It would be wrong of me not to mention how happy I was last weekend that Middlesbrough finally got promoted back into the Premier League in one of the world’s most expensive games – worth over £172 million in TV rights, I’m told!
It was very much a Cup Final atmosphere in our house, as Grandads, Uncles and kids watched the game (complete with half-time cheese and pickles, and plenty of cups of tea.)
The match itself wasn’t the best sporting spectacle, and Boro played a 1:1 home draw v Brighton, but the scenes afterwards were fantastic, and loaded with emotion. Who says footballers don’t care?
On Monday, still buzzing from the weekend result, I took a long trip to the south coast for a 2pm meeting, and then back to London to check into my Airbnb Manhattan loft-style accommodation. It was lovely!
I’m really loving airbnb at the moment, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an alternative to hotels. The main benefit for me is the people you meet. I’ve met up with so many great people, each with their own stories and helpful advice and tips, when visiting London and other cities.
I met a really interesting guy this week, Eddie Pratt, who is a Product Manager currently working as a consultant on a year-long contract, and stays in London every Monday to Thursday. He was also from Sunderland – but I didn’t hold that against him!
Eddie is also an entrepreneur, and sells a product called Product Snacks, which is a pack of cards that helps Product Managers work a bit ‘smarter’. I actually purchased some, and they were waiting on my desk in Chester-le-Street by the time I’d returned on Thursday.
On Tuesday morning, I had an early appointment with a new client who owns an extremely exclusive restaurant chain, who we’ve started running some email campaigns for (along with design and print).
Typically I didn’t plan for rain, and got soaked walking from Green Park Station to the restaurant. The meeting went really well, and we secured the marketing for a second restaurant on a retainer basis, which made me feel better.
Well, that and the wonderful cappuccino they served me!
Wednesday was a busy day spent in the office at Wework catching up with clients, and just what I needed after being out and about all week. One of our clients, Matt Sedgwick, who has actually become more of a friend, is the founder of Twelve Recruitment, and one of the most helpful people I have had the pleasure meeting during our five months in London.
On Thursday, I was back in the JAK HQ in Chester-le-Street, and had some really good catch up time with the team, and also Chairman and fellow Director, John, who has been helping out for a few days.
I also had a really good meeting with Benjamin Kerry earlier today, who was super interested in the history of JAK, and even took a little walk to our first office on the platform. Quite nostalgic, really!
This week, the teams and offices have been working on loads of things, including the following:-
- Skylive air show program
- 2 branding projects
- Ongoing design for a national charity
- Printing of folders, stickers and business cards
I would also like to say a massive well done to all of the people who took part in the CEO Sleepout at Preston Park on Thursday night. It wasn’t the warmest, so great effort and I hope you raised loads of money.
Here is a link to friend of the business Lee Flanagan’s Just Giving account, if you fancy donating.
Have a great weekend!
Anything is possible,
Andy Knowles
Managing Director
