Monthly Archives: May 2024

Business Investment

Our relocation is a testament to our commitment to Manchester’s growth, and our investment reflects this promise.

The managing-director of fashion giant Whispering Smith says the company’s move to a new Manchester headquarters is evidence of the business staying true to its roots.

Rohil Kumar said Whispering Smith, the UK’s largest importer, wholesaler and distributor of fashion clothing, is planning to write a new chapter in its legacy, and wants to expand their team at its new head office on 274 Deansgate.

Already a worldwide leader in design, production and delivery, the firm is a third generation global business which supplies top retail and ecommerce names.

Whispering Smith also has its own portfolio of brands, including Brave Soul, Good for Nothing and Night Addict. But having outgrown its original HQ on Great Ducie Street, the business is now trading from the heart of Manchester City Centre in a new five-storey, 23,688 sq ft Deansgate base which it acquired for £6.35 million.

Commenting on the move, Mr Kumar said: “After occupying our previous premises for almost 30 years, we realised that in order to keep up with Manchester’s ever-changing landscape, we needed to relocate to the heart of the city.  Our relocation is a testament to our commitment to Manchester’s growth, and our investment reflects this promise.

“This site offers many benefits, not least superb transport links for the buyers we work with couple with the buzz of a city-centre life which will help add to the vibrancy behind our brands.

“But, most importantly, we are now in the heart of Manchester, which remains at the centre of England’s textile industry, and which has played a vital role in the industrial revolution. With its strong foundations, we believe Manchester remains the epicentre of the UK fashion industry. And, crucially, Manchester is where our family’s legacy began and it’s why this great city will continue to be the base of our global operations.”

Currently employing about 70 members of staff, Mr Kumar confirmed Whispering Smith has aspirations of growing even further employees in the next two-to-five years.

“We see opportunities for growth in strategic partnerships for our brands, Mr Kumar said. “We plan to expand the team in HQ in the areas of marketing and branding to support this.

“The industry has undergone significant changes since Brexit and Covid. There have also been many disruptors that have either faded away or are still present. But I believe the market is slowly adjusting itself, and we continue to have a positive outlook for the future.”

Explaining what will be happening at their old site, Mr Kumar said plans were in place for the site to be developed as part of Manchester City Council’s wider scheme for the regeneration in and around the area.

Family, News, Scotland, Travel

Stay and play breaks for mums and tots in Scotland

A rising number of friendship and support groups for mums along with their tots, are grabbing the chance to enjoy the ultimate playdate together by booking a weekend or weekday getaway.

Loch Tay Highland Lodges in Perthshire, Scotland is the perfect place for a small group of mums along with their pre-school aged children to get away together and stay in a luxurious multi bedroom house.

Becoming a mum is a joyous and rewarding experience, but it can be hard work and isolating, so leaving the daily chores behind and having a few days away with other like-minded mums and their pre-school aged little ones is becoming increasingly popular.

Mill House is a truly stunning place to relax and unwind. It has 4-bedrooms and sleeps up to 8 people. It has a hot-tub, wood burner, private upper-level wrap around deck, outside firepit and a waterfall view as well as safety gates on the stairs. It is pure luxury and secluded from the rest of the park.  See it for yourself in the video below:

Meanwhile, Loch Tay House has 5-bedrooms and sleeps up to 10 people. It comes with its own secluded private garden comprised providing lots of space for the little ones to run around and explore. It has 10-person electric hot tub and private parking for four or five cars, perfect for bringing all the things you need when traveling with a little person.  Check out the video below:

Once settled in your private house there is plenty to do on park. You can set off on a bug hunt, paddle in the Loch, play in the park, or take a nice walk in the surrounding countryside and villages, the choices are guaranteed to keep the toddlers entertained until nap time, when the mums can sit back and relax in the comfort of one of the impressive houses while enjoying the tranquillity and amazing views from the large loch facing windows.

Both holiday houses are the ultimate retreat for groups of mums with tots, complete with a private hot tub for ultimate relaxation or for the little ones to make a splash. Enjoy all the modern amenities and features while spending days by the Loch or exploring the stunning surroundings. At the end of a fun filled day indulge in a delicious meal at The Boathouse Bar & Kitchen, where the little ones can enjoy a fantastic kid’s menu.

Whichever property you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Mill House Breaks – 4 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, sleeps 8

Monday 13th May staying at Mill House for 4-nights – from £2130.

Monday 3rd June staying at Mill House for 4-nights – from £2130.

Monday 9th September staying at Mill House for 4-nights – from £2272.

*Other dates available*

Loch Tay House, 5 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Private Garden, Sleeps 10

A luxury cottage complete with hot tub – perfect for relaxing

 

Private Garden with Loch Views

Monday 13th May staying at Loch Tay House for 4-nights – from £1570.

Monday 10th June staying at Loch Tay House for 4-nights – from £1570.

Monday 24th June staying at Loch Tay House for 4-nights – from £1674.

Monday 23rd September staying at Loch Tay House for 4-nights – from £1674.

*Other dates available*

 

To book the perfect Mums and Tots break, visit Largo Leisure Holidays

 

News, Transport

‘Extremely limited train service’ tomorrow as strike action continues, GWR says ticket validity will be extended

Great Western Railway is warning it won’t operate any long-distance services, direct trains between London Paddington and Reading nor trains on many other parts of its network tomorrow.

The Aslef union has announced strike action that will affect Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry and other train operators on Wednesday 8 May.
A reduced, revised timetable will operate across several train operators, including GWR. Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all and trains that are running will only be operating for a limited period during the day.

Only a very limited service will run on the following GWR routes, between 0700 and around 1900:

• Reading and Oxford
• Reading and Basingstoke
• Reading and Redhill (peak time only)
• Reading and Newbury
• Westbury and Swindon (peak time only)
• Cardiff and Bristol
• Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
• Exeter St Davids and Exmouth (calling at Exeter Central, Digby and Topsham only)
• Penzance/St Erth and St Ives (09:30 to 12:30 and 15:30 to 19:00)
• Plymouth and Gunnislake

Due to engineering works, there will be no GWR trains between London Paddington and Reading. No long-distance services will operate on the GWR network, and strike action will also affect other operators.

In addition, there could be further disruption from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May due to industrial action. This is likely to cause some short-notice alterations and cancellations, especially at the weekend or late at night.

On the days after strikes, services could also be affected by a limited number of short-notice cancellations and alterations. If you intend to travel where trains are running, you are warned to check both outward and return journeys before you travel.

Where trains can run, they are expected to be extremely busy and bus replacement services are not able to be provided.
Customers who purchased tickets but do not travel can claim a full refund or amend their ticket. Those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more.

To help customers, tickets for strike days will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services, as follows:

• Tickets for Tuesday 7 May to Thursday 9 May can be used the day before or up to and including Monday 13 May. 

FInance, Fintech, Start Ups, Start-Up News, Tech Start Ups, Technology

VentureCEO 2.0: Cooper Parry leads collaboration to empower early-stage FinTech founders and CEOs

  • Cooper Parry officially launches the second instalment of VentureCEO.
  • Partners of the programme include AWS, Balderton Capital & AlbionVC.
  • The tailored programme provides direct access to seasoned FinTech CEOs and Founders, specialised content and personalised mentorship sessions with industry experts.

VentureCEO has officially launched its ‘Future of Money’ cohort programme, designed specifically for early-stage CEOs – at no cost – by Cooper Parry’s Tech & High Growth team – the leading UK startup and scaleup advisor in the accounting and tax space.

The VentureCEO programme officially launched earlier this year, debuting with its ‘Future of Health’ cohort. This second instalment, ‘Future of Money’, marks the first-ever programme that focuses on the FinTech sector, which currently has 76,500 people across the UK working in the industry, with this set to grow by 105,500 by 2030.

The cohort will see 15 FinTech CEOs across the UK participating. These are Fena, ZipZero, Mast, RQ, Sprive, EverUp, Profit.com, Plend, Doshi, Vega Investments, BibiMoney, Kaldi, Tred, Lightning Reach and Everything.

The 10-week cohort provides a series of initiatives to help the selected early-stage CEOs get unique insights and support from later-stage FinTech CEOs and advisors who have been through significant scaling and fundraising events themselves, whilst also creating a powerful peer group. The collaboration will foster impactful and beneficial connections and drive growth during their time with the cohort.

Steve Leith, Partner and Head of Tech & High Growth at Cooper Parry. Steve created the team to support over 500 scaleups and high-growth companies in the UK. Before joining Cooper Parry, he spent 20 years in Grant Thornton’s Technology team and has worked with scale-ups that have raised in total over $5bn in venture capital. He has mentored at Wayra, Seedcamp, Microsoft Accelerator, L Marks accelerators and Cisco EiR London. Steve also supported the Tech Nation sector and scaleup programmes working with the UK’s fastest growing scale-ups.

 

Steve Leith, spokesperson for VentureCEO and Partner and Head of Tech & High Growth at Cooper Parry, comments on the aim behind the initiative:

“The UK has a globally recognised reputation for incubating and building world-leading FinTech brands, with British FinTechs having raised £1.4bn in the first quarter of 2024. Cooper Parry is dedicated to curating the amazing network of founders and advisors in this country who can positively impact the next wave of FinTech innovators.

“With the economy continuing to prove a tougher climate than in previous years, we have designed the ‘Future of Money’ programme to deliver early-stage founders with valuable and actionable guidance from some of the best in the industry. We are extremely fortunate to have the commitment of  our amazing partners, together with experienced later-stage FinTech CEOs, who will facilitate connections, learning and community building to help fuel growth.”

The programme has several influential commercial supporters, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), ​​Mischon De Reya, and Capsule Insurance. In addition, fundraising advice and counsel will be given by Balderton Capital and AlbionVC, who both continue their support for the VentureCEO cohorts, alongside a dynamic array of sector-specific experts including CharlieHR, Luminous PR and Alex Arnot – one of the most prolific Board and Founder Advisors in the UK.. Each brings a unique set of resources and expertise to further enrich the experience for participating CEOs.

The later-stage FinTech CEOs involved include Tim Chong, CEO of Yonder,  David Jarvis, Founder of Griffin, Martina King at FeatureSpace, and Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank – between them, they have raised over $750m

 

Tim Chong, Co-Founder and CEO, Yonder. Tim is the co-founder and CEO of Yonder; a consumer lifestyle Fintech that’s disrupting American Express. Since founding Yonder in 2021 – Yonder has raised over £20m in venture capital funding from early backers of Spotify, Wise, Figma, Monzo, Datadog and UiPath; and over £62m in debt financing. Since launching – Yonder has processed over £100m in card transactions with over 40,000 visits to Yonder’s partners across dining, travel, fitness and online experiences

 

Tim Chong, Yonder’s CEO and co-founder said: “The UK is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to launch a FinTech startup, but the current climate has made survival tougher than ever. Advice and guidance from later-stage CEOs and industry experts were invaluable in helping me navigate the first few months of Yonder, so it was a no-brainer to join VentureCEO’s programme as a way to offer the same support to other new founders.”

Alongside addressing the needs of a rapidly scaling business, the programme will also prioritise personal well-being; MotivatePT will be rolling out group online fitness sessions, building community and encouraging participants to make time for movement to power up the mind-body connection.

 

Cat McDonald, Investment Director, AlbionVC
Cat joined AlbionVC in 2018 and focuses on backing founders across fintech, cyber and legacy industries. Prior to joining AlbionVC, Cat worked in New York and London as an Investment Banker with Goldman Sachs. Cat holds a degree in Economics from Harvard University, where she focussed on global economic development and behavioural economics.

 

Cat McDonald, Investment Director at AlbionVC concludes: “Despite the recent slowdown in UK FinTech funding, we remain optimistic about the opportunities in this sector and impressed by the quality of founders and startups in the UK ecosystem. I’m delighted to have been invited to support this great group of ambitious founders in the next VentureCEO cohort”.

Over the 10-week VentureCEO Future of Money programme, the CEOs and Founders in the cohort will benefit from:

  • A curated peer group of CEOs at the same stage and in the same sector.
  • Access to later-stage CEOs and their valuable insights.
  • Laser-focused content designed specifically to enable highly relevant support to founders on both their personal and scaling journeys.
  • Immediate commitment of support from best-in-class experts across legal, accounting, tax, HR, PR, digital marketing, growth and fundraising strategy, founder finance, founder wellbeing and more.
  • The opportunity to connect with vertical-specific domain experts and investors.

For more information about VentureCEO or to express your interest in being part of a future cohort, visit:  https://www.cooperparry.com/venture-ceo

Cheshire, Chester, Food & Drink, Hospitality, News, Regional Food & Drink News

Hydes Reopens Popular Chester Pub Following Investment in Refurbishment

Hydes Brewery has relaunched popular Chester pub The Mount Inn in Boughton, with a new look following a full exterior and interior refurbishment.

Timed to be completed in time for the forthcoming summer of sport including the Euros and the Paris Olympics, the refurbishment of the popular local pub, acquired by Hydes in 2016, includes an extensive exterior redecoration to feature a tiered multi-level beer garden with new decking and a terrace overlooking the River Dee, complete with new garden furniture, benches, planters and garden features. The exterior makeover has more than doubled the previous capacity of the outside seating area.

Inside has seen a redecoration, completely new furniture, installation of state of the art TV screens including an 80” television plus toilets relocated to allow for a more spacious seating area which has increased the interior capacity of the pub by at least 30.

A refresh of the pub’s front exterior has also been carried out, further enhancing the establishment’s appeal.

Manager of The Mount Inn, James Gornall, who has over 20 years experience in the hospitality sector, has a full programme of live music and pub entertainment lined up now the refurbishment is complete including live music every Saturday and for the first time, barbecues during the summer.

Commented James: “I’ve been running The Mount Inn for around 16 months and I just love it. I love it even more now that Hydes delivered such a high quality refurbishment that has truly revitalised it. Many of the regular customers have been looking forward to the refurb and they’re over the moon with the new look and feel. The improvements are already paying off and we’re pulling in more and more customers every week. With our fantastic beer garden and terrace, I can’t wait for the weather to pick up so everyone can make the most of our hospitality and the surroundings.”

This latest refurbishment project forms part of an ongoing multi-million investment programme across the Hydes’ estate over the next few years. Hydes committed over £10m to refurbishments of pubs across its estate over the past two years and it plans to add to that investment throughout the remainder of 2024.

Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers said: “The Mount Inn is a friendly, local pub, rich with character and typical of a Hydes pub of today. It’s a great pub to relax and enjoy a memorable pint whilst enjoying the views of the River Dee or Welsh mountains, or alternatively watching a match or listening to live music. The reopening has been timed to coincide before the busy summer season kicks in so customers can enjoy both the weather and some of the big sporting events taking place.

“We’re delighted to see The Mount Inn revitalised with an inviting new look and feel, but still retaining its distinct sense of heritage, which is important to us and all of our customers. Offering the best in fine ales, world lagers, great wines and a warm welcome combined with weekly live entertainment and all the live sporting action, there’s even more reasons to visit The Mount Inn now.

“Hydes remains fully committed to all of the pubs across its estate and this refurb is the latest in our ongoing programme of planned redesigns and refurbishments. Providing our customers with a quality, memorable experience is a key consideration and we know they won’t be disappointed.”

Hydes, with its brewery in Media City, Salford, was formed in 1863 and supplies beers to wholesalers, pub companies and other brewers throughout the UK and a pub retailing estate of nearly 50 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.

Cardiff, Cardiff News, News, Retail, Retail News

Paralympic legend opens Llandaff SPAR following £500k Refurbishment

The new-look SPAR Market opened its doors on Friday 3 May, showcasing Cardiff’s first Philpotts concession with a FREE celebratory barista coffee for all customers.

Sporting legend and Paralympian Aled Sion Davies was joined by Llandaff Primary School children on Friday morning (03/05) to declare the new Llandaff flagship SPAR store open.

The SPAR Market store reopened to the public following a £500k refurbishment, boasting Cardiff’s first Philpotts concession and County Bridge Kitchen food-to-go offering.

Aled Sion Davies – who joined in recognition of SPAR’s Disability Sport Wales Insport Series partnership – greeted the school children and members of the public before tucking into a Philpotts sandwich and cutting the ribbon.

Speaking at the opening, Aled Sion Davies said:

“It was great to come down and meet the people of Llandaff and celebrate this wonderful new store. It’s great to see a store that’s so state of the art. Great food really brings people together and it is wonderful to see Welsh products celebrated throughout the SPAR flagship.”

 

The grand reopening showcased a ‘Spinner Winner Wheel’ for those who attended to win prizes and money off vouchers.

The redevelopment hosts a new concept Philpotts sandwich concession selling meticulously crafted sandwiches and salads made from quality ingredients – a little taste of the Philpotts legacy for the first time in Cardiff.

Customers can also enjoy freshly ground, ethically traded and deliciously roasted Philpotts coffee – and for one week only SPAR is giving a free coffee to new customers.

The new flagship store has County Bridge Kitchen, great tasting tonight’s tea solutions  prepared on site for shoppers to cook at home later.  And the store has teamed up with producers from across Wales and local to Llandaff, from Wrexham Lager, Samosa & Co to Lodge Farm Kitchen meals and Welsh Lady Jams.

 

SPAR Market Llandaff store manager, Mike Bircham said:

“It was wonderful to open the doors of our Llandaff flagship store and celebrate with our community of all ages.  We will be offering one free Philpotts coffee, until next Friday, to customers who come down and check out the new store. Llandaff SPAR is a new space, with a fantastic food offering that people can get excited about.”

 

The plush new flagship is the first fully digital SPAR store in Wales – committing to reducing cardboard by using screens and tech throughout.

SPAR will also be offering community groups, schools and universities discounts in the first week of opening, look out for flyers to get your hands on goodies.

 

 

News

UK data expert answers key questions about first-party data

Written by Matthew Biboud-Lubeck, Vice President EMEA, Amperity

 

In a data-saturated world, the pathway to uncovering valuable insights hinges on the strategic utilisation of first-party data. From grasping customer preferences to executing finely-tuned campaigns, first-party data stands as a transformative force in reshaping how brands better connect with their customers.

In this article, I answer the five top questions every European brand has about unlocking the power of first-party data in a way that drives actionable insights and enhances their marketing strategies. From balancing personalisation and privacy to data gaps and more, no stone was left unturned. Let’s dive in.

 

1. What can first-party data teach me about my customers?

With direct access to accurate data, you can gain a sharper understanding of customer preferences, needs and barriers to purchase. Let’s explore:

 

  • Drive insights: People are constantly telling you about themselves. They’re buying your products. They’re signing up for loyalty programs. They’re setting up their preferences. They’re talking with or messaging customer service. They’re following you and talking about your products on social media. All of these interactions provide valuable clues about their intents and preferences and allows you to paint a richer picture of who they are, what they want and how to connect with them effectively.

 

  • Understand the journey: Today’s customer journey is hardly straightforward. Your customers are interacting with your brand across a wide range of digital and physical channels. First-party data lets you take a more holistic approach to the journey by understanding where your communications matter most and when they’ll be most beneficial to your customers.

 

  • Identify high-value customers: First-party data also helps you determine who your most valuable customers are and to use those insights to develop smart strategies to boost customer lifetime value.For instance, you can tailor incentives that encourage higher lifetime value and foster stronger relationships.

 

  • Discover untapped audiences: The value of first-party data isn’t limited to retention. It’s one of your most powerful customer acquisition tools. For instance, by delving into insights about your customers, you may discover that you’re reaching new audiences and resonating with new customer groups. This understanding of a segment’s characteristics and behaviours can lead to identifying potential new opportunities.

 

2. How can first-party data help me target my campaigns more effectively?

With third-party cookies disappearing, first-party data takes on a more vital role in digital campaigns and marketing initiatives.

While at first glance cookie deprecation may seem like a loss, the dirty secret was that this kind of behavioural targeting wasn’t that accurate to begin with. Most third-party targeting is proxied – for example, this user visited a baby site and is therefore a woman aged 24 to 45. In reality, the person you’re told is a new mom is actually an uncle making a purchase for a new nephew who may never buy a baby item again.

 

  • Accurate information: Collecting data directly from your customers ensures fundamental accuracy because it comes right from the source. There’s no need to collect it via intermediaries, where every handoff can create a loss of fidelity and precision. For this reason, targeting based on first-party data will outperform third-party segments.
  • Nuanced understanding of needs: Targeting is most effective when you have a more comprehensive picture of the consumer. Here, first-party data wins hands down. You can harness everything you know about your audience segments to create a highly nuanced understanding of their needs. In fact, all downstream processes will benefit from the higher quality input that first-party data offers, leading to more effective decision-making and better overall business outcomes.
  • Beyond demographics: All in all, first-party data lets you and your team take a more sophisticated approach to audience targeting. You no longer need to depend on demographics like age, gender or income. Instead, you can use insights and predictive models to paint a richer portrait of a person’s wants, needs and emotions and reach them as an actual human.

 

3. What are data gaps and how do they affect my ability to market effectively with first-party data?

Exactly what they sound like, data gaps are the gaps organisations have in their customer data. Think of gaps as discrepancies between the data you have and the data you need.

Just because you have information about a customer, it doesn’t mean you know much about that customer. Many brands have a transactional relationship with their customers, knowing what they’ve bought but not why they bought it. For example, a casual clothing retailer sells someone a hooded jacket, but might only be able to personalise an offer based on that purchase (e.g., you bought this jacket, so you might like this hat).

While first-party data can provide insight about what your customers have purchased, where they engage and more, complementing this information with additional data points – such as the types of vacations they like to take, the region they live in, how they spend their leisure time – will allow for a more nuanced offer.

There are a number of ways to fill these gaps and enrich your first-party data.

 

  • Zero-party data: This is the information that consumers freely disclose about themselves. It’s sometimes called declared data. You can gather it by simply asking (offering some kind of incentive in return) or using tools like surveys and quizzes.

 

  • Second-party data: This data is shared data that comes from a trusted partner or source. Think about how airlines, car-rental companies and hotel chains share what they know about their loyalty program members. Second-party data marketplaces, where brands or publishers make their data sets available in a privacy-compliant way, are also an option.

 

  • Third-party data: Not to be confused with third-party cookies, this data is another source of existing data sets. It can enrich your view of the customer by layering on top of the first-party data foundation you already have, but it is not strong enough to use on its own.

 

4. How do I balance personalisation and privacy?

This is a huge conundrum for brands across the globe. Customers want experiences that are relevant, but they are also increasingly protective of their personal information. This personal information is necessary to deliver that relevance.

But personalisation is possible in the age of consumer privacy because personalisation is about relevance and convenience, not personally identifiable information (PII). If you can anticipate the needs of your audience segments, you can create experiences that feel tailored to each consumer without deploying PII.

 

  • Easy-to-view customer consent: Managing customer consent is complex business. Has this consumer consented to receive messages from your brand? A platform that surfaces consent across all channels will help you stay in compliance with the laws and the consumer’s personal preference.

 

  • Predictive analytics: This allows marketers to proactively assess a user’s interests and deliver personalised experiences in real time. By using predictive attributes like lifetime value, churn likelihood or propensity to purchase, orchestration tools can use AI or machine learning algorithms to refine messaging to your customers across channels over time.

 

  • Recommended audience segments: These are prescriptive, customised recommendations of segments to activate on and can provide access to deep insights, segment history and trends to power personalisation. These segments can be further refined with additional zero-, first-, second- and third-party data.

 

  • System for continued measurement: Consumer behaviour is ever-changing, affected by seasonality, world events, life’s milestones, and a host of other factors – your personalisation initiative will need to reflect those sentiments.

 

5. What’s the best way for my organisation to start activating our first-party data?

Customer data platforms (CDPs) are a great way to activate your data and future-proof your marketing needs. By centralising your organisation’s first-party data, CDPs break down the silos that prevent brands from understanding who your audiences are and what they expect from your brand.

 

  • Unification: Of course, access to data is one thing, ensuring it’s unified is another. Your success will require a comprehensive approach to data unification, identity resolution and consistent unifiers, so you can obtain a comprehensive view of your customers. These are tasks that CDPs excel at.

 

  • Democratisation: CDPs can also empower data democratisation through self-serve tools designed for marketers. Make sure the CDP you opt to implement offers workflows that are intuitive to users who aren’t data science experts. Your ability to make data-driven decisions today and into the future will depend on those workflows.

 

  • Privacy compliance: Another table stakes issue is the ability to use PII to build rich customer profiles in a privacy-compliant manner. Ensure your CDP provides governance tools that can automatically redact PII data, restrict access to data to authorised users only, audit data usage and so on.

 

  • Integration: Marketing success is all about measurement and iteration. For this reason, go with a CDP that seamlessly integrates with business intelligence tools, allowing you to pipe customer data into your preferred analytics platforms. Finally, keep in mind that CDPs are not all alike. Each has its particular strengths and gaps. Prepare a list of questions to ask potential vendors to ensure they cover the capabilities above and can support your specific business needs.

 

Unlock a wealth of opportunity with first-party data

As demonstrated, first-party data offers more than just basic demographic targeting. By using accurate information, understanding customer journeys and filling data gaps, organisations can personalise engagement and improve business outcomes significantly.

With the right tools and strategies, such as CDPs, brands can navigate the evolving landscape of data privacy and drive impactful campaigns that resonate with their audiences. Stay tuned for the third and final installment of this first-party data series, where we’ll dive into the dos and don’ts of first-party data.

To discover more insights on how to make your first-party data actually useful to you now, download our free white paper here.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Biboud-Lubeck, Vice President EMEA, Amperity

Matthew is the vice president of EMEA where he is responsible for the commercial expansion of Amperity, a leading customer data platform trusted by brands like Reckitt, Under Armour and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Lubeck joined Amperity in 2017 to help launch the company and has served in a number of key roles building sales, customer success, and marketing functions. Matthew established Amperity’s LGBTQ employee resource group (ERG) and is a trusted advisor and customer-centricity change agent to the C-suite across leading consumer brands.

Prior to Amperity, Lubeck spent 10 years with global beauty conglomerates Estee Lauder Group and L’Oréal as Group Head of Customer Data Strategy and Analytics, leading 30 brands across luxury, mass and salon professional divisions to better use data & unlock incredible beauty experiences, establishing L’Oreal as an industry leader. He resides in London with his husband and young daughter.

About Amperity

Amperity delivers the data confidence brands need to unlock growth by truly knowing their customers. With Amperity, brands can build a first-party data foundation to fuel customer acquisition and retention, personalize experiences that build loyalty, and manage privacy compliance. Using patented AI and ML methods, Amperity stitches together all customer interactions to build a unified view that seamlessly connects to marketing and technology tools. More than 400 brands worldwide rely on Amperity to turn data into business value, including Alaska Airlines, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Endeavour Drinks, Planet Fitness, Seattle Sounders FC, Under Armour and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. For more information, visit amperity.com or follow us on Linkedin, X, Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

Hospitality

UK Airline Customers Increasingly Prefer Digital Customer Services

Digital channels have become the average airline customer’s preferred means of dealing with customer service. In a survey of over 4,800 travellers, email channels and app-based services were among the top ways travellers preferred to deal with airline concerns.

And it isn’t just the younger demographics who use digital services, as most people have started leaning toward tech-based services in the past four years. 70% of those surveyed even noted that their airline interactions have changed since 2020. With a distinct shift in customer preferences, airlines must adjust accordingly to match the digital demand.

The digitalisation of UK airlines

In the United Kingdom, airlines are vamping up their digital channels to meet the demands of modern consumers. Bookings and customer support are primarily directed to online platforms, with emails, mobile apps, social media, and websites providing various avenues for users. The leading portal for most is still the website, which allows people to access dedicated services exclusive to the brand linked to other platforms.

Websites also encourage travel by capitalising on the modern desire for simplicity. People ache for adventure but don’t want the hassle of figuring out all the aspects of the trip beforehand. Data from Somo even shows that 77% of British travellers are willing to pay more if the online booking process is more straightforward. This is why point-to-point airlines also offer low-price flight and hotel packages. It makes the whole process smoother and gets more out of every pound.

easyJet is particularly known for its cheap flight tickets, with a focus on its Fare Finder feature. This allows users to input the point of departure and the destination of choice, with the system automatically filtering various flights to prioritise the most affordable legitimate options. The Fare Finder can be accessed globally, so users don’t need a VPN to compare flight prices for different destinations.

This feature leans toward the trend of catering to airline customers who want value for their money while seeking more convenient ways to find such deals. On top of that, flyers can look at timetables of flights that can inform their route, with built-in guides that allow users to input location, time, trips, budget, and popular activities like family-friendly events, music festivals, solo adventures, and the like.

The modern traveller and technology

Most people accept that tech is a massive part of life, influencing customer mindset and culture, which is something carriers should consider. People between 18 and 87 spend about 8.6 hours a day using technology. As such, members of the older and younger demographic have a more excellent grasp of digital channels. These habits come with renewed expectations of the services they can receive on said channels and the speed at which these services are delivered.

Case in point, much of the preference for digital channels comes from the simple fact that people are much less patient now. Research on British holidaymakers has found that it only takes a flight delay of 64 minutes to upset most travellers. The same data has revealed that 84% of people would be more understanding if airlines were more transparent with issues causing delays.

Ryanair’s TikTok persona acknowledges and works with this mental shift to great success. The budget airline adopted a very cheeky brand voice on social media, garnering much attention and gaining a lot of goodwill with netizens. Their approach even influenced public perception, almost washing over some complaints floating through the internet.

Using humour or taking on a positive tone is ideal for airlines connecting with travellers online to diffuse tension, as most people seek out tech-based resources that allow them to get their issues addressed as quickly as possible. At the very least, social media and live chats should provide the comfort of communication and potential solutions that holidaymakers are seeking. With the new attitudes that dictate UK airline customers today, airline carriers must adapt to move forward.

Cancer, Charity Events, Charity News, Events, FInance

Maggie’s and Swansea Building Society Host 5th Anniversary Celebration for Cancer Support in Cardiff

Maggie’s Cancer Charity and Swansea Building Society are collaborating to host a memorable event commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Maggie’s Centre opening in Cardiff. The exciting 5th Birthday Ball will be held on May 17th at Dyffryn Springs near Wenvoe, bringing together supporters and beneficiaries for an evening of reflection and hope.

Swansea Building Society has pledged its support as the event sponsor, continuing its steadfast commitment to Maggie’s as its official charity for the third consecutive year.

Since its inception, Maggie’s Cardiff has provided invaluable support to over a thousand visitors each month, offering practical, emotional, and social assistance to individuals and families navigating the challenges of cancer.

The centre, situated in Velindre Road, Whitchurch, works in harmony with conventional cancer therapies, offering a nurturing environment where visitors can access support, information, and practical advice. From financial and benefits guidance to complementary therapies and nutrition workshops, Maggie’s Cardiff plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for those affected by cancer.

Supporting the charity over recent years, Swansea Building Society has organised a diverse range of successful fundraising activities, including dress-down days, raffles, and sponsored events like dog walks and open water swimming. These initiatives have resulted in an impressive cumulative fundraising total exceeding £60,000, providing vital resources to empower Maggie’s in delivering its essential services.

Richard Miles, Area Manager / Head of Savings & Marketing, Swansea Building Society, said:

“As proud sponsors of Maggie’s for the third consecutive year, Swansea Building Society is honoured to support such a vital cause. Our ongoing commitment to Maggie’s reflects our dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. We are delighted to be part of the 5th Birthday Ball celebration and look forward to continuing our partnership with Maggie’s to ensure their important work can thrive for years to come.”

Rachael Davies, Fundraising Manager at Maggie’s, added:

“We’re incredibly grateful that Swansea Building Society has sponsored our 5th Birthday Ball. Sponsorship of our events is so important, and we can’t thank everyone at Swansea Building Society enough.”

News, South West England News

Iconic Bristol International Balloon Fiesta boosted by first wave of business community backing

The team behind the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has announced the first wave of support from the business community as they prepare for the take-off of the hot-air summer extravaganza.

Pioneering electric-car manufacturer Tesla and aerospace design and manufacturer, Airbus, a key player in Bristol’s aviation history, and The Ivy, which has a restaurant in the city’s Clifton area, have joined forces with the Fiesta organisers alongside leading South West companies.

Bailey of Bristol caravans, Somerset-based family-run cidermaker Thatcher’s, and Butcombe Brewing Company, have also pledged their backing for the biggest annual gathering of hot air balloons in Europe.

The Bristol Junior Chamber, which played a key role in founding the Fiesta, is again joining forces with the event organisers, as an official partner.

Now, following the surge of support from West County companies, which has seen Clifton-based AMBITIOUS signed up as PR & communications partner, the Fiesta leadership team is urging companies to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities.

In return for their support, they gain exposure to worldwide media attention, access to a captivated crowd of hundreds of thousands and association with the city’s most iconic outdoor event – all while making a meaningful contribution to safeguarding the future of a Bristol institution.

Ben Hardy, executive director, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “Our sponsors’ commitment to backing the Fiesta is tremendous news for my team and for everyone who knows and loves the event.

“We are proud that the 2024 Fiesta will be associated with celebrated local supporters in the business community in Bailey’s Caravans, Butcombe Brewery and Thatcher’s alongside iconic restaurant The Ivy, and global heavyweights in Airbus and Tesla.

“We are delighted they are all backing us with such enthusiasm and to partner with such renowned brands is an important validation for the fiesta. The event will have the eyes of the world on it thanks to media attention that mirrors its growing popularity.

“Our brilliant commercial partners will ensure the fiesta soars to new heights in the build-up to its 50th anniversary in 2028 and our dynamic long-time companions at the Bristol Junior Chamber will ensure their support strengthens Bristol’s status as the home of modern ballooning.”

The sponsorship deals were announced in the wake of an appeal for businesses to support the fiesta by the organisers to ease financial pressures and safeguard the event for future generations, due to challenging economic conditions created by covid, the cost of living, inflation, and supply chain issues.

Despite this the not-for-profit organisation are committed to the Fiesta’s founding constitution to offer a free event for the city, that celebrates Bristol, supports the region’s economy, and brings the magic of hot air ballooning to everyone.

“We are delighted that business leaders have responded to our rallying call and the long-term future is brighter thanks to their backing” Hardy added.

“We are still inviting businesses and organisations to get in touch and explore our sponsorship and partner opportunities as we strive to ensure the Fiesta is as robust as it is dramatic.

“I am confident we will have more good sponsorship news to share soon but we are looking for new partners and brands to come onboard and help further develop the programme, that showcases this novel, magical and colourful pastime.

“This is a real opportunity for businesses to join the fabric of this event, to not only support the Fiesta but protect this iconic event that has a significant impact on the city’s visitor economy and its international profile.”

The 2024 event will take place over three days from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August. It will include two Night Glow events which will now take place consecutively on Friday and Saturday evenings. South West dining royalty, Pasture, will also be at the event offering an on-site dining experience like no other, with options available throughout each day.

Organisers have also announced an extension of the event. Between Monday 5 and Thursday 8 August, ‘Fiesta Week’ will see a fleet of hot air balloons popping up in locations across the city in a series of community launches which will bring a taste of the Fiesta to areas across the city.

For more information visit www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk  or follow @bristolballoon on Instagram, X and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta on Facebook for the latest news and updates.