How do you plan to spend your 2012 marketing budget?

Research recently carried out by StrongMail states that brands are planning to increase their marketing spend on Social Media in 2012. Huge increases in email marketing spend (60%), social media (55%) and mobile (37%) are forecast.

Social Media Spend 2012

Survey Statistics

✔ 92% plan to increase or maintain marketing spend in 2012

✔ 60% plan to increase email marketing budget; 55% social media; 37% mobile/search (tied)

✔ 45% cite data integration as primary email marketing challenge in 2012; 43% lack of resources/staff; 40% content management

✔ 48% cite increasing subscriber engagement as top 2012 email marketing initiative; 44% improving segmentation/targeting; 32% growing opt-in email list

✔ 68% plan to integrate email marketing with social media; 44% with mobile; 17% with search

Social Media Strategist provides innovative and effective digital marketing services. My overheads are low and my dayrate (£300 a day) reflects this.

To discuss your marketing objectives for this year call: 07868 823055

Intern Opportunity

I am looking for an intern to help assist on a variety of marketing campaigns in Camden, London over the next two months. This position offers (expenses paid) work experience that could lead into full time employment. The post will involve working from the office preferably on a 10-5pm basis

You will receive one to one tuition in order to:

 • Develop / execute social media strategies
 • Virally distribute content across social media platforms & the wider web
 • Run a blogger outreach campaigns
 • Bug test websites and web applications
 • Create ‘sticky’ content
 • Create and distribute blog posts
 • Use Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin effectively
 • Create & send HTML emails 
 • Monitor the impact online platforms and marketing campaigns
 • Create Web / Viral Video / Social media analytics reports
 • Search Engine Optimisation (basics)
 • Pay Per Click (basics)
 
For more information call 07868 823055

Speaking at Global Entrepreneurship Week

James NorrisOn Friday will I will be speaking as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Camden alongside creative ideas agency Saint and the serial entrepreneur and founder of Frank PR. It is a free, informal event held in partnership with University of the Arts London. It runs between 3.30pm – 6pm at the Camden Collective, London. Tickets for this event can be attained by clicking here!

Since its inception, Global Entrepreneurship Week has spread to 115 countries, with nearly 24,000 organisations planning more than 37,000 activities. As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010 in the UK, over 207,200 people attended 2,577 events, run by 983 organisations. Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people, with millions unleashing their enterprising talents and turning their ideas into reality. Find out what happened in previous years of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

INDEPENDENT OPERA Artist Support Evening 2011

Last night Independent Opera ran their annual artist support evening at the Royal Academy of Music. 

INDEPENDENT OPERA Artist Support is a comprehensive programme of scholarships, fellowships, partnerships and patronage designed to complement and continue the work of Independent Opera by providing ongoing financial assistance to young professionals involved at all levels in the production of opera. The programme of scholarships and fellowships, available to singers, directors and designers, is an integral component of the company’s objective: to give those involved in the staging and production of opera the support they need at the outset of their careers.

I was lucky enough to be the social and digital marketing expert asked to informally discuss how opera singers, operatic groups and musicians can use digital and social media to promote themselves, their brands and their ensembles. It was an extremely enjoyable evening with three exceptional signers (Anna Huntley, Kate Manley, Clara Mouriz), an outstanding pianist (James Baillieu) and a panel experts from the Operatic industry (Nicholas Payne – Director of Opera Europa, Jonathan Groves – Agent for Ingpen & Williams, John McMurray – English National Opera, Richard Stokes – Professor of Lieder at Royal Academy of Music & Sarah Tynan – Soprano).

I would like to congratulate Chrissy, Anna and Independent Opera for the very successful and enjoyable event.

The day I met Ed Miliband, Ed Balls & Ken Livingston

On Monday I was invited to discuss the issues facing small businesses and technology start-up's in today's current climate. It was a great opportunity for those of us who work in Camden to submit our thoughts regarding existing infrastructures and submit questions and ideas to the Labour party.

Me, Ed Milliband & Ken Livingstone

The day was hosted by the wonderful people at the Camden Town Unlimited and the office was full of mainstream media. The coverage and discussions also appeared on the BBC News.

BBC iPlayer

It was a great meeting with lots of interesting points and suggestions brought to the table. There were a range of different organisations attending all with different objectives and questions. Me and Kes Thygesen flew the flag for UK startups delivering questions that directly relate to launching a new startup in the UK today.

Ken Livingstone talking of how London has changed

It will be interesting to see how New Labour plan to help UK startups and new businesses going forward.

Global Shell FuelSave Day was awarded a Guinness World Record in London

I am currently carrying out PR and awareness activities surrouding Shell's Global Fuel Day. If you would like a press release or further information please contact me directly…

On Saturday undreds of motorists in the UK participated in a celebrity-fused fuel saving celebration in Potters Fields Park, London. 

Shell organised a series of global events to help motorists learn how to save fuel and money. It involved 10 countries across Europe and Asia staging a simultaneous training session in which motorists learnt ways to cut their driving costs with Shell FuelSave Regular Unleaded and Diesel. 

Celebrities including motoring expert Quentin Willson and TV presenter Konnie Huq lead British motorists and their families in the worldwide celebration of fuel saving.Event goers were treated to a special performance by Alexandra Burke who added a little glamour to proceedings. British motorists at the event succeeded in obtaining a global Guinness World Record award for the world’s Largest Fuel Efficiency Lesson ever. 

Global Shell FuelSave Day is part of Shell’s ongoing commitment to helping customers reduce fuel consumption. For more information can be found by visiting www.shell.co.uk/fuelsave

Planet of the Apps London

Planet of the Apps

This years 'Planet of the Apps' explored the world of apps (predominantly mobile) through the eyes of different demographics both past and present. 

Speakers from some of the globes leading organisations highlighted their own experiences giving advice to businesses and startups alike. 

This years speakers included the Co-founder of Rovio, PopCap's Game Editor, VP at MTV,  Hipstamatic's CEO and the Co-founder of Layar.

Each speaker brought something different to the table. I found myself especially interested in the startups who's business revolve around an innovative application much more so then the larger brands who have invested in apps once their business was a success. 

Some really good points were addressed during the conference and I would recommend attending Planet of the Apps to brands, entrepreneurs and those within the mobile sector.

Mark Curtis (Fjord)

Mark Curtis

Peter Vesterbacka (Rovia / Angry Birds)

Peter Vesterbacka

Robin Wauters (TechCrunch / Virtualization.com)

TechCrunch

Chief Wonka (Ustwo)

Cheif Wonka

Maarten Lens- Fitzgerald (Layar)

Maartin Layars

Attendees networking over lunch

Planet of the Apps Conference

Last few days to enter the INTERNATIONAL GREEN AWARDS

The INTERNATIONAL GREEN AWARDS™, a global programme that recognises inspiring, innovative and creative approaches to sustainability, is inviting entries that demonstrate sustainable innovation across 20 categories before the final deadline this Friday, 16th September 2011. Judged by some of the world’s most influential sustainability experts and media luminaries, including Arianna Huffington, Baroness Barbara Young, David de Rothschild and Sir Crispin Tickell, the Awards are the perfect opportunity to present your sustainability story and be recognised as a genuine visionary on an international platform. See http://www.greenawards.com

In its 6th year, this Royal Society of Arts accredited environmental awards scheme looks to showcase those organisations which are demonstrating stellar best practice and setting the industry benchmark for sustainability that can inspire organisations, governments and citizens across geographic boundaries.

“In a finite world, the only way that humanity can sustain economic and social development is through innovation – finding ways to meet our needs at lower cost to the environment. The International Green Awards™ 2011 are a welcome recognition of the diverse forms of innovation required to create genuinely green economics”, commented Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director, European Environment Agency.

There are 20 categories this year including those relating to business leadership and entrepreneurship, energy efficiency, water stewardship, biodiversity, public sector and technology, amongst others. With 2011 marking the UN International Year of Forests, the Awards also include a category dedicated to conservation efforts.

To enter go to: http://www.greenawards.com (Deadline – Friday 16th September)

(Social Media Strategist is a proud media partner for the Global Green awards for the second year running).