March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, or so the proverb says, and spring is finally upon us. Just knowing that we’re on our way to better times and sunnier days is enough for us to start feeling all the positive vibes.

But with lockdown measures already slowly lifting and the Easter bunny ready for its annual visit, it’s a good time to sit back and reflect on what’s kept smiles on Active Profilers’ faces throughout March...

Levelling up through innovation

Earlier this month, it was announced that a new partnership, known as Innovation Greater Manchester, has been formed to provide a blueprint for collaboration with the government, which they say could create 100,000 new jobs and an economic boost of £7 billion.

Its aim is to positively contribute to the region’s ‘levelling up’ agenda and will include new and existing Innovation Zones across Greater Manchester. We can’t wait to see the exiting opportunities this could bring to businesses across the North. Read more about it over on Prolific North.

Place team’s pick:

Keeping in line with positive news from the North West, we watched and enjoyed EG’s ‘Future of Manchester’ event featuring one of our very own clients, Avison Young. With speakers covering Manchester’s resilience, a new development which will become the newest and largest performance and arts venue in Europe, as well as what’s next for the city’s office and retail markets, there was plenty to get excited about. It looks like better days are finally on their way!

Work smarter, not harder:

Don’t mind if we do! Asana is the flavour of the month across the AP team in terms of organising our tasks, projects, and campaign management. We can view schedules for social posts, review content suggestions and be all-round super organised. With user friendly navigation too, it’s a YES from us!

We’re reading:

• Quite – Claudia Winkleman
  • Nicky says: “Quite is a great read, she writes how she speaks, so it’s really funny. It’s just her take on all kinds of different things, from men who are obsessed with star signs (who knew they existed) sports day, egg & chips, napping and styles to be avoided too. Highly recommend.”

• Hubspot’s marketing trends to watch in 2021
  • In the uncertain times of the past year, as we continue to grow and develop our accounts in less physical and more digital ways, this blog from Hubspot puts a positive spin on the changes in the industry that have formed as a result of the pandemic and we’re here for it.
    
    
  • Nathan says: “I think it’s safe to say, virtual events have a place in modern times. Remote working has taught us a number of things, proving that teams can work effectively without being together, and that events, networking and new business can happen through the eyes of a webcam too. I do think we’ll see a return of in-person events though – people do miss the human interactivity, but like most things, a hybrid-way of working will win.
    
    “On saying goodbye to A/B testing, I’d like to agree, but I do think a large proportion of marketers will either be unable to make the business case, or will be unsure about how to tackle AI. I think the end of A/B testing is still a number of years away, despite it’ many advantages.”

We’re watching:

• Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency
  • Available on BBC iPlayer, Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency is a moving documentary about mental health and the suicide crisis affecting young men. Although this documentary is hard hitting, it’s refreshing to see the stigma around mental health being lifted as it’s openly talked about more and more.

• Judas and the Black Messiah:
  • Up for five awards at this year’s Oscars, Judas and the Black Messiah follows the tragic story of the Illinois Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton (played by Black Mirror’s Daniel Kaluuya). Megan says: “At £15 on Amazon Prime it might seem a little pricey, but it’s a worthwhile treat for a Saturday cinema night!”

We’re wearing:

• Philip Normal’s ‘La.’ T-shirt
  • If you read last month’s recommendations, you’ll know we’re big fans of Channel 4’s ‘It’s a Sin’, so buying Philip Normal’s ‘La.’ T-shirt was a no-brainer. With £17 from every purchase donated to the HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust, helping to support people living with and affected by HIV, it’s all for a great cause too. Join the gang from the Pink Palace and get yours here.

Out of context overhead in the office:

Live from our virtual office, our out of context conversations are still worth writing home about and will be coming in thick and fast when we’re all back together – hopefully next month, but for now, we leave you with this gem:

‘Raise your hand for ‘grout’, raise your hand for ‘moist’.

Any guesses for what that conversation was about?