nonsense, hardworking marketing has been going on.

Over the months, we’ve taken great delight in the sheer variety of our clients, their projects and the working day (sometimes night)! It’s been exciting, at times exhilarating and we’re raring to go as we embrace our second year with the same zeal and passion.

Noble Ox was built on a solid foundation of some 20 years marketing experience. Take a look at our refreshed and revitalised Noble Ox Client Case Studies page for background information.

Now, let’s get back to those birthday celebrations...

Noble Ox Birthday Prize Draw Competition

For your chance to win a FREE Noble Ox Day AND either a bottle of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s finest single cask, single malt whisky or a meal for two at Whitmuir the Organic Place or Lazy Lohan’s Bistro...

Simply visit the new Noble Oxtale archive to find the answer to the following three questions:

Which famous American star featured in May 2010 said “If you want something done, ask a busy person”?
What was the name of the Lucky Cow featured in Mar 2010?
What was the Noble prize-winning project announced in Nov 2009?

Please email your answers, including your name and a contact phone number via the Noble Ox Contact page by 30 July 2010. The winner will be selected at random w/c 2 August 2010.

Good Luck!

In the meantime, thank you for all the support for Year One of Noble Ox Marketing

All the best
Charlotte Halliday

Up to yer oxters - A Noble Oxtale

2010-05-26T10:00:00.001+01:00

It may not be very lady-like but I really love the expression, 'up to yer oxters'.

It does the trick when describing those hard-working times when the list of things to do just keeps on growing.

With this in mind, I’m delighted to report that Noble Ox is up to its oxters. This is great news given no-nonsense hardworking marketing is what Noble Ox is all about.

But what has that to do with Lucille Ball?

Well, rather an image of one of America’s most popular and influential stars than an armpit to illustrate the latest Noble Oxtale! Besides, amongst the many pearls of wisdom Ms Ball shared with her audience was another personal favourite -

“If you want something done, ask a busy person…”

So, if you 'want something done', you know where to find us. Contact us to discuss how the hardworking no-nonsense Noble Ox approach to marketing can drive your brand and prosperity.

All the best
Charlotte
www.noble-ox.com

A slow-cooked Noble Oxtale

2010-04-27T11:39:00.153+01:00

Well, who would have thought that there would be so much inspiration for the monthly Noble Oxtale…?

Last month’s edition Lucky Cow attracted a great response, so thank you for all the lovely feedback.

This month, the spotlight turns on another Noble Ox client, an up and coming Edinburgh bistro with plenty to celebrate.

Lazy Lohan’s Bistro, Edinburgh

Lazy Lohan's Bistro attracts free-thinking lovers of energising, healthy and satisfying eco-gastronomy. Since opening in 2007, this warm, friendly and unassuming ‘boutique style’ bistro has charmed and delighted its regulars and those visiting Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

The approach of the Lazy Lohan team is far from lazy and is inspired by the ethos of the Slow Food Movement. With true commitment to healthy eating and eco-gastronomy with a twist, Lazy Lohan’s Bistro is dedicated to creating delicious seasonal menus, using carefully and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.

The Noble Ox Recipe for Lazy Lohan’s Bistro

Noble Ox has been working with Lazy Lohan’s owner and head chef Tina Kenny to define, position and bring the Lazy Lohan brand to life ensuring the style of the bistro’s presentation and communication matches the exquisite substance.

"As a small business owner who is passionate about their product it can be difficult to translate this to a wider audience. Working with Noble Ox has been key to us moving forward and reaching like-minded people who are as passionate about food as we are" Tina Kenny, Lazy Lohan’s Bistro

Building on the success of a mini-season of food and drink events in late 2009, the bistro is hosting a week of tasty Lazy Lohan’s Bistro Bites from 15-22 May. The celebrations will coincide with the launch of a new website in May and a fresh new look to the bistro itself.

More Noble Ox Serving Suggestions

Variety really does add flavour to the working week as the hard-working Noble Ox enjoys a great range of projects and campaigns. From making websites work harder to event marketing and PR, and from essential frontline consumer research to substantial brand definition and development.

Are you hungry for some delicious quick wins for your business?
OR
Is it a lasting strategic approach to define and communicate your brand that whet's your appetite?

Whatever you're looking for, the Noble Ox approach to marketing has all the ingredients you need to revive your company's communication and presentation. Please contact Noble Ox Marketing to find out how we can deliver for your business.

All the best
Charlotte
www.noble-ox.com

Lucky Cow - A Noble Oxtale

2010-03-25T09:00:00.001Z

The star of this month’s Noble Oxtale is one very noble-looking ox indeed. I’m sure you’ll agree when you take a look…

But why is she a lucky cow?

Well, unlike most cattle of her generation, she is fed grass and spends her life frolicking in the fields in the good company of the rest of the herd.

Whitmuir the Organic Place

No 5, as she is affectionately known, is lucky enough to live at Whitmuir the Organic Place, a small farm nestled in the Borders' countryside, just 16 miles from Edinburgh’s city centre.

She is a rather beautiful beast, a Shorthorn cross-breed (her mum was probably a Highland as you can tell). She's the oldest cow in the herd, just coming up to her 10th birthday and has had a calf every year since 2002. The newest addition is due in the next few weeks…

Whitmuir and Noble Ox Marketing

Whitmuir is our own newest addition and as 'the place for people who love food and the natural environment’ we are delighted and excited to welcome the farm to the Noble Ox portfolio of clients.

Marketing-wise, there’s plenty to do. Whitmuir boasts a fantastic new state-of-the-art green building housing a foodhall, restaurant and art gallery. There is also a farm supporters scheme AND a busy programme of talks, workshops and events. And there are daily farm walks where you have the chance to meet No 5 and friends.

Back at the Ranch

Meanwhile, back at the ranch(!), the Noble Ox continues to plough an impressive furrow with a range of branding, on/offline marketing and project management activity across a healthy variety of sectors including food, drink, retail and eco-tourism.

It’s a good place to be… visit Noble Ox Marketing for more details on how the Noble Ox approach to marketing can help drive your business.

All the best
Charlotte

The Year of the Ox

2010-02-01T16:13:00.036Z

It is no coincidence that Noble Ox Marketing was born in the Year of the Ox.

A little over a year ago, I enjoyed a Christmas and New Year holiday in South East Asia, including a trip to Singapore where the preparations for the forthcoming Chinese New Year were underway.

Full of Eastern Promise

Just two months later, when developing an identity for my marketing business, I looked to the natural world for inspiration, as is often the case. I also looked to the East.

The attributes of the Ox representing prosperity through fortitude and hard work struck the right chord. For me, these traits, amongst others, provided a very solid foundation upon which to build the brand identity.

Monkey Business

The next step was to have some gentle fun, a little harmless mischief for those that may be so inclined... it must be something to do with being born in the Year of the Monkey!!

For this, I didn't have to go quite so far, but I did go back in time to the mid 1980s. One of my various Saturday and holiday jobs was working the Tote at Bolton Greyhound Stadium in Lancashire, where a regular runner was a rather beautiful greyhound whose racing name was Noble Ox... but that's a tale for another time, perhaps.

Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

And now with the Year of the Tiger on the horizon, the Noble Ox is relishing a real walk on the wild side with strategic and tactical marketing projects under way for The John Muir Trust and The Wilderness Foundation. The work of these two leading wild land conservation organisations is both outstanding and essential and I am delighted to be involved.

From wild places to the commercial world, the Ox continues to drive brands and business for a variety of clients across the food, drink and retail sectors.

Do visit www.noble-ox.com for more details on how the Noble Ox approach to marketing can help drive your business this year and beyond.

Meanwhile, we hope that the Year of the Tiger brings you happiness and prosperity too

All the best

Charlotte

www.noble-ox.com

Wild Winter Oxtale

2009-12-14T12:10:00.158Z

The hardworking Noble Ox strode out, on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night, tho' the frost was cruel,
When the Ox came into sight, nose shining like a jewel...

With an untouched decade and new projects on the horizon, the Noble Ox has work to do including a placement with the John Muir Trust and marketing strategy and support for the Wilderness Foundation...

The Noble Ox approach to The Wilderness Foundation

"Calm, decisive and very insightful, thank you for all your wonderful thinking so far. We really appreciate your involvement and look forward to working with Noble Ox in 2010." Jo Roberts, CEO The Wilderness Foundation (UK)

Friendships forged during my month’s field guide training in the African bush earlier this year have led to a great new adventure working with The Wilderness Foundation (UK). Following a get-together and meeting of minds with the Foundation’s Director, Jo Roberts in Edinburgh, I met with the Board in early December. Work has now started in helping WF-UK define its brand and develop a cohesive and effective communications strategy.

Working with The John Muir Trust

Thanks to the support of Vodafone’s inspiring World of Difference initiative, Noble Ox Marketing starts a placement with The John Muir Trust in January. Working with the John Muir Award team, several projects have been identified including marking the milestone of 100,000 John Muir Awards and the Trust's involvement in the United Nation’s International Year of Biodiversity 2010.

So whether it's variety (or biodiversity!) that is the true spice of life, this has been a very exciting and lively year for Noble Ox Marketing and there's much more to come in 2010.

In the meantime, take care of you and yours, enjoy a well earned rest,
And thank you for all your support this year, we wish you all the best.

Charlotte

Noble prize-winner 2009

2009-11-18T14:25:00.021Z

As you may remember, in the October edition of Noble Oxtales the no-nonsense, hardworking Noble Ox was seen forging ahead with a variety of clients and an inspiring range of marketing projects… and quite right too! After all, that is the reason for its existence.

Recently, however, in response to news that The Scotch Malt Whisky Society won the 2009 Glass Packaging Award at this year’s UK Packaging Awards, the Noble Ox has been exhibiting some rather unusual bovine behaviour.

Not only was the Noble Ox seen jumping for joy, but just for a moment, the modest and gracious beast is believed to have taken a bow...!

As the applause and glass-clinking died away, Andrew Hall (Frank Design) the designer of the award-winning project and Paul Miles, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Managing Director made the following comments about the contribution of Charlotte Halliday (Noble Ox Marketing):

“During 2007 and 2008 The Scotch Malt Whisky Society undertook the single largest re-branding and development exercise of its entire twenty-five year history.
The Society's bottle was the centrepiece of that re-launch. There is no doubt that the successful delivery of the project was driven by the clarity of thought, attention to detail, and tenacity of Charlotte as the project leader. If further support were needed to demonstrate the quality of Charlotte's work then securing the 2009 Glass Packaging Award at this year’s UK Packaging Awards is surely sufficient!”
Paul Miles, Managing Director, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

"Frank Design worked very closely with Charlotte on the award-winning re-brand of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. She was not only a very thorough and organised marketeer, but she also made a significant contribution in maintaining the creative impetus of the project. Her straightforward yet approachable style meant the design team always felt challenged and motivated instead of harassed and harried! Most importantly, Charlotte's focus, passion and good humour throughout the process ensured that we not only achieved a great result, but managed it with a smile on our faces!"
Andrew Hall, Director, Frank Design

For more background on this latest Noble Ox achievement, please visit Noble Ox case studies.

And, for more information on how the award-winning Noble Ox approach to marketing can make a difference to your organisation, visit www.noble-ox.com

Charlotte

A Noble Oxtale

2009-10-20T22:00:00.001+01:00

Over in a dark, dusty corner of the farmyard…
“What beast in their right mind would invest in marketing in the middle of a recession?” brayed the blue ass to its colleagues the fly and the headless chicken, as they scratched around in an ever-decreasing circle of diminishing sales…

Meanwhile, over in pastures new…
The no-nonsense, hard-working Noble Ox is forging ahead, working with a great variety of clients on an inspiring range of marketing projects, including:

* brand positioning and digital marketing activity for an up and coming Edinburgh bistro
* business development campaign for a leading Scottish IT support company
* marketing support for a Fife-based healthcare service provider

For a moment, the Noble Ox and clients look up from the tasks in hand to take a breath and look out towards the horizon. Whilst acknowledging that the current supply of ‘green shoots’ is far from bountiful, they all find themselves agreeing that, on this side, the grass is refreshingly greener.

The Noble Ox Approach to Marketing
So, for a breath of fresh air and to discover how the Noble Ox approach to marketing can make the difference to the future of your organisation, please contact us.

Here’s a quick reminder of the Noble Ox marketing services and expertise:

Quick Win Marketing – No-nonsense tactical on and offline marketing to deliver sales and… Digital Marketing - THE most cost-effective marketing tool at your disposal, from quick win… Next Step Marketing - Laying the foundation with a practical, achievable marketing plan to… Marketing for the Future - Reviewing your brand and your business to create a strategy that… Brand Strategy and Development - Strengthen your company's market position and reputation... Marketing Communications - On and offline sales and affinity building campaigns including… New Product Development - Product and packaging, bringing creativity, imagination and quality to... Project Management - Large or small, your project is in safe hands from the generation of ideas, to…

Please contact us to discuss the potential impact of your short and/or long term marketing

Many thanks, we look forward to hearing from you
Charlotte

Pastures new and great adventures

2009-07-13T22:00:00.001+01:00

Well since leaving The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in the spring, there has been much excitement, including a month in the African bush training to be a field guide.

Having survived the bush, qualifying as a nature Field Guide along the way, the adventure continues... and today 13 July 2009 marks the start of a new business venture.

Noble Ox Marketing - no-nonsense, hardworking marketing services to drive brands and prosperity.

The name Noble Ox works on various levels, so extra points for those who can read between the lines. In the meantime, please take a few minutes to check out my approach and services at www.noble-ox.com and let me know what you think!!

Wish me luck and I look forward to hearing from you
All the very best
Charlotte