Completing The Internet

Beautiful stuff

Thu, 31 May 2012 10:29:01 +0100

Beautiful stuff

Audio

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:46:11 +0100

When I'm out too late the night before but still make it to my 9am status

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:27:35 +0100

whathappensinmediaplanning:

I’m like

@NYCMediaPlanner

Holidays, the Olympics and I

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:41:21 +0100

Working for a travel client, the year ahead poses an interesting proposition. The last few years have been a dogged battle with the inevitable effects of recession, global crises and - lest we forget - volcanic ash clouds. However, despite this people still view holidays as a key part of their lives. A recent Travelex survey reports that “An overwhelming 98.8%” are looking to holiday abroad this summer (http://www.travelex.co.uk/press/ENG/doc-travelex-reveals-british-staycation-a-myth.asp). 98.8%, leaving just 1.2% home for the Olympics.

This number seems a bit excessive, but what it reveals is that contrary to common sense and despite the global/local economic issues we face, the travel industry still thrives. This is to the extent that the United Nations World Tourist Organization is in fact predicting international tourist arrivals to actually grow this year, off the back of an increase of four per cent in 2011. (http://mkt.unwto.org/en/barometer)

So what does this mean for the travel industry, particularly the UK travel industry? If you have seen the recent adverts on the TV and online starring Stephen Fry, Ron from Harry Potter and other family favourites, you will realise there is a big push for the ‘Staycation’ – holidaying at home. Converse to the recent Travelex release, Google anticipates around 9% of Brits would be looking to holiday in the UK with the main aim of escaping the ‘Olympic fever’. The Highlands and Cornwall are the top destinations, as far away from the capital as this island will allow. Interstingly the Google whitepaper (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2-cf-mW11FXYU05dklHaWxUT1NMUjRFMUZPcTRFdw/edit) also suggests that of those staying in London for the games, 47% will be planning to visit venues outside of London.

And while all this is being printed, Virgin and government emails are being leaked anticipating utter ‘gridlock’ at UK airports.

So on one hand we have the Mass British exodus this summer, and on the other we have the Staycaters, the rising incoming tourism and the Great British summer. Who really can anticipate what happens this summer? We can only go by the data and react to the trends of the moment. Google and Travelex’s insight is useful and can help direct marketing plans, but shouldn’t dictate and consume your motives.

Up #2 (Taken with instagram)

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:13:20 +0000

Up #2 (Taken with instagram)

Up #1 (Taken with instagram)

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:58:25 +0000

Up #1 (Taken with instagram)

The Trial #Kaftka

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:04:37 +0000

A challenging classic on the failings of bureaucracy, law & mans struggle to find a place in his world/system. Trialling

Love

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:08:39 +0000

Love

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:06:12 +0000

“if you saw Atlas, the giant who holds the world on his shoulders, if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, his arms trembling but still trying to hold the world aloft with the last of his strength, and the greater his effort the heavier the world bore down upon his shoulders - what would you tell him to do?”

Peace Melba

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:35:47 +0000

Peace Melba

Can’t believe Google allow this!?

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:35:20 +0000

Can’t believe Google allow this!?

Scrabble letters

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:03:01 +0000

Scrabble letters

Oliver! The musical film in words

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:26:04 +0000

Oliver! The musical film in words

Trevor Johnson, Account Manager by day, Vigilante by night.

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:24 +0000

Trevor Johnson, Account Manager by day, Vigilante by night.

What a year...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:25:27 +0000

What a year...:

Amazing Photos of events during the year (2011). So many things I’d forgotten about that should never be forgotten.

Storm + Teacup

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:39:04 +0000

Storm + Teacup

“What we ought to be doing is helping kids create industries that nobody has even dreamed of...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:28:13 +0000

“What we ought to be doing is helping kids create industries that nobody has even dreamed of yet.” bit.ly/tOdYI6

In my half awake stupor I wrongly worked out that I’m going to be 24 next year. Then realised...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:13:16 +0000

In my half awake stupor I wrongly worked out that I’m going to be 24 next year. Then realised I’m already 24. Bad drills.

Response: How can innovation help to drive ad agency new business?

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:54:36 +0000

A good article by Ovie Esiekpe at unique digital on innovation and it’s role for both clients and agencies.

http://www.uniquedigital.co.uk/blog/how-can-innovation-help-to-drive-ad-agency-new-business/

The piece deals well with the idea of innovation, separating it into two things: one, the swathe of technology apps, features and ideas thrown at us online under the beta banner; and two, the real essence of innovation - a substantial (rather than incremental) change brought about by genuine efficiencies.

The article posits that the role of the agency is to guide clients in the world by filtering true innovation for them. Again I have to agree; the number of times an advertiser wants to appear on something because it is the new big thing only to then be disappointed that the results are no good staggers me. You have to reach the right audiences in the right was for your business. Twitter isn’t for everyone.

Innovation is about doing old things in new ways: ways that save money, effort and - ultimately - time. To quote Tom Obafemi, “you get more bang for your buck”. For example, the book ‘Rework’ by 37signals has a stunning view on working life, with one novel innovation: don’t hire workaholics. They love to work. Love to be at work. Love to get in early. Leave late. The real innovators are at home; they left on time because they had found a better way to get the work done. Leaving on time isn’t a sin, it shows your a more efficient worker than those staying late.

Overall the article makes good sense, but it may be too brash to cast off all the technologies because they are the things that will lead to innovation. Things like yammer could help to make communication more efficient by replacing email - encouraging group interaction and conversation rather than inboxes and lists. Google+ hangouts could make the weekly/monthly meeting with clients quicker and cheaper. Blogs are the perfect way to let your audience find you letting googles algorithm do the work for you. So these things may not be right for advertisers, but actually be hugely beneficial for their agency’s.

Overall innovation isn’t really about the betas and technologies; it’s the way we use them that matters.

"In a closed society where everybody’s guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of..."

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:16:10 +0000

“In a closed society where everybody’s guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.”

- Hunter S. Thompson