Full service marketing and event agency Thinkblink has rebranded as The Blink Group and will move into its new 10,000 sq ft headquarters on Dublin's Long Mile Road later this month.
Founded by couple Ger Walsh and Graham Carroll in their box room in 2006, Blink Group has grown to incorporate Wow Marketing, Propbox, Robot Networks, Blink Digital, Blink Christmas and Blink Staffing.
The group now has 10 full-time staff, supplemented by 200 part-time employees during busy periods, and the move will allow the company to expand its range of services.
The business initially achieved success by creating cost-effective and engaging ways of drawing footfall to large retailers and shopping centre in the midst of the recession and has grown to encompass marketing, events and social media.
The Blink Group invested in its digital capabilities when there were no in-person events during the pandemic, hosting online Santa experiences and ultimately deciding on the rebrand.
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"Over the past few years retail has taken such a hit with a big move towards online shopping but what online shopping can’t offer the customer is the live experiences," Carroll said.
"We foresee retail investing in live events and campaigns in the coming years, reciprocity is retail’s way of fighting.
"We have been able to show our retail customers such as IKEA, Tesco, The Square Town Centre, and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, to name just a few, that if you connect with your shopper, entertain them with fun, fashion and engaging experiences they will come back for more”.
The Blink Group said its six companies operate as one allowing for one clear channel of communications and for the group to oversee creative, set design and build, props, casual staffing as well as digital output for clients.
Wow Marketing creates marketing campaigns; Blink Digital provides digital and social media services; Blink Staffing offers short-term staffing solutions; Prop Box does prop hire; Robot Networks provides licensed costume characters for meet-and-greets; and Blink Christmas handle grotto design and Christmas personnel.
Over the Christmas period, the Blink Group will host and manage 25 Santa experiences nationwide.
"With our retail clients we start planning Christmas in February. From sourcing and building props and sets to finding that perfect Santa or elf," Walsh said.
"After Christmas it’s the other – what I call Hallmark dates that keep us busy such as Valentines and Easter. We are constantly trying to improve the experience for the customer which in turn reflects positively on our clients”.
Turnover across the group is €2.1m, and Walsh and Carroll aim to hit €4.5m in the next three years after identifying a number of services categories within the industry that the group will add to its offering over the coming year.
The Blink Group is also in discussions to acquire two further businesses.
Photo: Ger Walsh (seated) and Graham Carroll.
