Branding, graphic design and website design & development for the UK’s leading book distribution company

As part of the Random House Publishing Group, TBS (The Book Service) and its sister company GBS (Grantham Book Services) are the largest distributor of books in the UK. With a joint turnover in excess of £500m, their marketing requirements are very specialised and largely dictated by their very small and highly defined target markets. Elan Creative Marketing was appointed as the marketing agency of choice for both companies in 2006, initially working on advertising campaigns which reflected the core values of each organization. Our strength in graphic design was awarded when we were invited to handle a corporate rebrand. Working alongside the Executive Board and following several months of research, discussion and development launched their new brands and a range of supporting marketing materials to the industry at the London International Book Fair 2007. This has since allowed both companies to maintain and build on their existing brand profile amongst customers and partners alike.

Our brief was to take features from both of the original logos and design new brands that carried a much closer affinity with each other, but retain the personalities of each company that were represented in the original identities, enabling clients and potential clients to understand the true extent of the service offering and made recommendations accordingly. The results provided a real synergy across both company identities and very few adjustments were made from our initial proposals to the finished and approved identities.

All existing media needed to be updated, and new media followed the new style guidelines and our involvement in this project has allowed us to develop other marketing materials behalf of both companies including:-

• Website Design & Development
• Exhibition & Banner Stands
• Advertising
• Corporate Brochures
• Business Stationery
• Presentation Materials

Client Testimonial

“In an ever more sophisticated market, a top quality distributor needs a top quality marketing company - Elan fulfils that role. Their attention to detail, response times and dedication to supporting and guiding their customers is exceptional. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”

Samantha Blackwell - Business Development Manager, The Book Service Limited