Running, jumping, ducking, diving – and a dodgy coccyx!

Now approaching the end of his 21st year with Idealogy, Darryl Akerman is the perfect embodiment of the ‘One-Company Guy’. But, if all of that sounds a little steady and safe, well, forget it!

When he’s not multi-tasking complex brand and design projects as Idealogy’s Design Director, he’s anywhere other than tethered to a TV. He’s a Runner. He’s a Beachcomber. He’s a Cyclist (well, at least he was until he fractured his coccyx in an infamous off-the-wall BMX incident!). He’s an avid outdoor fiend. And he’s a moody Meteorologist – his outlook set by the way the local weather is shaping up for his weekends with his lovely wife Jo, and his 2 equally fresh-air friendly sons, Cayden and Jamie. Can you imagine what that washing basket smells like on a Sunday evening?

So, what else is he notable for? Well, he’s earned the moniker ‘The Blogger Dodger” – so you don’t need to speculate about how difficult it’s been to get him to answer a few personal questions. Let alone admit an aversion to the Social Media black arts. However, we eventually got there – and there are no other peddling misfortunes to report – for the moment!

Jump, if you will, to his professional life, and Darryl is the consummate pro – digging himself deep into detailed, far reaching branding and market communications projects. Sometimes it’s tough to see where the concept ends and Darryl begins, but he’s working on sharing his knowledge, expertise and diligence with others as Idealogy attempt to create a design team that reflects all those qualities and sheer mileage. And that’s going to be tough!

Ask him what he really loves and he will reply “Branding, from audit all the way through to application – it doesn’t get any better seeing everything go the plan, the proposition hits the mark and the client GETS the value”. Well, amen to that.

So, our all-action Design Director isn’t going to change his approach to his challenging MO. And if his coccyx holds up (God bless Ortho cushions) he’s going to keep attacking his Creative responsibilities with the same gusto he puts into his weekends.

Crabbing anyone?

Posted by Idealogy

Dan, Dan, the Otis Redding Man

Finding a Photographer who really ‘gets’ the intimate nature of Wedding Days and understands that these never-to-be-repeated moments are precious, is very rare indeed. Too many try to be ‘the show’. Others seem to have no empathy with the day, herding guests around without ever really getting the ‘money shot’. And even more, who double or triple book the days, rushing around, leaving bemused couples breathing in fumes and dust from departing tyre tracks. Where’s the value in that?

But Dan Akerman is different - he gets it! He knows that this is ‘their day’.  To stay in the background but still step up. To reflect their hopes, their fears and their journey. And his work showed us just that. It was so very different…

So when he asked Idealogy to sort out his Wind and Kite (web site), http://www.daphotographyuk.com we all jumped at the chance to help – after all, he was one of us, talking our language, however hard to understand that was.

So, we wrote the story and the copy, his brother Darryl (Idealogy’s Design Director) designed the look and Simon Johnson, Paul Skinner and Richard Sprinks developed and built the platform. And it all tells a compelling story – painting a picture of a guy with a different slant but a creative bent. A guy who, when your Bricks and Mortar (daughter) wants to get Cash and Carried (married), he’s more than just a pointing and clicking Whistle and Flute (suit).

So, if you want a memorable Otis Redding, Dan’s the man who won’t give you Lionel Blairs (work it out for yourself!).

Get it? Good!


Posted by Idealogy

Fashion faux pas, friendly banter and Mr Simon Dover… it’s a funny business

Simon Dover - A very 'hands-on' style employer....
it's just exactly what his hand’s on that you have to worry about.

Steven Barnes, Production

I was first introduced to Simon back in '89 on work experience (when all this was fields). To be honest, at first I didn't quite know what to think. Funny? Yes. Welcoming? Yes. Good at his Job? Yes. Big 80's Moustache? Absolutely.  

But was he a mate I could have a great laugh with or was he my boss? The answer was both. I think that's what makes Simon so unique. I am always impressed how that 'friendly' approach forged many long-term client relationships, making dealing with clients easy as they feel relaxed and often become friends (well most of them!).

Darryl Akerman, Design Director

First impressions: "This man is a little bit strange"
And now: "Idealogy's best oddity!"

Shelley Crouch, Designer

When I first had the pleasure of meeting Mr Dover he was clearly a big presence (no pun intended) in the then Selling Ideas. He knew his stuff in business terms but brought in clients not just through the skill of the team but through his personable nature and attitude - we were fun to work with.

Little did I know that 11 years later he'd be one of the few people that I could randomly email about 'meeting me at a Harvester' and he would know exactly what I meant, replying 'only if the horseradish is freshly made'. Unique!

Paul Skinner, Digital Media Developer

 “Brown shoes with black trousers… do YOU think they go?” said Simon Dover  “Er not really my taste but fine if YOU like them.” said the interviewee passing him on a tour of the building.

That interviewee was me and little did I know that was my ‘impressive’ opening line to my new MD!

Rarely do you work for someone who believes in such an open door policy – in fact there are no doors and there is always an encouraging word when things get tough. An obsessive wordsmith, with good old fashioned typographic values Mr D is the person behind most of the words here at Idealogy. He knows a lot of things about a lot of stuff and what he doesn’t know – he’ll find out.

Under his guidance and amazing networking skills, the company has grown from strength to strength. And I’m still here… 6 years on, so maybe he values my wardrobe advice after all. Or maybe it’s my lemon drizzle cake!

Anna Ecuyer, Client Services Manager

A role model networker, who is passionate about pleasing customers.

James Surridge, Director, Demand Strategy

It's been so long since I first met Simon  and the only way I can actually remember what he used to look like before the worries of running a small business aged him, is by looking in the 20th anniversary book!! Not pretty.

Still, from start to finish Simon has been one of the most interesting, intelligent and different bosses I have worked for. Covering a wide range of disciplines cannot be easy and managing a group of 'creatives' can only make it harder. Through the ups and down of a growing business, from recessions to redundancies, boom time to bloody hell time he has always been there making decisions and steering the company in the general direction it should be going, and he must be doing something right as we're still here 20 years on.

I can't really fault much about my boss, not just because he'll read this but because being at this company has shaped my career path into something I still hold a great interest in -  and not many companies can do that for their staff - and that's one of the biggest benefits of a company like this, run the way it is. Well done Simon, shame you support the Saints! :o)

Simon Johnson, Digital Media Director

First impression: Entertaining, slightly mad, scary moustache
And now: Entertaining, slightly more mad, generous, starbucks/ bacon bap lover, copywriter extraordinaire. 

Charlotte Blake, Finance Manager

I met Simon 16 months ago on my first day at Idealogy. With his bold as brass demeanour tone he turned to me and said, "Hi Dan, do you like Santana?" In a fairly blunt manner I replied, "No I don't." and rattled off some artists I did like. I had killed that conversation dead and he moved on. As soon as Simon had gone I turned and said, "What does Simon do at Idealogy?" the reply… "He's the boss".

Every time Simon walked into the room there was a humourous verbal outburst and I soon realised how random and interesting life was going to be in my new job.

One thing’s for sure, he knows his onions and will go out of his way to help anyone. As Captain of this ship he’s obviously doing something right. May our working relationship stay on an even keel!

Here's a quick limerick that for me sums him up…

I met a wordsmith called Simon Dover
Turn to him when in wordy bother,
Asked, "Can you help me?"
He'll say "Sit on my knee"
Blink and he's sent the copy over. 

Dan Soutan, Designer

First impressions: "Really, he's the boss? /lol"
Lasting impressions: "It's your turn to get the Friday ferry beers in" - Simon. D
"WTF again?" - Richard.S

Richard Spinks, Developer

Simon is good at:
•    Getting stuck in to a project, warts an' all
•    Writing copy that's fresh, relevant and interesting to read
•    Motivating those around him to strive for better
•    Asking the questions every body else forgets
•    Inspiring trust in our clients
Simon is bad at:
•    Sitting on the fence – he just tells it how it is,
•    Resisting the urge for a bacon roll and a Starbucks
•    Choosing good music to replace Jeremy Vine's radio show
•    Giving up because it looks a bit tricky
•    Sensible office nights-out 

Nick Hart, Account Manager

Spring 1995. Oasis release Some Might Say. Take That were Back For Good and Bruce Willis was dying hard... again. The partnership I was working for went belly up and Take That swiftly followed suit.

I was 21, looking for a new job and soon an opportunity arose. An interview with one Mr. Simon Dover. The date was set and the venue… his house!

I was greeted by his lovely family, all in the middle of watching a Prince concert. Bravely I ignored the tittering and all 5’ 4” of me shimmied, in my black suit and purple shirt, through to their kitchen where a table had been arranged to have the interview. I say arranged, Simon had moved the condiments out of the way and used his cuff to give the table the once over. He introduced himself and gave me the rundown of Selling Ideas (as it was then). My first impressions were of a well-mannered chap with the sort of facial hair that would have given Bruce Grobbelaar ‘tache envy. A sort of Benny Hill - Inspector Clouseau hybrid if you will.

As I turned the pages of my portfolio, I heard a sound that can only be described as a fox choking on a custard slice! “Sorry about that” exclaimed Simon “That’s my son Tom. He’s not feeling great at the moment”. I continued in the most professional a manner I could muster in the surrounding madness and it went well all things considered. Following an 'enlightening' visit to the studio, plus some gentle hassling from me, I got the job.

So here I am 15 years later, still trying to work in professional a manner amongst the madness. Simon is still the same old lover of great typography and lasagne sandwiches that I remember. The hairs a little greyer the ‘tache is now a Frank Darabont goatee but more importantly he has always been someone who continues to give a damn in this cynical industry, putting people first at every level of the business.

Summer 2010. Oasis release their greatest hits and Take That ARE in fact Back For Good. I also hear Bruce Willis will indeed be dying hard again. Some old guys just don’t know when to stop. Including Bruce Willis. 

Dave Birch, Senior Designer

When I first met Simon, he seemed to be a cool guy and made me at ease with his smiles.

All I can say is that I am very lucky to have him as a boss, although he hates when I say that!! He is very kind, friendly, caring and generous but most of all he always knows when I don't understand something, explains it again to me and always makes me laugh!

Karine Djivanian, Client Liaison Administrator

And finally…

The A – Z of words I associate with my friend and colleague Mr Simon Dover.

Anal
Brilliant
Chocolate
Danny La Rue
Eggs & Bacon
Friendly
Generous
Hungry
Ingenious
Jovial
Kind
Laughter
Muffins
Norwegian Music
Oral
Pants
Queer
Red Funnel
Sting
Touchy
Undress
Vacation
Wind
Xmas Party
Y-Fronts
Zany

Paul Wright, Operations Director

 

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