THE WORKS LAUNCHES MAGIC ONLINE SOLUTIONS LTD

15th January 2007

After the dot-com boom of the ‘90s that got the World Wide Web off to a false start, the 21st century sees the future of online retail and marketing as fundamental to the global economy. This is according to newly launched online agency, Magic Online Solutions Ltd

Magic Online Solutions aims to offer businesses a more considered approach to online marketing and retail. Magic is committed to showing businesses that their websites are not simply a necessary resource but can make a fundamental contribution to the growth of the company. Mark Littlewood (pictured far right), the MD and one of the founders of Magic, comments: “Consumers have very high expectations when they log-on due to excellent sites such as eBay, YouTube and MySpace. As a result, businesses require their sites to work harder for them, with more functionality, accessibility and for consumers to be able to find their site more easily. We are able to give people in-house the tools to manage the content themselves, making sure it is constantly updated and, as a result, enabling them to save money on agency fees.”

Magic Online Solutions, which launches today, begins trading with excellent credentials due to the combined talents of owners Mark Littlewood and The Works. Mark studied to qualify as a Graphic Designer for four years and was recruited by ETT as a Website Designer in 1997. He was an integral part of the team that set up Affinity New Media (a subsidiary company to ETT) in 2001 and was responsible for creative output for clients including: Anglian Water, Norwich Union, RSPB and FSI, as well as many local e-commerce retailers. The Works, the main shareholders of which are Russell Evans and Kim Woodrow, employs 25 of the most creative minds in the region with a diverse client list that includes: Bayer, Blanx Toothpaste, Vim, Chapelfield, Van Dal, Aldiss, Targetfollow and The Money Centre.

Russell Evans comments: “Magic has already won some substantial accounts, including building and hosting sites for Royal Holloway University of London, Targetfollow, Chapelfield, Van Dal women’s shoe manufacturer, Banham Zoo, Africa Alive, Dinosaur Adventure and Bayer Animal Health. The team has excellent pedigree and working alongside The Works, which was established 16 years ago, provides Magic with structure as well as a network of contacts.”

Magic offers comprehensive online solutions, but unlike many of its competitors its senior website developer, Martin Dutton, specialises in web accessibility. Mark Littlewood explains: “Accessibility is a growing market in the UK but is not being properly managed by many online solutions agencies. Providing organisations with websites that offer the user simple techniques to access their information, such as clicking one button to enlarge the print by 50%, opens up their potential market substantially. For organisations such as councils and universities this is fundamental, not only by law, but in order to position themselves as inclusive. Bespoke accessibility recommendations will be included in all of our pitches.”

Magic’s team of five includes: MD, Mark Littlewood, who will be responsible for new business development and overseeing all creative output; Senior Website Developer, Martin Dutton; Senior Website Designer, Phil Adair and Website Developers, Chris Ridley and Ben Sturgess. Creative Director of The Works, Kim Woodrow (previously Creative Director of Saatchi’s and BMP DDB) who designed Magic’s corporate identity, will also provide ongoing creative input to guarantee that as well as producing the most technologically advanced sites, Magic will give businesses a competitive edge with exceptional visual appeal.

Magic offers clients a range of services, including:

• E-commerce website development
• Creative website design and build
• Client content management systems
• Creative e-marketing (e-mail shots, newsletters – design & delivery)
• Online marketing / search engine optimisation (for existing sites as well as those built by Magic)
• Website hosting
• Online brand building

Magic is located in a newly refurbished five-storey office in Norwich City Centre. They share the building, 12 Thorpe Road, with The Works’ 25 strong creative solutions team that provides advertising, direct marketing, media and public relations. Their close proximity to one-another ensures they will maximise cross-fertilisation opportunities between Magic and The Works.

Examples of Magic’s work can be seen at:

• www.magiconlinesolutions.co.uk
• www.the-works.com
• www.vandalshoes.com