Blog

Enjoy an insight into our work, culture, opinions and everything in between.

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  1. Opinion

    Flour shortages and panic writing

    While people are panic buying flour, Sam looks at why producing meaningful, informative and helpful content is more important than ever.

  2. Opinion

    Could WFH become the new BAU?

    Reflecting on his first few weeks working from home, Head of Copy Steve asks whether current events could shift a workforce of office devotees to WFH converts?

  3. News

    We’re here for you. And here. And here. And here…

    In light of the recent coronavirus developments, Founder + MD Andy gives an update on the current working situation here at Born + Raised

  4. Opinion

    #EachforEqual

    For this International Women's Day we asked the team what their thoughts were towards #equalforequal, a woman they admire and why, what more can be done in the workplace and what equality means to them.

  5. Opinion

    Our favourite books

    To show our appreciation this World Book Day, we asked our team members to name their favourite book. Needless to say, the results were pretty interesting!

  6. Culture

    Plenty to look forward to in 2020

    This #snuglife special looks back at the last 12 months

  7. Culture

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year

    Each year we shun the traditional agency Christmas card trope; Meg explains how we do things a little differently here at Born + Raised

  8. Culture

    Best in Snow

    For our #snuglife Christmas special, the team put their creative skills to the test with a blindfolded drawing test

  9. Opinion

    Would your event marketing pass the grey-headed albatross test?

    A ton of great content is created at good events. But it is completely under-utilised. So how do we optimise our events activities to make sure the consumer and the brand both reap the benefits? Founder + MD Andy Weir tells us how.

  10. Culture

    Halloween is the word

    Born + Raised team members dive back into the mystery box for a spooky #snuglife episode

  11. News

    How a skydive, half-marathon and pocket guide for kids is raising money for Sheffield charities

    A first for Born + Raised, this year we’re taking part in the Sheffield Master Cutler’s Challenge alongside our peers and fellow Yorkshire businesses.

  12. News

    We took a punt on Cambridge

    This was my second year in charge of organising another top-secret birthday bash and, as I’ve learned, it always comes with its challenges.

  13. Opinion

    Three steps to power your purpose

    Our MD, Andy Weir, concludes our series on brand purpose and shares 3 ways to use it correctly

  14. News

    What can you learn from a nine-year old?

    As Born + Raised turns 9, Founder + MD Andy takes us through the key things he's learned so far

  15. Opinion

    One swallow doesn’t make a marketing strategy

    Why cause and purpose are different and why it’s time to look beyond traditional media

  16. Opinion

    The end is nigh – try not to panic

    What's it like to look for your first job after education? How high up the priority list is purpose? And who's really in charge at the interview?

  17. Opinion

    4 out of 5 ain’t bad

    How brand purpose could literally change the way employees work

  18. Culture

    Defining our culture

    How we pinned down our agency culture

  19. Culture

    It’s good here, isn’t it?

    Joanne explains how Born + Raised consistently makes efforts to make the agency a great place to work – and how that has landed us a spot in Campaign's Top 50 Best Places to Work.

  20. Opinion

    What will you be celebrating this International Women’s Day?

    The team tell us who and what they'll be celebrating this International Women's Day

  21. Culture

    Walking all over the January blues

    The Born + Raised team stepped up to the plate in our January pedometer challenge

  22. News

    Don’t look back (unless it’s a good view)…

    Founder + MD Andy glances back at 2018 in his latest blog.

  23. Culture

    #snuglife festive finale 🎄

    A Christmas #snuglife episode can only mean one thing: a festive challenge, yuletide questions and... Born + Raised boxing gloves?

  24. Culture

    #snuglife s2 ep10 – Andy + Yvette

    The final episode of season 2 of #snuglife is here *sniffs*, but we have Andy and and Yvette in the snug for a perfect finale.

  25. News

    Cardless Christmas Project 2018 blog header, created by Born and Raised

    Cardless Christmas Project 2018

    Each Christmas, Born + Raised shuns the standard buying and delivering of Christmas cards and instead gives each member of staff 20 quid to be creative, but ultimately do some good.

  26. Culture

    Snuglife season 2, episode 9 header, created by Born and Raised

    #snuglife s2 ep9 – Helen + Steve

    In our most informative episode to date, Helen and Steve tell us about their proudest moment, their ideal job and who knows the most about their colleagues.

  27. Opinion

    Arco: when lives are at stake, failure isn’t an option

    Account Director Marianne talks about the project that has helped to shape the Health and Safety Industry and has recently won the Gold Award for Thought Leadership at The International B2B Marketing Awards.

  28. Culture

    #snuglife s2 ep8 – Tanya + Stephen

    Tanya and Stephen tackle the best thing about working at Born + Raised, who they would be for a day, and finally a no-hands challenge. Definitely in the top 15% of all #snuglife episodes.

  29. Culture

    Snuglife header created by Born and Raised

    #snuglife s2 ep7 – Kirsty + Diana

    This week we have Kirsty and Diana in the snug for perhaps the messiest episode to date. Not to give the game away or anything, but it involves chocolate sauce and Sriracha.

  30. Culture

    Snuglife season 2 episode 6 header, made by Born and raised

    #snuglife s2 ep6 – Sam + Chloe

    Chloe and Sam are in the #snuglife hotseats this week discussing their inspiration, ideal day and then face a chocolate-filled challenge.

  31. Culture

    Snuglife episode 5 header

    #snuglife s2 ep5 – Ryan + Harriet

    We have a client services duo in this week’s #snuglife with Harriet and Ryan. Expect boxing gloves, brand faves and Peter Kays.

  32. Opinion

    Are robots better than humans?

    Will AI take over jobs in our industry in our lifetime?

    Sam asked the office for their opinions on whether AI will take over jobs in our industry in our lifetime. See what people had to say on our blog.

  33. Culture

    Andy and Megan in the snug

    #snuglife s2 ep4 – Andy + Megan

    It's back to business as usual in this week's episode of #snuglife. Andy and Megan discuss things they can't live without at work and what they wanted to be when they were little.

  34. Opinion

    Ordinary is the Enemy blog 3 header created by Born and Raised

    Could tweaking your culture transform your marketing?

    In the last of the Ordinary is the Enemy series, Andy explores how creating a culture where challenging the norm is celebrated ensures that brands stand out.

  35. Culture

    #snuglife sp🎃🎃ktacular s2 ep3

    What's in the box? That's the terrifying question we asked some of the team in this #snuglife Halloween special. Expect screams, squeezing and, of course, slime.

  36. Opinion

    Header created by Born and raised for MD Andy Weir's blog

    Sitting comfortably?

    The second instalment in MD Andy’s Ordinary is the Enemy series examines why brands need to choose bold new ideas over the tried and tested.

  37. Culture

    #snuglife s2 ep2 – Joanne + Tamaris

    The best time of the week is here already. #snuglife episode 2 features Tamaris and Joanne discussing office job swaps and a mind-boggling alphabet challenge.

  38. Opinion

    Ordinary is the Enemy blog post header

    Why are you here?

    Founder + MD Andy talks brand purpose in the first of his Ordinary is the Enemy series.

  39. Culture

    Snuglife series 2 header

    #snuglife returns with Jack + Abbas

    Due to unprecedented public demand, the #snuglife team are back and better than ever with a brand new episode every Wednesday. Up first are Jack and Abbas. They answer life’s toughest questions about crisp preferences before tackling a mystery challenge.

  40. Culture

    Image from Doodle Club, create by Louise Greensmith-Senior Designer at Born and Raised

    September Doodle Club

    On Wednesday night, Senior Designer Louise visited Roco Creative for their Doodle Club event.

  41. Culture

    Tamaris Roberts, Chloe Lowe, Grace Anderson, Kirsty Grafton and Tom Lloyd, of Born and Raised ready to clean up

    Dirty knees and sweaty palms

    Lending a helping hand to the Sheffield Waterfront festival.

  42. Culture

    Mayor Majid speaking at Creative Mornings

    Meeting our Mayor

    Kirsty and Lou hear Majid Mijid speak at Creative Mornings.

  43. Opinion

    Saga Noren in TV series The Bridge

    Saga Norén would be a rubbish copywriter

    Sam looks at why TV detectives and copywriters should stay inside their respective boxes.

  44. Opinion

    Ignite 2018 logo with conference hall full of people as the background

    Ordinary is the enemy, but one convention should never change

    Tanya talks about this year’s B2B Marketing’s Ignite event.

  45. News

    Abbas Arezoo, Senior Digital Designer at Born and Raised, planning the website

    Redesigning our website

    Taking a stand with a bold new design.

  46. News

    Photo of the Born and Raised team accepting the Prolific North award

    And the winner is…

    Guess who scooped the Integrated Agency of the Year award?

  47. Opinion

    Born and Raised logo over background of sofa and shelves

    Born + Raised rebrand – one year on

    Our Managing Director Andy Weir talks about why we rebranded, how we did it and what we learned in this three-part miniseries.

  48. Opinion

    Article header image reading 'guts and glory- one year on!'

    What a difference a year makes

    What a difference a year makes

  49. Culture

    The Born and Raised team celebrating in Chester

    Celebrating in Chester

    Celebrating Born + Raised's birthday in Chester.

  50. Opinion

    Brownies cut into squares with the Born and Raised + in the background

    How to get a job in a creative agency

    Advice for graduates looking for their first creative role.

  51. Opinion

    I want the moon. Challenging thinking series 8.

    Challenging thinking series – article 8

    To close our series, Client Services Director, Tamsin Valentino talks challenging briefs.

  52. Opinion

    Be the voice of your customer. Challenging thinking series 7.

    Challenging thinking series – article 7

    Head of Copy Steve on getting inside your customer’s head.

  53. Opinion

    It's just pictures, colours and words, right? Challenging thinking series 6.

    Challenging thinking series – article 6

    Head of Design, Yvette Weir explores the powers of ‘the colouring in department’.

  54. Opinion

    Do sheep dream of electric cars? Challenging thinking series 5.

    Challenging thinking series – article 5

    Copywriter Sam Lightfinch looks at how challenging market conventions takes brands to strange places.

  55. News

    Intro banner: 2017- where did that go?

    2017 – where did that go?

    We reflect on what has been an eventful last 12 months.

  56. Opinion

    Top of the blogs banner- white arrows pointing upwards on a gold background

    Top of the blogs – our top posts from 2017

    Oh, hello 2018 – didn’t you arrive quickly! We’ve rounded up the top five posts (by page views) that got your mice clicking and fingers tapping in 2017.

  57. Culture

    #snuglife Xmas Special blog image

    #snuglife – the Christmas Special

    Things get festive in the Snug as the team answer some Xmas-themed questions.

  58. Opinion

    Is it time to shut down digital? Challenging thinking series 4.

    Challenging thinking series – article 4

    Head of Digital Chloe Lowe challenges thinking on digital marketing.

  59. News

    the cardless christmas project

    The best twenty quid we ever spent

    Our cardless Christmas project is simple – instead of sending an agency Christmas card, we share the budget out between the Born + Raised team to spread some cheer.

  60. Opinion

    Don't paper over the cracks with tone of voice. Challenging thinking series 3.

    Challenging thinking series – article 3

    Head of Copy Steve gives us his views on the importance of getting your message right.

  61. Opinion

    Is marketing just a giant game of snap? Challenging thinking series 2.

    Challenging thinking series – article 2

    Marketing Manager Tanya Addy gives her view on challenging thinking.

  62. Opinion

    When did you last step outside the bubble? Challenging thinking series 1.

    Challenging thinking series – article 1

    Andy kicks the series off with a look at marketing Groundhog Day.

  63. Opinion

    Moz the monster and child- John Lewis christmas ad header

    Have John Lewis kept the festive magic going for another year?

    John Lewis Christmas Ad 2017 – did it jingle our bells?

  64. Culture

    Sheffield Design Week, Where the Bombs Fell in Sheffield, Booklet

    Finding where the bombs fell

    A trip around post-blitz Sheffield as part of Sheffield Design Week.

  65. Culture

    Born and Raised team celebrating for #snuglife

    #snuglife special

    Celebrating the latest bit of good news with a musical morning.

  66. News

    Make Some Noise blog header image

    We’re a Top 100 Independent agency

    We’re a Top 100 Independent Agency.

  67. Opinion

    Festival of Marketing Logo

    What do celebrities know about marketing?

    Our Marketing Manager, Tanya, talks about the Festival of Marketing 2017.

  68. Culture

    Yvette Weir, Head of Design, Marianne MacKenzie, Account Director, Kirsty Grafton, Designer, Louise Greensmith, Senior Designer, Tamaris Roberts, Office Manager - ready to do the St.Luke's Night Strider walk

    Supporting St Luke’s Hospice

    Support the team in their 13-mile walk in the dark for St Luke's Hospice.

  69. Culture

    Victoria Quays 10th year celebration mosaic

    Unlocking the quays’ hidden beauty

    Celebrating the first Sheffield Waterfront Festival with a spot of volunteering.

  70. Culture

    Photo of the exterior of Wilberforce House Museum

    Last Thursday two worlds collided in Hull

    We found ourselves attending the Digital Awards in Hull, surrounded by some 300 northern digerati.

  71. Culture

    Image of Tamaris Roberts, PA to Andy Weir and Office Manager at Born and Raised

    #snuglife Episode 10 – Tamaris

    It's the series finale of #snuglife.

  72. Culture

    Image of Jack Salmons, Senior Designer at Born and Raised

    #snuglife Episode 9 – Jack

    In The Snug today is Jack, or is it Abbas? No, it's Jack... yes, we're pretty sure it's Jack.

  73. Culture

    Image of Harriet Aisthorpe, Account Executive at Born and Raised

    #snuglife Episode 8 – Harriet

    It's a cheesy episode today.

  74. Culture

    Image of Louise Greensmith, Senior Designer at Born and Raised

    #snuglife Episode 7 – Louise

    "Worry less." The latest bit of wisdom from The Snug.

  75. Culture

    Image of Helen Stavri, Strategist at Born and Raised

    #snuglife episode 6 – Helen

    "It's a ridiculous film where Mel Gibson gets electrocuted in a bathtub."

  76. Opinion

    An illustration of a tiger in the jungle

    Survival tips for financial services marketers

    ‘Fincraft’ survival tips for financial services marketers.

  77. News

    Andy Weir, Managing Director from Born and Raised. Best Vendor Support award from Arco.

    Scooping the Best Vendor Support award from Arco

    Picking up the Best Vendor Support award from Arco felt great.

  78. Culture

    Image of Chloe Lowe, Head of Digital at Born and Raised

    #snuglife episode 5 – Chloe

    "Seek forgiveness, not approval."

  79. Culture

    Image of Sam Lightfinch, Copywriter at Born and Raised

    #snuglife episode 3 – Sam

    Sam talks about an Irish poet and Swedish milk in this week's episode.

  80. Culture

    Changing the way we work online - Born and Raised- an image of a lightbulb with a wire cage surrounding

    Changing the way we work online

    When we launched our new brand it marked the start of a committed, iterative approach to our online activities.

  81. Culture

    Image of Kirsty Grafton, Designer at Born and Raised

    #snuglife episode 2 – Kirsty

    Kirsty talks advice and inspiration.

  82. Culture

    Sheffield Hallam University's Degree Show - with Born and Raised

    A real show of talent at Hallam’s degree show

    We check out the Sheffield Hallam University Degree Show.

  83. Culture

    An image of Born and Raised's snug

    Living the #snuglife

    Lifting the lid on life at Born + Raised with a new weekly video series.

  84. Culture

    Born and Raised's Creative Director, Bew Knox, tells the story of Hull's Dead Bod

    The night I fell for a dead bird

    A story of how a sea captain from Hull captured the heart of a city and became an unlikely cult hero.

  85. Opinion

    Challenger Sales - by Born and Raised

    Raise eyebrows and raise sales

    A five-minute summary of Challenger Sales.

  86. Opinion

    girls-wine-design attended by Born and Raised

    Empowering women, in 2017 and beyond

    I sense a continuing sense of empowerment on the horizon for women in all aspects of life and work and it feels good.

  87. Culture

    Born and Raised 7th Birthday weekend in Manchester - at Chill Factore

    Merrymaking in Manchester

    Tricksters, traitors and tapas at our 7th birthday bash.

  88. News

    Born and Raised

    An open letter from Andy

    Taking a moment to explain why we’ve rebranded.

  89. Opinion

    Waterstones unbranded story by Sam Briggs at Born+Raised

    A wolf in sheep’s branding

    Is Waterstones pulling the wool over customers' eyes? Here are our thoughts on the unbranded stores fiasco.

  90. Opinion

    Express bi-folding doors stand, London Olympia. Designed by Born+Raised

    An ideal working day for this account manager

    Helping Express Bi-Folding Doors stand out at the Ideal Home Show.

  91. Opinion

    A photograph of a broken computer screen.

    Hands up, who likes big marketing conferences?

    Our Head of Digital, Chloe, reviews InTech 2017.

  92. News

    Graphic marking the end of 2016 blog by creative agency Born + Raised

    2017? Bring it on

    Reflecting on a year destined for the history books.

  93. Culture

    An image of plastic santas used for the Cardless Christmas project by Born + Raised which saw them donating to many local Sheffield charities.

    The Cardless Christmas Project

    Spreading Xmas cheer like brandy butter on hot mince pies.

  94. Opinion

    Sheffield Hallam University’s ‘Curated by…’ series speaker Domenic Lippa from Pentagram visited by Born+Raised

    Domenic Lippa knows about hooks

    Domenic Lippa knows how to get peoples’ attention.

  95. News

    B2B Marketing Awards - Born+Raised

    Another successful night at the B2B Marketing Awards

    Another successful night followed by some disastrous hangovers.

  96. Opinion

    Photograph of Herschell Gordon Lewis

    Remembering the Godfather of Gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis

    The ‘Godfather of Gore’ (and copywriting guru) Herschell Gordon Lewis has passed away.

  97. News

    Image of a gymnast taken from the creative athleticism blog post by Born + Raised.

    Feeling like Olympians after the Independent Agency Census

    The Drum’s Independent Agency Census has landed and we’re feeling like Olympians.

  98. Culture

    Photograph from the Born + Raised 6th Birthday party in 2016 in London.

    London calling as we turn 6

    Plenty of blues, booze and clues during our annual birthday celebrations.

  99. News

    A photograph of Born + Raised staff at the RAR Awards. Pictured are Charlotte Hill, Account Director, Andy Weir, Managing Director, Marianne Lamb, Account Director, Tom LLoyd, Multimedia Developer and Jack Salmons, Senior Designer.

    Silver service scoops gold at the RAR Awards

    Our silver service scoops gold at the RAR Awards, and we grab a commendation at The Drum Marketing Awards.

  100. News

    Vintage Mickey Mouse graphic

    Banging our own drum

    We’re up for more awards!

  101. News

    A school report card

    Remember that feeling on school report day? A glowing RAR report means none of us are grounded

    Thankfully, our glowing RAR Report means we’re not grounded.

  102. News

    The Born + Raised team photographed during a meeting in their Sheffield office, The Grain Warehouse. Photographed are Bew Knox, Creative Director, Charlotte Hill, Account Direct and Carol-Anne Ward.

    Welcome home

    We’re settling in at our new gaff.

  103. Culture

    A screen from Oliver Maltby's presentation, speaker at a Sheffield Hallam University ‘Curated by…’ event attended by Born + Raised.

    Beautiful simplicity

    Oliver Maltby swings by Sheffield Hallam University to share his wisdom.

  104. Culture

    Pool tournament night - common rooms, sheffield

    5th birthday pool party

    Cake. Fizzy drinks. Party food and games.

  105. Culture

    A group photograph taken at the Born + Raised Halloween party in 2015.

    A bloody good bash

    Everyone and their mummies came to our Halloween party.

  106. News

    Steve Mehdi, The Heart of Steel sculpture and Yorkshire Man of Steel/steel man supported by Born+Raised

    Putting the heart in Yorkshire

    This unique design project has the community at its heart.

  107. News

    HSBC logo

    We’ve got a new partner

    You might know them. They’re kind of a big deal.

  108. Culture

    Posters for the Just Do Good Shit exhibition by Side by Side, part of Sheffield Design Week 2015.

    Never make eye contact when eating a banana

    We asked some unsettling questions for Just Do Good Shit.

  109. News

    A visual from the Love Your Space campaign by Born + Raised for Express Bi-folding Doors. The visuals shows a T-side bus advertisement on the side of a red bus.

    Teaming up with Express Bi-Folding Doors

    Following a competitive pitch, we’re got a new partner on board.

  110. News

    A photograph from the Up at the 02 campaign by Born + Raised for Arco. The photgraph shows Managing Director Andy Weir on the roof of the London O2.

    Hitting new heights with Arco

    What a view!

  111. News

    Photograph of the Lyceum theatre, Sheffield

    Showtime at the Lyceum

    Lifting the curtain on a £1.9 million refurb.

  112. News

    B2B awards won by Born+Raised

    A B2B Marketing Award win for Arco

    We’ve just won a B2B Marketing Award with Arco.

  113. News

    The Grain Warehouse Sign outside Born+Raised offices

    Welcome to our new home

    We’ve finally completed the purchase of our new home.

  114. News

    ARCO Images

    Fresh faced

    We won a Fresh Creative Award for the second year running.

  115. Culture

    Zipidy do daaaaarrrraggggh Born+ Raised at Zip World

    Zipidy do daaaaaaaaarrrrgh!

    Andy and Marianne tackled Europe’s longest and fastest zip wire for Sports Relief.