Archive for the ‘B2C’ Category

Mind the gap

Friday, February 3rd, 2012 by Guest blogger

Mark Artus, managing creative director, IHQ, and author of One Hard Question:

The humble “Mind the Gap” warning, that prevents people from falling off trains, is fast becoming a far wider message. Whether we look at the gap between the “haves and have nots”, the educated and the uneducated, or the north/south property divide, the warning “mind the gap” seems to be constantly ringing in our ears. (more…)

TV is only not dead: it is alive and kicking

Friday, January 27th, 2012 by Guest blogger

Hamish Pringle, strategic advisor, 23red and co-author of Spending advertising money in the digital age:

In 2006 the Wall Street Journal asked: “As 30-Second Spot Fades, What Will Advertisers Do Next?”  And a year later CNN/Money reported: “The death of the 30-second TV commercial: Devices like the new Apple TV box and digital video recorders from TiVo, Motorola and Cisco could help bring an end to the traditional TV ad.” (more…)

Don’t miss out on the dot brand revolution…

Friday, January 6th, 2012 by Guest blogger

Roland LaPlante, chief marketing officer, Afilias:

Soon we’ll be witness to a “dot Brand” new revolution on the Internet. Dot Brand represents a historic change where any organisation can acquire and manage its own top-level domain (TLD). Essentially this means that companies who choose to opt for a dot Brand will see their brand’s name featured on the right side of the “dot” in web addresses for the first time: think “sale.tesco” rather than “tesco.com/sale”.

The introduction of dot Brand is good news for companies aspiring to expand their global footprint. It gives businesses the chance to enhance their brand presence and customer loyalty online, while maintaining brand security – particularly relevant in a tough economic climate. (more…)

How can brands grow?

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 by Guest blogger

David Wood, creative director, Iris Associates

All brands want commercial growth. It’s what they need to weather turbulent trading conditions, overcome competitive markets, and ultimately secure their long-term survival.  But how can marketers strive for real growth against a backdrop of ever-expanding techniques and channels through which to engage with potential customers? “Old fashioned” marketing processes, which are focussed on delivering ROI on marketing spend, creates an increasing challenge to drive up a brand. (more…)

Britain’s got talent

Friday, November 18th, 2011 by Guest blogger

Stephen Maher, CEO of MBA:

Despite all the financial doom and gloom we must never forget what we are truly good at. This country is the fifth largest market for advertising in the world and advertising is the fourth fastest growing export sector for UK creative industries.

I had the great pleasure to attend the 18th China International Advertising Festival this year as part of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising trade delegation. Our mission was to represent the UK as the global creative hub to successful Chinese brands looking to internationalise their brand assets.

I think we left many Chinese businesses including Snow Beer, the world’s largest beer, and China Mobile, the country’s largest company, excited and intrigued about what our industry can offer and  how we can support this enormous emerging market. And let’s face it; it’s not every day that our country is judged to be the best at something in the world. (more…)

Can retail marketers lure Christmas shoppers back to the high street?

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 by Guest blogger

Dr. Alan Treadgold, head of retail strategy, Leo Burnett Group:

For marketers, developing a strategy to encourage shoppers back into stores for the crucial Christmas period is an increasingly difficult, but critical, task. According to the Local Data Company, on average 14.5 per cent of UK stores are vacant. If that sounds bad enough, there are many town centres where well over one in four shops stand shuttered up and vacant. Doing your shopping in a high street where every third or fourth shop is closed for business is likely to be as dispiriting and depressing for the shoppers as it is for the business owners who have lost their stores and their livelihoods. (more…)

A learning curve: how to market school dinners

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 by Guest blogger

Derek Lubner, marketing director, Innovate Services:

The topic of marketing to children has always prompted wide debate that brings forward a range of views and opinions. The Advertising Standards Authority and Ofcom have various guidelines and rules in place on what can be advertised via broadcast channels, and in the past, the National Union of Teachers called on the government to ban all advertising and marketing activities for brands on school premises.

When it comes to marketing within the educational catering sector, marketers are often faced with the challenge of communicating to multiple customer groups. Of course, the primary customer is the student, yet there is a secondary customer group of parents, who of course fund the student’s purchases during their school day. Third, is the school itself and in particular the business manager who is the gateway to both student and parent. (more…)