Blog

EU Cookie Directive

By Cheryl | Posted in News | May 9, 2012 – 2:24 pm

This month we are looking at the EU Cookie Directive law that will be enforced by the 26th May 2012 and see how it will affect companies around the UK.

What is it you ask? The law means that companies must now gain consent from visitors to place a cookie from the website on to the users computer. The reason why this law has been created is to protect all European citizens’ privacy rights as cookies are used to track visitor interests, which in-turn can be exploited by third party advertisers.

So what information about us are they keeping? Everything from our geographic location and IP addresses to the advertisements we click on.

Have you ever noticed the adverts on Facebook and how they relate to your hobbies and interests? The cookie monster has struck! The cookies are a retailer’s secret weapon, storing information relating to your interests and presenting them back to you in the form of advertisements.

To comply with the new law companies must now ask for permission from the visitor to store cookies. This can be done in the form of a popup or bar across your webpage.

Contact us now on 0871 200 2446 to make your website compliant before the deadline.

ChariTees – Wear Your Support

By Cheryl | Posted in News | May 1, 2012 – 11:15 am

Check out our ChariTees advert now showing on the screens at Goodison Park!

Why should your company be using video?

By Cheryl | Posted in News | April 13, 2012 – 11:01 am

Videos are now considered one of the best methods for communication with your audience, but why?

It is a known fact we all consume images easier than written information and because of this video creates a greater impact, capturing a wider audience.

So, why should your company have a video? Professional videos give you a great way to display the product or service you offer, making for a more personal experience for potential customers.

This does not mean you should produce a 15 minute video, far from it. Customers want to know what you do within the first 10 seconds so keeping your video to a reasonable length will mean the probability of them watching is more likely.

One thing to remember; quality is everything. Producing a video that’s made with a webcam or something else of poor quality threatens to damage the standards of your products or services, therefore the reputation of your business. Video give customers a personal look what you offer and should be worth the investment if done correctly.

 

Key Points

  • Short and simple. Long videos cause visitors to lose interest.
  • Quality is key. Only attempt to create a video if you can afford to have it professionally produced.
  • Brand it. Remember to include your company colours, logo, and information.
  • Share. You’ve got your video now post it around the web.

 

Could this be something you are interested in?

If you and your company are ready to expand and take lead in your market, call today on 0871 200 2446 to discuss your options.

Digital Marketing…It’s IMPORTANT!

By Cheryl | Posted in Marketing | January 24, 2012 – 4:15 pm

Digital Marketing is making a vast impact on the world, with digital content being consumed on a daily basis through mobile phones, laptops and desktop computers… there’s no escaping it!

This type of media is set to be the future of marketing, taking over more traditional forms. As for companies who have not yet recognised the growth in digital marketing they need to adapt their marketing strategies fast!

So why do they need to adapt these strategies if they have worked successfully so far? Digital methods of marketing and communication are faster, more practical, and streamlined so there’s no surprise in the popularity of digital marketing. It offers just as much potential to marketers as it does consumers.

Forms of Digital Marketing

  • Websites and SEO content
  • Blogs
  • Internet banner ads
  • Online video content
  • Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
  • Email marketing
  • Social media marketing (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
  • Mobile marketing (SMS, MMS, etc.)


    • So, why digital marketing?

    Digital marketing is much cheaper than your traditional methods of marketing such as brochures, leaflets, flyers etc. Marketing campaigns sent out through email or the use of social media can reach a wider audience at a fraction of the price for TV and radio advertising.

    The main advantage of using digital marketing is the ease of tracking and measuring the success of your campaign. Instead of conducting expensive customer research, you can view customer response rates and measure the success of your campaign in real-time. It’s quick and easy and enables you to plan more effectively for your next campaign.

    The average person is said to spend 39 hours online each month, that’s 468 hours a year! And it’s clear that marketers are taking full advantage of this…

    Companies that aren’t up to speed with digital marketing will soon have to pull over and hand over the keys!

    The Big Recruitment Event

    By Cheryl | Posted in News | January 18, 2012 – 5:16 pm

    Support ‘The Big Event’ at the Liverpool Echo Arena on the 7th of February. This will be the largest Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair of the year and it is free for businesses to attend.

  • Showcase your company and promote your vacancies.
  • Free to the public and businesses, supported by The European Social Fund.
  • Attracts over 10,000 18-24 year old’s eager to learn.

    •  

    To reserve a space visit http://liverpool.gov.uk/Business/merseyside-apprenticeship-programme/ or contact Liverpool City Council Employment and Skills for more information on 0151 233 2842

     

    GAME ON!

    By Cheryl | Posted in News, PR | January 11, 2012 – 12:37 pm

    Check out our new ad campaign currently showing on the screens at Goodison Park!

    Samsung SUR40 – The Microsoft Surface

    By Cheryl | Posted in Microsoft | December 9, 2011 – 1:30 pm

    They look good in movies and now they’re starting to creep on to the market. Yes, computer surfaces could be coming to a shop near you.

    Samsung have teamed up with Microsoft to release the Samsung SUR40, and although the name may not impress, the surface itself certainly does.

    Using the Microsoft platform, the release marks the first time the company have allowed for the sale of the technology, and why wouldn’t they test the waters? The surface is very impressive with a 40-inch LCD display allowing a staggering 50 simultaneous touch points at one time, recognising fingers, hands and objects placed on the screen.

    I’ll let Microsoft explain why forking out a cool $8000 could be money well spent for your business…

  • Make content more engaging. Give your customers immersive and collaborative ways to engage with photos, videos, documents, maps, custom applications, and more.
  • Plan and simulate. Bring to life real-time “if/then” modeling and visualization, simulations and calculations—perfect for financial services, healthcare, and other consultative environments.
  • Make learning more fun. Breathe new life into the education process with rich visualizations that encourage teamwork and enhance learning.
  • Transform the shopping experience. Make shopping more immersive by connecting customers with more options, recommendations, product and service comparisons, and personalized service.
  • Connect with customers through games and pastimes. Have some fun by putting Surface in restaurants, bars, hotel lobbies, and other venues, associating memorable experiences with your brand.
  • Communicate and connect. Give people an efficient and intriguing new way to get the information they’re looking for—like maps and tourist destinations in a hotel lobby. Or use it to help them exchange personal information so they can connect with each other and to your business.

    • For more information visit http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/whatissurface.aspx and http://www.samsunglfd.com/product/feature.do?modelCd=SUR40

    i’m watch – The Android Powered Watch

    By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Gadgets | December 1, 2011 – 1:05 pm

    Ever fancied receiving calls or even emails to your watch? Well now you can. i’m watch takes everything from your Android phone and puts it’s straight on your wrist.

    Users will be able to make and receive calls, text messages and emails on the device while also keeping up with notifications from the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.

    Music can also be played from the watch and purchased from the i’music store, and like all Android handsets, the device can handle various apps which can be purchased through the i’market.

    Many of the options on the watch require internet connection, and handsets that work with the device include: Android, RIM, iOS, Bada, Symbian and the Windows Phone 7. The watch itself is connected entirely through Bluetooth but disappointingly runs Android 1.6.

    • i.MX233 processor
    • 64 MB RAM
    • 4 GB Flash Drive
    • 1.54-inch colour TFT display
    • 240×240 pixels
    • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
    • Standby 48 hours w/o Bluetooth
    • Standby up to 24 hours w/ Bluetooth
    • Talk time with speakerphone up to 3 hours
    • 70 gr weight (Colour version)
    • Charging via USB to computer or via power adapter



    At such an expensive price it will be hard for this product to become little more than a novelty, with people able to purchase handheld devices for a lower cost.

    Would I buy it? No. As much as I love Android I’m not sure how much use I would get from the watch and would much rather use a handset. It’s obvious the technology is still quite away from being perfected so maybe waiting another year or two before buying such technology would be your best bet.

    One question…What were they thinking with the name?!


    Prices start at €249.

    Motorola Droid Razr

    By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Mobile | November 16, 2011 – 6:57 pm

    There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Droid Razr before its release, so as it hits UK shelves, how does it match up to expectations?

    It seems like every week we hear of a new Android phone coming on to the market, but why has the Droid Razr caused so much buzz? The phone is stylish and most importantly light. At just 7mm thick, this Motorola phone is ideal for people on the go.

    The handset is black and comes complete with a front facing 1.3 megapixel chat camera and a rear 8.0 megapixel camcorder. Screen size is always a main factor when people are choosing a phone and they should be happy with the 4.3-inch screen delivering a 540 x 960 pixel resolution. The battery life also seems to be of a good quality, offering approximately 12.5 hours talk time.

    Although there has been a lot of talk about the size, the handset is average for most phones now, and it looks like the company are looking to play on the ‘Razr’ thin aspect.

    One thing this smartphone is missing is the latest Android OS. The phone comes installed with Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread). But fear not; all users have been promised an upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) in early 2012.

    Specifications
    1.2Ghz dual core processor
    1GB system RAM
    16GB internal RAM
    4.3-inch screen Super AMOLED display
    7.1 mm thickness
    8-megapixel real camera with LED flash, autofocus and 1080p video capture
    Android Gingerbread
    WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G/4G LTE

    YouTube Movies launches in UK

    By Cheryl | Posted in Entertainment | October 31, 2011 – 12:38 pm

    YouTube LogoYouTube, which is owned by Google, has launched its online movie rental service in the UK.

    The service is still relatively new, with the UK launch marking just the third country in which YouTube online rentals are available, after the US and Canada.

    The company has signed deals with some of the leading movie making companies, specifically for the UK market, including Universal, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, and Lionsgate.

    Will it take over LoveFilm in the UK?

    The service puts it in direct competition with Amazon’s LoveFilm which offers both DVD-by-mail along with streaming video on demand.

    LoveFilm was founded in 2002 and has firmly established itself as the leading movie rental service in the UK. The rental company has over 1.6 million customers around the UK and Europe, and as of January 2011, claimed to have over 67,000 titles and 4 million rentals per month across five countries. The online streaming service costs between £2.49 and £3.49 per film for non-members, with over 1000 titles available.

    YouTube Movies currently has around 1000 titles ready to stream. The films cost between £2.49 and £3.29 to watch, with some older titles available for free. All movies are streamed with a number of 30 second adverts which cannot be skipped over.

    LoveFilm has long established itself as the leading renting service in the UK and Google will find it hard to compete against them. One thing YouTube does have on its side though is that the site is currently the busiest video website on the web and this service is sure to attract a lot of interest.

    Rumours are that Netflix will be heading over to the UK next year but as the saying goes, competition in the marketplace is always a good thing.