Lancaster brand and design consultancy firm celebrates successful first year

Independent brand consultancy and design studio Two Stories are delighted to be celebrating the company’s first birthday.

Bekkie Hull, creative director, and Rob Ellis, managing director, are both born and bred in Morecambe and set up the firm a year ago.

Rob said: "We’d earned our stripes as brand experts supporting clients nationally. Around 12 months ago, we decided we’d like to set up a business right in the heart of Lancaster which was dedicated to using our skills and experience to help businesses grow.

"We wanted to enable them to tell their story through meaningful brand development, design, and digital."

"We’ve had an interesting and exciting first year, especially guiding clients through the storm of the coronavirus pandemic.

"During the crisis, we’ve supported Melling-based butchers and fine food business Cornvale to adapt to the new ‘at home’ market and helped high-end kitchen supplier Butler Interiors, in Low Bentham, to take their business online, making their brand even stronger during the lockdown.”

Two Stories has marked its first anniversary by launching its own brand new website to “let local companies know we are here and we’re different,” said Bekkie, one of the few women creative agency directors in the local area.

“We are small in size and big in impact and we want to show how passionate we are about using the power of brand storytelling to set companies apart from their competitors.”

The duo were recently delighted to be chosen to design this year’s brand identity for Channel 4’s annual Diversity in Advertising award with a focus on UK BAME culture.

This year’s entrants are challenged to address the issue of BAME communities lacking authentic portrayal in TV advertising, with the winner awarded £1m in airtime.

The award-winning duo are also proud to give back to the community they live in. Bekkie is proactive in encouraging more young women to reach a high level in the sector, the pair volunteer their services for Kirby Lonsdale-based charity Children of Hope, and Rob is a trustee of the Morecambe FC Community Sports charity.

Two Stories is based on China Street in Lancaster.