Charity IT expert Sue Fidler says regular updates can boost supporter relationships
One of the main reasons charities shy away from launching email newsletters, blogs and Facebook groups is a lack of content to keep them regularly updated. Updating content on such platforms is often at the bottom of a long to-do list and seen as a lower priority than other tasks.
As the economic gloom continues and budgets are reduced, we will all need to concentrate on low-cost forms of communication that enable us to put out regular news as cheaply as possible. And these electronic media are by far the cheapest available.
It is critical to maintain relationships with your supporters, even if they cannot afford to make regular donations at the moment. Sending them monthly updates will keep them involved.
Plan how you are going to communicate, draw up a schedule and plan the workload. Remember that communications don't have to be 'news'; people love human interest stories, so case studies, site updates and so on are ideal. They don't even have to be new.
For an email newsletter, all you need is a short story, an introductory paragraph and a photo or two. For a web page or blog, use a longer version and more pictures; for e-news and Facebook, use the intro paragraph and link it to your blog or web page.
If you want new stories on your home page, either use the introductory paragraph or set up an RSS feed from your blog.
If you are intending to use the micro-blogging site Twitter, use the headline and a link - if your links are too long, shrink them using www.tinyurl.com.
Copying and pasting takes seconds but makes the charity look busy, and each new story and placement will add to your web presence, boost your search engine returns and create more buzz.
31 March, 2009
Majority of users not interested in ads on social networking sites
Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic
Only 13% of users claim to pay attention to ads on social networking sites, according to research conducted by eBay Advertising.
The study of more than 1,500 consumers across Europe also found that only 18% of users pay attention to ads when browsing a portal.
However, over 60% of respondents were found to pay attention to an ad when browsing an ecommerce site looking for a specific item to buy.
When asked what types of online advertising prompts them to part with their cash and make a purchase online, people gave the biggest positive response (38%) to listings on search engines.
In contrast, video performed relatively poorly, with only 7% of UK shoppers claiming a video ad had prompted them to buy a product or service in the last six months.
Pop-up ads were the least popular of all, with only 6% of shoppers admitting to have chosen a product or service to buy as a direct result of viewing this type of advertising.
Phillip Rinn, director of advertising partnerships for eBay UK and EMEA, said: "The results of our study reveal some interesting trends in consumer shopping behaviour and just go to show that if you're a brand selling a product, it's even more crucial in a tough economy to make sure your precious advertising budget is geared towards targeting consumers who are most likely to buy.
"Brand advertisers have two choices: follow the 'catch all' route of placing ads on the broad portal sites and social networks, where awareness may be high, but conversion to purchase low; or opt for a more targeted approach of reaching transaction-minded consumers who are already in the search and buy flow."
Rinn added: "As consumer wallets feel the pinch, brand advertisers should look carefully at how they allocate their online spend, in order to maximise their marketing budgets."
Only 13% of users claim to pay attention to ads on social networking sites, according to research conducted by eBay Advertising.
The study of more than 1,500 consumers across Europe also found that only 18% of users pay attention to ads when browsing a portal.
However, over 60% of respondents were found to pay attention to an ad when browsing an ecommerce site looking for a specific item to buy.
When asked what types of online advertising prompts them to part with their cash and make a purchase online, people gave the biggest positive response (38%) to listings on search engines.
In contrast, video performed relatively poorly, with only 7% of UK shoppers claiming a video ad had prompted them to buy a product or service in the last six months.
Pop-up ads were the least popular of all, with only 6% of shoppers admitting to have chosen a product or service to buy as a direct result of viewing this type of advertising.
Phillip Rinn, director of advertising partnerships for eBay UK and EMEA, said: "The results of our study reveal some interesting trends in consumer shopping behaviour and just go to show that if you're a brand selling a product, it's even more crucial in a tough economy to make sure your precious advertising budget is geared towards targeting consumers who are most likely to buy.
"Brand advertisers have two choices: follow the 'catch all' route of placing ads on the broad portal sites and social networks, where awareness may be high, but conversion to purchase low; or opt for a more targeted approach of reaching transaction-minded consumers who are already in the search and buy flow."
Rinn added: "As consumer wallets feel the pinch, brand advertisers should look carefully at how they allocate their online spend, in order to maximise their marketing budgets."
30 March, 2009
Children's social networking site Yoursphere launches in UK with slots for brands
Fiona Ramsay, marketingmagazine.co.uk
Yoursphere, a new social networking site targeting children under 18, is to launch in the UK backed by a social media campaign.
Following a US launch in late 2008, Yoursphere Media is due to launch Yoursphere.co.uk, the UK arm of its new social networking platform this week.
The launch will target parents, through the release of a ‘Virtual Parenting' report, and kids through a social media campaign which will see a series of videos using the tagline ‘Adults Ruin Everything' designed to use humour to entice young people to visit and join the site.
Yoursphere will seek to create links with brands to support sponsorship activity through the sites social hubs or ‘spheres' and the site's educational activities. It will not advertise products directly to children.
In a bid to prevent concerns over abuse of children online, it claims to protect children by asking if users are a teen or parent, and under 18s have to provide their parent's email address for personal detail checks.
The site carries a ‘Report Abuse Button' and links to Childline, offering members direct access to help and advice should they need it. Yoursphere has also teamed up with anti-bullying charity Beatbullying to offer members help and advice on cyberbullying.
Inside Yoursphere, members experience ‘spheres' designed to support and reinforce budding interests including fashion, film, music, gaming, academics, art and photography and TV.
Yoursphere will be free to anyone joining for the first month, following which a subscription fee of £3.50 per month.
The UK site will be followed shortly by launches in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand later in the year.
Yoursphere, a new social networking site targeting children under 18, is to launch in the UK backed by a social media campaign.
Following a US launch in late 2008, Yoursphere Media is due to launch Yoursphere.co.uk, the UK arm of its new social networking platform this week.
The launch will target parents, through the release of a ‘Virtual Parenting' report, and kids through a social media campaign which will see a series of videos using the tagline ‘Adults Ruin Everything' designed to use humour to entice young people to visit and join the site.
Yoursphere will seek to create links with brands to support sponsorship activity through the sites social hubs or ‘spheres' and the site's educational activities. It will not advertise products directly to children.
In a bid to prevent concerns over abuse of children online, it claims to protect children by asking if users are a teen or parent, and under 18s have to provide their parent's email address for personal detail checks.
The site carries a ‘Report Abuse Button' and links to Childline, offering members direct access to help and advice should they need it. Yoursphere has also teamed up with anti-bullying charity Beatbullying to offer members help and advice on cyberbullying.
Inside Yoursphere, members experience ‘spheres' designed to support and reinforce budding interests including fashion, film, music, gaming, academics, art and photography and TV.
Yoursphere will be free to anyone joining for the first month, following which a subscription fee of £3.50 per month.
The UK site will be followed shortly by launches in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand later in the year.
27 March, 2009
Twitter resurrects SMS update service with Vodafone
Twitter has resurrected its SMS service after striking a deal with Vodafone to enable its customers to send and receive text updates.
Vodafone customers will be able to receive for free SMS updates of messages sent directly to them on Twitter. They will also be able to send their tweets, or updates, to Twitter, as part of their existing text-messaging bundle.
The deal comes seven months after Twitter dropped SMS updates due to high costs (nma.co.uk, 15.08.08).
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone suggested agreements could be made with other operators.
He said in a blog post, "Twitter will continue to make arrangements with operators around the world so hopefully your country and your mobile provider will be next."
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
Vodafone customers will be able to receive for free SMS updates of messages sent directly to them on Twitter. They will also be able to send their tweets, or updates, to Twitter, as part of their existing text-messaging bundle.
The deal comes seven months after Twitter dropped SMS updates due to high costs (nma.co.uk, 15.08.08).
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone suggested agreements could be made with other operators.
He said in a blog post, "Twitter will continue to make arrangements with operators around the world so hopefully your country and your mobile provider will be next."
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
26 March, 2009
Climate campaign releases spoof pop single
Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic
Climate campaign releases spoof pop single for Energy Wasting Day
Climate change awareness campaign Together has made a pop single and music video featuring its spoof 'anti-eco' character Dan Power declaring his love for Jeremy Clarkson.
Once again celebrating its Energy Wasting Day on April Fool's Day, Together is going further than last year's viral by making an assault on the charts.
Climate campaign releases spoof pop single for Energy Wasting Day
Climate change awareness campaign Together has made a pop single and music video featuring its spoof 'anti-eco' character Dan Power declaring his love for Jeremy Clarkson.
Once again celebrating its Energy Wasting Day on April Fool's Day, Together is going further than last year's viral by making an assault on the charts.
25 March, 2009
ActionAid launches MegaMouth to voice Twitter slogans
Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic
ActionAid, the global anti-poverty charity, has launched a megaphone-toting character called MegaMouth who is roaming London's streets this week yelling out slogans collected from the public and on social networking site Twitter.
MegaMouth is to mingle with shoppers and office workers all week, asking for their views about world poverty, climate change and the recession.
Volunteers must provide comments that are no more than 140 characters in length, which is the limit for a Twitter message.
With his megaphone, MegaMouth will yell-out the best slogans collected.
MegaMouth's support team includes a camera crew who will feed video clips and photos to ActionAid's website, and a 'twitterer' who will give a running text-message commentary of the action on MegaMouth's Twitter page.
On Saturday March 28, MegaMouth will join supporters of ActionAid for the Put People First march from Victoria Embankment to Hyde Park.
The march is intended to give a clear message about jobs, justice and climate change to Gordon Brown, Barack Obama and other leaders attending the G20 summit on April 2.
Emma Harbour, ActionAid campaigner, said: "Banks are crashing, world hunger is growing, and climate change is going out of control. It's a huge crisis, but it is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the system so it puts people first.
"We want everyone to join ActionAid and the 125 other organisations on Saturday's march. People are angry about the situation. We are giving them a chance to be creatively angry, by coming up with a snappy slogan that will catch the attention of the busy leaders at the G20 summit."
The idea and the technology behind MegaMouth were developed for ActionAid by the digital marketing agency Nonsense.
ActionAid, the global anti-poverty charity, has launched a megaphone-toting character called MegaMouth who is roaming London's streets this week yelling out slogans collected from the public and on social networking site Twitter.
MegaMouth is to mingle with shoppers and office workers all week, asking for their views about world poverty, climate change and the recession.
Volunteers must provide comments that are no more than 140 characters in length, which is the limit for a Twitter message.
With his megaphone, MegaMouth will yell-out the best slogans collected.
MegaMouth's support team includes a camera crew who will feed video clips and photos to ActionAid's website, and a 'twitterer' who will give a running text-message commentary of the action on MegaMouth's Twitter page.
On Saturday March 28, MegaMouth will join supporters of ActionAid for the Put People First march from Victoria Embankment to Hyde Park.
The march is intended to give a clear message about jobs, justice and climate change to Gordon Brown, Barack Obama and other leaders attending the G20 summit on April 2.
Emma Harbour, ActionAid campaigner, said: "Banks are crashing, world hunger is growing, and climate change is going out of control. It's a huge crisis, but it is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the system so it puts people first.
"We want everyone to join ActionAid and the 125 other organisations on Saturday's march. People are angry about the situation. We are giving them a chance to be creatively angry, by coming up with a snappy slogan that will catch the attention of the busy leaders at the G20 summit."
The idea and the technology behind MegaMouth were developed for ActionAid by the digital marketing agency Nonsense.
24 March, 2009
Bloggers to make history at G20 Summit
A coalition of NGOs - the G20Voice – and the UK government are breaking with convention and, for the first time, allow 50 bloggers to report live and direct from the G20 summit, on 2 April 2009 in London.
This unprecedented event, backed by the Government, gives the bloggers and their audience the chance to engage with and influence world leaders on issues including development, climate change and women’s rights. The bloggers were nominated by the public, with more than 700 nominations received in 12 days.
The organisations behind G20Voice are OxfamGB, Comic Relief, Save the Children, ONE and Blue State Digital. G20Voice is a collaborative effort demonstrating the breadth of commitment to ending world poverty and inequality.
The 50 include a broad range of influential, knowledgeable and popular bloggers from the G20 countries and the developing world. These include:
Sokari Ekine – a pioneering Nigerian blogger
Jotman – an undercover blogger exposing injustice in Thailand and Burma
Daudi Were – a leading organiser of African bloggers
Dr Kumi Naidoo – head of GCAP and contributor to Huffington Post
Cheryl Conte from Jack and Jill Politics - representing the US “Black bourgeoisie”
Enda Surya Nasution – the father of Indonesian blogging
Rowan Davies – representing the 200,000 members of Mumsnet
Rui Chenggang – China's leading economics broadcaster and blogger with 13,000,000 viewers every evening on CCTV
Richard Murphy – the leading expert on Tax Havens.
They will be joined by thousands of bloggers online at www.g20voice.org with audio and video livestreaming, and also via skype broadcasts from inside the summit.
There is a full programme of events for the 50 invited bloggers. The event begins on 1 April with the official launch, including a series of briefings and round table discussions. On the day of the summit bloggers will have access to briefings from senior figures and world leaders. Members of the delegations have been invited to speak with the bloggers to discuss the developments in the main summit chamber.
Journalists are invited to come to the blogging tent to meet and talk with bloggers throughout the day.
Karina Brisby, G20Voice project founder and Digital Campaigns Manager, Oxfam GB said: "The G20Voice project was inspired by the articulate, engaging and often outraged posts, tweets, podcasts and videocasts from bloggers all over the world about the current economic crisis and how that affects the issues they are passionate about such as poverty and climate change.
"We are seeing a huge increase in the number of people around the world using digital tools to inform themselves and then contribute to debates about the issues that affect their lives. G20Voice recognises the importance of bloggers and gives them a unique opportunity to report back to their audiences direct from the G20 Summit itself."
Adrian Lovett, Director of Campaigns at Save the Children said: “G20Voice will tear back the curtain as leaders draw up their blueprint for global recovery. Thanks to G20Voice at this summit the world will be watching. Bloggers will witness the summit from the inside - and the world will know whether leaders are building a future fit for the world's children, or one that rewards only the rich. Gordon Brown has set the bar for the London G20 summit next month by promising that the UK will meet its aid commitments despite the economic downturn. He must ensure other G20 countries do the same. If action to prevent children dying isn't taken now we could see this financial crisis claim the lives of a generation of children.”
Oliver Buston, Europe Director of the Africa campaign group ONE said: “At ONE we’ve always been focused on empowering individuals to raise their voices against extreme poverty. This group of citizen-journalists includes some of the most articulate voices on this issue, and it’s exciting to be a part of bringing them to this international stage. The world’s poorest people are being hit hardest by a global crisis not of their making – the bloggers will have a chance to ask tough questions of world leaders, and demand solutions that will benefit everyone, not just the wealthy few. “
How to Find G20Voice Online:
web: www.g20voice.org
twitter: @G20Voice
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/g20voice
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/G20voice
moblog: http://moblog.net/voice
This unprecedented event, backed by the Government, gives the bloggers and their audience the chance to engage with and influence world leaders on issues including development, climate change and women’s rights. The bloggers were nominated by the public, with more than 700 nominations received in 12 days.
The organisations behind G20Voice are OxfamGB, Comic Relief, Save the Children, ONE and Blue State Digital. G20Voice is a collaborative effort demonstrating the breadth of commitment to ending world poverty and inequality.
The 50 include a broad range of influential, knowledgeable and popular bloggers from the G20 countries and the developing world. These include:
Sokari Ekine – a pioneering Nigerian blogger
Jotman – an undercover blogger exposing injustice in Thailand and Burma
Daudi Were – a leading organiser of African bloggers
Dr Kumi Naidoo – head of GCAP and contributor to Huffington Post
Cheryl Conte from Jack and Jill Politics - representing the US “Black bourgeoisie”
Enda Surya Nasution – the father of Indonesian blogging
Rowan Davies – representing the 200,000 members of Mumsnet
Rui Chenggang – China's leading economics broadcaster and blogger with 13,000,000 viewers every evening on CCTV
Richard Murphy – the leading expert on Tax Havens.
They will be joined by thousands of bloggers online at www.g20voice.org with audio and video livestreaming, and also via skype broadcasts from inside the summit.
There is a full programme of events for the 50 invited bloggers. The event begins on 1 April with the official launch, including a series of briefings and round table discussions. On the day of the summit bloggers will have access to briefings from senior figures and world leaders. Members of the delegations have been invited to speak with the bloggers to discuss the developments in the main summit chamber.
Journalists are invited to come to the blogging tent to meet and talk with bloggers throughout the day.
Karina Brisby, G20Voice project founder and Digital Campaigns Manager, Oxfam GB said: "The G20Voice project was inspired by the articulate, engaging and often outraged posts, tweets, podcasts and videocasts from bloggers all over the world about the current economic crisis and how that affects the issues they are passionate about such as poverty and climate change.
"We are seeing a huge increase in the number of people around the world using digital tools to inform themselves and then contribute to debates about the issues that affect their lives. G20Voice recognises the importance of bloggers and gives them a unique opportunity to report back to their audiences direct from the G20 Summit itself."
Adrian Lovett, Director of Campaigns at Save the Children said: “G20Voice will tear back the curtain as leaders draw up their blueprint for global recovery. Thanks to G20Voice at this summit the world will be watching. Bloggers will witness the summit from the inside - and the world will know whether leaders are building a future fit for the world's children, or one that rewards only the rich. Gordon Brown has set the bar for the London G20 summit next month by promising that the UK will meet its aid commitments despite the economic downturn. He must ensure other G20 countries do the same. If action to prevent children dying isn't taken now we could see this financial crisis claim the lives of a generation of children.”
Oliver Buston, Europe Director of the Africa campaign group ONE said: “At ONE we’ve always been focused on empowering individuals to raise their voices against extreme poverty. This group of citizen-journalists includes some of the most articulate voices on this issue, and it’s exciting to be a part of bringing them to this international stage. The world’s poorest people are being hit hardest by a global crisis not of their making – the bloggers will have a chance to ask tough questions of world leaders, and demand solutions that will benefit everyone, not just the wealthy few. “
How to Find G20Voice Online:
web: www.g20voice.org
twitter: @G20Voice
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/g20voice
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/G20voice
moblog: http://moblog.net/voice
23 March, 2009
Online Video Specialist offers free video hosting to UK Charities.
Non profit organisations and charities registered with the Charity Commission in the UK can now take advantage of a free video hosting service which has all the benefits of systems such as YouTube but without the downsides.
MagicLite is part of Streamcity’s Magic Publisher suite of web video solutions used by the likes of Cancer Research UK, The Prince’s Trust, WaterAid, The Saga Charitable Trust and Oxfam. Currently Magic Publisher delivers over two million minutes of video each month.
The initiative to make the service available free of charge is intended to enable third sector organisations who have video content but are not currently showing it on their website to improve their online offering without having to make a financial commitment.
Announcing the offer in London, Dave Greene-Taylor, CEO of Streamcity, said “Web video is a powerful tool for fundraising, campaigning and building awareness. We know many charities already have videos which they are not showing on their websites which could lead to more engagement and better communication with their donors, volunteers and service users.
MagicLite is the perfect tool to get these resources seen by a wider audience.”
MagicLite allows users to encode, publish and manage up to twelve videos with capabilities similar to YouTube. As the number of videos grows, organisations can easily move to the main Magic Publisher System which allows full WebTV functionality.
Compared to other free video hosting offerings, MagicLite is designed to give control back to the content owner. There are no ads and viewers stay on the charity’s website at all times. There is no risk of those watching being presented with unsuitable content in the form of “related videos” which have nothing to do with the charity’s own message.
“The traffic that YouTube generates is mostly one way - taking viewers away from your site,” says Mr Greene -Taylor “The last thing you want is for visitors to be tempted away from your message when they see these related videos from other producers. The benefit of MagicLite is that it keeps the viewer where you want them - interacting with your content.”
More details of free video hosting for charities and other video production and delivery services tailored for the third sector can be found on the StreamCity website: http://www.streamcity.co.uk/third_sector.asp
MagicLite is part of Streamcity’s Magic Publisher suite of web video solutions used by the likes of Cancer Research UK, The Prince’s Trust, WaterAid, The Saga Charitable Trust and Oxfam. Currently Magic Publisher delivers over two million minutes of video each month.
The initiative to make the service available free of charge is intended to enable third sector organisations who have video content but are not currently showing it on their website to improve their online offering without having to make a financial commitment.
Announcing the offer in London, Dave Greene-Taylor, CEO of Streamcity, said “Web video is a powerful tool for fundraising, campaigning and building awareness. We know many charities already have videos which they are not showing on their websites which could lead to more engagement and better communication with their donors, volunteers and service users.
MagicLite is the perfect tool to get these resources seen by a wider audience.”
MagicLite allows users to encode, publish and manage up to twelve videos with capabilities similar to YouTube. As the number of videos grows, organisations can easily move to the main Magic Publisher System which allows full WebTV functionality.
Compared to other free video hosting offerings, MagicLite is designed to give control back to the content owner. There are no ads and viewers stay on the charity’s website at all times. There is no risk of those watching being presented with unsuitable content in the form of “related videos” which have nothing to do with the charity’s own message.
“The traffic that YouTube generates is mostly one way - taking viewers away from your site,” says Mr Greene -Taylor “The last thing you want is for visitors to be tempted away from your message when they see these related videos from other producers. The benefit of MagicLite is that it keeps the viewer where you want them - interacting with your content.”
More details of free video hosting for charities and other video production and delivery services tailored for the third sector can be found on the StreamCity website: http://www.streamcity.co.uk/third_sector.asp
19 March, 2009
Twitter begins text ad trial
Fiona Ramsay, marketingmagazine.co.uk
Twitter has begun trialing text ad formats as it searches for ways to generate its first commercial revenues.
The micro-blogging service has launched a series of ads promoting its widgets and search functionality. Currently ads promote Twitter Search, a real-time search listing of what people are Tweeting about, and Twitter Widgets as ‘an easy way to show your tweets on another
website.
Currently in-house ads appear as a text box in the top right hand corner of on a user's profile page. Twitter is expected to roll out the ad format to third-party advertisers.
But tweets on Marketing magazine's Twitter feed suggest that brands launching advertising on Twitter would not be well received by everyone.
Gemma Went, director of Red Cube Marketing, tweeted: ‘I don't think advertising is right for Twitter. Instead brands could engage with relevant comments and advice.'
The Brand Counsel's Jeremy Kent suggested brand ads on Twitter feeds could be a ‘double-edged sword that would need to be carefully managed'.
Gemma Went, director of Red Cube Marketing, tweeted: ‘I don't think advertising is right for Twitter. Instead brands could engage with relevant comments and advice.'
The Brand Counsel's Jeremy Kent suggested brand ads on Twitter feeds could be a ‘double-edged sword that would need to be carefully managed'.
Twitter has begun trialing text ad formats as it searches for ways to generate its first commercial revenues.
The micro-blogging service has launched a series of ads promoting its widgets and search functionality. Currently ads promote Twitter Search, a real-time search listing of what people are Tweeting about, and Twitter Widgets as ‘an easy way to show your tweets on another
website.
Currently in-house ads appear as a text box in the top right hand corner of on a user's profile page. Twitter is expected to roll out the ad format to third-party advertisers.
But tweets on Marketing magazine's Twitter feed suggest that brands launching advertising on Twitter would not be well received by everyone.
Gemma Went, director of Red Cube Marketing, tweeted: ‘I don't think advertising is right for Twitter. Instead brands could engage with relevant comments and advice.'
The Brand Counsel's Jeremy Kent suggested brand ads on Twitter feeds could be a ‘double-edged sword that would need to be carefully managed'.
Gemma Went, director of Red Cube Marketing, tweeted: ‘I don't think advertising is right for Twitter. Instead brands could engage with relevant comments and advice.'
The Brand Counsel's Jeremy Kent suggested brand ads on Twitter feeds could be a ‘double-edged sword that would need to be carefully managed'.
18 March, 2009
Growth in spend on social media forecast
Ben Bold, Brand Republic
Over half of global marketers will increase their social media marketing spend in spite of the global recession, according to new research.
A study by Forrester Research found that while half of marketers said they would boost budgets, social media spend remains very small in proportion to other media -- 75% of respondents who knew their budgets said they were planning to spend $100,000 or less over the next 12 months.
Areas that they highlighted for investment included social networks, blogs and user-generated content.
However, the majority of social media budgets are not predetermined -- 45% said they were generated on an "as needed" basis throughout the year; and 23% said that their funds were scraped together from wherever they could find them.
The research also highlighted that money being allocated to social media comes at the expense of other budgets -- the biggest proportion of respondents (35%) stated that social media spend came out of the corporate marketing coffers; while 24% of the sample said that it came from the advertising budget.
A surprisingly high 15% of marketers did not know where money for social media budgets came from.
Forrester surveyed 145 global interactive marketers at business-to-business and business-to-consumer companies employing 250-plus staff.
Over half of global marketers will increase their social media marketing spend in spite of the global recession, according to new research.
A study by Forrester Research found that while half of marketers said they would boost budgets, social media spend remains very small in proportion to other media -- 75% of respondents who knew their budgets said they were planning to spend $100,000 or less over the next 12 months.
Areas that they highlighted for investment included social networks, blogs and user-generated content.
However, the majority of social media budgets are not predetermined -- 45% said they were generated on an "as needed" basis throughout the year; and 23% said that their funds were scraped together from wherever they could find them.
The research also highlighted that money being allocated to social media comes at the expense of other budgets -- the biggest proportion of respondents (35%) stated that social media spend came out of the corporate marketing coffers; while 24% of the sample said that it came from the advertising budget.
A surprisingly high 15% of marketers did not know where money for social media budgets came from.
Forrester surveyed 145 global interactive marketers at business-to-business and business-to-consumer companies employing 250-plus staff.
17 March, 2009
Twitter helps small businesses
More than 6,000 small UK businesses are using Twitter every day to save on marketing costs and to keep in touch with customers, found a survey by O2.
The survey by the phone operator found 17% of small businesses are using the micro-blogging site with more than one quarter (28%) signing up in the past four weeks.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) cited cost cutting as one of the greatest benefits and 16% said they have saved up to £5,000 in marketing and recruitment costs since using the service.
Other statistics found 74% are using Twitter to market and promote their business and 42% are tweeting to stay in touch with customers and suppliers.
Simon Devonshire, head of Small Business Marketing at O2, said, "The way small businesses are using Twitter is a great example of how the community is embracing new technologies in order to adapt and survive in the current economic climate.
"The increase in small businesses using converged devices such as the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones combined with the simplicity of Twitter represents a fantastic opportunity for businesses to further raise their profiles and increase efficiency."
The site attracts between 4m and 6m people.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
The survey by the phone operator found 17% of small businesses are using the micro-blogging site with more than one quarter (28%) signing up in the past four weeks.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) cited cost cutting as one of the greatest benefits and 16% said they have saved up to £5,000 in marketing and recruitment costs since using the service.
Other statistics found 74% are using Twitter to market and promote their business and 42% are tweeting to stay in touch with customers and suppliers.
Simon Devonshire, head of Small Business Marketing at O2, said, "The way small businesses are using Twitter is a great example of how the community is embracing new technologies in order to adapt and survive in the current economic climate.
"The increase in small businesses using converged devices such as the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones combined with the simplicity of Twitter represents a fantastic opportunity for businesses to further raise their profiles and increase efficiency."
The site attracts between 4m and 6m people.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
How to manage mass emails
Charity IT expert Sue Fidler says there are many ways to make a mass mail-out work
It was recently announced that a company had launched a tool for placing adverts in internal emails sent from Outlook-style desktop programs.
It got me thinking about how we could all be adding value to or even earning money from bulk emails. I came up with several options that would suit various charity types, audiences and attitudes to advertising.
For example, you can place an advertising banner in your emails promoting your own events, appeals or campaigns. You can also use the space to promote your shop, affiliate marketing scheme (chocolates for Easter, flowers for Mother's Day), charity credit card and so on.
You can also 'swap' ad placements with others, gaining access to their audiences for an ad in your mailouts. WaterAid did a deal with National Geographic several years ago because their audiences were similar. The magazine got an ad in WaterAid's newsletter and the charity got a two-page spread in the magazine. But it doesn't have to be national. It could be your local paper or a local company.
Finally, many charities - particularly membership and peer-to-peer organisations - can sell ad space in their emails. There are a lot of companies that want to sell to your members and supporters; they will pay for targeted marketing in emails.
Whatever route you choose, you can set a return-on-investment target, track the clicks and link to Google Analytics to follow the click chain through your site. If possible, make your advertisement text-based - add a table, give it a border or background colour and use the Wysiwyg editor to add copy and a link. That way, even with images turned off, people will still see your advertisement.
Given the range of available methods, it is definitely worth considering how email advertisements could drive traffic to your calls to action or bring in valuable income.
It was recently announced that a company had launched a tool for placing adverts in internal emails sent from Outlook-style desktop programs.
It got me thinking about how we could all be adding value to or even earning money from bulk emails. I came up with several options that would suit various charity types, audiences and attitudes to advertising.
For example, you can place an advertising banner in your emails promoting your own events, appeals or campaigns. You can also use the space to promote your shop, affiliate marketing scheme (chocolates for Easter, flowers for Mother's Day), charity credit card and so on.
You can also 'swap' ad placements with others, gaining access to their audiences for an ad in your mailouts. WaterAid did a deal with National Geographic several years ago because their audiences were similar. The magazine got an ad in WaterAid's newsletter and the charity got a two-page spread in the magazine. But it doesn't have to be national. It could be your local paper or a local company.
Finally, many charities - particularly membership and peer-to-peer organisations - can sell ad space in their emails. There are a lot of companies that want to sell to your members and supporters; they will pay for targeted marketing in emails.
Whatever route you choose, you can set a return-on-investment target, track the clicks and link to Google Analytics to follow the click chain through your site. If possible, make your advertisement text-based - add a table, give it a border or background colour and use the Wysiwyg editor to add copy and a link. That way, even with images turned off, people will still see your advertisement.
Given the range of available methods, it is definitely worth considering how email advertisements could drive traffic to your calls to action or bring in valuable income.
13 March, 2009
Free media just as valuable as paid-for
by John Reynolds, mediaweek.co.uk
Free media is as valuable as its paid-for equivalent, according to speakers at today's Generation Free event.
The event, held at the British Museum, was hosted by the editor of thelondonpaper, Stefano Hatfield, who spoke of the value of free media, highlighting the prominence of brands such as Facebook and Google.
One of the event's speakers, Mike Bartlett, director of product strategy at the internet phone service Skype, claimed the success of free media depended on its ability to deliver quality services "instantly".
He added that ease of use was important and pointed to Skype's new software application Skype 4.0, which had fewer features than its predecessor but had improved audio and video quality. He claimed the release "was its most successful to date".
Trevor Johnson, head of market development, EMEA, at Facebook, rebuffed suggestions that big brand advertising did not work successfully across free media, highlighting the success of O2's student initiative on the social networking site.
Participants in the event also dismissed claims advertising on free media was of less value in consumers' minds than ads across paid-for titles.
The event - an initiative by thelondonpaper - was held in association with Media Week.
Free media is as valuable as its paid-for equivalent, according to speakers at today's Generation Free event.
The event, held at the British Museum, was hosted by the editor of thelondonpaper, Stefano Hatfield, who spoke of the value of free media, highlighting the prominence of brands such as Facebook and Google.
One of the event's speakers, Mike Bartlett, director of product strategy at the internet phone service Skype, claimed the success of free media depended on its ability to deliver quality services "instantly".
He added that ease of use was important and pointed to Skype's new software application Skype 4.0, which had fewer features than its predecessor but had improved audio and video quality. He claimed the release "was its most successful to date".
Trevor Johnson, head of market development, EMEA, at Facebook, rebuffed suggestions that big brand advertising did not work successfully across free media, highlighting the success of O2's student initiative on the social networking site.
Participants in the event also dismissed claims advertising on free media was of less value in consumers' minds than ads across paid-for titles.
The event - an initiative by thelondonpaper - was held in association with Media Week.
Tim Berners-Lee warns against collection of online data
Marketing Week
Internet creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee has said web users' data should not be collected by internet companies and commercial operations.
Speaking at a online privacy event at Westminster yesterday, Berners-Lee said people's concerns about being monitored online and the idea their data would be shared with a third parties, such as advertising agencies, would change how people used the internet.
"We use the internet without a thought that a third party would know what we have clicked on. But the URLs people use reveal a huge amount about their lives, loves, hates and fears. This is extremely sensitive information.
"People use the web in a crisis, when wondering whether they have a sexually transmitted disease, or cancer, when wondering if they are homosexual and whether to talk about it," he said.
"It should not be collected in the first place," he added.
The comments follow yesterday's announcement by Google that it was to launch its own behavioural targeting service in beta across the Google Content Network and YouTube.
It also follows the launch of IAB's good practice guidelines for behavioural targeting, which state companies must clearly inform consumers that data is being collected and used for behavioural targeting, provide a mechanism for them to opt out, and provide clear information about their use of the data.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
Internet creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee has said web users' data should not be collected by internet companies and commercial operations.
Speaking at a online privacy event at Westminster yesterday, Berners-Lee said people's concerns about being monitored online and the idea their data would be shared with a third parties, such as advertising agencies, would change how people used the internet.
"We use the internet without a thought that a third party would know what we have clicked on. But the URLs people use reveal a huge amount about their lives, loves, hates and fears. This is extremely sensitive information.
"People use the web in a crisis, when wondering whether they have a sexually transmitted disease, or cancer, when wondering if they are homosexual and whether to talk about it," he said.
"It should not be collected in the first place," he added.
The comments follow yesterday's announcement by Google that it was to launch its own behavioural targeting service in beta across the Google Content Network and YouTube.
It also follows the launch of IAB's good practice guidelines for behavioural targeting, which state companies must clearly inform consumers that data is being collected and used for behavioural targeting, provide a mechanism for them to opt out, and provide clear information about their use of the data.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
12 March, 2009
RSPB appeals go online
By Sarah Townsend, Third Sector Online, 12 March 2009
Charity responds to supporters' requests
The RSPB is moving its fundraising appeals online, in response to requests from supporters for e-communications.Appeals have previously been sent out as printed direct mail campaigns, but the organisation said it was keen to develop its digital communications strategy and explore more flexible and cost-effective fundraising solutions.
The first online appeal, which last week asked for donations to help fund conservation work around Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk, was sent to members who had specifically requested digital appeals letters, as well as a targeted selection of non-members who live in the area.
It took the form of a narrative about the decline of the Titchwell nature reserve."Our first online appeals campaign has a tailored ‘ask'," a spokesman for the charity said. "If you can establish a connection with the person from whom you're asking for a donation, and do this through the medium they want, you are likely to get a more positive response."
The organisation said it had no plans to stop producing its e-newsletters, despite recent claims by Thomas Gensemer, the digital strategist behind Barack Obama's US election campaign, that they were a waste of time (Third Sector Online, 20 February)"
It is impossible to cover information about all our work in one communication," the RSPB spokesman said. "The online appeals letter serves a specific purpose and will continue to be highly targeted in its focus, while the newsletter is sent to all of our subscribers."
The RSPB has just under 300,000 subscribers to its e-newsletter, and has seen a 25 per cent increase in subscriptions to its e-newsletter since September.
Charity responds to supporters' requests
The RSPB is moving its fundraising appeals online, in response to requests from supporters for e-communications.Appeals have previously been sent out as printed direct mail campaigns, but the organisation said it was keen to develop its digital communications strategy and explore more flexible and cost-effective fundraising solutions.
The first online appeal, which last week asked for donations to help fund conservation work around Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk, was sent to members who had specifically requested digital appeals letters, as well as a targeted selection of non-members who live in the area.
It took the form of a narrative about the decline of the Titchwell nature reserve."Our first online appeals campaign has a tailored ‘ask'," a spokesman for the charity said. "If you can establish a connection with the person from whom you're asking for a donation, and do this through the medium they want, you are likely to get a more positive response."
The organisation said it had no plans to stop producing its e-newsletters, despite recent claims by Thomas Gensemer, the digital strategist behind Barack Obama's US election campaign, that they were a waste of time (Third Sector Online, 20 February)"
It is impossible to cover information about all our work in one communication," the RSPB spokesman said. "The online appeals letter serves a specific purpose and will continue to be highly targeted in its focus, while the newsletter is sent to all of our subscribers."
The RSPB has just under 300,000 subscribers to its e-newsletter, and has seen a 25 per cent increase in subscriptions to its e-newsletter since September.
09 March, 2009
Social networks and blogs head e-mail in online use
Sara Kimberley, mediaweek.co.uk 09-Mar-09, 15:45
Social networks and blogs are the fourth-most popular online category, ahead of personal e-mail, new research by The Nielsen Company has revealed.
"Member Communities", which includes social networks and blogs, were visited by 67% of the global online population, behind search, 86%, general interest portals including Yahoo and MSN, 85%, and PC software, such as media players, at 73%.
E-mail lagged behind, accounting for only 65% of the global online population.
The use of social networking communities is increasing twice as fast as any of the other four largest sectors, with time spent on the sites now almost 10% of all internet time, rising three times faster than the overall internet rate, The Nielsen Company's Global Faces and Networked Places research shows.
According to the report, Facebook - the world's most popular social network - is visited monthly by three in every 10 people online across the nine social networking markets that Nielsen tracks. They include the UK, Brazil, US, France, Spain and Germany.
Facebook has its greatest reach in the UK market, with 47% of web users accessing the site, while Google run social networking site Orkut has the largest domestic online reach in Brazil, reaching 70% of Brazilian web users.
Mobile is also playing an important role in social networking, with 23% of UK mobile web users visiting a social network site using their handset, compared to only 19% in the US.
Social networks and blogs are the fourth-most popular online category, ahead of personal e-mail, new research by The Nielsen Company has revealed.
"Member Communities", which includes social networks and blogs, were visited by 67% of the global online population, behind search, 86%, general interest portals including Yahoo and MSN, 85%, and PC software, such as media players, at 73%.
E-mail lagged behind, accounting for only 65% of the global online population.
The use of social networking communities is increasing twice as fast as any of the other four largest sectors, with time spent on the sites now almost 10% of all internet time, rising three times faster than the overall internet rate, The Nielsen Company's Global Faces and Networked Places research shows.
According to the report, Facebook - the world's most popular social network - is visited monthly by three in every 10 people online across the nine social networking markets that Nielsen tracks. They include the UK, Brazil, US, France, Spain and Germany.
Facebook has its greatest reach in the UK market, with 47% of web users accessing the site, while Google run social networking site Orkut has the largest domestic online reach in Brazil, reaching 70% of Brazilian web users.
Mobile is also playing an important role in social networking, with 23% of UK mobile web users visiting a social network site using their handset, compared to only 19% in the US.
06 March, 2009
TwitteReader turns Twitter into a feed reader
by Josh Lowensohn
My Webware colleague Don Reisinger would get a kick out of TwitteReader, a new and free service which turns Twitter into something resembling Google Reader. Once you've plugged in your username and password, it presents the latest tweets as individual feed items, which you can cruise through either by reading the short snippets (a la Google Reader) or expanding them out to full posts with a click.
Just like Google Reader and Gmail, you can move up and down the list with the same J and K keyboard shortcuts. You can also star items, which adds them to your Twitter favorites list. The application keeps track of what you've read and what you haven't, which, depending on how many people you're following, could be useful. If a system like Google Reader's trends were to be applied to this you could see which people's updates you're not reading and cut them out of your followers list.
Of course the obvious must be stated here--you can simply take the RSS feed of your friends provided by Twitter and plug it into Google Reader to accomplish something quite similar. TwitteReader's killer feature, however, is that it lets you post and reply to messages from each post, just like you would in Twitter.
My Webware colleague Don Reisinger would get a kick out of TwitteReader, a new and free service which turns Twitter into something resembling Google Reader. Once you've plugged in your username and password, it presents the latest tweets as individual feed items, which you can cruise through either by reading the short snippets (a la Google Reader) or expanding them out to full posts with a click.
Just like Google Reader and Gmail, you can move up and down the list with the same J and K keyboard shortcuts. You can also star items, which adds them to your Twitter favorites list. The application keeps track of what you've read and what you haven't, which, depending on how many people you're following, could be useful. If a system like Google Reader's trends were to be applied to this you could see which people's updates you're not reading and cut them out of your followers list.
Of course the obvious must be stated here--you can simply take the RSS feed of your friends provided by Twitter and plug it into Google Reader to accomplish something quite similar. TwitteReader's killer feature, however, is that it lets you post and reply to messages from each post, just like you would in Twitter.
TwitteReader turns Twitter messages into something resembling Google Reader. (Credit: CNET Networks)
05 March, 2009
Facebook takes on Twitter as it re-jigs profiles for celebs and charities
by Sarah Crawley-Boevey, Brand Republic
Facebook has made changes to its status update and the pages used by famous musicians, TV stars and politicians, allowing them to broadcast messages to their fans.
Reacting to the threat of Twitter, Facebook is to revamp its key homepage status update feature to ensure it is able to capture a slice of the growing real time web movement, which is being led by Twitter.
It has changed its status prompt, which currently asks users "What are you doing right now?" to "What's on your mind?".
It hopes this will encourage its millions of users to write more engaging updates rather than "John is updating his status update".
Changes to the pages used by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama or U2 will become more like regular user profiles so they can engage more closely with the public, allowing fans to comment on status updates and photos.
This move is also designed to counteract the more democratic nature of profiles on Twitter where celebs and non-celebs have the same profiles.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy, cyclist Lance Armstrong and publications such as The New York Times all hold public pages and will now be able to reach their audience more directly, broadcasting messages and engaging in conversations happening on the site.
Facebook currently has a cap of 5,000 friends for such pages. It plans to lift this so that celebs can add many thousands more as they do on Twitter.
Users's news feeds, which currently streams updates from their friends' pages, will include the latest information from the celebrities they are following, which may include photos and videos as well as status updates.
Comic Relief is another of the high-profile organizations to have a public profile, and Chris Ward, creative communications director of the charity, is hoping it will help raise funds for this year's campaign.
Ward said: "We are incredibly excited about our new Facebook public profile for the Red Nose Day 09 campaign, which allows us to connect and engage with our supporters.
"Our new presence on Facebook also helps us build vital awareness for our cause and ultimately raise even more money to fight poverty and disadvantage at home and in Africa."
Facebook is guiding public figures and organizations through the sign-up process, offering top tips on how to create the most effective page, with the newly designed pages coming into effect from March 11.
Read Gordon's Republic blog post -- Facebook readies Twitter fightback.
Facebook has made changes to its status update and the pages used by famous musicians, TV stars and politicians, allowing them to broadcast messages to their fans.
Reacting to the threat of Twitter, Facebook is to revamp its key homepage status update feature to ensure it is able to capture a slice of the growing real time web movement, which is being led by Twitter.
It has changed its status prompt, which currently asks users "What are you doing right now?" to "What's on your mind?".
It hopes this will encourage its millions of users to write more engaging updates rather than "John is updating his status update".
Changes to the pages used by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama or U2 will become more like regular user profiles so they can engage more closely with the public, allowing fans to comment on status updates and photos.
This move is also designed to counteract the more democratic nature of profiles on Twitter where celebs and non-celebs have the same profiles.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy, cyclist Lance Armstrong and publications such as The New York Times all hold public pages and will now be able to reach their audience more directly, broadcasting messages and engaging in conversations happening on the site.
Facebook currently has a cap of 5,000 friends for such pages. It plans to lift this so that celebs can add many thousands more as they do on Twitter.
Users's news feeds, which currently streams updates from their friends' pages, will include the latest information from the celebrities they are following, which may include photos and videos as well as status updates.
Comic Relief is another of the high-profile organizations to have a public profile, and Chris Ward, creative communications director of the charity, is hoping it will help raise funds for this year's campaign.
Ward said: "We are incredibly excited about our new Facebook public profile for the Red Nose Day 09 campaign, which allows us to connect and engage with our supporters.
"Our new presence on Facebook also helps us build vital awareness for our cause and ultimately raise even more money to fight poverty and disadvantage at home and in Africa."
Facebook is guiding public figures and organizations through the sign-up process, offering top tips on how to create the most effective page, with the newly designed pages coming into effect from March 11.
Read Gordon's Republic blog post -- Facebook readies Twitter fightback.
04 March, 2009
BBC to review appeals policy after Gaza DEC furore
Vibeka Mair Professional Fundraising
The BBC Trust has asked BBC director general Mark Thompson to review the BBC’s policy on broadcasting charity appeals in light of the row over its refusal to show the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Gaza crisis appeal in January.
The Trust, an independent watchdog of the BBC, has no power to overrule decisions concerning televised charitable broadcasts, but was obliged to consider whether the broadcaster had acted responsibly in terms of process, policy and guidelines.
It has decided that the BBC acted correctly in its decision not to show the DEC appeal, but has asked it to review its criteria for considering appeals and whether current policy is still appropriate for “today’s changed conditions”.
Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the Trust, said: “We recognise that the director-general’s decision was a matter of great controversy for many members of the public. However…we are satisfied that the decision the director-general took was reasonable given the importance of preserving the reputation of the BBC for impartiality.
“We will not reopen the question of this particular DEC appeal. However, we are mindful of the degree of public concern it aroused. We have therefore asked the director-general to explore any wider lessons that may be drawn from this episode through discussions with DEC and with other broadcasters.
“In particular we have asked him to take a view on whether the BBC agreement with DEC, which dates from 1971, and the associated criteria for considering appeals, are still appropriate for today’s changed conditions.”
The BBC’s agreement with the DEC, dating back to 1971, allows the Corporation to make airtime available for such charitable appeals at its discretion. It has turned down some appeals in the past.
The BBC executive received 40,000 complaints and the Trust received 200 formal appeals, including a detailed complaint from a solicitor, Hickman and Rose, who were acting for two Gazans who were seeking aid.
03 March, 2009
How to make the most of email marketing
Charity IT expert Sue Fidler says charities should not just see emailing as a chore
We know email is far cheaper than snail mail, which makes it an attractive marketing tool. But many organisations are not making the most of email marketing.
Many charities throw a monthly electronic newsletter together with no planning, no testing and no thought. This is not good enough. Email is an important marketing tool, not just a chore.
What software are you using to send your emails out? If you are still using Outlook to send bulk emails, you seriously need to consider using one of the proper email marketing programs. These can help you get your emails to the right addresses and avoid spam filters. They also make it easier to design professional-looking mailouts.
What are you sending and to whom? Do you know what links people are clicking on? If certain groups look only at certain sections of the email, offer them different versions. If some sections are unpopular, change the newsletter.
Are you selling yourself through the emails? If your aim is to use them as a soft sell to raise funds, you can get a clear measure of the return on your investment by checking how many of the people who clicked on the email made donations. Modern email tools link to Google Analytics - online software that allows you, free of charge, to track when email leads to e-action - for example, when someone clicks on to your website. The process is simple and requires little technical expertise.
Can you improve the copy or layout? Have you checked how it looks in all the main email browsers? Email browsers can be old-fashioned, so be sure you are getting your message across in a readable way.
Test what works, as you would with direct marketing. Check that the design and copy are effective, and use surveys to ask your readers what they want. Then deliver it.
We know email is far cheaper than snail mail, which makes it an attractive marketing tool. But many organisations are not making the most of email marketing.
Many charities throw a monthly electronic newsletter together with no planning, no testing and no thought. This is not good enough. Email is an important marketing tool, not just a chore.
What software are you using to send your emails out? If you are still using Outlook to send bulk emails, you seriously need to consider using one of the proper email marketing programs. These can help you get your emails to the right addresses and avoid spam filters. They also make it easier to design professional-looking mailouts.
What are you sending and to whom? Do you know what links people are clicking on? If certain groups look only at certain sections of the email, offer them different versions. If some sections are unpopular, change the newsletter.
Are you selling yourself through the emails? If your aim is to use them as a soft sell to raise funds, you can get a clear measure of the return on your investment by checking how many of the people who clicked on the email made donations. Modern email tools link to Google Analytics - online software that allows you, free of charge, to track when email leads to e-action - for example, when someone clicks on to your website. The process is simple and requires little technical expertise.
Can you improve the copy or layout? Have you checked how it looks in all the main email browsers? Email browsers can be old-fashioned, so be sure you are getting your message across in a readable way.
Test what works, as you would with direct marketing. Check that the design and copy are effective, and use surveys to ask your readers what they want. Then deliver it.
Asda launches 'Saving you Money TV' channel on YouTube
marketingmagazine.co.uk
Asda has launched a YouTube site to help supermarket shoppers share tips on how to save money.
The channel called, Saving You Money TV (SYM TV), http://www.asda.com/symtv
is full of straightforward tips and suggestions generated by its own customers, plus a selection of short films produced by Asda to help save people money.
In the coming weeks the supermarket's channel will also demonstrate how by cutting out waste from its business Asda is able to reduce costs and continually lower prices for customers.
Rick Bendel, chief marketing officer at Asda said, ‘Our new TV channel is the latest example of how every thing we do at Asda is designed to save our customers money. ‘The content is driven by our customers who can send in their video tips by post, by text or by uploading them to You Tube.
‘We also have a team that are constantly trawling the net looking for the best money saving tips on the web, and a mobile TV crew that are on hand to capture tips from people in the street, in our stores or in the comfort of their own homes.'
Asda has launched a YouTube site to help supermarket shoppers share tips on how to save money.
The channel called, Saving You Money TV (SYM TV), http://www.asda.com/symtv
is full of straightforward tips and suggestions generated by its own customers, plus a selection of short films produced by Asda to help save people money.
In the coming weeks the supermarket's channel will also demonstrate how by cutting out waste from its business Asda is able to reduce costs and continually lower prices for customers.
Rick Bendel, chief marketing officer at Asda said, ‘Our new TV channel is the latest example of how every thing we do at Asda is designed to save our customers money. ‘The content is driven by our customers who can send in their video tips by post, by text or by uploading them to You Tube.
‘We also have a team that are constantly trawling the net looking for the best money saving tips on the web, and a mobile TV crew that are on hand to capture tips from people in the street, in our stores or in the comfort of their own homes.'
02 March, 2009
New Facebook T&Cs cede control of content and privacy to users
Fiona Ramsay, marketingmagazine.co.uk
Facebook has confirmed it is asking its users for input over its policies including privacy guidelines and the development of the terms of service following an outcry this month over its attempts to store members' content.
A new Statement of Rights and Responsibilities will take the place of Facebook's existing terms and the Facebook advertising terms and conditions.
The document reaffirms that users, not Facebook, own the content they share through Facebook services and that Facebook's permission to use that content expires when users delete the content or terminate their accounts.
An update to the Privacy Policy is also planned and this change will be subject to users' input.
The social network site said it was offering users around the world an ‘unprecedented role' in determining the future policies governing the service.
Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, said: ‘The past week reminded us that users feel a real sense of ownership over Facebook itself, not just the information they share'.
Facebook backed down last week over its plans to keep customers' photos and messages, insisting it will talk to its users about new terms of service.
The social networking site attracted significant criticism and front-page newspaper headlines over its decision to remove a clause allowing people to delete their information permanently.
More than 25,000 people joined Facebook groups to protest at the changes, with some threatening to deactivate their accounts.
Facebook has confirmed it is asking its users for input over its policies including privacy guidelines and the development of the terms of service following an outcry this month over its attempts to store members' content.
A new Statement of Rights and Responsibilities will take the place of Facebook's existing terms and the Facebook advertising terms and conditions.
The document reaffirms that users, not Facebook, own the content they share through Facebook services and that Facebook's permission to use that content expires when users delete the content or terminate their accounts.
An update to the Privacy Policy is also planned and this change will be subject to users' input.
The social network site said it was offering users around the world an ‘unprecedented role' in determining the future policies governing the service.
Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, said: ‘The past week reminded us that users feel a real sense of ownership over Facebook itself, not just the information they share'.
Facebook backed down last week over its plans to keep customers' photos and messages, insisting it will talk to its users about new terms of service.
The social networking site attracted significant criticism and front-page newspaper headlines over its decision to remove a clause allowing people to delete their information permanently.
More than 25,000 people joined Facebook groups to protest at the changes, with some threatening to deactivate their accounts.
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