Issue 250 - December 2023 / January 2024 4 ISSUE 250 December 2023 / January 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk signlink signlink signlinkmagazine GHOST SIGN CORNER: Coca-Cola, Freemantle Around the world, there are probably more Coca-Cola ghost signs than any other brand. I have seen them in Bangladesh, Mexico, Scotland, and of course the USA. This one was impossible to miss when I visited Australia in 2013, and its host building was almost certainly a shop or catering establishment where you could once buy a bottle of sugared refreshment. Coca-Cola’s marketing strategy included positioning in signs on locations where the product could be bought, with this type of sign referred to as a ‘privilege’. This particular wall faces north, which, being in the southern hemisphere, means it gets disproportionately more sun. This has faded the bright red paint to a washed-out pink – one of the problems with that colour – but the branding itself endures. Queen Victoria Street, Freemantle, Western Australia Sam Roberts is the editor and publisher of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) Online: www.bl.ag and www.ghostsigns.co.uk Social Media: @betterletters (instagram) @ghostsigns (X/twitter) Publishing director Page Tuck Sales director Chris Davies Lead contributor Rob Fletcher Contributors Brian Sims, Sam Roberts Contact Editorial: 0117 980 5040 Sales: 0117 960 3255 Production: 0117 980 5041 Accounts: 0117 980 5042 Find us online www.signlink.co.uk Socials All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors to Signlink magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial team and Link Publishing Ltd. takes no responsibility for any errors that may have occurred. The publisher also accepts no responsibility for the advertising content, including any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Link Publishing Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Link Publishing Ltd, Unit G, Link House, Britton Gardens, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1TF Editor Carys Evans carys@linkpublishing.co.uk Online editor David Osgar david@linkpublishing.co.uk Production Shaun Edwards shaun@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Tim Hall tim@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Luke Stoneham luke@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn kat@linkpublishing.co.uk Office therapist Skye MEET THE TEAM Signlink Signlink SignlinkMagazine Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP00015512002182040 With one year drawing to a close and the start of another just around the corner, the signage and graphics industries have been powering on in what continues to be a difficult time for business. Despite current affairs causing a feeling of despair and helplessness amongst many, collaboration, community, and partnership have never been more important in knowing you are not alone. When quizzing a handful of industry members on what they predict the challenges and trends for 2024 will be, some common themes reoccurred. These included the continued need to diversify to remain buoyant and competitive; a surge in customers demanding sustainable solutions; print buyers moving to smaller, more frequent orders; and the integration of augmented technologies in both digital and print signage, to name just a few. (more on P34). So, while it seems the ongoing economic uncertainty looks set to continue, there is also lots to look forward to. From continued investment in new technologies and securing grants and funding, to the development of new innovative products and solutions, I’m sure there will be plenty of positive news for us to report on in 2024! As we round off our final magazine of 2023 and look to the new year ahead, I would like to thank you for your continued support, for sharing your news with us, and for allowing us to continue to share your stories with the industry. EDITOR S NOTE Carys Evans
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