mai 2025

Neon Nights: The story so far

Posted on mai 30, 2025juni 5, 2025 by Valentina Casasola

At Project Neon, we’re more than a team; we’re a mosaic of cultures and perspectives. Norwegian, Scottish, English, Irish, Portuguese, French and Italian minds working side by side. We thrive on collaboration, and we believe that great ideas are born from great conversations.

We wanted to create a space where those conversations could happen more often locally. Stavanger is a city that’s as international as it is innovative, full of expats, professionals, and creatives who are eager to connect. We couldn’t regularly find a space to do this, so we decided to make one ourselves!

Neon Nights launched in February 2023. A free, informal event series where a guest speaker is invited to share their story in a relaxed “fireside chat” format. After that, the evening is all about open discussion and networking.

What is Neon Nights?

Neon Nights isn’t your typical industry event. It’s:

Casual – Come as you are, grab a drink, and unwind after work.

Inclusive – Held in English to welcome Stavanger’s international crowd.

Community-driven – Focused on building real relationships, not just LinkedIn connections.

The Project Neon team has been described as enthusiastic and colourful and these events reflect exactly that. The event is engaging, and full of the kind of energy that makes people want to stay long after the official program ends.

Real connections, real impact

So far, we’ve hosted 9 events, and the stories that have come out of them are the reasons we keep hosting them:

“The journey that began with curiosity and ambition led me right to where I needed to be.

I had been attending Neon Nights for a while, each event bringing fresh energy and intriguing opportunities. One particular evening stood out – the next gathering was hosted by a company I had long admired, one I had hoped to work for someday. It felt like the perfect chance to gain insight into their world.

As fate would have it, my plans shifted unexpectedly. Instead of mingling with potential future colleagues, I found myself attending a presentation by one of my own coworkers. A twist I hadn’t anticipated – but one that, in hindsight, made all the difference.

Fast forward a year, and I’m celebrating my one-year work anniversary. Project Neon continues to draw in industry leading voices.” – Andreea Elizabet Ungureanu, ONS

“Neon Nights has quickly become one of my favourite fixtures on the calendar. Every gathering delivers a great and relevant chat with local marketing leaders, followed by relaxed mingling. Because the talk comes first, everyone walks into the mingling session with ideas and an easy conversation starter – no awkward small talk.

I’ve made some great connections and collaborated on multiple projects with people I met during the post-talk mingle. Huge thanks to the Project Neon team for creating such a fantastic forum for Stavanger’s marketing community; See you at the next one!” – James Froment, Flare Media

“Neon Nights truly offers the ideal synergy of professional development and networking opportunities. It brings together industry experts who share insights on pertinent and engaging topics within a welcoming, diverse, and approachable community, complemented by an excellent post-event reception. Beyond fostering new connections, Neon Nights has been instrumental in sparking successful collaborations, resulting in the delivery of six projects to date with Project Neon. I highly recommend Neon Nights to anyone aiming to advance professionally and forge new friendships.” – Ambrozie Pura, Rendering.no

Even for those of us at Project Neon, Neon Nights has been a fantastic place to make great connections. It’s where we first met Ambrozie Pura from Rendering.no, who’s now our go-to for 3D animation. It’s also where we connected with James from Flare and Andres Denesh Gerbasi from Rastløs. Since then, they’ve become part of our extended creative team, collaborating with us on multiple projects.

These stories aren’t just anecdotes; they’re proof that valuable connections can make a true impact.

Project Neon offices in the heart of Stavanger

Our Speakers So Far

We’ve been lucky to welcome some truly fantastic local voices, including:

Maiken Økland – Zaptec

Eirik Hogstad – Stavanger Oilers

Marthe Reienes – Stavanger Business Region

Inger Johanne Stenberg – ONS

Hans Ludvig – Lervig

Pål Oftedal – Lærdal Medical

Lena Antonius – Stavanger Kommune

Geir Søndeland, RA Stavanger

Each one brought a unique perspective, sparking conversations that continued long after the mic was turned off.

What’s next?

We’re not stopping here. In fact, we’re turning up the brightness.

As we look ahead, we’re exploring ways to evolve the Neon Nights format and introduce a second edition with a fresh twist.
(Spoiler alert: it’s happening in the morning!)

We want to something that fits different schedules, sparks new conversations, and continues to build meaningful connections.

But don’t worry, Neon Nights as you know and love it will always be there!

To stay in the loop then make sure you keep following us on LinkedIn. We’ll be releasing the latest updates there.

15+15=30

Posted on mai 29, 2025juni 4, 2025 by Joe Craven

At 15, we had a school assignment to choose a place for a two-week work experience placement. At the time, art was my favourite subject – the one lesson I genuinely looked forward to. The creative freedom made it the best part of the school week. It got my brain working in the right way.

I was already experimenting with design software back then, messing around with early (cracked!) versions of Photoshop and getting pretty familiar with how it worked. So, for my placement, I applied to a local design studio.

Those two weeks were incredible. I started with tiny design tasks, but since I already knew my way around the software, the work quickly became more involved. By 16, they’d taken me on as a “Very-Junior Designer“. My routine became school until 3:30pm, then straight to the studio for a 4pm start, working a couple of hours each evening. Branding, layouts, assignments – I loved every second. This was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I felt so lucky to find it so young.

At 16, I happily left school and skipped A-levels. The only other students leaving that year were four boys who weren’t allowed to stay on (!) but there I was, off to Leeds College of Art to study a two-year Graphic Design course. I’d found my calling. Funnily enough, during this time I actually went back to tutor the design software to my former art teacher on my days off, how tables so quickly turned!

Those years flew by, followed by a degree in Graphic Design. Throughout university, I interned at as many places as possible, eager to get into the working world. I was itching to graduate. Those five years solidified my passion for design. The balance of creativity and social aspect of working directly with clients felt just like those first art lessons – nothing had really changed.

By the time I graduated at 21, I had already been a junior designer for five years and knew I was ready to take the plunge. I set up my own design practice on day 1 of graduating, then working with incredible clients from all over the world which then happily merged with my other lifelong passion: music.

Now, back to being 15 again with a different spin.

I’m walking down the high street in Leeds and was handed a CD promoting a local club night at Gatecrasher (a huge club brand at the time – who remembers?). At 15, I was way too young to set foot inside any club, but I put the promo CD on anyway. And wow. My ears exploded. I had never heard anything like it before—house music. That was it. I was hooked.

I soon got myself some DJ decks and, I’ll admit another cracked piece of software (!), and started figuring it all out. A familiar story.

Once again, I found myself drawn to something that blended that creativity and social experience again. Just like with design, I threw myself into it. I DJed at house parties throughout college and university, then in clubs around the city after graduating.

My life has since always revolved around two things and become a confluence of music and design. Over the years, I worked on projects that combined both, taking me to some of the world’s biggest dance music hotspots – Ibiza, Tulum, Amsterdam, Manchester (the latter of which is where now call home). Sorry Norway, I love you, but your dance music scene needs more!

Design and music give me the same sense of purpose. Weekdays, you’ll find me deep in design work. Weekends, I’m in the DJ booth – either playing or supporting friends. Two parallel journeys that have led me exactly where I am now 15 years later, at 30. I feel incredibly lucky where I am right now: working with the amazing Project Neon team, working on awesome projects, all while listening to beautiful beats all day!

The company values of Proactive, Engaged, Vibrant actually align perfectly with everything that’s me.

Proactive – I’ve always created my own opportunities. At 15, I taught myself to design. The same drive got me into music—learning, practicing, and putting myself out there.
Engaged – Whether in design or music, I’m all in. From late nights designing to late/early(!) mornings DJing at clubs, I’ve always immersed myself in the creative world, constantly learning and listening.
Vibrant – Energy and passion fuel everything I do. Whether designing for global clients or listening to music in top dance spots, I thrive in fast-paced, creative environments.

And here’s a song from that CD that in kicked it all off:

When ice cream stopped being dessert and became a tradition?

Posted on mai 13, 2025mai 28, 2025 by Project Neon

Syttende mai – 17th May – is loud, proud, and packed with symbolism. The day somehow singlehandedly manages to create an unmatched sense of unity– in a way that probably only the winter Olympics and women’s handball finals comes close to imitating.

The day is spent (paradoxically) acting in a very un-Norwegian way: smiling and chatting to strangers, dressing up, joining group activities and loud chanting.

As such a definitive point in the Norwegian calendar, we couldn’t help but wonder: what can this iconic day teach us about building a standout brand?

Here are 7 lessons every business can borrow from syttende mai:

1. Own your identity

On 17th May, Norwegians don’t try to be anyone else. From wearing their traditional dress (bunad) to waving the national flag with zero irony, the day is all about celebrating Norway’s cultural image..

The lesson: Strong brands embrace what makes them unique. Don’t try to be everything to everyone or emulate your competition. Define your voice, lean into your strengths, and let your audience connect with the real you.

2. Consistency matters

Every year: same date, same activities, same decorations. You look forward to the ritual of the day, and it never gets old. That’s the power of consistency.

The lesson: Showing up regularly and recognisably is key to brand awareness. Your tone, visuals, and messaging should be as easy to spot as a guy in a bunad…

3. Make people feel part of it

There’s no passive audience on 17th May – everyone’s a participant. Whether you’re marching, watching the parades, having champagne for breakfast, or just carrying a tiny flag, you’re involved.

The lesson: Great brands don’t just talk at their audience; they invite them in. Think community, joint celebration, and co-creation. Build campaigns that make people feel seen, included and part of something bigger.

4. Emotion drives connection

Pride, nostalgia, joy… syttende mai stirs something real. And in a digitally evasive world, real experiences are incredibly powerful. That’s why people come back for it, year after year.

The lesson: Don’t just sell features. Tap into emotions. Tell stories. Create moments where your audience can have human connections.

5. Visuals matter (a lot)

In the weeks leading up to 17^th May, most people have been tidying their gardens and put up Norwegian flags. On the day, beautiful bunads, bunting and flowers are everywhere. . It’s designed to be seen, photographed, and remembered.

The lesson: Visual identity isn’t decoration, it’s communication. Strong, consistent visuals tell a story and help your brand stand out.

6. Celebrate success

17th May is a celebration of independence, unity, and national progress. It’s celebrated with pride and positivity. Even janteloven takes the day off work.

The lesson: Don’t be afraid to share wins. Celebrate your milestones, product launches, partnerships and progress. People love a positive story.

7. Brand Alignment

On 17th May, there’s an unofficial rule – kids can eat as much ice cream as they want all day! As a result, in 2023, over 30 million ice creams were sold in Norway during the week of National Day. That’s more than five per person.

The lesson: if you can find a strategic brand alignment then they can be powerful. Finding a route to integrate your brand into your audiences’ experiences can help build loyalty and impact.

In Summary:

If 17th May were a brand, it would be:

✅ Clear in purpose
✅ Consistent in message
✅ Emotionally resonant
✅ Beautifully designed
✅ Wildly popular

Gratulerer med dagen!

From sun-soaked shores to snowy fjords

Posted on mai 8, 2025mai 9, 2025 by Catarina Rocha

How I swapped the pebbled shores and ocean breeze of Madeira for the majestic fjords of Norway, with a few unforgettable stops along the way.

I grew up on the breathtaking island of Madeira, where the sea sparkles year-round and the sun fills your heart (and soul) with energy. Life there is vibrant and warm, just like the people. That love of movement, connection, and creativity has shaped everything I do. And honestly? My journey so far has been full of waves, wonder, and a few plot twists I never saw coming.

After studying in Porto (hello, stunning Douro River views!), I landed my first real job at the Casino of Madeira as a Marketing and Commercial Assistant. It was everything you’d imagine: a buzzing atmosphere, live music, dazzling performances, and fascinating people from all over the world. I worked on strategy for the gambling room and event promotion. It was a wild and exciting early-career adventure. But eventually, I realised nightlife wasn’t my forever scene.

Time for a change

Next stop: Guernsey. What began as a quick visit to friends turned into a couple of seasons working at a hotel – still close to the sea, but with a totally different rhythm. And just when I thought I’d caught my breath, life had another surprise in store.

Working for a social enterprise was rewarding and inspiring in equal measure.

My partner (now husband) moved to the Shetland Islands, and I soon followed. I ended up staying nearly four unforgettable years. If you’ve never been, picture dramatic cliffs, powerful storms, puffins in summer, the Shetland Folk Festival, and the blazing spectacle of Up Helly Aa. While there, I joined a brilliant social enterprise as Marketing Manager, working with a passionate team on a truly important mission: inclusivity. We hit some proud milestones, like getting our products featured at Scotland’s Bute House, and even in Vogue UK. Yes, that Vogue!

Then came Norway…

When my husband received a job offer in beautiful Stavanger, we couldn’t say no. Sure, it’s not quite as warm as Madeira, but the nature here is just as powerful – peaceful fjords, rugged coastlines, auroras, and that same ocean that’s always felt like home.

My first role in Stavanger was with a fast-growing SaaS company. It was a creative whirlwind, and a steep (but fun) learning curve. I worked on content strategy, inbound marketing, and employer branding.

And that brings me to Project Neon, the bright, bold and ambitious agency I now call home. We’re a small team, but full of creativity, energy, and big ideas. Every day is different, and that’s just how I like it

Looking back, it’s been quite the journey. From island shores to northern lights, from glittering casinos to purpose-led missions.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: home is a feeling. And I’ve found mine by the sea, doing meaningful work with good people. And YOLO? I’m living it.

Catarina