There's been a lot of hype surrounding social media in the past few years. It began as a way for individuals to communicate with each other and has quickly become something of great interest to businesses. The reason for this is because they've been told that social media will actually help them generate more business, while keeping them up-to-date with current marketing tools, technologies and channels of communication. Read More

When I arrived at the office yesterday morning and logged on to Twitter, I was inundated by articles, tributes and mentions of Steve Jobs resignation as Apple CEO. As one of the most influential members of the technology industry, Steve Jobs leaves a tremendous legacy behind him as well as very big shoes for Tim Cook (Apple's newly appointed CEO) to fill. Read More

Last month I delivered a seminar on internet marketing to a group of about 40 or 50 independent retailers. Whilst discussing mobile commerce I asked them how many of them had used QR codes in their marketing and no hands went up. So I then reversed my thinking and asked how many of them knew what a QR code was. Less than half of them did. I was a bit surprised but then again maybe I shouldn't have been. Read More

I was sitting on the tube last night reading the Evening Standard and came across an article entitled "As brands get social, they must listen more than talk". No knew insight there I guess. For me what's interesting is that this is a regular article in the Business section of the paper. There is no doubt that how brands interact in social media is a mainstream marketing issue. Even a year ago that may not have been the case. Read More

I posted a comment a couple of days ago about an article in the London Evening Standard which suggested that brands should use Twitter just for “listening” to what consumers had to say about them. I found that rather odd advice as the real benefit comes from engagement. I’ve now come across some research which backs up my thinking. Read More