Project background:
Client: The Zoo XYZ
Sector: Live events, backstage operations, artist liaison, production
Scope: Award strategy, narrative development, editorial shaping, submission drafting and messaging alignment
The challenge:
The EVCOM London Live Awards recognise excellence across the brand experience and live events industry, with Agency of the Year among its most competitive and value-driven categories.
For The Zoo XYZ, the challenge was not a lack of substance but the opposite: a rich, multi-layered story spanning representation, wellbeing, international delivery and cultural leadership. The task was to distil years of work — and a deeply human philosophy — into a disciplined written submission, supported by an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes film that showed what exceptional delivery really looks like in real time.
Vividink was brought in to help shape that story without smoothing its edges — ensuring the submission felt authentic, grounded and true to the lived experience of The Zoo XYZ team
Our approach:
From the outset, there was strong alignment between Vividink and The Zoo XYZ — a shared belief that credibility comes from integrity, not embellishment.
Working closely with founder and director Nadu Placca Rodriguez, Vividink:
- Structured the submission to balance philosophy, delivery, culture and measurable impact.
- Edited and refined the written entry to meet strict word limits while retaining emotional weight.
- Ensured the written narrative complemented — rather than repeated — the raw, observational awards film.
- Anchored every section in lived experience, leadership and consistency under pressure.
The result was a submission that trusted the judges to recognise substance — and trusted the work to speak for itself.
A culture-led agency:
At the core of The Zoo XYZ’s entry was a simple but powerful idea: backstage culture matters. The agency was founded to address a gap between the diversity celebrated on stage and the lack of representation behind it. What began as a last-minute call to action evolved into a global operation delivering backstage management, production and artist liaison across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the US. Calm under pressure became a defining characteristic. In an industry where stress is often normalised, The Zoo XYZ positioned care, emotional intelligence and cultural fluency as operational strengths — not soft values. The mantra “More Black Women Backstage” was presented not as a slogan, but as a measurable practice shaping recruitment, training and progression.
Care as a delivery model:
A key strength of the submission was its focus on people — artists, crews and freelancers alike.
The Zoo XYZ demonstrated how care translates into better delivery:
- Backstage environments designed to be calm, clean and welcoming.
- Advocacy for breaks, safe working conditions and realistic schedules.
- Open conversations around mental health, supported by responsive, HR-style backstage care.
Beyond event delivery, the Events Masterclass Programme — now CPD-accredited — has trained more than 200 people, many of whom remain connected through an active alumni network supporting placements, advice and progression.
Industry impact beyond events:
The entry also positioned The Zoo XYZ as an agency influencing change beyond its own projects.
Key initiatives included:
- Publication of Black in the Boardroom, challenging 16 UK trade bodies on representation — prompting tangible change.
- Launch of Black Events Matter, a practical roundtable platform for underrepresented professionals.
- Sustainable backstage practices focused on reuse, local sourcing and waste reduction.
- Community initiatives such as Payday Friyay in Brixton and free international training sessions in Ghana.
Rather than presenting these as side projects, the submission framed them as a natural extension of the agency’s values.
The outcome:
The Zoo XYZ was named Agency of the Year at the EVCOM London Live Awards 2025.
- The win recognised not just growth or client roster — including Spotify, Red Bull and Afro Nation — but a delivery model rooted in calm leadership, representation and care.
- The written submission, paired with a raw, as-it-happens film created by MONK, stood out precisely because it resisted polish. It showed the real work behind exceptional live experiences.
Words from the partnership:
“Man like Paul! Thank you for all your support, I cannot wait to work together more in 2026 and beyond, such a beautiful human!”
Nadu Placca Rodriguez, Founder & Director, The Zoo XYZ
“Thank you so much! Such an incredible night.”
The Zoo XYZ team
How Vividink adds value:
Vividink specialises in translating lived experience into credible, award-winning narratives — without diluting what makes organisations different.
With The Zoo XYZ, our role was to protect the truth of the work, sharpen the story, and let authenticity do the heavy lifting.