Thanks to the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act (2006) and the Olympic Symbol (Protection) Act (1995) any such use is not a civil matter (as is usually the case with copyright infringement etc.) but a criminal one – your competition could be breaking the law and there is a team of LOCOG “Brand Police” who are very actively seeking infringing adverts, events and promotions.

We’ve produced a simple set of guidelines, based on the LOCOG brand guidelines, to try and help*

1) Do not use any of the trademarks, protected logos or marks:

Especially the ones protected by the Olympic Symbol (Protection) Act (1995):

2) Do not imply an association with London 2012:

“An association with London 2012 can be created by the use of any words, images or marks, or, more likely, a combination of these. For example: athletic images, representations of an Olympic style torch and flame, the colours of the Olympic rings, words or iconic images which evoke the spirit of the 2012 Games, and other representations relating to the Games may each contribute to the creation of an association with the 2012 Games.”

Especially the “Listed Expressions”:

“any two of the words in list A below
OR
any word in list A with one or more of the words in list B below:

A: Games, Two Thousand and Twelve, 2012, Twenty-Twelve
B: London, medals, sponsors, summer, gold, silver, bronze”

3) Do not promote or sponsor any marketing or promotional events/conferences themed around or focussed entirely on the games, inclusion as one section in a program amongst others is permitted.

4) Any reference to the games in a newsletter, briefing notes or internal memo should remain factual and should not suggest an association in any way (as above).

What is acceptable?

Genuine editorial pieces (not advertisement features) and factual information (“Due to road closures our distribution times will now be…”).

Here are a couple of clever campaigns, that avoid breaking the legislation:

Marks & Spencer – On Your Marks

Nike – Make it Count

*If you’re in any doubt at all, please contact your legal advisor. At this point I feel I must restate part of our website terms and conditions:

The information contained in this article & website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by RT Media Ltd. and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website and the information herein.

This extensive guide dubbed the ‘Creator Playbook’ gives YouTube users a distinct structured list of the best strategy to maximise the potential of their online videos. It also explains how to promote your marketing material through other social media networks and is designed to be accessible to all users, mapping out a tick list agenda to optimise the opportunities that Youtube offers.

So, just what is it that makes the largest online video destination and second most used search engine such a valuable brand and marketing tool? One reason I can think that video marketing is so advantageous and so powerful could be linked to the fact that 90% of our day to day communication is non-verbal. This implies that messages are most likely to be understood when given out and received usingbody language and self-expression. Unlike written words in printed media and websites, and spoken words in radio advertising, video and television marketing have the additional messages which are transferred by eye movements, visual cues, and overall body language, which makes YouTube a great channel to add more depth to your brand strategy.

You can download the YouTube instruction ‘bible’ here:

http://youtube.com/creators/playbook.html

While you’re waiting for it to download I can give you a few of my own ways to use make the most of your ‘home generated’ content which are often overlooked.

Firstly, it’s important to take an honest and value based approach to using YouTube to raise awareness of your business.  The direct selling route is not always necessary. Ultimately if your videos are interesting, informative, innovative or humorous then your audience are more likely to value them and share it, spreading awareness of your brand without any legwork from you. If a key factor to your video strategy is sharing then make your videos focussed and simple with a more subliminal marketing message. People are unlikely to share your video if they think they are being pitched to!

Make use of the close integration that YouTube allows with other social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Before you know it you can quickly and effortless have your video posted across platforms and embedded in your website and emails. YouTube video’s are viewed for an average of 2.9 billion hours a month so make sure you get a look in and use it as part of your overall strategy.

Customise your own YouTube channel (Like ours here: http://www.youtube.com/user/rtmediauk) to compliment your branding and to set up playlists with your personalised content. No lack of equipment or technology should stop you from producing original, creative content for your YouTube channel. Consider interviewing clients, or experts on a variety of topics which are relevant and authentic, and make sure an element of your brands personality shines through and reflects what your all about. You should maintain communication with your audience with regular updates and new posts.

Be Tag savvy. Remember…search engines like Google can only determine the content of your video if you tag it and your YouTube channel. Think carefully about the words and phrases you use for titles and descriptions. Link your social media accounts and make sure they are on your own website as well to encourage sharing and remind people to subscribe.

Check out RT Media’s You tube channel here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/rtmediauk

When the conversation turns to ‘mobile devices’, most people are probably talking about things like mobile phones such as the HTC Desire or iPhone and tablet devices like the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab. It’s these devices we are concerned with. Current phones and tablets, while advanced, are still behind when compared to your typical laptops and netbooks; limitations are generally processing power, RAM, storage space, compatibility with things Flash and Silverlight and, as with the iPhone, the lack of a transparent and accessible file system. When developing for these platforms a lot of stuff has to be taken into consideration, and on top of that you also have a decision to make:

Do I need an app, or a web application?

This is something an awful lot of people will be asking themselves right about now. A mobile optimised interface for connecting with visitors and customers is becoming more and more important as the platform evolves. A mobile presence can build value for your brand in the eyes of the consumer and put you a step above the competition, if it’s done right. The difference between the two may not seem obvious; below you can find a list of the features and relative benefits of each approach.

Mobile Web

• Instant access: Mobile websites use less imagery and scripting that may increase page loading times and eat up valuable resources. Those that are used are generally extremely lightweight and optimised for browsing on the devices over data networks.
• Improved SEO: Search engines like websites that have been built with mobile in mind. Search providers like Google and Yahoo keep a directory of mobile optimised websites, and it’s the only way to get on them. This positively affects the search rating of your mother-site as a bonus.
• Anywhere, anytime access: Sites that can be accessed via a URL can be loaded on a whim, wherever and whenever the visitor requires without the need to download software and store it on their phone. This is important for visitors who may not need ongoing access to the information.
• Offline media: Web addresses printed on billboards, QR codes in magazines that take a person directly to specific landing pages. There are numerous possibilities for getting your site out into the offline universe.
• Flexible and cost effective: A less restrictive, one size fits all approach across as many platforms as possible. In a shorter time, a less fragmented design can be pushed to production.
• Mobile advertising: A cost effective mobile advertising campaign, partnered with an optimised website, boosts traffic and awareness. For more information on mobile advertising, see my previous blog post.
• Deep linking: Redirecting traffic from the full version of your site to the optimised version of your website.

Native Mobile Applications

• More functional: Mobile applications have the ability to utilise device hardware such as front and rear facing cameras, speakers and G-Sensors, and are also capable of repurposing buttons on Android and Windows Phone 7 devices.
• Ditch the browser: Browser limitations such as the inability to display some in-line media and large image overlays can be circumvented. Content can be included in the initial download, or cached later, so an internet connection may not always be required to use the application.
• Immediate market reach: Distribution through central content delivery pillars such as the App Store or Android Market provides an immediate connection to a base of potential users. User ratings can lift your app in popularity, downloads and usage. Or kill it completely if it fails to deliver. Either way, this gives you a very clear picture of whether your application is performing. Receiving feedback on your app is crucial, and so is reacting to the demands for features and fixes. The respective app stores can also push fixes and features with minimal user interaction.
• Push content: Using push features that are now available on most smart phones, new content can appear automagically on devices with your applications installed. This reminds your users that you are there with them at all times, ready to deliver the content they want to see.
• Paid for content: If your app is worth paying for, people will buy it from you. A low priced app that provides value for money can sky rocket in a very short space of time, providing you with an easy revenue stream and keeping costs down. The app store provider takes a small slice (normally this hovers around the 30% mark), but bears the brunt of bandwidth and server costs on your behalf. Free updates can keep them coming back for more, and attract additional purchasers.
• Fully brandable: Running full screen is a huge boon of mobile apps. These pull your users out of their phone interface and into your own full branded and customised experience.

What you shouldn’t do.

Do not be tempted to distribute a web app in disguise. A growing trend among individuals and business is to use off-the-shelf web application builders to generate apps for their devices. These can be distributed through the app stores, but are little more than mobile websites running under the cloak of an application. While they are lightweight, cheap and easy to develop, they are easy to identify and have almost all of the drawbacks and none of the benefits. Applications such as these are usually interpreted as lazy rush jobs in an attempt to get into the market as quickly as possible. Do not be taken in. Pick the platform that is right for you and stick to it. The time, effort and money involved may be many times more by the time you are finished, but as long as you do not lose sight of your ultimate goal (ie. what you want your mobile website or app to accomplish) the potential pay off will be much more satisfying.

• Unlike in previous years, there is currently a high device penetration rate for mobile advertising. Operating systems such as Android, RiM, iOS and Symbian all support fully featured mobile web browsers which are capable of displaying mobile optimised web pages. Introduction of tablets such as the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab have contributed to the spread, and the number of capable devices is only going to increase as the market (and the technology) devices.
• A whitepaper conducted by research firm YouGov for the annual Tamar Search Attitudes report shows us there has been an increase of no less than 246% in mobile search traffic in the UK in the past year. (Source)
• The nature of a mobile handset opens up the possibility of anywhere, anytime searching. Consumers who are out and about can now find what they are looking for regardless of their location.
• In addition to this, with modern cellular devices now equipped for location services (such as cellular triangulation or via GPS satellites on more high-end devices) it’s now possible to tailor both search results, content and advertisements based on these parameters, allowing advertisers to deliver location targeted and relevant ads such as “Papa Johns Pizza, Winton”. These are often more accurate than IP based location targeting.
• This type of targeting can also be applied to specific carriers, for example Vodafone or Virgin ads that are targeted for the sole purpose of tempting customers away from O2, delivered straight to the O2 provided device. An amusing, but effective, means of finding potential customers.
• Most modern mobile operating systems are capable of recognising not only text formatted like an email address, but also telephone numbers and Skype usernames. This means that with a simple click of an ad, marketers can direct potential new customers not just to a website, but to direct contact to the company via a phone or VOIP call.
• Most importantly, from some perspectives, is the ability to place ads not only on web pages and search results, but framed into downloadable apps from the Android Market, App Store or OVI store. This has given rise to a number of app developers releasing full, but free, ad supported versions of applications they would normally charge for. On Android especially, where statistically users are more likely to click on in app advertisements, this has left the vast majority of apps being available for free, such as the internet sensation Angry Birds. On the iOS store this costs £1.99, on Android you can download the full game for free with a small ad inserted to offset the costs. As you can imagine, this gives your marketing a rather large reach across many networks, countries and demographics.

These are just a few of the benefits and features available to marketers should they decide to tap in to the ever growing world of mobile advertising, and there is much more to it than the points listed above. What campaigns work best, how to target your audience, and the most important factors leading to campaign success are key things you’ll need to know in order to run a successful mobile marketing platform for your business. To learn more, get in touch with us today and find out what mobile advertising can do for your business.

This means they got our brand treatment, that’s our language, tone, style and everything that is important to us here at RT. We feel they help to convey more about us, which all helps to build the context of what makes us as people and a team tick.

If you have also missed ‘branding’ your error pages perhaps we can help create them in your brand style? Here to help as always. The RT Team.

Take a look at our error page designs here:

See RT Brand Communications Agency – error pages image

If you want to see more of our error pages follow these links!

ErrorDocument 400 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_400.htm
ErrorDocument 401 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_401.htm
ErrorDocument 403 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_403.htm
ErrorDocument 404 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_404.htm
ErrorDocument 408 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_408.htm
ErrorDocument 500 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_500.htm
ErrorDocument 501 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_501.htm
ErrorDocument 502 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_502.htm
ErrorDocument 503 http://www.rtmedia.com/errors/error_503.htm

So you may be thinking, as I’m sure quite a lot of Facebook’s almost 500 million registered users are, what exactly is going on?

Not so long ago Facebook changed their privacy settings to allow users granular access to their privacy settings, to control exactly who can see what, when, where and in what context. Personally I thought this was a marvelous idea, and the first thing I did was set everything to private. Job done, straightforward and spelled out for you there in black and white.

Unfortunately this spelled trouble for people who found the level of control to be overwhelming and confusing, and after a few privacy gaffes (including a few choice comments from Mark Zuckerberg himself) and millions of users threatening to delete or abandon their accounts, Facebook have caved to the pressure and are rolling out a simpler, one click approach to privacy controls. But what exactly does this mean?

- There is now the equivalent of a big red flashy button. Facebook explains: “A new simple control makes it easy to share on Facebook with friends, friends of friends or everyone—all with just one click. The corresponding settings are immediately applied and displayed in an easy-to-understand grid.”

So there you have it, to change your privacy levels, one click. Bang, and you’re done.

- Fortunately (at least from my point of view) the granular privacy access controls will remain as an option. These now appear on a single page in your settings panel and any changes apply account wide, from your wall to any applications you might use Facebook connect with. This applies to all your information. Perfect for those that like to control (and don’t mind taking responsibility for) their own privacy settings.

- The amount of information that is available on your profile, such as gender, age, job, relationship status etc will be reduced and is also controllable by the end-user.

- Facebook pages will “have privacy settings that work for both ends of the connection”. Meaning that you can now hide what pages you like from friends and connections, and also on the fan box on the pages themselves.

- You can now opt out of your information sharing on platform applications.

Following the raging debates and heated threats to leave Facebook a ghost town, the much demanded privacy settings are in the here and now. It’s difficult to strike a balance when simplicity and yet total control are your end goals, and time will tell whether this will be enough to calm the storm of angry users. Hopefully they can now go back to Farmville and Mafia Wars safe in the knowledge that their private information remains just that: private.

But then, is anything ever really private on the internet?

GetShaking was brought about via the concept of people shaking hands by way of an introduction. This is, in essence, what social media allows people to do far more effectively than real-world, cross-globe travels to meet and introduce yourself.

We have a dedicated team of passionate, motivated and highly experienced marketing professionals who care about getting the right result for you! From email and internet marketing, to design and copywriting, through web development and strategic consultancy, GetShaking are the people that will help you fulfil your social media management and email marketing, ensuring success. We’d rather you went away with too many ideas and action points than not enough, because we know that communication coupled with an understanding of your business requirements are vital in getting the right marketing mix for you. We believe in marketing that builds relationships. Our focus is on your strategy and the ongoing support of that, because we know that short-term activity might get the quick sale or result, but it won’t maintain the result or lead to sustainable success or business growth.

In keeping with our unique and effective offering, E-Bob, GetShaking’s purple-faced character was developed by our in-house illustrators.

We currently have a diverse cross section of clients who are enjoying full success from our work on their internet presence. From established solicitors to experienced car body maintenance companies, all our GetShaking clients have committed to ongoing contracts as they have seen rapid results from the work we have undertaken for them.

Are you engaged in online marketing but don’t know if you have reached your maximum potential? For a limited time only, we are offering a free audit. We will look at your current online activity and evaluate the positives and highlight where there is room for improvement. The audit comes with no obligation – but will ultimately help you making the right decisions for your future activity.

Visit www.GetShaking.co.uk for more information and to arrange your free audit.

When C4L gave us the challenge of creating a new brand in 7 days we said “let’s go”.

With Bournemouth set to have super fast internet via fibre optic cables, our client C4L, (the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 company) were keen to make their mark. The brief to create a new brand for this new super fast broadband service was not only tight in deadline but it also has an increadibly competitive landscape. Entering into the market where big fish like BT, Virgin Media and SKY are fighting for customers, we needed to box clever.
With the in-house teams shortlist of names; BEAR, BULLET and JUCIE broadband we first knew a name could make or break this brave new business launch.

Following an evening workshop with Ross Thornley, the South’s branding expert innovator led them through a process and into a market changing name. It was his plan to create a whole new category for the internet connection. Enter FIBREBAND, no longer will users be looking for broadband providers if they wish to experience the unimaginable speeds fibre optic cables offer, they will be asking for FIBREBAND.
This ticked so many boxes from protectability, multi lingual understanding, domain name availability and word defining opportunities.

We are proud to show the value of expert innovation coupled with great design principles will ensure the best possible chances of success.

CPA is primarily used for e-commerce websites, where it is much easier to track your “customers journey” from landing page to checkout confirmation page.

At TFM&A 2010 there was some interesting new ideas surrounding the usage of CPA in AdWords. Traditionally, CPA is used in addition to a normal advertising campaign to help drive potential customers to the site and convert them. Now though, some companies have been looking at using a CPA only approach with managed campaigns.

This is normally handled through an agency who can take the time to apply their knowledge to the situation. This starts with an agreed retainer with the actual costs for the advertisements ultimately coming out of the agencies pocket and an agreed number of acquisitions within a time period. The agency can then take this information and apply it to the campaign, starting off with the AdWords recommended CPA.

This can really go either way, with a set retainer and the agency actually paying for the ads it is then up to them to grow, nurture and evolve the campaign in a specific way to drive up the quality score of the advertisements whilst simultaneously reducing costs to them. This normally results in a loss, at least in the short term, while they build it up.

The ultimate goal is to reach a stage where the costs for each acquisition are below the retainer amount, meaning that a profit is being made and the client is receiving their agreed number of sales.

Over all, this is quite a risky method to use when stacked against normal CPC campaigns and it won’t work for everyone depending on the type of business but can have significant benefits. With more and more people turning to CPC advertising (AdWords specifically) and the newly announced advertising on YouTube pages the face of online advertising is changing rapidly and is set to grow even more over the next few years.

Will you be on board?

Interested in online advertising but don’t know where to start? Contact us at info@rtmedia.com for more information about what we can do for your business

- Firstly, the message must not be altered
- Secondly, if the message arrives at the final person unaltered, you win cash

Sounds easy? What if I tell you that if the message isn’t letter-perfect when it arrives, you owe me cash? Not sounding so good? Sadly though it is a common scenario. So many designers and agencies don’t communicate job statuses or latest progress accurately to each other… or the client. Communication is the key. That, and knowing what levels of communication to give to which people. Some people want an email to acknowledge their email, some people want to be left alone and told when the job is done. Some people need to be told about each change that is made, some people find out themselves.

The point is this: we are constantly passing ‘messages’ to each other, status updates on projects or latest files for a job. Keeping on top of these things is crucial, one day the message might not arrive intact, and you might not win the cash!