Author: Eighty3Dan

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Eighty3 has been named a finalist for the Catalyst for Creativity category at the 2026 Black Country Chamber Business Awards. Standing out in a region built on grit, craft, and serious talent is no small task. Getting recognised alongside some of the best businesses in the region means a great deal to every single one of us. We love what we do, and having that passion acknowledged on home turf feels brilliant.

This particular category is all about celebrating the creative businesses that bring original thinking to life and deliver genuine impact. For a long time, the creative sector has had to fight for the credit it truly deserves. We firmly believe that creative agencies do remarkable work every day, and that effort deserves to be highlighted and celebrated properly. Being shortlisted proves that pushing creative boundaries and trying new things is always worth the effort. It shows that taking risks with bold ideas leads to standout work.

Our growth over the years comes down to our incredible team and the visionary clients who trust us with their brands. Design is never a solo effort. It takes open conversations, honest collaboration, and a mutual willingness to try something fresh. Whether we are working on a brand identity, building a website, or planning a campaign, we throw everything into it. The Black Country has always been a place where people make things happen, and we are proud to keep that spirit alive in everything we design.

Win or lose at the ceremony later this year, making the final cut is a huge win for us. We are raising a glass to our amazing team, our brilliant clients, and every other local business making waves right now. We cannot wait to put on our best outfits, head to the awards night, and celebrate everything that makes this region so special. Wish us luck!

We love a good chat about branding, but we love it even more when we get to roll up our sleeves with fellow Black Country businesses. This morning, the Eighty3 team packed up our ideas and headed over to Molineux for the latest Platinum Group Sharing Best Practice Forum. Hosted by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, these sessions are all about swapping real-world knowledge to help local companies look more strategically at their business growth. For us, it was the perfect opportunity to dive into a subject we live and breathe every single day: finding, refining, and amplifying your authentic identity.

The session was split into two practical halves to give everyone a complete toolkit. Dan kicked things off by guiding attendees through tasks designed to pinpoint their core brand values and uncover a distinct brand voice, helping businesses truly connect and talk with their customers. Bec then took the baton to focus on knowing exactly who you are talking to and making sure your outreach actually works together. She walked everyone through setting up a self-feeding “marketing engine”, where every activity feeds the next in a seamless, ongoing process.

We didn’t want to just stand at the front and lecture the room, so we got everyone collaborating, testing out ideas, and tackling real-world challenges. With Emily and Tobi capturing the action on camera while actively stepping in to lend a hand whenever delegates needed a bit of guidance, the energy in the room was brilliant. It turns out that when you get a group of passionate Black Country leaders together, the ideas flow fast.

The absolute icing on the cake came at the end of the morning. We were incredibly proud to be presented with the official Bostin’ Black Country Business Hall of Fame badge by Gail Arnold. Being called a ‘Bostin’ Business means the world to us. We’re proud of our and helping people unlock their potential is exactly why we do what we do. A huge thank you to Kieron Ansell at the Wolves Foundation for being the perfect host, and to everyone who brought their energy and insights to the table.