Each week we interview one of our members to find out a bit more about them and their work in the Greater Manchester digital sphere. This week we're speaking with Chris Wilcock, Creative Director at the creative agency, Outpost.
What does your organisation do?
Outpost is a marketing agency that specialises in branding and the design and execution of marketing campaigns that takes a brand further in its market positioning, awareness, market share and sales. We focus our service offering and take a targeted approach on which brands we work with. Focussing on delivering strategic driven advertising campaigns and digital solutions for lifestyle, fashion and automotive brands. We’ve never been interested in technology for technology’s sake. We apply art and science to solve complex problems for human needs and believe in using design and technology to be agents of change. Our aim is to bridge the gap between the physical and digital world.
What do you think is currently the biggest issue facing the digital and tech industry?
The speed of change and demand for keeping up with new tech and innovation. Due to the sheer amount of data people now receive there’s an increased demand for personalised advertising and products where consumers will specify exactly what they want and it will be delivered to their door - convenience is key in people’s busy lives.
What would you consider to be your organisations biggest challenge?
Attracting and retaining the right level of skills outside of Manchester city centre. Also the pace of change in the digital market - there’s no time to stop otherwise you’ll fall behind, we have to stay ahead of the game.
What do you think the future looks like for Manchester’s digital and tech sector?
The future looks good, albeit the waters are muddied with Brexit at this moment in time with clients tending to delay investment. Talent is an issue particularly quality development skills and a creative flair.
Tell us something we might not know about your company?
Outpost is a family-run business, headed up by myself and my dad. It started out 15 years ago as a telemarketing company known as Opening Doors with some good blue chip clients under its belt. The opportunity to acquire the company came about and they spent the next 13 years transforming the business into a full-service marketing agency working with a range of clients from national restaurant chains to global software companies, later rebranding to Outpost with the aim of taking the business in a new direction; focus our service offering and really take a more targeted approach on which brands we work with.
What is your organisation’s biggest achievement?
Having clients that value our work and staff that are a credit to the agency. It’s been a long journey building the team and culture we have now and having the courage to rebrand the business and go in a new direction. We had aspirations to work for brands we never could of in our previous form and since the rebrand we’ve worked with clients such as Jaguar, Cheaney Shoes, Bear Grylls, Rana and The Hook Group. We’ve also picked up industry recognition and international awards for our Bear Grylls, Verity Studios and The Hook Group websites. We’ve never been a company motivated by glory or fanfare, however, it’s nice to be recognised by your peers.
If you would like to speak to Outpost, you can contact them here.
If you'd like to see your business feature In The Spotlight, contact thom@manchesterdigital.com to make arrangements.
