Agency blog – February 2009
TRADESMEN FINDING EMPLOYMENT ONLINE IN ECONOMIC CRISIS
25 February 2009
Everyday news about the credit crunch and resultant recession seems to get gloomier. The pound is weak against most currencies, house prices are dropping and everyone is tightening their purse strings. Tradesmen and labourers are amongst those who have been hit the hardest. However, a number of resourceful tradesmen have been able to use online resources to beat the crunch.
Tradesmen are now turning to websites such as MyHammer to find work. The website is an online marketplace for tradesmen and people looking for their services. It allows tradesmen to find a large pool of jobs and create a rating based profile. From June to December 2008, 7,153 jobs were awarded to MyHammer tradesmen and these jobs had a combined value of over £200,000.
In January alone, over 1,000 tradesmen found work on MyHammer. Nearly half of those were awarded more than two jobs.
“Despite the credit crunch I’m booked up for months with MyHammer jobs,” says Raymond Lynn of Monray Domestic Services who has been awarded 50 jobs since joining MyHammer and has a 100% customer rating.
Robert Swift the UK manager of MyHammer says:
“There are always people who need jobs doing around the home. The trick for tradesmen is finding those people. MyHammer provides the kind of marketing power that most independent companies do not have. We have thousands of jobs all over the country, centralised on our site for tradesmen to browse and quote on whenever they want.”
MyHammer works by allowing consumers to post their jobs on the website. They appear on pages such as the one below, which is a listing of all carpentry, handymen and joinery jobs currently being offered:
http://www.myhammer.co.uk/db/Carpenters,-Joiners,-Handymen/-/uk/
Those jobs are then free to view and tradesmen can quote on jobs that are relevant to them in terms of location and area of expertise. Communication with the customer is done via the forum where questions can be asked. Once a quote is accepted and the job is done, the tradesman receives a quality rating from the customer allowing them to build a national, online profile.
BT TRADESPACE REVEALS UK SMES SELL THEMSELVES SHORT ON INTERNET SHOPPING BONANZA
20 February 2009
New research from BT Tradespace indicates that six out of 10 small businesses are missing out on their share of a £20 billion-a-year* web shopping boom because they are not selling their products and services online.
The new Voice of Small Business report from BT Tradespace shows that 67 per cent have little faith they can find customers on the internet, even though more than two thirds (69 per cent) shop online at least once a month.
The survey found that the number of SMEs with a website rose by 20 per cent between 2007 and 2008. However, just 13 per cent of small businesses consider websites integral to marketing strategy and only three per cent use their site to communicate with consumers.
Mick Hegarty, head of bttradespace.com, said: “Small companies can benefit greatly by exploiting the marketing and sales opportunities afforded by the internet.
“During these challenging times, more people than ever are using the web to shop because of the choice, convenience and cost savings it provides. A professional and credible online presence can open up a world of opportunities and provides a great platform to engage with customers.”
The Voice of Small Business report, commissioned to discover how SMEs can best communicate and conduct business in the current economic climate, found that 92 per cent are aware of blogging but just 18 per cent use it for business purposes.
The research also found that the smallest companies (up to five employees) were least likely to interact with other local businesses with 47 per cent admitting to not knowing the companies in their area.
Hegarty said: “The internet opens up a global marketplace for SMEs helping them to compete and prosper.”
“Free business social networking websites and social media tools like blogging and podcasting can transform a company’s fortunes at the click of a button.
“Entrepreneurs can showcase goods, enhance their online marketing profiles, maintain an ongoing dialogue with customers, and share information and expertise with like-minded companies.”
NEW FREE WHITEPAPER WILL HELP PR AND MARKETING PROFESSIONALS KICKSTART OR IMPROVE ONLINE PR PROGRAMMES
17 February 2009
PR and marketing professionals looking to kickstart or improve their online communications programmes now have a valuable new free guide thanks to the publication today of the latest whitepaper from Daryl Willcox Publishing (DWPub).
The whitepaper, entitled ‘Online PR in action – an introduction to implementing and measuring a digital PR programme’, sets out the basic steps required to get results from digital media.
The whitepaper was written by digital PR veteran Andrew Bruce Smith, founder of online PR specialist consultancy escherman. It was inspired by a lack of detailed information about how to pull together all the various elements of a successful online PR campaign – despite huge volumes of information available on specific aspects of the subject.
According to Smith: “PR and marketing professionals are spoilt for choice when it comes to information available on niche features of online PR such as press release distribution or search engine optimisation (SEO). It occurred to me that much of this material was being produced by search marketing specialists rather than PR practitioners. And no one had really put together a practical guide that looked at the subject from the perspective of the PR professional – whether in-house or agency – as well as looking at the entire PR process from planning through implementation to analysis and reporting. This new whitepaper aims to provide a solid framework for allowing PR professionals from SMEs to larger businesses to begin making rapid improvements to their online PR campaigns.”
DWPub chairman Daryl Willcox said: “There are tons of people out there blogging about how important online PR is, but there is very little in terms of actual guidance – especially for those who have limited online PR experience. This latest whitepaper seeks to address that imbalance and give people a practical introduction to digital PR techniques.”
In the whitepaper’s foreword, Willcox warns that if PR professionals do not adapt to an increasingly digital media, they risk being sidelined by other marketing disciplines. Willcox first made this prediction in his 2007 whitepaper entitled ‘PR versus Search’ – a forecast that is showing signs of coming true.
“Online PR in action” is the latest in the Public Relations Whitepaper
Series from DWPub, which covers such topics as press release writing, getting coverage in feature articles and working with freelance journalists. All the whitepapers can be downloaded at
www.dwpub.com/whitepapers
Online services from DWPub, such as its media database and online press release distribution services, are effective tools for supporting online PR campaigns.
REALNETWORKS CONTINUES MOD AND RBT MOMENTUM AND LEADERSHIP WITH DEPLOYMENTS IN EUROPE
16 February 2009
Today from GSMA Mobile World Congress 2009, RealNetworks®, Inc. (RNWK), the digital entertainment services company, highlighted its ongoing momentum with Music-on-Demand (MOD), and Ringback Tone (RBT) ASP deployments in Europe.
Real currently has services deployed with 11 mobile operators in 10 countries throughout Europe, including several operating companies of the world’s leading international mobile communications group Vodafone and TMN in Portugal.
As a provider of MOD for mobile operators, Real provides and hosts the technologies that enable subscribers to discover, download and listen to music on their mobile device and personal computer. Real powers MOD for Vodafone music stores in nine countries—including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Greece, The Netherlands, Romania and Spain – making mobile music available to hundreds of millions subscribers in Europe.
In part the consequence of the introduction of a dedicated mobile music client that provides consumers with quick access to millions of tracks, Real has seen its downloads-per-active-user in Europe increase by 28 per cent in Q408, as compared to Q407. Real’s MOD service is currently deployed with 13 mobile operators in 12 countries worldwide.
As the inventor of Ringback Tones, RealNetworks provides the leading RBT solution for mobile service providers around the world. Real and Vodafone offer this service in the European market, with current deployments in Vodafone Turkey and additional markets to follow later this year. Real also powers RBT for TMN in Portugal.
Its deep and ongoing involvement in its customer’s RBT deployments helps bring Real’s global, aggregated adoption rate for RBT to nearly nine per cent on average, more than double the average adoption rate for similar services. Its RBT service is available through 13 mobile operators in nine countries around the world.
In total, Real’s ASP services are currently available through 80 different mobile operators in 42 countries worldwide, making them available to 797.1 million subscribers. Real offers mobile operators a comprehensive selection of mobile services including: Music-On-Demand; Video-On-Demand; personalisation features such as Ringtones, RBTs and Multimedia Ringback Services; and messaging services.
Find RealNetworks at Mobile World Congress at Hospitality Suite 19 & 25 Hall 4, Level 0.
THE MOBILE PHONE OF THE FUTURE – DECIDED BY THE PEOPLE
16 February 2009
T3 Magazine and TheAlloy create a vision for the ultimate mobile handset – the 01 Phone
T3, the UK’s premier gadget magazine, has created its vision of the ultimate mobile phone: The 01 Phone, in conjunction with leading UK product and interaction design consultancy, TheAlloy.
Taking into consideration the best of current mobile phone design, the aspirations of T3’s editorial team and a huge level of reader response and interaction, TheAlloy has engaged in the process of creating a vision of the ultimate mobile phone design, one that meets the demands of real users: the readers of T3.
“The 01 phone not only looks beautiful, it brilliantly addresses many of our readers’ desires for their ultimate mobile phone,” said Michael Brook, Editor, T3 Magazine. “We created the 01 Phone to challenge the industry to deliver better; we believe we have the design for a worthy market-leading handset.”
The 01 Phone boasts an OLED touchscreen for clarity and improved battery life, 8 megapixel camera with Xenon flash, and a tactile, rubberized sliding QWERTY keyboard that is uniquely context sensitive. This innovative keyboard changes to match the needs of the phones many multimedia modes, ensuring the user interface remains simple and clear, whether the user is emailing, messaging, surfing the net, using maps, listening to music, watching video or playing games.
The 01 Phone also recognises that users don’t always need to access the full handset, so comes bundled with a Bluetooth enabled mini-phone which incorporates retractable earphones and also acts as a controller for the MP3 player.
“The design of the 01 Phone addresses the real needs and requirements of the user,” said Nina Warburton, Director, TheAlloy. “Design is not simply about good looks, more important to this market is human interaction and this can be where phones let people down. The 01 Phone has been created to suit the needs of those who want to do more with their phone but to do it as simply as possible.”
T3 will be seeking the industry’s reaction to the 01 Phone at Mobile World Congress 2009.
RAPID MOBILE MEDIA TAKES MSHK GROUP TO MOBILE
16 February 2009
Brand Experience Extended through Delivery of Interactive Mobile
Applications
Rapid Mobile Media Ltd, provider of innovative mobile service delivery solutions, today announced an agreement with MSHK Group (whose portfolio includes iconic global brands such as Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, Hard2Beat and Global Underground) to deliver a range of mobile applications that capture the style, fun and entertainment values associated with their music and entertainment brands. The interactive applications will enable MSHK Group to further extend its engagement with consumers through compelling content designed to take advantage of contemporary handset capabilities.
Rapid Mobile’s ThinkPhone delivery platforms and Ad360 mobile advertising server will maximise reach for MSHK Group’s service and provide additional branding and monetisation opportunities, whilst delivering the best possible user experience.
“MSHK Group is already a multi platform, lifestyle offering for our audience, so launching these fun brand extensions into mobile is a natural step for us”, said Patrick Hagenaar, Head of Mobile at MSHK Group.
“Rapid Mobile proved they could help to translate our core values into memorable mobile experiences and deliver them directly to our global customer base, building on our community and driving our business forward.”
“Engaging with consumers through their mobile phones is a powerful mechanism for the entertainment industry to deliver sophisticated and appealing interaction,” Jeremy Copp, Rapid Mobile Media CEO commented. “Not only can we ensure that all users are reached – wherever they may be – but we can help our customers deliver the highest possible quality mobile experiences that reinforce brand values and encourage loyalty. The MSHK Group ethos fits perfectly with today’s mobile society, and we look forward to helping launch a range of applications that will keep the brand at the forefront of club culture.”
DISPLAYSENSE FLIPS OVER PANCAKE DAY
16 February 2009
Displaysense, an international retail display provider in Hertfordshire, has decided that local businesses should try to make the most of Pancake Day by encouraging people out of their homes, have fun in these difficult times and part with their hard-earned money.
Pancake Day marks the religious period of lent where committed Christians fast to commemorate Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. For others it is a yearly event marked by eating pancakes with different variations of filling in one sitting.
Displaysense, who provide shop fittings and shop shelving to the UK, Ireland and Europe are attempting to help stimulate the economy this pancake day by contacting existing customers in the catering and food industry with a leaflet containing business development campaigns to help encourage footfalls.
The leaflet, which has a few budget friendly recipes, includes great business ideas that will help generate sales on Pancake Day. The other role the campaigns can play is aid in promoting local town spirit which can lead to increased brand awareness and repeat purchasing at a time when consumer spending is down.
Displaysense are also doing their bit to help their customers by offering discounts on many of its catering and promotional products, such as business card holders and cake stands, ensuring businesses are advertising their events and presenting their produce in the best light.
Amongst the business generating ideas put forward by Displaysense are setting up local activities that are fun for the whole family, such as colouring competitions for children, pancake races between local businesses and even running an eating competition for the public.
Steve Whittle the marketing manager at Displaysense commented, “Businesses really should try and encourage extra sales from any holiday day and pancake day is the perfect example of a money generating opportunity that is going to waste. Tapping into the local community and making the day an occasion for everyone to take part in is guaranteed to encourage consumer spend. Even the smallest gesture on the day can help to boost sales, which should be of interest to all businesses during this current economic depression”.
The response so far from Displaysense customers has been very positive with comments such as ‘Flipping brilliant’ and ‘Eggcellent’. But when faced with these difficult trading times, it’s not much of a toss-up for many businesses to see the benefits of supporting this year’s Pancake Day.
MAXIMIZER CRM 10.5 FREEDOM GIVES BLACKBERRY FANS GREATER BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND WIRELESS DEPLOYMENT OPTIONS
16 February 2009
Enabling one-click, one-touch access to critical customer and sales information, Maximizer Software Inc. (TSX:MAX), a leading provider of simple, accessible customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, today debuted Maximizer CRM 10.5 Freedom for BlackBerry® smartphones from Research In Motion
(RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM). Unveiled at the opening day of GSMA Mobile World Congress, the solution delivers enhancements that will position small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) one step closer to a smartphone-only workforce. The latest mobile CRM offering frees executives and managers from cumbersome laptops and reduces downtime in the field for sales and service professionals.
Maximizer CRM 10.5 Freedom now allows real-time wireless access to business intelligence data through mobile dashboards, which enables on-the-go managers and executives to directly monitor sales performance and services activities from their mobile devices.
Additionally, the new release provides IT administrators with the ability to wirelessly deploy mobile CRM to business users, offering simple one-click installation. Maximizer CRM 10.5 Freedom is also now available for the BlackBerry® Storm, the first clickable touch-screen smartphone. Other new features exclusive to BlackBerry include one-click email integration between BlackBerry email and
Maximizer Mobile CRM enabling users to take quick action on email in the CRM system.
“With each evolution of our mobile CRM offering, it is our goal to help our customers freely use technology in the way they want, to fuel business growth,” said William Anderson, executive vice president of technology at Maximizer Software. “Maximizer CRM 10.5 Freedom’s enhancements allow for sales executives to better service their clients and manage staff, and for IT administrators to dramatically decrease maintenance and total cost of ownership with a mobile CRM workforce.”
“Small to medium-sized businesses often seek competitive advantage through mobile technology and this segment represents an excellent opportunity for mobile CRM deployments,” said Jeff McDowell, vice president, Global Alliances at Research In Motion.
“Maximizer CRM 10.5 Freedom can give users timely access to the best available information from their BlackBerry smartphones, increasing productivity and flexibility for people in the field.”
Doug Roche, managing partner at RTR Advisory Group, offered additional insight into his preview of the latest Maximizer Mobile CRM offering, “In addition to being compatible with BlackBerry’s new Storm, Maximizer CRM 10.5 Freedom will give our management deeper insight into key business metrics with real-time wireless access to mobile dashboards. Our sales team can work away from the office like they’ve never left their desks, with new one-click BlackBerry email integration, decreasing response times to provide better service for our clients and prospects. For a financial services organisation like ours, Maximizer’s solution enables optimal and efficient client relationship building – a must-have, particularly in today’s economic environment.”
SPEECHSTORM’S INTERACTIVE VIDEO & VOICE FOR 3G PHONES TO BE SHOWCASED AT MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS
16 February 2009
SpeechStorm, (www.speechstorm.com), the specialist provider of phone self-service solutions for contact centres, has today announced that its recently launched Interactive Video and Voice (IVVO) applications suite will be showcased at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona during 16-19
February.
SpeechStorm’s new video applications are set to transform the way in which consumers interact with service providers and during 2009 will open new revenue streams and service improvement channels for mobile operators and other organisations around the world.
Visitors to the Northern Ireland Mobile Excellence stand and the Scottish Development International stand will experience a demonstration of this intuitive new phone service channel based on an airline check-in scenario.
Also available are IVVO mobile banking, customer care, entertainment, social networking and interactive advertising solutions, all of which use Alcatel-Lucent’s proven Genesys platform, the World’s No.1 Contact Centre software and Call Centre Management solution.
Bruce Eidsvik is Vice President, Strategic Solutions EMEA at Genesys, an Alcatel-Lucent company and comments, “We have worked in partnership with SpeechStorm for some time and there is great synergy between our customer and contact centre communication technologies. SpeechStorm’s Interactive
Video and Voice applications will help our customers to open up new revenue channels and add an extra dimension to their customer experience. Video applications are simply faster, more secure and more intuitive for the consumer so this will drive demand and usage.”
A recent Datamonitor report highlighted high levels of 3G mobile phone penetration in EMEA and predicted rapid growth of interactive video and voice applications in this region, particularly as customers become more used to making and receiving video calls. The report identified the Financial Services sector as the channel with the most potential to generate additional revenue and provide innovative customer service improvements, which directly means increased Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for mobile operators.
SpeechStorm’s Interactive Video and Voice in nutshell SpeechStorm was first to market with interactive video and voice on a 3G phone; launched in December ’08 and being showcased at Mobile World Congress Feb ’09.
SpeechStorm’s IVVO includes: -
• Interactive Video and Voice (IVVO) solutions delivered over the 3G video channel – fully compatible with every 3G video capable phone on the market;
• Faster, more secure and easier to use than the mobile web, with real-time dynamic video content, no downloads and no digital rights management worries;
• Cost saving self-service applications for mobile operators including top-up, customer care and user guides;
• Ready-to-use mobile banking, airline check-in providing unique capability to large corporate customers;
• Innovative Value Added Services (VAS) and entertainment solutionsincluding ticket booking, news, sports and weather to drive up Average Revenue Per User (ARPU);
• Exciting revenue generation potential in fast-growing social networking and interactive advertising markets;
“Self-service solutions like airline check-in, mobile top-ups, banking and customer care offer substantial cost savings and improved customer care for customers on the move,” added Damian Kelly, director of consulting at SpeechStorm.
”Some of the really exciting opportunities, particularly for mobile operators, are in the value added services, social networking and interactive advertising arena where the power of full motion video and dynamic content really comes to the fore.
“Combining SpeechStorm’s solution capability with Genesys and Alcatel-Lucent provides the ideal platform for mobile operators to exploit this potential.”
To experience a selection of SpeechStorm’s interactive voice and video applications at Mobile World Congress, please visit us on either the Northern Ireland Mobile Excellence stand (IE68) or the Scottish Development International stand, (IE66). Alternatively visit www.speechstorm.com/ivvo for FAQ’s, demos, collateral, screenshots and more.
ONE PHONE, TWO SIMS
16 February 2009
Tattu Mobile introduces TS500, a dual SIM multimedia phone offering flexibility and savings on call costs
Tattu Mobile today announced the launch of the TS500 dual SIM multimedia mobile phone. TS500 enables users to make and receive calls on either one of two SIM cards housed inside the phone.
Whether users have separate work and home numbers, or wish to take advantage of lower call costs at different times and to different destinations, TS500 lets users make and receive calls on either line instantly. Simply dial the number and choose which line to send the call on.
The TS500 is a slider device and features a 2 Megapixel camera, video recording, stereo Bluetooth, mobile internet and FM radio.
Nick Davey, CEO of Tattu Mobile commented: “Operators and retailers are looking for new ways in which to compete in the mobile phone market. With a number of service providers offering SIM cards that include either bundles or low cost calling overseas, TS500 provides users with a way to get the most out of two offers at once. With mobile penetration at more than 1 mobile number per person in much of Western Europe, the TS500 offers users with two numbers a simple and elegant solution.”
The TS500 dual SIM phone comes from Tattu Mobile, an innovative UK company that provides enhanced experiences for mobile users. Further details are available from Tattu Mobile’s web site (www.tattumobile.com).
BRITISH CONSUMERS DRIVING ADOPTION OF CONTACTLESS AND MOBILE PAYMENTS
12 February 2009
Independent research shows convenience is key benefit for consumers
Convenience, rather than security, will be the driving force behind the UK adopting new payment methods, according to an independent survey of 1,000 British consumers. The research, commissioned by Ingenico, the world’s largest payment solutions provider, found that contactless cards and mobile handset technology are popular with shoppers already and could prove a viable alternative for cash.
Respondents were questioned on their experiences with contactless pre-paid cards, contactless debit or credit cards and mobile handset payments. While the actual figures of people using the technologies are relatively low (13, eight and four per cent respectively), almost half of all respondents would consider using or would definitely use the technology. This is likely to increase dramatically as awareness of the benefits for cardholders increases.
Although the current limit for contactless payments in the UK is set at £10, the survey found that shoppers are happy for this figure to rise to an average of £35.10. With mobile handset payments, the average was £32.10. However, with the average person carrying £29.30 in cash, this opens the door for these more convenient payment methods to eventually replace ‘pocket money’.
Mobile handset technology has received the most exposure with British consumers, with 20 percent of respondents having heard of it. Of the 41 per cent of people who would consider using or would definitely use the technology, the top three benefits were cited as convenience, a reduction in queuing times and a preference to carry less cash and cards around. Interestingly, only 12 per cent of respondents saw the improved security of mobile payment as a benefit.
“Adoption of contactless and mobile payments in the UK is going to be fascinating to watch, as it is being consumer-driven,” said Gregor Rankin, marketing manager of northern Europe at Ingenico. “British shoppers want speed and convenience at the till and they see how these new payment methods meet their needs. Retailers can also expect to benefit, as increased footfall is one of the recognised advantages of implementing contactless.”
Note to editors: For a copy of the report, please contact
Ingenico@octopuscomms.net.
NETSUPPORT ADD MOBILE DEVICE SUPPORT TO TICKET MANAGEMENT SOLUTION
12 February 2009
Software developer NetSupport Limited today announced the latest service update to its ITIL compliant web-based Ticket Management system NetSupport DNA Helpdesk (version 2.8).
Available as either a stand-alone solution or as part of NetSupport’s Asset Management Suite, NetSupport DNA, version 2.8 extends the product’s ability to effortlessly track, organise, manage and answer the toughest desktop support challenges by now including support for mobile devices.
NetSupport’s Head of Customer Support, Andy Gibbons commented: “NetSupport have always prided themselves on the level of multi-platform support our products provide and with more and more service engineers working out in the field it was a logical and necessary step to incorporate mobile device support into DNA Helpdesk. Mobile trouble-shooters will now be in a position to receive and manage tickets on the move without the distraction of having to call into base, which can only be good for meeting customer service levels and minimising system downtime.”
For more information and to download a fully functioning evaluation copy visit www.netsupportdna.com
NEW RESEARCH BY BRANDHOUSE IDENTIFIES AND MEASURES A BRANDS ‘EMOTIONAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE’ FOR FIRST TIME
10 February 2009
Brandhouse, one of the UK’s leading brand agencies today unveils a new study, the Brandhouse Emotion 100™ report, that maps, for the first time, the emotional brandscape of Britain.
The report, produced in conjunction with The Centre for Brand Analysis, is the result of an empirical study, conducted amongst a nationally-representative sample of 2000 UK consumers, of an issue that has, to date, been largely unexplored. Although it is increasingly acknowledged that positive emotional connections between brands and consumers generate higher loyalty, support price premiums, defend brands from aggressive competition and create a buffer in economic downturn, there has, until now, been no systematic study of the issue and the emotional factors and mechanisms at work.
By conducting a detailed analysis of the seven main emotional dimensions along which brands connect to their consumers, it is possible to determine the precise nature of the ‘Emotional Competitive Advantage’ that some brands have over their rivals – and what those rivals need to do if they are to improve their prospects.
The Brandhouse Emotion 100™ study highlights some surprising findings:
• Emotion matters – but It isn’t always the ‘showy’ emotions that matter most. In relationships with brands – as in many other areas of human interaction – brands that offer steady contentment often retain more long-term loyalty than those that seek to provide high levels of novelty and excitement.
• Which is why Kellogg’s, for example, has extremely high Emotional Competitive Advantage.
• Meanwhile, some very high-profile ‘high-energy’ brands – Red Bull and Yakult, for example – are actually surprisingly vulnerable – while some ‘unexciting’, part-of-the-furniture brands actually inspire considerable love and loyalty.
• Even in the most price-driven sectors, it is almost impossible to become a significant national player without an overall positive score on all seven emotional dimensions.
•Most brands in most sectors Could Do Better – there are few brands that would be strongly and actively missed if they ceased to exist: something that the demise of Woolworth’s, for all its history and heritage, bears testimony to.
•Service brands in particular have low Emotional Competitive Advantage and are vulnerable to lower-priced competition
•And despite its recent revamp, McDonald’s fails to engage on any emotional level
The report provides in-depth analysis of 19 sectors including airlines, retail, technology, automotive and media, uncovering a wealth of insight that will help marketers benchmark their own performance and start to understand how to drive growth and create new opportunities.
Mark Wickens, Chairman and Creative Partner at Brandhouse says: “People think it’s about ‘love and hate’ but emotional connections between brands and consumers run much deeper. This is the first time that a 3-dimensional emotional study of Britain’s top brands has been conducted and they reveal how marketers can take advantage of key findings to boost relevance, loyalty and growth.”
Crispin Reed, Managing Director of Brandhouse says: “Emotional Competitive Advantage is now tangible and can be measured, which means it can be managed. This research endorses an approach to branding and is the start of a more rigorous look at how to create emotional connections between brands and consumers.”
A follow-up study will take place later in 2009.
LEAPFROGG DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY HOPS ABOARD THE TWITTER EXPRESS (TWOOTWOO!)
09 February 2009
Leapfrogg Digital Marketing agency believes in social media for social change, and as such is delighted to announce themselves as one of the sponsors of the Brighton Twestival
Twestival begun in September of last year when a few London Twitterers organized and hosted an event, in less than two weeks which turned out 300 people, and raised money for a homeless charity. This year Twestival gets bigger – and numerous events, all taking place on the same day, hosted by lovely people on a 100% volunteer basis, sets to raise substantial funds for a very worthy cause.
On the 12th of February, 200 events will be taking place throughout the world including our very own Brightwest which will be held at The Black Lion pub. This event seeks to unite Twitterers, world-wide, to raise money for charity: water. Did you know that right now one in six people on this planet do not have access to safe drinking water? Well, let’s try and fix that.
Organiser and Leapfrogg Digital Marketing Business Development Manager, Dan Richardson explains: “Avid fans of all things digital, many of the Leapfrogg team have been using Twitter since the early days. It was a natural fit for some of us to take on the organisation of the Brighton Twestival. We’re delighted to be part of this global initiative that brings recognition to Brighton’s digital community and provides practical support to an important charity.”
Brightwest shall be taking place alongside a vast array of Twestivals across the globe – so sign up and get your ticket now. It costs just £6 and all the money will go towards helping those people who need access to clean, safe drinking water. Tickets are available here and we look forward to seeing you on the night!
And for those of you not yet on Twitter, well, you can’t come!
“By rallying together globally, under short timescales, for a single aim on the same day, the Twestival hopes to bring awareness to this global crisis.” Twestival: Tweet.Meet.Give.
BARROS TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHES MOBILE SERVICES PLATFORM AND UNVEILS PLANS FOR NEW MOBILE APPLICATIONS
09 February 2009
AlicantOS Mobile allows developers and businesses to create new mobile applications and deploy them easily across different devices
Barros Technologies, a specialist in software and services to enable mobile and collaborative working independent of technology platform and device, has unveiled plans for AlicantOS Mobile, a mobile-based operating system that will enable businesses and software development firms to create and deploy innovative, web-based mobile applications.
AlicantOS Mobile is the mobile platform of Barros’ AlicantOS internet operating system. AlicantOS Mobile provides a centralised, visual development environment for the design and deployment of web-based mobile applications. It is platform and device-agnostic, enabling developers to build applications that will run automatically across all major mobile devices including the BlackBerry, the Apple iPhone and Symbian-based smartphones.
Mobile applications are becoming indispensable for business users and consumers alike. The desire to stay in touch and remain productive while on the move has created an explosion in applications for mobile devices: there are now more than 10,000 applications available for Apple’s iPhone alone. Independent developers can use AlicantOS Mobile to tap into this burgeoning market, while in-house development teams can use it to deliver productivity-enhancing applications to mobile employees.
As well as providing an easy way for businesses and developers to create their own mobile applications, Barros is also working on a development schedule of applications that will enhance mobile working, collaboration and data sharing. The roadmap includes applications for internet-enabled devices and platforms such as the iPhone, Google’s Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, smartphones and other mobile devices. Two applications in development include a social networking and collaborative photo application, and a mobile commerce platform. These applications will be launched in the next quarter,
Barros has long experience in developing virtual operating environments and operating systems. The new AlicantOS Mobile platform is an extension of the company’s existing AlicantOS operating system; a centralised, virtual environment that allows organisations to deploy and integrate applications across different platforms and devices, thereby lowering their operating and maintenance costs.
Mobile applications developers can use the AlicantOS Visual Programming Framework, an online web development and deployment platform, to create new mobile applications and integrate them with existing business systems. The VPF is an intuitive WYSIWYG development platform, with drag-and-drop page design.
John Caine, MBE and Executive Chairman of Barros Technologies, said: “All Barros Technologies’ efforts and R&D investments are focused towards enabling mobile business collaboration. The AlicantOS platform aims to enable the next-generation of business internet and mobile technologies. The web-centric computing approach we are taking provides companies with huge reductions in costs whilst providing the flexibility, mobility and scalable IT infrastructure that businesses now require in order to remain competitive. Our vision is to enable true mobile collaboration.”
WEB COMMUTING TO THE RESCUE OF SNOWED-IN WORKERS
03 February 2009
Free extended versions of GoToMeeting and GoToMyPC to help UK commuters remain productive when they can’t get to the office
Did the snow keep you at home yesterday? Faced with more severe weather warnings, disruption will continue for UK office workers this week. But help is at hand as Citrix Online has launched extended free trials of its GoToMeeting® and GoToMyPC® remote working tools, giving workers the ability to meet online and access their PC from any location in order to combat travel chaos and school closures.
“With news reports indicating that the recent snowfalls are the worst to hit Britain in 18 years it is important to provide businesses with the tools necessary for employees to continue to work wherever they are,” says Bernardo de Albergaria, vice president and general manager of global marketing and eCommerce for Citrix Online. “GoToMyPC is a great tool for remote desktop access for any kind of disruption, whether it be related to bad weather, traffic congestion or even taking care of a sick child. The GoToMeeting product is also a simple solution that can have a big impact on the success of any organisation that depends on outreach to dispersed customers or employees – particularly with the recent weather we are seeing in Britain today.”
Free, 60-day trials of GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting can be set up in a matter of minutes, by visiting www.gotomypc.com/webcommuting and
www.gotomeeting.com/webcommuting , enabling workers to be highly productive from the comfort of their own home.
