This Is Apollo

Founder of This Is Apollo, where we make events, hospitality & leisure brands STAND OUT 🚀

Since taking over the company full-time in 2022, I have helped my clients scale and sell out their events, worked closely with hospitality and leisure brands to make an impact. 

With core strategies, unique design, and delivering thumb-stopping campaigns, we have helped:

🌴 Gain Over 30M+ Client Impressions 
🌴 Sell 250K+ Tickets 
🌴 SELL OUT 30+ Events
🌴 Re-branded 20+ Companies

My core role at This Is Apollo is to dig deeper with clients on event strategy calls, create engaging campaign strategies, and design branding and artwork that will have their audience clicking 'BUY NOW' before they know it.  

With skills in graphic design, social media marketing, and email marketing I ensure no stone is left unturned when it comes to marketing my client's event, brand, or venue. 

During my journey in the past year, I have worked with clients globally providing services such as:

🚀 Graphic Design
🚀 Branding & Brand Identity Design
🚀 Email Marketing
🚀 Social Media Marketing & Management
🚀 Web Design
🚀 Photography

Already got a marketing team? 
That's where we fill in the gaps!

Free up you're marketing team's time, fill gaps in their knowledge, or be at ease with a clear strategy. 


Looking to work with someone ambitious who can positively help with your business goals? 
Get in touch 📲

Director

GARAGE NATION LTD

Freelance Design & Marketing

Victoria Warehouse

Freelance Graphic Designer

Dream Valley

Freelance Graphic Design & Marketing

Mustard Media

Researching, developing and creating a range of ideas, projects and campaigns, to meet client business objectives in response to given briefs. Creating something you can't ignore through ensuring devised content is of a high-quality with attention to detail – across branding, publications, film/video, animation and campaigns.

Digital Creative Designer

SHRINE

Social Media Intern

YO! Sushi

Supervisor at Yo! Sushi, managing a team of people, providing support to the General Manager. Working successfully towards time targets, strategically managing food cost, wastage and sales. Forecasting sales and organising staff accordingly. Running shifts solely, with excellent customer service, accuracy and speed.

Supervisor

Britannia Property Services Group

Lettings negotiator at Britannia Property Services. Working with Instagram and Facebook to improve their social media accounts. Gaining leads through social media and through other sites.

Lettings Negotiator

Nando's UK & IRE

Staff Trainer

There’s nothing worse than not selling enough tickets or having empty tables and hotel rooms… 
These are just 3 things many of my clients faced before working with me: 

🎟️ Struggling to sell tickets for their events or festivals

🫣 Getting lost in a competitive market

⏰ Lacking the time or resources for effective marketing

📣 Uncertainty about how to attract the right audience

📸 Difficulty capturing high-quality content that drives bookings

That’s where This Is Apollo steps in. We’re a design and marketing agency dedicated to helping festivals, events, and hospitality brands boost ticket sales, increase footfall, and drive bookings through:

⭐️ Targeting the right audience to maximise  ticket sales with tailored marketing strategies

⚡️Crafting a unique brand identity that makes you stand out in a crowded market

🪩 Saving you time by managing your marketing with proven, results-driven tactics

🚀 Skyrocketing bookings by speaking directly to your audience through smart marketing and design

📹 Planning and capturing engaging, social-first content that highlights your brand’s best offerings

Some of our client success stories include:
→ Over 250,000 attendees at events in Manchester in 1 weekend
→ £3M in ticket revenue generated for clients since 2022
→ Supporting more than 500K tickets sold since 2022

If you’re ready to stop blending in and start standing out — while selling out your events—let’s talk. 

Drop me a message or reach me at chloe@thisisapollo.co.uk.

If you’re waiting until November to plan Black Friday, you’re already too late.

Seasonal campaigns aren’t built overnight.
They’re built months in advance.

One of my e-commerce clients is already testing Black Friday campaigns through Halloween.

Why? Because it gives us data to refine before the peak season hits.

Here’s how we approach it 👇

→ Segment audiences early
Work out who your VIPs are, who’s engaged but not buying yet, and who needs a little extra nudge.

→ Build mailing lists now
The bigger (and cleaner) your list, the more impact you’ll see when offers go live.

→ Reduce unsubscribes
Warm up your audience with valuable content first. Don’t wait until the discount frenzy to suddenly appear in their inbox.

→ Identify your VIPs
Who’s spending the most? Who’s coming back regularly? Those are the people who deserve priority access and tailored offers.

This is how Apollo Studio runs campaigns:
Structured. Thought-out. Long-term.

Not last-minute panic mode.

📌 Festivals, restaurants, and hotels, now’s the time to plan.

If you want Q4 to hit hard, you’ve got to start now.

__

I’m opening my books for new clients in the Hospitality space. 
And if you sign up before October… you’ll get a FREE content shoot included with your package.

📸 That means fresh, on-brand visuals ready to use across socials, menus, and campaigns before the busiest season hits.

⚡ Hospitality moves fast. Don’t let your marketing fall behind. DM me if you’re ready to get started.

Chloe Waterhouse ⚡️

❋ Strategy-first design & marketing for hospitality, leisure & events | Helping experiences stand out & sell out 🪩 | Director @ This Is Apollo

Big news: I’m launching The Northern Buzz 🐝

Manchester’s hospitality scene is full of talent.
But too many brilliant businesses aren’t collaborating and viewing each other as competitors.

That’s why I’ve teamed up with Sam Millward to create The Northern Buzz, a brand new community for hospitality.

✨ What we’re about:

👉 Bringing hospitality brands together (no more working in isolation)
👉 Running workshops across marketing, accounts, ops + systems
👉 Helping businesses spot gaps and fix them before they become problems
👉 Building collaboration that actually moves the needle 📈

Our first event will take place on 18th November in Manchester 🗓️

This is just the start… more details coming soon 👀
Because hospitality in Manchester doesn’t just need more noise.

It needs connection, collaboration, and strategy that delivers.

The Northern Buzz is here for it. 🐝

__

✨ PS - Want to be part of the very first Northern Buzz event?

Spaces will be limited, sign up now to secure your spot and join the community shaping the future of hospitality 🚀

(Link in comments 👇)

Stop spamming your best customers with the same offer.

I nearly unsubscribed from one of my favourite spas last month.
And this is a place I actually love, I go twice a year, without fail.

But every single week my inbox was hit with the exact same thing:

➡️ “FLASH SALE 50% OFF MIDWEEK”
➡️ “FLASH SALE 50% OFF MIDWEEK”
➡️ “FLASH SALE 50% OFF MIDWEEK”

Same design. Same offer. Same email.

Here’s the problem:
If I’m already a loyal customer, I don’t need endless reminders. 
I don’t need to be treated like I’ve never been before. I need to feel valued.

That’s where so many hospitality brands go wrong with their email marketing. 

They send the same blanket message to everyone instead of recognising the difference between:

→ A new customer they’re trying to win.
→ A loyal customer who already comes back.
→ A VIP guest who spends the most with them.

Each of those people needs a different message, a different experience.

Email isn’t just a sales blast, it’s a system for loyalty, retention, and advocacy.

If you reduce it to the same generic offer every week, 
You don’t just lose sales. 
You lose trust.

Your best customers deserve more than a discount code.

They deserve loyalty.

Last week, I was back working with the Manchester Digital team at Sister in Manchester.

I got to capture the energy of a full day of talks, panels, and networking.

Here’s what got delivered 👇

📸 175 edited photos of speakers, audiences, and event highlights ready to be repurposed across marketing campaigns and future editions.

🎥 Vox pops with speakers sharing insights on AI, tech, and industry challenges.

🎤 Testimonial videos to build trust and loyalty for future editions.

🎬 A wrap-up video (coming soon!) showcasing 21+ speakers and the incredible atmosphere of the day.

This is now the 4th event I’ve worked on with Manchester Digital, and it’s always a pleasure to support such an impactful organisation in the tech space.

A huge thank you to Thom Docking and Katie Gallagher for trusting me again 🙌

It’s projects like these that remind me why I love what I do!

→ Creating content that not only captures the moment but drives connection, credibility, and momentum for future events.

“That design probably only took you 10 minutes.”
If I had £1 for every time I heard that…

Here’s the reality 👇

Design (and content creation in general) takes a lot longer than people assume.
What looks like a simple graphic can take hours of refining, editing, and tweaking until it’s right.

And it’s not just the design itself:

→ There’s concept and planning involved.
→ There are rounds of feedback and amends.
→ Different formats to prep for socials.
→ Making sure it’s not just pretty, but strategic.

Same goes for video.

One day I created 20 short clips (<10 seconds each) and it took me a full 8 hours.
Another day, one edit took me 8 hours on its own.

So when someone asks me to break my pricing down into “hourly rates”…
They’re missing the point.

You’re not paying for time.
You’re paying for expertise, speed, and strategy.

Because a Canva template can fill space on your feed.
But it won’t move the needle for your brand.

Three years ago, most festivals launched campaigns in December.
Now, They’re launching in September.

Because waiting until winter means you’re already behind.

Early planning = better ROI:

⏱️ More time to build hype.
📩 Stronger email lists before launch.
🎟️ Early bird ticketing that fuels cashflow and loyalty.

One of my festival clients (who I’ve worked with three years in a row) has already kicked off campaigns.

Not because they have to.
Because they know selling out starts months before the first lineup drop.

If you’re in events or hospitality, the earlier you prep, the smoother your sell-out.

When you’re a food truck in the middle of a busy festival field, you don’t just compete on taste.

You compete on attention.

That’s exactly why South African Braii partnered with us.

Their goals:

👉 Capture festival-goers looking for something bold and spicy
👉 Reflect authenticity and quality in every touchpoint
👉 Stand out against dozens of other food stalls

Here’s what we delivered:

✨ A fresh logo design rooted in the brand’s culture
✨ Branding guidelines that ensured consistency everywhere
✨ Menu designs that were easy to read (even in a queue!)
✨ Social media assets and image guidelines to carry the story online

And the results were obvious:

🌟 Among a sea of food trucks, South African Braii looked and felt different.
🌟 Their stand became instantly recognisable at multiple festivals.
🌟 The brand carried a sense of quality and authenticity that drew people in.

→ This is why design matters 💡 

Because even without numbers, when people stop, look, and choose you over the competition, the design has done its job.

✨ If you’re running a hospitality brand, festival stall, or venue → don’t underestimate the silent sales rep that is your design.

__

PS - If you want your branding to do the selling before the food hits the plate (or the drink hits the glass) let’s talk.

📩 DM me if you’re ready to make your brand stand out.

What will people think of me…?
The biggest question that stops most business owners from creating content.

I had it too.

When I started my business.
When I started posting videos.
When I showed up online.

The fear was real:

👉 “Will people cringe?”
👉 “Will they support me?”
👉 “Will they talk behind my back?”

Here’s the truth:

It is cringey at first.
It feels uncomfortable.
And everyone has an opinion.

But here’s the other truth:

It’s only cringey until it works.
Then people stop calling it cringe and start calling it “lucky.”

What actually happened when I pushed through?

→ The more I posted, the more confident I got.
→ The more I showed up, the more opportunities came in.
→ And the people I thought were “judging” me? They’re the ones now saying, “You’re smashing it.”

So if I could go back and give myself advice, it would be this:

🎥 Just hit record.
📲 Just post the thing.
💡 Just remember - this is your life, not theirs.

The content that feels “boring” to you is often the content that connects most.

A week in the life.
Behind the scenes.
Your day-to-day.

If you’re doubting yourself about showing up online, let me say this:

Do the cringey bit now.
Future you will thank you later.

Most restaurants, bars, and hotels get launch day wrong.

Not because of the food.
Not because of the interiors.
But because they skip the build-up.

If you just throw open your doors with a “ta-da!” moment, people will scroll past or say, I’ll try it later.

Here’s what should happen instead 👇

✨ Capture sign-ups before launch

Create anticipation. Collect emails. 
Make people feel part of something before you even open.

That way, you can nurture them with updates, offers, and tailored content.

✨ Get your brand identity right

A logo and some colours aren’t a brand. Your values, your positioning, your voice, that’s the foundation.

Rush this step and you’ll miss your true audience.

✨ Know your real audience

Don’t just assume “30+ with disposable income.”

Sometimes it’s the under-30 professionals, city-centre couples, or dual-income-no-kids crowd who are ready to book. Dig deeper than assumptions.

✨ Use offers strategically

A launch discount can create urgency. But constant flash sales cheapen your brand. 

If people know you’re always sharing offers and incentives, they’ll just wait for the next one.

Your launch isn’t just about the first night.
It’s about building the foundation for loyalty, repeat visits, and long-term success.

Skip the groundwork, and you’ll be fighting an uphill battle from day one.

__

I’m opening my books for new clients in the Hospitality space. 
And if you sign up before October… you’ll get a FREE content shoot included with your package.

📸 That means fresh, on-brand visuals ready to use across socials, menus, and campaigns before the busiest season hits.

⚡ Hospitality moves fast. Don’t let your marketing fall behind. DM me if you’re ready to get started.

“But we’ve always done it this way.”
The line killing more marketing strategies than anything else.

Here’s the problem 👇

⚡️ Posting the same type of content because it once got good engagement.
⚡️ Holding back because you’re worried more posting will hurt your likes.
⚡️ Refusing to adapt because the ‘old way’ feels safer.

But here’s the truth:

Likes and comments aren’t the only metrics that matter.

When I tested posting more often for one festival client, yes, the likes dipped slightly.

But the reach, impressions, and shares went through the roof.

That meant more eyes on their event and more tickets shifting.

The lesson?

What worked yesterday doesn’t always work today.

Marketing isn’t about vanity metrics. 
It’s about audience growth, footfall, bookings, and sales.

So next time you catch yourself saying, “We’ve always done it this way,”

Ask this instead: Is this still actually working for us?

Because clinging to the past is the quickest way to stall your future.

Here’s why loyalty programs will make or break hospitality brands in the next 12 months 👇

Most restaurants + hotels chase new customers.
But the smartest brands? They double down on the ones already walking through the door.

🔑 Digital loyalty beats stamp loyalty

Signed up with my phone number at a café recently → instant text → 15 points earned.

Now they’ve got my data. I’ve got a reason to come back. Win-win.

🍷 Exclusivity builds community

→ 50% off Thursdays? Only if you’re signed up.
→ Birthday perks? Automated.
→ Repeat visits? Unlock upgrades.

People want to feel like insiders, not just diners.

📈 Retention > Acquisition

New customers cost more.
Regulars spend more.

Loyalty programs make that compounding effect possible.

And yet… most hospitality brands still see them as “nice-to-have.”

When in reality, they’re the difference between midweek empty seats and a buzzing dining room.

👉 If you’re in hospitality and you’re not building loyalty into your marketing, you’re already falling behind.

__

PS - We’re kicking things off with our first networking event on 18th November in Manchester. 

If you’re in hospitality and want to connect with marketers, accountants, and operators who get it, drop me a message and I’ll send you the full details.

As a restaurant, there’s a silent sales rep you didn’t know you had…

It’s your MENU.

Most restaurants treat it like an admin job.

They go back and forth with the chef a couple of times. 

List the dishes. Add prices. 

And it’s done 😉

But strategic menu design can:

→ Drive upsells
→ Highlight your most profitable dishes
→ Make guests spend more without feeling sold to

It’s not just about what’s on the menu.

It’s about:

→ Where the eye goes first
→ Which items get “prime real estate”
→ How you describe dishes so they sell themselves
→ How you anchor prices so the mid-tier items suddenly look like a steal

Think about it:

If your £18 signature dish is buried halfway down the page, it’s not going to sell itself.

But if it’s positioned with a tempting description, framed by a higher-priced option, and marked as “Chef’s favourite”?

You’ve just made it irresistible.

A well-designed menu isn’t decoration.

It’s your most hard-working sales rep, open all day, never takes a break, and quietly boosts your revenue.

If your menu isn’t making you money before guests even order… you’re leaving cash on the table.

Literally.

It’s rarely about what’s on the plate.
It’s about how you market what’s on the plate.

Here’s where I see restaurants go wrong 👇

1️⃣ Ignoring media partners
You’re launching in Manchester?
Why aren’t you talking to and partnering with the likes of Mcr Eats, Secret Manchester, Life in Manny and other key players?

These pages already have the local audience you’re trying to reach. 
Partnering with them puts you in front of thousands of people, the right ones, each week.

2️⃣ Relying on TripAdvisor reviews
People don’t just scroll TripAdvisor anymore. They scroll Instagram and TikTok.

They want to see authentic UGC and reviews that feel real, not just a star about how good Bruces’ service was back in 2018.

3️⃣ Random content with no strategy
Posting “here’s a cake 🍰” isn’t marketing.

Show me the experience → POV: two spoons, because your partner always says they don’t want dessert but then nicks half of yours.

Relatable beats random every time.

4️⃣ Chasing the wrong metrics
Likes aren’t paying the bills.
Clicks, bookings, retention, that’s what matters.

A viral video in Australia won’t fill your tables in Manchester.

5️⃣ Forgetting retention
It costs less to keep a customer than to find a new one.

Asking for emails?
Are you building loyalty programmes? 
Offering 10% off midweek for returning guests?

If not, you’re burning money.

The food might bring them in once.
Your marketing decides if they’ll come back again.

__

I’m opening my books for new clients in the Hospitality space. 

And if you sign up before October ends… you’ll get a FREE content shoot included with your package.

📸 That means fresh, on-brand visuals ready to use across socials, menus, and campaigns before the busiest season hits.

⚡ Hospitality moves fast. Don’t let your marketing fall behind. DM me if you’re ready to get started.

Taplio

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