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 representing one of 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.