http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm en-gb Thu, 17 May 2012 07:56:45 +0100 Fri, 11 May 2012 16:03:00 +0100 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/5/11/idloves-Fashiolista Fashiolista is one of the fastest growing online fashion communities, and since its launch in May 2010 has attracted members from more than 100 countries that are sharing and loving 300,000 fashion items from more than 10,000 different stores and websites. Branding itself as a worldwide community for fashion inspiration, Fashiolista helps you save and share your greatest fashion finds from all over the web. Using their special ‘love’ button, you can save your fashion favourites from nearly every online store on your personal Fashiolista profile that will become the ultimate wish list of items that you love, want, or just simply inspire you. The community is addictively popular; its members currently ‘love’ items (think retweet on Twitter) at a rate of over 1,000,000 per month. Fashiolista has also gone mobile and launched its first app, free to download, to browse latest trends at your fingertips. You can browse the profiles created by other Fashiolista members, many of whom are top fashion bloggers and influencers, to get some outfit inspiration. Similar to Twitter, following other members allows you to get constant real-time updates of their latest fashion finds and browse the top trending items lists. id:loves Fri, 11 May 2012 16:03:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/5/11/idloves-Fashiolista http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/5/2/Facebooks-Growing-Not-Slowing Facebook has recently revealed its latest set of company facts, figures and statistics, and the results are that the social networking giant’s growth isn’t about to slow down any time soon. Facebook now has an impressive total of 901 million monthly active users, up from 680 million just one year ago and 526 million daily active users, rising from 372 million last year. This is despite the site being banned in China and the figures showing almost no growth from English speaking countries such as Australia, USA and the UK. What’s more is that 1 in 7.7 people in the world now have a Facebook account, with 125 billion friendships hosted on the site. Facebook sees a staggering 3.2 billion Likes and Comments, and 300 million photos uploaded every day. Interdirect recently reported that 2012 will be the year of the mobile, as the transition from e-commerce to m-commerce gathers momentum.  Facebook backs up this claim, with its monthly mobile users reaching 488 million and 83 million monthly active users accessing Facebook solely from mobile devices in March 2012. When it comes down to money, it’s not shying away either, with Facebook’s revenue for the first quarter of 2012 reaching $1.058 billion, up from $731 million last year. After completing its acquisition of the popular photo sharing app Instagram, it is estimated that Facebook will make around $4.8 per user per year...and when there’s 901 million of them out there, there’s no stopping the social media giant. id:says Facebook Social Media Wed, 02 May 2012 09:33:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/5/2/Facebooks-Growing-Not-Slowing http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/5/1/Interdirect-Does-the-MK-Marathon   Despite the wind and rain, over 4,000 runners braved the elements to run the first ever Milton Keynes Marathon on Sunday 29th April. Interdirect’s PR account manager Anne Compton joined a team of 11 to run the 26.2 miles and raise money for the largest children’s charity in the UK for children and young people with ME/CFS; the Association of Young People with ME (AYME). All together, the team raised more than £4,500 for the charity, which will help provide the support, friendship, advice and information that is vital to children, young people and their families that are affected by the debilitating illness ME/CFS. Anne says; “Thank you to everybody for their messages of support on the day and donations to this fantastic cause. It was a tough run, especially with the rain, but I am so pleased to have been a part of the first marathon in Milton Keynes”. To find out more and to see the race results, visit www.miltonkeynesmarathon.co.uk and check out the video above courtesty of the Milton Keynes Citizen. id:does Charity Tue, 01 May 2012 11:50:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/5/1/Interdirect-Does-the-MK-Marathon http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/23/Top-Social-Brands-Announced Social Brands 100 has announced its shortlist for the 2012 ranking of brands taking the lead in social media. The shortlist has been whittled down from nearly 300 brands that were nominated via Twitter at the beginning of the year. Carried out by social data specialist Brandwatch and specialist social agency, Headstream, data has been taken from Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Foursquare, and brand-owned forums to focus on the detail of the social interactions and behaviours that these brands have with their audiences. Last year’s number one was Dell, with brands such as Nike, Starbucks, Innocent and Groupon featuring in the in the top ten. These 100 brands now go forward to be ranked from one to 100 for the final Social Brands 100, which will be published on 29th May 2012.   id:loves Social Media Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:47:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/23/Top-Social-Brands-Announced http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/20/Olympians-Join-the-Social-Media-Sphere With less than 100 days until the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee has responded to the rise and rise of social media and created its own social network to unite athletes and their fans. The Olympic Athletes’ Hub is a social media site for Olympians past and present; a way for athletes to expand their presence, increase their fan base and build their brands. Fans will be able to interact with their favourite athletes, get live updates, watch videos, engage in live text chats with Olympians, and get training tips from the likes of Usain Bolt, Chris Hoy and Michael Phelps. The hub is an insight into how coverage of the Olympics will change, with social media attracting a new, younger generation of audience and providing an interesting real-time take on the games. More than 1,000 Olympians have joined the online community, and the number is expected to grow as the games approach. Click here to find out more id:loves Social Media Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:10:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/20/Olympians-Join-the-Social-Media-Sphere http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/18/Going-the-Extra-Mile Interdirect has been at the heart of the community for more than 16 years, and is as committed as ever to making a difference. We are proud to support local charities and community initiatives such as the MK City Orchestra, Willen Hospice, Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Northamptonshire Community Foundation, MK SNAP and MKFM. On Sunday 29th April, I’ll representing Interdirect as I take part in the MK Marathon and join 11 other supporters to raise funds and awareness of the largest children’s charity in the UK for children and young people with ME/CFS; the Association of Young People with ME (AYME). AYME is a charity that Interdirect is also supporting by providing its PR services pro bono in 2012. Based in Milton Keynes, the charity supports thousands of children, parents and carers, helping them to cope with the complex symptoms of the illness. Mary-Jane Willows, CEO of AYME says: “We are really grateful for all of the help and support that Interdirect has given to the charity, it means so much to all the staff and members of AYME. “The MK Marathon is a fantastic opportunity for our runners to help spread the word about ME in children and young people and to raise money to enable us to continue to provide the much needed advice and services to support ME sufferers and their friends and family.” The marathon itself was also supported by the team at Interdirect, when we designed and developed its website, which went live in June 2011. If you would like to pledge your support and help raise funds for the fantastic work that AYME does, visit www.justgiving.com/Anne-Compton. id:does Charity Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:04:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/18/Going-the-Extra-Mile http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/18/2012-Year-of-the-Mobile The transition from e-commerce to m-commerce is gathering momentum as more and more companies are exploring the possibilities of mobile marketing. Pioneers including pizza chain Domino’s,  which reported £10m in sales via its mobile site and app since its launch, and British retailer Marks & Spencer, which delivered over £1m in sales via its mobile site [2011]. Figures like this aren’t surprising when you look at the facts: more than a quarter of adults and almost half of teenagers in the UK now owns a smartphone. If you need proof, just look at your own website’s analytics. Interdirect’s website saw an increase of 45% for visits in January 2012 on an iPhone compared to that of January 2011 with an astounding increase of 325% from an Android platform for the same period. As smartphone usage rises, mobile advertising becomes increasingly profitable. Mobile advertising was so effective in 2011 that TV, cinema and print advertising fell as consumers turned to online platforms for the most enriching content.  Now, global organisations want you to start paying for products through mobile devices. Barclaycard has launched the cash free payment app Pingit, which makes your smartphone your new wallet. Senior developer and Interdirect’s Android expert, Tom Jenkins, says: “Mobile will undoubtedly become central to the future of commerce, as Android stands it is  the fastest growing operating system in Europe with a current 46 per cent of the market share, and the iOS operating system holding 30 per cent of the market share. We’re already seeing people using smartphones in many different stages of commerce, whether that’s price comparison or actual purchasing, and this trend is only going to increase.”   id:says iPhone Android Mobile Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:35:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/18/2012-Year-of-the-Mobile http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/18/Why-Wayfinding-Matters Anyone who visits airports, shopping centres, hospitals, and other large public places will know the frustration when entering an unfamiliar building and not knowing which way to turn – especially if you’re pushed for time. Wayfinding is not only an essential part of the customer experience, it is also an often underestimated factor when it comes to efficiency and profitability, as the easier the customer finds their way around, the more relaxed they will be, and the more likely they are to spend more time and money. The costs of installing and maintaining digital systems are inevitably higher than traditional (static) alternatives. However, the benefits of digital are fundamental to the modern and fast paced technology savvy audience of today; added to which, they are much easier to manage via easy-to-use content management systems (CMS), thereby ensuring content is always up to date. Digital navigation is flexible, it can display interactive maps, information about loyalty schemes and offers, opening hours, flight times, and pretty much anything you want to communicate to your audience. There are many different options for the hardware too, and while some shopping centres and airports have opted for large pods set up at T-junctions throughout the building, others have chosen to integrate tablet sized touch screens in strategic positions, such as wall mounted screens, across the building. Digital wayfinding should now be a vital consideration in the construction of new buildings, including universities, train and bus stations, and hospitals. It is something that should be on every managing director’s, centre manager’s and chief executive’s radar. Click here to find out more about digital wayfinding from Interdirect. id:says Nicholas Mann Way-finding Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:36:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/18/Why-Wayfinding-Matters http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/11/Google-Shows-Off-Its-Specs Google has revealed a video teaser of its first venture into wearable computing; augmented reality glasses. The spectacles interact with the world around you to act as a smartphone, calendar, sat-nav, camera and music system. From the top secret Google [x] research labs, the team behind Project Glass has asked people for input about the prototype on Google+, in their mission to create technology that helps you explore and share your own world, “putting you back in the moment”. The glasses run on a form of Google’s Android operating system that is set to be both voice controlled and, futuristically, view controlled. For example, a small bar of icons float above the line of sight so that when looking upwards, the wearer can interact with icons to view the weather, send a text, or read a map. There has been no release date for the augmented reality spectacles, with experts predicting that we won’t see a glimpse of the glasses at all in 2012, although Google has claimed it will be testing them in public this year. What do you think about Google’s Project Glass; a likely reality or another vision from the future? Leave your comments below. id:loves Google Technology Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:17:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/11/Google-Shows-Off-Its-Specs http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/10/Interdirect-Has-Cracked-It-This-Easter This Easter, we held an innovative Easter Egg Hunt across the Interdirect website and Facebook page. Smartphone users scanned the codes on the ID Easter bunnies to unlock the clues to find the hidden eggs and complete the story of Interdirect for their chance to win some chocolaty goodies. The competition saw more than 1,000 people enter from across the UK and resulted in a 1,381% increase in interaction on our Facebook page. The Interdirect website also received a 720% increase in visits and an additional 3,434 page views in just one week. Facebook fans also rose by 83.73% during the hunt, thanks to the competition’s unique format which promoted user engagement. Congratulations to our lucky winners, Val Churchill and Liz Denial, who got their hands on two luxury Hotel Chocolat Easter baskets. Founder and managing director of Interdirect, Nicholas Mann said: “The concept was simple, but very effective, and with such fantastic results our team of online marketing and PR experts are already hatching a plan for the next social media campaign." Visit www.facebook.com/Interdirect and ‘like’ our page to get updates and information about our latest exciting competitions. id:does Facebook Competitions Social Media Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:29:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/10/Interdirect-Has-Cracked-It-This-Easter http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/2/Interdirect-Under-The-Spotlight id team Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:20:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/2/Interdirect-Under-The-Spotlight http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/2/Drawing-Just-Got-Addictive Draw Something is the latest app to take the smartphone world by storm. Brilliantly simple, it’s another classic board game with universal appeal that has been reinvented for the digital age. The app is an online version of Pictionary allowing players to channel their inner Picasso and use their fingers as a paintbrush on their iPad, iPod, iPhone or Android device to give their best attempt at drawing one of three randomly generated words for a friend. It seems the world has become Draw Something obsessed, with reported averages of three drawings per second on the day it was launched. So far the two-player game has reached over 30 million downloads, is the top downloaded free app in 85 countries, and has generated more than $100,000 in revenue for developer, OMGPOP. Six weeks since its launch, the company has been sold for $180m (£113m) to Zynga, owner of other highly additive apps such as Words With Friends and City Ville. Download it for yourself on Apple or Android devices, but a warning, you will become addicted! id:loves iPhone Apple Apps Android iPad Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:45:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/4/2/Drawing-Just-Got-Addictive http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/3/28/First-Class-Website-for-First-Class-Venue Interdirect, Milton Keynes’ leading full service agency has launched an innovative new website for Braehead Arena in Glasgow. The multi-purpose arena boasts first class event facilities, and is home to two ice hockey teams and hosts a variety of sporting events and concerts. With its local knowledge and experience working with Braehead Shopping Centre, Interdirect was selected to bring to life the vision of a modern and expertly designed website, using its advanced content management system (CMS) SiteMachine. The new website not only reflects the quality of Braehead Arena’s superb venue, but also the quality of Interdirect’s bespoke software solutions; built with ease of navigation and usability in mind. From the website users can browse the latest news, view upcoming events at Braehead Arena, and access skating times and prices, as well as finding information about the surrounding area, how to get there and check out the arena’s facilities. Visitors to the site can also book tickets to see their favourite shows with direct access to the 24 hour ticket hotline. SiteMachine id:does Website Design id:retail Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:15:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/3/28/First-Class-Website-for-First-Class-Venue http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/3/28/The-Interdirect-Easter-Egg-Hunt Interdirect is excited to announce its very own Easter Eggstravaganza; The Interdirect Easter Egg Hunt. Get your smartphones at the ready to take part in our online Easter Egg Hunt from 28th March – 4th April 2012. Scan the QR code on our Easter bunny with your smartphone to unlock your first clue and get hunting across the Interdirect website! Once you’ve scanned all of the clues to find all the answers in our story of Interdirect, you could get your hands on a luxury Easter Bliss Basket from chocolatier, Hotel Chocolat. We will be announcing our lucky winner on Wednesday 4th April. Visit our Facebook page for full terms and conditions. id:does Facebook Competitions Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:53:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/3/28/The-Interdirect-Easter-Egg-Hunt http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/3/20/Top-Tips-for-Using-Pinterest-for-Business The new social media phenomenon Pinterest is catching the eye of marketers thanks to its explosive popularity. Pinterest has huge marketing potential for brands wanting to share their latest products, services, projects and ideas with the masses. But how can Pinterest boost your business? 1. Keep it simple. Firstly, find out if your customers are using it and how they are using it before you get creative and start pinning. A key part of the Pinterest appeal is that it’s incredibly easy to use. Mimic the site’s clean and refreshing aesthetics to gain high levels of interaction. 2. Make the most of other social media platforms. Yes, Pinterest is generating all the hype, but that doesn’t mean you can forget the big players in the social media sphere who ultimately have what your business needs – an existing online audience. Drive users from your Facebook page and Twitter feed to create vital links, and to increase traffic and generate interest around your boards. 3. Create a brand personality. Showcase your brand’s full potential with a theme for each pin board you use to promote your latest product, service or project. Daily pin themes can also be used to run competitions or seasonal campaigns that will keep customers engaged and coming back for new content on a regular basis. 4. Share hot-topics. It’s tempting for any business to only pin your own product or service, but it’s important to make sure you aren’t too self-serving and host a variety of enriching content. Raise awareness of your brand and keep users happy on Pinterest by showing that you’re aware of what’s happening in your industry. 5. Backstage access. Leave your users wanting more by pinning exclusive competitions, product previews, and latest company news to individual boards. 6. Increase your online presence. Pinterest showcases popular images with links back to the original source and then repins to hundreds of interested followers. This kind of viral sharing can maximise your SEO efforts and increase your online presence. id:says Basketball Social Media Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:41:00 +0100 http://www.interdirect.co.uk/blogs/Interdirect_Blog/index.cfm/2012/3/20/Top-Tips-for-Using-Pinterest-for-Business