Helpline

A DRESSY OCCASION

Q: We want some of our employees to dress up in costumes for a big promotional event. Could you suggest a company to help?

A: Give Rainbow Productions a call (020 8254 5300). Established 25 years ago, it specialises in creating bespoke costume characters.

It has a range of licensed characters, including those from Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and Nickelodeon, which will stand out at a big event. You could have your own character created. The company's art team can come up with the designs and create a high-quality, durable costume.

GOING POSTAL

Q: We have purchased a list for some direct mail we wish to send out, but need someone to handle the mailshot. Who can you recommend?

A: Call Advertise Limited (0163 520 0608). It will run your data through mailsort verification software, which could save you 20% on postal costs. If you require on-going posting, it can store your data and distribute what you wish at short notice. The team is also able to collate data from any source, including hand-written response forms.

SILVER SCREEN

Q: Our company needs some assistance with creating and producing a campaign. Can you suggest anyone?

A: Give The Living Room a call (020 7060 1891). It offers a 'script to screen' service and bespoke communications to meet your objectives.

Once you have approved the script, it will run it through Clearcast to gain authorisation for broadcast. Its in-house creative team can then produce animated ads or arrange actors and voiceover artists if needed.

The Living Room can also conduct audience research, as well as pre- and post-campaign evaluation, to ensure that creative and media strategies are effective and provide maximum ROI. Evaluations include campaign brand and advertising awareness and direct-response sales analysis.

DRIVING BUSINESS

Q: We are keen to promote our business with some branded company vehicles. Who should we contact to assist us with this?

A: Get in touch with Signs Express (08007 312 255). It has more than 80 centres in the UK and Ireland that can add graphics to your vans.

The images will be professionally designed to suit your needs and, by using special drive-in bays, it can change the look of vehicles with a fast turn-around time. Graphics can also be made visible after dark through the use of reflective vinyl.

Business vehicles are seen by an estimated 3000 people an hour, so adding graphics would certainly be effective.

Tel: 020 8267 4305 or email marketing.helpline@haymarket.com

This article was first published on Marketing