Brand experience agency, Strata Creative Communications, has enhanced their Live division by promoting employees into more senior roles and newly created positions, to accommodate the increased demand for production and event technology services of live and virtual events.
As part of their new strategic structure, following new board appointments in January, the agency has promoted Rayna Jeffrey into the new position of Deputy Head of Production. Whilst Gina Cundy and Isabelle Toussaint have moved into more senior positions of Project Manager and Producer, respectively.
Within the Event Technology department Louise Wetherell assumes the new role of Digital Solutions Manager.
Andrea Bishop, Director of Live comments: “These promotions recognise the hard work all four women have contributed during such a challenging year. They have each demonstrated their ability to take on more responsibility, and their new roles, combined with our longstanding production and event technology capabilities, set the team up for what looks to be a busy summer of both live events and virtual solutions.
In the past year Louise has used her own time to develop her digital skills. Her new role within Event Technology will allow her to focus more on the design and development of a broader range of digital projects, including apps, registration sites and more bespoke solutions as part of our broadening offer in this part of the business.
Rayna has shown a great talent, particularly of virtual over the last few months, and is perfectly placed to help me ensure that the Production department is geared up to respond to all the incoming work.
Both Gina and Izzy have demonstrated a great attitude and each of them work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive service that goes above and beyond the call of duty. As ex-interns I am sure they are inspiring for our recent joiners, and it is fantastic to see them doing so well.”
Pictured from left: Louise Wetherell, Rayna Jeffrey, Isabelle Toussaint and Gina Gundy.
We’ve made the shortlist for the inaugural 2021 Micebook V Awards in not one, but two categories!
Our team have been shortlisted for Best Agency (with more than 40 employees), and our virtual incentive programmes are named in the Best Incentive category.
Getting industry recognition for our work makes it all the more rewarding so we’re really excited to receive these nominations, particularly in these awards which celebrate virtual and digital events.
To learn more about the virtual incentives programme read the full case study.
You can find all the details about the awards, which will be held on the 3rd September 2021 at the Nobu Portman Square Hotel, on the micebook website.
We are delighted to announce that not one, but two of our fantastic Strata employees have been named in the 2021 C&IT 35 under 35 Agency A List, which celebrates outstanding event professionals.
Gina Cundy and Isabelle Toussaint – both of whom work in our live events production team – have been recognised in this year’s esteemed list.
The news follows recent promotions for both Gina and Izzy, in recognition for creating live brand experiences for clients throughout the last twelve months, despite the turbulent situation the industry has been facing.
We are extremely proud of both Gina and Izzy for having the wider industry endorse their hard work and unique talents. To hear more from the ladies head to the C&IT Website to download the Agency A-List brochure.
Congratulations to everyone that made the list.
We are very excited to announce that we have been shortlisted in the 2021 CN Agency Awards in the Best Medium Agency category.
This is the first time we have entered the CN Agency Awards, so it’s fantastic to be shortlisted on our debut entry, especially in this highly sought after category.
After a turbulent year, which was only our second year of trading, we’re thrilled that the hard work and creative solutions our team produce are being recognised across the industry.
Congratulations to everyone that has made the shortlist. We’re looking forward to the 1st July already!
Earlier this year our work with Vauxhall, launching their new Mokka, made the shortlist for the Best Virtual Product Launch at the Digital Event Awards.
Read the full virtual product launch case study here.
Strata Creative Communications, a leading independent brand experience agency, has continued to champion grassroots development by hiring past interns on a permanent basis, filling Project Co-ordinator vacancies.
Sophie Austin and Charlotte Bute are the most recent, in a long line of past interns, to join the agency after completing their studies. In addition the agency welcomes Jessica Winterton, also a graduate with placement experience, into the same position. All three will join the growing production team and report into Andrea Bishop, Director of Live, to support the delivery of upcoming virtual, hybrid, and live experiences for their diverse portfolio of client brands.
Sophie, a 2020 graduate with a first-class honours degree, has already started working at the agency and is supporting the delivery of upcoming virtual events. Charlotte and Jessica will be joining the team later in the Spring once they have completed their studies.
These new hires are the latest to join the growing agency, which is actively recruiting for other vacancies in their creative and live events teams.
Sophie Austin, commented: “I wanted to return to Strata because of the variety the agency offers. Their broad client base and experience in all kinds of campaigns and events means that every single day is different, and I can constantly develop my skills as a result. The team really supported me during my placement and the responsibility I was given is a testament to the mentors I worked with, and how your work ethic is recognised and valued. I’m excited to continue my events career with the Strata team and can’t wait to get stuck in as a permanent member of the team.”
Andrea Bishop, Director of Live, Strata comments: “I’m delighted to welcome back two of our past interns into permanent positions, and of course Jessica who is new to the agency. Both Sophie and Charlotte left an impression on Strata during their placement year which has now paid off! The tenacity and passion shown from all our interns always delight us, and its fantastic to see the development programme we run really does result in confident and capable team members at the end of it.
All three women had great hurdles to overcome in graduating at a time when the pandemic has hit our industry so hard. But the experience they have gained working on virtual events and projects outside of their studies has enhanced their skills and demonstrated to us their drive to create fantastic events and experiences.
We are preparing for the high demand we are seeing already in work since the road map has been announced by the government. And although live events will see undoubtedly have a triumphant return, we know that virtual and hybrid experiences are here to stay.”
Strata Creative Communications, a leading independent brand experience agency, has strengthened its leadership by appointing three long serving members of the team to the board, as part of its ongoing plans to grow and challenge the larger more established agencies in the industry.
Giles Cattle, Andrea Bishop and Paul Querfurth have all been appointed as board directors. With responsibility for Creative, Strategy and Business Development; Live and Virtual Events; and Public and Consumer Engagement respectively. They join the four founding board members.
Their wealth of knowledge and experience in the events industry brings new expertise to the boardroom, and will lead a more strategic structure within Strata, thus opening opportunities for more staff to progress.
The new structure reflects the changes seen by the agency, where clients are planning a new events portfolio that includes virtual and digital solutions as standalone communication methods, rather than being a temporary solution to the current situation.
Having specialists in event delivery, strategy, and engagement at board level ensures clients receive a cohesive offering from the agency, which ultimately results in business efficiencies for their brand.
Our CEO Simon Hambley, comments: “Pre Covid19, Strata were growing rapidly. Our strategy to offer more of what every client needs through one touchpoint and deliver creative excellence, brand consistency, and business efficiency, was delivering successful results for our clients.
These appointments were always part of our plan to expand our leadership team and devolve control, following the success of our integration. Being appointed to the board at Strata builds on continued active involvement with clients day-to-day, and adds renewed energy and more ideas to the board, to continue to deliver better for clients, and the agency.
While 2020 was a challenging year for all businesses in our sector, our long-term goals have not changed. We have continued to deliver for all our clients, both virtually and physically. The turmoil has accelerated the shift to digital and Strata were well placed to exploit this. We predict that once the vaccine is distributed successfully, we will see a marked return to face-to-face events, alongside hybrid and virtual, and we are armed with new ways to deliver better ROI, better engagement, and better reach. We are preparing now for that future opportunity.”
Photographed, from left to right, Giles Cattle, Andrea Bishop, Paul Querfurth
We’re delighted to be awarded the bronze for ‘Best conference by an event agency’ at the Conference Awards 2020.
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This event was recognised for its creative approach to deliver efficiencies across three business brands by hosting their dealer events back to back in the same venue over three days.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It was a real team effort to produce this event and it is a true example of all our teams working together to create a fantastic experience for the guests. Here’s to many more awards under the Strata name.
You can read more about the Conference Awards here.
Event details
Three events, for three brands, over three days, in one venue.
We produced three brand’s dealer events in one venue back-to-back over three days; sharing infrastructure, maximising investment in production and achieving significant cost savings year on year for Groupe PSA.
A combination of innovative production techniques, a large collaborative approach across the brands, and cost savings negotiated by us, delivered a heightened experience for over 1,800 network partners.
Production management of over 20 vehicles, both heritage and concept, brought each brand to life on the 20m catwalk stage, and in the expo & hospitality area. State of the art LED screens and presenting ‘in the round’ created a new dynamic experience to the annual event and gave the attendees a reason to sit up and pay attention.
Creating event identities that resonated with the audiences ensured successful delivery of the business messages across all three brands, resulting in 94% average satisfaction ratings. In addition our direct clients were thrilled with the results and our service.
If you want to see more then view the full case study.
Izzy Toussaint, Senior Project Manager – Recognised as one of the 2020 CN 30 under Thirty winners
We’re extremely proud one of our hard working team members – Izzy Toussaint – has been recognised in this prestigious list of industry professionals, especially in this turbulent year.
This accolade is great recognition for all the hard work Izzy has put in over the years with us, and most recently whilst working on a new EV automotive client, delivering safe and secure socially distanced live brand experiences.
Izzy has been part of the Strata family for many years and originally came to us as an intern whilst completing her degree in Events Management. Izzy is testament to the belief that hard work and dedication pays off. Congratulations Izzy!!
You can read more about the CN 30 under Thirty here.
We are delighted to rank in this years C&IT Top 20 UK incentive agencies for the second year running. Earlier this week C&IT Magazine published the table as part of their ‘State of the Industry’ report.
Incentives and reward programmes are an ever-growing offering from Strata, and a key part of our strategy to offer a single touchpoint for all services to our clients.
Every brand touchpoint is a moment that matters. A chance to strengthen your message with clarity and relevance. To make your audience feel like they're part of something extraordinary, get in touch.
