Ipswich24 celebrates 10th Anniversary
It seems like only yesterday that the very first edition of Ipswich24 rolled off the press and hit the streets, however Fizzwig Designs, the company behind Ipswich24 has come along way since that first issue 10 years ago.
Ipswich24 was started by Mark Keable and Wendy Cook in a front bedroom back in 2006 and the first issue published was the March 2007 magazine. Since that time, Ipswich24 has gone from strength to strength. From very small beginnings we now work from premises in Ipswich where, as well as producing the popular monthly Ipswich24 magazine, we also design and print all manner of items from business cards to banners etc, the company also produce other publications and brochures for their many clients.
“It was very daunting back when we started,” says Mark “Having worked within the industry for many years we knew that we had the know-how to make Ipswich24 work, however we had no idea just how well our new publication would be received”
We have advertised successfully with Ipswich24 for the past 6 years. The value for money, advice, support and knowledge have been a real asset to our business, happy birthday!
Lee Hunt, Deben Travel, Woodbridge
“Ipswich24 proved extremely popular right from the beginning” continues Wendy, “I remember standing in one of the supermarkets that we distribute through and watching shoppers pick up that first issue. I was amazed at just how many people stopped and popped a copy in their trolley!”
Over the years Ipswich24 has continued it’s popularity with both readers and advertisers. The publication has grown in size and covers even more areas, including, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Hadleigh, Stowmarket and surrounding villages as well as Ipswich.
Mark, Wendy and the Team at Ipswich24 have really helped me promote my business through local advertising. They have offered practical advice and competitive rates and this coupled with their excellent customer service is second to none. What I like about dealing with them is they always get back to me when they say they will, they don’t try and “hard sell” and they are always on hand to help with designing advertisements and writing content for editorials. Congratulations on your success in the last 10 years and long may it continue.
Kay Fletcher, Kay Fletcher Fitness
“We have worked hard to create a publication that people really want to read,” says Mark. “We have always prided ourselves on our outstanding customer service and because our advertisers are happy and continue to give us a lot of repeat business, it means that we can also publish really good content for our readers to enjoy”
Wendy continues “It wasn’t all plain sailing though. When we started the business the economy wasn’t looking too good and we had to work really hard and long hours to make Ipswich24 the success that it is today – but it’s all been worth it though.
“The magazine has given us a chance to do some interesting activities over the years. I’ve learnt how to show a sheep at the Suffolk Show, ridden on the footplate of a train at The Mid Suffolk Light Railway and seen countless theatre productions, all so that we can let our readers know what is going on in the local area.”
In the Autumn of 2014 it became apparent that the business was growing and so the decision was made to use the government apprenticeship scheme. As a small company this enabled Fizzwig Designs not only to grow but, to do it in a way that maintained the attention to detail that we had worked hard to create.
“Employing apprentices is great” says Wendy. “Not only do they work really hard, our young staff brought a lot of fresh ideas to Ipswich24, including our now regular Motors Section.
“In fact, we have been so successful with our Apprenticeship scheme that Apprenticeship 4 England awarded us Silver in the Small Business Category at their annual award ceremony.
“Paige, our first Apprentice, is still with the company and now runs our small sales team. Our latest recruit is Abi, who has really fitted in and now looks after the Health and Wellbeing section within the magazine.”
“The future looks bright for Ipswich24.” Mark concludes, “We will continue to do what works and that’s a bright, colourful publication full of interesting content for our readers to enjoy.
“We would like to thank all of our clients, readers and friends that have supported us along the way – Here’s to the future!”