Electric Putty is closing

This was a big decision and one we struggled with for a long time. We had been running two businesses side by side, with our software product, BrandStencil, starting to take up more time. We knew we had to focus on one thing and do it properly, so after a LOT of discussion and emotional wrangling we decided the time was right to close Putty’s doors.

Once the decision was made and the practicalities loomed large one thing became clear - we knew we had to ‘end well’. Whatever happened, we had to close the business with the same spirit that we have always run it, and that meant ensuring that neither our clients nor our team felt let down or abandoned. As we near the end of this process we hope all those affected will agree that we have stood by this.

We are hugely proud of the work we have produced over the years. We approached each project with care, attention and love because we wanted what we made to be the best it could be for the people who used it.

We think we built around 50 websites in total; mainly websites for charities, tackling the complex challenge of providing advice and support for service users as well as attracting fundraisers and donors. We also developed a wide range of custom software including a debt advice budget tool, a legal advice platform, a microsite builder, an application manager, a survey tool, charity campaigning tools, a donation platform and countless plugins, apps and add-ons - including Better Workflow, our award-winning commercial plugin for ExpressionEngine CMS.

We are also immensely proud of the team we worked with over the years, we couldn’t have done it without them, they are all amazing people. We always tried to be a company that people loved to work for, the dedication and length of service of some of our team members reflected that. So, a huge thank you to;

Rob Hodges, Luke Davies, Penny Lunn, Lou Carol, Ashley Chin, Nancy Carter, Emily Oliver, Amelia Walters, Candice Underwood, Daniele Zanfardino, Iain Bean, Claire McEvoy, Dave Wheeldon, Ollie Meakins , Sarah Mann, Jake Starmore.

As a small team we have always called on our trusted network to bring in additional knowledge and expertise. We would wholeheartedly recommend any of these people, they are excellent.

Pete Goodman, Tom Juby, Ruth Watson & Sam Waters from Osomi, 05 Creative, Spencer du Bois, Donna Hay, Fran Swaine, Lee Tucknott, Stephen Lewis, Matt Hill, Francesca McWhirter, Andrea Fiore.

A special mention goes to the brilliant team at Studio Republic, who have taken on many of our clients.

And of course, a massive thank you to all our clients for trusting us with their projects. We are privileged to have worked with dedicated and talented people at amazing organisations making a real difference in the world. That list includes (in no particular order); Bliss, Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Design Council, Resolution, AMAZE, RCJ Advice, AT Dementia, Hives Save Lives, Association of Lawyers for Children, Buttle, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Action, Orbis, Villiers High School, The Hibbert Trust, National Housing Federation, Speaking Volumes, The Karuna Trust, Plantlife, Rights of Women, Money Advice Trust, Cardinal Hume Centre, The Leaside Trust, East Sussex County Council, Army Cadet Force, Skills Third Sector, One World Trust, The Robertson Trust, Rise, West Sussex Mind, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Youth Access, Liberal International, British UNIMA, Vitalise, CVQO and RNIB.

We couldn’t end without also saying thank you to The Werks in Hove for being such a fantastic place to base ourselves. We moved into a tiny space on the top floor in 2007 and over the following 15 years moved all over the building, trying on different rooms for size.

We’ve learnt so much from everyone we’ve worked with and every project we’ve been involved in. There have been terrific highs and very challenging lows, but the people have made it all worth it. We salute you.

Our mission with Electric Putty was to build digital tools that empowered people to create a positive impact for their chosen causes. We intend to continue that with BrandStencil, building a platform of easy to use templates and tools that helps people with purpose protect and promote their brilliant brands.

So this isn’t goodbye. We’re still here and with a little more time on our hands are looking forward to embracing new challenges and new technology. We’re excited to see where we can take BrandStencil in the age of AI.

So, if you’ve got frustrations with brand management, or are interested in how we `ended well`, get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Mel & Malcolm, August 23