First low cost business websites sold!

Taxibank, the UK's leading corporate Taxi services management company has just launched two Euro language microsites. Each site can be updated by the teams based in the Netherlands and Germany. The www.845websites.com website did the trick

Not only does Taxibank work with Company of Designers.... we use their Taxi services!

Hands up if you want it now

Details about our low cost business website can be found at www.845websites.com.

These are ideal for start-ups and small businesses, giving complete control to the client who can add and update content as of when they like. Becuase the way we build sites, our technology is scalable and each site can be easily upgraded so the website can grow with the business.

So if you you are looking to start up or know of someone who would benefit from an excellent new site for only £845, then contact us on 0845 003 8383 and ask for Justin.

Did Sir Alan get it wrong?

Regular viewers on a Wednesday night of The Apprentice would have seen (minutes after the champions league final) Sir Alan Sugar fire his latest possible apprentice, Howard Ebison.

But the news has caused a lot of discussion in the CODE studio with 'Steady Eddie' Howard a clear favourite with a large percentage of the CODE team.

At least this news has clouded over the poor result for Manchester United fan and our e business manage Jeremy Yelland and focussed the topic of discussion away from Rome and back onto Howard's exit for not selling enough blingy leather jackets and low cal chip fryers!!

So did Sir Alan get it wrong?

Office madness keeps Mary on the move!

It was madness in the CODE office yesterday but our highly skilled and experienced part time book keeper got her wish... well her own cupboard and storage...not the bigger desk she has been asking for over the last 3-4 months.

Mary '9 coffees a day' Thorns has taken herself out of retirement to look after our finances for a few months but she wasn't expecting to be asked to act like a Pickfords removal man (other delivery companies are available) by MD Andy Staples as the office was given a fresh look and feel.

Tookey is on the right road to success!

CODE's Office Administrator, Sarah Tookey had a very successful driving lesson this week and is now up to 14 hours lesson time as she strives to join the rush hour traffic and create mayhem on roads.

She won't let on when her test is booked in but if her enthusiastic approach to her work is anything to go by she'll have no problems passing first time.

UCP Marjon student Sian teams up with CODE

Sian Pilcher, a media student from University College Plymouth St Mark & St John (UCP Marjon) is with us for the next week. Sian will be looking at a number of projects for the CODE team across the media and PR spectrum, covering direct mail writing, researching competitors and getting a feel for the workplace.

Sian, 21 is studying a BA degree in media studies and creative writing. She is currently finishing her second year on her course and studying particular modules on magazine cultures, popular television and a learn to earn modules. She enjoys researching and being creative in any aspect and is at the moment undecided on what particular aspect of the media she would like to be in. However a work placement with us is giving her new prospects to look at and what it is like to work in a media environment. Hopefully this will help her to decide!

CODE has a excellent relationship with UCP Marjon having recently been tasked to develop a new website for the marketing team at the Derriford based campus.

Internal meetings please!!!!!

A day after finishing the Taunton Marathon in 3 hours 46 minutes, New Business Manager Justin Smith can now be seen struggling to move around the CODE office after his efforts yesterday.

With this in mind, Justin has been desperatly setting up any meetings over the next day or so within CODE's head office in Stuart Rd to save himself from any further pain....

Hopefully it was all worth it Justin.

Local supermarket sales increase!!!!!

It has been reported there has been a sharp increase in snack food sales in Plymouth this week. CODE's marketing team have been doing some research into this activity and the findings are revealing...

With CODE's New Business Manager, Justin Smith beeing out and about a lot this week and his participation in the Taunton marathon only two days away this has proven to be great news for the local food market!

The team at CODE would like to wish Justin the best of luck for Sunday.

PR student Grace's CODE with her presence

PR guru Anthony Abbott has been giving PR student Grace Vanstone a valuable insight into the world of spin during a week's work experience.
Grace is currently studying a PR degree course in Falmouth and wanted to find out what it is like at the sharp end of public relations.
Unfortunately, Max Clifford couldn't accommodate her so she had to make do with PRCODE.
Grace, who is a model in her spare time, is hoping to get into the glitzy world of fashion PR when she completes her studies.

CODE teams up with A4e

PR manager Anthony Abbott and New Business Manager Justin Smith spent the day spreading the CODE messaage at a special event organised by the staff recruitment service A4e based at St Andrew's Court in Plymouth. CODE took a stand at the day long event to promote our design, web and PR services to employers. CODE is working closely with A4e on a number of ongoing projects.

Pipped at the post....

With fellow Design Project Manager Jerry Found enjoying a few days at the Cheltenham races it was left to Steve Hill to chase the real glory at the Media Innovation Awards held at the South West's second most successful teams home at Ashton Gate, Bristol.

With news getting back to the office of Jerry's lack of winners it was left to Hill to go for glory having been nominated within the print graphics by demonstating creative design and commercial innovation for the work for University of Plymouth in last nights awards gala.

Unfortunately the team was beaten at the last hurdle but received some excellent feedback on this project and for the ongoing standard of creative work produced from the CODE studio.

Stock design hits home....page!

The 2010 prospectus for the University of Plymouth is now available online. The cover design was created by CODE designer Amy Stock and has been so well received that the graphics have been used on the home page of the University website

Visit www.plymouth.ac.uk to find out more.

Bacon off the menu as training kicks in.

New Business Manager, Justin Smith missed out on a local breakfast networking event this morning as his marathon training schedule didn't allow the time for the early morning event, and most importantly the food to fuel all the training!

With only four weeks until the big event it promised to be a busy period for the young man.

Young designers get creative at CODE

The best day yet! - that was the verdict of the youngsters from Kingsbridge College who spent a busy day getting creative with CODE's design team. The students came up with an idea and designed visuals before 'pitching' their idea to each other - and CODE's tough panel of judges.

CODE's design team of Jerry Found, Steve Hill and Amy Stock helped the teams to formulate their designs and write their pitches.

CODE managing director Andy Staples praised the quality of the students' design work and presented the teams with prizes. He said he looked forward to staging similar workshops in the future and thanked Dawn Melville and the Real Ideas Organisation RIO for helping to stage the event.

Steve 'Harry' Hill's Scottish Joke of the Week

A bloke walks into a Glasgow library and says to the prim librarian, 'Excuse me Miss, dey ye hiv ony books on suicide?' To which she stops doing her tasks, looks at him over the top of her glasses and says, 'Ney chance, ye'll no bring it back!'

Exeter trip may bear fruit

PR manager Anthony Abbott hit the open road yesterday as PRCODE's reputation for quality public relations and publicity spread further afield. Exeter was the destination for the PR guru who is in talks with a leading public sector organisation about a new creative partnership. Watch the blog for more news of this exciting opportunity in the coming weeks.....

Rands across the sea

Would you believe it. A Company of Designers aka CODE......................in Cape Town. Yes, during a brief spell of web research, our glorious leader Andy Staples found a Company of Designers in South Africa. Now staff are queuing up for the first twinning trip.
I think it should be the blog editor (blog editor)

Paul 'sleighs' the opposition in CODE's crazy Christmas caper

Congratulations to Paul Courtney at Dame Hannah Rogers School in Ivybridge for taking top spot in our Crazy Sleigh Ride Xmas computer game. Paul’s prize is three bottles of the finest champagne.

Browse the CODE brochure

Some of CODE’s finest web and design work is featured in a brand new brochure, which is available to view on our website. Click the link below to find out why clients are choosing the region’s leading multi-channel marketing and communications company.

http://www.companyofdesigners.com/design/brochure.cfm

Sweet taste of success for design ace Hill

Regular readers of the CODE blogspot will know Steve 'Harry' Hill for his side splitting gags, but the jokemeister had the last laugh today when he discovered he had been nominated in this year's Media Innovation Awards in the Print Category for his work on marketing materials for a University of Plymouth conference. Well done Steve. Apparently he's working on his acceptance speech already.........no Winslet Style Wailing please Steve.................and keep it clean!

Securi-Guard stay with PRCODE

Securi-Guard, the South West's largest independent supplier of security services has retained PRCODE for all its publicity and PR work. We are delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with one of Plymouth's most respected businesses.

Amy 'Laughing' Stock's Gag for the Weekend

I have just heard that the company that makes Pedigree Chum has gone into liquidation

They have called in the Retrievers.

boom boom

Nice one Amy- beat that one Steve 'Harry' Hill, if you can!

Snow Joke for WebCODE

For the second time in a week the entire WebCODE team have been snowed in despite being located in Sunny Cornwall, which should be warmer than Plymouth as it is closer to the equator, but the snow is still coming down.

eBusiness manager Jeremy Yelland is getting concerned that his ability to read from right to left my be effected by snow blindness so is wearing sunglasses at all times.

Photo graphic evidence of the 5 inches was delivered to the CODE team to prove the viscous rumours stared by PR Guru Anthony Abbott were way off the mark.

Thanks to CODE's investment in technology the web team can work from home, the only problem is the amount of telephone calls from salesmen pushing silk stockings.

Ends.

Ministry of Marketing: The Telephone

Some interesting archive marketing information film that applies to current credit crunch.

PR man denies telling porkies over bacon bap attack

Business development manager, Justin Smith was forced to take a early lunch today after his planned breakfast feed was cut short at the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce 'crunchy breakfast' event due to a phantom bacon roll grabber!

Smith, currently on eight meals a day as part of his marathon training (for the Taunton marathon on the 5th April) was in such a state of shock from missing out on his planned morning feast after only managing to get to a single bacon roll instead of his scheduled four baps that he had to break away early from his mornings activities.

A disgruntled Smith's mood was made worse with rumour spreading in the studio that PR supremo Anthony Abbott, had managed to squeeze in four baps in the solid two hour networking session to deprive Smith of his daily needs.

In his typical robust approach, the ex Herald editor denied all charges.

It's snow joke for the iceman Yelland

Web designer Jeremy Yelland spun his CODE compatriots a proper yarn this morning, claiming he had been cut off by the inclement weather.

The Yell-meister alleged he must have had a good three inches overnight. Yes Jezza, but has any snow fallen?

Yelland is pictured right, just seconds after making the outrageous claim!

Snow go zone- are you having a laugh?

As the South East was buried under four tonnes of snow, Plymouth basked in glorious sunshine as if spring was just around the corner. Ok, it was a bit brass monkeys but the sunshine was suffcient to give our design team the kind of screen glare only a long hot summer can deliver. Is this the calm before the storm though? If now is not the winter of our discontent- could it be tomorrow? Only time will tell. (Any chance of Steve Hill's gag of the week- ed)

Yelland FC 9 - Abbott Town 8

"Derby Day" here at Company of Designers, and you can literally feel the tension throughout the city of Plymouth. A replay of the 2008 Christmas cup final, where Yelland FC won 5-3, started with a stunning goal from Abbott Town striker Ant 'PR Man' Abbott, some would say he was a country mile offside, how the linesman missed it is beyond me...

After what seemed like forever the game was balanced at 8 all, Abbott Town started to get nervous and Yelland FC punished this with a stunning break from Number 9 Jeremy 'I had to make sure it read from right to left' Yelland, this guy has only just recovered from a possibly career threatening injury to lead the line again, and with a stunning left foot back heal the game was over.

A great game in the CODE studio was celebrated with a nice cup of coffee, with one of the three remaining spoons.

Back from the bug

Great news for all CODE bloggers.....well regular readers of the great man's jokes! The CODE team is again up to full strength with Project Manager, Steve 'Harry' Hill back in the office after a few days off with the old man flu.

To add to another action packed morning, our PR man Anthony Abbott has been busy breaking more keys on his keyboard with various emails going out to a number of his media buddies. The 'softly spoken' media guru's morning hasn't stopped with news in the office of a possible new client and another proposal being sent out to a prospective client, 'Ant' has plenty of news worthy stories to punt out to the media.

Costly Coffee

The first hot drink spillage of 2009 was marked today as New Business Manager Justin Smith sent his mug flying during an impromptu celebration of yet another CODE business win.
Justin's joy at the new deal was shortlived as he showered his phone and the floor with coffee. Fortunately, quick-thinking boss Andy Staples was on hand with a cloth - and his P45. (only joking, ed)
Justin had just negotiated another order for CODE's specially designed emailers which are helping a number of clients to reach their customers in a fast, efficient and professional manner.
To find out more about how the emailers can give your business a boost, contact Justin on (01752) 60 48 48

Straight from the video vaults of Chicken Pate News

Meet the men from the Ministry of Marketing in the hilarious news film from the Company of Designers that's coming soon to a small screen near you!
With lashings of brylcreem, ill fitting suits and a grainy, sepia tint we turn back the clock to when modern marketing techniques involved little more than a pigeon - and a wing and prayer!
But there is a serious message behind CODE's comedy routine.
Now is a good time to review your marketing strategy- and bring it bang up to date.
Give CODE a call for a free marketing audit - it will be the best move you ever made!

Steve 'Harry' Hill's gag of the week

Man goes into a Record store and says “have you got anything by the Doors?”The shop assistant replies “A mop and a fire extinguisher”.

Bunfight at the CODE-K corral

Howdy blog pardners!
From the Westcountry to the Wild West, the CODE team enjoyed a rootin' tootin' fancy dress day to banish the post Christmas blues.
The Tache of the Day event helped raise a healthy 36p which was matched penny for penny by generous boss Andy Staples (from petty cash).
Funds raised will be divided equally between the Devonport Home for Retired Gunslingers and the CODE milk fund.

Steve 'Harry' Hill's gag of the week!

A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet. 'My dog's cross-eyed, is there anything you can do for him? 'Well, 'says the vet, 'let's have a look at him' so he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then checks his teeth.Finally, he says ' I'm going to have to put him down. 'What? Because he's cross-eyed?' No, because he's really heavy'

Dame Hannah sponsored PAFC game cancelled.

CODe were due to attend Plymouth Argyle Vs Crystal palace today, a game sponsored by Dame Hannah Rodgers Trust, but due to the icy condition the game is off :(

Dress down Friday

New Business Manager Justin Smith donned a tatty cardigan as he took dress down Friday to new extremes. Dress down Friday has been a tradition at the Company of Designers for a number of years now, but some level of sartorial elegance is supposed to be maintained by all staff. It's dress down Friday Justin - not down and out!

CODE blog launched

Welcome to the wonderful world of the CODE blog.
This is the place where you can find out all that's going on at the Company of Designers, the region's leading design, e-business and PR agency offering multi-channel marketing solutions under one roof!

For those of you that don't know, that roof is on the stunning art deco building Devonshire Villa, situated at 52 Stuart Road, Plymouth, which has been home to CODE for the last three years.
Within its walls, a highly talented team of web developers, designers, a PR guru and a business development manager are delivering dynamic communications solutions under the tutelage of veteran marcoms expert Andy Staples.

Please continue to check our blog regularly so you keep in touch with all the news and views from the home of CODE!