Image courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
When I came into journalism in 1992, the local newspaper industry was just about dragging itself into the electronic age, with a clunky PC on most desks.
Back then, the line between journalists and audience was clear: we reported; you read, watched or listened.
But in the digital age, that line has become blurred. (more…)
Charity by Damien Hirst.
Photo: Louisa Davison
Art text can often leave audiences scratching their heads and wondering what the blazes they mean.
The Independent ran an article (Why it’s time for galleries to drop the jargon) a couple of weeks ago about tongue-twisting but often repetitively impenetrable language used by galleries, from the exhibition-on-cafe-walls to the power houses of the Tate.
This is something I’ve been banging on about, well, since I started marketing for theatres and art centres. The worst offenders seem to be contemporary art and dance, probably because they are trying to put into words what is indescribable through verbal language – we are to be interpreted, enjoyed and challenged through the medium of art or movement.
And often because the copy is written before the exhibition or dance piece is even created… (more…)
Negative marketing rarely works. To use a negative message you really have to know your stuff – be an expert in the rules to break them.
I had a conversation today with a friend who was organising a flash mob to inspire people to be more proactive about climate change.
She wants to use the event to engage with people on a one-to-one basis (or: ‘go out and talk to people’) on what more they could do to have a positive effect on the environment because, she said ‘it’s fixable.’
This kind of positivity is so important. Not just for climate change, but for any form of communication. (more…)
Agents Pete and Louisa from Secret Agent Marketing
The secrets of the marketing world will be blown as industry experts and Wiltshire Business Support Service join forces to help small businesses get to grips with their own marketing.
Marketing for Beginners will explain how marketing is more than just newspaper ads and glossy brochures; and how marketing should be a business investment, not an expense
Peter and Louisa Davison from Secret Agent Marketing will help attendees to work out who their customers are, how to speak their language, and how to give them what they need.
Louisa said: “The workshop will be super-practical, and each delegate will leave with a basic realistic, workable marketing plan, while peer-to-peer learning will allow attendees to try out their ideas on other workshop delegates.”
Peter said: “We´re delighted to have been invited to join forces with Wiltshire Business Support Service. Together, we can offer the wealth of our experience and an incredibly low cost to small businesses and start-ups.
This workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 18, from 10am to 4pm at Wessex Chambers of Commerce, Pentagon House, 52 Castle Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8AU.
Attendance costs £80 and each business will leave with a basic marketing plan.
Wiltshire Business Support Service exists to provide business owners with real, practical help and support. Funded by Wiltshire Council, the service is the ultimate advice and networking resource for anyone starting up or running a small business. All advice is free, confidential and impartial.
For more information, or to book a place, log on to www.wessexchambers.org.uk/events
What would you do with £1,000? That’s the question we’ve been asking community organisations to think about this week.
A couple of months ago we were challenged by our client Fraser Group, who are opening a new petrol station, Budgens forecourt store and Subway franchise at Marlborough Business Park this autumn, to devise a campaign to herald their arrival in the town.
As a family-owned firm, they want to win hearts as well as business. “We want to be an important part of the community,” they told us. It’s been our job to make it so.
What we came up with was the Community Giveaway. The company has put up £6,000, which it will be donating to local community groups.
But those groups will have to sing for their supper – literally, in some cases. (more…)
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+… How do they fit into your marketing strategy? Do they fit in at all? Is social media something you think you should be using, but you don’t know where to start?
Agent Pete will be explaining the basics at Marlborough Profit Club on Wednesday, June 27. The session is run by business coach Nigel Scott and will be held at 1 The Green, Marlborough – home of web and video experts Mole Productions – from 1.45pm.
Non-members should contact Jane Scott for an invitation at janescott@actioncoach.com or on 01672 512001.
If you’re new to Twitter, you might start to see warnings via the direct messaging (DM) facility claiming that ‘someone is posting nasty rumours about you’.
Out of a concern for your personal or brand reputation, or maybe just out of curiosity, you might be tempted to click the link and investigate. Don’t.
If you do, you run the risk of having your account hijacked. You’ll be directed to a fake Twitter log-in page where the scammers will ask you to enter your username and password (a common ploy is to tell you that your session has timed out).
Once they have these details they’ll start using your account to push diet pills, pornographic content and other undesirable products and services – in your name. (more…)
When we were asked to deliver a talk about Marketing for Beginners to the Wiltshire Business Club this week, we devised a game to make the session memorable and fun.
As the seven building blocks of marketing all start with the letter P, we took our inspiration from long running and popular teens’ quiz show Blockbusters. (more…)
Do you subscribe to Miracle Marketing? It’s very popular, and easy to do!
Simply conduct some marketing activity – print some brochures, book an advertisement – then cross your fingers or pray. Divine Intervention will do the rest.
Except it won’t, will it? (more…)
It’s why a lot of people have signed up to our news list.
And we’re happy to share tips and advice on this blog and give away free guides.
But nothing beats a bit of real life learning, and the ability to ask – how does this work for my business? Will this plan fly?
So we’ve organised a Secret Agent School course:
Marketing for Beginners
Tuesday 29 May 2012 10am – 4pm
http://www.secretagentmarketing.com/pages/secret-agent-school.html (more…)
