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Travel Counsellors launch into peaks with ‘Let yourself go’ campaign

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Personal relationships and trust are crucial when it comes to planning that dream holiday and in its January campaign ‘Let yourself go’ the Manchester-based company Travel Counsellors showcases the confidence customers have when booking with their personal travel counsellor, enabling them to simply enjoy a stress-free, personalised booking & travel experience.

The multi-channel campaign focuses heavily on real customer experiences, highlighting individual stories that showcase the value and benefits of letting a caring professional take care of every aspect of their travel arrangements. This comes as the company reports that customer sentiment remains strong moving into 2023, with a recent customer survey showing 87 percent of Travel Counsellors customers have booked or are planning to book a holiday this year (up nine percent from October).

The first campaign video, launched this week, features customers who have entrusted their Travel Counsellor Alex Buckle to send them on a trip of a lifetime – the only catch was that they had no idea where or what they were doing.

Capturing the moment on video, the couple did not find out until they got to the airport that they would be travelling to Iceland for a tailormade trip. The whole experience is documented from the customer’s perspective, including the moment the plane had to return to Gatwick mid-flight due to a fault. However, this issue really emphasised the benefit of booking with a Travel Counsellor, with Alex coming to the rescue and ensuring everything still went smoothly. Ultimately the couple had a truly unforgettable experience from start to finish, simply ‘let themselves go’ knowing Alex has taken care of everything.

Off the back of a bumper 2022 that saw over £800m in sales reached for the first time, Travel Counsellors predicts high booking figures for January.

The campaign, which runs from this month – a peak month for the firm – will feature hotels, cruises, top deals, destination overviews and a key spotlight on more complex, bespoke itineraries, which can be tailor-made by the company’s 1,900 plus Travel Counsellor business owners via the company in-house booking platform Phenix. All of which, will appear alongside the customer videos on social media and in marketing collateral.

Dave Callan, Customer Director at Travel Counsellors comments: “We want to emphasise what is special about the Travel Counsellors brand which is the care each Travel Counsellors puts into crafting unique experiences for their customers. Using great content to highlight stories of our own customers is a relatable and authentic way to get our brand across and supports the messages we are delivering in a really impactful way. Ultimately, we’re not about selling travel, we’re about the value our customers get when you book with a Travel Counsellor that goes beyond the booking itself. Our Travel Counsellors are there for their customers every step of the way, they remove any stress or worry and take care of everything so as a customer you can just ‘let yourself go’ and really enjoy your holiday.”

This campaign also plays to the positive Trustpilot reviews the company receives. Last month it announced its 5,000 review, with 97% of reviewers giving Travel Counsellors a five-star rating.

For further information about Travel Counsellors, please visit: www.travelcounsellors.com

Learner drivers: a quick guide to car insurance

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From arranging lessons, revising for the theory test and finding the time to practise, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to learning to drive. But while you’re juggling to fit everything in, there’s one other thing you must remember to sort out – your car insurance. With advice on what to consider and how to get cheap car insurance, here’s the comparison site mustard.co.uk.

Do learner drivers need car insurance?

All drivers must be appropriately insured. The good news is that if you’re learning to drive with a driving school, car insurance will usually be included in your lessons so it’s not something you’ll need to worry about. 

If you’ve got your own car, you can take out your own learner driver car insurance. If you’re using someone else’s car, you can either buy your own cover or you can ask the car owner to add you to their policy as a named driver.  

Is it better to have your own car insurance or be a named driver?

This really depends on your circumstances. For instance, being a named driver can end up being the more economical option. This is because it’s assumed that you won’t be behind the wheel as much as you would if you had your own car. In the eyes of some insurers, this minimises the risk of you being involved in an accident, which is reflected in the premium.

The downside of being a named driver is that if you do have an accident and make a claim on the policy, it will impact the policyholder’s no claims bonus (unless they’ve protected it). 

However, taking out your own policy as a learner driver can be considerably more expensive, but it does mean if there is an accident, it won’t affect the car owner’s policy. Having your own policy also means you can start building up your own no claims bonus.

What does learner driver car insurance cover?

Policies will cover the same events as standard car insurance so you’ll be able to choose from one of three levels of cover:

  • Third party only – compensates other people for damage or injuries you cause.
  • Third party, fire and theft – includes third party only cover and will also compensate you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
  • Comprehensive – as well as third party, fire and theft, these policies cover the cost of damage to your own car if you’re held responsible for an accident. 

You’ll also be able to add other features for an increase in your premium, for example, breakdown cover. It’s worth bearing in mind that most insurers only offer learner driver car insurance as a comprehensive policy. That’s not to say you can’t get third party policies, only that your choices may be limited. 

How long does learner driver car insurance last? 

Learner driver car insurance is usually very flexible and you’ll be able to choose policies that last for a day or several months depending on what you need. You can also buy annual policies just like standard car insurance. 

What insurance will I need after I pass my driving test?

Learner driver car insurance only covers you while you’re learning to drive. As soon as you pass your test, you’ll need to update your policy. If you can’t do that straight away, you’ll need to make sure someone else with the right insurance can drive you home.  

How can I get cheap car insurance?

If you’re a young driver, you can expect to pay higher than average premiums. This is down to the fact that under 25s are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident. Nevertheless, there are ways to keep costs down, including:

  • Paying for your policy annually– monthly instalments typically include interest fees which increase the overall cost of your policy.
  • Increasing your voluntary excess – doing this can lower your total premium, but remember that you’ll need to pay it for a claim to go ahead; so, make sure it’s affordable.
  • Consider a telematics policy – these policies monitor your driving using a telematics or ‘black box’ device, and premiums are then calculated according to how you drive. If you drive consistently well based on acceleration, braking and cornering, you could see insurance costs fall faster compared to other policies. 

Compare policies – comparing a range of quotes from different providers really is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find great value car cover. At comparison sites like mustard.co.uk, you can compare dozens of leading insurers simply by answering a few questions. You can start a quote online right now or speak to an expert on 0330 022 8825.

How NFTs Can Benefit Dead Celebrities

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An NFT, otherwise known as a non-fungible token, is, in short, a unique digital identifier. And, by purchasing an NFT, a person becomes the owner of some form of digital product, such as a piece of art or a sports card, which cannot be copied, replaced or divided. They have become increasingly popular thanks to the rise of cryptocurrencies because NFTs use blockchain and smart contracts. Now, they’re being seen as beneficial to celebrities who have passed into the next life.

A recent PartyCasino report on dead celebrities reveals a couple of things. Dead celebs, more often than not, have a catalogue of work that is timeless, regardless of what industry they excelled in. And as a result of this, their estates in the years after their death have raked in millions. NFTs could well be something for those in control of these estates and affairs after death to explore, especially if there is that crucial catalogue of work that continues to be of significant interest.

What has been typical on the NFT front so far is art. People are digitalising art, and then proceeding to sell the art as NFTs. And, there are now instances where art galleries around the world have NFT shops, with the work of celebrities who have passed available to buy in some way, shape or form digitally. They say the proof is in the pudding, and because this works for artists, there’s no reason why this won’t or can’t be the case for other deceased celebs, too, as we will probably find out in due course.

Take Michael Jackson, for example. He’s not only one of the most famous people ever to live, but he’s also the top earner in the last decade, with his estate raking in billions. His work is timeless; his music is still played every single day, probably by millions, which shows just how relevant he remains. But listening to his music is one thing, but how close does it get you to the legacy of the King of Pop? Not very close, right? But NFTs could solve that.

Think about it, not only could you have unique artwork of Jackson himself, but his music could be brought into the equation. For example, artwork could be designed of album covers and sold as NFTs. And this naturally would apply to many musicians who have passed and proven profitable for their estate, while fans would feel closer than ever to their hero.

And again, NFTs wouldn’t be limited to artists or musicians. Kobe Bryant, an NBA legend, tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020, and it’s possible that NFTs involving images of him on the court, of sports cards and other things tied into his career, could be created and made available for purchase. The possibilities are endless where NFTs and dead celebrities are concerned, and it’s something that will be explored in more depth over time.

Hill Dickinson advises The Gate Films on acquisition by Tag

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Hill Dickinson has advised Manchester-based The Gate Films on a deal that sees the premium film production company acquired by global production business, Tag. The acquisition also marks a successful exit for Quinn Venture Investments (QVi), who invested in The Gate Films in 2019.

The acquisition will allow Tag to provide enhanced production services including virtual production capabilities to its global client and agency base.

The Gate Films works with agencies and clients including The Very Group, House of Fraser, Tommee Tippee, McCann, Manifest & Cheetham Bell. Established in Manchester in 1997, the team is led by chief executive officer Simon Lewis and joint heads of production, Rhiannon Lewis and James Shannon. The business currently employs over 25 staff made up of film producers and directors, photographers, VFX artists, animators, editors, social media managers, studio professionals and innovation architects.

The Gate was advised by Hill Dickinson, led by corporate partner James Down with assistance from corporate associate Rachael Sykes and corporate paralegal Abigail Hill.

Simon Lewis, CEO at The Gate, said: “Becoming part of the Tag family means that we are now part of one of the top tier of production companies globally, not only giving us access to Tag’s production hubs around the world but also helping us to attract an even broader range of talent from directors to creative producers and post production staff. I would also like to thank Peter Quinn and John Higham for their support throughout QVi’s investment and in ensuring we achieved a successful sale to the right partner in Tag”.

The Gate will continue to operate under its own brand and its senior leadership team will remain with the business. Simon Lewis remains as CEO alongside a broader role as head of film, EMEA region for Tag EMEA, with responsibility for film production across EMEA.

AEW Architects Becomes a Certified B Corporation

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AEW Architects has started the year as it means to go on, with news that it is now B Corp Certified. Manchester-based, AEW bring the total number of UK-based, architecture and design practices with Certification to 16, joining other leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

B Corporations are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. There are just over 5,900 B Corps globally, with 1,460 of these based in the UK.

To become a B Corp, AEW undertook a rigorous review process that was assessed by B Lab. Applicants are required to achieve at least 80 points out of 200 across five assessment categories (Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers). AEW scored well above average across all categories and achieved an overall score of 95.3, placing it 8th in their industry.

Andrew Rainford, Managing Director of AEW, said: “The B Corp Certification required a real team effort over the past year and it’s great to see that hard work pay off. With so few UK-based, B Corps in the ‘Architecture design and planning’ industry, we’re delighted to now be counted amongst this leading group.”

AEW’s Sustainability Manager, Peter Bartley, who led the process added: “The certification is testament to our commitment to positively impact all stakeholders — workers, communities, customers, and our planet – and ensure a benefit for all. As we work towards recertification in 3 years, being a B Corp will provide us with a framework for continuous improvement to further enhance our environmental and social performance.”

B Corp Certification is just the latest step AEW has taken towards ensuring the highest standards of sustainability across the practice and its operations. In 2020, the practice signed up to Architects Declare and in 2021 they joined the UN Race to Zero – committing to a long-term net zero goal of 2040. They also established their Sustainability Team to oversee corporate sustainability and launch their environmental assessment service offer to integrate sustainable design into their projects.

Plerdy Partners With Semrush To Make SEO and UX Work Together

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Website owners can now use multi-functional backlink analysis from
Semrush (NYSE: SEMR), a leading online visibility management SaaS platform, within the
Plerdy workspace, a comprehensive digital experience improvement solution. This partnership allows users to analyze their site’s backlink profiles as well as the backlink profiles of their competitors.

Digital specialists know Semrush as one of the most powerful SEO tools with tons of
opportunities to analyze the website’s organic performance. But there is a rising link between UX and SEO. Nowadays, search engines take a broader look at websites, considering not only keyword use but also the user intent and the provided user experience on the website.

Websites that want to rank highly in organic search engine results need to find a balance between SEO and UX. Through this integration with the Semrush API, Plerdy’s SEO checker can be used to audit an entire site to find missing keywords, identify and remove low-quality backlinks, and learn which pages of a site have the most backlinks.

● Backlink analysis includes several reports such as IP analysis, anchor analysis, and
domain competitors
● This integration partnership extends SEO Plerdy’s offering and puts all UX and SEO
analysis needed for the websites on one platform
● Users are required to set up Plerdy and Semrush accounts to use the tool

Founder and CEO of Plerdy, Andrew Chornyy, says, “This partnership greatly boosts the
website optimization opportunities for our users. To maintain a high ranking in the search engine, it is necessary to consider the factors of UX and SEO. The calculated synergy of both systems can result in a natural increase in traffic. Google recognizes such sites as useful to users and raises them in the search grading. A positive user experience and search engine optimization strategy can improve traffic and attract significantly more satisfied customers.”

“Semrush currently has the fastest crawler and largest database of backlinks in the industry, containing more than 43 trillion links,” said Marcus Tober, SVP of Enterprise Solutions at Semrush. “Our integration partnership will allow Plerdy users to harness the power of this database as they strive to achieve maximum performance for their domains with SEO and UX.”

In Plerdy’s SEO checker, users will receive reports with the amount and the quality of their
backlinks, referring domains, and also will be able to keep an eye on their competitors directly in the Plerdy account. This complements the existing functionality, which consisted of automatic daily SEO audits and health score analysis together with semantics & missing keywords analysis.

Plerdy can help its users understand their current SEO state, keep the finger on the pulse of existing SEO errors and issues, and easily optimize their content and their backlink profile. Since having SEO and UX working together becomes more important with every Google update, this partnership gives digital specialists an opportunity to find a balance between search engine optimization and improving user experience on your website.

After a rising demand for digital signage Saturn hires new staff

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In the last nine months Saturn Visual Solutions, the Manchester-based digital signage consultancy and content agency, has hired seven new staff members as a result of a UK-wide rising demand for digital signage services.

Following a rebranding exercise and the lifting of the pandemic restrictions less than a year ago, it has increased its revenue past pre-lockdown levels and has hired more staff to cope with the demand.

Chris Welsh, CEO said: “The lockdowns were very tough for the AV industry and sadly many businesses didn’t survive. We took the opportunity to refocus our business strategy and take a fresh look at our brand. After an initial slow start to 2022, things have really taken off for us and we’ve picked up a number of large projects for installation, content creation and enclosure design from brands including ODEON, Seiko, and Cupra.”

Amidst last year’s pandemic lockdowns, the company had just 21 members of staff, but during 2022 Saturn has hired a new a graphic designer, three installation project delivery specialists, a software developer, a BDM, and a sales and marketing assistant.

It has also in the process of appointing a new head of product design to develop the company’s suite of off-the-shelf screen enclosure products, and to offer a custom enclosure design and build service.

Matthew Drury, sales and marketing director, commented: “Although the digital signage industry has been around for about 25 years, the price of quality hardware was relatively high. The prices have been reducing over time, so it’s now becoming much more accessible. As a result, more and more businesses are investing in it and discovering the power of digital signage as marketing and communications tool. This, in turn, feeds the demand for content too.

“Luckily, our comprehensive suite of services and products, coupled with our revitalised brand, means we’ve positioned ourselves well to capitalise upon that demand, which we don’t see slowing down any time soon.”

Solving the Rent Affordability Crisis in Manchester

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Rental unaffordability is at its highest level for over a decade and now equates to 35 per cent of the average income of a single earner, according to recent research by Zoopla.

The problem has hit Manchester especially hard, where rents are up 15.6% on 2021. Manchester has seen the second highest rent rises in the country, after London (17%), and is followed by Glasgow (14.1%), Birmingham (12.3%), Bristol (12.9%) and Sheffield (12.4%).

Andy Jones is Group Director Corporate & Build to Rent at property services company Leaders Romans Group (LRG).  He explains, ‘Supply and demand is at the root of the problem: the stock of homes for rent is down 38 per cent in comparison to the five-year average, mostly due to many landlords withdrawing from the market. As mortgage rates increase and a potential recession looms, many would-be first time buyers are delaying purchasing a home, which is exacerbating the problem.

‘The solution to meeting demand is increased investment in quality rental stock. Fortunately the signs are positive. Research among global institutional investors has found that 70% anticipate being active in the suburban Build to Rent (BTR) market within the next five years: a substantial increase from the 42% currently active. Furthermore, recent analysis by the British Property Federation states that the sector is set to be worth £170bn by 2032 due to BTR units in the UK rising from 76,800 to over 380,000.

‘The problem will also be helped by more rental properties being provide outside cities such as Manchester. Our recent white paper BTR suburban communities: the next stage in the evolution of Build to Rent found that suburban BTR is key to meeting growing demand. In contrast to traditional BTR, this new iteration focuses on the areas of rapidly growing demand: family homes in suburban locations. BTR suburban communities also offer levels of service and flexibility above that available through home ownership and frequently property maintenance, wide ranging amenities and the flexibility for a tenant to move with ease from one unit to another as their requirements change.

‘So solutions to the crisis exist in the form of new opportunities and investor interest. What is lacking is Government support.  The Government, in its white paper A Fairer Rented Private Sector, committed to raising standards in the private rented sector. And so it is disappointing that the long-promised Renters Reform Bill is delayed; also that new planning guidance published for consultation in December, failed to make any mention of BTR.

‘Government support is the missing piece of the jigsaw and once in place, could ease the growing difficulties of many in Manchester.’

The top game development companies in Manchester

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As a category of entertainment, gaming is thriving in the modern world. Thanks to console gaming products and the emergence of portable gaming devices, like smartphones, we have an abundance of gaming options to explore in 2022. In fact, we’ve never seen anything like it before, with people turning to an extensive selection of gaming products when boredom sets in.

Thankfully, some of Manchester’s very own game development companies have played their part in gaming’s rise up the entertainment ranks. These companies have created new and improved products on console machines, they’re elevating the mobile category of gaming with a collection of innovative titles, and they’re releasing a wave of PC and social media titles that are elevating the overall genre. These companies are generally made up of coders, artists, animation experts, audio developers, and a range of other professionals who help to bring the games we know and love today to life.

An area of business that is showing notable growth in Manchester, these top development companies deserve a lot of plaudits. The market is wide open, too, meaning that gaming companies no longer must create games for consoles only. Mobile games, social media games, and even iGaming titles, with the latter now extending to both software-based games like slots and live dealer games like live roulette, have led to more and more opportunities for studios to build new creations.

People can jump between a console gaming session at home before embarking on a mobile adventure with ease during a train journey, making gaming one of the most prominent entertainment options for people today. Let’s salute some of the Manchester-based game development companies that have impacted the space, too.

White Paper Games

A small independent company with huge potential, White Paper Games has been representing the Manchester game development scene since 2014 and has gone on to become a familiar name in the space. One of the company’s most successful releases is The Occupation, a PC and console gaming option that offers a single-player aspect as players embark on adventures that take place in a government building. The narrative-driven, non-combat immersive sim is just one product from White Paper Games’ extensive catalogue of titles. While it’s a small company on the whole, this Manchester-based developer certainly has big talent.

VoxelStorm

Founded in 2012 by Eugene Hopkinson, VoxelStorm is another game development company that is shining in Manchester. Also acting as a game publisher and music publisher, the company has shown steady growth thanks to a number of solid gaming products. Also enlisting the help of local musicians, writers, programmers and artists, VoxelStorm’s most successful games include the likes of Fractyr, AdvertCity, SphereFace, and TacWing.

Fabrik Games

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Since 2014, Fabrik Games has gone on to become one of the most impressive game development companies in the UK. Two of the company’s leading products include Filthy Lucre and The Lost Bear, with the latter release resulting in a number of awards for this exciting game development company. The Persistence is another game that has resulted in Fabrik Games being regarded as one of the emerging forces in this particular area of entertainment.

Acid Nerve

Founded by Mark Foster and David Fenn, the pair brought Acid Nerve to life after meeting at an event in the city. Then, from there, the talented duo struck up a friendship before joining forces to create a Christmas-themed product that managed to hit the mark with gamers. The game, which was called ‘Pantsless Santa’, was Acid Nerve’s first foray into the gaming arena. Since then, other successful games that have been produced by the company’s continually expanding team include the likes of Titan Souls, Leaf Me Alone, and Fruitwolf.

Other top Manchester-based game development companies include Smashmouth Games Ltd, 360 Studios, Phigames, and Prospect Games.

Pioneering courses for emergency service workers launching to upskill and futureproof workforce

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TRAINING courses created to support and upskill blue light service workers are now available in Greater Manchester as part of the city-region’s three-year Skills for Growth programme.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded funding to Seetec Outsource to create The Blue Light Development Academy. GMCA has awarded nearly £2m to Seetec to establish the academy, with the training programme fully-funded through the European Social Fund (ESF).

The Blue Light Development Academy aims to support blue light staff with career development including leadership skills. There is also a strong focus on personal well-being, with programmes available on building resilience and for managers to understand health needs of staff.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s Lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital, said:

“We are proud of Greater Manchester’s pioneering Skills for Growth programme and all of its achievements, with thousands of employees supported in building their careers. However, we know there are still many industries in the city-region who could benefit from fully-funded training.

“The newly launched Blue Light Academy recognises the demanding work of emergency services staff and includes specially adapted courses on how they can manage their well-being during pressured situations. This will not only be of benefit to the workforce, but also our residents who will receive a better service as a result.”

Seetec has been granted £1,998,763.75 to launch The Blue Light Development Academy. The training programme has been developed in collaboration with North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) with plans to expand to support to other blue light services in the future. The training, made up of workshops and e-learning, aims to help learners with leadership skills, coaching and management.

The courses available for front-line and support staff include:

  • British Sign Language
  • Presentation Skills
  • Understanding Health in the Workplace for Managers
  • Bespoke Leadership and Management
  • Digital Skills
  • Inclusivity and Diversity Awareness
  • And a range of other topics.

Lloyd DeVal, Director of Sector Skills at Seetec Outsource, said:

“Working collaboratively with North West Ambulance Service, we’re delighted to be able to support the overall mental health and resilience of the emergency services sector in Greater Manchester by upskilling workers so they can progress their career development and improve their overall personal wellbeing.

“As an award-winning provider with significant experience of delivering across Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Seetec Outsource is well placed to deliver the skilled workforce that Greater Manchester needs to meet current and future challenges and embrace growth opportunities.”

Skills for Growth is GMCA’s three-year programme aimed at plugging skills gaps employers in Greater Manchester have highlighted they are struggling to fill.

A range of industries are being supported by the programme including the leisure sector, creative and cultural industry, construction, blue light services, green economy as well as HR, customer services the digital industry, logistics and manufacturing.

The Skills for Growth programme is available as a result of GMCA securing funding from the European Social Fund to deliver a three-year programme, working in partnership with businesses and training providers to create new learning opportunities for employed residents in the city-region.

Throughout the programme, GMCA has gathered intelligence from businesses, which has been used to shape new training programmes.

Skills for Growth and Skills Bootcamps have been designed to support employers who have highlighted they cannot find the technical skills in Greater Manchester required to support and grow their businesses. Skills for Growth supports businesses to increase skills levels of employees, while Skills Bootcamps gives employers access to a pool of newly trained individuals.

Individuals can only complete one Skills for Growth course. Applicants are advised to research all the programmes available before applying.

To apply for The Blue Light Academy please visit https://www.seetecoutsource.co.uk/skills-for-growth-blue-light-individuals/

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