Vapouround magazine Issue 14 | Page 45

atmospheres and an intensive campaign of visiting vape events around the world, which has not let up since day one, has really paid off. Paul added: “The weirdest thing is travelling the world and finding that people know who you are. In Malaysia for example, the exhibitors at a show didn’t think Vapouround would be present, and when we arrived we were being pulled aside to take photos and sign merchandise and being thanked for what we’ve done for the industry. In America, we get a hero’s welcome and now, no matter where we go, people have heard of us and want to be associated with us.” In a world where branding is everything — sometimes the difference between a friendly reception and deep consumer devotion — the smallest things can help in the largest ways. concept. After trying and failing to equal it by using the letters ‘VR’ we tried ‘VM’ instead. Katie’s design was an instant hit. Now those letters personify vaping.” While a lot of ground has undoubtedly been covered in two years, the Vapouround team has no intention of sitting back and taking it easy. The idea is to build on the strength and success of Vapouround and then take it to the next level and the level beyond that. Paul concluded: “We go to trade shows and exhibitions and see companies that had single stands when we met them, now enjoying huge boosts after advertising with us. We’ve benefi tted from a boom and now we’re helping others to benefi t from that boom also. We’re kingmakers; companies come to us and discover a whole new gateway of opportunity.” “ I knew we were onto something, but never in a million years could I have dreamed it would happen this quickly. “ Paul took this opportunity to highlight what he considers a huge triumph in the Vapouround story, the creation of the Vapouround logo. “The story of Vapouround’s logo goes back to a very early business trip to the States when members of the team were in Las Vegas. “The logo we used for our fi rst magazine was a stock image because we wanted to get it out in time for Vape Fest and we had only around two-and-a-half weeks to get the magazine out there. “I was unhappy with the logo and wanted it to be changed as soon as possible to something which refl ected the identity of our business. “In Vegas, you’re constantly surrounded by bright lights and fl ashing logos, all competing for your attention. I spent ages looking, trying to see what made them special and what I could learn. Then I saw the logo for a nightclub at the MGM Grand called Hakkasan and it was perfect. “I was with Katie, our head of marketing, who has a background in design, and she worked on a number of logo ideas based on this It is clear that Vapouround has come a very long way in a relatively short time but there is no suggestion that Paul and the team will be taking it easy any time soon. If anything it is quite the opposite as new goals and new challenges are constantly being set. VM14 | 43