The challenge
When we started Ego Entertainment in Bristol around 2014, we noticed there was a gap in the city's events scene.
There weren't enough events that properly catered to the Afro-Caribbean community while still feeling premium and bringing together students and the wider Bristol audience. A lot of what existed didn't quite have the feel or scale that we felt people were looking for.
The ambition was to build Ego into one of the biggest event brands in the South West.
the approach
We started by creating an all-white party and gradually developed the wider Ego Entertainment identity and event series.
I worked across the creative, marketing, event strategy and partnerships, thinking about everything from the visual identity and promotion to the artists, venues and overall experience.
One of the biggest opportunities I identified was around Belaire Rosé. At the time, I noticed that it wasn't really being stocked across Bristol's bars and clubs, despite becoming increasingly popular in London, the US and elsewhere.
I approached the brand and secured a partnership that provided stock for our events. Through relationships with drinks suppliers and venues, I was also able to see the effect this had on the brand's presence in Bristol.
We also brought a number of artists to Bristol for their first performances in the city, including 23 Unofficial, Not3s, Tion Wayne, Yxng Bane, B Young and D-Block Europe.
RESULTS
We delivered 15-20+ events, generally attracting 400–900 attendees, with the majority selling out.
The brand grew to the point where people were travelling from other cities to attend, while other event companies in the Midlands began approaching us about collaborations.
It also helped introduce artists and brands to a Bristol audience that wasn't always being catered to, including bringing Belaire Rosé into the city's nightlife scene.