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.

The IAB have revealed the biggest increase in online marketing spend in five years with video ads and display ads helping to accumulate the massive £4.8bn spent in 2011. It’s apparent that with technology rapidly improving to allow for high-quality video, animation and interactivity within banner and skyscrapers adverts, that companies are now realising the central role that online marketing should play in their brands marketing campaigns. As online display advertising sails past the £1bn mark for the first time, no wonder the digital world is heralded by many marketers as the future of all marketing. We at RT have the knowledge and skills to go all the way with you, have a look at how we can help you keep ahead of the game with our online marketing strategies here.

Its also been reported that marking spend on online video advertising has contributed to the rise, doubling to £109m. Video advertising now accounts for 10% of all online display advertising. The massive rise in demand and consumption of online video is attracting advertisers and brands and consequently altering the relationship between brands and media publishers. As more devices get connected to the internet from games consoles like Xbox and smart phones like the iPhone the distinction between online and traditional TV viewing is becoming unclear. Last year alone advertising on mobile devices rose by 157%, to a new high of £203m, as a result of the rise in demand for Tablets such as the Apple iPad. What’s more, this is only a taste of what’s to come as over 112.5 million adults, or one-third of the adult population, are expected to own a tablet by 2016, a revision of its previous forecast of 82.1 million.

The IAB state that on average 39.7m people are going online each month in Britain, and 27% of all the time spent online was spent on social networks. With brands investing more and more in social-media, advertising itself was up 75% since last year, accounting for 21% of total display advertising spend. Make sure if your company is planning to incorporate a social media strategy into your marketing campaign for 2012 that you are reaching your full potential online.  RT Media recently launched ‘Get Social in 2012’; a program of Social Media Training courses and Social Impact Audits with the aim of helping clients and other businesses to meet their online and social potential. For more information about training courses or Social Media Audit, visit Get Social in 2012

Anna Bartz, strategy manager at PwC says that the findings further highlight the appeal of digital media to advertisers:

“This year’s results reflect the continued appeal of digital media – on desktop, mobile or tablet – to advertisers for both brand advertising and direct response. All formats grew, with strongest increases in video and social media, and in search. Internet ad spend’s 14.4% growth is exceptional when compared to an estimated advertising growth of less than 2% across all media in 2011.”

The opportunity to speak at one of the world-famous, non-profit TEDx events doesn’t happen every day – in fact it is by invitation only.  So when Luke Williams, a Social Media Strategist at RT Media and fan of TEDx events for many years was asked to speak at a recent TEDx event in Hull, it was a personal achievement.

Luke explains: “TED was set up in 1984 in the USA to bring together people from the Technology, Entertainment and Design worlds under the banner of ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’.
TEDx events follow the same format but on a local level and take place all over the world covering a whole range of topics.

“To be invited to speak at a TEDx event, the content must be unique and in keeping with the spirit of sharing worthwhile ideas, as well as the theme for the event – in this case ‘Beyond Limits’. Speakers undergo a rigorous process, which ensures the quality and standard is very high. First I had to submit my idea and then complete a form about why I wanted to speak on my chosen topic.  Once accepted, I was asked to meet the panel in London, prior to the event in Hull. “

Luke’s powerful subject  ‘Why Don’t You?’ focused on his own personal journey from boy to manhood following the death of his father, the ‘epiphany’ he experienced from setting key personal, career and even ‘enjoyment’ goals, and the focus to achieve them.

Luke adds: “Being invited to talk at the TEDx event in Hull was a great honour, especially having followed TEDx events for many years – and one which I can tick off from my list of personal goals.”

Each TEDx event includes a suite of short, carefully prepared talks such as Luke’s, or demonstrations and performances (live, or TEDTalks videos from TED.com) on a wide range of subjects.  The aim is to foster learning, inspiration and wonder – and to provoke conversations that matter.

Luke’s presentation will be added to the TEDx library and made available on the RT Media Blog in due course.

RT Media recently launched ‘Get Social in 2012’; a program of Social Media Training courses and Social Impact Audits with the aim of helping clients and other businesses to meet their online and social potential.  The aim is to strategically review campaigns, tighten content and ensure brand continuity across a business’ online presence.

Phase One, a training course covering an Introduction to Social Media, LinkedIn, Twitter, Better Blogging and Facebook for Business, was well received by businesses attending, scoring highly for value, content and detail.

All of the delegates would recommend the course to others, Robert Bennet of Groveley Detection said: “This course gave me a good insight into what is obviously becoming a very important area for any business to add to their marketing programme.” Dr. Monica Seeley of Mesmo Consultancy added: “Excellent – well-presented, clear, learnt plenty (even as an existing blogger).  [This course is] a must for anyone wanting to improve their blogging.”

Phase Two offers companies who are serious about assessing and addressing their online presence a ‘Social Impact Audit’. RT Media examines the online social activity of a business to identify areas for improvement, provide techniques for generating good quality content, including points which can save time as well as money, whilst generating better returns.

Luke explains: “The Audit is the keystone to building a strategy and successful campaign, serving as a reference point to measure and assess current aims in order to update, enhance and develop them into a full, working strategy. “

Ruth Chester of The Little Knitting Company, whose Audit took place recently, said: “Yet again RT Media came up trumps.  Luke understood my brief so on arrival the supporting notes for our workshop demonstrated the thorough research undertaken in preparation. I left with a much clearer understanding not only of how social media works but of how it can benefit my business.”

Luke adds: “Although the web is a part of everyday life, businesses can still have a blind spot when it comes to maximising the potential of planned and co-ordinated social media campaigns.  They have the power to deliver dividends, create awareness and not just support, but complement and underpin other marketing activity – and all for relatively little investment – if the aims and strategy are clear, the process is fully understood and the people involved have received the proper training.  That’s where we come in as specialists in strategic planning  and training.”

RT Media has counted Condé Nast, E ON, KPMG and Channel 4, as social media consultancy clients, amongst others, and regularly speaks at national business and industry events such as Live:Tech @ Saatchi Gallery, The Gathering @ Somerset House and the National Housing Federation Communications Conference.

For more information about training courses or Social Media Audit, visit Get Social in 2012

Stephen Dann, Group Marketing Manager at C4L, explained: “We had already worked with RT Media to refresh and update the business identity and brand of C4L, and developed an honest and frank relationship with them.  When it came to positioning our new brands for launch, this important rapport was already in place.  We are a fast growing business within a fast paced market place, with ambitious plans to expand further into Europe and ultimately the United States and beyond.  Working with a design agency with the ability to not only accurately interpret our ideas but deliver the full branding and related marketing collateral for a new range of products, against very tight deadlines, has been extremely important in our journey from concept to launch.”

C4L launched Infiniserv, one of its new brands, which is ‘removing the limitations you inherit with off the shelf virtualisation products’, at London’s Cloud Expo on January 25th, 2012.  Working in conjunction with C4L, RT Media provided a range of options, from which the final brand design was selected.

Ross Thornley, Strategy Director and Founder of RT Media, said: “’Intangible’  services, especially those which are ground breaking, such as Infiniserv, are often the most challenging when it comes to brand development.  Since time was of the essence, we had to work closely with the team at C4L to understand its core values in order to create a design which would convey the cutting edge nature of this technology.   The launch at a major trade show was critical in terms of ensuring the stand, website, marketing materials and literature would all be deliverable.”

Stephen continued:  “This year is forecast as the time when cloud computing finally comes of age.  RT Media has created an arresting identity for Infiniserv at a time when image and identity are essential for ensuring differentiation in a crowded market.  The team has fully grasped concepts which are sometimes difficult to convey; creating a brand which, in my view, is spot on.”

As well as the launch of Infiniserv, RT Media is working closely with C4L to launch many other products into the global market.

In reality, due to the nature and legalities of the deal, selecting the new name, brand and web site for the supplier of payment devices, all had to happen extremely quickly.

Dave Millener, Managing Director at Spire Payments in the UK explains: “Due to legal reasons, there were just a few short weeks between confirming that the deal would take place and having to launch the new brand, during which time we had first to select a branding agency to work with.  We issued a brief and, on the basis of their initial response, invited three local agencies to present their capabilities to us.

“Ross and the team at RT Media responded very quickly and demonstrated from their presentation that they clearly understood the brief, had the branding expertise we needed, and could offer us the flexibility required to complete the task across the two different countries within the very limited timescale.  Flexibility was particularly important, given that we were often thinking on our feet.  The aim was for the name change to be seamless so our customers both here in the UK and Spain would acknowledge and understand it, whilst everything else was ‘business as usual’ for them.”

In less than three weeks from the initial meeting, RT Media delivered the complete package – a new name, brand, brand messaging, a working web site in English and Spanish, signage, promotional and packaging materials, an extensive set of data cards, communication materials, stationery and other small details – right down to the signatures on staff emails.

Ross Thornley, founder of RT Media and Strategic Director, said: “In some ways it helped that the date for the changeover was set in stone, as it gave our whole team a very clear deadline to work to.  From an agency point of view, we were able to map a critical path for the deliverables, although as Dave says, there were some variables which we had to work around too. ”

Of course, the personalities had to be right.  Building a strong working relationship between a new market leading client and agency can often take time, but since there was so little time, it just had to work.

Dave continues: “From the outset we had a very good working relationship with the team at RT.  They just understood what needed to be done and got on with it, whilst contributing with a good flow of ideas, which gave our thoughts and ideas positive direction.  It helped that they were just down the road in Wimborne, as it meant we could provide the direct input dictated by the deadline, literally sitting alongside the designers.  The outcome was that we achieved our goal and, given the deadlines set, were actually in great shape the day we launched the new company to the market. Our customers both here and in Spain were very impressed that so much had been done, in so little time.”

Ross concludes: “The basis for this entire project was based on understanding the core values and aims of the new company.  This enabled us to help launch Spire Payments as a new, independent European player in the electronic payments vendor market, creating a strong brand to rival its competitors and provide a firm platform for its strategic growth plans. We are looking forward to a roll-out of activities next year, including videos, training materials and the next phases of web site development “

Wessex Enterprise explained that applicants had to meet certain eligibility criteria:

1. Less than 250 employees (or a group with no more than 250 employees)
2. Annual balance sheet not exceeding €43 million
3. Annual turnover not exceeding €50 million
4. Not be more then quarter owned by firms that do not comply with the above criteria.

Grants could be used for: lighting upgrades, new heating systems, compressors, recycling equipment, CAD design software, testing & monitoring equipment, consultancy / training / certification for environmental management or other projects. These grants are issued on a 50% match fund basis (minimum of £1000 threshold and maximum of £40000). Investments must be in Dorset.

The bottom line was that the amount you qualify for depends on the difference between your current carbon footprint and your potential post-grant carbon footprint. The potential difference needs to be comparatively substantial, which unfortunately limits the options of a smaller enterprise [especially those that do not have high consumption or high wastage].

Wessex Enterprise does offer 12 hours free support, which can be used to benefit the business in developing an environmental policy, guidance on developing an environmental management system, legal compliance check, resource related research projects, etc.

New Appointment - Jamie Homer, Design Director at RT Media

Branding, creative and digital agency, RT Media, has announced the promotion of Jamie Homer from Studio Manager to Design Director as part of the company’s overall growth plan.

The move comes hot on the heels of the recent merger and integration of social media training and consultancy business, SocialTech, and creative agency, Ozone Creative Solutions, which saw RT Media expand its services and core resources.

Ross Thornley, RT Media founder and Creative Director, said: “The appointment of a Design Director is a fundamental step in the growth plan of our business.  Following our on-going strategic development of the company, we decided to expand our offering to clients through mergers with two companies that had the core skills we desired.  Naturally, the additional staff and skill sets need a new level of management and Jamie was the obvious choice.”

Jamie has eleven years of experience in the industry, having spent almost eight of them with RT Media.  He joined the company as a Creative Artworker, progressing to Senior Designer and then Studio Manager.

Jamie has worked on a number of high-level branding campaigns whilst managing the team, and has a philosophical approach when it comes to delivering the best option for the client.  He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Design Director and see the position as having the responsibility of nurturing the best talent and ideas within the team in order to deliver the best results for the client.

“These are very exciting times for RT Media and for our clients. I intend to use the unique position of having already worked within the business as a manager as well as creatively alongside our existing clients to inspire and motivate the team to develop world class, conceptual design that meets the strategic aims of any creative campaign.  It is not just about being good at design,” he said.  “It is about being good at design for the good of a business and that, along with our branding, social media and digital offerings, is where we excel for our clients.”

RT Media was the only agency in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire to be listed in a first-of-its-kind national table of design agencies by Recommended Agency Register (RAR), which showed that great design is no longer the preserve of specialist design agencies.

Ross Thornley (left) with this year’s winner Phillip Khan-Panni (centre) and Alderman, David Trenchard.

Wimborne-based branding, creative and digital agency, RT Media, sponsor of the first UK Business Speaker of the Year, has announced its support for the 2012 competition, now launched.

Last month (Sept) Phillip Khan-Panni’s, a copywriter from Bromley, wowed an audience at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre, winning the first ever UK Business Speaker of the Year competition with a motivational speech, “What it means to be second”.

The speech included stories about Mr Khan-Panni’s rivalry with an older sibling and how he overcame disappointments in life.

As well as sponsoring the event, RT Media founder and creative director, Ross Thornley sat on the judging panel.  He said: “The whole competition was extremely well run, with the eight finalists selected from auditions posted onto YouTube.  At the final, there was the added tension of the judges selecting just three contestants for the audience’s deciding vote.

“It was a great night – there are some really talented speakers out there and this competition is a real opportunity to be independently recognised.  We’re looking forward to building the reputation and scope of next year’s competition.”

The event was devised by the UK Speechwriters’ Guild, which hosts its annual conference at the Bournemouth University Executive Business Centre.  Professor Max Atkinson, one of the country’s leading public speaking experts, author of ‘Lend Me Your Ears’ and a much-acclaimed blogger, sat as Chairman of the Judges.

Khan-Panni, CEO of PKP Communicators, a training company that helps business leaders to speak in public without fear and in a way that makes others want to listen, said: “The UK Business Speaker of the Year is a splendid and worthwhile initiative that attracted some quality speakers. Much credit to Brian Jenner, whose idea it was, and to RT Media, the brand agency that recognised its potential. I was delighted to take part and honoured to have been voted the inaugural winner.”

Aspiring or professional speakers over the age of 18, with an unusual story to tell can register their interest to take part in next year’s competition at www.ukbusinessspeakers.co.uk.

Following our recent acquisitions, we’re very proud to announce our updated and extended social media services!

We’ve expanded our training workshops to include:

Introduction to Social Media – designed for decision makers who need to understand how social fits into their business and how to begin to create a SMART strategy to do so.

I’m on LinkedIn, But… – understand how to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level as a powerful networking tool.

Twitter 101 – learn to make best use of this powerful communication tool for your business.

Better Blogging – covering both technical how-to (using WordPress) and best practice content creation.

Facebook for Business – designed to enable you to utilise the world’s largest social network for real business benefit.

We’ve also launched 2 new services:

The Online Social Impact Audit provides a reference point to identify areas of improvement and forms the starting point for any social media campaign or strategy development.

Maximise the number of people who hear about and interact with your event, product or brand launch with our Social Media Event Amplification.

Our Social Media Management page has been updated to reflect changes to our offerings also.

We’re offering an Introduction to Social Media breakfast session for only £25+VAT.

Come and join us on the 26th October at 8am (for an 8:30 start) for some breakfast and an overview from our Social Media Strategist, Luke on:

• Why social networking matters to your brand
• An overview of the key sites
• Some future trends to look out for

Call Steve on 01202 888192 to reserve your place.

If you’d like more information on any of our social media services, please call Luke in the office.