"The team here thrives off positioning destinations in the most creative and effective ways possible."
Janie Ash
Lancaster-based brand and marketing agency, Better with Jam, has set its eyes on business growth following a strategic partnership with Lancaster University and the successful launch of destination websites for both Lancaster and Morecambe.
The business is currently working with Dr Ed McKeever of Lancaster University to offer place making workshops to cities, regions or towns considering how place branding can work for them.
The first workshop in the series took place in Donegal last month, and focused on how the region can create an entrepreneurial legacy following a number of upcoming events including the new Star Wars film which is currently being filmed there, the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open golf tournament, and the Clipper 2017/18 Round the World Yacht Race.
Better with Jam already has significant experience in the place making sector, having launched the websites for both Visit Lancaster and Morecambe Bay in summer 2017 and last month respectively, with the aim of raising the profile and brand of the two destinations.
The relationship between Better with Jam and Lancaster University is long standing, with Better with Jam’s managing director Janie Ash already acting as an entrepreneur in residence and mentor at the university.
Commenting on her agency’s growth plans, Janie said: “As a result of my continued interest and commitment into place making, a key part of Better with Jam’s growth strategy over the next few months will be securing more place making clients. The team here thrives off positioning destinations in the most creative and effective ways possible, and our partnership with Ed at Lancaster University and the workshops we will be delivering is another key part of this.”
Dr Ed McKeever, management and business development fellow at Lancaster University, added: “Janie Ash has a wealth of experience as a brand strategist and entrepreneur and we have a shared belief that in order to really affect social change you need to go beyond the obvious and look at how you personify your brand and communicate with your community. This collaboration of academic and commerce means we are uniquely positioned to offer in-depth consideration with practical solutions. We already have attracted interest from other places to run similar events because these events are the catalyst to crystallise what place branding actually means to everyone.”
