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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.

    Bonfire.im – The Instant Messaging Chat for Twitter

    By Cheryl | Posted in Social networking | October 27, 2011 – 10:58 am

    Bonfire.im AppCurrently the only way to have a private conversation on Twitter is through direct message, but could Bonfire.im be a game changer?

    Bonfire.im is a plugin which adds instant messaging to Twitter, allowing you to chat away in real-time to your fellow tweeters. The start-up, based in Brighton, is currently gearing up to release the app to the public with the hopes that it will bring a whole new dimension to the way people use the service.

    How it works

    Bonfire.im will detect your browser, allowing you to install the correct plugin. Once the app is up and running you can invite your friends, the only limitation being that you have to follow and be followed by a user to chat with them. Simple!

    Problems

    One problem the company may have is that Twitter themselves are not actually involved in the application and are known to have had a checkered past with third-party app makers in the past. Many people have commented though that Bonfire could be a positive for Twitter as the app will keep users on site for longer periods of time, helping to make more money from advertisements.

    Available

    The company are currently gearing up for the release; hopefully we will not have much of a wait. The app will be available as a downloadable extension for Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers.

    bonfire.im

    MAS North West – Event

    By Cheryl | Posted in Marketing, News | October 17, 2011 – 2:39 pm

    MAS NW logoMAS North West will be holding another one of their great events on Thursday 20th October, discussing ways your business can improve its sales, marketing and web strategies.

    The seminar, which will be held at the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, will run between 9:00am-4:00pm and feature guest speakers from a number of different sectors.

    Our very own Managing Director, Judith O’Brien, will be on hand to discuss digital marketing and how it can help your business.

    MAS has proved a great success since it was launched in 2002, helping UK manufacturers to share knowledge and improve productivity. Past events have proved successful for all participants, with many enjoying networking time at the end of the presentations. We hope to see you there!

    Event : Improving Your Sales, Marketing and Web Strategy

    Venue : Suites Hotel, Knowsley
    Date : 20th October 2011
    Time : 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

    For more information and a full events schedule, visit http://www.mas-nw.co.uk/events

     

    Spotify joins Facebook

    By Cheryl | Posted in Social networking | September 30, 2011 – 12:25 pm

    Facebook joins SpotifySpotify has joined forces with Facebook to offer users of the popular social networking site access to their large music library. The venture means that users can now share current tracks, playlists and history with all of their friends.

    The music service has only recently made its way over to the US after numerous talks broke down over artist and track rights. Since its creation it has proved popular in Europe, especially the UK, and the company are now hoping the partnership with Facebook will prove a huge success for the company who have tried so hard to break through to the US.

    What’s in it for Spotify? Facebook has billions of users and will be a great advertisement for the music streaming service, which in-turn could make a huge amount of money from selling their packages.

    Something that has left a sour taste in the mouth of many is that new Spotify users must have a Facebook account. The music streamer co-founder Daniel Ek had the following to say on Twitter: “There’s been a big barrier to sign-up, we wanted to remove that and make it a seamless experience”. Although many complained, the service has enjoyed over 1 million signups since the merging, showing that it hasn’t put people off.

    Users have also raised concerns over lack of privacy and requested the option to hide tracks from their timeline (obviously for the more embarrassing songs!!). Spotify have responded with the following: “Many of our users have told us that they like to share what they’re listening to, but also want an easy way to hide their occasional guilty pleasures. So we’ve now added a new ‘Private Listening’ mode to our latest update.”

    The update however, with not be automatically turned on and must be activated manually. If you are on Windows you will find it under the ‘File’ menu, and Mac users must go to the menu bar, click Spotify and then ‘Private Listening’.