About

Background

Firecracker is a digital marketing agency based in Marylebone, London. Our focus is digitally driven, marketing led communications which means that every campaign we undertake is monitored and evaluated against key performance indicators agreed at the outset of the project. This means that we are accountable for every action taken as a result of our work.

Our key proposition as an agency is that we really take time to understand our client’s target audience. We tailor every creative and media response to make sure it is engaging, relevant, compelling and visible. We believe that the delivery channel is as important as the concept execution, campaigns need to be in the right place to deliver results.

Beliefs

We live and breathe digital but, despite its increasing influence, we understand that it has to work in a strategic fashion, co-ordinated with all other elements of our clients’ objective. In short, we love technology and innovation but not just for the sake of it; we love working in partnership with clients, but never forget they are clients; we love creativity, but understand it needs to get results.

We really are ‘digitally driven and marketing led’.

Services

  • Web Development
    Firecracker develops sites using the most relevant technologies and programming languages which best fit the brief including MySQL, PHP, Flash, JavaScript, XML, AJAX, CSS, DHTML and basic HTML.

    Client requirements, site specification and project objectives enable us to determine the best solution for a particular project. Firecracker takes an early stance in adopting new technologies and new development protocols but we do not believe in technology for technology’s sake.
  • eCRM
    Email communications used well can deliver a cost effective CRM solution that will build user relationships, achieve acquisition objectives, communicate key brand messages and effectively ensure your brand is front of mind. We create, write and build B2B and B2C emails that are sent out to millions of people every month. eCRM services include:

    • Creative design
    • Content planning
    • Copywriting
    • Template supply for client implementation
    • Template adaptation and campaign implementation
  • B2B and B2C Media Solutions
    How you talk to your customer can make or break a campaign. We are well versed in the art of talking to both Business and Consumer audiences and know how to hit the right note. This is one of the reasons that clients such as Monster.co.uk, Salesforce.com and Virgin Media use Firecracker.
  • Multi Media Solutions
    Firecracker can deliver multi-media solutions developed by our own internal team. Whether you are looking for a simple ad campaign or full website incorporating video streaming we can provide a cost effective solution which will meet your brief and budget. Our multi media capabilities include:

    Basic Flash Services – flash animations, online ads, flash intros and flash websites
    Advanced Flash Services – Dynamic Flash applications which enable the Client to draw on source material hosted on external sites/databases
    Video Streaming via YouTube
    iPhone apps
  • Viral campaigns
    Letting customers spread the word about your brand can be a cost effective way of communicating your key messages. Whether that be a Member get Member promotion or a viral game, we can help you create a viral campaign that will achieve your objectives. Services include:

    Viral game concept, development and production
    Viral video concept, development and production
    Viral email concept, development and production
    Seeding
    Facebook apps
    iPhone apps
  • Graphic Design Services
    Whether you are looking to roll out a campaign concept across a raft of materials, need to refresh an existing campaign, or create one from scratch, we have a team of designers ready to take your brief.
  • Social networking solutions
    Every brand wants a social media presence, whether that’s Twitter, Facebook or Youtube, the key is to make sure it works for you and achieves your brand objectives. Firecracker can develop and manage your social media strategy ensuring that it maximises your message whilst remaining true to your brand. Firecracker social media services include:

    Channel design and management
    Facebook apps
    Group set up and management
    Twitter feeds
    Blog management
  • New media schedule management
    There is an ever increasing choice of digital formats to run your campaign across. Format, sizes and specs vary according to site and media. Firecracker can manage your entire new media schedule to ensure that your campaign is delivered in a timely manner. Formats include:

    Peels/reveals
    Site takeovers
    MPUs
    Banners
    Skyscrapers
    Flash
    Video Streaming
    Rich Media
    Expandable Banners/Skyscrapers
    Pop-ups
    Flash Games
    Prize draws
  • Buzz Monitoring
    What’s the buzz around your brand and your activity? Firecracker offers a buzz monitoring service which enables us to report who is saying what about you and through what media.
  • Employee Value Proposition
    WHAT IS AN EMPLOYEE VALUE PROPOSITION?

    It is a statement that summarises the balance between rewards and benefits an organisation can offer employees, against what that company expects from staff in return. As a proposition it is pivotal to all HR and internal communications.

    Sometimes it is also referred to as the ‘psychological contract’ between employer and employee. The evolution of this into a campaignable concept is the creation of an Employer Brand.

    EVP OBJECTIVES

    The objectives of creating an effective EVP mirror those of any HR strategy:

    - To attract the best candidates for the roles available

    - To engage the best candidates and employees

    - To retain staff

    WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

    The perception of your company as an employer will not only shape the views and actions of job seekers but actively impacts on your retained staff. Most adults spend more time at work than any other place in their life. Work needs to be a psychologically rewarding experience.

    When people discuss their careers with their peers they are contributing towards your EVP perception. If the message they communicate is confused or negative it will impact on the public perception of your company.
  • Digital Promotions
    In an increasingly cluttered advertising market the savvy end-user is increasingly limiting response to campaigns by only clicking on promotional messages. Win, Win, Win in the current market is achieving a better response than any other message. We create promotional digital campaigns which work solely online and others which start in-store but drive customers online to redeem/see if they have won. Services include:

    • Original Creative Concept
    • Concept development and implementation
    • Integrated campaign design and development
    • Promotional microsite where consumers can enter unique number to see whether they have won
    • Promotional microsite where consumers can enter prize draw
    • Send to a friend mechanic
  • Web Design and Branding
    First impressions are vital so you don’t need us to tell you about the importance of your brand identity and how it is adapted online. Similarly your online identity is synonymous with your website usability and the overall user experience.
    Firecracker understands the balance between functionality and keeping a site ‘on brand’ which is why our clients keep coming back to us. We approach every challenge with the user experience and brand promise in mind.

    Our skills include:

    Brand Identity Design
    Web Brand Identity Design
    Web Design
    Site Structure Planning
    Site Design Analysis
    User Experience
    Message Hierarchies
    Content Planning, Production and Management
    Search Engine Friendly build
    Site build
    Content Management System solutions
    Site maintenance
  • Content Management Tools
    Content Management Solutions are increasingly being included in Client’s briefs. We understand the importance of being able to edit your site quickly and cost effectively. We will advise you on the most effective way to manage this – whether you use our ‘update’ service on an ongoing basis, or whether we develop a bespoke Content Management System to meet your requirements.
  • Online Advertising
    From initial concept development through to evolution – copywriting, build, resizing and media schedule management we create and deliver online campaigns which will achieve your objectives within budget. We understand what is achievable in the online environment, know when to push technology and how to ensure that activity is on-brand. Services we offer include:

    Flash media campaigns
    Campaign copywriting
    New Media strategy advice
    Rich media campaigns
    Integrated digital campaigns
    Site takeovers/peels
    Traffic driving campaigns
    Acquisition campaigns
    Member get member campaigns
    Digital outdoor panels
  • Third Party/Contra Activity
    In times when marketing budgets have been hit hard we have found our Clients increasingly looking to find ways to make more ‘bang’ for their buck. We have successfully created relationships between our clients and other complementary brands which have enabled both parties to benefit from combining forces. Services include:

    Sourcing and implementing third party email deals, whereby each party sends an email to their third party opt-in list, like for like
    Joint promotions where third parties leverage our Client activity to reach a new audience whilst giving our Client added value
    Joint promotions where our Clients have provided content or prizes to third parties in order to reach a new target audience while giving their promotional partner added value
    Film promotions where our Client uses film association to create stand out, achieve KPIs and appeal to target audience whilst communicating a new title release
  • Project planning and specification
    To effectively deliver a solution to your requirement we will take a strategic approach to assessing your needs, undertaking analysis that will enable us to deliver the best answer to your brief. Our approach may include but will not be limited to:

    Meetings with internal stakeholders to determine the vision of the website and how it fits within the bigger picture
    Analysis of existing site architecture
    User analysis (internal & external)
    Internal resource capabilites
    Technical requirements/mandatories
    Usability requirements
    Security requirements
    Changeover analysis
    Wireframe testing

    A combination of our analysis will enable us to develop a detailed project plan and specification that will provide the blueprint to your campaign.
  • Digital conversion of print campaigns
    Converting a print campaign to work in the digital space is a challenge that should not be underestimated. Retaining brand integrity whilst maximising user experience is key to effective online communications. Firecracker is happy to work as the lead agency in the development of any campaign development and equally happy to work alongside existing agencies and campaign creative.
  • Digital Consultancy
    Many clients who come to us have an existing website and our brief is to review it and make it more successful in delivering key performance indicators. This could be selling more products, acquiring new users or simply a creative overhaul.
    To enable us to effectively deliver a solution to your requirement we will take a strategic approach to assessing your needs undertaking analyses that will enable us to deliver the best solution to your brief. Our approach may include but not be limited to:

    • Meetings with internal stakeholders to determine the vision of the website and how it fits within the bigger picture
    • Existing site architecture
    • User analysis (internal & external)
    • Internal resource capabilities
    • Technical requirements/mandatories
    • Usability requirements
    • Security requirements
    • Changeover analysis
    • Wireframe testing

    A combination of our analysis will enable us to develop a detailed strategy which will provide the footprint for your long-term web needs.
  • Employer Brand
    Firecracker are experts in creating an Employer Brand. It is becoming increasingly important in this competitive economy where employers are vying for the best candidates in their field and more and more of our Clients are asking us to look at their offering. Download our white paper on how to create an employee value proposition to learn more.
  • Brand Video
    Video is a great, interactive way of bringing a brand proposition to life in a simple, engaging manner. Whether it's a coaching video for internal use, or a brand animation film that tells a story, Firecracker can help you make the most of the medium and get the results you are looking for.