Hello!
Welcome to Creative Insights the first edition of the ICM Creative newsletter. In this issue we feature informative articles such as 'Top 10 Social Media Tips' and 'Is now a good time to exhibit?' We introduce you to our newest member of staff Paul and we show you another side to one of our directors,
Maria.
We hope you enjoy our first edition and look forward to any comments or feedback you have – our newsletter editor Sally would love to hear from you.
back to top Top Ten Social Media Tips
Social Media is a confusing term to many people. It refers to activities, practices and behaviour among groups of people who gather online to share information, knowledge, and opinions using conversational media. Conversational Media are Web-based applications that make it possible to create and easily share content in the form of words, pictures, videos and audio.
Here is a list of our top ten tips to help you succeed within the Social Media ecosystem
back to top Is now a good time to exhibit at trade shows?
In the current economic climate trade show attendance and exhibits may be down so why invest in a stand during this difficult period?
Our Account Director, Caroline discusses this question and gives six tips on how to get the best return on investment from any trade show you attend.
Read all six tips here
back to top The rise and rise of e-commerce
Confidence is returning to the UK economy and many are forecasting a return to growth by the end of the year. This may be true in many of the traditional areas of business but what about e-commerce. According to the IMRG many e-retailers are experiencing significant growth in their e-tailing activity but why? One reason is because download speeds are increasing with 90% of UK homes now having access to broadband.
The highest sales growth has been in clothing, accessories and electrical markets where price comparisons are easy to make and risk of returns are low. Many sites are also incentivising their propositions through discounting for return site business, affiliate click throughs and promotional codes.
The question is will this rise continue as shoppers return to the high street? The answer has to be yes and the reason? Shoppers are now confident to buy on-line. Across all demographics there are rises in usage and as the largest UK retailers scramble to win market share, this only serves to show wary buyers that it is a secure and trustworthy environment in which to spend money.
The on-line proposition goes beyond traditional retailing because of the amount of available information connected to that product or range or retailer. How often do we look at forums when considering a holiday? Seek technical information before buying big ticket items? Linking this type of information to your sales area can significantly increase the footfall through your site and increase sales.
Maybe one thing we can thank the recession for is how we have changed our buying habits where buying decisions are more informed and the impulse buy, for the moment at least, is waning.
If you want to find out about how e-commerce strategy can help your business then email or call Paul.
back to top ICM welcomes Paul
ICM would like to introduce you to our newest member of the team, Paul Phillips. Paul has worked in the industry his whole professional life and has worked for many major brands such as Butlins, Carphone Warehouse and Merlin Entertainments. Paul has a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and before joining ICM Paul previously worked at another large Northern agency.
Sally sat down with Paul to find out a bit more about him.
1. How did you end up where you are today?
I’ve always had a passion for marketing and sales but most of all people. The reason for working as a business development professional is although I am a Chartered Marketer I understood quite quickly who I am as a person. After working as a marketer and in sales too the drive has always been to be with people. There is no greater satisfaction than developing brilliant ideas from great conversations. How often do we see ‘new’ ideas appear and know that we had the thought sometime before? I have been extremely fortunate in my career to meet and work with some incredible individuals with great minds. This has enriched my life which is where I am today.
2. What has been your proudest moment so far in your life?
Being present at the birth of my daughters – that is true creation.
3. What are your ambitions for your role here at ICM?
To grow the organisation with the whole team and ensure we maintain our creative flair and business integrity.
4. Outside of work what are your passions?
Competing in Off-road 4x4 competitions, great food, 80’s Japanese Superbikes and travel.
5. What was your very first job?
Deckchair arranger on the Titanic……!!
back to top Happy Birthday ICM!
On the 1st August 2001 ICM Creative Communications was born. So to celebrate going into our ninth year of business we had a variety of different nine themed events which lasted over nine working days.
Each of us wrote a blog post about the year that we were nine in, some even included pictures of our baby faced staff aged nine. These nine themed blog posts featured major events that happened in the different years, fashions, films and songs that were realised. They give a little look back into what our world was like in nine different years ranging from 1971 to 1996.
Over the nine working days all staff received little treats such as a Starbucks coffee, ice cream, sandwiches and of course jelly and birthday cake. Other celebration events also took place including all staff having ten minutes to draw a caricature of each other and having fifteen minutes to design a hat out of newspaper. Our last day of celebrations concluded with a quiz about the nine themed blog posts with the winner receiving a power hour and winners of other events also being announced.
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