Saw this on Rory Sutherlands blog - sounds like a great concept - creative ideas for free!!!
www.ogilvybrainz.com
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Good Game : Good Game!
Good game :Good Game!
Now either these guys have too much time on their hands in the current economic uncertainty or it's a bit of marketing genius - you can't beat the good old (ad)space invaders - no matter what spin you put on it!
http://www.allresponsemedia.com/newsletter/acquirer/Adspace-Invaders
Enjoy!
Now either these guys have too much time on their hands in the current economic uncertainty or it's a bit of marketing genius - you can't beat the good old (ad)space invaders - no matter what spin you put on it!
http://www.allresponsemedia.com/newsletter/acquirer/Adspace-Invaders
Enjoy!
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Why should I use a blog for business?
Good article that I liked for new businesses - http://www.winningtheweb.com/blog-perfect-launching-pad.php
Internet Marketing Strategies > Articles, Blogging, Internet Marketing > 3, 2, 1… A Blog is the Perfect Launching Pad to Blast Off Your Online Business
3, 2, 1… A Blog is the Perfect Launching Pad to Blast Off Your Online Business
January 14, 2009 - Written by Gyutae Park
A few days ago I wrote that blogging for ads is dead and that you sell yourself short by doing so. There are so many better and more effective ways to monetize your blog and selling ads becomes rubbish once you realize them. Be sure to read that post if you haven’t already.
Today I want to expand on the topic and talk more specifically about building a business starting with your blog. In fact, a blog is an amazing tool and offers the perfect launching pad to blast off your business.
What do I mean?
Say that you’re looking to start a new online business in a niche that you’re passionate about. You have the knowledge and you have the skills, but you have absolutely no idea what kind of site you want to create and how you’ll make money from it. If this kind of mindset is holding you back, you’re severely limiting your potential. What makes you think the perfect business idea will suddenly come to you? Without action it most likely won’t.
Even if you don’t have a clear business idea, start off with a blog covering the topic you’re interested in. Utilizing this strategy comes with a lot of benefits that will help you to jump start your business. Later in this post, I’ll go into more detail about why this is the case and how you can best use blogging to launch your venture.
With improving technology, blogs are becoming extremely easy to set up and maintain. Simply download the free WordPress software and you’ll be up and running in as little as 5 minutes. Large corporations are using blogs as marketing tools to communicate with customers and to complement their businesses. Why not start off with one and reap the benefits?
Don’t wait to get started in Internet marketing or to start your new online business. Every rocket needs a launching pad and a blog is the perfect one for you.
Internet Marketing Strategies > Articles, Blogging, Internet Marketing > 3, 2, 1… A Blog is the Perfect Launching Pad to Blast Off Your Online Business
3, 2, 1… A Blog is the Perfect Launching Pad to Blast Off Your Online Business
January 14, 2009 - Written by Gyutae Park
A few days ago I wrote that blogging for ads is dead and that you sell yourself short by doing so. There are so many better and more effective ways to monetize your blog and selling ads becomes rubbish once you realize them. Be sure to read that post if you haven’t already.
Today I want to expand on the topic and talk more specifically about building a business starting with your blog. In fact, a blog is an amazing tool and offers the perfect launching pad to blast off your business.
What do I mean?
Say that you’re looking to start a new online business in a niche that you’re passionate about. You have the knowledge and you have the skills, but you have absolutely no idea what kind of site you want to create and how you’ll make money from it. If this kind of mindset is holding you back, you’re severely limiting your potential. What makes you think the perfect business idea will suddenly come to you? Without action it most likely won’t.
Even if you don’t have a clear business idea, start off with a blog covering the topic you’re interested in. Utilizing this strategy comes with a lot of benefits that will help you to jump start your business. Later in this post, I’ll go into more detail about why this is the case and how you can best use blogging to launch your venture.
With improving technology, blogs are becoming extremely easy to set up and maintain. Simply download the free WordPress software and you’ll be up and running in as little as 5 minutes. Large corporations are using blogs as marketing tools to communicate with customers and to complement their businesses. Why not start off with one and reap the benefits?
Don’t wait to get started in Internet marketing or to start your new online business. Every rocket needs a launching pad and a blog is the perfect one for you.
Friday, 16 January 2009
T-Mobile Advert Channel 4 16th Jan
Man - this was amazing - one of the best ads I have seen - not on youtube yet but sure it will be by Monday morning - take a look at the following link for 'the making of.."
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw215gE6r2k
Is this publicis? phenomenal!!
Watch out for the viral's
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw215gE6r2k
Is this publicis? phenomenal!!
Watch out for the viral's
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Cloud Computing
Folks
I am particularly interested in this as we are migrating to a citrix based cloud solution. Anyone got any experience of this?
Cloud computing - what impact will it have on marketers in 2009? Technology For Marketing & Advertising, Keynote session,Tuesday 24th February 11.45 - 12.30 http://www.t-f-m.co.uk/ Cloud computing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cloud computing is Internet-based ("cloud") development and use of computer technology ("computing"). The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet, based on how it is depicted in computer network diagrams, and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals.[1] It is a style of computing in which IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service”,[2] allowing users to access technology-enabled services from the Internet ("in the cloud")[3] without knowledge of, expertise with, or control over the technology infrastructure that supports them.[4] "Cloud Computing is a paradigm in which information is permanently stored in servers on the Internet and cached temporarily on clients that include desktops, entertainment centers, tablet computers, notebooks, wall computers, handhelds, sensors, monitors, etc."[5] Cloud computing is a general concept that incorporates software as a service (SaaS), Web 2.0 and other recent, well-known technology trends, in which the common theme is reliance on the Internet for satisfying the computing needs of the users. For example, Google Apps provides common business applications online that are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the servers.
I am particularly interested in this as we are migrating to a citrix based cloud solution. Anyone got any experience of this?
Cloud computing - what impact will it have on marketers in 2009? Technology For Marketing & Advertising, Keynote session,Tuesday 24th February 11.45 - 12.30 http://www.t-f-m.co.uk/ Cloud computing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cloud computing is Internet-based ("cloud") development and use of computer technology ("computing"). The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet, based on how it is depicted in computer network diagrams, and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals.[1] It is a style of computing in which IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service”,[2] allowing users to access technology-enabled services from the Internet ("in the cloud")[3] without knowledge of, expertise with, or control over the technology infrastructure that supports them.[4] "Cloud Computing is a paradigm in which information is permanently stored in servers on the Internet and cached temporarily on clients that include desktops, entertainment centers, tablet computers, notebooks, wall computers, handhelds, sensors, monitors, etc."[5] Cloud computing is a general concept that incorporates software as a service (SaaS), Web 2.0 and other recent, well-known technology trends, in which the common theme is reliance on the Internet for satisfying the computing needs of the users. For example, Google Apps provides common business applications online that are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the servers.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Reasons to be cheerful (part 3)
This wisdom should be attributed to Tim Watts, Chairman of Network Group Holdings - however I agree with it all so thought I'd share it.
REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC
Much has been made of the current economic climate downturns, crunches, recessions, depressions, deflations etc. but in truth having been through four economic downturns previously, the portents are really quite optimal. I think the next six months will be difficult followed by a fairly quick turn around and my reasons are:-
1. Inflation has dropped like a stone and will give a real boost to disposable income.
2. The fall in Sterling caused by the dramatic drop in interest rates will have a very positive impact in the second half of the year, boosting gross domestic product by nearly 2%.
3. The rebalancing was inevitable after 62 quarters of uninterrupted growth - twice as long as any other period in economic history. Following the correction we can return to a sustained growth path and a much better future.
4. Despite the best efforts of our European cousins, we have retained our flexible labour market, which will enable us to adapt to the forces of change much quicker than any of our neighbours.
5. Despite the derogatory comments in the Press, we actually have a world class university system , producing more academics per head of population than anywhere else in the world. The reason the European Research Council stated that was that Britain had the largest share of "excellence based" companies and accompanying awards than any other European competitor; twice as far in front as the second place country, which was France.
6. The fall in the equity market makes current valuations look very attractive for medium and long term investment, which is what the recovery needs.
7. Massive infrastructure project commitments have been announced and a 20 year programme for energy regeneration approaching a trillion on renewal of our nuclear fleet, massive investment in the transport infrastructure as well as schools and public projects - a commitment to change to low carbon economy should provide a massive (future debt to our children) kick start to the economy.
8. The new U.S. President has a strong mandate committed to pro-growth policies and a trillion dollar short term injection.
9. The recent meeting of the G20 nations all committed themselves not to make the same mistake of protectionism that turned the 1929 recession into the 1930's depression (i.e. we appear to have learnt by our previous mistakes).
10. There is a general election coming and the Government economic policies will be invariably "loose" to stimulate growth and ensure that the economy has re-started for the second six months of 2009.
The darkest hour is always before the dawn and I know that there will be some considerable pain to go through before the patient can recover. We all must look after each other, help each other and be committed to exceeding our customers' expectations of ourselves. My sincerest best wishes for the New Year and we are all in this together.
Kind regards
TIM
REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC
Much has been made of the current economic climate downturns, crunches, recessions, depressions, deflations etc. but in truth having been through four economic downturns previously, the portents are really quite optimal. I think the next six months will be difficult followed by a fairly quick turn around and my reasons are:-
1. Inflation has dropped like a stone and will give a real boost to disposable income.
2. The fall in Sterling caused by the dramatic drop in interest rates will have a very positive impact in the second half of the year, boosting gross domestic product by nearly 2%.
3. The rebalancing was inevitable after 62 quarters of uninterrupted growth - twice as long as any other period in economic history. Following the correction we can return to a sustained growth path and a much better future.
4. Despite the best efforts of our European cousins, we have retained our flexible labour market, which will enable us to adapt to the forces of change much quicker than any of our neighbours.
5. Despite the derogatory comments in the Press, we actually have a world class university system , producing more academics per head of population than anywhere else in the world. The reason the European Research Council stated that was that Britain had the largest share of "excellence based" companies and accompanying awards than any other European competitor; twice as far in front as the second place country, which was France.
6. The fall in the equity market makes current valuations look very attractive for medium and long term investment, which is what the recovery needs.
7. Massive infrastructure project commitments have been announced and a 20 year programme for energy regeneration approaching a trillion on renewal of our nuclear fleet, massive investment in the transport infrastructure as well as schools and public projects - a commitment to change to low carbon economy should provide a massive (future debt to our children) kick start to the economy.
8. The new U.S. President has a strong mandate committed to pro-growth policies and a trillion dollar short term injection.
9. The recent meeting of the G20 nations all committed themselves not to make the same mistake of protectionism that turned the 1929 recession into the 1930's depression (i.e. we appear to have learnt by our previous mistakes).
10. There is a general election coming and the Government economic policies will be invariably "loose" to stimulate growth and ensure that the economy has re-started for the second six months of 2009.
The darkest hour is always before the dawn and I know that there will be some considerable pain to go through before the patient can recover. We all must look after each other, help each other and be committed to exceeding our customers' expectations of ourselves. My sincerest best wishes for the New Year and we are all in this together.
Kind regards
TIM
everyscape.com
What an amazing idea - walk in to people's shops in another part of the world, navigate down their streets!
How do these guys do it?
When is this coming to the UK????
How do these guys do it?
When is this coming to the UK????
Social Marketing - an explanation
I am not claiming any credit for these words of wisdom - I can't actually remember where they came from however, as a simple explanation to people not internet savvy I think it does the trick!
We are natural villagers. For most of mankind's history we have lived in very small communities in which we knew everybody and everybody knew us. But gradually there grew to be far too many of us, and our communities became too large and disparate for us to be able to feel a part of them, and our technologies were unequal to the task of drawing us together. But that is changing."
More quickly than anyone really imagined, humankind is rediscovering, via its digital technology, the ability to reconnect with itself. it is this phenomenon that is at the heart of the connected world.
To put the concept in context. within my village 250 years ago you would have known the business of most people. You'd have known who was sleeping with who, who brewed the best beer, which baker added sawdust to their bread and who slacked off at harvest time.
What digital technology has done is recreate this world, or at least, recreate the mechanics of it.
For 250 years, as we've burned hydrocarbons and industrialized, the importance of these connections was downplayed, even considered "dated". Instead we learned to rely on 3rd parties - businesses we had no personal connection to - to inform us as to who was brewing the best beer. We even got to the stage where our sense of self became caught up in these messages. We'd lost a personal connection with "the brewer", we became "alienated".
As people thinking about how to engage other people in the digital world, this concept, that we are "natural villagers" needs to be at the heart of our thinking. Only by recreating and harnessing the inbuilt desire to connect can we be effective.
We are natural villagers. For most of mankind's history we have lived in very small communities in which we knew everybody and everybody knew us. But gradually there grew to be far too many of us, and our communities became too large and disparate for us to be able to feel a part of them, and our technologies were unequal to the task of drawing us together. But that is changing."
More quickly than anyone really imagined, humankind is rediscovering, via its digital technology, the ability to reconnect with itself. it is this phenomenon that is at the heart of the connected world.
To put the concept in context. within my village 250 years ago you would have known the business of most people. You'd have known who was sleeping with who, who brewed the best beer, which baker added sawdust to their bread and who slacked off at harvest time.
What digital technology has done is recreate this world, or at least, recreate the mechanics of it.
For 250 years, as we've burned hydrocarbons and industrialized, the importance of these connections was downplayed, even considered "dated". Instead we learned to rely on 3rd parties - businesses we had no personal connection to - to inform us as to who was brewing the best beer. We even got to the stage where our sense of self became caught up in these messages. We'd lost a personal connection with "the brewer", we became "alienated".
As people thinking about how to engage other people in the digital world, this concept, that we are "natural villagers" needs to be at the heart of our thinking. Only by recreating and harnessing the inbuilt desire to connect can we be effective.
Compare the Meerkat
I love this idea - adverts over the weekend followed up by an email marketing campaign yesterday - fun meerkat website - this has real standout and surely loads of opportunity for virals. Good work comparethemarket.com.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Tiger Woods Walks on Water
I have to credit this to a guy called Mark Bjornsgaard who works at a favourite agency of mine called Dig For Fire - it was on his blog and I have nicked it as it is so good....
Have a look at his blog http://strategicdigitalthinking.blogspot.com/
the Tiger Woods EA Sports PR2 article is what I am talking about!
Have a look at his blog http://strategicdigitalthinking.blogspot.com/
the Tiger Woods EA Sports PR2 article is what I am talking about!
Meltdown or Economic Cycle
Listening to Radio 4 this morning both heads of Marks & Spencer and Next, although publishing slightly disappointing results said that there was no need for panic and that actually they felt their businesses were doing pretty well. I appreciate that they have a vested interest in saying that however the negative press and media really is getting too much.
The business report on BBC1 this morning had a KPMG/REC survey that showed absolute doom and gloom. Yes, things are tough however get used to it and adapt.
What both Next and M&S said was that the strong would get stronger and the weak would struggle to survive.
I run a recruitment business among other things and can see by the general profile of the candidates who are comingthrough who have been made redundant, they are coming from smaller companies that often we haven't heard of. There are few decent, well run companies that are making any redundancies at all! M&S, they are closing 25 of their Simply Food stores, not the main ones in city centres such as Leeds. This is because the model of that size store in the location they chose was wrong - not because of some freefall of their business. Look at the size of their profits! They have also made some people at their head office redundant - who wouldn't do that given the opportunity to cut costs when arguably they have been overstaffed for some time.
I really think it's time for the media to take a long hard look at themselves and start to pick out some more positive things to cover in the economy....or am I just being naive that anyone wants to listen to positive news stories!!!
The business report on BBC1 this morning had a KPMG/REC survey that showed absolute doom and gloom. Yes, things are tough however get used to it and adapt.
What both Next and M&S said was that the strong would get stronger and the weak would struggle to survive.
I run a recruitment business among other things and can see by the general profile of the candidates who are comingthrough who have been made redundant, they are coming from smaller companies that often we haven't heard of. There are few decent, well run companies that are making any redundancies at all! M&S, they are closing 25 of their Simply Food stores, not the main ones in city centres such as Leeds. This is because the model of that size store in the location they chose was wrong - not because of some freefall of their business. Look at the size of their profits! They have also made some people at their head office redundant - who wouldn't do that given the opportunity to cut costs when arguably they have been overstaffed for some time.
I really think it's time for the media to take a long hard look at themselves and start to pick out some more positive things to cover in the economy....or am I just being naive that anyone wants to listen to positive news stories!!!
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