Category Archives: Marketing

East Midlands based businesses announce merger.

October 5, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

“We Believe We Can Add Rocket Fuel To The Business & Help Deliver Rapid Growth.”

Champions (Uk) Plc Announces Merger With Lowaire

CHAMPIONS (UK) PLC is to merge with digital marketing and website development agency Lowaire, it can be announced today.

Staff from each of the companies enjoyed a celebratory breakfast as they marked the start of a new collaboration which is designed to “propel both organisations forward”.

The deal marks the latest chapter in a remarkable story as each business – both based in Loughborough – began as “bedroom start-ups”.

Champions’ (UK) Plc’s Managing Director, Matthew Hayes, spoke of the partnership and explained what he hopes the future holds.

He said: “The objective of the merger is to combine Lowaire’s local presence and ambitious attitude with Champions’ years of experience and extensive offering to provide a results-focused approach for our clients.” “Furthermore, it allows Champions to offer a full service to clients from start-up all the way to mid-tier and fast growth corporate organisations.”

Lowaire boasts an in-house team with expertise ranging from social marketing, paid media, SEO and website design and development.

Through this partnership, they provide a full range of digital marketing and website design services to meet clients’ ever-changing digital needs.

Just like Champions (UK) plc, Lowaire started out as a one-man team from a dining room table back in 2014.

Now it possesses a dedicated team of hard-working individuals who now provide services to over 100 clients locally, nationally, and globally.

Matthew added: “We understand how difficult and challenging the agency market can be and how lonely it can be from the point of view of starting from scratch.

“They have proved themselves over the first seven years of business, but what we believe we can do is help add rocket fuel to the business, taking the learnings and lessons of being a bedroom start-up agency ourselves. We know what is required to deliver rapid growth for the agency itself.”

Lowaire’s Managing Director, Adam Coley started the business because he believed there was a gap in the market for a digital marketing agency that provided a better, more transparent, and personalised service for clients.

He said: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for us. As specialists in producing robust digital marketing solutions, Lowaire sees this partnership as an exciting opportunity to fuse with Champions’ established growth strategies.

“Having worked for various companies including the NHS, I was quick to learn how a more personalised and result-driven approach could lead to better results and client retention. “As an agile team at Lowaire, our nimbleness combined with Champions’ extensive experience will propel both our organisations forward.

“We truly believe our expertise coupled with Champions’ wide-reaching experience will uniquely position us in the marketplace and we look forward to sharing this exciting journey with our stakeholders.”

For more information on the exciting merger of Champions (UK) plc and Lowaire, please visit their websites.

Marketing, News, Scotland

Marketing expert calls for regulation to curb ‘rip-off’ potential

October 4, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

A leading Scottish marketing expert is calling for the online marketing industry to adopt more stringent regulation to avoid small business owners spending money with unqualified, inexperienced marketers.

It comes as Niki Hutchison has picked up a latest accolade, shortlisted in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards within the Global Entrepreneur of the Year category.

Edinburgh-based Niki (www.nikihutchison.com) has also recently been recognised as an official Google Digital Garage trainer. She said: ‘Being recognised in such prestigious awards and by Google is a wonderful feeling but most of all, I’m proud to be able to demonstrate the trust needed by my clients and potential clients.

‘This means more to me now, at a time when our industry is so lacking in regulation, meaning practically anyone can call themselves a marketer or business strategist. This means clients can invest in good faith, but often end up no further forward in their business, as well as out of pocket. Anyone investing in their business must check for evidence of qualifications and years of experience, things that should go without saying, but often do not.

‘Online, lots of people are portraying themselves as experts, and charging exorbitant prices for marketing, or marketing coaching. Scratch the surface and their offer is often lacking in any value or substance.

‘This brings not only a dreadful risk of people being ripped off but also tarnishes our whole business sector as all marketers can be lumped in with the charlatans.

‘I’m launching a free challenge (details here), to help people Master their Marketing and give them a taster of what it’s like to work with me, so that they can feel safe and reassured in relation to my services.’

As co-founder of Adventures In Marketing, Niki also brings together other expert marketers for business owners to learn from and is set to host a second event in Edinburgh in February next year, after selling out the first one in February 2023.

She said: ‘Marketing is made up of so many different elements, but may be presented in a really narrow way, according to one person’s knowledge or skills. Reputable marketing professionals will have the skills to focus on how different elements will contribute to an overall strategy – I’ve been successfully doing this for over two decades.

‘I’d strongly advise small business owners seeking marketing support online to do their due diligence, comb through LinkedIn profiles and ask to see case studies and testimonials connected to former work – not just what the marketers claims to have generated for their own business. This proof can mean the difference between wasting money and getting a great return on investment.

For Niki, some recent achievements include:

Supporting well known marketers Andrew and Pete with the initial launch for their event ATOMICON 2023 which attracted their highest number of attendees ever in June
Helping The Worst Girl Gang Ever attract over 300 members to their brand new membership against a goal of 100
Writing three winning Marketing Society Scotland STAR Awards papers in 2022, winning two Golds and one Silver.

Niki has also been listed in Business Women Scotland’s Top 100 Women in Business 2023, Digital Women’s Top 50 Women to Watch 2022, and is also currently shortlisted for their Women’s Champion Award, Digital Teacher/ Trainer Award and Digital Agency Owner Award in 2023.

Niki added: ‘I share these achievements so people can see I genuinely know what I’m talking about and can help them use marketing strategically to get the results they’re looking for.

‘I’d love to see more stringent regulation within the online marketing industry so that supposed experts with little actual knowledge or experience are either required to undertake the relevant training to be able to back up their claims, or are forced out.

‘This training could be in the form of one industry-recognised qualification, specifically for online marketers working with small business owners. Perhaps it can only be applied for after a certain length of time in the industry, or after submitting evidence of client results. This would serve potential customers far better than the current growing lineup of online marketers who may or may not have any real-world experience in helping businesses grow.

Image credit: Anna Moffat

Business Advice, L&D, Marketing, News, PR and SEO

How to Keep Digital Marketing Staff Up to Date With Skills

October 4, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

Your digital marketing team no doubt plays a pivotal role in your business. As with any member of your team, it’s in your interest to make sure they stay on top of their skillset, up to date with developments within their remit and have a chance to enhance their skills too. For areas where things might not change too frequently (perhaps something like bookkeeping or stock control), this may require courses or training on new software or even bringing in outside expertise to education on things like regulation changes.

But in an area that moves incredibly quickly, how do we keep employees up to date with skills and the wider industry knowledge?

There are, of course, training courses. According to recent statistics, there were over 18,000 Google searches for “SEO courses” in January last year alone, a 500% increase over 6 years. So demand is high for training around SEO, PPC, social media and other forms of digital marketing.

But the reality is that very often, something has changed in the time it might take someone to get a course prepared, approved and delivered. So courses are incredible for fundamentals, introductions to new big changes and technology changes. But for day to day changes, keeping up to speed with advancements, new features on ad platforms and so forth, what else can you offer your employees?

Time

Keeping up to speed with industry blogs, with webinars and announcements from social platforms, search engines and other key players in the digital marketing space takes time. Is it feasible for you to offer up an hour or two a week for them to dive into recent articles, studies or play with some new tech?

This could be massively valuable in such a fast paced marketing world.

Conferences

Conferences can be really valuable if you go to the right ones. Aside from the speakers (who can of course have a lot of knowledge and insight to share) you enable your employees to network with people doing similar jobs in other businesses.

Now, as humans we can be a little guilty of tunnel vision in our work sometimes. When you’re focussed on your day to day tasks, looking at the wider picture isn’t a top priority. But getting the day out of office to listen to talks from industry leaders and network with peers can be really useful. You spend time listening to people share their own problems and the solutions they came up with and, if it’s the right kind of conference, come back inspired or armed with practical knowledge to apply to your own job.

Testing Playgrounds

Google will tell SEO practitioners that they made hundreds of tweaks to their algorithm annually. Ads formats and page layouts changes all the time. Cookie and privacy compliance laws seem to be being updated more often than we can keep up with. Something new happens in social media seemingly constantly.

And, let’s be honest, in marketing sometimes there isn’t one simple “right answer.” Take SEO, for example, we don’t simply have a list of Google rankings factors. So allowing your team the flexibility to hypothesise and test is really valuable.

Now, you may not want tests being run on your main business website. So consider giving marketing team members support, resources or time to run tests on sandbox type websites – either smaller and less important sites or yours, purpose built testing grounds or their own testing builds.

The lessons we learn from testing and trialling in marketing are often some of the most useful.

Why do you want to invest in keeping your staff skilled?

Keeping your staff knowledgeable and up to date within their own areas of expertise requires investment. But consistent development helps to ensure your staff are delivering the best for your business but also helps keep them motivated and content in their work.

Marketing

Elevate Your Brand with Custom Stickers: A Comprehensive Guide

September 25, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

In the fast-paced world of marketing and brand promotion, businesses are constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to stand out from the competition. Custom sticker printing may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can be a powerful tool to elevate your brand and make a lasting impression. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how custom sticker printing can be a game-changer for your brand, from design to application and everything in between.

1. The Power of Custom Stickers

Custom stickers are versatile and cost-effective promotional tools that offer numerous benefits for your brand. Here’s why they are so powerful:

Brand Visibility

Custom stickers act as miniature billboards for your brand. Placed strategically on various surfaces, they catch the eye of potential customers and create brand recognition. Whether it’s on a laptop, water bottle, or car bumper, your brand’s sticker can be seen by a wide audience.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Compared to traditional advertising methods, custom stickers are budget-friendly. You can print them in bulk at a relatively low cost, making them an excellent choice for small businesses with limited marketing budgets.

Brand Identity

Stickers are a fantastic way to reinforce your brand identity. They allow you to showcase your logo, brand colours, and key messages in a visually appealing way. Consistency in branding builds trust and recognition among your target audience.

Creative Freedom

Custom stickers offer endless design possibilities. You can let your creativity run wild and create unique, eye-catching designs that reflect your brand’s personality. Whether you opt for a minimalistic look or a vibrant design, stickers can convey your message effectively.

2. Designing Your Custom Stickers

Creating compelling custom stickers is a crucial step in elevating your brand. Here’s how to design stickers that leave a lasting impression:

Define Your Goals

Start by defining the goals of your sticker campaign. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, promote a specific product, or create a buzz around an event? Understanding your objectives will help shape your design.

Know Your Audience

Consider your target audience’s preferences and interests. Your sticker design should resonate with them. Research your audience’s demographics, psychographics, and buying behaviours to create a design that speaks to them.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is key to effective sticker design. Avoid cluttered visuals and excessive text. Your sticker should convey your message quickly and clearly. Remember, less is often more in the world of stickers.

Brand Elements

Incorporate your brand’s visual elements, such as your logo, colour palette, and fonts, into the design. Consistency is essential for reinforcing your brand identity.

High-Quality Graphics

Invest in high-quality graphics and images for your stickers. Blurry or pixelated designs can detract from the professionalism of your brand.

Colours Matter

Choose colours that align with your brand and evoke the right emotions. Each colour has its psychological impact, so select shades that resonate with your message.

Test Your Design

Before mass production, print a few test stickers to evaluate the design’s appearance and quality. Make necessary adjustments if needed.

3. Printing Your Custom Stickers

Once you have a stunning design in place, it’s time to bring it to life through printing. Here’s what you need to know about the printing process:

Printing Options

There are various printing options available for custom stickers, including digital printing, offset printing, and screen printing. Each has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your design and budget.

Material Matters

Select the right sticker material based on your intended use. Vinyl stickers are durable and weather-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor applications. Paper stickers are cost-effective and work well for indoor use.

Finish Options

Consider finish options like matte, gloss, or a combination of both. The finish can affect the sticker’s appearance and durability. Matte finishes offer a subtle, elegant look, while gloss adds vibrancy and shine.

Die-Cut or Standard Shapes

You can opt for standard shapes like circles and rectangles or choose die-cut stickers that are custom-shaped. Die-cut stickers often stand out more, but they may be pricier.

Quantity Matters

Order stickers in quantities that make sense for your marketing campaign. Printing in bulk can save you money, but be mindful of storage if you have limited space.

4. Applying Your Custom Stickers

Once you have your custom stickers in hand, it’s time to put them to use effectively:

Strategic Placement

Think strategically about where you’ll place your stickers. High-traffic areas and commonly used items like laptops and water bottles are excellent choices.

Partner Collaborations

Collaborate with local businesses to cross-promote your brand by sharing stickers. This can expand your reach and introduce your brand to new audiences.

Sticker Giveaways

Host sticker giveaways on social media or at events. Encourage your audience to share photos of your stickers in use, creating user-generated content that showcases your brand.

5. Measuring Success

To ensure your custom sticker campaign is effective, you need to measure its success. Here are some key metrics to track:

Brand Impressions

Count the number of times your stickers are seen by potential customers. This can be estimated based on the number of stickers distributed and their placement.

Conversion Rates

Measure how many sticker recipients take desired actions, such as visiting your website, making a purchase, or subscribing to your newsletter.

Social Media Engagement

Track the engagement and reach of social media posts related to your stickers. Are people sharing and talking about them online?

Return on Investment (ROI)

Calculate the ROI of your sticker campaign by comparing the cost of printing and distribution to the revenue generated as a result.

6. Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

In today’s socially conscious world, it’s essential to consider sustainability and ethical practices when using custom stickers for branding:

Eco-Friendly Materials

Opt for eco-friendly sticker materials that are biodegradable or made from recycled content. This demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility.

Ethical Production

Ensure that your stickers are produced in ethical working conditions, adhering to fair labour practices.

Recycling Programs

Implement a recycling program for your stickers to encourage responsible disposal among your customers.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Brand with Custom Stickers

Custom stickers may seem like a small marketing tool, but their potential to elevate your brand is significant. From design to application and measurement, every step in the sticker campaign process plays a vital role in enhancing brand visibility and recognition. By embracing custom stickers and incorporating them into your marketing strategy, you can make a lasting impression on your audience and stand out in a competitive marketplace. So, start designing your custom stickers today and watch your brand soar to new heights.

Business Advice, Marketing

Driving Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Unleashing the Power of Customer Advocacy

August 18, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

Word-of-Mouth Marketing (WOMM) has always been a potent force in shaping behaviour. When a friend, family member, or colleague shares their positive experiences with a product or service, it carries far more weight than any advertisement or marketing campaign.

In the digital age, where information spreads like wildfire through social media and online platforms, the power of peer influence has only grown stronger. Understanding and harnessing the potential of WOMM can be a game-changer for businesses looking to build brand loyalty and customer advocacy.

Understanding Word-of-Mouth Marketing (WOMM): The Power of Peer Influence

Word-of-Mouth Marketing is the organic spread of information or recommendations from one person to another. It relies on the trust and credibility of personal connections to influence purchasing decisions. A satisfied customer becomes an advocate, voluntarily sharing their positive experiences, which, in turn, can lead to a chain reaction of referrals and new customers. Customer advocacy is at the heart of WOMM, and it goes beyond mere satisfaction; it involves passionate endorsement and active support for a brand.

The Role of Customer Advocacy in Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Customer advocacy plays a pivotal role in word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM). A genuine emotional connection with a brand drives customers to become advocates, fostering brand loyalty. This creates a community of loyal customers who act as brand ambassadors. These passionate advocates speak highly of the brand and actively engage with potential customers, sharing their experiences and answering queries.

Their advocacy extends the brand message far and wide, strengthening its impact and influence. Through customer advocacy, businesses can cultivate a powerful network of advocates who passionately promote the brand, driving customer engagement and loyalty to new heights.

Creating Remarkable Customer Experiences: The Foundation of WOMM

Any successful WOMM strategy’s foundation is delivering remarkable customer experiences. Customers are more likely to become advocates When they are delighted, and their expectations are exceeded. Brands must focus on personalized interactions, excellent customer service, and promptly addressing pain points. Customer feedback and data can help tailor experiences that leave a lasting impression and inspire advocacy.

Identifying and Nurturing Brand Advocates: Building a Passionate Fan Base

Building customer loyalty a passionate fan base requires identifying and nurturing brand advocates within the customer base. Only some satisfied customers become advocates, but some naturally lean towards advocacy. To find these individuals, businesses can use customer advocacy software and analytics.

By recognizing and rewarding their efforts, brands can encourage these advocates to continue passionately promoting the brand. Nurturing their passion fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty, creating a network of dedicated advocates who are pivotal in driving word-of-mouth marketing. By strategically identifying and nurturing brand advocates, businesses can build a strong and enthusiastic fan base that amplifies the brand message and bolsters customer loyalty.

Encouraging Customer Referrals: The Art of Word-of-Mouth Amplification

Referral types of loyalty programs are a powerful tool in amplifying WOMM. Offering incentives to the advocate and the referred customer creates a win-win situation. Advocates feel appreciated, and new customers are enticed to try the product or service due to the recommendation from someone they trust. These customer loyalty program also create a sense of belonging and community among customers, driving advocacy and loyalty.

Leveraging Social Media for Word-of-Mouth Reach

Social media has transformed the landscape of word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM), offering brands unprecedented reach. By crafting shareable content and engaging campaigns, businesses can leverage the extensive networks of their advocates and customers.

A carefully planned social media strategy prompts customers to share their experiences, generating a ripple effect that amplifies the brand message across platforms. Harnessing the power of peer influence through social media enables brands to expand their reach organically, foster customer advocacy software, and build lasting connections with their target audience.

User-Generated Content (UGC) and WOMM: Empowering Customers to Share

User-generated content is a powerful tool for WOMM. Encouraging customers to create and share content related to the brand fosters a sense of ownership and pride among advocates. UGC feels authentic and relatable, making it more likely to be trusted and shared by others. By featuring UGC in loyalty marketing efforts, brands can harness the creativity and enthusiasm of their customers to drive word-of-mouth.

The Viral Effect: Strategies for Sparking Organic Word-of-Mouth

Creating a viral marketing campaign is the holy grail of WOMM. Though viral content cannot be guaranteed, certain strategies can increase the likelihood of organic word-of-mouth. Emotional storytelling, humour, and unique experiences are some elements that can make content more shareable. Brands must also stay relevant and timely, tapping into current trends and topics that resonate with their target audience.

Influencer Partnerships and WOMM: Expanding Reach through Trusted Voices

Influencer partnerships are pivotal in expanding word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) reach. Genuine endorsements from influencers whose values align with the brand build trust and prompt their engaged followers to act on their recommendations. Authenticity and transparent communication are crucial in these collaborations.

By fostering strong relationships with influencers and measuring the campaign’s impact, brands can effectively harness their influence to drive customer advocacy and consumer loyalty. Though risks must be mitigated, influencer partnerships can be a potent force in WOMM, enabling brands to tap into a wider audience and benefit from the power of peer influence.

The Ripple Effect: Turning One Advocate into Many

A satisfied customer turned advocate can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to become advocates too. Businesses must leverage this momentum by continually engaging with their advocates and providing valuable content and experiences. Advocate communities can be nurtured through exclusive events, rewards, and opportunities for meaningful interactions with the brand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, word-of-mouth marketing powered by customer advocacy meaning is a force that can propel businesses to new heights. By prioritizing exceptional customer experiences, encouraging referrals, leveraging social media, and empowering customers through user-generated content, brands can unleash the power of peer influence.

Influencer partnerships and strategic efforts to turn one advocate into many can further amplify the impact of WOMM. When businesses succeed in driving word-of-mouth, they create a passionate fan base that fosters brand loyalty and becomes a driving force for sustained growth.

Marketing, News, PR and SEO, Tech

Global technology consultancy Thoughtworks selects Fight or Flight as UK PR agency of record

August 2, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

Leading global technology consultancy Thoughtworks has appointed B2B comms agency Fight or Flight as its UK PR agency of record after a three-way competitive pitch process.

Thoughtworks has spent over 30 years helping clients which include the likes of the ITV, Mercedes-Benz and the NHS solve complex problems, navigate disruption and software, and prides itself on its ability to connect strategy to practical execution.

Fight or Flight’s brief is to help Thoughtworks write and communicate the next chapter of its story, following an IPO on the Nasdaq and subsequent evolution of its brand and category positioning. The agency will provide strategic comms, thought leadership and media relations services.

“Thoughtworks is trusted by some of the world’s biggest and most consequential organizations – AI, cloud, customer experience and data strategy,” said Andrew Soane, Head of Marketing, Thoughtworks UK. “In partnership with Fight or Flight, their assignment is to significantly increase our visibility and share of voice in the conversations that matter to our clients.

The Fight or Flight team will be led by managing partner Joe Walton, supported by senior account manager Libby Barnes and associate director and broadcast specialist Jamie McNicholas.

Commenting on the new partnership Joe Walton, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Fight or Flight said: “Thoughtworks has an impressive track record of innovation in the technology consulting space and a team of experts with a compelling perspective on the intersection of business and technology. We love the hunger and ambition of the company’s leadership, marketing and comms teams, and are excited to be on board as their storytelling partners”

Thoughtworks is the latest addition to Fight or Flight’s growing client roster, which includes leading B2B brands AMEX GBT, Expedia Group, GitHub, LinkedIn, Nokia and Trainline. PRWeek named the agency the fourth fastest growing in the UK in 2022, and the first firm born this decade to reach its Top 150 table.

AboutThoughtworks
Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design and engineering to drive digital innovation. We are 11,500 people strong across 51 offices in 18 countries. For 30 years, we’ve delivered extraordinary impact together with our clients by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as the differentiator.

About Fight or Flight
Founded in 2020, Fight or Flight specializes in creative B2B campaigns that deliver both emotional and commercial impact. The agency’s global team of PR, social and branded content experts are on a mission to rid the world of tedious whitepapers, building earned, owned and social campaigns that turn heads and make headlines. For more information, visit https://fightorflight.com.

4 Day Week, Marketing, News, PR and SEO

BE YELLOW : The New PR Agency That Puts Social Values First with 4 Day Week and Remote Working Job Opportunity

July 26, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

Today marks the official launch of BE YELLOW, a PR & Marketing agency that brings together the power of social values and innovative strategies to drive success for their clients, as well as promoting fulfilling and flexible working for employees.

Hayley Knight, BE YELLOW co-founder and previous owner of ‘Boxed Out PR’ said:

“After several successful years running Boxed Out PR, I have reached a pivotal moment where my approach to work and life has evolved. I felt we could be doing more to not only promote the values which we hold dear, but also to use our skills and experience to help companies with strong values achieve their goals. This is why we created BE YELLOW.”

As well as establishing themselves as a remote-only business, therefore giving employees the freedom and flexibility to work from wherever they wish, BE YELLOW also promotes a ‘4 day work week’ initiative, where full time employees are given one day a week to focus on professional and personal development.

BE YELLOW believes that this progressive concept will not only create a company culture of curiosity and growth, but it will also boost productivity, creativity, and innovation across both client’s campaigns and the organisation itself, creating a happier and more engaged work environment for all involved.

Co-founder and Marketing Director, Marcus Knight comments: “In recent years there have been far too many people suffering from burnout and poor mental health as a result of increasingly demanding work obligations and ‘the grind and hustle’ culture. We want to show that there are other ways to succeed, and that work can indeed be healthy and fulfilling.”

BE YELLOW forecasts a bright future and is offering an exciting opportunity for someone to join them on this amazing journey, as a remote PR Account Manager. The candidate should embody the company’s values, excel in a remote work environment, and possess strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills. Applicants should have a PR background, understanding of the digital landscape, experience in cultivating media relationships, and be comfortable with AI tools. For the full job description please click here.

“We have a strong vision for the future!” continues Hayley. “There is increased sentiment for businesses that place social and environmental policies at the forefront of their operations. We’re looking for people who share our vision, and we hope our work will encourage other companies to invest in employee welfare and socially-led initiatives”

LAUNCH VIDEO

Founders Marcus and Hayley are passionate about providing value and sharing information to help educate. To that end, they have launched BE YELLOW with a short video titled ‘Unlock Your PR Potential: 5 Essential Tips for Success’.

Watch the video here

The video will also be accompanied by a follow up detailed webinar and Q&A in a few weeks. Details of the webinar will be sent out via our mailing list at a later date.

Subscribe here

Manchester, Marketing, News, PR and SEO

Digital marketing agency Dark Horse seizes new opportunities in the UAE

July 25, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

Manchester-based digital marketing agency Dark Horse has won three new clients in the UAE.

It’s bolstering ahead with its ethos of disrupting the traditional agency approach by doing digital marketing differently to ensure that every client that it works with are SEO winners.

The agency is now going global having secured contracts with several new brands that operate within the UAE including Grout King, Tile King and Reno King.

The brands have appointed the digital marketing agency to take over its PPC and SEO campaigns to boost growth online in the UAE.

In addition to those UAE clients, the agency has recently won a raft of new business in the UK including award-winning UK outdoor brand Khyam, as well as Career Navig8r, the first dedicated mentoring platform focussed on job-role specific career guidance and development. Plus, Talos360, a market leader in talent software as service solution and online recruitment media that offers businesses in the UK a better way to attract, engage and retain the best talent to grow.

Michael Widgery at Grout King, explains: “I knew from the initial audit phase that Dark Horse was the right agency for us as it took the time to understand our goals and needs.”

“The experience of both the PCC and SEO team was clear from the outset, and we like that it rose to our challenges.”

Dark Horse’s managing director, John Keating, said: “We’ve done our homework and we’re confident that our famous ‘Dark Horse Digital Difference’ will be as successful in the UAE as it has been in the UK.”

“Dubai is the perfect location to build our business in the region and capitalise on growth opportunities as all three businesses are really focused on super-charged growth through digital.”

Dark Horse is a growing Google Premier Partner based in Manchester and recently rebranded with a new website and brand identity as it bolsters its reputation for pushing boundaries in digital marketing. It works best with brands that are bold, willing to challenge the status quo and “looking for innovative ways to take on the giants in their market.”

Marketing, News, PR and SEO

“The healthy levels of mid-market M&A activity that we experienced since late 2020 look likely to continue through 2023.”

July 10, 2023 Lisa Baker, Editor, UK Business News

EXPERT ALSO SHARES HIS ADVICE ON THE PROS AND CONS OF GOING PUBLIC

Written by Neil Doyle

THE UK can still look forward to “healthy” levels of mergers and acquisitions in the second half of 2023, according to a leading business growth expert.

Matthew Hayes, the MD of Champions UK Plc, said: “There’s no doubt the continuing uncertainty over the long-term effects of the global pandemic, changing consumer behaviours, inflation and the Russian-Ukraine conflict pose a significant challenge for businesses. Yet dealmakers have, so far, been relatively undeterred and M&A activity has maintained its momentum. And the healthy levels of mid-market M&A activity that we experienced since late 2020 look likely to continue through 2023.”

Mr Hayes, who specialises in supporting clients to develop the best strategies for growing their business, continued: “One of the key questions we are often asked to help advise on is, what are the main advantages and disadvantages of going public?

“The biggest advantage associated with an IPO is fundraising. Once investors start buying IPO stocks, the proceeds from an IPO can be substantial. The company then takes this capital and typically puts it toward internal investments and expansion. The company can use the funds it raises for research and development, to hire more staff, or expand its operations in other states or countries. There are a variety of ways this new capital can be deployed to benefit the company.

“IPOs generate a lot of publicity. This, in turn, can drive more attention to the company and make investors interested in purchasing shares of its stock. IPOs are frequently covered in business news, which adds to the IPO buzz.

“Many companies that go public can end up having higher valuations. Because the public company has access to more capital and steadily grows its business, the shares of the company can increase in price over time.”

Setting out the drawbacks, he added: “The first factor a company must consider is cost. The company needs to work with an investment bank, which will charge underwriting fees — one of the largest costs associated with an IPO. Underwriting is mandatory to review the company’s business, management, and overall operations. Legal counsel is also required to help guide the company through the IPO. There are also costs associated with account and financial reporting. Companies will also accrue fees for applying to be listed on the exchange.

“From an investor’s perspective, investing in an IPO can also be a challenge. In many cases, individual investors don’t have enough information or historical data on the company’s performance to make a determination on whether an IPO is a sound investment.

Mr Hayes added: “Once a company goes public, it is now part of the public market. This means it is subject to scrutiny, market volatility, and investor sentiment. Every move and decision the company makes, such as a corporate restructuring, merger and acquisition, change in leadership, or release of earnings reports, will be reviewed closely by industry analysts and investors, who will provide their own opinions on whether the company is operating well or not. While the company’s leadership may not have had to worry about these aspects when it was private, a public company needs to keep these market pressures top of mind.”

Matthew Hayes is the Managing Director of Champions, a strategy-led growth and implementation partner for businesses with market leading expertise across strategy, digital, communications, creative and talent. It works with businesses in a state of transition, enabling them to achieve their strategic vision and increase EBITDA. For support in growing your business visit: championsukplc.com

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