Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Ogilvy Brainz

Saw this on Rory Sutherlands blog - sounds like a great concept - creative ideas for free!!!

www.ogilvybrainz.com

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!

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.

Friday, 16 January 2009

...and here it is!!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3d3KigPQM

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

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.

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