All set for Lydd Classic

Runners from all over the south east – and some from even further afield - will be descending upon Lydd on Sunday March 9th for the return of the Lydd Parish Half Marathon.

The race was once a popular part of the south east road running calendar but has been absent now for a number of years. Race organisers Nice Work, sister company of Diligence Media and marketing, are anticipating around 250 runners of all standards - from novice joggers to seasoned competitors - to line up for the main event. "The return of the race seems to have been well received and we’ve attracted a healthy number of entrants already” says Race Director Martin Burke “But there will still be spaces available for those who want to sign up on the day – and we’re also hoping for a strong entry in both the 2 mile Fun Run and Children’s Race”

The Half Marathon race is over a flat, route along towards Dungeness before joining the Coast Road to Greatstone. The course is proving popular both for those in training for this year’s London Marathon and for those looking for a fast time.

Proceeds from the race are being shared between local good causes allocated by the Mayor of Lydd and to the Kent MS Therapy Centre.

The Half Marathon starts at 10.00 am with the Fun Run at 10.15. Both races will be preceded by a Children’s Race at 9.30.

All finishers will receive a medal and a Goody Bag and there are prizes for the leading runners. Any enquires to Martin Burke 01797 230730 or visit http://www.nice-work.org.uk/

Davis in Christmas Cracker triumph

James Davis stormed to victory in Sunday’s Kent Christmas Cracker 5 mile race at Fowlmead Country Park on Sunday morning. The Invicta East Kent Runner covered the traffic-free course in 27 minutes and 40 seconds to win by almost two minutes. Essex runner Scott Tilson was second, while Deal Tri's Jason Read was third.

Jill Cliff, from Deal Tri was first lady home in 31.04, with Victoria Talbot-Rosner (Invicta East Kent) second and Lindsey Shing (Sevenoaks AC) third. Deal Tri scooped both the Men’s and Ladies team titles.

Over 130 entries were received for this inaugural event at Fowlmead organised by Diligence sister company, Nice Work. The company has confirmed that the event will return in 2008. The race was organised to raise funds for Martha Trust who provide care for profoundly disabled young adults at two residential homes near Deal.

The Christmas spirit – and Christmas Puds! - were in plentiful supply for runners taking part in both the main race and the Children’s 1 Mile Santa Dash – and there was also a warming glass of punch and mince pie on hand for finishers on a bright, sunny, but bitterly cold morning.

More information from Martin Burke at Nice Work 01797 230730.

All set for a Christmas Cracker

Runners from all over the south east – and some from even further afield - will be descending upon Fowlmead Country Park in Sholden, near Deal on Sunday for the second running of the Kent Christmas Cracker.

Advance entries for the charity road running race to raise funds for Martha Trust indicate that around 200 runners of all ages will be descending upon the Park for the event.

The race is organised to raise money for Martha Trust by Diligence Media and Marketing via their specialist road running sister company Nice Work. Race Director Martin Burke is anticipating a good humoured day with festive fun a priority: "In addition to medals for all finishers, each particpant will collect a Christmas Pudding when they finish - and there will be mulled wine and mince pies for everybody too. We’ve attracted a great entry already – but there will still be spaces available for those who want to sign up on the day”

The 5 mile race is over a flat, traffic-free course utlising the purpose-built cycle road in the park. The race starts at 10.30 am with a Children's Race taking place at 10.15.

In addition to the Kent Christmas Cracker, the company is organising the Christmas Pudding Dash on December 22nd, which has already attracted almost 350 runners, the Lydd Half Marathon on March 9th and the Rye Summer Series in the summer of 2008.

Any enquires to Martin Burke 01797 230730 or visit http://www.nice-work.org.uk/

New design agency launched!

Diligence is here!

Hastings-based design studio, Pixel Puppet, and Rye marketing consultancy Nice Work have formally merged to form a new marketing, communications and design agency.

The new company, Diligence Media and Marketing commenced trading on November 1st 2007.

The decision to bring the two companies together follows a successful 12 month collaboration period between the two founding partnerships. Martin Burke, Marketing Director of Diligence, says: "The new company has been formed to help both companies meet the growing needs of their clients. As a result, Diligence can now offer a true one-stop marketing shop with website and traditional design, media and PR, copywriting, marketing services and event management all now available under one roof.

“Our core values are to provide a quality service to our clients and provide value for money. We believe that working better rather than working differently will make us stand out from the crowd – which is why we're as comfortable working with business start-ups as we are with large international companies.

Client Services Director, Gareth Jones says: “Diligence is a results-driven business and with its roots stretching back almost twenty years, we have the experience to address the most pressing website, advertising, design and marketing needs.

“Although we’ve only been working as a team for 12 months, we’re proud of our growing reputation for great service, the quality of our creative work and our competitive prices”
Both the Nice Work and Pixel Puppet brands will be retained. Nice Work will continue to provide event management services, primarily in the entertainment and road running sectors. The Pixel Puppet brand will also be retained for future web-based projects.

Diligence will be based at two East Sussex offices – in Hastings and in Peasmarsh near Rye.
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Note to Editors:

Diligence Media and Marketing is a traditional marketing, design and communivations agency. Amongst the services we offer are:

· Traditional branding, design and print
· Website design and build
· Internet marketing and net optimisation, including a low-cost Blogging service
· eMail, database and direct mail marketing
· Marketing services and support
· Event management

Directors
Creative Director James Marchant
Client Services Director Gareth Jones
Marketing Director Martin Burke
Company Secretary Cathy Burke

Contact details:

Telephone: 0844 544 7278

Diligence in Hastings
18 Wellington Square,
Hastings,
East Sussex,
TN34 1PB
Direct Line: 01424 461827

Diligence in Rye
Unit 4,
Malthouse Business Park,
Peasmarsh,
TN31 6ST
Direct Line: 01797 230730

Click here to visit the Diligence website.

A Double Christmas Cracker!!

The Christmas spirit – and Christmas Puds! - will be in plentiful supply for runners taking part in two special Christmas races being organised by specialist event manager Nice Work.

The Christmas Pudding Dash race takes place at Ashburnham Place, near Battle; whilst the Kent Christmas Cracker takes place at Fowlmead Country Park. Runners will be looking to cover the 5 mile courses to raise money for Martha Trust, which has residential homes for the profiundly disabled in both Hastings and Deal. Finishers of both events will receive a Christmas pudding as they cross the finishing line – with a warming glass of punch on hand as well.

The Kent race is set to take place on Sunday 16th December, with the Battle event taking place on the following Saturday (22nd) and anybody over 15 is welcome to take part. In addition to the main 5 mile race there’s also a 2 mile fun run and a Children’s 1 mile race.

Emily Shepherd, of Martha Trust says: “We are really pleased to be holding these races for the second time and we're really grateful for the help and support offered to us by Nice Work and Diligence Media and Marketing. We had tremendous races last year with over 500 runners taking part in the two races. Whilst it is our number one priority to ensure that the runners enjoy themselves I hope we can raise a good amount of money to help Martha Trust continue providing for the profoundly disabled.

Entry forms are available from Martha Trust (01424 757960); from the organisers, Nice Work, on 01797 230730; by email at info@nice-work.org.uk or by visiting www.nice-work.org.uk

Nice Work retains Sea Space account

Nice Work has been reappointed for a further year as the marketing, PR and event management provider for two of the Sea Space projects in East Sussex.

Sea Space is the economic development company for Hastings and Bexhill and was set up by the regional development agency and local councils to help create a vibrant, prosperous future for this part of England's south coast.

Nice Work provides marketing, communications, PR, media and event management services to two of the Sea Space projects - The East Sussex Enterprise Hub and The eBiz Centre. The company has worked with The EBiz Centre, formerly The Broadband Centre, for four years now and has helped both to raise its profile and to ensure its workshop programme becomes an established part of the local business scene. Nice Work has responsibility for recruiting delegates to the workshops and has been instrumental in helping to post 'House Full' signs on the majority of events. In addition to delegate recruitment, Nice Work also provides on the day Delegate Management Services.

The company has also been re-appointed to a similar role for The East Sussex Enterprise Hub. The Enterprise Hub Network focuses on entrepreneurial individuals and companies, helping them to bring ideas to market quickly and profitably. It is built around a team of commercial experts, based in Hubs right across the South East. Nice Work will be focusing on assisting the two East Sussex Hub sites in Eastbourne and Hastings.

The contract between Nice Work and Sea Space is for a further year through to 2008 and was secured after a formal tendering process. Martin Burke from Nice Work says "We are delighted to renew our arrangements with both the Hub and the eBiz centre. Our work over the last few years has played its part in raising the profile of both organisations - and we look forward to bringing new and fresh marketing ideas to the relationship".

Tools by Post

Pixel Puppet have announced yet another new business gain.

www.toolsbypost.com is a Hastings-based company selling quality tools, outdoor products and hardware. In addition to a thriving online business, the company has a retail business in the town which has been established for over 45 years.

Pixel Puppet was appointed by www.toolsbypost.com to maintain their large e-commerce store. But, with a move of the parent company to a larger out of town facility imminent, Pixel Puppet has also been asked to help in additional media and brand-building work.

Gareth Jones from Pixel Puppet says: "This is an exciting project for us because it once again demonstrates the range of services we are now able to offer our clients. Website build and maintenance has traditionally been core business for us - but our alliance with Nice Work enables us to offer the media, brand building and event management expertise required by our client"

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Wild about Mushrooms!

The humble mushroom is providing another boost to the Nice Work/Pixel Puppet alliance. East Sussex-based Orchidwood Mushrooms is Britain’s only specialist processor of frozen mushrooms to the food manufacturing industry.

In addition to providing mushrooms for the food industry, the company also markets a range of wild mushrooms via a dedicated e-commerce website designed, branded and developed by Pixel Puppet.

Now, with continued growth and interest in the wild mushroom market, particularly amongst Britain's home chefs, Pixel Puppet and Nice Work have been appointed to improve brand awareness and increase revenues.

The company was considering a sponsored advertising campaign, using search engines but Martin Burke from Nice Work says: "Before embarking on a PPC (Pay per click) campaign, we need to make sure Wild about Mushrooms enjoys higher brand awareness. We will be undertaking an intensive profile-raising campaign using traditional PR and events, but also incorporating a new Power Site (Blog) and HTML email campaigns"

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Storm rising in East Sussex

Pixel Puppet and Nice Work have been appointed to help launch a brand new two seater sports car to the UK market. Heathfield-based Dream Machines, an existing client of Pixel Puppet, have secured exclusive rights to import the San Storm into Europe and the Pixel/Nice Work team are now hard at work developing branding proposals and a comprehensive marketing plan to launch the Storm onto the UK market.

The San Storm is expected to make a huge impact in the highly competitive sports-car market - its green credentials means the Storm is a genuine sporty alternative to the traditional ‘green’ car with a number of exciting attributes highly relevant to today’s consumer including:

• Low emissions - the car qualifies for the low £30 road tax
• Low emissions - the two-seater is a true 'green' car
• Quality engine manufacturer – the car carries a Renault engine, meaning reliability and easy access to spares
• Economical - up to 70 mpg means the Storm is economical to run
• Stylish - a real head turner!
• Low insurance costs
• Competitively priced - the Storm is expected to retail at under £10,000

Creative Director James Marchant says: "This is a great account win for the new team and justifies our decision to combine Pixel Puppet's creative resources with the marketing expertise provided by Nice Work"

Martin Burke from Nice Work was delighted with the new business win: "Our appointment to manage the launch of the Storm reflects the depth of our experience, the quality of our ideas as well as our ability to respond quickly to a client's needs. We were able to offer Dream Machines a combined strategic and creative resource with a real understanding of the brand's - and the client's - needs.”

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Pixel Puppet/Nice Work alliance pays off!

The decision by Hastings-based design studio Pixel Puppet and Peasmarsh-based Marketing Services company Nice Work to form a strategic alliance has begun paying dividends with a number of high profile new business gains over the last 2 months.

The two companies have been working closely together for around 12 months and the decision to bring the partnership closer together has been taken with a view to a formal merger later in the year.

In the meantime, the two companies have scored some spectacular new business successes with financial services giant Legal & General, national charity the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign amongst the companies now added to the client list.

Martin Burke, Nice Work partner says: "The addition of a design element and the new business structure means we can better meet the growing needs of our clients. In addition to offering a complete outsourced marketing support service for companies, we are now able to deliver a high quality design service. And our success in attracting organisations such as Legal & General Insurance shows the strategy is working!"

Closer to home Burt Family Butchers, in Bexhill, suppliers of wholesale meats to caterers have appointed Pixel Puppet to produce a new website and undertake an email campaign; and Tools by Post have also appointed Pixel Puppet to redesign their existing website.

Pixel Puppet Creative Director James Marchant says: "I'm really pleased with the way the partnership between our two companies has strengthened our service offering. Our new business progress - particularly amongst the East Sussex SME sector - represents a tremendous start to our new year. Clients such as Burts and Tools by Post are significant because they have major growth potential."

Both Nice Work and Pixel Puppet are keen to look at marketing and/or design projects for companies and organisations of all sizes so why not contact Nice Work or Pixel Puppet today for a no-obligation discussion and a free Marketing Review?

Summer Series entries up for Rye Classic

There has been strong early interest for this year’s Rye Summer Classic Series with entries received from runners up on last year.

This year’s series kicks off with a 10K race on Friday July 13th with two 5K races taking place on Friday August 24th and Friday September 14th. The Series, which is supported by 1066 Country Marketing, is staged at the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Race Director Martin Burke is hopeful that runners of all standards - from novice joggers to seasoned competitors - will help make this second running of the series another success and confirm the event’s place on the Sussex road running scene. "The distance of the three races means that all are perfect for beginners as well as experienced runners - and the flat course should ensure some good times as well".

All finishers will receive a medal and in addition to race and series prizes, the top performer over all three races wins an all-expenses paid trip to race in France in November.

Proceeds from the series are being shared between the Memorial care Centre in Rye, St Michael's Hospice and the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Race entries and enquires to Martin Burke 01797 230730 - or visit the Nice Work website

Strollers rack up a half century!

The 4th Stroll for St Michaels – the annual three day sponsored walk to raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice – has attracted its 50th participant!

The walk has raised over £10,000 over the last three years and the organisers, Peasmarsh-based event management company Nice Work are confident that this year’s event will be the biggest – and best – ever.

Organiser Martin Burke says “With our 50th person now signing up, we’re confident that this is going to be a bumper year for Strollers – but we’ve still got a few places left if anybody else cares to join us. This is now a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, is a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for St Michaels Hospice in a healthy and fun way. This year is also very special – because its our first time in Belgium with a unique opportunity to sample the sights and sounds of Bruges”

This year the Stroll coincides with the Pageant of the Golden Tree in Bruges’ historic centre. The pageant only takes place every four years and this colourful spectacle, with almost 2,000 participants and floats will parade through the streets of Bruges.

Walkers of all ages – from youngsters to the more mature – will be covering some of the most beautiful Flanders countryside and take in many places of historic interest en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route and the overnight base in the centre of Bruges will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.

The route is primarily flat and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required and if you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Stroll is fully funded.

The 4th Annual Stroll for St Michaels takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with a coach departure from Hastings on Saturday morning – returning to the town on Monday evening.

In addition to the coach, back-up vehicles will also carry basic first aid facilities and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. All meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the walk are provided.

For more information, contact organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730 or visit the Nice Work website

Strollers in search of Windmills

Nearly 40 people have already signed up for this year’s Stroll for St Michaels and Stroll for Martha – the annual three day sponsored walk to raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice and Martha Trust.

The walk has raised over £10,000 over the last three years and this year the Stroll is based in the mediaeval Belgian city of Bruges - with the stay in the ‘Venice of the North’ coinciding with the Pageant of the Golden Tree in Bruges’ historic centre. The pageant only takes place every four years - a colourful spectacle, with almost 2,000 participants and floats parading through the streets of the city.
The Stroll covers some of the beautiful Flanders countryside, taking in many places of historic interest, with a number of museums and places of interest for participants en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route and the overnight base in the centre of Bruges will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.

The event is perfect for people of all ages and families are welcome to participate. The route is primarily flat and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.

If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Stroll is fully funded.

Organiser Martin Burke from Peasmarsh-based event company Nice Work says “This is our 4th Stroll – and it is proving by far our most popular and only a few places now remain. I would urge those who are considering joining us to ensure that their places are reseved. The walk has once again attracted families as well as individuals with our youngest walker aged just 11 years old.”

The 4th Annual Stroll for St Michaels and Martha takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with a coach departure from both Hastings and Dover on Saturday morning – returning to the towns on Monday evening.

In addition to the coach, back-up vehicles will also carry basic first aid facilities and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. All meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the walk are provided.

For more information, contact organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730; email info@nice-work.org.uk or visit the Nice Work website

Pixel Puppet takes on Wellington!

Hastings-based design studio Pixel Puppet is gearing up for further expansion with a move to larger premises in Wellington Square in the town. The four year old studio is enjoying its busiest ever year and larger premises are needed to accommodate additional staff and resources.

James Marchant, Creative Director of Pixel Puppet says: “Growth of our local and national client base and the expansion of our support services mean we’ve now outgrown two premises! The move to Wellington Square will also allow us to further grow and expand our service offerings while maintaining our town centre location”

Since its formation, Pixel Puppet has experienced rapid expansion, with recent growth coming from new business activities as well as from existing customers. In addition to the move, the studio has also announced that it is strengthening its strategic alliance with marketing and event consultancy Nice Work. The two organisations have been working closely on a number of projects since 2006 and are anticipating a closer working relationship in the months to come. To mark this alliance, Pixel Puppet has also relaunched its website which you can see by clicking here

In addition to critically acclaimed design work, Pixel Puppet is now able to offer a much broader range of marketing and communications services to its clients including:

· Copywriting, artwork and design services
· Website design and build plus a range of e-marketing services
· Media and PR
· Direct and database marketing, campaign handling, fulfilment and enquiry handling facilities

Pixel Puppet’s new offices are located at 18, Wellington Square, Hastings – right in the town centre and easily accessible for Pixel Puppet’s growing local client base. Telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses and website address remain the same.
Pixel Puppet will continue to share a second office in Peasmarsh with Nice Work.

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For more information on the range of services now available, click here:

Or e-mail James Marchant james@pixelpuppet.co.uk

Stroll Number 4 set for the Windmills of Bruges

Details have been announced of the 4th Stroll for St Michaels – the annual three day sponsored walk to raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice.

The walk has raised over £10,000 over the last three years and the organisers, Peasmarsh-based event management company Nice Work are looking to add substantially to that figure with this year’s walk.

This year the Stroll is based in the mediaeval Belgian city of Bruges and the stay in the ‘Venice of the North’ also coincides with the Pageant of the Golden Tree in Bruges’ historic centre. The pageant only takes place every four years and this colourful spectacle, with almost 2,000 participants and floats will parade through the streets of Bruges — and you can be there to watch!

The Stroll will cover some beautiful Flanders countryside and take in many places of historic interest, with a number of museums and places of interest for participants en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route and the overnight base in the centre of Bruges will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.

The event is perfect for people of all ages and families are welcome to participate. The route is primarily flat and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required. If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Stroll is fully funded.

Organiser Martin Burke says: “This is now a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, is a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for St Michaels Hospice in a healthy and fun way. This year is also very special – because its our first time in Belgium with a unique opportunity to take in the Pageant”.

The 4th Annual Stroll for St Michaels takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with a coach departure from Hastings on Saturday morning – returning to the town on Monday evening. In addition to the coach, back-up vehicles will also carry basic first aid facilities and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. All meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the walk are provided.

For more information, contact organisers Nice Work by visiting the Nice Work website.http://www.nice-work.org.uk/event_item.php?item=145