Advertising Archive

RIP Old Blog

They say “a change is as good as a rest” and, although I’ve always wondered who “they” are, I have to agree in a couple of ways.

Firstly with my writing this blog post.

My blog has always tended to slant towards internet marketing because that’s what I do.

Me writing about digital has always made perfect sense to most people and I’ve had a lot of contact regarding speaking opportunities etc as a result of me being out there in a personal way.

Well recently I’ve been writing more and more about my experiences on my travels, on the way to or at conferences around the world, and finding folks taking a lot more interest in those because there’s been more of an everyday insight element to some of the entries.

This got me thinking about how I could combine my love for my work with my love for wine, food, hopping on planes, gadgets, photography, messing about in boats and general all-round globetrotting.

After a bit of noodling and a lot of generous help from Jon, Dave and the very talented Kean………….Technology – Taste – Travel was born.

Welcome New Blog

We hope the design speaks for itself. As it give me more scope to talk about other things, you’ll being see a lot more entries from me, even if it’s just the odd photo or location update.

Rest assured it’ll have everything the previous incarnation had, but it’ll be enhanced with travel tips, restaurant reviews and a lot more video/photography from wherever I am in the world.

I hope you enjoy it and please let me know if you have any thoughts or observations on what you’d like to see……

So that’s the new blog!

What about the new life?

Well, after 20 years working in the UK and 5.5 at Microsoft in London, I’m moving to Seattle, Washington.

Ashley and I will be upping sticks from Richmond in SW London and rolling up in Redmond to work for Microsoft over there in March 2011.

My role will be much of the same and more,  evangelising Microsoft Advertising, and doing my best to help marketers deliver their dreams.

Burley Lagoon – Gig Harbor – Washington

We’re looking forward to a fantastic life on the other side of the pond, and although it’s a change, I’m not sure our feet will touch the ground long enough to call it a rest!

For those of you too sad for words (and I know there are at the most two of you) we’ll be back often as my job has always been global.

So despite moving lock stock and barrel, you’ll find me propping up the bar in some conference venue somewhere in the world very soon!

Yes boys……as suspected, we don’t wear the virtual trousers anymore…..!

My Microsoft Advertising cousins in the US have done some excellent research into how influential the ladies are across verticals and have come to some stunning conclusions.

Like:

63% of women and “moms” in the Tech Adopter profile are primary decision-makers for all tech purchases!

Check out Kelly’s blog post on the New Decisions Makers and download the Women & Mums Online Behaviour Research to find out all the details and ways to engage.

And, as I have found to my cost, make sure you run your next Amazon spree past them first.

They could well recommend you a better product or website to get it from!

Just kicked off our Microsoft Advertising Slideshare presence……

Was kindly collared at SES Hong Kong to talk about social media and how we do the B2B community and ROI measurement side of things at Microsoft Advertising.

My boss, Jenny Leahy, has written a post her on PR and Social Media which introduces this video very nicely.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Think Mobile, Games Consoles, TV and PC!

Nice video from our team on how advertising across multiple screens, and taking the integrated and seamless approach to marketing online will pay dividends for advertisers, agencies and brands.

Edgy video from our team in Europe to promote multiscreen advertising.

Download the multi-screen digital advertising research they’ve conducted to see just how consumers are using different devices throughout the day to access content, and why an integrated marketing campaign is a must in a fast-paced digitally divers world.

Last year it was Stephen Fry, this year the IAB managed to secure the acerbic services of Jimmy Carr to end their marvellous Engage 2010 event in London’s Mermaid Theatre.

Jimmy used to be in marketing at Shell, so was well placed to take the p*ss out of us advertising folk, something he did in spades. Not that anyone minded because of the hilarious way he did it, leaving Richard Eyre, chairman on the IAB, speechless on more than one, if not most of the time Mr Carr was on stage.

Sat in the front row, I couldn’t resist asking a question when the time came, and wondered what brand would Jimmy like to do a voice-over for or represent in a TV commercial.

At first he said, “Show me the money!” but then actually got quite serious citing that celebs have to think really hard about what brand they align with because it has to help them in their careers as well as them helping the brand.

He mentioned what the John Smiths ads had done for Jack Dee’s early life as a comedian and how Peter Kay had perfectly picked up the baton and run with an evolved advertising campaign with the same beer-maker to great success – not just in sales, but for the personal brand of Peter Kay.

It was genuinely interesting stuff from a bloke who’s obviously as super-sharp as the suit he was wearing!

Just published a post from Mark Kroese on the Ellen Xbox Kinect Giveaway

Mark runs the advertising on Xbox and I interviewed him at Advertising Week last month about the 4th November launch.

To see what kind of opportunities are available, and how effective and relevant advertising might work on a platform like Kinect, take a look at Mark Young’s Kinectimals demo at AdWeek which has had several thousand views on YT.

Recorded it a few months ago at SES New York.

Mari from Foiled Cupcakes is a brilliant speaker. With me she talks about her company’s successes and shares some social media tactics that could well help you!

New from the US, these Windows Phone ads really sum up how my wife feels about me and my device.

Here’s hoping I can start living my life again…..

BTW – I was at the launch of the phone 7 on Monday.

As Ashley Highfield said on stage, it was “high risk” having Stephen Fry show up, but it seems to have done wonders to draw attention to the wider smartphone/tech ecosystem, especially as Stephen’s all about “biodiversity” in the technology space.

Listen to this excellent Guardian Tech podcast from the event by Jemima Kiss and Charles Arthur

And he most definitely didn’t get paid!!!

Here’s a link to my photos from the front row of the Windows Phone Launch and my fave below: