North East design agency double team and turnover in 12 months

Based at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead, where they have just moved into larger office space, the team which also includes account manager Clare Hampton, digital marketer Louise Elsdon and creative Michael Watts have ambitious plans to grow, whilst retaining the intimacy and creativity of the small team environment. Offering a range of services across brand, design, web and digital, the team pride themselves on being able to deliver great solutions to businesses large or small with work including brand audits, strategy, websites and design.

Holding senior positions at some of the North East’s highest profile marketing agencies, the team have worked for global super brands including L’Oréal, Mercedes-Benz, Nando’s and Tommee Tippee, and national brands, One North East, Bellway, NHS, Bet365, Berghaus, Barker & Stonehouse and Tyne & Wear Metro.

Combining their expertise with a friendly and transparent approach, the team at Absolute have a growing client list including contracts with NCFE and Baker Furniture and have completed projects for Northumbria Police, Procter and Gamble, Kanuka Tea, and Drayton Partners.  With a passion and growing niche for the interiors sector, the team also have experience working within retail, recruitment and the public sector.

Sarah McCrady, Founder and Design Director at Absolute Agency said;

“It’s been an incredible couple of years at Absolute and it’s hard to believe how much we have achieved in a such a small space of time. I remember the day Absolute was born back in 2014… starting with a chat, a glass of wine and a huge leap of faith!

With the team’s collective experience working at a number of the region’s top design agencies we knew we had both the drive, approach and experience to make it happen. We were keen to work for a range of clients, expanding into different sectors including interiors which we share a real passion for. We also wanted to enjoy the flexibility and creative license that comes with owning your own business.  With four of us being parents, having that flexibility and work life balance was certainly a key driving force.”

The team pride themselves on having a simple approach to business which is to ‘work hard and be nice to people’and have used this ethos alongside their client’s reference to them being ‘absolute stars’ to create their own definitive brand and identify.

Sarah McCrady added;

“For us, Absolute defines being the best at what we do and not compromising on delivering anything less. As a team we often talk about how lucky we are to have chosen design as a career and even after all these years we still love what we do. The most rewarding part is seeing our client’s grow, building brands that really encapsulate the essence of who they are and knowing that we have been part of that journey with them.”

To support their expansion, the team recently moved into larger office space within the Northern Design Centre as they continue to grow and build their client portfolio.