A Festive Noble Oxtale

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


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Sacred Cows, Trapped Elephants - A Noble Oxtale

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


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Never mind the bullocks - A Noble Oxtale

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


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Over the Moon - A Noble Oxtale

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


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Happy Birthday Noble Ox

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:

1. Which famous American star featured in May 2010 said “If you want something done, ask a busy person”?
2. What was the name of the Lucky Cow featured in Mar 2010?
3. 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

Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Up to yer oxters - A Noble Oxtale

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


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

A slow-cooked Noble Oxtale

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

Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox. 

Lucky Cow - A Noble Oxtale

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


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

The Year of the Ox

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

Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.