Every month, we pose questions to a Chamber member. This time it’s Neil Viccars
1.Who are you & what do you do?
I set up my Print Consultancy because there is still a need in the Creative, Marketing and Communications sectors for the specialist to help build print solutions but not the need for full time staff in this kind of role.
I offer anything to support the creation of solutions for print, packaging and direct mail – help with pitching, innovative print products, off island sourcing and purchasing, production management, quality control, training and upskilling
2. How did you end up doing this work?
Bereft of career ideas at 21, I took some advice and ended up doing a HND in Printing in Nottingham. What I loved was the variety of skills used in the industry – artistic, scientific, process & financial; I think I’m a bit of a jack of all trades. I quickly realised I loved working client side supporting colleagues to delivery great print products.
I’ve now spent over 30 years doing this, working client side for major brands and agencies such as Boots and Jaguar Land Rover
3.What’s the big ‘why’ behind your work?
I do this because I love to see the impact great print can have, especially with younger colleagues and consumers as a counterpoint to their mainly digital lives.
There are no new people been trained in print skills and very few left working in full time careers on the client side, I have the skills, experience and knowledge to help keep print solutions alive and relevant and want to offer these to anyone who can use them.
4. What’s something most people don’t know about your company, but they should?
I try and work with art of the possible, a client can have anything printed they can think of, but it must align with brand and commercial targets. Or you can simply ask ‘what could we do’ and I have ideas and materials a plenty.
It all starts with really understanding the broader brand identity and campaign strategy, then helping find if and where print solutions could have an impact, creatively and commercially.
Finally, I am working from a global perspective, sourcing from or delivering to anywhere in the world.
5. Tell us about a moment you felt proud of the difference your work made?
Anytime anyone says ‘I love it’ or ‘great job’ or ‘thank you for getting us out of trouble’ makes me happy.
6. What’s shaped how you think about your work?
I’ve learned the most from the many great colleagues Ive worked with in particular the Telco Marketing team I worked with for the past 6 years in Manchester, showing the highest values of quality, professionalism and teamwork, really the right way to do things all the time.
7. Tea, coffee or something stronger, and where are we most likely to find you enjoying it?
Tea mostly, Coffee on a tough morning, decent cask ale on the weekend
To learn more about Neil Viccars Printing Consultant click here: Nvprintgsy.com
