For only £20.99 you can now have fully functioning layered PSD’s of any of your favourite sites across the web, but is this a good thing?

Sure the intention for this tool may have been to save time when producing mock ups or to help make improvements to a site. But you could just as easily take that PSD, remove any branding, change the colour scheme and hand it over to a developer to create your very own copied website. Here at We love we believe in creating original, unique ideas and not reusing other people’s work. It’s there for inspiration, not for rehashing. What do you think, tool for the good or a corner cutting website hacker?

Our motives of starting an agency were questioned, but we believed in a better creative world – where an agency got back to its routes and produced great work without charging (let’s face it) the inflated and greed orientated fees of others. Work that benefited the intended audience, not purely the agency.

Our sense of timing was questioned, but we welcomed the recession, I know that sounds misguided, but in our industry great agencies are born out of recessions – There is a flick of the reset switch, the fat is removed – we remember it’s about great creative, marketing and communications. Simple.

So what has been the secret to our last 4 years? Well, I won’t give it all away, but…

…in the beginning we had no clients, no website and no folio. All we had is what all creatives dream of… A completely white piece of paper to do with as we wished, along with our hard won reputations. It was time to start afresh – to reinvent what an agency should be and remember why we got involved in this industry in the first place – align our ethos and ethics to an ever (rapidly) changing and demanding world – get out there and spread our message. One of creative love.

We went against the grain when others played it safe and employed top of game talent to deliver on our promises of great creative and management. Within this structure we fostered an environment that invested in staff, encouraged creative thought, and empowered individuals to take ownership and accountability of their work whilst developing the concept of the team and not rely on hero dependency.

We found a niche. We developed an approach to transparent management and communications – allowing staff to have voice and help shape the future of the company. There should be no secrets.

We worked hard. Often above and beyond the contractual agreements we had made… Even today, if it needs that little extra we will give it, meaning that we do it better, faster, cheaper, more honestly, and with a wider range than our competitors.

But most of all, we created an environment that allows people to work with a smile. Promoting people to look at things with new eyes, to not be afraid or think of limitations.

Things great and small

With each dollar having to work harder and the amount of channels now available it pays to stay small and agile. It pays not to be the ’800-pound gorilla’. It allows us to work under the radar of the bigger agencies.

By staying small and focussed we hold on to the things that are dear to us, our passion of ideas, our love of storytelling and the acceptance of making mistakes. Mistakes are OK… If we don’t make them, then we aren’t pushing hard enough.

And what of 2012…

As advocates of design and communication we will be thinking about how we can change the world. To make it that little bit more special and leave a legacy – gifting back to the audience we rely so heavily upon to love and be influenced by our work. Yes, we live and work within a commercially driven world and environment, but it’s evolving… And brands can and will be playing a central role within this communication evolution – To make the world a better place to live in. It’s not all about the financial rewards… It now incorporates the story we are telling and the smile we should be leaving behind.

Our mission

As always; To over achieve – to deliver time and time again on our promise. To change the world ever so slightly for the better. To make the complex simple. To love what we do.

Here is to what we believe is going to be a most excellent 2012. Have fun with it.

Mark Anderson / Creative Director and Founder

Something a little off-piste for today’s blog. Feeling the 80′s vibe this week, after finding a Sooty puppet in a vintage store this weekend, and I thought I’d share the love (or should that be magic?)…

Whilst musing over the cult classic that was The Sooty Show that started back in 1955, I was interested to find out the entire idea for Sooty was born in much the same way – a cute hand-puppet teddy found in a vintage shop on a day out at Blackpool pier, as a last ditch effort to entertain a small child.

The Sooty Show was a father / son enterprise that spanned across BBC and ITV without falter, something that many modern shows, with all their hype and ratings, fail to do well.

I wonder how many of you still hold a soft-spot for Sooty (…or Sweep, Soo, Butch, Scampi, Muffin and Snuffles for that matter)?

Honda have been building cars at their factory in Swindon for two decades, and this year over 130,000 models will roll off the factory line and onto driveways across the country. Because of this they want to celebrate the art of craft and expertise in the country today.

Honda believes that Britain is bursting with creators of all kinds, which is why they have created a series of Made in Britain Facebook competitions (to run every 3 months), showcasing the very best British crafters and their skills.

Ready to showcase your creations?

This is a lovely idea and a great way to honour and encourage home-grown talent. Their first competition is all about ‘Style’ and is open to everyone in the UK.

Entrants can upload photos or videos of their creations, discuss craft with other fans and get feedback on their finished pieces. The deadline for entries is 15th May.

There are also development awards for each competition, worth up to £1000, to help the best makers in Britain invest in something that extends their creative skills.

You can take part and find out more by visiting the Made in Britain Facebook page.

The movie blends state-of-the-art animation with live action, and we are currently working on an engaging site that captures all the fun of the film and is sure to connect with the target audience of 4-14 year olds.

We are responsible for designing, developing and delivering the site, which will go live in over 17 regions.

That’s as much as we can say at the moment! Keep your eyes peeled for a visual delight coming soon!

We Love is growing and we are currently on the lookout for some rising stars, bright talent, and experienced individuals…

If you are looking for the next step up or just making your first move into this industry of ours, make sure you visit and bookmark our Jobs page, as it’s regularly updated. Current positions include:

Lead User Experience Architect

Creative Developer

New Business

Not what you’re looking for? Send us your CV anyway. We will always hold on to CV’s we are interested in and contact you when an opening arises.

Each year a different member of staff is in charge of organising the We Love Christmas party and this year it was Melissa’s turn. With only Melissa knowing where we were heading, we gathered at work at 5 in the morning to be taking off to Ebbsfleet to get on the Eurostar. From there we ended up in a cold, snowy Brussels.

As we arrived at the classy hotel, I kept waiting to hear we had got the wrong place (Melissa did a good job). With an itinerary in hand, we dropped off our stuff and then treated ourselves to christmas markets, hot wine, steak, beer, ice skating, ferris wheel, tobogganing (more dangerous than it looked), museums, more steak, more beer and not forgetting waffles.

A fantastic end to the year. The bar has been set for the organiser of next years party. Great job Melissa!!

As the familiar sound of Christmas songs and the twinkle of lights sweeps over us this season, everyone looks forward to some time off to celebrate.

Not the We Love team though… The Resource Manager has locked them in the manor to work overtime and it’s up to you to save them.

Read their pleas and vote for the one you want to save this festive season. All will be released but one… Who will man the phones over Christmas? Be kind or be evil. It’s your choice. The countdown begins…

VOTE NOW

This year we are supporting Crisis at Christmas. They provide companionship and support over the festive period and help people to take their first steps out of homelessness. The more votes we receive the more we will donate to help give those in need have a proper Christmas this year.

So if you are looking for an engaging position in an up and coming agency that is starting make waves in the industry then now is the right to join our tight team of super heroes. There are interesting times ahead.

Who are you? Well Agency experience is a must. You have dealt with large and small clients alike and understand the variables in each. Be technically aware… we are digital after all. You keep your head at all times, can manage a client and staff, keep projects on track and on budget. Run multiple projects at a time. Help create and define scopes and budgets. Reporting both ways with authority. You can PM agile or waterfall depending on need. Provide sanity in an insane world, make people smile and give a damn about your co-workers and the creative output that make up We Love. You are the glue. A lot to ask we know but we find our own high expectations make for a happy creative life for all

As always excellent package for the right person.

If you are THE PM then apply to work@welove72.com