My Arse!

Last week was a painful week at Photolink. Over the last three years we have seen a dramatic change in the photographic side of our business. With the evolution of digital cameras (everyone now thinks they can take a professional shot) and reduced margins for retailers we have seen our rates dramatically slashed, with our larger clients using their weight to drive down costs. This has been so dramatic that unfortunately some of our major competitors have been forced into liquidation. Whilst we have maintained healthy profits right across the Group, our still life department has struggled to trade with significant profitability. After much deliberation we agreed to completely re-structure the department to ensure we maintain our competitive lead, this resulted in the departure of a few employees. Not an easy decision but it now future proofs this department and allows us to compete with even the smallest agencies for business. I wish the guys who have departed all the best as they worked extremely hard for the cause and were part of the Photolink family.

Across the rest of the business we are producing some of the best creative I have seen since my arrival at Photolink five years ago. This was echoed in our digital team being awarded a special commendation in the Northwest's Best Digital Agency category at the recent How Do awards. As you might guess Code won the overall award and thoroughly deserved it was. As a dedicated online agency they are the one of the leading agencies outside of London. Their proposition differs greatly to our multi-channel approach which suits our group structure, so our paths don't often cross. More than anything it's nice to see agencies in the north taking on the south and winning. We have also been shortlisted in the Big Chip awards for Best Public Sector Website for www.manchesterconferences.com Fingers crossed.

I have just finished reading yet another book, the autobiography of Ricky Tomlinson. This was a gift to my wife a few years ago but surfaced again during the move. With nothing new to read after Holy Cow I thought I would give it a go. What an amazing life 'Hobo Rick' has led including prison, failed businesses and of course, the Royal family. It's well worth a read and gives you hope that all good things do come to those who wait.