When sports communications agency RUN asked us to support a series of Commonwealth Games-related activities for the Commonwealth Games and its client The National Lottery, the timescales were tight, the settings and requirements were very different, and there were plenty of moving parts.

Our role was to translate RUN’s plans into practical, effective branded materials, identifying what would make the greatest impact, what could be achieved within budget and, crucially, what could be designed, produced and delivered on time.

From an empty warehouse to a branded community event

The first event was a roadshow designed to travel light

The brief called for a small, portable roadshow display to showcase Commonwealth Games medals and the new inclusive design. Everything needed to travel by plane, be carried by one person and quickly transform a small exhibition space.

We explored a range of ideas, including an inflatable arch and a lightweight replica podium from which the medals could be displayed. The final solution was deliberately simple and highly portable: a branded tablecloth and two desktop tension banners that could be packed, transported and assembled with ease.

Next came an all-day community celebration held in a vast warehouse on Govan Road in Glasgow, with Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy among those taking part.

Working remotely from venue photographs, videos, measurements and conversations with the RUN team, we assessed the space and proposed a range of branding opportunities. We estimated the design and production costs, refined our recommendations against a strict budget and managed the details needed to bring everything together.

The final suite included branded bunting, A-frames, feather flags, large-format bus T-sides, handheld flags and freestanding Toblerone displays.

Each item may appear relatively simple in isolation but delivering them as a coordinated whole required careful planning. Dimensions, sightlines, artwork specifications, production methods, installation requirements, delivery arrangements and costs all had to be considered, checked and agreed, while ensuring everyone involved was kept informed and heard.

Just a few days after the Glasgow community event, 80 branded T-shirts were delivered for a choir event at Kelvingrove, hosted by Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald and shared across her social channels.

Although very different in scale and format, this required the same responsive approach.

Our client was happy – so as a result, so were we

“Thank you for always saving the day when we had some very last-minute branding requests.”

“All the branding looked fab, thanks again for all your support.”

We are proud to support RUN Communications with the branded elements that help its events take shape. Our involvement may sit behind the scenes, but it combines creative thinking with detailed, hands-on delivery.

And Sir Chris Hoy was every bit as brilliant as everyone hoped. From BBC Breakfast to online media and social platforms, the branding stood out almost as much as the personalities.

March 2026

Southampton University

Brand, design, technical artwork, campaign and project management.