ThinkOTB Agency

Market ‘it’

Why Client Relationships Matter More Than Ever

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about chocolates and roses, it’s about relationships, trust, and showing appreciation. And in the fast-paced world of marketing, strong client…

Read more

The Path to Workplace Wellbeing and Happiness

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, organisations often focus on productivity, efficiency, and results. However, mounting research shows that fostering wellbeing and happiness in the…

Read more

The power of yellow and transforming workplaces with True Joy™

Dulux has announced the Colour of the Year for 2025 with the tagline “Dream it. Create it. Live it. True Joy™ 2025.” At Outside…

Read more

The Magic of Christmas Adverts: Heartwarming Stories, Creative Sparks, and Cultural Traditions

With the arrival of shorter days and frosty air, the advertising industry builds anticipation across the nation for this year’s Christmas adverts. These heartwarming…

Read more

4 Tech Trends That Will Shape Organisational Communications

Recently our Managing Director, Jo Waddington, spoke with members of the Association for Project Management. They discussed how strategic organisational communications have the power…

Read more

Back to Work: Recharging, Refocusing, and Reimagining Success

The break is over, our alarm clocks are back on, and the emails are starting to pile up. Whether you’ve been on a relaxing…

Read more

Happiness doesn’t just happen – here’s how to create it!

August marked the 25th year of Happiness Happens Month and here at ThinkOTB we believe happiness in the workplace is something that should be…

Read more

From Inspiration to Innovation: The creative energy of our home, Headingley

Although from the outside, Headingley, Leeds, may look like student ville, it’s actually a vibrant hub of creativity and culture, attracting artists, musicians, and…

Read more

Diving into the Euros 2024 experience at ThinkOTB

I’m Isabel and I’ve just started my year’s placement at ThinkOTB. Being a small but perfectly formed marketing agency, it is a great place…

Read more

The marketer and mother

It feels like no time since I was struggling to reach my keyboard around my baby bump. Whizz forwards nine months and I’m back…

Read more

Why a great brand ambassador is essential for modern marketing strategies

We can see the Leeds Rhinos rugby ground from our office, so when news of Rob Burrow’s passing broke it was poignant for everyone…

Read more

Building a better brand so we can all rest easier

At ThinkOTB we love working with brands that are passionate about doing good things. So when you realise that we need 7-9 hours of…

Read more

The rise of remote working and how to make it work for you

We’re well aware that the Covid pandemic has changed the way we work forever. What was a forced change to remote working, has now…

Read more

How much is too much when it comes to consumer data?

We’re always reading about how vital consumer data is, and the need to acquire as much data as possible to enable us to truly…

Read more

Are you always bang on brand? How to create consistent content

When it comes to branding, there’s one thing the team here are all obsessed about – and that’s being consistent. Whether you’re creating a…

Read more

Why do businesses rebrand?

2023 saw so many businesses undertaking rebrands; Johnson & Johnson and Nationwide Building Society to name just two. It made us think – as…

Read more

Sales & marketing alignment: how to maximise sales enablement

In our last blog we looked at the importance of sales and marketing working together and the opportunities this presents for improving business performance….

Read more

Content marketing trends to consider in 2024

Videos, blogs, infographics, podcasts, case studies… How many of these do you browse before you make the decision to pick new tech, book a…

Read more

Why is brand diagnosis important?

Collectively, the UK’s leading 75 brands are now worth £282.9bn, (Kantar Sept 2022) and up to 90% of a brand’s total market value is based on intangible assets, such…

Read more

ThinkOTB’s look ahead to 3 marketing trends that will be big in 2024

It’s that festive time of year again! The TV is bursting with Christmas ads, some are pulling at our heartstrings, others have us hoping…

Read more

Unmasking the Marketing Magic: How Organisations Capitalise on Halloween

Halloween, originally rooted in ancient traditions, has transformed into a modern-day extravaganza celebrated worldwide. Beyond the costumes, spooky decorations, and trick-or-treating, Halloween has become…

Read more

How important is brand advertising for delivering sales?

As marketers, how often have you been asked to justify brand advertising due to the perception that it’s frivolous and an indulgence that results…

Read more

The impact of Consumer Duty on marketers

If you’re a financial services brand, a marketer working in the financial services sector, or part of an agency client service team with financial…

Read more

How integrated marketing strategies grow businesses by maximising engagement across the media mix

As the numbers of channels that consumers interact with increases, brands must continually adapt if want to maximise engagement with their customers. Truly integrated…

Read more

We’re going on a Bear Hunt

This summer, ThinkOTB is supporting the Leeds Bear Hunt, a spectacular public art event that opened on July 1st across Leeds city centre. Organised…

Read more

Was the King’s Coronation a marketeer’s dream?

No matter where you were this weekend you won’t have been able to miss the Coronation celebrations, for the Coronation of King Charles III. So, what did brands…

Read more

How to apply direct mail techniques in a digital world

Direct mail marketing can often feel like the distant past. But, as DM is at the core of our marketing agency’s roots, we believe…

Read more

Is print marketing making a comeback?

We’re so used to seeing social media ads, in-app advertising, newsfeed ads, that it’s easy to believe that print marketing isn’t relevant today. However…

Read more

5 steps to creating your emotional marketing campaign

As marketers, we hear lots about creating emotion with our audiences and we know that the success of a marketing campaign is often down…

Read more

What should marketers be thinking about in 2023?

Marketers might find themselves in a difficult position in 2023. There are so many exciting trends on the horizon for them to consider! It…

Read more

Will there be more awards for ThinkOTB in 2023?

Creating brands and building websites is our bread and butter as a creative marketing agency. But, when that work creates a happy client and…

Read more

Top marketing trends for 2023

52 weeks ago, who would have predicted we’d have had three different Prime Ministers, a cost of living crisis, and England would do so…

Read more

‘Tis the season for Christmas ads!

The run up to Christmas is always typified by consumers eagerly awaiting Christmas ads. Particularly the John Lewis ads. This much-loved brand and their…

Read more

How is sustainability influencing your marketing strategy?

The topic of sustainability is gaining traction around the globe. Consumers are demanding a balance of value for money and products which cause little…

Read more

How can brands navigate the cost of living crisis?

With inflation rocketing to its highest level in 30 years and projected to rise to 10% this year, its not easy for UK consumers…

Read more

The joy of joyful marketing

We love studying, writing about, and embedding joy into our culture here at our marketing agency. So, National Day of Joy is another excuse…

Read more

Work placement: Getting up for 9am and other new skills

As my year-long placement approaches its end, I have a bittersweet feeling really! I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to work…

Read more

How can marketing improve the UK’s mental health?

The quality and accessibility of mental health care has been under the microscope in the UK for a number of years. The pandemic only…

Read more

Customer journey map: one of the most important assessments your business can do

When client-side marketing teams or marketing agencies are delivering a rebrand, reviewing the messaging for existing communications, or trying to find ways to minimise…

Read more

What does Musk buying Twitter mean for digital marketers?

Elon Musk is buying Twitter! Well, at the time of writing, the deal is on hold, but there stands a good chance he will…

Read more

Why does it matter who you bank with?

In business, who you bank with is a demonstration of your company values. It could win you vital ESG points in new business tenders….

Read more

What is social purpose and how does it benefit your brand?

Sustainability and corporate responsibility are essential elements for all businesses. Those which put their social purpose at the centre of their business model, rather…

Read more

What it means to get the best recommendations from our clients

We are incredibly proud to announce that ThinkOTB has been listed as one of the 11 best marketing agencies in Leeds, by The Drum…

Read more

Endlessly stretching what I know

A blog by the great copywriter, Dave Trott, has got me thinking about two things. One, about what’s important for my family Two, why…

Read more

4 ways innovation could benefit your brand

In the current climate, companies quite rightly are focussing on minimising risk, cutting costs, and driving productivity. So where does brand innovation sit in…

Read more

Can web accessibility really help you reach 20% more people?

Companies and marketing agencies spend months designing, planning and testing new websites to ensure they include precisely the right elements. They look at their…

Read more

National Holiday? Does that call for a promotion

What better way to reconnect with your audience than with celebratory messages around a national holiday or a big key date? At our marketing…

Read more

How to build powerful marketing campaigns

Marketers and marketing agencies put a lot of time, effort and money into developing marketing campaigns that will perform well. But, most are guilty…

Read more

Marketing trends to capitalise on in 2022

2021 proved just how quickly the marketing industry can evolve. During the pandemic marketers embraced digital transformation more than ever as they adapted to constantly…

Read more

2022: 4 ways digital consumers are changing

2020 and 2021 will go down in history as life changing. So the big question on every marketer’s lips is, what’s next? Now life…

Read more

Is print marketing dead?

Digital marketing is cheap, measurable and instantly controllable, so why would marketers and marketing agencies turn to print? At ThinkOTB we believe print marketing…

Read more

When advertising got it wrong. Are these the worst adverts of all time?

When advertising works it can influence conversations in pubs and playgrounds, we’re looking at you Disney with your tear-jerking Christmas ‘Stepdad’! It can get…

Read more

ThinkOTB says thanks in The Drum Recommends Awards

We want to say a huge thank you to all our clients who have rated our marketing agency services this year! In the only…

Read more

How to use humour in advertising

Using humour in advertising is one of the most memorable ways to connect with your audience. People always remember something that makes them laugh….

Read more

Shivers up our spines: Great marketing campaigns

Working in a marketing agency, you never switch off! We see a great TV ad and scribble it down. You’ll see us stopping to…

Read more

When is it time for a rebrand? 5 signs

Things change. People, culture, the world; everything adapts to new surroundings, and that’s true for businesses, too. Sometimes rebranding is necessary to bring companies…

Read more

Local advertising: 5 effective ways to market to local audiences

It’s easy to forget the importance of local advertising. Particularly with many brands focused on spreading their message across the UK or globally! But,…

Read more

“Make the most of every opportunity” – Work experience learnings

Thanks to our universities, higher education colleges and the thriving marketing agency landscape, the pool of talented young people is growing incredibly fast in…

Read more

How does lateral thinking boost creativity?

Lateral thinking and creativity go hand in hand. As a marketing agency, creative problem solving is at the heart of everything we do. We…

Read more

What Euro 2020 can teach marketers

England played a strong match against Croatia on Sunday and although Southgate, the players and fans will all tell you different reasons for the…

Read more

How can the marketing industry drive inclusivity?

Discussing Pride month with our team, many of us feel that marketing agencies and the UK creative industry are open-minded. We believe thay are…

Read more

Schooling the next generation in creativity

We’re in no doubt incredible creative talent is alive in the North! This week ThinkOTB has been the host marketing agency kicking off School…

Read more

How can brands maximise the value of customer feedback?

No-one likes a boaster, especially not a boastful brand! As a marketing agency we believe brands should shout about what they can do for…

Read more

When happiness flows, creativity flows

A happy team is key to the success of any business, especially creative marketing agency. Here we share why happier employees work harder, better and are more productive.

Read more

Easter: the right time for brand innovation

This year it feels like Easter will represent hope and a fresh start more than ever before. We have the ‘roadmap to normality’, the…

Read more

Can joy connect consumers to brands?

If a brand puts joy at the heart of its values and its marketing proposition, will consumers feel the joy and connect more with the brand?

Read more

How do businesses stay relevant over 30 years?

When it comes to marketing, our specialists know exactly what they’re talking about, so here we share the perspectives of five of our marketing agency’s team on what the big trends in 2021 will be in client service, business strategy, brand design, video and content.

Read more

5 trends that will define marketing in 2021

When it comes to marketing, our specialists know exactly what they’re talking about, so here we share the perspectives of five of our marketing agency’s team on what the big trends in 2021 will be in client service, business strategy, brand design, video and content.

Read more

Our perspective: receiving the Queen’s Award

Back in April we were announced as a winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade for our outstanding sales growth in overseas markets. Now the Lord Lieutenant has been able to present ThinkOTB marketing agency with the award.

Read more

Loyalty to your staff drives client retention

COVID-19 has left employees, businesses and clients feeling concerned about economic security and longevity. In the current economic climate, it’s critical for businesses to…

Read more

Innovation marketing prevents blindspots and unlocks potential

Whether you’re deciding which candidate to hire, which supplier to use, which strategy to pursue, or which idea to develop – the ability to…

Read more

Virtual meetings are here to stay, so get used to them

At the start of this year, the only two words that could have produced more anxiety than ‘meeting’ would have been ‘virtual meeting’. Thankfully,…

Read more

The most popular types of creatives across the UK

We hear the word creative A LOT, but what does it actually mean to be creative and how do you measure how creative you…

Read more

Moulding success with Chase Plastics

From the outside looking in, the plastic recycling industry can seem unglamorous. It has for too long operated on the single minded proposition of…

Read more

Winning the Queen’s Awards for International Trade: Interview with OTB Chairman Mark Davies

Here at Think OTB Marketing and Advertising Agency we were pretty impressed when our Chairman announced to us all that we had been awarded…

Read more

Only a true partnership wins Board buy-in

Creating a brand identity is about so much more than looking attractive on the outside. It’s about creating something that rings true to the…

Read more

Will RBGs change your workplace?

In these topsy turvy times, strong leaders and respected change-makers are needed more than ever before. On Friday, inspirational US Supreme Court Justice Ruth…

Read more

How do you build a happy brand?

Happy brands are chosen more often by consumers, so how can marketers and marketing agencies build happy brands? Here are our top 5 ways

Read more

How to create a workplace where everyone thrives

Driving happiness in business inspires better creativity and innovation, increased productivity, and longer loyalty so in this article we deep-dive into the PERMA theory of workplace well-being proposed by the ‘founder of Positive Psychology’, Dr Martin Seligman. #HappinessHappensMonth

Read more

When happiness flows, creativity flows

A happy team is key to the success of any business, especially creative marketing agency. Here we share why happier employees work harder, better and are more productive. #HappinessHappensMonth

Read more

Why trust is key to your marketing strategy – and how to build it

It’s marketing 101 that people buy from people – word of mouth is still a brand’s most powerful sales tool. But now that crucial…

Read more

How to create an authentic brand

I’ve been thinking about the Which? report by Andrew Laughlin that identified key problems with modern marketing. They created and promoted fake health advice…

Read more

5 essential advertising and marketing books

Ever heard the phrase “Standing on the shoulders of giants”? It’s not just the title of a mediocre Oasis album. It’s a phrase that…

Read more

In celebration of School of Thought

At the beginning of 2020, ThinkOTB were proud, along with several other prestigious advertising and marketing agencies in the Leeds area, to get involved…

Read more

Advertising agency ethics. The number one quality you should look for when adding an agency to your roster.

How are you supposed to choose a marketing agency with all the different options available to you? There are lots of considerations to look…

Read more

Top tips when looking for marketing and advertising support

With so many advertising and marketing agencies out there, how do you go about finding the right one for you? We decided to ask…

Read more

The forgotten hero of British Adland. Yorkshire’s own Colin Millward.

When you work in marketing you hear a lot of the same names celebrated. Names like David Ogilvy, Bill Bernbach, Trevor Beattie and John…

Read more

The pubs are open! Our favourite beer adverts and TV commercials

Following the pubs re-opening after COVID-19 lockdowns, we thought we’d take the opportunity to honour the fact that you can now get a freshly…

Read more

Using online chat tools like Zoom for brainstorming

If one thing has benefitted from the global coronavirus pandemic it’s online tools like Zoom, Teams and GoToMeeting. They’ve become an integral part of…

Read more

Farewell Ennio Morricone: His music in advertising

The music of Ennio Morricone is everywhere. You’ll find him all over popular culture. The Good the Bad and the Ugly, The Mission, Cinema…

Read more

How TV shows changed advertising and marketing… not the internet

A lot of people think it was the advent of the internet that changed how complex advertising has become. The truth is, the industry…

Read more

OTB’s top tips for B2B marketing success

Succeeding in the world of B2B. That’s because B2B marketing strategies aren’t like traditional marketing and advertising. It takes a unique combination of tools,…

Read more

Now’s the time to get back to basics with your advertising and marketing

It can’t have escaped your attention that over the last few years it seems more and more brands don’t sell us products anymore. They…

Read more

How to choose and work with an advertising and marketing agency?

Whilst having a social distanced conversation with a business owner the other day, a business owner who doesn’t currently use an agency for any…

Read more

Winning The 2020 Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade

Over the years many of our clients have benefitted from our passionate and dedicated approach to adding value to their businesses and boosting their…

Read more

Now’s the time to ‘Be More Dog’ with your brand and advertising to bounce forward into success

Now’s the time to ‘Be More Dog’ with your brand and be brave with your marketing Forget the ‘free marketing audit’ that you’ve no…

Read more

The brands that have it – who is smashing it at the moment and what you can learn from them

We’ve all seen them. The lockdown TV adverts featuring employees on Zoom calls and brands proclaiming that ‘we’re with you’ and ‘we’re all I…

Read more

Some top tips during strange times to help you invest your marketing budget in the right way

The irony of an advertising agency telling you to invest your marketing budget during these strange times is not lost on us. But as…

Read more

Channel emotion in your marketing, not reason

Humans are emotional beings. We like to think that reason and reason alone informs our decisions, but how we feel is a much more…

Read more

5 persuasion and response techniques to improve your ROI

Copy is the easiest way for you to communicate with your target audience. Words never have and never will be an afterthought that follows…

Read more