A Proper Agency

12/03/2024

This month marks a decade for Proper, and we’re incredibly proud.

The journey has been a mix of highs and lows, yet we’ve cherished every step and learned immensely from each project.

Along this path, we’ve honed our brand-building process, assisting lifestyle brands in discovering their niche, defining their identity, crafting their product, and engaging their audience in creative, meaningful ways. Our proven method elevates brands from concept to consumer.

Here’s to another decade of crafting brands that people truly believe in.

30/11/2023

IS YOUR WORKPLACE HEALTHY?

Founded by Emma Mainoo, Bright is on a mission to create a world of healthy workplaces, where people burn bright, not out. They are a collective of experts and practitioners, bringing real-world wisdom and, importantly, people-centred solutions to the health and wellbeing challenges that workplaces are facing today.

In a world rapidly becoming saturated with conflicting voices on mental health and wellness, our challenge was to create a refreshing and distinctive visual identity, engaging social assets, and a responsive website that reflected both Emma's and the collective's passion and personality, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation's values and business objectives.

We’re extremely proud of Emma and the distinctive brand platform we've developed, and are positive it will drive significant global changes in workplace cultures.

Visit www.wearebright.co to witness how Emma and her collective are crafting thriving work environments. The future of work is BRIGHT!

Client: Bright
Agency:
CD/Designer:
Photos of Emma Mainoo:
Video:
Web Dev:

28/02/2023

I much prefer face to face working sessions with clients (and in this case friends). It didn’t take much persuasion to get from over from California for a few days. We made some exciting intercontinental plans over a continental breakfast at one of my favourite spots 🔥

09/02/2023

We recently had the pleasure of working with Utopia, one of leading global culture change businesses who believe that business could be better.

The award-winning organisation delivers strategic and impactful programmes for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Google, Kellogg’s, KP Snacks, Nestlé, Nomura, Spotify and Universal Music, to help them create inclusive, healthy and entrepreneurial workplaces.

We were tasked with refreshing Utopia’s visual identity to deliver a distinctive graphic system and suite of creative assets that communicated their brand manifesto - “thriving people, thriving business, thriving world.”

Thanks to Marketing and Communications Director Dina Rana and ALL the "Utopians" for all their insight and hard work!

VIEW "THE BUSINESS OF BELONGING" CASE STUDY
https://lnkd.in/eEmABNCR

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“As a client what I want from a creative partner is someone who can understand the brief, ask the right questions and strategically challenge me to ensure that we get the best work. Robin did all of these things. Working with him was really rewarding and easy. We'd definitely recommend him.”

Dina Rana
Marketing & Communications Director, Utopia

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CONNECT WITH UTOPIA
Instagram :
weareutopia.co

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14/01/2023

04/01/2023

Working with a cool new surf brand from California is one thing, but when they’re long time friends striving to connect local communities with their precious coastlines, it’s even more rewarding.

Client :

Services : Branding, Website Design & Development, Ecommerce, Fulfilment

View the whole project:
https://aproperagency.com

Visit the Distant Local website:
https://distantlocal.com

04/01/2023

Working with a cool new surf brand from California is one thing, but when they’re long time friends striving to connect local communities with their precious coastlines, it’s even more rewarding.

Client :

Services : Branding, Website Design & Development, Ecommerce, Fulfilment

View the whole project:
https://aproperagency.com

Visit the Distant Local website:
https://distantlocal.com

12/01/2022

BURNOUT, BREAKTHROUGH AND DOING IT PROPER.

In 2014 I’d had enough of being a freelance designer, DJ and record label owner and found the courage to launch my creative agency I named Proper.

I dedicated my life to the work, travelled to amazing parts of the world, got little sleep, won business I could’ve only once dreamed of and slept even less. Then 2 years ago, right before the world turned upside down, I experienced what can only be described as burnout, as I became disconnected, disillusioned and detached from the work that had once been my reason for getting up in the morning. Feeling lost and exhausted, I decided to take some time out and recover from the brutal working ways of agency life.

In the spring of 2020 I took what I intended to be a short break, and then…well, we all know what happened next. I’ve spent the last year and a half recovering, reflecting, unlearning and relearning. I’ve been through the gamut of emotions preparing for the return with Proper 2.0 and now, as we launch our new website, I want to share an honest account of my journey to become a modern-day creative agency owner in an uncertain yet exciting, ever-changing world.

To read the full post use the Linktree post in bio.

And visit our new website
www.aproperagency.com

19/10/2021

Yesterday I had the pleasure of giving a lecture to the BA fashion students at Salford University at the invitation of my good friend and lecturer Deborah Smailes.

The students had been tasked with creating a business idea to pitch to the Princes trust, so I covered topics of brand strategy and positioning and also gave them tips on building their visual identities.

It was both inspiring and educational for me personally to gain insight into the minds of a conscious and caring generation, especially as I’m often asked to target this audience by my clients. It was definitely mutually beneficial. Nothing quite like info directly from the horses mouth!

It was also really comforting to see how sustainability, diversity, inclusion and ethical manufacturing practices within the fashion industry are so important to them all. Without exception, each of their brand concepts showed a genuine concern and respect for the future of our planet - something that’s sometimes lost on brands and seasoned professionals people working in the fashion industry today.

It educated me on their desires as an audience and I’m excited to hear their pitches in a few months when they enter the Dragon’s Den!

10/09/2021

The innovative ARLU team were poised to launch their new rum brand last year, but the global pandemic had stopped them in their tracks. After regrouping, they recently explained their plans to disrupt the burgeoning rum market, but were concerned they lacked a unique brand positioning to become a category leader.

They asked us to develop a strategy for long term growth, tailor a unique voice, define their DNA and brand identity to compete amongst stiff competition. The ultimate goal was to attract future investors, new retailers and expand their distribution.

Armed with an inspirational new brand book and intuitive brand guidelines, we delivered a platform that empowers rum drinkers to step out of their comfort zone to embrace their sense of adventure and give the rum industry a flavoursome kick in the tastebuds.

www.arlurum.com

14/06/2021

After a successful investment pitch on the BBC One show Dragon’s Den in 2017, Didsbury Gin have embraced their passion for the category and grown their business into one of the UK’s most exciting new gin brands.

Owners, Liam and Mark needed a brand book and set of guidelines that would ‘bring to life’ and authenticate their brand’s story, refresh their identity and reaffirm their future vision. Working with strategic agency we gladly accepted.

As Mark proudly stated after landing the investment from Helen Arnold, “I’m feeling supersonic…gimme a gin and tonic.” You can find Didsbury gin harveynicholsfood, Selfridges Food and other quality locations around the country.

Watch brand owners Liam and Mark land their investment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKNnWGQBNPw