Blue Kangaroo, a Gateshead-based design agency, has added to its international client roster after securing a contract with the National Geographic Society.
The company, established in 2006, is a brand strategy and design consultancy for a host of major international marques, including Pixar, 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios.
The company has worked with the National Geographic Society to design and install a series of 13 eight-foot tall kiosks holding large-format images of endangered species at London Zoo, which it will then take on to additional locations across Europe.
The exhibition is part of the National Geographic Photo Ark, a multiyear effort led by photographer Joel Sartore that aims to photograph every species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through education, and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation projects.
Blue Kangaroo’s contract with the National Geographic Society is the most recent in a series of export wins for the company. The business currently generates around 80% of its turnover through exporting, with clients across Australasia, Asia, Europe and North America, and has seen its turnover increase by 30% over the last three years as a result of exporting.
In March, the agency was one of four UK companies to be recognised at the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) inaugural Board of Trade Awards for its outstanding contribution to international trade.
The agency’s Managing Director, Jason Knights, currently serves as a Northern Powerhouse Export Champion, encouraging other businesses across the North East to explore overseas opportunities. This forms part of the UK Government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign, which aims to inspire and support firms up and down the country to export.
Jason Knights, Managing Director, Blue Kangaroo Design, said: “Our project with the National Geographic Society is an exciting development for the company. Since we started the business, we’ve aimed to work with the biggest and the best, and National Geographic is right up there among them. If a company like ours from Gateshead can do it, others can too.
“Exporting can be challenging at times, but there’s help out there for businesses interested in getting their products abroad. One of the ways in which we’ve found support is through DIT’s International Trade Adviser network. Our trade adviser has been an exporting mentor to me, and we meet regularly to work out how we can refine the business’ exporting strategy.
“Over the next 12 months, we’re anticipating adding four people to our team of 13, and we’ll also be exploring further opportunities in the Indian and Chinese markets.”
David Coppock, Head of Regions, North East, Department for International Trade, said: “Blue Kangaroo is an outstanding example of a North East company that has worked hard to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities overseas.
“There’s currently a huge demand for British products abroad, and the demand is growing. Last year alone, North East exports totalled £12.9 billion, an increase of 8% on 2016.
“To help North East businesses succeed in overseas markets, we offer a range of support programmes from trade missions to masterclasses. We also have International Trade Advisers that are dedicated to helping firms of all sizes overcome any exporting hurdles they may encounter, from logistics to legal and tax issues. I’d urge anyone who is interested to get in touch and see how they can benefit from exporting, and how DIT can support.”
