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The digital skills gap is in the spotlight after a US study showed most marketers lacked knowledge and confidence - a massive gap as new platforms and approaches put budgets at risk.
Another big change came from Google as they push brands towards paid search by removing some of the free insights. We can show you the workarounds, but marketing with organic search will take a bit more thinking time from now on.
- Mobile: New iPhones, fingerprint ID, Android partners with Kit Kat, and former mobile kings Nokia and Blackberry get sold as the market restructures - big implications for mobile strategies for content and services.
- Social: Pinterest and Instagram begin their first forays into paid ad space, and Twitter announced its long-awaited flotation plans after buying MoPub (we're expecting a mobile ad exchange announcement next).
- Consumers: Think power is shifting to the giants? Then look at our story about one unhappy BA passenger who used 'Promoted Tweets' to complain about his service on a flight!
For what this means for your brand's 2014 plans, and advice on strategy or training approaches,
simply email
me back with your questions.
Best from all the digital strategists
Danny Meadows-Klue
President
Digital Training Academy
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Thanks Unilever! Digital Acceleration team wins awards
Many thanks to the Unilever marketers who again awarded the Digital Training Academy team the Leaders' Choice awards for training, and also this year "Best Trainers".
Some of the award-winning lead trainers on Unilever programmes - Peter Mazurkiewicz, Danny Meadows-Klue, Gavin Sinden.
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The marketing industry has changed more in the past two years than in the past 50, leaving many marketers doubting their skills, effectiveness and ability to measure the impact of their campaigns, according to new research. 25/09/2013 | Full story...
In a dramatic move, Google is switching all searches conducted on its site through secure search (HTTPS), meaning that marketers and developers will be unable to monitor any keyword data via Google Analytics. 24/09/2013 | Full story...
Apple has revealed its much-anticipated iPhone 5S and 5C devices, marking the first time the company has launched two smartphones simultaneously, as it responds to an increasingly competitive global handset market.
Watch this video from the Daily Telegraph showing highlights from the launch event below. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
Google has revamped its search formula to better cope with the changing nature of search queries, such as longer keyphrases or voice commands. 27/09/2013 | Full story...
Twitter has bought mobile ad inventory manager MoPub, as the social network looks to boost its ad revenues from smartphones and tablets. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
In one of the stranger marketing tie-ups this year, Google has partnered with Nestle to name the latest version of its Android mobile operating software after it's Kit Kat chocolate bar. 05/09/2013 | Full story...
Microsoft has bought Nokia's mobile phone business for 5.4bn euros (£4.6bn), giving the software giant a boost in its battle with Google, Samsung and Apple in the growing smartphone and tablet sector. 03/09/2013 | Full story...
Instagram is planning to introduce ads, as the Facebook-owned photo app looks to turn its 150 million users into a profit. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
Twitter has filed for an initial public offering with US regulators, valuing the firm at around $10bn and following in the footsteps of rival Facebook by allowing people to buy stock in the social network. 13/09/2013 | Full story...
Pinterest is testing promoted pins, as the social bookmarking site expands into advertising for the first time. 20/09/2013 | Full story...
In what could signal a new trend in customer relations, a disgruntled passenger has paid to promote a tweet complaining about British Airways. 05/09/2013 | Full story...
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Social accommodation app Airbnb launched its first video ad this month- compiled only using 6-second Vine videos from Twitter fans. 24/09/2013 | Full story...
Virgin Mobile USA has launched an interactive video campaign which a viewer can control simply by blinking - provided they are using a webcam. View a trailer for the service below. 18/09/2013 | Full story...
In a digital twist on the classic "last Rolo" ads, Milka has launched a new campaign that lets consumers pick who receives the last square of their chocolate bar. 17/09/2013 | Full story...
McDonald's is experimenting with Near Field Communication with a new in-store mobile game that is activated when a user places their device on one of the tables. 13/09/2013 | Full story...
Ray-Ban Belgium and DDB Brussels have launched a new campaign that makes creative use of public transportation to communicate Ray-Ban's wide range of polarized colour lenses: from sky blue to hot pink. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
Beer brand Heineken has just concluded its 3-month-long YouTube video campaign
"Dropped", featuring a series of strangers handcuffed together in remote locations. 03/09/2013 | Full story...
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/online-advertising
How much are your customers worth? Retention has always been vital, but startling evidence this month uncovers how marketers are still in the dark over the true value of their existing fans. New infographics look at the rise of mobile and video ads, and the most trusted forms of adverting in the UK. We also have the latest charts depicting the current global internet audience, indicating a striking difference between time spent and unique users across the globe.
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/search-engine-marketing
Aside from Google's controversial plans to encrypt all searches, Google also revamped its search page this month, as the internet giant looks to entice more searchers to use its other core services. We also look at the growing demand for 'visual' search beyond traditional '10 blue links' that could be key to winning over younger customers.
Meanwhile Google's 'Hummingbird' algorithm aimed to better cope with the changing nature of search queries, such as longer keyphrases and voice commands. As search evolves, marketer's SEO and SEM strategies need to follow suit.
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/facebook-marketing
Facebook continues to ramp up its tools for advertisers, offering free Shutterstock images to give advertisers a visual edge. With the rise of Facebook Apps, we also examine whether apps or Timeline ads are the way to go for brands looking to reach their target audience on the social network.
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/social-media-marketing
Did you know that mums are one of the most social groups online? Our latest charts show what makes 'social mums' click online and the best ways to reach them on social media. We also look at the rise of mobile sharing, and why smartphones and tablets are becoming a key way to get fans to spread your message.
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This chart shows how much mums use social networks compared to average users. Discovering new products early on and keeping up with the news from a brand are the main reasons why mums choose to follow or 'like' brands on social media. 17/09/2013 | Full story...
This chart shows how much more mums spend when compared to mums who are not on social networks. Mums look for recommendations of brands and products from other mums, and social media is increasingly their first port of call. 17/09/2013 | Full story...
This chart shows both the unique visits to social networking sites in July 2013 and the total average number of minutes a user spent onsite that month. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
According to the latest numbers from social login provider Gigya, Facebook's social lead is falling - and Google and Pinterest may not be far behind. This infographic shows which social networks people prefer to use when logging in to third party sites... 13/09/2013 | Full story...
The UK was the first country to share more on mobile platforms than on desktops, according to new research. 23/09/2013 | Full story...
More top social media stories from this month:
- Livefyre buys Storify to rival Disqus
- Colgate campaign rewards Tweeters with coupons
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/mobile-marketing
Amid the buzz around the latest iPhone, former smartphone king Blackberry has finally been sold in a bid to turn around its fortunes. Android stirred up controversy with its Kit Kat tie-up- will the Nestle branding of its latest OS turn off consumers or just boost its reach? Meanwhile Samsung showcased its 'Galaxy Gear' smartwatch as the wearable tech market begins to take off, before Google Glass goes on sale later this year.
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This chart shows the spend per user for tablet and smartphone owners. Given that there are substantially more smartphone owners in the US (142m Vs. 69m) it is surprising to see that tablet owners spend around 20% more per user than smartphone users. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
Smartphone spending accounts for $6.7bn, or 63% of the total spent in m-commerce. This goes against the common notion that tablets are strong drivers for mobile spending. 11/09/2013 | Full story...
BlackBerry has been sold to a private equity consortium for $4.7bn (£2.9bn), as the struggling phone maker looks to turn around its fortunes. 24/09/2013 | Full story...
Samsung has launched its much-anticipated 'Galaxy Gear' Smartwatch, letting users speak into the device on their wrist instead of their mobile phone.
Watch this video report analysing the new Galaxy Gear from Bloomberg below. 05/09/2013 | Full story...
The bizarre Android Kit Kat tie-up this week has sparked controversy, with many calling for a boycott of the new operating system. Viv Cole, head of E-learning at Digital Strategy Consulting, looks at why Google's latest confectionery theme could leave a bad taste in the mouths of consumers... 06/09/2013 | Full story...
More top mobile and tablet stories from this month:
- iPhone iOS 7 hit by download problems
- Google ramps up mobile file-sharing with Bump buy
- German mobile ad revenues 'grow 75.6%'
- 64% of smartphone shoppers will buy more from their mobiles this Christmas
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/content-marketing
Do digital content partnerships work? This months AOP study measured the success of LG, Majestic Wines, Boots, Disney and Lenor campaigns to conclude that they boost recommendation and purchase of the brand by up to 30%. BuzzFeed, the curator of many addictive 'top 10 lists' on the internet is now bigger than Craigslist in terms of traffic, appealing to a young demographic. At the other end of the spectrum, we look at why the over 50s are becoming the fastest growing technology adopting group in the UK.
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The Association of Online Publishers (AOP) today revealed the results of a proprietary study into the value of premium content partnerships. Five bespoke partnerships were measured with media brands Haymarket, Guardian, Telegraph, and IPC and advertising brands LG, Majestic Wines, Boots, Disney and Lenor. 12/09/2013 | Full story...
Buzzfeed, the popular social news site behind many virals and "top 10" lists, has started to turn a profit four years after its launch, revealing its traffic numbers in the US are now bigger than both AOL and Craigslist. 06/09/2013 | Full story...
With over-50s in Great Britain the fastest growing technology adopting group, it is becoming more and more important for marketers to reach and engage with this increasingly key audience. 18/09/2013 | Full story...
More top multimedia content stories from this month:
- Yahoo closes China websites
- Global consumer relationship trends: How to engage with socially conscious consumers
- Global smart TV trends: Interactive ad formats boost engagement
- Netflix monitors piracy sites to decide which shows to buy
- The Internet of Things: 80bn 'things' connected to the Internet by 2020
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/marketing-through-gaming/
Forget Angry Birds - Candy Crush Saga has become the new 'King' of mobile gaming, making a massive $850,000 a day. We look at the secrets to its 'freemium model' success. Grand Theft Auto 5 was the biggest console launch of the year- launching with its own iPhone companion app which quickly topped the charts and showed the cross- over potential of the two mediums. We also taker a deeper look at the current app charts- showing that Android is catching Apple with a 35% share of market revenues.
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/ecommerce-and-eretailing
Food shopping has been one of the last challenges of ecommerce, but new research show that online grocery sales are set to double by 2018 - time for FMCG brands to shift their budgets? eBay and Argos teamed up to offer 'click and collect' services- signalling a future trend for retail. This month, we also look at global ecommerce trends, showing that tablet shopping is growing as emails influence dips.
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www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence/digital-marketing-regulation
The "Do Not Track" debate has rumbled on for two years now, and this month saw the Digital Advertising Alliance pulled out of an international working group looking to determine a global online privacy standard. Health apps also came under fire this month after allegations that top mobile tools were selling personal data to insurance and pharma firms.
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China is to lift the ban on Facebook, Twitter and other sites in a new 'free trade zone' part of the country, following years of censoring websites deemed politically sensitive to the government. 25/09/2013 | Full story...
The Digital Advertising Alliance has pulled out of an international working group looking to determine a global online privacy standard, as the
'Do Not Track' cookie monitoring debate rumbles on. 18/09/2013 |
Full story...
Health and fitness apps have been passing on user's personal data to insurance and pharmaceutical companies, according to a new report. 02/09/2013 |
Full story...
Facebook has emailed its vast user base of 1.2bn subscribers to explain how it uses their data for advertisers, as part of a settlement in a US court case. 02/09/2013 |
Full story...
More top regulation stories from this month:
- Microsoft and Google to sue US over user data requests
- Google's next project: Defeating death
- Offensive
words in domains under scrutiny
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