St Ann's Church in Manchester, England was consecrated in 1712. Although named after St Anne, it also pays tribute to the patron of the church, Ann, Lady Bland. The church became a focal point for those affected by the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in the city in 2017.

The Challenge

In May 2017, 23 people died and 139 were wounded by a terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. The community came together that evening to provide shelter, medical assistance and support. Soon after, the Bee emerged as a symbol of solidarity and strength. The Worker Bee has been a symbol of the city since the Industrial Revolution. Traditionally, representing the city’s energy and sense of community. As a Manchester born and bred agency, we wanted to find a way to show support with those affected by the attack, which took place less than a mile from our office.

Internal teams lacked a unified, high-quality image resource. The result? Diluted messaging, and a brand experience that didn’t live up to the firm’s reputation for attention to detail and local presence.

The Solution

The “flower bee” was created by one of our talented designers on behalf of St Ann’s Church, Manchester.

Working collaboratively, we established an image strategy focused on:

• Hero Imagery: Abstract, macro photography showcasing texture and detail – echoing the brand idea that “a little detail goes a long way”. These images created standout moments in key marketing and communications materials.
• Supporting Imagery: Curated London-themed photography capturing local architecture, cityscapes, and bespoke details from within Russell-Cooke’s own offices – from Georgian staircases to rooftop beehives. The imagery reinforced the firm’s personality and sense of place.
• System and Structure: We categorised images into Hero and Supporting tiers, providing clear usage guidance for internal teams. This ensured flexibility across formats, from brochures to digital content, while maintaining brand cohesion.

The Result

The flower bee came to the attention of a member of the Manchester Survivors Choir, when she received a card featuring the design. She requested permission to use the design on bespoke t-shirts which the choir then wore for their appearance at The Pride of Manchester Awards, broadcast on national television. The design still features on cards available from St Ann’s.

The result is a flexible, authentic visual identity that mirrors the firm’s ethos: expert, approachable, and firmly embedded in the city it serves.