• Many organisations including Big Cat were born in Birmingham. We are passionate about the region, its cultural economy and wealth. The current financial crisis is seeing a lot of established organisations struggle, downsize or fail.

    To help West Midlands’ businesses survive the recession, the Big Cat Group is launching a B2B campaign - Buy Birmingham - encouraging organisations to choose regional suppliers and workers, to support the regional economy.

    Big Cat will work in partnership with other local businesses, organisations and creatives as part of a consortium to deliver the objectives of the Buy Birmingham campaign, and kick-start a new era of commercial solidarity in the West Midlands.

  • Objectives

    • Highlight the expertise and diversity of companies operating in the region
    • Establish a strong business network in the city and the surrounding areas
    • Forge lasting commercial relationships within the region
    • Create an environment where creative industries can flourish
    • Nurture local talent and keep skilled workers and graduates in the Midlands
    • Keep regional investment within the local economy

  • Why Buy Birmingham?

    • Every possible professional service you could need is available in the region
    • There is creativity, depth and quality of resource to match anything in London or Manchester
    • More direct communication routes and local knowledge are proven to increase ROI
    • Using suppliers from your regions is more environmentally sustainable
    • Employing business in the region will people keep their jobs

  • Tactics

    • Create a Buy Birmingham manifesto – businesses to pledge their support for the regional campaign and adhere to its objectives (i.e. agree to buy a certain percentage of supplies from within Birmingham and the West Midlands, or offer job opportunities to Midlands workers/graduates)
    • Distribution of a Buy Birmingham logo to identify advocate organisations
    • Create a website that carries the mandate and charter, and also the brands of all supporting companies and organisations.
    • Establish an online social networking group/community to make developing links between organisations simple and non time-consuming
    • Hold a series of informal networking events, to be held at locations across the Midlands
    • Big Cat will produce stickers for reception areas and shop windows for supporters to display the Buy Birmingham brand

  • Strategic Partners

    To support the Buy Birmingham campaign, Big Cat is looking for regional partners. Big Cat will approach:

    • Business Link
    • Marketing Birmingham
    • Advantage West Midlands
    • Birmingham City Council
    • Chamber of Commerce
    • Birmingham Forward
    • Institute of Directors
    • 4IP/Screen West Midlands
    • Local recruitment agencies
    • Local universities and colleges
    • Entertainment venues (THSH/Hippodrome)

  • Branding

    Before the campaign is launched, Big Cat wants to establish a network of regional high profile support. These early adopters will be recognisable businesses with established reputations, and which will encourage other major players and SMEs to get on board.

    Early Adopters

    Before the campaign is launched, Big Cat wants to establish a network of regional high profile support. These early adopters will be recognisable businesses with established reputations, and which will encourage other major players and SMEs to get on board.

    The Regional Procurement Charter

    In order to support the regional economy bearers of the brand should meet three out of the following four criteria:

    • 30% of professional services should be procured from the region
    • 50% of creative services should be procured from the region
    • At least 50% of graduates employed should be from higher educational establishments based in the West Midlands region
    • Goods and consumables should be procured within a 40 mile radius of Birmingham