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The strange thing about the development of social networking and on line marketing is that the predictions are coming true, but there are also changes that no one forsaw. In the advertising world on-line used to be putting banners on sites - now it is putting sites on banners - links on Twitter and Facebook updates being the prime examples. But is there a psychological change going on- if you have a two way relationship with a number of brands, does the one way - wow look at that ad isn't it gre… Continue

Everyone with a computer or smart phone and an internet connection can now be a publisher. They can upload their comments on what they have bought, where they have been, the coffee that they were served, the dog that barks too loud next door. This is the beginning of the age of communication. You can tell that it is challenging for some people. Journalists and media commentators are getting twitchy, as they see all and sundry giving their opinions. Already they are using terms like mob rule to d… Continue

Now that I have left the advertising agency world (plug here - new business called Navajotalk getting up and running), I recommend the process that is used by the world wide agency group TBWA, which is called Disruption.
Disruption is not negative, despite the way it sounds, it is a method of challenging conventions by rejecting the concept 'we've always done it that way'. It is a system that allows you see clearly that there are huge opportunities, no matter what sector you are in.
Apple use it… Continue

We are so good at shooting ourselves in the feet in Northern Ireland. Time and time again we get opportunities to show the world how we are a place to do business and then something comes up that sends out all the wrong signals. The tender for the Bangor pool is only going out now - two years after £15million was allocated towards its construction. So it's back to the diving board then.

The IOD had a tour of the Paint Hall in Titanic Quarter last week, and got a real Hollywood experience as we went on the set of the new Universal Studios picture, Your Highness. The Paint Hall is located just past the Drawing Office on Queen's Island. As you approach it it grows - and you realise that while you may have noticed it for many years, you have to go up close to see how big it really is. After donning our hard hats we were taken by Anne Quinn of NI Screen into the building. Made up of… Continue