Lionesses switch to navy shorts and announce new sponsor


The decision to switch from the more traditional white shorts to navy – which follows consultation with players and management - has been made because wearing the former while on a period is an issue which has been widely highlighted by women throughout all sport. This will be considered when designing all future home kits for the Lionesses.

 
“This is a really big step forward and something that has been gratefully welcomed by all the players,” Jordan Butler, Millwall Lionesses club captain, said.

“It enables us to focus solely on our performance without the additional worry or anxiety during the time of the month, and that is something we are thankful to the club for in supporting this switch.”

The club is excited also to announce a first-ever exclusive sponsorship agreement with Explore Marketing, whose logo will now be visible on the back of the navy shorts, which have been supplied by Errea.
Explore Announcement 16x9.jpg
Explore, who work with an extensive client base across a vast array of marketing requirements, become back-of-short sponsor for Millwall Lionesses for the remainder of this current campaign.

Founder and Managing Director, Joe Gushlow, added: “It is an honour to support the growth of Millwall Lionesses with this sponsorship, which we hope marks the start of a long and fruitful relationship between the club and Explore Marketing.

“Millwall Lionesses are one of the biggest names in women’s football in this country and everyone at Explore looks forward to working with the club and helping the ongoing effort to support their progress back up the pyramid.”
by Joe Gushlow 27 November 2025
In the modern day, people are always talking about using social media and digital advertising as platforms to grow a business. They’re completely overlooking the benefits that still surround printed media and, as a result, aren’t meeting their growth potential. If you want to provide your business with a holistic approach to growth, then it’s vital that you also focus on printed media as a way to reach your customers. In this article, we’re going to explain 10 ways in which printed media can greatly help your business. 1. Print Builds Trust and Credibility People naturally trust printed materials more than digital ads. A well-designed brochure, catalogue, or magazine feels tangible and professional—instantly elevating your brand’s credibility. According to a study carried out by PR Newswire, consumers still don’t trust pop up ads. In fact, only around 25% of consumers trust online pop-up advertisements. Among the 2,400. U.S consumers that took part in the survey, 82% trusted printed ads on newspapers and magazines while another 76% would trust direct mail. Although these numbers are unique to the US, it does help to show just how effective printed advertisements can be versus digital promotional materials. 2. Print Helps You Stand Out With inboxes overflowing and digital ads becoming noise, print cuts through the clutter. A beautifully crafted leaflet, postcard, or business card commands attention in a way digital content simply can’t. 3. Print Creates a Stronger Emotional Connection Printed materials engage multiple senses—sight, touch, and even smell. This sensory experience creates a deeper emotional connection with your brand and helps messages stick. 4. Print Boosts Brand Recall Studies consistently show that people remember printed information better than digital content. Print marketing ensures your brand stays top-of-mind long after the first interaction. There are loads of statistics that point towards printed media being more relevant to customers. For instance, two-thirds of direct mail is viewed immediately and around 40% of consumers in a study made a purchase in the past three months because of a piece of mail. Compare to emails which are often ignored or sent immediately to a spam folder, printed media is far more relevant to user interest and has a higher chance of converting into a sale. 5. Print Works Seamlessly With Digital Marketing Print doesn’t compete with digital—it complements it. QR codes, personalised URLs, and social media prompts on printed materials can drive traffic directly to your online platforms. 6. Print Has a Longer Lifespan Digital ads disappear in seconds, but print lingers. Magazines sit on coffee tables, brochures remain in offices, and flyers stay pinned to noticeboards, giving your message long-term visibility. 7. Print Reaches Local Audiences Effectively If you want to focus on a particular community or geographic area, print is ideal. Direct mail campaigns, door-drop leaflets, and posters allow you to reach your audience with precision. 8. Print Makes Events More Impactful From banners and signage to business cards and handouts, printed materials enhance your presence at trade shows, conferences, and networking events—helping you make a memorable impression. 9. Print Supports Brand Identity Consistent colours, typography, and high-quality finishes reinforce your brand identity. Print gives you full control over how your brand looks and feels in the real world. 10. Not Everyone In the UK is on The Internet The internet might be a must-use service for most people, but a surprising number of adults don’t actually use the internet. Although 99% of the UK’s population between the ages of 16 and 34 have used the internet, only 44% of adults aged 75 years and over have used the internet. To add to this statistic, 20% of disabled adults have never used the internet and around 8.4% of adults overall have not used the internet. This means that a fair large percentage of your potential audience will never notice your products and services if you focus solely on a digital marketing campaign. Final Thoughts Print isn’t outdated - it’s powerful. When used alongside digital marketing, it forms a balanced and effective strategy that can boost visibility, strengthen customer relationships, and drive business growth. Need a hand creating printed materials? We can help! Get in touch with our team to get started.
by Joe Gushlow 13 November 2025
In today’s competitive digital landscape, “good enough” marketing no longer cuts it. Whether you're a growing startup or an established enterprise, staying ahead of shifting consumer behaviour, platforms, and technologies requires more than internal resources alone. That’s where a marketing consultant comes in - not as a replacement for your in-house team, but as a strategic addition for smarter, faster growth. What Does a Marketing Consultant Do? Marketing consultants are strategic specialists who diagnose challenges, identify opportunities, and design data-backed plans to drive business growth. Unlike full-time employees or agencies focused on execution, consultants work across strategy, systems, and scaling, helping businesses to see the big picture. Some main areas where marketing consultants add value include: Marketing audits to identify areas for improvement
 Brand positioning and messaging strategy
 Channel planning and media optimisation
 Go-to-market strategy for new products or services
 Internal team training and leadership coaching
 In short, they align your business goals with a marketing roadmap and help you execute it with clarity and confidence! Why You Still Need One… Even With a Marketing Team It’s easy to assume that if you already have a marketing manager or a small team, bringing in a consultant might not be needed. However, the truth is that the best internal teams benefit from external expertise. Here’s why: 1. Fresh Perspective Your in-house team is often deep in the day-to-day, making it hard to zoom out. A consultant offers a fresh perspective and an objective insight into what’s working, what’s not, and where opportunities for future growth lie. 2. Strategic Firepower Most in-house teams are heavily focused on execution - getting content out, running campaigns, and managing platforms. Consultants step in to build a strategy, set priorities, and ensure your activities align with real business goals. 3. Team Empowerment (Not Replacement) The right consultant won’t compete with your team - they’ll enhance it. Think of them as your team’s strategic coach: training them, identifying skill gaps, and helping them execute with confidence. What to Look for in a Marketing Consultant Not all consultants are created equal. Look for someone who: • Has experience in your industry or model
 • Can show case studies or clear examples of previous success 
 • Focuses on collaboration over control
 Final Thoughts You don’t need to choose between a consultant and your team. The smartest businesses leverage both. If you're ready to bridge the gap between potential and performance, now is the time to bring one in. Here at Explore, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, providing logical solutions to enhance your business growth. Take advantage of a FREE initial consultation and book your online meeting or a phone call today.
by Joe Gushlow 3 November 2025
In today’s multi-platform world, one-size-fits-all content simply doesn’t cut it. Every social network has its own audience mindset, content culture, and algorithmic quirks. To get the most out of your marketing efforts, you need to adapt your message, tone, and visuals for each platform. Here’s how to tailor your content effectively across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X - so your brand connects authentically everywhere it shows up. Facebook: Community and Conversation Best for: Storytelling, engagement, brand community building Facebook remains the go-to platform for nurturing relationships and driving meaningful conversation. Audiences here value relatable, shareable content that feels personal rather than promotional. What works best: Videos and Lives: Native videos and livestreams outperform external links. Keep them concise and captioned. Stories & Groups: Share behind-the-scenes content, customer stories, or polls to build community. Conversational tone: Use first-person language and ask questions to spark engagement Instagram: Visual Storytelling and Emotion Instagram is where visuals lead and storytelling follows. Users come here for inspiration, creativity, and authenticity - not hard sells. What works best: Reels: Short, punchy videos drive reach and discovery. Carousels: Use multi-image posts to tell a story or share tips. Stories & Highlights: Perfect for day-to-day updates and showcasing brand personality. Captions that connect: Pair eye-catching visuals with captions that reveal insight, humor, or heart. LinkedIn: Authority and Value-Driven Content LinkedIn is where professionals come to learn, connect, and grow - not to be sold to. The key is offering value-first content that builds trust and credibility. What works best: Long-form posts: Share insights, lessons learned, or data-backed opinions. Native documents & carousels: Great for quick, digestible learning content. Personal stories: Thoughtful narratives about leadership, growth, or company culture resonate well. Engage with others: Comment on posts from industry peers and share thoughtful takes. X (Twitter): Real-Time Insights and Personality Best for: News, conversation, quick takes, and trends, X thrives on brevity and immediacy. It’s where brands can show personality, join conversations, and react to what’s happening now. What works best: Short, snappy posts: Aim for clarity and wit in under 280 characters. Threads: Expand on ideas or tell a story step-by-step. Trending topics: Participate thoughtfully in relevant conversations and hashtags. Visuals: Even on X, posts with images, GIFs, or short videos get more engagement. Final Thoughts At the end of the day, tailoring your content isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing it better. Each platform has its own vibe, and the magic happens when your content fits right in. Facebook is all about community and conversation, Instagram is your space to inspire and tell visual stories, LinkedIn is where you share knowledge and build credibility, and X is perfect for quick takes and real-time engagement. When you shape your message to match the mood of each platform, your brand feels more authentic - and your audience feels more connected. That’s what turns followers into fans and engagement into real results. Need a helping hand tailoring content to each of your platforms? Get in touch with our team!