WHAT associates

20/12/2024

Thank you Steve, Tom and Jo for inviting us to a brilliant party at tonight - we had a brilliant time, thank you x

29/11/2024

Reflection.

Black Friday emails are bombarding our inbox. Having recently watched ‘Buy Now!” On Netflix it’s blatantly obvious that it’s time for a re-think.

Stuff doesn’t make us happy. People and experiences do!

📸: | Christchurch mansion taken on a dog walk at dawn 🌅

05/11/2024

A Faro Christmas looks spectacular!
We love working with Farheen and her team at . Last month, we had the pleasure of photographing their Christmas collection, styled by at Joscelyn’s Barn in Essex. Colourful baubles, hand-printed textiles and festive gifts and décor looked beautifully exuberant 💙 💚

Visit for Christmas inspiration.

Client: Faro
Photographer: 
Stylist:
Location: Joscelyn’s Barn, Essex
Models: Cat Anley & Victoria Gebbert




24/10/2024

During our recent interview at the Herd launch event, we were asked to reflect on the ups and downs of running our business and share some hard-earned lessons. It made us think about the journey we’ve been on, so here are three key insights we’ve learned along the way:

1.Stay level-headed

Running a business comes with its fair share of emotional roller coasters, whether it’s the excitement of a new project or the stress of setbacks. We’ve learned that it’s crucial to stay grounded. There will always be highs and lows, but keeping focused on the bigger vision and pushing forward, with small steps is how you make it through both.

2. Surround yourself with a good crowd.

We feel incredibly lucky to have a strong network of friends, family, and professional mentors who keep us on track. Having people who believe in you, often more than you believe in yourself, is a so important. Regular feedback and support have been essential for us.

3. Don’t take work home.

This is always easier said than done. But we’ve made it a priority to separate our personal life from work life as much as possible. It’s been key not only for maintaining our marriage but also for preserving our creativity as business partners. And importantly, our kids banned “work talk” at home because, quite rightly, they wanted our attention and to spend time with their parents, not business partners.

Everyone’s journey is different, but these three things have helped us stay on course.

If you’re running your own business, what’s your biggest piece of advice?

17/10/2024

Thrilled to have been part of the .hq launch event today. We had a great interview with Lucy Greenwell about the significance of branding, our work with entrepreneurs, and the story behind WHAT. The lunch prepared by was delicious. It was wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces and meet so many inspiring business owners!

We’re looking forward to the next one …

📷 credit: thank you x

15/10/2024

Exciting News! (and slightly terrifying) We are being interviewed at .hq first networking event this Thursday. We’ll be sharing our business journey and discussing the value we add to businesses, of all shapes and sizes.

At WHAT Associates, we specialise in partnering directly with business owners or supporting in-house marketing teams. We understand that in-house teams have invaluable knowledge about your business and customers, but small teams can sometimes face limitations in skills and experience. That’s where we come in! Together, we can energise your team, elevate your marketing, and enhance your overall brand experience while creating deeper connections with your customers.

How We Add Value to Your Business:
Wider Skill Set & Experience ✔️
Inspiration & Enthusiasm ✔️
Cost-Effective & Flexible Resources ✔️
Professionalism and Quality Production ✔️
Fresh Ideas and New Perspectives ✔️
New Customer Insights ✔️
Market Analysis and Positioning ✔️
New Marketing Opportunities ✔️
Marketing Strategies ✔️
Brand Audits ✔️
Brand Refresh ✔️
Short-Term Campaigns to Meet Specific Goals ✔️
Long-Term Strategy to Achieve Your Vision ✔️
Trusted Supplier and Manufacturer Contacts ✔️
Trusted Network Freelance Expertise ✔️
A Commitment to Sustainability ✔️

Our Services Include:
Strategy & Consultancy ✔️
Brand Identity ✔️
Marketing ✔️
Art Direction ✔️
Film & Photography ✔️
Graphic Design ✔️
Signage and Wayfinding ✔️
Website Design and Development ✔️
Packaging & Uniforms ✔️

If you’d like to learn more about how we can work together to support your branding/marketing needs, please get in touch.

20/09/2024

We’re proud to partner with for their 38th annual Rugby Festival. This year, we’ve combined our photography from their ‘Ambition Campaign’ with the shield from the school crest, creating a professional look that reflects the festival’s quality and stature in the UK school sports calendar.

A festival brand toolkit allows for consistent application across all communications strategies and media. This campaign look is key to strengthening St Jo’s brand, and fostering a sense of pride among students, parents, and alumni (and importantly the headline sponsors ).

We can’t wait to see this identity come to life next month as the Festival kicks off!

18-20th October | stjos.co.uk/rugby-festival

18/09/2024

It means so much to us when clients choose to work with us again. Kats Scott, who previously established a successful arts and events company, is now launching HERD, a supportive and friendly networking community.

Starting a new business is exciting, but it comes with its own set of challenges. That’s where we come in (the earlier the better). We guided her through naming, defining a core strategy, we helped her understand her audience and find her voice. And then we crafted a visual identity that captures HERD’s spirit and reflects the rural charm of Suffolk, inspired by the Oxlip flower (the county flower of Suffolk).

Kats Scott: “I’ve enjoyed working with WHAT. They’ve listened to me and may have told my story more clearly than I could have done myself. I love the name. The new identity perfectly captures the spirit of HERD.”

We’re thrilled to support her in this exciting new venture. Read more about this project on our website.

04/09/2024

This morning, we watched the installation of our new signage project. The is encouraging car-sharing with designated spaces in their main car park, a move to cut carbon emissions and promote greener travel.

Rather than simply signposting these spaces, we saw an opportunity to educate and inspire. Our solution highlights the benefits of car sharing and promotes the University’s commitment to sustainability. The signage is made from recyclable aluminium composite and installed using repurposed posts. Huge thanks to Jonny and the team for all your hard work.

03/09/2024

As graphic designers, people often ask us what we do. The answer is simple: we make sense of a complex world.

While some might think creating a map of bus routes isn’t the most exciting brief, we see it differently. For us, graphic design is all about problem-solving and transforming information into clear and engaging visuals. People remember 80% of what they see, compared to just 20% of what they read, which is why infographics are so impactful.

Our latest project for turned a list of bus routes into a simple, user-friendly graphic. It took some working out, but a hugely satisfying conclusion.

When we originally worked on St Jo’s branding, we carefully selected a broad colour palette, distinctive typography and an underpinning grid framework, anticipating the need for a variety of on-brand visuals. This planning ensures every piece, from signage to infographics, remains consistent and true to the brand.

30/08/2024

Time for a little reminder of what’s what!

We are a creative consultancy specialising in branding, design and marketing. At the heart of everything we do is a belief in the power of individuality. With every project, we get to know who you are, what you stand for, and where you want to go.

Our work is as unique as you. Whether you’re starting something new or moving your business forward, we’re here to help you succeed. From strategy and crafted identity to design, photography and colourful marketing campaigns, we bring your story to life.

WHAT makes you shine.

20/08/2024

Does environmental design have to be green? 

For us, environmental design isn’t about using cliché symbols and green, it’s about creating a vibe that feels positive and energetic and is a rallying call for a better, more sustainable future. Our recent work with Suffolk Community Energy Network is a great example of this.

We’re thrilled that Suffolk County Council recognises us as an agency committed to sustainability. Suffolk Climate Change Partnership (SCCP), which includes six local authorities in Suffolk, reached out to us to develop a new identity for the Suffolk Community Energy Network. This network serves as a central hub for local community groups focused on tackling climate change through innovative energy initiatives.

If you want to create a brand identity that stands for something meaningful and inspires positive change, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking to refresh your identity, market your business or start a new project, we’re here to help.

09/08/2024

Callabas is a new independent financial services practice owned by a mother-daughter team, in the Cotswolds.

We were thrilled they wanted to partner with us to launch their new business.

Talking about money can be daunting and overwhelming, especially for some women who have traditionally left finances to their partners.

Key stats:
• 80% of women will manage household finances at some point
• Women will inherit 70% of wealth over the next two generations
• By 2025, 53% of UK millionaires will be female

Despite this, only 15% of financial advisors are women, though 70% of women prefer female advisors. Callabas is here to change that!

Sian and Alice aim to bridge this gap, empowering individuals to take charge of their financial futures with confidence and expertise.

The result is a modern, gender-intelligent identity that stands out in the financial services industry.

“Working with What Associates was a pleasure. They deeply understood our work and values.” — Sian MacInnes

We wish Sian and Alice great success for their new business.

01/08/2024

Colourful marketing - big, bold and impactful. That’s WHAT we do!

It’s great to see the St Jo’s Ambition campaign out there. It never fails to excite us to see our work ‘big’ in the real world!

We’ve got 48-sheet billboards and digital screens on rotation at Felixstowe and Ipswich train stations, perfectly positioned to target high-impact roads and public thoroughfares. This campaign is all about retention and recruitment, showcasing the ambition across the entire school.

What makes you shine. We’re pleased with the results, the bold messaging and the epic nature of the student portraiture have a real impact. The brand identity we worked on 4 years ago is working hard and ever-evolving.

We’re passionate about refining and advancing our clients’ brand messaging. Our comprehensive approach to branding, strategy, design, photography, and production ensures our clients stand out from the competition. We’re proud to partner with , to elevate their narrative.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

31/07/2024

I’m Wendy, today I’m celebrate 11 Years at WHAT associates. This is the longest I’ve worked in one place. Every day is different, every project is unique, so it feels like I’ve had many jobs rolled into one. People often comment on how and I work together 24/7 and can’t believe we’re still happy and a couple. The truth is, we’re in this together, we complement each other’s skills, trust each other’s judgment, and we always have each other’s back. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else. (He’ll probably hate me for this outpouring of affection—we’re not so good at PSAs.) Sorry, Tim!

Running a small business means we’re often caught up in the day-to-day, but it’s so important to take a step back and celebrate the little wins (thank you, LinkedIn, for the reminder!). So, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our journey and all the amazing projects we’ve had the pleasure to work on.

Our mission has always been to celebrate what makes YOU shine. We believe every project should be as unique as the people behind it. Personalised, bespoke creative work that tells your unique story.

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way.

31/07/2024

I’m Wendy, today I’m celebrate 11 Years at . This is the longest I’ve worked in one place. Every day is different, every project is unique, so it feels like I’ve had many jobs rolled into one. People often comment on how and I work together 24/7 and can’t believe we’re still happy and a couple. The truth is, we’re in this together, we complement each other’s skills, trust each other’s judgment, and we always have each other’s back. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else. (He’ll probably hate me for this outpouring of affection—we’re not so good at PSAs.) Sorry, Tim!

Running a small business means we’re often caught up in the day-to-day, but it’s so important to take a step back and celebrate the little wins (thank you, LinkedIn, for the reminder!). So, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our journey and all the amazing projects we’ve had the pleasure to work on.

Our mission has always been to celebrate what makes YOU shine. We believe every project should be as unique as the people behind it. Personalised, bespoke creative work that tells your unique story.

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way.

26/07/2024

We love WHAT we do 💙

When you work with us, you’re not just working with an agency—you’re collaborating directly with two dedicated creative directors who truly care. We listen, respond, and take your insights to heart, transforming complex challenges into creative solutions tailored just for you.

We’re unapologetically a small agency. Working with us is a personal experience, where every client gets the attention they deserve.

We’d like to thank you for being a part of our journey.

14/06/2024

We were pleased to see Penrose Learning Trust mentioned in Tes magazine in their feature about the importance of branding for Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs).

https://www.tes.com/magazine/leadership/strategy/how-growing-trusts-are-approaching-rebrands

Creating a strong brand is essential for any multi-academy trust that wants to attract new schools and high-quality staff.

Our collaboration with Sarah Skinner and Penrose Learning Trust in their rebranding journey has been extremely rewarding. We’ve helped them reimagine their name and identity for the future, and our partnership continues as we support them in implementing and evolving their identity across all their schools.

Rebranding is a delicate process that requires careful consideration and planning. Our approach is rooted in strategy, understanding the culture of an organisation, and seamlessly integrating strategic insights with creative solutions. Drawing from our experience working with educational providers, we offer expertise and knowledge to ensure the success of your project.

If you're looking to strengthen your brand and make a lasting impact in the education sector, please talk to us about how we can support you WHAT associates Ltd.

Rebrands of multi-academy trusts are becoming more common as growth and consolidation in the sector ramp up. Ellen Peirson-Hagger speaks to MAT leaders to find out how they have tackled theirs