Frame of Mind

The latest thinking from our insatiably curious Frameworkers.

  • Abstract pixel art composed of large squares in shades of light blue, teal, dark green, and coral pink on a pale blue background.

    The Prompt: The art of AEO: are you part of the conversation?

    Answer engine optimisation (AEO) isn’t about gaming AI search or mangling your website to suit machines. It’s about creating an honest, authoritative version of your expertise that an LLM can actually use.

    By Louise Sheeran | | AI

  • Pixelated abstract gradient transitioning from pale peach at the bottom left to dark brownish-red at the top right.

    The Prompt: Your audience isn’t a persona. It’s a moving target.

    The supply of brand knowledge is changing – but so is the demand. Brands must understand the evolving questions, needs and cares of the people they want to get close to.

    By Louise Sheeran | | AI

  • Pixelated abstract grid of light blue, white, and dark blue squares on a solid blue background.

    The Prompt: Your brand has got the answers. AI just can’t find them.

    You don’t need to create a second universe of AI content; you just need to make the gold already sitting in your brand content accessible to AI.

    By Louise Sheeran | | AI

  • The word "search" spelled out in green geometric shapes with yellow sparkle accents against a purple background.

    The Prompt: Your brand content is losing you AI search – but it could be the solution

    The way people discover brands is changing fast.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | AI

  • Minimalist black line drawing of a seated fox on a white background.

    I am challenging: James

    Meet the challenging people who own The Frameworks. James, our Partner and Senior Manager, explains why we should all focus on what matters in a time of big change, and gets his magnifying glass out for the latest Richard Osman novel.

    By James Trowman | | Culture

  • Overhead view of hands operating a vinyl record player, overlaid with large, stylized yellow typography that reads Resonance.

    The Prompt: Being known is no longer enough in an AI world

    In the early days of the internet, the idea that anyone would buy something virtually felt inconceivable. To part with your hard-earned cash, you needed to see and feel a product for yourself, or build a personal relationship with a salesperson.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | AI

  • I am challenging: Janelle

    Meet the challenging people who own The Frameworks. Janelle, our Senior Writer and Editor, encourages fellow Frameworkers to shake things up with their footwear and B2B brands to get in touch with their musical side.

    By Janelle Blasdel | | Culture

  • Abstract graphic design on a light lavender background featuring bold, geometric letter-like shapes in coral orange, bright green, and dark navy blue. Small text on the left reads, "THE PROMPT / CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AI."

    The Prompt: Are your brand guidelines ready to deliver behaviour?

    Sandra Peat spent 18 months researching how brands create meaning through behaviour. She tells us that most B2B companies are designing for a world that no longer exists.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | AI

  • Geometric graphic in green, yellow, and lavender shapes, featuring the text, THE PROMPT / CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AI in the lower right.

    The Prompt: AI, ACL tears and building stronger, more resilient brands

    How do you future-proof your brand in an AI world? Senior writer Janelle Blasdel explores this question with a leap into skiing and a determination to never tear her ACL again.

    By Janelle Blasdel | | AI

  • I am challenging: Charlotte

    Meet the challenging people who own The Frameworks. Charlotte, our Senior Writer and Editor, dares brands to say less, not more – and reveals why she tries to look out for life's little absurdities.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Culture

  • Abstract geometric graphic design featuring bold lavender and yellow stylized shapes on an orange-red background, accompanied by text reading, "THE PROMPT / CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AI."

    The Prompt: AI; didn’t read. Why audiences are craving personality

    As AI changes how people view content, how should writers adapt? Our senior writer, Charlotte, speaks to Alys Key, a business and tech journalist, about how – and when – to stand out from the machines.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | AI

  • Black handwritten text on a white background reading: live and let's be kind.

    I am challenging: Rose

    Meet the challenging people who own The Frameworks. Rose, our Design Director, challenges herself to get back into drawing and for everyone to find joy in the small things.

    By Rose Stewart | | Culture

  • Geometric graphic poster spelling the word ACCESS in bold, abstract typography using yellow, dark blue, and green shapes, with text reading The Prompt: Challenging Conversations About AI.

    The Prompt: Using AI to create a more accessible (and dynamic) digital future

    Welcome back to The Prompt, a series tackling all the big questions about building B2B brands in an AI world.

    By Sergio Agosti | | AI

  • Symmetrical black-and-white pixel art pattern forming concentric geometric squares.

    Imaginative businesses come out on top. Are you one of them?

    At The Frameworks, we know first-hand how valuable imagination is. In today’s climate of rapid transformation and AI, imaginative businesses come out on top.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | Business

  • Abstract geometric typography on a purple background reading "WHAT DOES AI" with a small logo and text in the bottom right corner reading "THE PROMPT / CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AI."

    The Prompt: What does AI think of your brand? And why does it matter?

    The way people discover and experience brands is changing. Unlike traditional search where a range of responses appear, AI platforms give clear, authoritative answers.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | AI

  • Red painted brush lettering on a white background reads: "WORK SO FAST YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO THINK!", surrounded by dynamic arrows and brushstroke accents.

    I am challenging: Ross

    Meet the challenging people who own The Frameworks. Ross, our Design Director, challenges himself to slow down his creative process and the industry to give the next generation a chance.

    By Ross Sweetmore | | Culture

  • Abstract geometric graphic with bold shapes in coral, yellow, and lavender, accompanied by text in the upper right reading, "THE PROMPT / CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AI."

    The Prompt: Why brand matters more than ever in an AI world

    Welcome to The Prompt, a series tackling all the big questions about building B2B brands in an AI world.

    By Louise Sheeran | | AI

  • A five-box empty word puzzle row on an orange background, with the clue below reading: Game innovation primarily transformed brand reputation (5).

    Why it pays to play in B2B

    Games aren’t just for fun – they can shape a serious engagement strategy.

    By Rose Stewart | | Strategy

  • A bright orange sticky note on a white background with the handwritten text "think Big" in black marker.

    Imagination: the missing metric in your business strategy

    Imagine an alternative world where humans were incapable of conceptual thought.

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • Minimalist black line illustration of a coffee cup filled with dark liquid on an orange background.

    How a coffee chain helped me make peace with AI

    What does a copywriter actually think about AI? Charlotte Irwin reveals how a coffee chain's arrival on her local high street helped her finally make peace with the technology. Yes, really.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Creative

  • Handwritten all-caps black text on a white background, filled with phrases related to media and streaming, such as “Now playing,” “Are you still watching,” and various song and show titles. The dense text at the top gradually dissipates down the page, leaving wide gaps of white space until only scattered words remain, concluding with the spaced-out letters of the word “SILENCE” across the bottom.

    I am challenging: Myles

    Meet the challenging people who own The Frameworks. Every day, we challenge ideas, expectations, one other – and, most importantly, ourselves. This series unpicks the ideas and motivations our people are getting to grips with right now.

    By Myles Walsh | | Culture

  • A man in a light blue suit stands in the center of a modern tech exhibition booth, facing a large vertical screen displaying an interactive presentation for G42's Intelligence Grid. Overhead, a wide illuminated sign reads, HOME OF THE INTELLIGENCE GRID FOR AI-NATIVE SOCIETIES, while other attendees mingle in the background.

    Putting AI first: how the UAE is transforming conversations, brands and societies

    Ben Bush reflects on an inspiring week at GITEX GLOBAL, where 200,000 people descended on Dubai from more than 180 countries. And all of them wanted to talk about AI.

    By Ben Bush | | Business

  • A black-and-white ink illustration of a tortoise and a hare racing side by side against a white background.

    Cracking the code: How AI is transforming high-pressure digital development

    When you’re faced with a jaw-dropping deadline for a show-stopping digital project, the heat is on.

    By Sergio Agosti | | Creative

  • Concentric black and white rings forming a target on a coral-red background, with a red L-shaped block covering the upper-right quadrant of the center circle.

    Creativity needs investment, not just permission

    We have made a very important discovery: successful businesses use their imagination.

    By David Alexander | | Business

  • A 3D-rendered computer cooling fan with blue and orange lighting, featuring overlaid text reading "Data Centers" highlighted in the center, surrounded by industry terms including "Cloud," "Cybersecurity," "Defense," "Education," and "Energy."

    We’re creating new experiences with AI – but we still need imagination

    AI is changing how we create. But generating content at scale can be a challenge. To make G42’s AI vision for The Intelligence Grid a reality, we knew we needed something very human to succeed: imagination.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Business

  • White text on a bright orange-red background reading, "Collaboration is good for business."

    Forget the lone genius, creativity is a team sport

    Do you secretly harbour the desire to be your company’s creative genius? As much as you might want to bask in the glory alone, the most powerful – and profitable – business ideas and strategies come from a cross-team effort. And our research has proven it.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Creative

  • Solid red arrow pointing to the right

    What’s next? The answer is already in the room

    There's a moment in every project when you've done all the research you can possibly do. The market analysis is thorough, the customer insights are rich, the competitive landscape is mapped with precision.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Strategy

  • The word Hello in bold white letters overlaid with the Arabic word for hello, Marhaba, in lime green script against a black background.

    A new chapter – and a new Frameworker.

    The region had been on our radar as a hotbed of tech innovation for some time. But towards the end of last year we began to realise just how significant an opportunity the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could be for The Frameworks.

    By Ben Bush | | Business

  • Abstract white chalk-textured lines, loops, dots, and geometric shapes drawn on a solid black background.

    Storytelling and imagination in the age of AI

    One upon a time, there was a creative strategist…

    By Sophie Meadows | | Strategy

  • Two smiling women standing together indoors in front of a modern staircase. The woman on the left has long blonde hair and wears a cream knit top, while the woman on the right has brown hair and wears a patterned blue blouse.

    Me Now: Daisy Lockheart and Erin Wondra

    “Me now” is our series of women talking to women about being in the creative industries today. Daisy Lockheart, Senior Account Director, and Erin Wondra, Business Director, share what drew them to the creative industries – and the must-have superpower for anyone who works with clients.

    By Daisy Lockheart | | Culture

  • A grid of twelve abstract, minimalist line-drawn faces in black ink arranged in three rows on a solid bright orange background.

    Investigating imagination: our research proves it drives business success

    In our 35 years as a business, we’ve come to know first-hand the value of imagination. We’ve seen how it can drive real success, not only for our clients – for us, too.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | Strategy

  • Two smiling women pose side by side in front of a flint stone wall, one wearing a black coat and white turtleneck and the other wearing a green coat with glasses on her head.

    Me Now: Sharon Booth and Sheri Brissenden

    “Me now” is our series of women talking to women about being in the creative industries today. Sharon Booth, Finance Partner, and Sheri Brissenden, HR Partner, discuss the creative side of accounting and not believing in failure.

    By Sheri Brissenden | | Culture

  • Two playing cards side-by-side. The black card on the left reads, "Don’t let fancy analysis or a fear of failure stifle _______." The white card on the right reads, "Your creative thinking."

    Great barrier relief: how uniting data and imagination can supercharge business success

    In the UK at least, there’s an artificial – and frankly unhealthy – societal divide between the arts and the sciences. Apparently, you’re either in one camp or the other. But when it comes to business strategy, bringing creative thinking and scientific rigour together turns out to be a winning formula.

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • Black and white portrait of a man with wavy graying hair and a beard resting his head on his hand in a thoughtful pose.

    Give way at the next junction: 35 years of The Frameworks

    For the first time in 35 years, I have reached a career crossroads. It’s hard to believe. I generally ignore SatNavs and I have run a few red lights in my time, often paying the price along the way. But, just as I found with my first change of direction in the late 1980s, you find extraordinary people at the “give way” sign; sometimes they even let you in.

    By Terry Brissenden | | Business

  • Stylized geometric white number 35 on a black background with a fading reflection below.

    The year we turned 35

    In 2024, The Frameworks celebrated 35 years in business – and it got us feeling more than a little nostalgic.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Culture

  • Two smiling young blonde women sitting side by side on a yellow couch in front of sheer curtains. The woman on the left wears a white lace-trimmed blouse, and the woman on the right wears a black top with gold jewelry.

    Me Now: The two Ellies

    “Me now” is our series of women talking to women about being in the creative industries today. Ellie Downs, Senior Account Manager, and Ellie Hennessey, Insights Lead, talk about the joy of variety and why reading widely is vital for coming up with good ideas.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | Culture

  • Three overlapping interface panels showing an AI image creation workflow: a text prompt panel describing a squirrel in snow, an adjustment panel with sliders, and the resulting photo of a squirrel leaping through deep snow.

    Powered by imagination: how I’m making stock imagery creative with AI

    If you can think of an image, you can conjure it up with AI. Our Creative Director, David Alexander, explains how he is letting his imagination run wild.

    By David Alexander | | Creative

  • Two smiling women sit side by side indoors in front of a large window overlooking a rooftop patio with plants. The woman on the left wears a brown and blue plaid blouse, and the woman on the right wears a black top.

    Me Now: Margot Kliebhan and Sophie Meadows

    “Me now” is our series of women talking to women about being in the creative industries today. Margot, Account Director, and Sophie, Creative Strategist, talk about being a cheerleader for the team and why we should all apologise less.

    By Sophie Meadows | | Culture

  • A game plan for success: how B2B brands can tap into the spirit of sport

    It's been an incredible summer of sport, from the Euros to the Olympics. For B2B brands, this offers a unique opportunity to explore human stories – and capture hearts and minds.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | Strategy

  • The words Work Rest Play written in white font on a solid black background.

    Taglines aren’t just for fun. They help your customers fall in love with you

    Businesses with a strong tagline or slogan have the potential to become a household name. So why do so many B2B organisations shy away from them?

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Creative

  • Me Now: Louise Sheeran and Mayuri Premdjee

    “Me now” is our series of women talking to women about being in the creative industries today. Louise, Content Director, and Mayuri, Account Director, discuss taking inspiration from song lyrics and why listening is so important to agency life.

    By Louise Sheeran | | Culture

  • A webpage mockup for Frame of Mind featuring a central stylized letter F logo and a search bar with the query "Strategy is" displaying a list of autocomplete definitions.

    Strategy is complex, but winning brands keep it simple

    Brand strategy can seem daunting and complex – and bringing the right stakeholders and insights together can certainly be an involved process. But keeping the final output simple and direct is rarely going to be a bad choice.

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • Two women standing next to a concrete pillar, with the woman on the left wearing a bright yellow sweater and the woman on the right wearing a dark patterned long-sleeve shirt.

    Me Now: Charlotte Irwin and Rose Stewart

    Welcome to our series of women talking to women about being in the creative industries today. Rose, Design Director, and Charlotte, Senior Writer and Editor, talk about ruffling feathers with creativity and the value of being yourself.

    By Rose Stewart | | Culture

  • Minimalist line drawing of a ruler with the text PERFECTIONISM PARALYSIS on the left and PERFECTIONISM PERFECTION on the right.

    How to avoid perfectionism paralysis (and make it your greatest strength)

    Can our work ever really be “perfect” – and does it matter? Sophie navigates the doubts, debates, tricks and triumphs that make up a standard day in the life of a creative strategist.

    By Sophie Meadows | | Strategy

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man holding a pen toward the viewer against a black background.

    Introducing: Small AI for brands

    AI might seem overwhelming, but we’ve found ways to make it work for our clients and their customers in small-scale creative implementations.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Strategy

  • Text reading Challenge accepted in black font on a white rectangular block with a long light gray shadow against a dark gray background.

    Ready to reinvent? Challenge accepted.

    You probably won’t hear this from your typical management consultant but strategy is fundamentally a creative exercise. Our new B2B reinvention model will help you reframe business challenges and consider strategic choices you never knew you had.

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • Abstract illustration of a stylized black figure holding a yellow circle above a stacked pile of colorful geometric shapes against a red background.

    The inside story: why your people shouldn't be just passengers on your brand journey.

    The secret to creating a successful brand is right in front of you: your employees hold all the answers.

    By Ellie Hennessey | | Strategy

  • Black text reading B2B DESIGN NEEDS YOU! centered against a geometric red background.

    Four creative lessons B2B designers can learn from B2C

    B2C design is known for being fun, provocative and daring. B2B doesn’t have the same reputation – yet – but it does have the same potential.

    By Ross Sweetmore | | Creative

  • Black text reading moments of calm arranged in an upward curve against a solid yellow background.

    The different ways we find moments of calm

    From a short walk outside to a couple of minutes spent learning something new, these are some of the little things we do each day.

    By The Frameworks | | Culture

  • Isometric digital illustration depicting computer vision and artificial intelligence concepts, featuring a TV screen with tracked soccer players, a vase of sunflowers, smart glasses, a chess rook, a framed painting, and an avatar surrounded by bounding boxes, tracking markers, and binary code on a dark grid.

    Trendspotting: what’s caught our eye in technology

    What’s new? What’s coming? And how are brands using these trends?

    By The Frameworks | | Creative

  • The blue Twitter bird logo lying upside down against a black background with an X symbol over its eye, representing the dead bird rebrand to X.

    Let's talk about X

    Twitter, as we knew it, is no more. There’s a famously fine line between genius and insanity. Which camp does Elon Musk’s latest move belong in?

    By David Alexander | | Creative

  • Six smiling adults stand arm-in-arm in a grassy field backed by lush trees and a blue sky.

    Carbon dating: the power of trust and relationships in driving business strategy

    It’s not every day you get to combine business strategy with baboon spotting. But that wasn’t the stand-out experience of our recent Tanzanian adventure.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Business

  • Five smiling people posing together on a stage in front of a background reading WINNER, while one woman holds a circular award.

    And the winner is…

    At Cannes, and closer to home, humanising business marketing is striking gold.

    By Ben Bush | | Business

  • White line illustration on a black background of a vintage typewriter with a sheet of paper inserted that reads, Cut the jargon.

    Cut the jargon. The best B2B writing is plain and simple

    Far from making you sound smarter, complex language makes things – well – complex. Stick to simple language to engage your audiences and stand out from the crowd.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Creative

  • A person in a blue floral dress with a small red backpack stands in an art gallery, viewed from behind as they look at framed black-and-white prints hanging on white walls.

    The Estorick Collection at 25

    2023 marks two milestones: London-based Italian art gallery, The Estorick Collection, celebrates its 25th anniversary and The Frameworks marks its 20th year working with it.

    By Rose Stewart | | Business

  • Illustration of a large red briefcase labeled Mental Health First Aid Kit, featuring a white outline of a head with a heart inside, surrounded by three small silhouetted figures.

    Not a debate: mental health support at work is imperative

    Remote working makes it all too easy for employees’ mental health to fly under the radar. Mental Health First Aid could close the awareness gap.

    By Ella Pryor | | Culture

  • Illustration on a light blue background featuring two white cartoon bears along an ascending black line chart, accompanied by the text: "Don't tell us your plans. Show us your results."

    Credibility in ESG means showing your work

    We’ve seen enough greenwashing. It’s time for the companies that are genuinely working hard to improve their sustainability to take centre stage by using more truthful storytelling in their sustainability reports.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Strategy

  • Abstract geometric illustration featuring a 3D isometric pink block structure in the center against a yellow grid square, surrounded by teal triangles and colorful rectangular and circular accents on a beige background.

    Trendspotting: what’s caught our eye in design

    What’s new? What’s back? And how are these trends being used by brands?

    By The Frameworks | | Creative

  • Abstract illustration of a red geometric figure encircled by white spiral lines, surrounded by digital interface elements like binary code, checkboxes, and menu bars on a beige background.

    Everyone’s a winner: exchanging value in B2B marketing

    Marketing can sometimes feel like a one-way conversation. With interactive marketing it becomes a conversation.

    By Chris Beavis | | Business

  • Three-dimensional isometric pie chart on a black background, featuring colorful segments in orange, green, blue, yellow, and elevated slices in pink and purple.

    No creator is an island

    A developer, a designer, a strategist and a writer walk into a bar and... discuss how they collaborate to deliver creative magic for clients.

    By The Frameworks | | Creative

  • Minimalist illustration of two pedestals: the taller holds a stack of books with the top cover reading "Print isn't dead_", while the shorter holds a tablet displaying a dead battery icon.

    Print isn’t dead: The power of print in reshaping user experience

    That new book smell – could it be your next piece of content?

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Creative

  • Three tilted, stacked cubes in red, yellow, and blue, each labeled with the words What, Why, and How in white text.

    How to be the dumbest person in the room

    How do Strategists find simple solutions to complex problems? We focus on the “what”, the “why” and the “how”.

    By Sophie Meadows | | Strategy

  • Concentric target diagram with an arrow hitting the bullseye, featuring steps from the outer ring to the center: Identify specific challenge or opportunity, Partner sales and marketing, Choose targeted audience, Engage stakeholders, and Go at the center.

    Understanding ABM in five steps

    Are you thinking about account-based marketing (ABM) but aren’t entirely sure what it is? Fear not. Whether you’re new to ABM or want to remind yourself of the method, we’ve got the basics for you.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Creative

  • Minimalist illustration of a face wearing round glasses with chocolate chip cookies as lenses, with a bite taken out of the right cookie, beneath a cherry-stem shaped hairstyle.

    The party’s over. It's time for marketers to embrace privacy

    As privacy laws tighten, what’s the future for data in marketing? Something a bit more transparent – and a bolder creative approach.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Business

  • Upside-down black calculator displaying digits that spell the word LESSONS on its screen.

    The problem with playing it safe

    When the most risky thing to do is to play it safe, you’ve got to be bold and take some calculated risks.

    By James Trowman | | Business

  • White text on a black background reads "We designed welcomed & celebrated" with red underlines beneath "We" and "designed."

    We are The Frameworks

    A year in review: 2022

    By The Frameworks | | Culture

  • Minimalist illustration of modern angular buildings with white grid-patterned facades, sloped roofs, and dark gray lower windows against a beige background.

    Art is a catalyst for regeneration

    Once a seasonal seaside town, Margate is now thriving all year round. Turner Contemporary is at the centre of this regeneration.

    By Clive Stevens | | Business

  • Minimalist line illustration of a retro television displaying a cereal box on its screen.

    100 years of the BBC… sort of

    This year marked 100 years of the BBC. We thought we’d celebrate this giant of video and audio by looking at the one thing the BBC doesn’t do - advertising.

    By The Frameworks | | Creative

  • Vintage computer desktop interface with open windows displaying tips from CopyCon 2022, including notes on creativity, two silhouette cats, and a line drawing of a meerkat.

    Want to be more creative? You’ve got to get weird.

    Too often, timelines and client demands can stop the most creative ideas from seeing the light of day. So, how can you deliver fresh ideas and keep clients happy? It’s time to embrace your weird.

    By Charlotte Irwin | | Creative

  • Illustration of stylized red figures working on laptops in and around a zigzag-shaped swimming pool, some wearing swim rings.

    The end of office culture? The open talent economy is just the beginning

    Can the open talent economy end office culture? Hasn’t office culture always been about far more than just the office? We certainly think so.

    By Sheri Brissenden | | Culture

  • Infographic on a dark background showing three numbered principles: 1 Strategy-First Approach with icons of overlapping sheets and binoculars, 2 Follow Best Practices with a completed checklist on a clipboard, and 3 Hold Yourself to a High Standard with a figure standing next to a flag on a mountain summit.

    Faking bad: why marketers need to maintain standards in a post-truth world

    When does creativity become dishonesty? Can you lie ethically? Ultimately, it’s about striking the right balance between outright lies and creative authenticity.

    By Ben Bush | | Creative

  • Minimalist illustration of six colorful geometric figures connected to each other by curved arched lines extending from their heads.

    Clients want people-led problem solving, not a list of services

    The days of securing clients by offering up a list of services and a snazzy PowerPoint are over. It’s time to treat client relationships more like social relationships and lead with our humanity.

    By James Trowman | | Business

  • Vector illustration of a red horseshoe magnet with two person icons on its poles emitting radiating magnetic field lines on an orange gradient background.

    Interview: the culture of recruitment

    Sheri spoke with Silicon, a UK business technology publication, about the importance of culture in hiring, especially in the context of the “great resignation”. Here’s what she had to say…

    By Sheri Brissenden | | Culture

  • A smiling woman with curly hair holds a cheerful toddler outdoors while wearing a white shirt that reads, "I AM ALLIED AGAINST CANCER."

    Designing an authentic emotional connection

    In conversation with Rose and David: it’s not just about creating an emotive campaign, the most successful brands are the ones that genuinely know their audience and can authentically reach them on an individual level.

    By The Frameworks | | Creative

  • Digital illustration on a dark background showing a winding white path extending downward from a browser window with a photo of purple coral, surrounded by purple UI wireframes and interface icons.

    Designing and developing web experiences for everyone

    The web is continually evolving with new technical approaches and developments appearing every day. As developers, we must stay on top of these changes and make sure that inclusion is the key consideration when creating new experiences.

    By Sergio Agosti | | Creative

  • White text on a black background reading FAIL TO PREPARE PREPARE TO FAIL.

    How to inspire decision-makers to be bold

    If you continue to create traditional, “safe” content, you’ll be seen as a traditional, “safe” brand. But what’s bold for one organisation isn’t the same for another, so how bold should you be and how do you get decision-makers to agree?

    By James Trowman | | Business

  • Red line drawing on a beige background depicting prehistoric cave painting style animals, with a horse at the top facing right and a horned bull at the bottom facing left, surrounded by minimalist horizontal lines and dots.

    Telling authentic tales

    As tempting as the latest marketing trends can be, brand authenticity is more important. That's not to say there's no room for creative storytelling, brands can still be bold and experimental while staying true to who they are.

    By David Alexander | | Creative

  • A grid of gray line art hats on a black background, with one glowing yellow upside-down magician's top hat emitting sparkles in the bottom row.

    Where logic meets magic: why strategy underpins every great idea

    While the strategist’s primary role is to lay solid creative foundations on which creative ideas can build, it’s not the whole picture. Strategists must also know when to sell and when to step in, step back and step up.

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • White line art illustration of a gorilla head behind a drum set on a purple background.

    Why bold design is good business

    Design is a great differentiator. It can stop people in their tracks. Make them laugh. Bring them to tears. And even set your brand apart from the competition – if you dare to be bold.

    By David Alexander | | Creative

  • Pink text spelling out International Women's Day stylized into the shape of lips against a white background.

    International Women’s Day: A call to inspiration and creativity

    Two of our Frameworkers were featured in articles written by Creative Boom founding editor Katy Cowan on International Women’s Day. Here’s what she had to say…

    By The Frameworks | | Creative

  • Illustration of an airplane pulling a banner across a globe with the text, Think local. Sell global.

    Why marketers need to think local to sell global

    We work with clients with international operations, including IBM, Siemens, and UST on projects that are both central and focused on local markets. What we've learned is how to manage that central-local dynamic — and how to avoid its pitfalls.

    By James Trowman | | Business

  • Illustration of light yellow over-ear headphones centered on a beige background, surrounded by dotted lines and sound wave graphics.

    Research is how we ask questions, listen and learn

    Our Think/Frame/Make/Work process always starts with Think: Research. We ask questions to validate a brief, and then we ask questions to get to the answers. But what we do most is listen, and look for opportunities to learn more than we expected.

    By Don Hoyt Gorman | | Strategy

  • Black icon of an open eye centered inside a magnifying glass on a light yellow background.

    The importance of being curious

    It may have killed the cat, but we need to embrace curiosity to unleash our creativity.

    By Maja Radosavljević | | Creative

  • Digital illustration of a retro computer monitor against a purple background, receiving streams of data lines and binary code from the left, while displaying a modern graphic design software interface on its screen.

    How to turn insights into great creative

    Good strategy with bad creative and bad strategy with good creative both lead to the same thing: a missed opportunity.

    By Sakiko Suga | | Strategy

  • Abstract geometric heart shape in coral red and black, constructed from flat angular polygons.

    Humanising B2B and leading with empathy

    The sweet spot for deep engagement lies between education (knowing your stuff), and inspiration (thinking beyond it)

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • Minimalist illustration of a hand gripping a stylized black pipe wrench against a light green background with geometric accents.

    Building resilient businesses

    The sheer pace of change can make it difficult for businesses to predict and respond to challenges and turn them into opportunities. So, how can businesses develop resilience? Clive Stevens, Chairman of The Frameworks, offers his insights.

    By Clive Stevens | | Business

  • Yellow heart with a black outline and the handwritten words Good design in the center on a beige background.

    Creating connections through design

    Audience interaction is vital for brands looking to improve engagement. Good design elevates storytelling by turning an idea into something people can relate to.

    By Rose Stewart | | Creative

  • Lime green line art on a dark background resembling a plastic model kit frame, connecting various project and teamwork icons including a heart, clock, lightbulb, target, flowchart, sticky note board, crossed ruler and pencil, graph, two people communicating, and clapping hands.

    How we build successful long-term client relationships

    We work hard at our client relationships because it leads to excellent project outcomes, award-winning strategy and creativity, and long-term business success.

    By James Trowman | | Culture

  • Minimalist blueprint-style illustration on a blue background showing a white maze path with a Pac-Man figure moving past three connected white circles.

    How to succeed at digital transformation: Influence many different people

    Changes in human behaviour are at least as important to the success of digital transformation as the change in technology. And you can’t expect anyone to change – or become champions for change – without effective and empathetic communication.

    By Ben Bush | | Strategy

  • A minimalist illustration of a seesaw balanced on a white triangular fulcrum, with a black circle resting on the left side and a black triangle on the right against a peach background.

    How internal comms leaders can help firms reap the rewards of flexible working

    Tips for internal comms to consider in order to build a flexible working environment based on trust.

    By Sheri Brissenden | | Culture

  • Black line icon of a digital clock displaying 13:42 on a red background.

    Reactive Marketing: Why timing is (still) everything

    Unlikely associations between seemingly disparate brands can be a stroke of reactive marketing genius.

    By David Alexander | | Creative

  • Stylized illustration in shades of purple and pink showing a person with blue hair holding their arms crossed horizontally across their torso.

    Why marketers must fight for equality of representation

    As marketers, we have a unique privilege. We can choose to act as a force for good, or we can squander that privilege. We see this play out in the stories we choose to tell on behalf of influential brands – and who we choose to tell them to.

    By Louise Sheeran | | Culture

  • Graphic sequence of four overlapping tennis balls depicting horizontal motion against a black background, brightening from dim olive green on the left to vibrant yellow on the right.

    Match point: how we created an integrated campaign for Wimbledon and IBM in just two weeks

    In the grand scheme of things, two weeks is a very short period of time. It can flash past in what feels like a second, leaving you scratching your head, wondering what you achieved or who you caught up with. But put your mind to it and you really can pack a lot in.

    By Matilda Duffecy | | Creative

  • Triptych showing a tennis player in white swinging at a ball during a match on the left, an operator watching a screen in the top right, and close-up hands using a specialized controller near a laptop in the bottom right.

    How we navigated lockdown to deliver a suite of video content for Wimbledon and IBM

    As sad as we were when we learned Wimbledon was not going ahead this year, seeing how the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) has pivoted was truly incredible. Being part of the campaign to celebrate this unorthodox Wimbledon year is something we’re very proud of.

    By Ben Bush | | Business

  • Surreal graphic illustration combining elongated and melting objects against a gray background, including a distorted clock, a tree with bees, a laptop, a smartphone, a glass of beer, an orange pencil, tennis balls, and a stretched dachshund dog.

    Remote control: why we may never return to work as we knew it

    If you’d have asked me where I’d be in May of 2020, I'd have told you that I would be celebrating my first year living in the UK and looking forward to revelling in a (mostly) sunny London summer. But plans change, evidently for the whole world.

    By Matilda Duffecy | | Culture

  • Illustration of indoor hobbies and virtual connections, featuring video call screens showing people and a fitness class, potted plants, cooking ingredients with wine, painting supplies, and an open book.

    Upskilling (sort of) in a time of lockdown

    With daily commutes now virtually non-existent and our focus turned to activities much, much closer to home, Frameworkers have taken on (or returned to) all sorts of new interests. Here’s a look at the novel pursuits we’re all enjoying outside of WFH hours.

    By Matilda Duffecy | | Culture

  • How to deliver cracking video content during lockdown

    Just a few weeks ago, the thought that upcoming video shoots would have to be cancelled because of something as surreal as social distancing would have felt like – ahem – a sick joke. So much of the everyday reality of work has needed rethinking since then, but when you’re involved in creating content for brands, a lot of that being video, the need for new ways of working has been particularly pronounced.

    By Matilda Duffecy | | Creative

  • Black and white photograph showing a tennis player in white attire on a grass court, viewed from above, with a crowd of spectators gathered at an opening in the barrier below to watch and take photos.

    All together now: how brands are lifting spirits in response to Covid-19

    How things have changed in a matter of weeks. The seismic shift in, well, everything, has left us all grappling with a new reality. There’s no playbook for this new normal but there’s a heavy sense of grief for the things we took for granted.

    By Louise Sheeran | | Creative

  • Home truths: what it's like to start a new job in the age of isolation

    Day one of a new job can feel daunting at the best of times. But what’s it like to join a consultancy when your new office has effectively just gone into quarantine? Our new Creative Strategist, Maja, reflects on two weeks spent getting up to speed with the “new normal”.

    By Maja Radosavljević | | Culture

  • Minimalist black silhouette of a hand pressing a circular button inside a rectangular frame against a bright red background.

    Reactive marketing: why timing is everything

    What do Sainsbury’s and Beyoncé have in common? Until recently, not very much. But, thanks to a stroke of reactive marketing genius, this unlikely association brought Sainsbury’s a surge of engagement on social media. What can marketers learn from it in order to capitalise on other brands’ publicity, turn a PR disaster into a PR triumph or score serious engagement from a single post? One thing is clear: when it comes to reactive marketing, fortune favours the fast.

    By David Alexander | | Strategy

  • A metallic silver football helmet with a gray facemask rests on a bright lime green surface with diagonal white yard lines.

    Our five favourite ads from Super Bowl 2020

    Sunday 2 February 2020 marked a pretty big day in the advertising (and sporting) calendar. As in previous years, this year’s Super Bowl mainly had us talking about the things that happened between key events on the field. With the cost of a 30-second TV ad reaching $5.6 million, the standard for creative output is notoriously high.

    By Matilda Duffecy | | Creative