Better Brand Agency - Brand, Design, Marketing, Web, and Social Media Agency based in North East and North Yorkshire.

Web and Digital

Better Brand Agency industry articles relating to web, online, website design, web development, social media, viral marketing, new media, mobile and digital communication

Is this the end of focus groups?

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

I was talking yesterday with an account manager who during a discussion about market research said that social media metrics would never replace the value gained from facial expressions, body language and the tone of voice of people attending a live focus group.

I’ve planned a few focus group sessions in the past when I was part of the team that re-branded Frisp Crisps and I have to say I remember them as being interesting and generating some useful feedback, particularly that the crisps were considered as being quite ‘foody’ and filling, more than a snack. That fed into the decision that new ‘foody’ such as Buttered Jacket Potato & Mature Cheddar would fit with our customers’ perception of the crisp brand.

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Posted by: Declan Metcalfe, Marketing Director, Better Brand Agency

Filed in: Better Brand Agency, Branding & Brand Design, Marketing Communication, Social Media & Social Marketing, Web and Digital

Tagged: Brand, Communication, Marketing, Marketing Communication, online marketing, social media, Social Networking

Sign posting people down ‘The Funnel’

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Social Media Funnel

I’ve seen lots of social media maps, some good some not so good.

The problem is they sit there in lofty isolation, a sea of mostly unfamiliar names and quirky identities. They are a secret cypher known only to social media cool kids it seems. These maps are not connected to the real world (The one in which hard pressed marketing professionals are fighting hard for their budgets and their jobs) in any recognisable way. We’re missing an opportunity here and, if we’re honest, being a little bit condescending to boot. Another thing, social media buzz words are such a crock! Real people don’t talk like that!

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Posted by: Declan Metcalfe, Marketing Director, Better Brand Agency

Filed in: Better Brand Agency, Better News and PR, Marketing Communication, Social Media & Social Marketing, Web and Digital

Tagged: Communication, Digital, Industry - Web and Digital, Marketing Communication, online marketing, Web, Web 2.0, Web Design, Web Development, Web Development social media

Growing your brand’s digital footprint

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Growing your Digital Footprint

We find ourselves drawing this diagram all the time for clients when we’re talking about social media so we thought we’d reproduce it here and get some feedback.

Conversations tend to go something like, “Why social media?”.

After introducing them to the idea that engaging with audiences, listening and harvesting feedback, gaining insights into audience thinking and breaking down corporate barriers is the most rewarding business change event they’ll ever implement it’s much much simpler to draw it.

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Posted by: Declan Metcalfe, Marketing Director, Better Brand Agency

Filed in: Better Brand Agency, Better News and PR, Social Media & Social Marketing, Web and Digital

Tagged: Industry - Web and Digital, Marketing Communication, North East, North Yorkshire, online marketing, Social Networking, viral marketing, Web 2.0, Web Development, Web Development social media

PHP/MySQL Developer needed to join the Better team

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

On the back of winning some exciting digital projects, the Better team is growing again. We are looking for a talented and exciting PHP/MySQL web developer to join us.

The web developer role requires demonstration technical ability but more importantly the passion required to forge a career in digital media that by its very nature requires continuous learning. You should have a love for all things web. You will see web projects as being not only design and functionality, but also understand the marketing and communication requirements for the project (including SEO). You should find code and problem solving interesting and have a genuine interest in perusing a career within a vibrant commercial studio and an environment where deadlines change daily.

Software and skills:
Expert knowledge of Object Orientated PHP/MySQL., Javascript and AJAX
Expert knowledge of building sites in CSS/XHTML
Content Management System Models
Hosting and Email Set Up and server support
Search Engine Optimisation
Aware of Accessibility particularly W3C and WAI  Web 2.0
Design standards and technology

Salary/Package: Negotiable based on experience.

You must be able to join the team to support both existing projects (additional work, problem solving) but also lead on new projects using your technical understanding to help with scoping out technical website specifications. You needs to be able to work comfortably on your own while maintaining close communication with the rest of the team. Having a strong attention to detail is critical.

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Posted by: Better Brand Agency

Filed in: Better Brand Agency, Better News and PR, Better Team News, North East, North Yorkshire, Tees Valley, Web and Digital

Tagged: Industry - Web and Digital, jobs, Web and Digital, Web Development

Social Media: How to make the most of social media

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

TECH NOTES by Declan Metcalfe. Featured in the The Newcastle Journal and nebusiness.co.uk (view article online)

WHAT’S all the buzz around social media?

The explosion that is social media came about due to the convergence of three forces: people, technology and economics. People wanted to talk, and technology caught up to the extent that it became possible to connect to friends in real time using a multitude of devices. These are made affordable because the infrastructure is now in place making it easily accessible to the vast majority.

The easiest way to think of social media, I believe, is as a conversation that millions of people are having, one that’s growing louder as more and more voices join in. And guess what the topics are: they are talking about you, your brand, your product and your services.
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Posted by: Declan Metcalfe, Marketing Director, Better Brand Agency

Filed in: North East, North Yorkshire, Social Media & Social Marketing, Tees Valley, Web and Digital

Tagged: Communication, Digital, Industry - Web and Digital, Marketing Communication, North East, North Yorkshire, social media, Social Networking, Tees Valley, Web, Web 2.0, Web Development social media

North East Digital Awards

Friday, February 20th, 2009

The North East Digtial Awards celebrate the excellence of the growing digital industry in the North East of England showcasing the best of the region’s digital talent.

We’ve entered the digital supplier – Best Social Media Optomisation Campaign category, so fingers crossed we get something. Anyone can vote in the awards so use you click and support us.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR US IN THE NORTH EAST DIGITAL AWARDS.

Posted by: Declan Metcalfe, Marketing Director, Better Brand Agency

Filed in: Awards, Better Brand Agency, Better News and PR, Events, North East, Social Media & Social Marketing, Web and Digital

Tagged: Digital, Industry - Web and Digital, North East, north east digital awards, social media, Social Networking, Web 2.0, Web and Digital

North East’s TyneTwestival gets support from Better Brand Agency

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

We’re all excited. There’s a Twestival coming to the North East and we couldn’t resist getting involved to support the event. The TyneTwestival is taking place at 7.30pm on 12th February at The Other Rooms in Newcastle City Centre.

We have been working on some graphics and web buttons to help spread the word, and these will be online very soon. For more information the TyneTwestival please visit http://newcastle.twestival.com where you can buy tickets online, or follow @tynetwestival on Twitter.