It’s no secret that we live in a world driven by consumerism thanks to the entrenchment of capitalism in an increasingly global society. For brands looking to target this materialistic market, the evolution of technology has ensured that there is now a wealth of channels available. However, with so many different messages floating around on a daily basis, you can be forgiven for wondering how on earth it’s possible to keep track of them all, or indeed whether they are effectively a complement or contradiction in terms.
This is where integrated marketing communications steps in, as its premise is to ensure that the messages sent out through the variety of available channels remains consistent. Brands are increasingly trading on their reputation and something like this can only be achieved successfully through a communication campaign that focuses on building a relationship with the market over a prolonged period of time.
In the past, agencies have got away with charging clients every time a different message is created for a particular marketing medium, whether it be above the line, below the line or online. However, more and more agencies are now turning to integrated marketing solutions as a way of meeting the demand for consistency.
It’s not difficult to see why when you think of it like this: imagine you’re reading the paper on the way to work and you notice an ad about a particular service, later that night while you’re relaxing in front of the telly, you notice an ad about the same service albeit in a different format, and then you happen to be online surfing the net and come across yet another message about the service. Having now been exposed to the same message in at least three different channels, the next time you need that service, who are you likely to call?
Youth Media specialises in integrated marketing solutions targeting the youth market, a demographic known to be techno savvy with a taste for variety when it comes to information channels. Whether you are looking to attract attention visually through posters in areas of high footfall, tangibly in the form of leaflets or branded bookmarks, the ultimate in digital exposure would be targeting students through emails and even better still, a unique desktop platform known as YouthWire. If you’re interested in hearing more about how we can launch an integrated campaign for your brand targeting the elusive Generation Y, then why not get in touch.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
What’s all this hype around Social Media?
With the soaring popularity of social networking sites in recent years, it seems only natural that the business world would look to jump on the proverbial bandwagon. In fact, the demand has increased to the point where agencies are being set up and marketing teams hired solely to specialise in social media, with organisations now choosing to allocate a substantial budget to include it in their marketing strategy.
While the trend towards social media is certainly gathering momentum, it is still a relatively new phenomenon and there are a lot of people out there unsure of what it all means and why it’s considered such an effective marketing tool. If you consider that there were 42.5 million people online in the UK in January, which is up 16% on last year and the reach of social networks is now 86% of the total UK internet audience, then you have some idea of the force behind the social media wave (New Media Age: March 2010).
A social media strategy might not suit every business, it’s patently clear that brands looking to target the traditionally hard to reach 16-24 year old demographic have an opportunity to tap into an incredibly effective resource. According to the Office of Communications, the likelihood of setting up a social networking profile is highest among 16-24 year olds (54%) and that on average, people tend to have a profile on 1.6 sites, with 39% having profiles on two or more.
You might ask what all the fuss is about. There are a number of factors to take into account, one being that increased connection speeds and wider availability of broadband have enabled richer use of the internet, particularly when it comes to uploading and viewing content. People see social networks as a fun and easy leisure activity where users derive a significant level of enjoyment from building a network of friends, watching video, listening to music, playing games and browsing through other people’s profiles.
At Youth Media, we understand that the key to an effective marketing campaign is targeting people during their dwell time. Last year, the UK internet audience accessed 210 billion social networking pages and spent 2 billion hours instant messaging (NMA: March 2010). Not only do people spend a lot of time networking and surfing the net, but placing ads on social networks can capitalise on the extensive demographic information held about the users to run highly targeted and creative campaigns that encourage brand engagement. Business is ultimately about people and social media offers access to a diverse and techno savvy network of consumers driven by a desire for information at their finger tips and instant gratification.
Youth Media is uniquely placed within the student market and offers a wealth of social media channels and strategies for brands looking to target 16-24 year olds. YouthWire is a digital platform that sits on the desktop of PCs in areas of study, with students having an average 6 sessions a month and each session lasting 86 minutes. There is no one else in the market with access to the internal networks of educational institutions in this way. The explosion of mobile apps onto the market has inspired the creation of a desktop version that sits on our platform, giving students access to a wealth of information, video feeds, news streams and capable of relevant content or SMS integration. The app can be built for students to share it from the YouthWire platform onto their social networking profile, where their friends can see it, engage with it and share onto their own profile. Et voila, the reach increases exponentially and the possibilities are endless.
While the trend towards social media is certainly gathering momentum, it is still a relatively new phenomenon and there are a lot of people out there unsure of what it all means and why it’s considered such an effective marketing tool. If you consider that there were 42.5 million people online in the UK in January, which is up 16% on last year and the reach of social networks is now 86% of the total UK internet audience, then you have some idea of the force behind the social media wave (New Media Age: March 2010).
A social media strategy might not suit every business, it’s patently clear that brands looking to target the traditionally hard to reach 16-24 year old demographic have an opportunity to tap into an incredibly effective resource. According to the Office of Communications, the likelihood of setting up a social networking profile is highest among 16-24 year olds (54%) and that on average, people tend to have a profile on 1.6 sites, with 39% having profiles on two or more.
You might ask what all the fuss is about. There are a number of factors to take into account, one being that increased connection speeds and wider availability of broadband have enabled richer use of the internet, particularly when it comes to uploading and viewing content. People see social networks as a fun and easy leisure activity where users derive a significant level of enjoyment from building a network of friends, watching video, listening to music, playing games and browsing through other people’s profiles.
At Youth Media, we understand that the key to an effective marketing campaign is targeting people during their dwell time. Last year, the UK internet audience accessed 210 billion social networking pages and spent 2 billion hours instant messaging (NMA: March 2010). Not only do people spend a lot of time networking and surfing the net, but placing ads on social networks can capitalise on the extensive demographic information held about the users to run highly targeted and creative campaigns that encourage brand engagement. Business is ultimately about people and social media offers access to a diverse and techno savvy network of consumers driven by a desire for information at their finger tips and instant gratification.
Youth Media is uniquely placed within the student market and offers a wealth of social media channels and strategies for brands looking to target 16-24 year olds. YouthWire is a digital platform that sits on the desktop of PCs in areas of study, with students having an average 6 sessions a month and each session lasting 86 minutes. There is no one else in the market with access to the internal networks of educational institutions in this way. The explosion of mobile apps onto the market has inspired the creation of a desktop version that sits on our platform, giving students access to a wealth of information, video feeds, news streams and capable of relevant content or SMS integration. The app can be built for students to share it from the YouthWire platform onto their social networking profile, where their friends can see it, engage with it and share onto their own profile. Et voila, the reach increases exponentially and the possibilities are endless.
Friday, 12 March 2010
What’s with this "app mania" in the market?
Anyone with an eye on current trends will know that the mobile industry has taken off with an app phenomenon thanks to the popularity of Apple’s iPhone. With people spending the majority of their dwell time either on their phone or on the internet, media solutions have had to evolve along with the constantly changing needs of the market. Consumers are hungry for innovation and mobile apps appear to be sating the need for real time access to useful, valuable tools and information.
Now what on earth could current trends in the mobile market mean for digital media? Plenty, as it turns out. Youth Media understands that brands looking to target Generation Y have quite a job on their hands, as engagement can only be won through initiatives that pack a powerful punch. There has to be a trade off, with techno savvy consumers looking for incentive first, instant gratification later.
Over the last year, Youth Media has responded to growing trends in the market and come up with a digital platform in the form of You[th]Wire. With a reach of over 650,000 university students and installed on 24,845 PCs in areas of study, it is available to commercial brands looking to target the student market. The idea was to come up with something bigger and better, that incentive to drive brand engagement. Signal the drum roll and along comes the desktop app.
Similar in concept to the mobile version, desktop apps are bespoke and can be tailored to suit the needs of any brand. There are a range of functions, from tabs displaying basic content, to video feeds, news streams, data capture, even SMS and MMS integration. Students are able to personalise their desktop space with apps allowing access to social networks, information about the Weather, a link to Wikipedia, even track down reference books using their Library Catalogue. All this comes directly to the student on their desktop and in their dwell time.
Click above to view full size images.
So what does all this mean to a graduate recruiter? It’s simple really. There is no one else in the market with access to the internal networks of educational institutions in this way. Why not design a unique desktop app where students can find information about the company, see video feeds from the CEO or graduate employees giving a feel of what it’s like to work there, read news feeds, even register their details or apply for jobs. With all this content pulled automatically from a website or media source, you can even track who uses the app, where they go once they’ve used it, as well as their application to a stage of offer or rejection.
Click above to view full size images.
If you are looking to stand at the forefront of the industry then tapping into the latest innovation in technology is a sure fire way to secure the cream of the crop when it comes to graduate recruitment. If you want to recruit the best then you need to invest in outstanding technology and Youth Media has just what you’re looking for.
Now what on earth could current trends in the mobile market mean for digital media? Plenty, as it turns out. Youth Media understands that brands looking to target Generation Y have quite a job on their hands, as engagement can only be won through initiatives that pack a powerful punch. There has to be a trade off, with techno savvy consumers looking for incentive first, instant gratification later.
Over the last year, Youth Media has responded to growing trends in the market and come up with a digital platform in the form of You[th]Wire. With a reach of over 650,000 university students and installed on 24,845 PCs in areas of study, it is available to commercial brands looking to target the student market. The idea was to come up with something bigger and better, that incentive to drive brand engagement. Signal the drum roll and along comes the desktop app.
Similar in concept to the mobile version, desktop apps are bespoke and can be tailored to suit the needs of any brand. There are a range of functions, from tabs displaying basic content, to video feeds, news streams, data capture, even SMS and MMS integration. Students are able to personalise their desktop space with apps allowing access to social networks, information about the Weather, a link to Wikipedia, even track down reference books using their Library Catalogue. All this comes directly to the student on their desktop and in their dwell time.
Click above to view full size images.
So what does all this mean to a graduate recruiter? It’s simple really. There is no one else in the market with access to the internal networks of educational institutions in this way. Why not design a unique desktop app where students can find information about the company, see video feeds from the CEO or graduate employees giving a feel of what it’s like to work there, read news feeds, even register their details or apply for jobs. With all this content pulled automatically from a website or media source, you can even track who uses the app, where they go once they’ve used it, as well as their application to a stage of offer or rejection.
Click above to view full size images.
If you are looking to stand at the forefront of the industry then tapping into the latest innovation in technology is a sure fire way to secure the cream of the crop when it comes to graduate recruitment. If you want to recruit the best then you need to invest in outstanding technology and Youth Media has just what you’re looking for.
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