BEST NEW CREATIVE BUSINESS
SPONSORED BY
AWARDS 2021
FINALIST
ABBY + OWEN
Winner – Siobhan Fenton , assistant dean of the school of computing , engineering and digital technologies at Teesside University , presented the award to Jamie Tinkler of Cornerstone Marketing Solutions .
WINNER
CORNERSTONE MARKETING SOLUTIONS
Giving businesses an online X Factor through websites and video is what it ’ s all about for Cornerstone Marketing Solutions .
And when it comes to knowing what life is like on the other side of the camera , the firm ’ s creative director has plenty of experience .
Singer Jamie Tinkler appeared on X Factor , Pop Idol and was part of the band Pop ! that had three top 40 hits in 2004 and 2005 .
But his passion now is to help drive the fledgling firm on to new successes in the online social media marketing field .
And it ’ s that approach that earned them the Best New Creative Business title at the Best New Tees Business Awards , sponsored by PD Ports .
Based at Preston Farm in Stockton , Cornerstone Marketing Solutions was born last year from one of its sister companies , Cornerstone Business Solutions , which had struggled to find a company to market its services and grow its brand , so they brought it in-house .
It offers websites including e-commerce , branding , design work and video . In just over a year – and during a pandemic – the company has grown fast and now boasts clients such as Teesside International Airport and Tees Valley Combined Authority . It has also taken on new staff , including creative director Jamie .
Jamie said : “ We ’ re only as good as how good we make the businesses that we work with look . We want to make sure , first and foremost , that we present our clients in the best possible light and we feel like we ’ re achieving that .”
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Steve Dougan , head of enterprise at Teesside University , said : “ Teesside University has been supporting creative businesses for more than 20 years , from Animmersion to Wander Films .
“ Our Launchpad Incubator , DigitalCity and Teesside International Business School programmes help our region ’ s incredible creatives to get started , establish and grow new businesses in our region , creating jobs and opportunities for our students , keeping the talent here in the Tees Valley .
“ Celebrating the best new businesses in our region is the perfect vehicle to inspire and engage the next generation of founders – those risk-takers who start , fight for survival and then grow a new business .
“ We should be proud of all our winners and finalists and I wish them all the best for the awards and the future .”
Artists Abby + Owen met 10 years ago at the Northern School of Art and saw potential not just for friendship and romance , but for a strong creative partnership .
Launching their studio in May 2020 , the talented couple have based themselves in Stockton where they offer high-impact illustrations which punctuate the local area . They have also opened a thriving online print shop .
Despite launching during the pandemic , the studio and the online shop continues to grow and flourish and Abby + Owen proudly give talks to the Northern School of Art , encouraging the next generation of creatives , always taking the opportunity to sing the praises of The Tees Valley .
FINALIST
SOCIAL ALLIES
Social Allies is a Stockton-based creative agency launched by Jess Tucker in August 2019 .
Having noticed a lack of social media support for some of Teesside ’ s leading engineering companies , Jess was determined to help brands amplify their voice through novel content marketing , graphic design and resultsdriven social media strategies .
In just two years , Social Allies has evolved into a full-service agency working with B2B and B2C clients and covering a range of industries from e-commerce to infrastructure , property to oil and gas .
Having started the agency with just two employees , Jess now has a team of eight , as well as a new office and improved digital equipment .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 91