Case Study: Creative Management & Communications
Client: Touring Exhibitions Group (now The Exhibitions Group)
The Brief:
Founded in 1985, Touring Exhibitions Group (TEG) is a charity and membership organisation dedicated to promoting the exchange of exhibitions, enriching public understanding and appreciation of historical and contemporary culture. Current members include Barbican Art Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Natural History Museum, National Museums Scotland, National Portrait Gallery, V&A, and the British Library.
Now an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) - and as the organisation approaches its 40th anniversary in 2025 - its consulting team and trustees have been exploring ways to strengthen and future-proof its operations.
In May 2024 our Creative Director, Rachel, joined the team as Marketing and Communications Consultant to lead a pivotal project: refreshing the organisation’s brand and boosting its public profile while supporting membership growth.
The scope of the project to date has included recruiting a creative agency to develop a new brand identity, reflecting the organisation’s expertise and services, as well as devising a strategic communications plan to unveil the refreshed identity and introduce its new name, The Exhibitions Group.
How We Went About It:
Working as a remote team of five part-time consultants and a board of trustees, collaboration was key. With most team members deeply experienced in arts and culture, their insights were vital to shaping the project.
The process began with an open call for creative agency suggestions, allowing all team members to contribute. Rachel crafted a comprehensive design brief aligned with the charity’s strategic goals, specifying deliverables and budget parameters.
Proposals were assessed using a scoring matrix that considered proposal quality, value for money, and relevant experience. Three team members independently scored the submissions, and the highest-ranked agency was commissioned. Isle Studio has now created a new headline visual brand, with further elements due to follow including digital templates and comprehensive brand guidelines.
A new website to reflect the visual change is now in progress and is set to go live early in 2025.
A mock up showing how the new brand will look ‘out in the wild’ - credit: Isle Studio.
Challenges:
As a part-time, remote team with varying schedules, the project required careful coordination and pre-planned meetings. Generous timeframes between phases and approvals helped ensure all stakeholders had time to review and respond effectively.
Establishing clear expectations with the agency early on was crucial to align timelines and practicalities with the team’s working setup.
What We Delivered:
Creative design brief
Project management
Communications strategy and plan
Copywriting for web, social media, email newsletters, and press
Top Tip:
Rachel says:
“If you’re planning a similar project, be realistic about timeframes. Work closely with your agency to ensure timelines fit your team’s structure and workload—and always include a contingency buffer.
If there are part-time team members or volunteer trustees, accept that progress may be slower than usual. Setting achievable deadlines that work for each individual company can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.”
If you’re currently thinking you could use some help with your visual identity, communications, or general marketing advice, get in touch.