FAQ
1. What's with the black star design and soviet imagery, are you some kind of commie?
Not, not at all. Let us assure you, you will be invoiced for the work carried out.
2. So what's with all the stars and stuff?
Say what you will about the tenets of communism, their propaganda was fabulous. The posters were stirring, with brave soldiers, proud peasants and benevolent chairmen looking to the future, building mighty factories, tilling the fields and defending their borders from the degenerate. Despite any claims you hear to the contrary, PR and marketing are simply propaganda with it's face washed.
3. Indoctrimat? Where did that come from?
It was made up by Brian Baglow in the months before he founded the company. He had briefly considered calling the company Iconic but found out there was already an Iconic PR company somewhere in the UK. In the end he came up with Indoctrimat, which was both unique and difficult to spell.
4. What does it mean?
The name came from a desire to name a company a little more imaginatively than simply stringing together a bunch of names. Something which reflected propaganda and indoctrination. However, propaganda has been used a few times in the PR world, so Brian tried to come up with something based around 'Indoctrination'. Indoctrimat was not only unique (so the URL was free), but it had a old fifties style 'laundromat' feel, plus a kinda cool nod towards Futurama.
5. Who's responsible for the black star?
A designer called Jim Scott, based in Scotland came up with the initial logo, based on some crazed ramblings from Brian.
6. And the rest of the artwork?
An entire team of people have been responsible for the look of the Indoctrimat website and a a whole stack of other artwork which will be released over the coming weeks. Anybody looking for some serious design work should contact some of the following people: Simon Lamb (website, black star redesign) - si@145records.com. Will Hazle (Yet to be seen giant killer Japanese-style battle robots) - will_2000_uk@yahoo.co.uk. Andrea McCrindle (business cards, Indoctricat, stars and stripes design and heavy metal eagle) - andie@raspberry-design.co.uk. All three are rock and roll stars of the highest order and are recommended unreservedly.
7. The giant killer what now?
Indoctrimat and indoctrimat.com are going to continually evolve, incorporating the best parts of capitalism, anarchy, the renaisance, anime and a host of other styles and angles.
8. Why?
Because it's important. Dictatorial corporate branding and strict style guides far too often stifle and restrict a company's image. Refining, evolving and adapting corporate style keeps us young and constantly on the bleeding edge of cool. The plan is to eventually release all of the Indoctrimat artwork under a Creative Commons license, which will allow people to play around with the design and do different things with it.
9. Evolving Design?
Yes. New ideas and designs are welcome from anybody who's interested. If we think it's groovy, we'll use it somehow. Stickers, t-shirts, posters and a host of swag is on its way. When anything new appears you'll hear about it first on indoctrimat.com.
10. But shouldn't the ideal PR agency remain in the background as a shadowy, indistinct figure and never eclipse the client?
Absolutely, but that doesn't mean we have be dull and nondescript. If you want a nondescript, corporate 'Gregory, Inkelmann, Mozolowski and Pyle', please move along.
