John Brown Group News

Another first-class production

John Brown Group — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the second consecutive year, our production team have won the title Customer Magazine Production Team of the Year at the PPA’s Production Awards.

Cookbook collaboration

John Brown Group — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As we approach Christmas and a plethora of cookbooks vie for our attention there is, this year, a rather more unusual offering that will capture people’s imagination. It’s called The Village Cookbook and is a collaboration between the residents of a small hamlet in Northamptonshire and stars of the UK culinary scene including Gordon Ramsay and Delia Smith.

Editor of the year

John Brown Group — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

He’s not exactly our own Barack Obama, but he still got the big prize on the same night. Alec Marsh was awarded Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors in the customer magazine consumer section of their 2008 awards. It’s the top gong for British magazine Editors – and the only one they hand out to customer magazines in this sector. The BSME awards are voted for by other Editors, who recognised his work on Private Banking, the magazine we produce for the RBS Group. Judges spoke of fascinating features and a classic look. That would be the magazine, not Alec.

What’s in a name?

John Brown Group — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today we become one business, under one banner: John Brown.

All the companies brought on board in recent years – CodeLondon, Fingal and Act-Two – will now trade under the same brand. Why the change? “John Brown has lots of recognition and respect in the UK market and overseas, and the time’s right for us to build on that,” said Chief Executive Andrew Hirsch.

Bridge Kids re-designed

John Brown Group — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following our redesign last year of the monthly Chelsea FC supporters’ magazine, our children’s team have just re-launched the football clubs’ junior magazine, Bridge Kids. The new-look magazine is part of the membership offering for all junior True Blue members of Chelsea FC, and will be produced by John Brown on a quarterly basis.

New Crystallized

John Brown Group — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following its recent success at the APA Creative Awards, the latest issue of Crystallized, the large format magazine we create for Swarovski, has just been published.

Young, creative and live

John Brown Group — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

YCN Live is a two-week international celebration of emerging design talent, and John Brown is one of the partner organisations showcasing work.

Magazine, book and digital wins at the APA Awards

John Brown Group — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We came away from Tuesdays APA Creative Awards with three wins that reflect the increasing breadth of the work we do at John Brown.

Award success for Junk Monkeys

John Brown Group — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The success of the Junk Monkeys website we created for the British Heart Foundation earlier this year was acknowledged at last weeks NMA Effectiveness Awards. The site, created in conjunction with Avenue A/Razorfish, won the Charity and Volunteer category before going on to win the best-of-the-best Grand Prix prize at the end of the evening.

It’s who you know

John Brown Group — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fingal’s PR arm is often the unsung hero of the John Brown Group …ironic, really. But they made up for it this week with a hugely successful, high profile media launch for Go Motorsport, a UK wide campaign to convert new people into motor sport fans.

Next up...

John Brown Group — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

First, the sad news; the untitled biannual magazine we create for M-real’s Galerie range of papers has come to an end after 14 issues. Over those seven years, the magazine won just about every creative award open to it, and, in the process, created a select band of international readers anxious to collect every issue.

APA Creative Awards shortlist announced

John Brown Group — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We’ve gathered a wide-ranging set of nominations in the APA Creative Awards shortlist, announced this week.

Charity begins at work

John Brown Group — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

John Brown employees sharpened their pencils recently, to raise money for the charity PlanUK, with whom we worked last year to launch Planet, an innovative tri-annual mailing to members of the charity.

A weird and wonderful project

John Brown Group — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Weird and Wonderful Guide to London is one of four new city guides being published by Spanish company LeCool following the success of their earlier book about Barcelona. Local studios in each of the four cities – Amsterdam, Lisbon, London and Madrid – were selected in late 2007, and work began on design of the London edition at the start of this year.

New print campaign for Heal’s

John Brown Group — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the first time since the launch of the Heal’s catalogue in 1934, the iconic interior design store has turned to an external agency to supply its print communications. CodeLondon, part of the John Brown group, will create all catalogues, brochures, press mailers and direct marketing for Heal’s yearly campaigns.

New planner joins JB

John Brown Group — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The evolution of the John Brown Group's planning team continues, with the arrival today of Kevin Sugrue.

Award shortlisting for BHF campaign

John Brown Group — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The British Heart Foundation’s first-ever digital-only campaign has been rewarded with a shortlisting in New Media Age’s Effectiveness Awards 2008.

Hotel makeover

John Brown Group — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The latest issue of the Dorchester Collection Magazine, produced by John Brown for the Dorchester Collection hotel group, is winging its way to London, Los Angeles, Paris and Milan – and it’s got a fresh new look.

Going the extra mile

John Brown Group — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to the team that puts together Waitrose Food Illustrated, bagging the ‘One Step Beyond’ award for John Brown at the 2008 Waitrose Supplier Awards – the only marketing supplier to receive such recognition at the awards this year. Waitrose Food Illustrated was ‘head and shoulders’ above other supermarket customer magazines, said Waitrose’s Commercial Director, Richard Hodgson.

Save Our Bacon – update

John Brown Group — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Restaurants across the UK are joining forces to mark Save Our Bacon National Restaurant Week (28 April–4 May). From top London venues such as The Ivy and St John to country pubs and local cafés, hundreds of chefs are putting special British pork dishes on their menus. This initiative is part of WFI’s Save Our Bacon campaign, which highlights the problems facing UK pig farmers, who currently lose an average of £26 per pig they sell.

The name’s Banking… Private Banking

John Brown Group — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What’s the secret of James Bond’s enduring success? Is it the charisma of the actor donning 007’s black tie? The glamour of the locations? For the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, these are the questions pondered by Barry Norman in the latest issue of Private Banking, created by John Brown for the RBS Group.

Number one spot for top-notch site

John Brown Group — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We didn’t say this. “Fantastic”, “direct without being pushy”, “top-notch production values.” Those were the words of Proximity digital creative director Pete Petrella.

Win, win, win situation

John Brown Group — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Three parts of the John Brown Group have each won major creative awards recently.

Save our bacon

John Brown Group — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Did you know that British pig farmers lose an average of £26 on each pig they sell? Or that 95% of them are considering quitting the business in the next year?

BHF site gets the Hello! treatment

John Brown Group — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We’re in Hello! and we didn’t even marry a footballer. The Junkmonkeys website we produce for the British Heart Foundation is highlighted in the pages of this weeks edition.

How big is your wallet?

John Brown Group — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the third year running, we’ve created the classroom resources pack to accompany the British Heart Foundation’s Food4Thought campaign.

Junkmonkeys site launches

John Brown Group — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following several years of award-winning print work for the British Heart Foundation’s annual Food4Thought campaign, we’ve just launched our first website for the charity. www.junkmonkeys.tv supports the BHF’s current online Sick Rick campaign, aimed at 11-16 year-olds.

Thinking allowed

John Brown Group — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If Christmas has taken its toll on your humour and those little grey cells aren’t firing on all cylinders, then it’s time to feast on the banquet of intelligence and humour that only 33 Thoughts can offer. Created for BDO Stoy Hayward, the latest issue of this multi award-winning magazine is guaranteed to feed your brain and warm your heart with the usual witty quotations, topical observations and fascinating facts that pretty much sum up the weird, the wonderful and the down right wacky.

And then there were three

John Brown Group — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We're pleased to announce the arrival of the latest member of the award-winning family of magazines we publish for the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Not only a magazine...

John Brown Group — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The latest issue of Roger, the magazine we produce for Virgin Group staff, has just been published in a new size and format. The issue is like an activity book, with things to do, read, laugh at, learn or simply ponder over. It also includes a Christmas card from Virgin’s Richard Branson. The card features an empty snow scape for the reader to decorate using the set of stickers supplied with the magazine.

Happy personalised Christmas!

Is there pickle on that?

John Brown Group — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For the second year running, Food 4 Thought, the classroom resource John Brown create for the British Heart Foundation has been named “Specialist Communication of the Year” by the Association of Publishing Agencies.

Honda first over the line

John Brown Group — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

“This is a site that Honda, their sponsors, and the whole team should be proud to be a part of.” That’s what the judges said when they handed the APA Award for “Online Publishing Solution of the Year” to our Fingal team for HondaRacingF1.com.

Fresh approach for Pick n Pay

John Brown Group — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This week sees the launch of a suite of publications created by John Brown for Pick n Pay, South Africa’s largest and most successful retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise, as part of the retailer’s first re-brand since opening for business 40 years ago.

Redesign for Teachers

John Brown Group — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Arriving in staff rooms around the country now are issues of the two new-look Teachers magazines, one for primary and one for secondary staff, redesigned to make them sit within the family of titles we produce for the DCSF.

First-class production

John Brown Group — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The John Brown production team picked up the award for Customer Magazine Production Team of the Year at the PPA’s annual Magazine Production Awards last night.

Second Design Week listing for John Brown

John Brown Group — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What does John Brown have in common with Apple, Channel 4, Virgin Atlantic and Pentagram? The answer lies in the publication this week of Design Week’s annual Creative Survey, which features John Brown alongside these leading names in their top 50 listing based on UK creative awards.

This is the second year running we’ve been listed, and we’re proud not only to appear again next to such auspicious names, but also to be the only customer publisher listed in the mix.

Fingal pick up PR Grand Prix

John Brown Group — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Fingal, whose PR campaign for JCB’s successful attempt to create the world's fastest diesel-powered vehicle has scooped two prizes at the 2007 B2B Marketing Awards.

Production: A year in the life

John Brown Group — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It’s been a busy old year for our production team, but it’s been worth it. Their work – on everything from magazines to catalogues to teachers’ packs to a brand-new, groundbreaking ‘speaking pen’ technology – has been recognized with a nomination for the Customer Magazine Production Team of the Year prize at this year’s PPA Magazine Production Awards.

New look for Posted!

John Brown Group — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What have Ant and Dec and Westlife got in common? Apart from the fact that they’re young, successful, and not short of a bob or two, obviously. Answer: they all appear in the latest issue of Keeping You Posted! magazine.

M-real identity

John Brown Group — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The fourteenth issue of the award-winning magazine we produce for M-real’s Galerie range of papers is published this week. The theme of the issue is ‘Identity’, and the cover features the question ‘What makes you the sort of person who reads a magazine like this?’

More to find out

John Brown Group — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After a successful launch in Norway, the Let’s Find Out! series we’re creating for Sandviks is set to appear in other Scandinavian countries this month.

Christmas collection

John Brown Group — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

While the rest of us were squeezing every ounce of value from the Great British Summer, a dedicated team of experts at CodeLondon had their thoughts on something completely different.

Winning type

John Brown Group — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The magazine we produced for Ronnie Scott's was recognized at the Magazine Design Awards in London last night, with the gong for Best Use of Typography going to designer Simon Robinson. You can read a full report of the event here.

New term for Teachers

John Brown Group — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The contract to publish Teachers magazine – the influential and award-winning title that reaches more than 335,000 of England’s Primary and Secondary School teachers – has been re-awarded to John Brown.

33thoughts in design bible

John Brown Group — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Coinciding with the publication of the latest issue of 33thoughts, the magazine is featured in the 2007 D&AD Annual.

Mothercare Magazine due this week

John Brown Group — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

With lots of new mums-to-be here at John Brown, the arrival of the new issue of Mothercare Magazine has been eagerly awaited.

Lifeline for GOSH

John Brown Group — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children has appointed us to produce Lifeline, its bi-annual magazine for charitable donors and supporters. It will help the hospital raise £50 million a year – essential in enabling the hospital to offer its specialist treatments and services.

The first issue - modelled on a school exercise book - will be out in November with a circulation of 180,000. Its patient profiles and interviews will create a link between the children being treated and the supporters who contribute to the charity.

Customer publishing 'in rude health'

John Brown Group — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Trade magazine Marketing examines customer publishing and finds it in rude health. ‘A new mag for every day of the year – customer publishing is in great shape’, is its verdict. Read the whole piece here.

Doing it for the kids

John Brown Group — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

John Brown have been appointed, following a 3-way pitch, to produce schools’ packs to support the British Heart Foundation’s long-running Food4Thought campaign

Green policy unveiled

John Brown Group — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

John Brown became officially carbon-neutral last month. Part of the process which led to us achieving this status was the drafting of a new environmental policy for the group. With the details finalised, it’s ready to view: just click here.

Big Kids

John Brown Group — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Don’t be misled by its small format: Sky Kids is now officially the biggest kids’ magazine around. Its newly-published first-ever ABC figures show its circulation to be more than 745,000 – giving it the top slot in the kids’ category by a big margin, and placing it in the top twenty magazines of any kind in the UK.

Green is the new Brown

John Brown Group — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

None of us can ignore the impact our activities have upon the planet – and what’s true for individuals is true for businesses, only more so. That’s why we’ve been working with the Carbon Trust to make our carbon footprint as small as possible. We’re delighted to announce that John Brown is now officially carbon neutral.

Hoe, hoe, hoe

John Brown Group — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Although it’s still summer (officially at least), the Wyevale Christmas Press Book is already out, causing a bit of a stir.

We all love magazines

John Brown Group — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Perhaps the digital age we live in is not so digital after all. In fact, magazines are very much alive and kicking.

Birthday presence

John Brown Group — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Waitrose Food Illustrated’s celebratory 100th edition has featured as Marketing’s media choice, being hailed as a ‘reserved pat on the back for a job well done’. Read more here.

The next Nigella?

John Brown Group — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A vicar’s wife from North London is the winner of Waitrose Food Illustrated’s first-ever writing contest, beating off tough competition to win a book deal worth £20, 000.

More wishes for Felicity

John Brown Group — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Felicity Wishes, the part-work we create for GE Fabbri, has been such a hit that an extra 12 issues have been added to the series.

Happy 100th, WFI

John Brown Group — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Nine years after its launch in 1998, one of the country’s most respected food magazines is celebrating its 100th issue.

Summer sense

John Brown Group — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The summer edition of Sense is now being mailed out to nearly a million customers of Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest nationwide.

Honda win

John Brown Group — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fingal’s recent website for Honda F1 has been awarded the FWA Site of the Day award for today, July 11th.

The Award has been running since 2000, showcasing websites that combine inspirational ideas with cutting edge technology. The FWA page featuring the Site of the Day can be seen here.

Listed

John Brown Group — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Shoppers can pick up a very handy little book at Waitrose tills at the moment: the Waitrose Seasonal Shopping List 2007.

APA winners

John Brown Group — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The winners of the first APA Creative Awards were announced last night at a party held at London’s Design Museum.

Small is beautiful

John Brown Group — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The City Guide we recently produced for Visit London has proved to be such a success that we’ve decided to make less of it.

New Planet

John Brown Group — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It’s always good to work with people who really make a difference – as the John Brown Children’s and Digital teams have discovered. They’ve been helping Plan UK to launch their very own kids’ club, Planet.

Retailoring

John Brown Group — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Flicking through the duty-free mag as you jet off to your destination is as much a part of a holiday as sun cream and paperbacks. But it’s not only those bound for a break who take advantage of cheap goodies in the air; business travellers do it, too.

Groundbreaking Honda F1 website launched

John Brown Group — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After two and a half months of intensive activity, Fingal has unveiled a brand-new website for the Honda Racing F1 Team.

APA Creative Awards shortlists announced

John Brown Group — Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The APA has announced the shortlists for its first Creative Awards, and we're pleased to have 11 nominations. These are for work ranging from front covers to photography and illustration.

John Brown gets the Blues...

John Brown Group — Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

... but it’s nothing to get upset about. We’re talking about the news that the Carling and FA Cup-winning Chelsea FC have asked us to join forces with them to redesign their monthly magazine and match programme.

What’s the secret of success?

John Brown Group — Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When you’re on to a winning formula, everyone wants to pat you on the back. Take 33 thoughts for BDO Stoy Hayward, for example: it’s picked up top prizes at no fewer than four major awards ceremonies in the past year.

Another win for Pick Me Up

John Brown Group — Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations again to the team that created Pick Me Up, the encyclopedia-with-a-twist we produced for Dorling Kindersley: the book has picked up another award.

Talking business

John Brown Group — Tue, 15 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After creating 16 Things to make life easier for Orange’s domestic customers, we've turned our attention to the mobile phone provider’s business base.

Becks to school

John Brown Group — Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When David Beckham flew into the UK recently to launch School Zone, his healthy living website for schools, Teachers magazine was invited along for an exclusive interview.

33t wins again

John Brown Group — Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Nothing succeeds like success, the old saying goes – and in the case of 33 thoughts, it’s certainly true.

Inside information

John Brown Group — Tue, 08 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

John Brown and Orange are boxing clever with a 36-page booklet that accompanies new handsets.

Words to digest

John Brown Group — Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Another month, another cracking issue of Waitrose Food Illustrated, with plenty to set the food world talking in May’s magazine.

Best of British

John Brown Group — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

If you rely on business conferences around the world to tot up your air miles then you may just have to find another way to collect your free flights.

More help for mums

John Brown Group — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Spring’s all about new life, so it’s the perfect time to welcome the latest edition of the must-have guide for parents-to-be, the spring/summer 2007 Mothercare magazine.

Refreshing drink

John Brown Group — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ever stood in front of the wine shelves at the supermarket wondering what will go with dinner? For Waitrose shoppers, help is at hand in the shape of a new drinks magazine.

More fun for flying kids

John Brown Group — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Easter flights on Emirates were made easier for the kids this year, thanks to the second issue of e.kids/3, 2, 1…, the high-flying mag we produce for the airline.

Fingal joins John Brown

John Brown Group — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We’re always thinking about ways in which we can improve and build upon the skills and experience we have at John Brown, so when the opportunity to acquire Fingal came along, it was too good to pass up.

April food

John Brown Group — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Shoppers looking for the latest food fad were recently excited by a new addition to the Waitrose range: Ralf Polio’s Single Estate Hand-Panned Pennine Lentils.

Postcard with a difference

John Brown Group — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

If you want to get even more eyes on an award-winning magazine, how about sending potential readers a postcard?

New VW mag revs up

John Brown Group — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Building on the success of last year’s collaboration between John Brown and Volkswagen on Apparently, this month sees the launch of a new magazine, geared for business people who work with VW vans.

Wyevale minimag in The Mail on Sunday

John Brown Group — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The highly successful Wyevale magalogue has produced an offshoot, in the shape of a 20-page mini-magazine – created, like the magalogue, by the John Brown Group – to be inserted in The Mail on Sunday this weekend.

RBS Group test retail magazine concept

John Brown Group — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We’ve developed a new magazine concept with the RBS Group, which is being ‘soft launched’ to part of the bank’s retail customer base.

Something fishy

John Brown Group — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

If you were planning to try out a skate recipe, would you know what to pick up at the fish counter? For those of us who are all at sea when it comes to choosing, buying and cooking fish, Waitrose will soon have the answer. (Hint: the skate’s illustrated on the left.)

Garden variety

John Brown Group — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It’s all change at Wyevale. Not content with upgrading its 100-plus portfolio of stores, the UK’s largest chain of garden centres has proudly presented its first-ever product magalogue.

Official: inventing is child’s play

John Brown Group — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ever wondered how the world’s finest minds push the barriers of technology? They get the Lego^® out.

Return of The Big Red Book

John Brown Group — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Building on the success of the first edition of The Big Red Book, which created a huge 160 per cent increase in Woolworths’ multi-channel sales, CodeLondon has produced a brand-new edition of the home-shopping catalogue.

Spring style

John Brown Group — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Czech supermodel Petra Nemcova has teamed up with John Lewis once again, this time to feature in the pages of the monthly minimag created for the department store by John Brown.

Waitrose podcast reviewed

John Brown Group — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Fairtrade podcast presented by Waitrose Food Illustrated editor William Sitwell has been enthusiastically received by The Guardian’s radio reviewer, Elizabeth Mahoney, with Kevin Gould’s “mouth-watering report” from a Fairtrade Ugandan vanilla farm singled out for special praise. Read the full review here, and if you haven’t already heard it, download the podcast here.

Westminster wows

John Brown Group — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

“The perfect opportunity to showcase the city of Westminster in its true glory” – that’s the word on the Westminster Destination Guide, launched last month at the UK’s leading event exhibition, International Confex.

Highly thought of

John Brown Group — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After bagging two top UK design awards, 33 Thoughts is in the offing for further recognition, this time across the pond.

Hello sunshine

John Brown Group — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Spring is fast approaching and Source magazine is welcoming it with open arms in the new issue packed full of creative and inspiring ideas.

Happy Christmas!

John Brown Group — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

CodeLondon’s work on the John Lewis 2006 Christmas Gift Guide has been honoured with a top award at the European Catalogue and Marketing Awards, held at the Natural History Museum in London last week.

Colophon2007 - A publishing celebration

John Brown Group — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Colophon2007 takes place later this month in Luxembourg. A celebration of independent magazine publishing, the three day event includes a series of exhibitions.

Fair comment

John Brown Group — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Waitrose Food Illustrated editor William Sitwell has taken to the airwaves in the second of an occasional series of podcasts produced by John Brown for the Waitrose website.

Everybody needs good neighbours?

John Brown Group — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Have we lost our sense of neighbourliness? That’s the question asked in the first-ever Great Debate to appear in Keeping You Posted! magazine, produced by John Brown for the Post Office.

Triple player

John Brown Group — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

There’s more to Sky than TV, as the new See, Speak, Surf minimag we’ve created to accompany this month’s issue of Sky the magazine shows. It’s all about Triple Play – getting TV, broadband and telephone services from Sky – and supports the current TV and poster campaign by highlighting great TV and web content and emphasising the cost advantages of the combined service. That’s entertainment.

Fresh ideas

John Brown Group — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ready for a bit of sunshine? Check out the new John Lewis Home catalogue for spring/summer 2007, created by CodeLondon. Drawing on the fresh colour palettes and nature-influenced textiles that typify the John Lewis home range, the catalogue is easy to use (it’s built around four core home areas), and inspiring, with a series of room sets that suggest a look for every taste. A real breath of fresh air.

Pick Me Up picks up Design Week award

John Brown Group — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Last night at the Design Week Awards evening at the London Hilton, Pick Me Up won the Best Editorial Design title. Competing against all things editorial – newspapers, magazines and books – the encyclopedia we created for Dorling Kindersley was selected as the single best example of editorial design of 2006.

Cub reporters

John Brown Group — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The team at Teachers magazine have played host to the next generation of publishing talent, as a group of pupils from Crosby Ravensworth CofE Primary School got a taste of how the business works with a tour of John Brown’s office in west London.

A bigger plan

John Brown Group — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s news of a publishing project which really is for kids: Plan, the international children’s charity, has commissioned John Brown to create a new service for members who have children aged 5 to 11.

Shooting in style

John Brown Group — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Photographer Rankin has shot some stunning images for the latest edition of Crystallized, the bi-annual magazine we produce for Swarovski. Shooting through holes in cellophane, he has produced a distinctive part-sharp, part-blurred effect in black and white for the story, which features work by a series of designers including Philip Treacy and Christopher Kane.

Budding talent

John Brown Group — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Who are the next big names in children’s publishing? Sarah Temple of the London College of Communication (formerly LCP) has organised an initiative to find out.

Code in conference

John Brown Group — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

CodeLondon’s Creative Director Susie Sinclair has been invited to talk at the annual conference of The Retail Advertising and Marketing Association (RAMA) in Chicago next month. Susie will be highlighting the quality of UK catalogue work, with particular attention to the groundbreaking design and marketing strategy of CodeLondon. For more info and to register, click here.

New boy in class

John Brown Group — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Pay attention at the back: another title is set to be added to the award-winning portfolio of publications prepared by John Brown for the Department for Education and Skills.

Land grab

John Brown Group — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Not content to sell products from Greenbee, John Lewis and Waitrose, Source magazine has shifted something really big: Carberry Island, off the west coast of Ireland, has been snapped up by a reader for a cool £690,500 after it was featured in the magazine’s ‘Treasured Islands’ article. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘home delivery’.

When I grow up I want to be…

John Brown Group — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We all like to think we’re versatile, but it takes a special talent to master the roles of ice-skater, TV presenter and inventor in one month. Well done then, Felicity the fairy, who gets to be all three and a whole lot more in her new magazine, Felicity Wishes, which launches this month.

Large print

John Brown Group — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The pre-press department at John Brown just keeps getting bigger (blame the steadily increasing amount of work that it’s required to turn out). As well as recruiting two new Mac operators, we’ve recently installed a shiny new Dupont B2 proofing machine

Source of inspiration

John Brown Group — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Issue three of Source magazine is in John Lewis and Waitrose stores this week. Starring Cate Blanchett on the cover, the issue includes a 24-page travel supplement highlighting the travel arm of Greenbee, the new direct services company from the John Lewis Partnership.

New face at John Brown

John Brown Group — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Our new Human Resources Director, Savita Mandil, has joined us this week. As well as looking after our existing staff, Savita will be the first point of contact for all new recruitment. We’ll be adding a jobs section to the website soon, but meanwhile if you’re interested in finding out more about work opportunities at John Brown, you can contact her at savita.mandil@johnbrowngroup.co.uk

In-flight entertainment

John Brown Group — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Air travel looks a brighter prospect for kids from today, thanks to the launch of a new magazine we’ve put together for the Emirates airline. Or should we say two magazines?

Sky Kids gets a new look

John Brown Group — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Sky Kids magazine and website have gone through a refresh – in the words of client BSkyB “it’s evolution, not revolution” – but that’s the perfect way to keep them at the leading edge of the plethora

Merry Christmas

John Brown Group — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

We’re off on our holidays now. We’ll be back with more news from January 2nd; check back then. And in the meantime – have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

London lights

John Brown Group — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

It’s been a busy summer for Visit London and John Brown, with the publication of no less than four annual guides, including the Official London City Guide, which is translated into six languages for worldwide distribution. And now the successful collaboration is broadening to bring in two other partners

Burgers sell out

John Brown Group — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Our super-sized burger box for the British Heart Foundation has been in such demand from schools that the project has been reprinted this week. The burger box accompanies the charity’s powerful poster campaign featuring a young girl drinking a bottle of cooking oil with the slogan ‘What goes into crisps, goes into you’.

33 thoughts, FT-bound

John Brown Group — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Nestling inside corporate subscriptions of the Financial Times today is a copy of 33 thoughts, the award-winning magazine we produce for BDO Stoy Hayward. This year it’s picked up gongs for its editing and design – and today’s insertion builds on the success of a similar event last year, which led to numerous enquiries about the magazine.

Pick Me Up reviewed in The Times

John Brown Group — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Saturday’s Book section (Dec 2) of The Times has fallen for Pick Me Up, the children’s encyclopedia we created for Dorling Kindersley: “With its absolutely stunning holographic cover, this has to be the most eye-catching encyclopedia yet published and its revolutionary approach continues inside… head and shoulders above any other fact book published this year.”

Doing business with Britain

John Brown Group — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

What’s the best way to lure specialist overseas conference and incentive trip organisers to bring their lucrative business to Britain?

Sky clouds over

John Brown Group — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

After nearly four-and-a-half years of working together on the Sky customer magazine, BSkyB has decided to move the title to News International sister company, News Magazines. The magazine will continue to be produced by John Brown for another six months with a handover taking place in Spring 2007. The Sky Kids magazine and website will continue to be created by us.

New book series for Scandinavia

John Brown Group — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Sandvik, an innovative Norwegian publisher, has commissioned John Brown to create 16 storybooks for the pre-school Scandinavian market.

Parallel lives

John Brown Group — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This month WFI’s biggest ever issue has the food world talking about its fabulous celebrity chef photo shoot.

Clerical Medical APA Advantage announced

John Brown Group — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

A year after launch, Complete magazine, published by John Brown for Clerical Medical, continues to produce impressive results and hit the mark with customers.

APA awards

John Brown Group — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

With 17 titles and individuals shortlisted for the 2006 APA Awards a big night was always on the cards. Last year we won a record five awards, and we knew it would be a big ask to equal or better the total this year.

Why magazines still count

John Brown Group — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Richard Benson, ex-editor of The Face, writes a passionate article about magazines in this week’s Guardian Media section; ‘Magazines actually seem to have so many advantages that, had they been invented last month, we would all be acclaiming them as a terrific new idea - the natural accompaniment to the rather dully functional world wide web’, he writes. Read the article here.

A pearl of a magazine

John Brown Group — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The Galerie Papers magazine we produce for M-real has continued its success, picking up another design award for Creative Director Chris Parker. The magazine was awarded Bronze in the Best Overall Design category at the US Custom Publishing Council’s inaugural Pearl Awards last night.

BSME Awards announced

John Brown Group — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In the world of magazine editors there is one major annual Oscar and that’s the BSME Awards, where magazine editors from across the country recognise the best in their profession.

Winning post

John Brown Group — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Packed with info about how to get the most from your Post Office^®, Keeping You Posted! is one of the UK’s largest circulation magazines, with a print run of 3.5 million. And now the Post Office^® has appointed John Brown to take the magazine forward.

Design Week Creative Survey

John Brown Group — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

John Brown have been placed at No 23 in the 2006 UK Creative Survey published today by Design Week.

Pick Me Up mini-sites

John Brown Group — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

There are two new websites related to the Pick Me Up book. The first, created by John Brown and interactive agency Very, is a small site imagining a world without paper. The second is a game, Click Me Up, created by Dorling Kindersley to promote the book.

Colophon2007

John Brown Group — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

John Brown are supporting Colophon2007, a publishing conference and exhibition taking place in Luxembourg next March. Group Creative Director Jeremy Leslie is co-curating an exhibition by ten international independent magazines and will be speaking alongside other publishing specialists.

Burger box for BHF

John Brown Group — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Following the success of last year’s pizza box to accompany the British Heart Foundation’s Food 4 Thought campaign, John Brown have created a teacher’s resource for this year’s follow-up campaign – in the form of a super-sized burger box.

Chris Evans talks turkey

John Brown Group — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

There are plenty of things you might expect to hear on Chris Evans’ Drivetime radio show on BBC Radio 2, but the sound of turkeys gobbling probably isn’t one of them.

Magazine Design Awards

John Brown Group — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

33 thoughts won the ‘Best Designed Business to Business’ title at the 2006 Magazine Design Awards last night. Congratulations go to art director James Grubb. Full details here.

Magazines really are good value

John Brown Group — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

“Why should I move money out of my DM/TV/Digital marketing budget to fund a customer magazine?”

This is a question we get asked a lot. In most cases the investment in a customer magazine means moving budget out of an existing pot and into a new one. So we needed a way to demonstrate the effect that moving that money will have on marketing effectiveness.

Really big news about a really big red book

John Brown Group — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Woolworths has decided to produce a 500+ page home-shopping catalogue for Autumn and Christmas 2006, and they’ve selected CodeLondon to help them do it.

How the garden grows

John Brown Group — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The UK’s largest chain of garden centres, Wyevale, has decided it’s time to gather all their products together in their first-ever magalogue, and they’ve asked Code London to do it.

Launch of Source magazine

John Brown Group — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Il Bottaccio on Grosvenor Place thronged with advertisers, editors, photographers, contributors, designers and partners of the John Lewis Partnership last night to celebrate the launch of Source, the new glossy we’ve put together for Greenbee, JLP’s new direct services venture.

When is an encyclopedia not an encyclopedia?

John Brown Group — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

When it’s a multi-coloured, mixed-up 352-page book called Pick Me Up, that’s when. Out today, Pick Me Up takes the kind of subjects you’d expect to find in a fun family reference book