Luke and Charlie head to C4DI to find out more about Strawberry.
Founded in 1993, Strawberry has become one of East Yorkshire’s leading creative marketing agencies. With both local and international brands and partnerships under their belts, we thought it was about time that we met up with some of the team at their inspiring C4DI office space.
“Our aim here at Strawberry is to make our clients more successful,” explains Digital Director James Greenwood (above right) as we perch on the shark-themed seating area, which gives a playful nod to their view of The Deep. “We work out the problem and then offer a solution, using simple but effective ideas.”
Strawberry are keen to retain a less traditional type of client relationship, emphasising that everything they offer is unique to the individual: “We don’t sell a specific service, such as SEO or social media management," James elaborated. "Instead, we create a partnership around a bespoke solution." This tailored-to-you marketing model is extremely flexible and can mould to suit any type of business: “We really like to get under the skin of our clients.”
For example, local and well-loved jewellers Hugh Rice are just one of the many brands that Strawberry has supported: “Their e-commerce offering has seen huge amounts of growth thanks to our excellent team working hard with their internal team,” enthuses James, “which in turn helps their high street stores to flourish as the brand expands.” Similarly, as a result of Strawberry's services, one retail client achieved the same sales in a single day as they had during the entire month the previous year, which was cause for much celebration.
Meanwhile, Strawberry’s campaign to promote the nearby Fruit Market regeneration project by Wykeland and Beal has a charmingly tangible format. The striking guerrilla graffiti involves unique murals sprawled across the formally abandoned warehouses, informing visitors that Change is Happening. James clarifies on the bold move: “There’s no point in advertising in a newspaper, or using brochures to get through to the Fruit Market audience; the graffiti campaign that Strawberry has delivered definitely suits the hipster, creative vibe of the area.”
This complements Strawberry's membership of the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 Business Club, a new programme aimed at business leaders who want to support the city's year in the spotlight, whilst significantly expanding business networks and opportunities. The video above gives further insight into why the agency is supporting these developments.
Being based at the C4DI, digital is clearly at the heart of the company as they regularly use online resources and tech to guarantee success for their clients. “We employ a vast range of digital tools,” explains James, “from developing bespoke apps and building websites, through to using social media marketing or supporting a campaign with paid search.” Communication between the agency and customer is also done through various mediums, including Slack, FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp: “We use whichever method suits our client, whether that means face-to-face or a quick text message.”
The rest of the year is looking very bright for Strawberry, as they have recently become a Shopify Plus Partner, which has opened up many doors for them locally and internationally. There are only five of these partnerships in the UK, resulting in the Hull business now being strongly linked to other Shopify partners in the US and Canada.
“The C4DI feels like the middle of the world doesn’t it?” James excitedly exclaims. And looking out of their enormous office window at the stunning view of the Humber Estuary and River Hull, he makes a very good point. “We moved here after we watched the building being constructed from our old location at the other side of the bridge. It suddenly became clear; this was going to quickly become the centre of our universe.”
Strawberry is also committed to helping young people to enter the industry through their sister agency StrawberryToo, which is staffed entirely by graduates and apprentices. Visit strawberrytoo.co.uk to find out more.
