Greenshoots » Company News

Google has launched its first major campaign in the UK to push its business applications.

Ramit — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:57:18 +0000

“The outdoor and press activity breaks today (19 October) and will run for one month.The campaign uses the strapline “Gone Google” and is being run by the search engine’s Google Enterprise division.” It is promoting services such as Google Mail, Google Docs, Google Earth and Google Maps as well as its digital security services.
The “Gone Google” line refers to the businesses that are already using the firm’s services.The ads aim to highlight the reliability and quality of Google’s products and use lines such as “Day 9: Email inbox is full. Grrr!!! Go Google?”

The campaign is Google’s first major above-the-line UK push. The search engine has previously run smaller campaigns in trade magazines and websites and joint initiatives such as the 2006 campaign with British Airways that showcased Google Earth.
Source – http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/3005634.article#&nl=BN&ln=19100905

Google is capitalising on the growing popularity of smartphones, allowing mobile publishers to serve richer ads.

Ramit — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:55:25 +0000

The search engine company announced on its official blog that it would launch a new feature for AdSense mobile publishers allowing them to take advantage of the high-end mobile phone browsing experience.
Advertisers will now be able to run bigger, more dynamic Google ads to users of high-end smartphones equipped with HTML-capable browsers.

Coca-Cola CMO sees digital marketing as vital

Ramit — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:54:38 +0000

Coca-Cola’s marketing will evolve into content management as the soft drinks giant pursues “a far more aggressive digital presence”, according to Coke’s top marketer Joseph Tripodi.

Speaking to Marketing Week at the launch of Coke’s 2010 FIFA World Cup marketing plan at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, executive vice-president and chief marketing and commercial officer Tripodi said “dramatic changes” in the nature of consumer engagement are driving the shift in the way the business interacts with customers.

Wake up and smell the coffee

Dan Thwaites — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:18:47 +0000

Something to get you going?

It was certainly a buzz to see the Whitbread trading update today. The overall business reported a 2.4% increase on total group sales.

Interestingly, the main kick came from total sales of Costa Coffee growing an impressive 18.4% in the 24 weeks to mid-August this year.

It shows that there’s definitely life on the UK’s high street, and that certainly went down well with the morning cup of Java at Greenshootsblog.com.

Time for Optimism

Tom — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:56:23 +0000

A record surge in confidence among business professionals indicates Britain’s recession is at an end, according to research.

Optimism among professionals in the third quarter hit its highest level since the start of the financial crisis two years ago, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) said.

The confidence measure jumped to 4.8 at the end of June from -28.2 in March – the biggest improvement since the survey began in 2003. The institute predicts that the economy will grow by 0.5% this quarter, breaking five quarters of falling output.

ICAEW chief executive Michael Izza said the findings suggest that “the UK recession is at an end”.

He added: “While there is no doubt that the UK economy is on its way to recovery, we shouldn’t underestimate the challenges ahead for businesses.”

Nissan to launch Leaf as its first electric car

Ramit — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:58:23 +0000

Nissan has unveiled its new electric car model, which it claims will be the first vehicle to crack the mass market.
The five-door hatchback called Leaf will be on sale in the US and Japan by the end of next year and in the UK and Europe by 2012.

It is expected to launch a big marketing push behind the vehicle, but details are not known at this stage.

The Right Notes

Guilliana Castle — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:22:34 +0000

Orange has just unveiled its Monkey programme, directly aiming to add value for younger consumers on pay as you go. The idea is to provide a free music service, that is provided via a tie-in with 4music. Along with a planned tie-up with Blyk later in the year, the mobile service that bases its free usage on compulsory advertising, Orange is making positive, bold moves to take advantage of the free culture that is becoming increasingly prevalent especially among younger markets.

Source: Marketing Week, Orange

Javelin shoots towards Stratford

Scott — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:24:57 +0000

Javelin high-speed train at St Pancras Station

Three years from today will be the first day of games for London 2012 and developments already look well on their way.

Yesterday, three years before the Opening Ceremony, the new high-speed rail link from St. Pancras to Stratford made it’s first trip, delivering athletes to the Olympic Games Stadium to mark the occasion. Among them was our very own, fresh faced World Champion diver, Tom Daley.

The new high-speed link, aptly called Javelin, successfully completed the journey in the target time of just seven minutes. The new link is just part of the overall project to improve transport links in preperation for the London 2012 Olympic Games. This service alone will be capable of transporting up to 25,000 people per hour to the Olympic Park.

Developments like this will drastically improve transport links in and around the capital and have a very positive effect on the local businesses surrounding up-and-coming hubs like St Pancras and Stratford – a worthwhile legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The changing face of Charity

Guilliana Castle — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:44:24 +0000

Research from the Institute of Fundraising and Charity Finance Director’s Group indicates that 2009 will be worse for charity organisation incomes than predicted. In the face of this, charities are being forced to diversify the dialogue they initiate with possible givers. I’m sure the mention of Twitter will have the more cynical of you sighing “not again”, but some charitable organisations are proving that it works for them. The more astute of you will have noticed the trending topics drop down, indicating the most popular subjects of the day. Proving popular amongst these, with regular mentions is “Charity Tuesday”. Designed to encourage people to list their favourite charities on a Tuesday so that people then follow them on Twitter, the initial results are proving favourable with Bullying UK stating that they have received 1000 additional followers from this source alone. With the donation apps still to be fully tested as effective methods for giving, the power for direct asks remains to be seen, but as tool for awareness it is certainly proving effective.

Source: Third Sector, Bullying UK, Twitter

Lexus to launch ‘21 second test drive’

Ramit — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:28:09 +0000

Lexus, the Toyota-owned marque, is launching a direct and digital marketing campaign to promote the new Lexus convertible model available this month.

The acquisition campaign created by Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw features personalised direct mail activity, email marketing and a microsite.

It will aim to drive sales of the Lexus IS 250C hard top convertible and targets existing convertible or Lexus car drivers and competitor luxury car owners who are looking to buy a convertible without the impracticalities of many

The creative is based around the strapline “How convertible are you?” and is accompanied by the visual ‘flick book’ idea of a ‘21 second test drive’, which is the time it takes to put the hard top convertible’s roof up or down.

Prospective and existing Lexus customers will be mailed a direct mail pack, and along with online respondents will be encouraged to contact Lexus by phoning the number provided, visiting the microsite or returning the reply paid coupon.