That's Nice News

There have been many changes to the great city of Birmingham since Nigel Walker lived in the city before leaving for London in 1980, though a strong bond with the “Brummies” prevails. 

The latest NicePassion video, "Newly Imagined Dream" has launched! The video focuses on a delightful scientist who opened up a market in PEI, founded on her family's passion for food and sharing German treats. 

Overall, it was a great night in Folsom, CA.

Come onboard! We're ready for the for the next journey in 2020.

Brian Pierce takes a selfie behind Nigel Walker. The "balloon day" is over but the team still has one more take.

As we float 5,000 feet above the Napa Valley wineries, Nigel is ready to deliver the end of year message.

Is someone in trouble? Nigel's hat remains on but the airplanes should have already landed... P.S. Nice hat, Nigel.

Lucas Visser lost one of the drones for 90 minutes, but as you see he using star alignment (a GPS) to find where it dropped. 

An interesting sculpture of old suit cases at Sacramento airport, very creative.

Scouting the Balloon take off site in Sonoma, CA. This rich wine district will be one of our shoot destinations today.

Nigel Walker is attending a local Philadelphia Healthcare Investment forum as a guest of Wuxi Advanced Therapies, a major investor in the Navy Yard in Philly. 

Wei Gao takes flight over the big Island of Hawaii, very cool for a sky diving adventure.

Nigel's Orbea Gravel Carbon Fiber Custom built bike arrived this weekend - he's already planning to put a few miles on these new wheels.

Our business intern has a big camera!

Brian Pierce takes a moment to enjoy the sunshine at Rockaway Beach on the Nice Passion shoot. 

The surfing star of the Nice Passion video poses on the beach with the crew. 

Nigel, Lucas and intern Guillem AyoraMexia smile at Rockaway beach during the Nice Passion shoot. 

Lucas Visser and Nigel Walker setup the camera at Rockaway Beach for the next Nice Passion film. 

Brian Pierce is hard at work on our next passion piece. 

That's Nice celebrated Albert's birthday with cookies and cream cake! 

Nigel takes  selfie on a fresh English morning.

Another successful event arranged by CPhI owners. Frankfurt is not my favorite destination but staying at the Maritim Hotel worked out very well, being directly adjacent to the show halls.

Leaving CPhI Frankfurt through Brussels as Lufthansa cancels flights back to New York. We choose to exit out of Europe via London.

Nigel visits an interesting cafe at the Frankfurt Messe, with real birch trees.

The Managing Director and The Chairman strategize the final day of CPhI Worldwide in Frankfurt.

Eric from Servier CDMO and Nigel proudly stand in front of the Servier booth at CPhI.

We're taking off in 2020!

Haig and Nigel are making a best dressed effort at CPhI Frankfurt. 

TJ, David and Guy take a well deserved break in San Antonio for AAPS PharmSci 360. 

Taking in the Almao in San Antonio, Texas during the AAPS PharmSci 360 trade show. 

Paying homage to the Day of the Dead in San Antonio 

While in the city for AAPS PharmSci 360, Guy passes by the San Antonio Brewers Association. 

Guy Tiene enjoys a meal in San Antonio and admires the floral arrangement. 

Congratulations to Project Coordinator Emilee Kudla, who just found out she's going to be an aunt to a niece!  

Luca Mantovani, the CEO of Eigenmann and Veronelli, was at CPhI today. He's an old friend and client from DSM. We have fond memories of working for Luca and the DSM team.

Wei Gao and Marga Viñes pose at the Grifols Partnership booth - who do you think she looks better with?

We're happy to unveil the new branding for Grifols Partnership. Pictured here is Marga Viñes, Senior Sales Manager for this energetic company, with Nigel Walker.

Kicking off AAPS from the famous Menger Hotel in San Antonio where Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders. 

Gulam Jaffer, President of Yourway, is pictured on the cover of World Pharma Frontiers Magazine, ready for the taking at CPhI Frankfurt. 

Mark Allen, Wei Gao and Eugene Hsiu enjoy a meal in Frankfurt, Germany before the official start of CPhI. 

This piece, captured in Frankfurt by the That's Nice team during CPhI, puts a new spin on street art. 

The That's Nice team admires the art of Frankfurt during CPhI. 

Accounts Director, Wei Gao, anticipates kicking off #cphi2019 with a sausage plate - this is serious business. 

Putting the final touches on the WuXi AppTec booth being presented at AAPS San Antonio, come see them during the show.

Putting the final touches on the Asahi Kasei booth being presented at AAPS San Antonio, come see them during the show. 

Putting the final touches on the Avara booth being presented at AAPS San Antonio, come see them during the show.

Putting the final touches on the ACS Publications booth, which is being completed for CPhI Frankfurt - come see them during the show.

Putting the final touches on the GSK booth at CPhI Frankfurt, come see them at booth #121B6.

Haig and Nigel are pictured five years ago at CPhI Paris. There have been many changes in both business and lifestyle, since then, but the show is still the most important week of the year for That's Nice business in Europe.

Lucas Visser goes on another scouting mission at the Hudson Yards. 

A sculpture on the High-Line in New York connects the fine art community with the tourists that walk the elevated walk way. 

A cinema angle captured on the new video shoot for the That’s Nice 25th anniversary campaign. 

A honey comb architectural matrix in New York City.

Lucas and Nigel are out shooting the third part of the research scout for the upcoming That's Nice 25-year anniversary campaign.

Can you guess who's who?

What book are we reading at That’s Nice this month? Change the Culture by Roger Conners and Tom Smith.

Nigel's got a new look for CPhI Worldwide - let the business begin!

New York City goes big with Halloween parties on 10/31, tonight. 

That's Nice celebrates Eugene's birthday over cheesecake. 

Brian Pierce inside the “Tray Drying room” at UPM running a blue placebo, milled compound for a new fly through corporate video, launching in January 2020.

Nigel Walker, Jonathan Curtin and Brian Pierce are pictured in sunny Bristol, Tennessee in this photo by Lucas Visser - the team visited UPM to shoot drone footage. 

That’s Nice moves towards our Silver Jubilee, and with that we start to rebuild for the next 25 years. Management stability has been the key to our leading position in CDMO space. There are many surprises to be reviewed in 2020.

That’s Nice will be attending PharmaSci 360 being held in San Antonio this year. Guy Tiene, David Alvaro and TJ will represent the management team - with a few meeting slots left, let’s meet at your booth! 

That’s Nice will be in Frankfurt attending CPhI Worldwide, represented by Nigel Walker, Mark Allen and Wei Gao. Although we're heavily booked, there are a few slots left.

The end of the summer is marked by the closing of the flower shop for the early fall. The weather is changing as we all prepare for CPhI Worldwide, Frankfurt and PharmSci360, San Antonio. 

Though it may look similar to the Brooklyn Bridge that famously stretches over the East River, this bridge is in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nigel spotted it on his last stop over before completing this client trip.

Nigel has a quick stop over in Las Vegas before he returns to New York, to attend an end-user plasma one day show.

Nigel is back at the home of country music, Bristol, Tennessee, to see our long term customer UPM Pharmaceuticals. It's great to see the growth in UPM as they focus on commercial projects.

Circa 2009, this Christian Audigier classic was picked out of the loft this weekend. Nigel remembers wearing it to the C&E News event in San Francisco. He has just 10 more pounds left to loose to achieve the magical 50 lbs. weight loss. You heard it here first - at JP Morgan 2020 he will achieve his goal of 166 lbs!

Nigel found an old school typewriter that connects to the iPad, which is basically pure gold. Here he is sitting in his new writing room with a cup of tea and the Sonos.

Lucas Visser is out at 6.00am on Sunday morning scouting locations for a new upcoming short film. Stay strong, Lucas!

Nigel is building out his New York home office with the SMEG brand, along with a number of custom pieces of furniture.

That's Nice celebrated designer Nataliya's birthday (albeit belated) with cake from Lady M. 

It's a long time coming, but we've finally hit the 14K connections mark on LinkedIn.

Brian Pierce picks some lemons this morning from his beautiful home in Alameda, CA. 

The Golden Gate Bridge is a sexy piece of architecture. The gateway to the bay never gets boring, no matter how many times we see it. Nigel is in the Bay Area, visiting clients. 

Happy times in Birmingham, England, as Nigel and his cousin see each other for some quality family time

That's Nice celebrates Friday with a team sushi lunch. 

12 days, 18 customers, 17,000 miles, 2 lost bags and new friends across Europe. Nigel reflects on the trip as he departs London and starts the extremely busy Q4 process of writing 2020 statement of work orders for our customers.

Nigel's bags were found in Amsterdam - wonder what they were doing there... 

The most beautiful piece of architecture in Spain and Nigel's personal favorite religious location from all corners of the world. It's much closer to completion than the first time he visited Barcelona in 1972

In case anyone ever thought Barcelona wasn’t in Nigel's top three cities in the world, the architectural design is transforming quickly in the Gaudi dominated city. Nigel has arrived at his second to last city of this extensive Euro trip.

Nigel is studying the simplicity of Synthetic Sapphire, a new material being used in the Hublot watch with a silicon wrist band. Looking at this beautiful timepiece, it's clear that Swiss watchmakers have done it again. Today is only a "looking" day - he's not buying...yet. 

As Nigel visits Basel, Switzerland at night, he points out that one giant Biologics CDMO is headquartered in here, and we can all agree - it's not a bad place to have your headquarters.

Looking for rare books in Zurich for new library, Nigel finds a street that sells rare books from around the world.

La Défense in Paris is a new area of the city that has grown from the financial district. 

Moving fast and onto the last leg of the two week trip, Nigel enjoys an evening in Zurich, Switzerland, a city that balances the French and the German. There's no denying - it's a real beauty at night.

Stopped for a selfie while scouting locations for a client event in Paris.

Haig is also in town during Nigel's visit to Paris - so how do you cram in seeing 6 French customers in 2 days?

Back to Servier to plan for next years business growth in Paris today. The new CEO for the Servier CDMO takes over today, October 1st - it's always a productive day at Servier!

Nigel has traveled to a different area of Paris as he continues to visit clients in France. Pictured here is the city's newly expanding financial district, as viewed from the Suresnes area. 

Nigel is just leaving GSK, a valued customer for last seven years. That's Nice is looking forward to supporting them at CPhI worldwide!

Nigel took a picture here last year, but it's still a dramatic scene worth revisiting at Studham village church in Bedfordshire.

International Correspondence Schools, certificate from 1935, Mr. Sydney Whitehurst. This course was for “Sign Writing,” the origins of communication in Nigel Walker's family.

Nigel is back in sunny England seeing family and friends in between a jam-packed 2 weeks of client visits. It's time to put on the new shiny jacket, and help with the gardening.

On the theme of exploring, Nigel heads back to Paris (making it his fifth city stop in five days) to see a client and a client prospect, in the city of love.

Director of Research and German soccer fan, TJ Ladage, finally pays his penance for losing a sports bet. He enjoys the best day of his life, wearing an England shirt. Only problem being, on close inspection, it’s clear he picked up a questionable knock-off in India...

Piazza Duomo Plaza in Milan, there are a handful of more beautiful sites of religious architecture than here. 

Rozzano, Italy is Nigel's next stop on his current European tour.  He was shopping for frames and look what was found - the TN brand colors, glitter and orange, together.

Carl Laemmle was an American filmmaker and founder of Universal Pictures - which he owned until 1934. Laemmle, who was born in Germany, produced or worked on over 400 films. His likeness is represented in this simple statue in Laupheim. Taking inspiration from film greats, we're happy to announce that NicePassion continues to move forward with three new short films.

Lucas works on the cabin from our Nature of Science piece in much nicer weather - here he is mitering pine paneling for the interior walls.

Nigel's new Aston Villa F.C. home kit will arrive shortly, so he can show his support for the team this year.

We've received a lovely gift from his friend Sienna over at Chanel, we look forward to seeing her in October!

That's Nice wished Gabriela Estupinan, intern in the Research Dept. best of luck with a cake from Paris Baguette. She still has one more year left at Santa Clara University, but after that, we hope she'll be back! 

 Nigel and Lucas rode their bikes 25 miles last Saturday and Sunday to Kensico Dam up in Westchester County. 

Can you guess who is the boss in this picture, I wonder?

Nigel is in the process of ordering the 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster - it's a nice little upgrade from his current set of wheels. 

Nigel captures the graphic quality of the Westchester Dam, a public works project.

Lucas and Nigel bike to the Westchester 9/11 Memorial at the Kensico Dam Plaza, north of White Plains.

We're currently reading Hidden In Plain Sight by Erich Joanchimsthaler, Harvard Business School Press.

That's Nice bids farewell to Sakina Hudda with cake and a card. Sakina completed her summer 2019 internship with flying colors!

Sakina ends her internship at That’s Nice today, we will miss her smile and energy in the office.

That's Nice welcomes our newest intern, Guillem, who is currently attending university in Spain. Guillem will be working in the Accounts Dept. over the next 3 months. 

Nigel is attending BPI International in Boston along with 15 accounts - he's looking forward to the week ahead

Lucas did not know why this was called Thunder Cove until he got there. There was a storm in the distance and the waves were crashing one after another. To the left of this image is a bank of dirt and rock about 30 feet high. This feature amplifies the sound of the waves and the result is literally thunderous!

Next up, French River. This is probably the most photographed and painted area of PEI for obvious reasons. It’s an old fishing village that still retains it’s charm. It’s also located on the north shore of the island and is a bit west of PEI national park.

This is part of Prince Edward Island National Park on the north coast, north of Charlottetown. The water and beaches are pristine and as you can see, sometimes you can have the whole beach to yourself.

Kan'ang Xu is the latest hire on the Research team! He is an NYU graduate and will be working as a market research associate. 

The accounts team makes sure the Rentschler booth is setup and ready to go for BioProcess International.

Another stop and shot of a wonderful old barn still in use. The barns in PEI tend to be Gray as opposed to the usual Red, New England style.

Driving around Brian and Lucas would come upon scenes where they had to pull over and take a shot. Rusty old farm equipment sitting out in a field just begs to be photographed.

Brian and Lucas visited Tea Hill Stable on their travels in PEI. It is a beautiful stable, and the owners graciously allowed our team to capture the beauty of it - as demonstrated by this image of a speckled mare having lunch.

The That's Nice team gathers around Saba Malik as she celebrates the completion of her internship. 

Saba Malik has finished up her internship and is now heading home to California. She worked very hard and fit in well with the accounts team - we hope to see her back in the fall!

First thing the next day, Brian and Lucas were at the start of the GranFondo bicycle race: a 150k loop around the middle of PEI stretching to the North coast, starting and ending in Charlottetown. 

355 R21, 25 - a Pirelli tire with a screw in it, will replace both back tires on the beast/Lambo.

It's Demba's first day of school and he's dressed to impressed. We can't believe how fast he's grown!

New friends at That’s Nice, Sakina and Misaki, enjoy an ice cream during lunch.

Jack’s Drive-In has been in this same location since before Lucas was born. They are famous for their sliders, which are hamburgers with a helping of caramelized onions. They start cooking the onions in the morning and you can smell the place a mile away. Lucas helped himself to two sliders with cheese and a chocolate shake.

This is the house of Lucas' childhood friend, Seth. His father designed, came up with the process and built this house, which was known as "the pumpkin house." Lucas' father built the garage as an extension.

Lucas poses in front of Crystal Lake, a local swimming spot near his childhood home. 

Taking a trip down memory lane, Lucas snaps a quick flick in front of his alma matter, Averill Park High School. 

After the shoot at the Milford Rentschler site, Lucas Visser stopped by his hometown of Averill Park in Rensselaer County, upstate New York. Here is is posed in front of Poestenkill Elementary. 

Misaki Walker visits the office for some visual concept development work - look for her work in upcoming issues of Pharma's Almanac.  Could we be looking at a future Design Director?

The That's Nice team enjoys lunch from Rosa Mexicano before heading into the long Labor Day weekend. 

After a long day of a facility shoot, Brian Pierce and Lucas Visser sit down to enjoy another passion of theirs. Enjoy guys, you deserve it.

That's Nice's digital capture team, Brian Pierce and Lucas Visser arrive in Milford, MA today, getting ready for a video shoot to capture Rentschler Biopharma SE's world class manufacturing facility.

The team poses after the a successful shoot on PEI at the Island Hill Farm is wrapped. 

The goats at Island Hill Farm are officially part of the Nice Passion team. 

The Nice Passion team films on the Island Hill Farm surrounded by lovable goats. 

Lucas looks for the drone, wondering why the drift is on with the runway from the sea. Nigel knows the answer - it's because of the wind!

The Nice Passion team is filming at Island hill farms today, where they make soap and other products from goat milk.

Lucy needs a nap after a long day at work with her Project Coordinator mom, Emilee. 

Project Coordinator, Emilee, brings her dog, Lucy, into work in celebration of International Dog Day. 

Sakina takes in the beautiful English architecture in Westminster. 

Accounts intern, Sakina, brought chocolates and candies to the office from her trip to London. 

The Manhattan skyline shimmers in the sun at 6.00pm on a Saturday night - notice the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge in the foreground.

A mint condition Cadillac Eldorado sits in a car museum in the south.

Congratulations to Saltire Foundation scholar, Nisha, who has officially completed finished her 2019 internship in the research dept. We look forward to greeting our next Saltire candidates in 2020.

Horse + Racing + USA? Must be Kentucky.

Both Nigel and President Trump are visiting Louisville today, but there's no need to meet up there - they both permanently reside in New York.

The Nice Passion team pictured with the film's star, Sean (middle). This is the 4th short film complete by That's Nice - a record for Brian for a 5 minute piece. All we're wondering is, Lucas, where’s the drone?

It’s a privilege to watch the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Violet learns from big data – 6 tons used to sent a 330 pound ball over 2 miles.

Strategy Director, Mark Allen, admires the fortress that is Edinburgh Castle. Strong foundations last a very long time, even though there has been numerous ‘owners’ over the years.

Out on location, Brian and Lucas are obviously confused.

Luke Walker is out fishing this weekend in Westchester - it's his first time out on the lake.

Lucas and Nigel went for a 60 mile bicycle ride over 6 hours, burning over 4000 calories as they traveled from Westchester to Garrison, NY, 8 miles past Bear Mountain.

Project Coordinator Emilee captures some mid-day fun at Union Square. 

The That's Nice team celebrates Strategy Director Mark Allen's birthday with pizza and cake. 

The Accounts Team went to dinner to welcome new project manager, Andrea. 

Don't take a wrong turn! Lucas gets lost in the woods looking for bears.

Out in the Catskills, Nigel, Lucas Visser and Sean (featured in the Nature of Science video) are finishing up a film for the next Nice Passion Video.

Nigel notices a 30’ American flag in upstate New York, a beautiful sight on his weekend hike. 

Nigel made a Christofle silver flatware egg purchase this weekend - it's a beautiful example of fine French dinnerware. 

The That's Nice team enjoyed drinks after work on the rooftop of flatiron go-to 230 Fifth. 

Nigel isn't crying over spilled snacks, which, unfortunately, blend into the hardwood floor. 

Sakina finds the iconic Flatiron building to be one of her favorite architecture buildings in the world! 

It was just about 12 months ago that Nigel and Brian were flying at 500 knots across the south of Paris. Notice the "Rescue" sign with two yellow arrows, because they needed it.

Dark clouds are amassing over New York as an 18 hour rain front moves in.

Sakina loves looking at beautiful architecture that the city has to offer -architecture is just one of Sakina’s many areas that she finds aesthetically pleasing!

Saba Malik takes a trip downtown after work and is amazed by the breathtaking city views.

While learning and gaining valuable experience as an intern, Sakina enjoys the New York City nightlife - which entails eating at posh & swanky rooftop restaurants/lounges overlooking the city’s bright beautiful skyline.  

Saba and Sakina enjoy dinner together after work and chat about all they’ve been learning during their internship experience this summer.

Enjoying the nice weather and beautiful views while relaxing in Central Park.

That's Nice is inspired by the stock exchange "Fearless girl" who symbolizes the gender equality movement and the power of women in leadership. 

Nisha samples the food and drinks at rooftop hangout 230 Fifth, ahead of company drinks at the same venue next Thursday. The frose gets the thumbs up!

Wei's puppy Ahsoka visited the office this morning!

Accounts intern, Saba Malik, explores Times Square, the epicenter of marketing and advertising!

While getting dinner at Rosa Mexicano, Sakina is reminded of the Floating Man Wall in the Dubai Mall - and it's easy to see why!

Gabriela Estupiñán and Nisha Middleton, our Research interns, working diligently on our upcoming CDMO Biologics Report.

Gabriela and Nisha grab veggies from the Union Square Farmer's Market, located right outside the That's Nice NYC office, during lunch. 

Halfway through her internship with That's Nice, Nisha has already learned so much already in the Research Dept. Although she's missing Scotland a lot, she's excited to see what the next month in NYC brings. 

Nigel is heading back north after a little stop off in the wilderness.

Nigel takes a dramatic shot near a run-off of river logs, reminiscent of a bone yard for nature.

Project Coordinator, Emilee and Graphic Designer, Nina, are twinning in denim dresses. 

Interactive Developers Parth and Jaren unwind after work with a relaxing yoga class. 

The That's Nice team wishes Nigel the best of birthdays! 

Nigel has journeyed a few hundred miles downstream, leaving Colombia and moving into Peru. Pictured here are the overhead leaves above the new boat that he has moved to.