No Fear Extreme Energy nofear-small

Aimia Foods were launching the No Fear Extreme Energy (NFEE) drink brand onto the UK market and had two main objectives associated with the launch. Their marketing budget is tiny compared with competitors such as Red Bull and Relentless. The objective is to drive enough awareness of this brand to gain retailer listings and drive [...]

Soreen soreensmall

Soreen, the UK’s favourite malt loaf, was introducing a fruity new addition to its range called Fruity Five (Soreen with dried fruits added). The objective was to attract a new generation of younger consumers, alongside its existing positioning as a comfort food or snack with a cup of tea.

Forever Manchester forevermanchester-small

Forever Manchester raises money locally and invests it in grants to support these local people who are making change and improving our communities Forever!

System One systemone-small

Objective Engage with existing customers while targeting new ones Encourage debate and interaction on new and existing social media channels Position System One as the ‘voice of Greater Manchester travel’ Communicate the benefits of integrated ticketing and bus travel in a fun and accessible way Develop relationships with key influencers and boost buzz across online [...]

Stagecoach Manchester getonthebuzz-small

Stagecoach Manchester now has an insight into how much this audience would be willing to pay for a weekly ticket, barriers to them using the bus, how to tackle anti-social behaviour and the types of incentives that would appeal to 16-25 year olds.

There's lots of hype and hyperbole about social media marketing. Much of it very well deserved. But what's so new that many commentators are calling it a 'revolution in marketing communications'? (There goes that social media hype again!)

What's new is that social media is word of mouth marketing on steroids. Marketeers for centuries have known that the best form of marketing is word of mouth marketing. If a trusted friend, who you believe is knowledgable about cars, tells you he loves his ever-reliable BMW and would never swap it for a Mercedes, that will have more effect on your purchasing decision than any expensively produced TV advert. But how can a brand that needs to sell millions of units in hundreds of countries every day harness that power? By the effective use of social media, that's how.

The world of social media can be a bit like politics - full of statistics that have been manipulated to fit the users' agenda. Facebook users totaling 500m, 110m Twitter users, 60m professionals using LinkedIn, 73% of UK women using Facebook, etc, etc. But take a look around you. Look at what your family and friends are doing with social media. Where do they look before they book that hotel in the Greek Islands? Yes, Tripadvisor, because they believe what 'real people' have to say before glossy brochures and company websites. And ask yourself this question: Why are the world's most oppressive regimes working so hard to block social media so that they, and they alone, are able to influence public opinion?