Marketeers head for Suffolk

SUFFOLK is set to host a prestigious regional conference for marketing and business professionals offering insights into marketing triumphs including the 2012 London Olympics bid.

The Charterered Institute of Marketing Autumn Conference takes place at the Trinity Conference Centre, near Ipswich, on Thursday, October 11, from 9am.

Speakers will include David Magliano, the award-winning marketer behind the London 2012 Olympics campaign, who will be giving the inside story on the capital's surprise bid triumph.

Delegates will also learn how Suffolk company Challs took on the big boys after changing the packaging design for its Buster plughole care products as brand manager Maggie Walters relates its David-versus-Goliath marketing success story.

Marketing strategy guru Professor Paul Fifield will explain how after 30 years at the head of his field, he is still listening, watching and learning, and Angela Wright will be explaining how colour affects your bottom line.

The event, sponsored by the East Anglian Daily Times, Suffolk Business Magazine and Business Link, is organised by the Norfolk & Suffolk branch of the CIM.

“This is the fourth time we have held this annual conference in Suffolk,” said the CIM's eastern region director Jonathan Hart.

“It's a pleasure to present an excellent line-up with the support of the East Anglian Daily Times, Suffolk Business Magazine and Business Link.

“Attending the conference is useful for all marketers, business people and entrepreneurs looking to learn and be inspired.

“I am confident our Norfolk & Suffolk branch that organises this conference will yet again offer a day well spent. I am looking forward to hearing our speakers.”

Mr Magliano, MBE, Director of Marketing for London 2012, will describe his efforts to build UK public support and present London's bid to the International Olympic Committee as he took on “the World's Biggest Pitch”.

Before London 2012, Mr Magliano was sales and marketing director of two low-cost airlines - Go, of which he was a founder, and Easyjet.

He is the only person to have been named UK Marketer of the Year twice after winning the title in 1999 and again in 2005, and in September 2006 he was named Global CMO of the Year by Advertising Age.

He was awarded an MBE in 2006 after masterminding the campaign for what has been described as the fiercest competitive pitch of all time - the 2012 Olympic Games.

He gives the inside story from the meticulous planning of the early stages, through to the lobbying, plotting and behind-the-scenes antics of the final rounds.

Conference speaker Ms Wright, who has used her colour expertise to help a host of high-profile businesses from BT, ICI Paints and Euro Tunnel to The Body Shop, Motorola and HM Prison Service, will explain how colour profoundly affects behaviour, and how scientifically it is the principal cue to composition and the first thing everyone looks to for information.

Ms Walters, who worked for children's craft brand Crayola before joining Challs, will describe how the company, a finalist in three categories of the 2007 Norfolk & Suffolk CIM Marketing Excellence Awards and winner of the Product of the Year title, competed with major players with far bigger budgets as it sought to grow the Buster brand.

Chas Williams, a partner at m62visualcommunications, will show how by using mnemonic techniques and passively stimulating the brain to pay attention, you can make your presentations more engaging, more memorable and more effective. Mr Williams, who has more than 25 years' sales, marketing and training experience has been successful in selling and presenting at board level to blue chip organisations all over the world. He has spent the last 12 years helping companies improve their presentations and how they present them.

President of the CIM Southern Region Professor Fifield, who is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing since 1988, and an elected member of CIM Council from 1999 to 2001 and the CIM International Board of Trustees Management from 2002 to 2004, will discuss generic marketing strategies for businesses.

The CIM Autumn Conference takes place from 9am to 4pm, and costs £80 plus VAT per person including lunch and refreshments for members, £120 plus VAT for non-members and £30 plus VAT for CIM studying members.

Bookings made before September 21 will be eligible for a £20 plus VAT discount except for CIM studying members. For more information or to book a place, call 0141 221 7700 or visit www.cim.co.uk/events.