Big Fish – my agency of the year :-)

Drum roll please.

After long deliberation, the brandgym jury (me) have decided to award our own agency of the year prize to Perry and his crew at Big Fish design. A set of my "Where's the Sausage?" books is on its way to them as an early Xmas present.

Here's why they are my winner.

First, Big Fish are much more than a design company in my book. They're a creative kitchen that helps produce lovely, slightly quirky British brands.

You may not have heard of Big Fish. But you will have heard of the brands they have been quielty beavering away to create or re-vamp, many of which I have posted on. Dorset Cereals. Gu puds. Boden. Tyrells. Charlie Bighams. All these brands have had the Big Fish touch.

Second, I like the way that they work not just on the packaging graphics, but on the whole tone of voice and brand personality, including the digital side. You can see this on the Tyrell's website for example.

Third and most importantly, Big Fish's work really works. Their design is a big part, perhaps the biggest, in turning Dorset Cereals from a sleepy company into a super-charged success, with sales growing from around £4m in 2004 to £30m in 2007.

And their new designs for Charlie Bighams ready meals have helped that brand really take off this year, with an imaginary couple called "The Twosomes" brought to life on the pack. These new packs have dramatically increased the distinctiveness of the brand.

Bravo to Big Fish!