Tag Archives: digital marketing

B2b, B2C, Internet, News, Online, SEO, Services, Social Networking

Bigmouthmedia Unveils British Business Top Social Networking Executives

A new bigmouthmedia survey has identified the UK market’s biggest business users of online social networking tools.

Following extensive research, Carnival Cruises’ John Heald and On Holiday Group CEO Steve Endacott have been revealed as the business leaders trading in Britain that have most readily adopted services like LinkedIn, Facebook and twitter as part of their essential marketing tool kit.

“Social networking may have become one of the most talked about trends in the online world, but until now there has been little hard evidence showing to what extent the business community has embraced these tools. Our research shows that while many leading executives are now deriving measurable benefits f r o m this rapidly developing channel, some of the UK’s most prominent organisations have failed to get to grips with this important trend,” said Lyndsay Menzies, bigmouthmedia Chief Operations Officer.

While the social media has been one of 2009’s most hyped phenomena, little evidence exists as to what extent businesses are deriving benefits f r o m the plethora of available services. In order to gauge real-world attitudes to the tools, bigmouthmedia assessed the online networking performance of 50 CEO’s & senior marketing executives selected f r o m the FTSE100 and the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

Carnival’s Senior Director John Heald emerged as the clear winner in the FTSE100 category. He uses a combination of Facebook and blogging to reach out to past, present and future customers.

“The internet has changed the way that people want to communicate with companies, and even the FTSE100 has to come to terms with that. Customers have become accustomed to a certain level of transparency and informality in their dealings with business and even large-scale enterprises need to adjust their marketing strategies accordingly.”

Heald’s use of social media proved to be a relative rarity amongst the FTSE100 executives sampled. Only 25% of them engage in any form of online networking, compared to 80% of senior players f r o m Fast Track companies.

Topping the table f r o m the fast growth companies listed in the Fast Track 100 is On Holiday Group CEO and founder Steve Endacott. The former MyTravel chief employs a range of tools including Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter, Plaxo and Xing to promote his travel company and believes that they are an essential part of the modern business toolkit. “I believe that these are tools every business has to get to grips with. There’s a generation of consumers growing up with social media, and unless you truly understand the culture there’s a real danger of losing touch with them,” he said.

LinkedIn emerged as the senior executive’s networking tool of choice. Half of those surveyed use the service, while 80% of the FTSE100 managers that engage in online networking use it as their only application.

“Social media is simply about listening and interacting with your customers, using channels that many staff will already be familiar with, such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Digg. It is common sense, and it’s perhaps unsurprising that the majority of the FastTrack companies are ahead of the curve in this respect,” commented Econsultancy’s Chris Lake.

“What’s needed is a shift in mindset. Firms should embrace customer feedback and act on it. By engaging with customers you increase satisfaction, which is a proven way of generating repeat business and referrals. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? “

About bigmouthmedia 
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. The bigmouthmedia on Twitter, bigmouthmedia on Mobile Twitter and bigmouthmedia on friendfeed services provide constant up to date digital marketing news to ensure subscribers are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Advertising, B2b, eCommerce, Internet, News, Online, SEO, Services, Web, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia has announced the appointment of Lyndsay Menzies as its new Chief Operations Officer

Bigmouthmedia, Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency, has announced the appointment of Lyndsay Menzies to Chief Operations Officer (COO).

Stepping into a key group role, Menzies takes top-level operational control across the agency’s ten international territories. Responsible for driving the continued integration of bigmouthmedia, she will also oversee an anticipated expansion of operations following bigmouthmedia’s planned 2009 growth programme.

“As the company continues to grow, ensuring that each new acquisition successfully dovetails with the existing offices requires a dynamic leader capable of implementing best practice across the group, driving synergies and maximising the benefits of our international footprint,” said Steve Leach, Group CEO.

Having indentified the requirement for a COO, bigmouthmedia’s board initially ran a pan-European search for potential recruits, but quickly indentified Menzies as the outstanding candidate.

“It pays to keep a winning team together and, having worked with Lyndsay for over ten years, I have first-hand experience of her tenacious attention to detail and refusal to rest before a job is done. Under her management, bigmouthmedia UK has consistently outperformed expectations, and I am delighted that she will now be bringing her unique mix of passion and expertise to this important international role,” added Leach.

The promotion to COO follows Menzies successful tenure as Managing Director ofbigmouthmedia UK, during which she has driven four consecutive years of exponential growth and seen the company named Britain’s fifth most rapidly growing firm in Deloitte’s Fast 50 Awards. Prior to taking up the role in 2004 she was the agency’s Operation Director, having joined in 1998.

“I’m looking forward to this challenge, particularly at a time when the economic situation is throwing up a whole new set of opportunities and obstacles. I’ll be working hard to ensure that the group’s international footprint and increasing cultural diversity are fully exploited, and am delighted that I will be taking a senior role in the company’s aggressive plans for acquisitions and growth,” said Menzies.

“As bigmouthmedia expands into new territories the heads of our international offices will be coping with many of the same issues we once faced in the UK, and that experience should allow me to provide them the support they need to progress,” said Menzies.

About bigmouthmedia:
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Leading the digital marketing strategies of a third of the UK’s most trusted brands, bigmouthmedia services over 300 big-brand customers globally including: Adidas, Hilton, British Airways, Tesco, Aer Lingus, BP, Barclays, Castrol, Conrad International, Dorling Kindersley, Early Learning Centre, Fasthosts, Jumeirah, Canon, Samsung, Starbucks, Top Man, Debenhams, Which?, Lacoste, Euler Hermes and Wall Street Institute.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Advertising, B2b, eCommerce, Internet, News, Online, Search, Searching, SEO, Services, Web, Web Marketing

Cdiscount Has Appointed Bigmouthmedia To Lead Its Search Marketing Strategy For The Launch Of Its UK Operation

Cdiscount, the French online retailer which opens for business in the UK this month, selected bigmouthmedia, Europe’s largest digital marketing agency, to run its search engine optimisation (SEO) campaign following a competitive pitch.

Cdiscount is launching with a range of aggressive offers it claims undercut the competition by up to 50% and the company intends to challenge the dominance of the British market’s biggest e-commerce brands.

“The credit crunch has created a real opportunity for online retailers. Value for money is what really matters to consumers right now, and our launch campaign will be led by a series of very strong offers designed to challenge the established UK players on price, service and quality,” said Arfan Sabir, Online Marketing Manager at Cdiscount UK.

“Bigmouthmedia‘s international reputation, together with their proven track record in the retail space, made them the natural choice of partner for the crucial opening phase of our launch in the UK.”

Three times bigger than Amazon in its native France, Cdiscount has a ten year European sales history with a product range spanning fashion, furniture, home entertainment, electronics, gaming, computing and IT, sport and more.

“We’re delighted to be working with Cdiscount at this critical stage of their development. If anything, the current economic climate has given fresh impetus to the online retail sector, and this promises to be an exciting campaign,” said Finlay Clark, Senior Retail Strategist at bigmouthmedia UK.

About Cdiscount:
Cdiscount is the one stop multi-specialist discount superstore selling top quality brands up to 50% cheaper than the rest (Retail Week June 2008). The Cdiscount range includes fashion, furniture, home entertainment, electronics, gaming, computing and IT, sport and leisure, quality wines and much more. The company prides itself on quality, product range, price, service, delivery, after sales support and offers customers interest free finance options on orders over £75.

Cdiscount was established in 1998 and is part of the Casino Group. With more than 10,000 stores, the Casino group is one of the largest global retail and distribution organisations. As a group, it consists of companies such as Géant, Casino Supermarkets, Casino Cafeteria, Monoprix and Franprix/Leaderprice.

About bigmouthmedia:
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia are leaders in digital marketing, with a team of over 200 staff across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents the company maximizes return and exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: PPC and Search engine optimisation, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

B2b, Internet, Links, News, Online, SEO, Services, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia Has Predicted That 2009 Will Be A Critical Year For The Digital Marketing Industry

Bigmouthmedia, Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency, has revealed that the next twelve months will have a pivotal role in shaping the digital marketing sector, with analysts citing factors ranging from challenging trading conditions to advanced technology combining to make 2009 a landmark year in the industry’s development.

While the economic downturn will continue to have an impact on every sector, digital marketing businesses will focus on digital’s cost benefits and demonstrable ROI (Return on Investment) in an effort to buck the trend. Trading conditions will seriously impact upon vulnerable agencies however, and a period of industry consolidation seems inevitable.

“Digital marketing has several key advantages when it comes to trading through a recession, but the downturn will wipe some of the smaller players off the map. Agencies reliant on one or two key clients will be particularly vulnerable, and I expect to see a rash of acquisitions and company failures radically reshape the industry over the course of 2009,” said Steve Leach, CEO of bigmouthmedia.

“In the UK, Google’s decision to end BPF (best practice funding) will also have a big impact. The loss of the commissions paid to agencies who recommend their clients spend with the search giant will badly hurt companies who have built their business model around this income stream.

“There are still plenty of opportunities out there, but this isn’t a back bedroom sector anymore. Major clients increasingly require partners with international scale and, as the downwards pressure on costs continues, small scale agencies are going to struggle to cope.”

However, set against a backdrop of steadily increasing corporate use of social media, video and online PR, bigmouthmedia predicts that 2009 will also see increased investment in digital marketing as cost conscious companies seek to improve the quality of commercial content and access new channels, such as mobile marketing.

In search, 2009 is also expected to be a defining year. With the free PPC (Pay Per Click) management tools provided by the major engines expected to continue improving, commercial, third party technologies could be under threat.

“This will be a Beta Max year for the technology underpinning search marketing,” said Leach.

“Until now, while search engines have provided technology to run the PPC marketplace, it has often made a lot of sense to go to a third party for a technical solution to enable automated PPC bidding and management. Will that continue to be the case in 2009? It’ll be a hard year to sign long term search contracts on this issue as it increasingly looks like the search engines are giving better automated solutions away for free.”

About bigmouthmedia 
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Advertising, B2b, Internet, News, Online, SEO, Services, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia Appoints Phil Stelter To The New Position Of Head Of Client Strategy

Bigmouthmedia has appointed Phil Stelter to the new position of Head of Client Strategy.

A leading search marketing professional with over a decade of experience, Stelter will play a key role in the company’s continuing expansion strategy. Charged with heading up the strategy team and driving initiatives to increase campaign integration and reduce client costs, the Californian expert will operate out of bigmouthmedia‘s London offices.

“The internet marketing business is rapidly maturing. As the sector continues to develop clients will increasingly demand greater integration between the various strands of their digital campaigns, not to mention even greater return on their investment, and agencies must be ready to meet the greater challenge,” said Stelter.

He continued, “They will need a blend of industry-leading techniques and international perspective that very few companies actually offer, and I believe bigmouthmedia is perfectly positioned to provide it.”

Formerly Director of Business Development for Texas-based Range Online Media, Stelter is a recognised digital marketing expert and regular conference speaker in the US, where he developed new service offerings and innovative online strategies for several Fortune 1000 companies.

In addition to experience with agency search engine optimisation campaigns across the travel, government, health care and retail sectors, he managed a variety of site and product developments at BizRate.com (now Shopzilla) for over four years and has been a representative on various IAB committees and the DoubleClick Client Advisory Board.

“We’re delighted to have Phil on board. In the current economic climate the focus is on getting clients more bang for their buck, and by leveraging his experience of cross-channel strategies we expect him to lead integrated digital campaigns that deliver even greater levels of ROI,” said Lyndsay Menzies, Managing Director of bigmouthmedia UK.

“As the digital marketing sector’s nature becomes increasingly international Phil’s experience in the US will also be telling. He is a well-known industry figure in America and will spearhead the expansion of our activities there.”

About bigmouthmedia 
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Advertising, B2b, Internet, Links, Online, Search, SEO, Services, Web, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia Appoints David Hardy As The Search Marketing Group’s International Sales And Marketing Director

David Hardy has joined bigmouthmedia as the search marketing group’s International Sales and Marketing Director.

Stepping into a key strategic and operational post, Hardy will play a lead role in the delivery of the group’s growth and expansion programme. Charged with strengthening the company’s sales and marketing operations across 13 international offices, Marks & Spencer Money’s former Head of Online Marketing and Ecommerce expects to hit the ground running.

“It’s a tremendously exciting time to be joining bigmouthmedia. This is an industry-leading company that operates in a constantly shifting marketplace, and every day brings a fresh set of challenges,” said Hardy. “That generates the kind of pace and atmosphere it’s impossible to avoid getting caught up in.”

Prior to his stint driving Marks & Spencer Money’s highly successful ecommerce strategy, Hardy served as Online Retailing and Marketing Director at Hilton Hotels International. A highly experienced marketing professional, he previously occupied senior roles at American Airlines and HSBC.

“After over 13 years client side this is my first role with an agency – I was convinced to cross the line because of the strengths of the bigmouthmedia operation and its plans for the future,” added Hardy.

“After several years working with bigmouthmedia as a client I’m in a good position to know this. Whilst the view is slightly different on the agency side, it’s an exciting and dynamic time to be in e-commerce irrespective of whether you’re an agency or client, and I’m fortunate to be in a position to see both perspectives.”

Bigmouthmedia Group CEO Steve Leach added: “We’re delighted to be working with David. He brings a wealth of international business experience to the senior management team that I’m confident will deliver real benefits as we continue to drive the group forward.”

About bigmouthmedia
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Internet, Online, Search, SEM, SEO, Services, Web, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia launches campaign to promote search marketing as career option

Bigmouthmedia, independent digital marketing agency, has launched a new cross-industry campaign to promote a career in Search and digital marketing to university graduates.

The move follows the recent publication of survey results revealing that the majority of Scotland’s new graduates feel that higher education should do more to connect students to potential opportunities in emerging industries. The research, which was conducted earlier this year by bigmouthmedia, also revealed students’ beliefs that universities are failing to adequately prepare leavers for life in the real world.

Despite the fact that search marketing has grown from nothing to become a £1.2bn a year business in the last decade, until now none of the UK’s careers advisory bodies have listed search engine optimisation or digital marketing amongst the options available to graduates. However, following consultations with bigmouthmedia, Careers Scotland have now updated their records to reflect the industry’s growing significance.

While continuing to work with the relevant sector Skills Councils in Scotland to ensure that information is available to entry-level job seekers, bigmouthmedia now plans to carry the campaign to the rest of the UK and Europe.

“Every year companies like bigmouthmedia hire a raft of recent graduates, yet our experience attending university careers fairs tells us that many new entrants to the workforce are simply unaware of the opportunities available in the sector,” said Lyndsay Menzies, Managing Director of bigmouthmedia UK.

She continued, “With a wide range of roles on offer the search marketing sector can offer a career path to both science graduates with Maths, Statistics or IT related degrees and social sciences students with creative, language and communications skills. We believe that new career paths like this have a vital role to play in the economy, and will continue campaigning to ensure that the relevant advisory bodies are kept up to date.”

“It’s often been joked in the search marketing space that no one wanted to be a search marketer when they grew up. Such jobs didn’t exist. Now they do, and it’s great to see that careers services are catching up to help provide education for this important career,” said Danny Sullivan, Editor In Chief, SearchEngineLand.com.

About bigmouthmedia

Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Advertising, Internet, Online, SEO, Traffic, Web, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia Has Been Named The Uks Fifth Fastest Growing Company In The Deloitte Fast 50 2008

Bigmouthmedia has been named as the UK’s fifth fastest growing company in the Deloitte Fast 50 for 2008.

Bigmouthmedia, Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency made the list of major winners after another successful year of exponential expansion. Recording a growth rate of 3357% over the past ten years, the company’s inclusion was cited by the judging panel as evidence of the online sector’s growing influence.

In a unique double, bigmouthmedia’s Munich office is also celebrating after coming second in the Rising Stars category in Deloitte’s German awards programme.

“We’re delighted to have received this honour and are obviously happy that bigmouthmedia’s continued success across the group has been recognised. It’s a great boost for the entire team and underlines what a talented group of people we have here,” said Lyndsay Menzies, Managing Director of bigmouthmedia UK.

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50, one of the UK’s foremost technology award programmes, is a ranking of the country’s fastest-growing technology companies based on percentage growth over five years. Now in its eleventh year, the programme honours business growth, technological innovation and UK entrepreneurial spirit.

David Halstead, Partner TMT practice and Fast 50 Chairman, Deloitte said: “The large number of software and digital marketing companies in the 2008 Deloitte Fast 50 reflects the growing maturity of online enterprises. The web is approaching the next stage of its evolution, and successful business models are becoming entrenched.”

About bigmouthmedia
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

Leading the digital marketing strategies of a third of the UK’s most trusted brands, bigmouthmedia services over 300 big-brand customers globally including: Hilton, British Airways, Tesco, Aer Lingus, Barclays, Conrad International, Dorling Kindersley, Early Learning Centre, Fasthosts, Jumeirah, Canon, Samsung, Starbucks, Top Man, Debenhams, Which?, Euler Hermes and Wall Street Institute.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases

Advertising, Contextual, Internet, Online, SEM, SEO, Web, Web Marketing

Bigmouthmedia Sounds Cautious Welcome To The Google About-Turn On Paid Search Advertising For Gambling Websites In The UK

Bigmouthmedia has sounded a cautious welcome to the news that Google is set to make a dramatic u-turn tomorrow when it lifts its ban on paid search advertising for gambling websites in the UK.

The decision, which overturns the search giant’s policy of refusing to carry AdWords advertisements for gambling operations such as online bingo and casino sites, is expected to presage an online gold rush as bidders hurry to tap into a potentially lucrative new sales vertical.

In addition to opening up a new keywords bidding war, the move could also have a substantial impact on Yahoo. The search engine has until now profited from the PPC revenue from gambling advertisers barred from using Google, but with the field now open stands to lose a considerable chunk of its turnover.

“This is another sudden change that has taken most of the sector by surprise. It will certainly lead to a big switch in the way that advertisers and agencies manage search engine optimisation campaigns for gambling sector clients and opens up a potentially lucrative new vertical for the industry,” said Lyndsay Menzies, Managing Director of bigmouthmedia UK.

She continued, “While many will welcome the addition of a new and highly competitive advertising platform for gambling advertisers, it remains to be seen what impact the move will have on other services. Competition is good for business, and it would be a great shame if this were to further weaken Yahoo’s hold on the market.”

When it first introduced the ban 16 months ago, Google was heavily criticised by gaming and gambling companies for not providing them with evidence that its users wanted the ban. The company, which claims that the change has been under review for some time, says that it consulted the Gambling Commission prior to changing its policy.

Via EPR Network
More Internet & Online press releases