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Minuteman Press Bristol is UK Marketing Company of the Year

Bristol’s very own printers Minuteman Press have won a national print award in the British Printing Industry Federation’s (BPIF) Excellence Awards 2008 – 2009.

Following a day of judging by a panel of print industry experts, Minuteman Press Bristol were voted winners from a shortlist of four finalists including the £18 million turnover SMP Group PLC.

The award was presented at the London Hilton, Park Lane. A further presentation was hosted in Bristol by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Chris Davies who commented “The award is wonderful news for Bristol and has already added value to the city”.

“These awards celebrate best practice in managing print businesses, highlighting the very best in class”. Michael Johnson, Chief Executive BPIF.

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Peter Wise Interviewed for PrintWeek Magazine

The full interview is located at printweek.com. A selection of questions and answers are listed below:

Why did you get into printing?
Having always worked in marketing communications and been a buyer of print for years, working closely with printers, I fancied life on the other side of the press

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

A dynamic Bristolian actor, loved by millions and capable of moulding into any role: Morph

What is your dream bit of kit?
A privatised Royal Mail service, capable of delivering the services they promise

What would you most like to print?
Smash Hits magazine. But I fear it is gone forever. Failing that, Hansard – an iconic publication

Who or what do you hate the most?
Loud people, John Lennon, Simply Red. In that order

What is your greatest luxury in life?

Non-fiction books, Sennheiser headphones and an original Eames lounge chair and foot stool. Used in combination, the result has to be experienced

What is the strangest job you’ve ever done?
Introducing and implementing proportional representation at a convent. The existing first past the post system was generating unrepresentative results among the Sisters

Who or what makes you laugh?
Volvo drivers. They are deluded motorway police wannabes

Most embarrassing moment?
Explaining the large circular suction bruise on my forehead, which remained with me for two weeks, caused by getting a working breast pump stuck to my head

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National Marketing Award

Minuteman Press Bristol has won the Top Achievement in Marketing award.

“It was a delight to present our annual award for marketing to Minuteman Press in Bristol, they have transformed the Bedminster print centre into something truly wonderful,” said George Holzmacher, senior vice president of Minuteman Press, who had flown into the UK from New York to deliver the award personally.

“We’ve invested a massive amount of time in our business. It’s so nice to be formally recognised,” said Minuteman Press Bristol Director Lucie Wise.

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We’ve Unveiled Our New Website!

Bristol’s design and print company Minuteman Press Bristol has launched it’s new website!

This is the second generation website for Minuteman Press Bristol. The first was introduced 14 months ago and the volume of unique visits has continued to grow month on month. Indeed, the growth curve has accelerated and this combined with sales originating from the internet has proven beyond dispute the commercial value of the net.

The Minuteman Press Bristol website is comprehensive, detailing products, services, clients, location, case studies and – importantly – our environmental protocol. Unlike the majority of commercial websites, this one is not all about business.

“We wanted to create a community, and in this way we have included a Bristol and West events section and regular product reviews,” said Ryan Smith, Minuteman’s graphic designer.

“What makes Minuteman Press successful is that we operate in a friendly and open way. Prices are provided up front, there are no nasty hidden design charges, we offer free delivery, we’re easy to talk to and our customers receive the result that they had envisaged… which is not always the case with the online market!” added director Peter Wise.

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A Call to Arts

Following exhibitions of work by local artists Emily Ketteringham and Jason Lunn, Minuteman Press Bristol has issued a call to other talented Bristol artists who would like their work displayed prominently in the windows of our Bedminster print centre.

The most recent display features the distinctive creations of Emily Ketteringham, which was a collection of six screen prints and collages depicting colourful buildings and locations in Bristol.

Peter Wise, director of Minuteman Press Bristol, said: “The sheer number of passers by that stop and smile as they view the artwork displays has been a really pleasant surprise. We hoped that fellow Bristolians would enjoy seeing Bristol in art and we’ve not been disappointed.”

Ryan Smith, Minuteman Press’s graphic designer, added: “The vision was to combine art with commerce, and to be able to give something back to the community. It is great that we have been able to achieve this.”

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Bristol and West Comprehensive

Having lived in the West Country for many years, the team at Minuteman Press realised they all had a common problem; never knowing what events are on in Bristol, Bath and beyond. So often a great event is reviewed after the occasion, and it sounded brilliant – but the trick is then to remember it for next year.

Having recognised this problem, the team looked around and found that although some information was available, it was incomplete, difficult to find and in numerous cases entirely inaccurate. An idea was born, the Bristol and West Comprehensive, a definitive events guide that will benefit everyone.

Minuteman Press has done the leg work and collected events information, presented it in an easy to read format and displayed it in their print centre window for all to see. If you want to know what’s going on in the area, just look in the window!

Managing director Peter Wise said: “It has always personally frustrated me that so many great events take place in the West Country, but I only get to hear of a fraction of them. A comprehensive published listing has been required for so long. This is just the start of the initiative. The programme will be a rolling 12-month schedule, but to maintain accuracy we need the assistance of everyone. If you have an event, email us straight away and we’ll update the schedule.”

Ryan Smith, design manager, added: “I will be the first to use this listing. When you see just how many quality events are taking place, it really is incredible. I just wish I’d managed to get Glastonbury tickets!”

The Bristol and West Comprehensive event guide is located here.

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Minuteman and Sextons Clean Up

Minuteman Press Bristol has teamed up with Sextons custom car group to remove graffiti, refuse and fly posters in the area.

Interviewed by Bristol’s Star Radio, Minuteman Press Bristol director Peter Wise said that the aims of the initiative were to “make a positive example for local businesses that would stand the test of time and make a real difference”.

Star Radio added: “The results are evident and speak for themselves”.

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A Wise Minuteman

Minuteman Press Bristol has a new managing director.

Peter Wise has taken over the reigns of the Bedminster based operation, which specialises in the design and production of materials using lithograph and digital manufacture. A combination believed to be unique in the Bristol area, allowing clients to order any materials in any volume.

Peter has worked in marketing for 15 years, having served in the UK and abroad in a variety of design and communication roles. Most recently as international marketing manager for Herman Miller, with responsibility for strategy in more than 50 countries worldwide.

In addition to a wealth of experience, Wise holds an MA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, is an active Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

In an introductory presentation to the Minuteman Press Bristol team, Peter said: “I first encountered Minuteman Press Bristol as a client and was surprised at the variety of products and services they were able to offer. The majority of print companies I have come across are incapable or unwilling to provide a ‘one stop shop’ service. My vision is to grow the business, increase the quality of goods and invest in the community.”