insight
Marketing Recap: September 2019
Our work as a marketing company in Bradford means we keep a close eye on marketing stories. As such we’ve rounded up some of the key marketing stories from the last month. From chocolate bars to robot orchestras, September’s marketing has plenty of interesting topics!
Sweet Surprises
September has brought us several chocolate-related stories to sink our teeth into.
Lonely Hearts
Cadbury’s have removed the text from several Dairy Milk packets as part of an anti-loneliness campaign. The ‘Donate Your Words’ campaign is a partnership with elderly charity Age UK, and a response to the UK’s high numbers of lonely people. According to the Age UK website 1.4 million older people struggle with loneliness, while 225,000 can go a whole week without talking to somebody.
The campaign encourages chocolate fans to talk to older people (including relatives), check in on older neighbours or volunteer with Age UK. Keep an eye out for the limited edition bar in supermarkets nationwide.
Barring Any Problems…
A vending wholesaler has been forced to ration Cadbury’s new Twirl bar. According to Planet Vending, the Orange Twirl is so popular that getting hold one is surprisingly difficult. Sellers are charging exorbitant prices for the confection, while the wholesaler has capped sales at 20 cases per customer.
The craze has been compared to Cadbury’s revival of the Wispa brand in 2007. At first it was brought back on a trial basis, but its massive sales numbers—20 million Wispas in seven weeks—encouraged Cadbury’s to bring it back for good. Despite its initial success, though, the Orange Twirl seems to be a one-off release.
An Old Favourite
Mars are reviving the Marathon brand for a limited time. The company changed the UK name from Marathon to Snickers in 1990, so that they could sell the bars worldwide without issue. They’re bringing back the brand to commemorate 85 years of Mars chocolate production in the UK. It’s not hanging around for long, though; Mars will be reverting to the old brand after three months.
The UK is a nation of chocolate lovers, and as such marketing campaigns around chocolate are often interesting. For Mars, banking on nostalgia is a great strategy, especially when it comes to something as beloved as chocolate. Cadbury’s loneliness campaign is also noteworthy, though the lack of obvious connections to Age UK might lessen its impact.
The End of an Era
French magazine Marie Claire is shutting down its UK print arm. The magazine will live on as a digital version of the magazine, though overseas print editions will continue to be published.
Marie Claire‘s first issue appeared in 1937, and it covers topics such as fashion, health and beauty. The first UK issue was published in 1988; it set itself apart from similar magazines by mixing fashion advice with more serious topics. The magazine would go on to win four Amnesty Media Awards for its reporting.
However, the magazine’s UK circulation has been low recently. ABC reports that Marie Claire‘s average circulation had fallen to about 120,000 last year; of those, almost 42,000 of those were given away for free. It joins the likes of NME, FHM, Now and Instyle in the digital-only club, though print magazines like TV Choice, Slimming World and Private Eye remain popular with UK audiences.
The rise of digital content plays a major role in the decline of UK magazines, with total paid-for magazine sales tumbling to 481 million last year. Sites like YouTube, Twitter and Facebook let us stay abreast of relevant topics more easily, while services like Netflix also steal our time. Publishers are having to branch out into new areas—like ecommerce and events—to keep going, and they must think carefully about how to stay relevant in a radically different publishing landscape.
A Spot On Campaign
Streaming service Spotify have launched a new campaign exploring our cultural shifts. Shoppers in Manchester have spotted banners comparing our music and lifestyle changes over the last few decades. Cultural touchstones like Smashing Pumpkins, UB40 and the Spice Girls all get a mention, as do more mundane phenomena like avocados, conference calls and 40th birthdays.
The campaign reflects Spotify’s wider talent for savvy marketing. Their previous marketing efforts have highlighted user-created playlists, including an ‘I love gingers’ playlist with over 40 Ed Sheeran songs. Other Spotify ads compare the popularity of different songs; ‘God is a Woman’ is far more popular than its male counterpart, for instance.
Spotify’s ads demonstrate a keen understanding of their target audience, whilst subtly advertising their breadth of content and the services they offer. We expect their savvy streak to continue for some time to come.
Meat-ing Demand
Kelloggs are launching their own vegan meat brand, as vegan food products continue to grow in popularity. Incogmeato products mimic popular items like beef burgers and chicken nuggets, and Kelloggs’ will sell them under their MorningStar Farms brand.
The Incogmeato products will look, feel and—presumably—taste very much like the meats they’re mimicking. While Kellogg’s has sold vegetarian products for some time, these new foods are following in the footsteps of meat-mimicking products like the Impossible Burger, which are appearing in multiple fast food branches and grocery stores. Kelloggs is still doing very well with vegetarian foods, but their market share has declined significantly, and their cereal sales have declined too. Incogmeato may be a way to rectify that.
While Kelloggs’ new vegan options may do well, there are some obstacles to consider. The MorningStar Farms brand isn’t that popular in the UK, making it difficult for it to stand out. A lot of people are also suspicious of these meat-free products, arguing they are too processed and unhealthy (though food processing isn’t always a bad thing). These issues could prevent Incogmeato from doing well, especially since real meat is still very popular.
Vegan foods are increasing in popularity, but there are no guarantees that a specific vegan brand will succeed. Kellogg’s will need to carefully consider Incogmeato’s selling points if they want to gain a foothold in this new market.
The Empire Strikes Brick
LEGO have unveiled an orchestra with dozens of Star Wars droids playing the instruments! 95 LEGO robots—including 46 R2D2 droids—can be seen performing a recreation of the Star Wars theme. The orchestra was ‘conducted’ by musician and creative whiz Sam Battle.
Each droid in the video uses LEGO’s new BOOST system, which allows children to build robots using various motors and sensors. The children then control these robots using a tablet app, which contains a simple, child-friendly coding language. 2019 also marks the 20th anniversary of the popular LEGO Star Wars range, which LEGO has commemorated with various models and deals.
The orchestra acts as a neat promotion for some of LEGO’s key properties. The LEGO Group has been investing in various new schemes—like plant-based components and augmented reality models—to ensure they stay relevant in a highly competitive market. BOOST is part of that wider strategy, though their profits have dropped as a result of these investments.
Regardless of what happens next, this is an impressive technical achievement and a great showcase for LEGO’s brand values.
Give Your Site a Spark
September’s stories demonstrate that nostalgia remains a powerful marketing tool. We expect the likes of Spotify and Mars to get plenty of attention as a result of their marketing campaigns. At the same time, Marie Claire, Kelloggs and LEGO show us that fondness for the past can only take you so far. Brands also need to innovate and try new things if they want to stay relevant.
If you’re worried about your own marketing, have no fear; Electric is here to help! Our marketing company in Bradford helps brands get the best from multiple marketing channels, including social media, PPC, emails and SEO optimised content. We can generate marketing plans that focus on the most useful services. We also work as a specialist branding agency, and we can build new brands with clear, competitive identities and a captivating look.
Electric also has plenty of experience as a web design agency. Our team creates responsive websites that are easy to browse on PC, tablet and mobile. We also make sure your site is SEO-friendly, by creating engaging copy to draw in your customers.
Get in touch with us today by visiting our Contact Us page, or give us a call on 0113 287 9900. Your dream marketing strategy is closer than you might expect!
Marketing Recap: August 2019
Our work as a design and marketing agency in Leeds means we come across lots of different marketing stories. We know there’s plenty to learn from these, and that’s why we pick out the best to share with you each month.
As summer comes to an end, we’ve got some very interesting stories to share with you. Whether we’re getting all nostalgic or looking at today’s concerns, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Open for Business
The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Leeds is now the best place in the country to start a business. The announcement follows three years of research, which examines multiple factors including start-up costs, rent costs and even broadband quality. Leeds came out on top with the best average launch costs (£15,550), though Cardiff and Liverpool weren’t far behind.
These findings follow a major success for Leeds—trendsetting broadcaster Channel 4 announced they would move to Leeds late last year, taking up residence in a former Leeds nightclub. While Ian Katz, Channel 4’s Director of Programmes, has spoken positively about the move, the broadcaster has struggled to keep employees after the announcement. iNews reported that 90% of staff were taking redundancy, rather than moving to offices outside of London.
However, this new study (and Channel 4’s presence in the city) helps reinforce that Leeds has plenty to offer the people who live and work here. We’re proud to be a design and marketing agency in Leeds, helping people across the UK realise their business ambitions.
Just My (Stereo)Type
Back in June, we talked about a new set of rules introduced by the Advertising Standards Authority. These rules were designed to discourage gender stereotypes in today’s advertising, though initial reactions to these rules were mixed. Now two adverts have fallen foul of the rules in question.
BBC News reports that Mondelez brand Philadelphia and Volkswagen have had their adverts banned. The former shows a dad leaving a baby on a conveyor belt while distracted by food. The latter shows several men involved in ambitious activities (like going to space and taking part in athletics) before closing with a woman looking after a baby in a pram. Both adverts attracted complaints; some people argued the first ad suggested men were incompetent parents, while others said the second perpetuated stereotypes by failing to show women in adventurous activities.
In response to these complaints the ASA pulled both ads from UK screens, but they’ve drawn the ire of other people in the process. According to The Independent, UK ad group ISBA and the non-governmental organisation Clearcast said the ASA overstepped the mark with their decision. By coming down on (ostensibly) progressive adverts, they argue, they could be discouraging other companies from tackling sensitive issues in the future.
Other people were more positive about the ASA’s decision. The Fawcett Society (which campaigns for women’s equality) said advertisers needed to stop reinforcing gender stereotypes, claiming that children internalise such stereotypes and limit their own potential.
The banning of these adverts shows advertisers must think carefully about the messages in their ads, especially the ones they don’t mean to include. It’s easy to present something that’s thoughtless or stereotypical, and failing to consider different viewpoints beforehand could have severe, negative consequences.
Complaints Welcome
Channel 4, meanwhile, is approaching the issue of complaints from another direction. Their new campaign highlights the (genuine) complaints made about the people appearing in their TV programmes, and features stars like Kieron Richardson, Sandi Toksvig, Jamie Oliver and Jon Snow.
The campaign encourages viewers to send in feedback on Channel 4’s shows, and reinforces the confrontational nature of Channel 4’s programming. Their aim has always been to challenge people’s preconceptions, and face the criticism that inevitably comes with that approach. At the same time, they aren’t letting themselves be disheartened by intolerant views. The implicit message is that while complaints are welcome, they aren’t necessarily going to be agreed with.
Channel 4 inevitably comes out on top—they aren’t going to let talk of ‘sausage fingers’ take Jamie Oliver off the air—but it’s an impressive way of handling something it’d be easy to ignore. Their approach is very on-brand, though it might be tricky for other brands to take as daring an approach as they have.
(Car)d Payments
Car website Auto Trader have unveiled a contactless car vending machine in Spitalfields Market. Members of the public can buy a car by going through a series of screens on an integrated unit. Once they make their purchase (payments of up to £21,000 are supported) a set of keys drops down and the buyer can drive away immediately.
The project is a response to several key concerns among Brits. The vending machine contains a Renault Zoe electric car; reportedly, this is one of the electric cars we most frequently search for online. Its presence reflects a rise in electric car registrations, and our growing concern about our impact on the environment.
The vending machine also features cars with ‘pre-haggled’ prices; according to PR Examples, one in two Brits feel buying a car would be easier if haggling wasn’t a part of the process. These prices also help promote Auto Trader’s website, and the low prices it ostensibly offers.
We probably won’t be buying cars like this en masse any time soon, but as a piece of marketing it incorporates the concerns of its target audience very well. It recognises many of the anxieties we have around buying a car and works to address them in creative, memorable ways. Keep an eye out for it if you’re in Spitalfields over the next couple of months.
Phoning It In
Appliance retailer AO have unveiled a mobile phone slow lane over in Manchester. Though it’s a tongue in cheek idea, it reflects a very real problem. Apparently, 75% of Brits have bumped into somebody while looking at their phone, while 59% think we look at our phones too much in public.
The lanes each run for 75 metres, and allow people to walk and browse in safety. They accompany the launch of AO Mobile, a new site dedicated to mobile phones and contracts. Richard Baxendale, AO Mobile’s MD, is pitching the lane as a precursor to similar ideas elsewhere. He’s also highlighted AO Mobile as a way of making mobile phones simple, thanks to its deals and customer service.
This is an ostensibly silly campaign, which works thanks to the vein of sincerity running through it. Smartphones have reached a point of ubiquity in our society, and the concept of a phone lane isn’t all that silly any more. It also has some neat connections to AO’s new website, making it an effective piece of marketing on several levels.
A Blast From the Past
Sega have released a new (old?) advert for the release of their Mega Drive Mini (known as the Genesis Mini in America). It’s a smaller version of the original Mega Drive games console, which first appeared in 1988, and comes preloaded with several retro video games like Sonic the Hedgehog.
The advert for the Mega Drive Mini closely mimics the original advert for the Mega Drive, with a few updates for modern audiences. Its slogan—”Genesis Does”—also has its own nostalgic associations. The full slogan—”Genesis does what Nintendon’t”—is a famous shot at Nintendo, Sega’s main rival when the Mega Drive came out.
More generally, the advert is riding a wave of 80s and 90s nostalgia that’s extremely popular at the moment. We can see this across today’s pop culture in shows like Stranger Things and films like Ready Player One; each draws heavy inspiration from this time period. We’ve also seen it from companies like Nintendo, Sony and SNK, who have released new consoles inspired by 80s and 90s video games. In that sense Sega’s timing is impeccable, and the Mega Drive Mini has some strong marketing rationale behind it.
Feeling Blue
Innocent Smoothies have released a new drink… and placed a strong emphasis on its unusual colour. Bolt from the Blue is made from apple, guava and coconut water, as well as extra vitamins for a dash of energy. It’s unique selling point is as yet unclear, least of all to Innocent. Or Duncan from Blue, who is promoting the new drink.
Innocent Smoothies are famous for their impeccable brand voice. They prioritise ethical business practices (including recycled packaging and no-nonsense fruit drinks) which a blue drink seems to fly in the face of. However, they’ve made sure to highlight many other blue things in nature, in an effort to shore up their argument. Their Twitter account has also gone all in on the new product launch.
This is one of the oddest marketing strategies we’ve seen for some time. Its lack of a point ironically encourages plenty of discussion amongst its target audience. What’s even odder is that—by Innocent’s own admission—the colour of its blue drink isn’t necessarily blue at all; it may be closer to green, depending on your viewpoint. This helps reinforce the tongue-in-cheek nature of their strategy.
Going all-in on absurdity like this is certainly a bold move. It risks backfiring if people realise there’s no message beyond selling something new, without any clear benefit to it. Initially, at least, people seem happy to go along with the ride.
If Innocent’s plan is to succeed, they’ll need to commit to the nonsensical nature of their premise. Admittedly—in the hands of a brand like Innocent—it’s in keeping with the lighthearted, irreverent tone they’ve established. We look forward to seeing if this new product pans out in the long term.
What Comes Next?
August has brought with it some interesting approaches to user feedback. Our time as a design and marketing agency in Leeds has taught us brands can accept or reject feedback, but they can’t always ignore it altogether. Social media means it’s difficult to ignore what people have to say about your brand. You need to make a decision—one way or another—about what you want to do with it.
Other brands like AO and Sega are responding to contemporary ideas. These ideas might be the ubiquity of smartphones, or nostalgia for the recent past. A good strategy is understanding your audience likes or dislikes, and putting them at the heart of your marketing campaign.
If you want some more help with your own marketing, Electric are here to help. Our design and marketing agency in Leeds can create brands from the ground up, building something competitive and identifiable. Our experienced team can build attractive, responsive websites and fill it with engaging content. We can even look after your social media presence, and ensure you stay relevant online.
Take a look at our complete list of services, or give us a call today on 0113 287 9900.
Marketing Recap: July 2019
Our work as a design and marketing agency in Leeds means we keep an eye on many different marketing stories. Our marketing recap for July looks at several different announcements; we’re seeing key trends around progressive causes, as well as some continuing initiatives from established brands. Join us as we dive into last month’s marketing hits!
A Lot of Bottle
Unilever—which owns brands like Cif, Domestos and Hellmann’s—has unveiled a new product to cut down on plastic waste. Their new ‘ecorefill’ packets use 75% less plastic than a spray bottle, and contain a concentrated dose of Cif cleaner. This can be poured into an existing bottle and diluted with water, allowing you to reuse the bottle rather than throwing it away.
Since trigger spray bottles can be refilled several times—according to Unilever—the move seems like a great response to our perennial plastic problem. The ecorefill packets also have other benefits. They require less water to be transported, as well as fewer trucks on the road—and fewer carbon emissions—than the full-size bottles.
However, while the ecorefill packet can be recylced, its outer plastic sleeve cannot. This takes some of the shine off the announcement, even as we’re seeing more and more people call for a reduction in our plastic usage. That said, Unilever have said that they plan to make all their ecorefill and spray bottles from 100% recycled plastic by the end of next year.
A similar story comes from a company called InterContinental Hotels Group, who runs Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels. The company has pledged to remove small plastic bottles from all its hotel rooms by 2021. This suggests the anti-plastic movement continues to gather speed; with luck, this plastic reduction will continue across other brands as well.
A Healthy Option?
A new partnership between Amazon and the NHS means Amazon smart speaker owners can access expert health advice. From now on, Alexa digital assistants will search the NHS website when their owners have health concerns.
The government is touting the partnership as a way to reduce pressure on GPs and pharmacists, and empower UK citizens. The move could prove to be very popular; MobileMarketing recently reported 22% of UK households own smart speakers nowadays. However, a number of other people have raised issues with the new partnership.
GPs like Elliott Singer have warned that Alexa’s advice may be too simplistic; it can’t work out if a symptom points to a more serious illness, for example. Others like Sam Finnikin praise people who research online before visiting their GP, but warns that this research must use high-quality sources of information (like the NHS site). He warns that Alexa’s lack of intelligence means we shouldn’t treat its info as serious medical advice.
The partnership may also present some privacy issues. Big Brother Watch described it as “a data protection disaster waiting to happen”, while the GP David Wrigley has asked where the data is stored, who can access it and how it will be used. Amazon, for its part, has said all the information gathered will be encrypted. It has also said it won’t use the data to sell its own healthcare products going forward.
The biggest problem with NHS advice on Alexa, then, may be the perception of the people using it. While it could relieve pressure on NHS services, users may fail to understand it’s not necessarily a substitute for seeing their GP. Making that distinction could prove difficult going forward.
Getting Shirty
Paddy Power has caused controversy with a new marketing stunt. A few weeks ago, the bookmaker unveiled their sponsorship design for the Huddersfield Town football team uniform. The design featured the Paddy Power logo in a ‘sash’ across the shirt—something that goes against the FA’s strict rules on the matter.
However, it turns out the design was a fake, and part of a wider campaign. The Save Our Shirt campaign is fairly self-explanatory—it calls for the removal of sponsorship from UK football shirts. In addition to the campaign, Paddy Power are setting up a ‘shirt amnesty’ in Huddersfield, where fans can exchange older, branded jerseys for unbranded ones. As a marketing stunt, this could prove to be extremely popular in the long run.
Paddy Power is no stranger to controversial stunts. They’ve called out brands like Costa for poor hygiene, taken bets on the name of the royal baby, and assembled a Mexican band to greet Donald Trump—called Juan Direction. Though it’s sure to get some backs up, their latest stunt is entirely on-brand.
A Sign of the Times
Sainsbury’s have recently unveiled a new store staffed with people who know sign language. According to PR Examples, the supermarket’s Bath store was renamed Signsbury’s from the 18th to the 21st of July. 100 staff members took basic sign language lessons, and signed common words and phrases when interacting with customers. The store also installed screens showing customers how to sign common words.
The move forms part of Sainsbury’s “150 Days of Community” initiative, launched in response to a supposed decline in our quality of life. It follows earlier progressive initiatives from the supermarket; back in June the company launched a meat-free butchers, specialising in vegetarian food. However, Sainsbury’s have also faced criticism from groups like Greenpeace, who argue the supermarket is failing to reduce its plastic waste.
Still, with several more days of charity planned, we expect Sainsbury’s to earn plenty of positive press in the future.
In Plain Sight
Ikea has a reputation for cheap and cheerful furniture, but it turns out that might not be so accurate. The Swedish furniture maker recently threw down the gauntlet in a partnership with Madrid’s Museum of Romanticism.
Visitors to the museum were asked to identify Ikea furniture amongst a range of 19th-century furnishings. According to the video below, it seems they weren’t all that successful. People who couldn’t go to the museum could check it out on Facebook or Instagram, greatly expanding the campaign’s reach.
This campaign isn’t the first one to demonstrate Ikea’s flexibility; the retailer recently recreated several rooms from pop culture favourites such as The Simpsons and Stranger Things. They’ve also taken a more progressive stance, removing plastic straws from their UK stores and turning an Italian store into a dog shelter.
A brand like Ikea could easily depend on the power of its name to draw in customers. That it’s willing to commit to major marketing ideas like this—and show off their innovation in the process—is highly impressive.
Diversity in Advertising
Channel 4 has announced the finalists for 2019’s Diversity in Advertising award, which offers a £1 million airtime prize to the winner. As its name suggests, the award is a way to improve diversity in our advertising. This year focuses on the portrayal of LGBTQ+ people in advertising, in honour of the Stonewall Riots’ 50th anniversary. It follows a study by YouGov and Channel 4, which found many LGBTQ+ people felt UK advertising didn’t represent them well.
The shortlist includes pitches from a range of brands including Screwfix, Starbucks and CALM, a movement against male suicide. Channel 4 looked for pitches that went beyond ‘issue-led’ ad copy. Instead, the pitches needed to focus on the brand’s sales message, portray LGBTQ+ people positively, and surprise or challenge the audience’s ideas.
There are a few more steps for entrants to go through; finalists will pitch their ideas at the Channel 4 offices in London this September, with the winner revealed a week later. The final advert will appear in February next year.
Last year’s award was won by the RAF for their spotlight on women soldiers; you can see it a little further up the page. We look forward to seeing the next winner very soon!
Another Step Forward
July has brought us a mix of progressive movements and out-of-the-box thinking. Plenty of brands are trying to demonstrate their progressive credentials; this could take the form of reducing their plastic use, offering more meat-free products or trying to represent marginalised groups more accurately. It’s always worth considering if you can do something similar with your own marketing efforts.
If you’re looking for an edge in your marketing, we at Electric have all of the skills you need. We have experience in multiple marketing channels, including digital and social media, and can assemble a detailed marketing strategy based on the most useful services. We also have experience in many other areas including SEO, PPC, brand creation and design for both print and digital.
Learn more about our team by heading over to the About Us page. Whether you’re looking for a new marketing strategy, website design, or even just support for your marketing team, you can call us today on 0113 287 9900. You can also get in touch using the form below.
Social Media Highlights: Yorkshire Day
We may not have our own airline yet, but Yorkshire does have its own day to look forward to! Yorkshire Day was first celebrated in 1975 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society. Since then it’s grown into a beloved event by both brands and ordinary folk alike.
Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of activity on social media to explore. We’ve rounded up some of the best examples below.
My Cup of Tea
Yorkshire Tea have obviously taken the chance to celebrate the day. As well as a dedicated Yorkshire Day tweet, the company has reposted their Sean Bean advert to their Twitter account. It’s a neat encapsulation of everything we associate with Yorkshire, and a fun throwback to Sean Bean’s various film roles.
Yorkshire Tea has also started trending on Twitter here in the UK, while YouGov has posted a poll about Britain’s favourite cuppa. Yorkshire Tea narrowly leads the pack, though PG Tips and Tetley aren’t far behind.
Natural Beauty
A number of groups—including BBC Yorkshire, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, English Heritage and North Yorkshire Moors National Park—have taken the opportunity to highlight some of Yorkshire’s natural beauty and famous landmarks. If these tweets are any indication, there’s plenty to go around.
Food for Thought
LADbible and Sheffield City Council carried the torch for beloved Yorkshire food. They took a moment to highlight one of—in LADbible’s words—the greatest meals of all time. We’re inclined to agree with them, to be honest.
If you fancy getting a bit more hands-on, Jamie Oliver has posted a video showing us how to make the perfect Yorkshire pudding.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Of course, the Yorkshire accent and dialect is an endless source of amusement. Over at Knaresborough Castle, a pied crow has been amusing tourists with its strong Yorkshire accent. According to the RSPB the bird usually lives in Africa, making its appearance here highly unusual.
Morris Solicitors have taken a slightly wider look at Yorkshire icons. They celebrate everything from Yorkshire sweets to the unique features of Yorkshire dialects. Taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to yourself is rarely a bad strategy.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is celebrating with a range of Yorkshire goodies, inspired by our food and dialect:
When it comes to linguistic brilliance, though, the prize goes to Doncaster Council. They played the long game by hiding a basic recipe for Yorkshire pudding over a week’s worth of tweets.
As tweeting goes, it’s safe to say Doncaster Council have raised the bar a bit.
Marking The Occasion
We at Electric also joined in on the fun. Thanks to our client, Just Desserts, we even had a tasty Yorkshire treat.
This Skipton based bakery kindly donated delicious flapjacks and shortbreads to our Yorkshire Day office picnic.
Here are some action shots from our lunch. And if you’d like to find out more about how branding work with Just Desserts, have a read of the case study here.
We’re all ready to get stuck into some reet Yorkshire treats
Bit of rhubarb too to pay homage to the rhubarb triangle
What’s Your Next Move?
As diehard Yorkshire folk we’re pleased our county got such a positive showing on social media. In the right hands, social media is a powerful tool to show off both your passions and brand values.
Want to better leverage your social media presence? Electric has plenty of experience with social media marketing. We can plan out a comprehensive schedule of social media messages, or support you with your current social media. Our support will help you choose the perfect channels, stay on trend and use your existing web content in conjunction with your social media channels. We can also operate across multiple channels at once, allowing you to maximise your social media reach.
If you’d like to learn more about what we do as a creative design agency of Leeds, you can visit our full Services page for more information. Alternatively, if you have a project in mind which we can help with, call us on 0113 287 9900 today.
Marketing Recap: June 2019
Electric’s work as a design company in Leeds means we keep a close eye on marketing news. This helps us to stay in the loop, and make our client support as strong as it can be.
We’ve rounded up some of the most interesting marketing stories from the last few weeks. Wherever your interests lie, these are marketing stories that every business can benefit from reading.
Restart the Presses
Multimedia news agency Press Association has rebranded themselves as PA Media in an effort to broaden their audience. The agency provides its customers (typically major media and digital brands) with content that’s ready for immediate publication, like news, sport and entertainment. By rebranding themselves, the agency hopes they will appeal to digital and non-media customers as well.
As part of this diversification, the PA Media brand has split into four distinct entities. These cover different areas (like training and images) which allows them to show off their specialisms more effectively. It should also allow them to accommodate growth within the business, and any future business acquisitions.
Although rebranding can carry some risks, PA Media seems to be a sensible way of diversifying a product range and growing an audience.
Kimono No-No
Kim Kardashian has caused controversy in Japan with her new clothing line. The Kimono Intimates shapewear range was pitched as an inclusive clothing line for women of all body types. However, it seems to have overlooked the deep meaning of the kimono in its native country.
Dating back to the 15th century, kimonos are loose-fitting garments worn in Japan during special occasions. According to the BBC, they act as a cherished connection to Japanese history, culture and identity. Kim Kardashian’s use of the word (and attempts to trademark it) isn’t just inaccurate. Several Japanese people see it as disrespectful to an important part of their culture.
CBS News reports that Kim will no longer use the name in her clothing line following the backlash. The incident is a great lesson in not being disrespectful towards other cultures, especially when it comes to marketing and branding. Always research or focus group a product before launch to ensure you aren’t playing with something you shouldn’t be.
Blooming Heck
Last year, Eurostar launched a new train route between London and Amsterdam. It’s proven highly popular, with over 300,000 passengers using the route since its launch. A third service along the route launched last month, and Eurostar chose to commemorate it with something rather special.
PR Examples reports that Eurostar have commissioned a dress made entirely from sunflowers. The dress was designed by prolific costume designer Kate Tabor, who has worked with Greggs, Kylie Minogue and The Chemical Brothers. The dress itself references the Sunflowers exhibition at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh museum, which has been running for several months.
Though it’s an elaborate example, Eurostar’s campaign shows the value of tying a business event to a relevant topic. While it can be tricky to find something appropriate, the right event can give your business much more attention.
Have a Butchers at This
Sainsbury’s have unveiled a brand new meat-free butchers in Bethnal Green. The pop-up shop—which operated for three days—had the look and feel of a traditional British butcher’s shop. However, the sausages, burgers and mince were all made from meat alternatives, such as mushrooms and jackfruit. The onsite butcher was also trained in plant-based cooking.
The shop reflects an increasing appetite for meat-free food in the UK. Sainsbury’s themselves have reported a 65% rise in sales of plant-based foods year on year. A recent Future of Food report has also reported that a quarter of Brits could be vegetarian by 2025, while one in eight already identify as such.
Meat-free food options continue to move from a niche interest to a valid lifestyle choice in the public’s perception. Though Sainsbury’s meat-free butchers was short-lived, we fully anticipate many more permanent options going forward.
Floating an Idea
DealTrak have unveiled a new app which allows Leeds residents to track the city’s water taxis in real time. Twee and Drie are free to use, and allow Leeds residents to travel more easily around the Leeds Dock area. However, before the app’s launch it was difficult to work out when the next taxi would arrive.
The app elegantly solves this problem, and allows people in Leeds to plan their journeys more effectively. It reflects a wider overhaul of the Leeds Dock site by Allied London (the site’s landlords); today, the site houses both Leeds residents and eleven digital companies, including Sky.
The TaxiTrak app helps make a useful service much easier to use, and reinforces the value of mobile-friendly apps and design. Businesses should consider if their own sites are mobile-friendly, especially since Google will be looking at mobile versions of websites more closely in the future. They should also consider if a dedicated app can make the services they offer any easier.
The Rainbow Connection
BBC News reports that London Zoo has erected pro-LGBT banners in their penguin enclosure, in honour of Pride Month last June. The enclosure is home to a pair of male penguins who famously adopted an abandoned penguin chick in 2015. The move accompanies several other Pride-inspired events at the zoo, including a programme teaching visitors about same-sex behaviour in the natural world.
Inspired by 1969’s Stonewall Riots, Pride Month promotes the achievements of LGBT people and the advancement of LGBT rights. It’s also become a popular marketing opportunity for several brands, who are eager to show off their pro-LGBT stance. However, while some are donating money to LGBT causes, a number of brands (including YouTube) have faced criticism for their hypocrisy on the subject.
On the surface it’s a good thing for brands to adopt a pro-LGBT stance. But without actions that support LGBT causes, brands risk harsh criticism from their customers. Every brand should be prepared to put their money where their mouth is, and carefully consider what role—if any—they should play in today’s Pride movement.
Take the next step
There are some key marketing lessons to take from this month. Think carefully about the underlying messages of your marketing; it’s easy for your message to come across as careless and insensitive, especially if you’re dealing with something from another culture or a minority. It’s also worth thinking properly about the needs of your audience, whether this need is more vegan options or a new app. This could be just the edge you need over your competition.
If you’re looking to generate more business, we at Electric are here to help. Our marketing and design company in Leeds features experts in multiple areas including marketing strategy, digital marketing and design. By combining these skills we can produce a detailed marketing strategy, giving your business a vital boost in sales, visibility and customer engagement.
Get to know our team a little better by visiting the About Us page, and checking out our individual team profiles. Whether you need a new marketing strategy or support for your own marketing team, give us a call today on 0113 287 9900. You can also get in touch by making an enquiry below.
Search Leeds 2019
The North’s biggest SEO and search event came to Leeds’ First Direct Arena last week. It was the fourth time that Search Leeds has taken place and the list of speakers was bigger than ever. With over 48 speakers discussing SEO, search trends and e-commerce best practice, we sent our Digital Marketing Manager Sarah to take a closer look. Here are her highlights from the event:
Search community
I was pretty excited to be going to Search Leeds last week, as SEO is a very fast-paced industry. Staying in the loop of the latest best practice is therefore essential for me to do a great job for Electric’s digital clients.
Search Leeds was a very busy event. The majority of Leeds’ SEO and digital marketing agencies attended, along with several integrated marketing and design agencies. There was a contagious enthusiasm throughout the day, and the focus was on sharing knowledge to enable both agencies and brands alike to be the best they can be online. The event was host to both local & international attendees from Germany to the US.
Search Leeds Highlights
There were several highlights for me including the goodie bag of the event and the #SearchLeeds troll. But from a learning point of view, I’ve divided my highlights into three main points below.
The SEO BS battle
As I’m privy to a lot of the SEO jargon but also understand how it can be baffling at times, I was interested in seeing how this battle of SEO would pan out.
The film 8 Mile inspired the one on one debate of a selection of topics including overall behaviour on social media. It was interesting to hear the pros and cons of each topic, and certainly served as food for thought.
The Topics of Search Leeds
The speaker topics covered content, paid and social media, as well as technical SEO. For anyone new to the world of search, it’s split between technical SEO (ensuring the website has a good load speed and that the most effective keywords are selected, for example) and creative SEO (content creation and growing brand awareness). Both are required to rank higher in the search results.
I personally found the technical SEO sessions very interesting as they basically confirmed what I’ve highlighted in past SEO articles; namely that you should never underestimate the importance of growing search rankings from a technically ready and fully optimised website.
Find out more about the basics of SEO in Electric’s article “Why does my website need SEO?” .This article covers what SEO is and how every brand can benefit from using it effectively.
The Future of Search
The last highlight for me was to hear about the discussions around the future of search. It’s a very important time for digital marketing, as consumer behaviour in search, PPC and social media is changing due to the on-going growth in mobile usage.
Searching via mobile phones has been a constant of the SEO world for a few years, but purchasing big-ticket items is in comparison a relatively recent trend. This trend is impacting:
- Best practice for ecommerce website builds
- The look and overall design of websites
- The content topics, which are most likely to engaging a brand’s audience
- Social post styles that convey information in the most engaging way across social media channels
Predominately, consumers are looking for helpful information and products faster than ever while using broader search queries.
The future of search lies within mobile websites being built well, brands having a clear solution-based strategy (that includes website content and social media posts) combined with a competitive Pay-Per-Click campaign.
How can Search Leeds help you?
Digital marketing, marketing and brand growth all work together. Any insight from events like Search Leeds is therefore beneficial to a brand, start-up or enterprise business. What the 2019 event mainly highlighted was that a big picture approach utilising all strengths of the many digital channels is required to be competitive in today’s marketing landscape.
This integrated marketing approach is one of the biggest challenges for businesses across the UK. That’s why having an agency with not only the right digital marketing expertise, but a good understanding of marketing overall is important.
At Electric, we’re a fully integrated marketing agency that consists of a team of marketing experts. Each team member specialises in a specific marketing discipline. We work as an extension of your existing team and ensure the strategies we propose are grounded in generating more business for you.
Find out more about our digital’s team approach to SEO & PPC, web design and social media marketing within our services pages.
If this approach sounds good to you, give us a call on 0113 287 9900 today. Or fill in the contact form below to start discussing your latest project with our team.
Social Media Trends: June 24th
We at Electric make sure to keep our finger on the marketing pulse. Social media marketing is one of our strengths, and we bring that expertise to every one of our jobs. In this article, we round up some of the most important social media trends and events being discussed online.
Ed Sheeran’s Heinz Advert
Mega-popular musician Ed Sheeran has starred in a new advert for Heinz ketchup. The idea was first floated by Ed himself in an Instagram post back in April, and launched online a few days ago.
Ed’s love of Heinz ketchup is well documented; according to HITC he’s got a tattoo of the logo on his arm, while a member of his entourage always has some on hand for emergencies. Heinz seem happy to reciprocate Ed’s affections; they’ve sent him a ketchup-filled gift basket, and produced bottles of “tomato edchup” following the advert’s release.
Since Ed Sheeran and Heinz are both beloved icons, the partnership makes a lot of sense. As such there have been plenty of people on Twitter discussing this match made in heaven.
The ad’s down-to-earth, humorous take on its subject matter makes for an interesting approach.
#SearchLeeds
Last week, Leeds played host to SearchLeeds—the North’s largest search marketing event. Taking place over one day in the First Direct Arena, the event offered talks from industry experts, SEO advice and networking opportunities. Our Digital Marketing Manager, Sarah Oxley, also attended; we’ll have a recap from her on the site very soon.
General consensus from visitors seems to be very positive. Visitors praised the expertise of the speakers in attendance, while the organisers were overjoyed at the high attendance numbers.
We were very glad to attend SearchLeeds this year; it reflects Leeds’ abundance of creative and digital talent, which we’re very happy to be a part of.
The Longest Day of the Year
Midsummer—or the summer solstice—happens twice a year, and it’s been celebrated in one form or another for centuries.
Unsurprisingly the day did very well on social media. 
While it’s not an obvious marketing opportunity, referencing events like the Summer Solstice are a chance to take things a little easier. Approaching events in a more lighthearted way helps remind customers of the people behind the brand.
North Leeds Food Festival
This family-friendly celebration brings together food from across the world, specially selected by the festival organisers. Now in its fourth year, the festival ran at Leeds’ Roundhay Park on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of June. With live music and children’s entertainment to enjoy, it’s unsurprising the event’s had a strong presence on social media.
While plenty of events organisers have been discussing the event online, we’ve seen several brands tweeting about their attendance as well. If you’re planning to attend a similar event in the future, considering your social media strategy beforehand is essential.
With countries like Greece, Lebanon, Bolivia and Mexico all represented, it’s safe to say this is another big success for Leeds. You can read more about the event (and get dates for next year’s festival) here.
Social media is an essential part of a company’s marketing toolkit, but we know it’s not always easy to use it properly. Whether you’re struggling to find the right channels or to keep up with the latest social media trends, it’s easy for social media dreams to become nightmares.
Electric’s social media expertise helps you to grow your brand and better engage with your customers. With our experience as an integrated marketing agency, we can help you choose the strongest social media channels for your business, and create in-depth social media plans that show off your brand’s strengths. We can even write the perfect posts for publication on your social channels.
Head to our services page to learn more about our social media marketing, marketing strategy and brand creation services. If you’d like to speak to us directly, instead, you can call us on 0113 287 9900. With Electric, understanding social media trends has never been easier.
Social Media Trends: June 18th
Social media is one of the easiest ways to see what news, trends and topics have got people talking. As a design and marketing agency in Leeds, we make sure to keep an eye on the latest social media trends! We’ve highlighted some of the latest ones below.
Facebook Reveals Cryptocurrency
Facebook is introducing its very own cryptocurrency, joining the hundreds of cryptocurrencies already in circulation. Last year, The Motley Fool reported that since the arrival of Bitcoin, more than 1,600 cryptocurrencies have sprung up around the world. However, despite this, we don’t yet use cryptocurrencies for everyday purchases on a wide scale. Facebook may be about to change that.
According to The Verge, Facebook’s currency (known as Libra) is an attempt to create a truly mainstream cryptocurrency. If everything goes to plan, you’ll be able to use it to pay for almost anything, online or offline, and even take out loans with it. Facebook is developing Libra in partnership with several other companies, including MasterCard, Visa and PayPal, but plans to cede control of the project to a larger community in the future.
Unsurprisingly, the announcement has generated plenty of discussion online. Commenters seem excited by Libra’s possibilities; for instance, some people have argued it could make things easier for people without access to traditional banking. However, The Guardian reports there are privacy concerns surrounding Libra, and several regulations to consider before it launches.
Cryptocurrencies are something of a slippery concept, and for whatever reason they don’t yet have what it takes to displace conventional payment methods. However, with the backing of several major companies, Libra could be the one that bucks the trend. We won’t have to wait long to find out; the currency (and accompanying digital wallet, called Calibra) is supposed to launch at some point next year.
The Prince of Whales
If nothing else, American president Donald Trump is known as a prolific tweeter. During his recent visit to the UK, Trump accidentally described Prince Charles as “The Prince of Whales” in a tweet. The reactions online were unsurprising—and prolific.
The key takeaway from this story is “think before you tweet”. It’s tempting to fire off a quick tweet to capitalise on a new trend (and this is often a legitimate strategy). But if you get it wrong, it can just make you look foolish instead. Take a moment to read over your tweets before you post; you’ll save yourself a lot of embarrassment in the long run.
Advertising Standards
The Advertising Standards Authority has introduced a ban on “harmful gender stereotypes” in UK advertising. As the BBC reports, the ban covers stereotypical situations like women failing to park a car, or a man failing to change a nappy. It was introduced following a review by the ASA, which suggested stereotypes in adverts had wide-ranging, negative impacts on the people watching them.
According to the ASA the new rules apply to all forms of advertising, including posts by influencers on social media. As you might expect, reactions to the news online were mixed. Some people were happy to see the rules come into force, while others treated it as a form of overreach.
The rules were outlined at the end of last year, and reflect the greater social awareness amongst consumers at the moment. People are starting to make purchasing decisions based on the political stances of brands (though as we discussed previously, this can turn off many consumers as well). Still, we predict this trend of progressive marketing will continue for the foreseeable future.
Diabetes Week
According to Diabetes UK, 4.7 million people live with diabetes in the UK at the moment. Of these, 1 million don’t even know they have diabetes at all. With stats like these, it’s easy to see why Diabetes Week (which runs between the 10th and the 16th of June) is so important—and popular.
Raising awareness of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Week was very popular on social media this past week. Numerous companies and brands used the #diabetesweek hashtag to raise awareness of the disease. While it was very popular with health organisations several other brands supported it, helping it trend across industry sectors.
As ever, simple, highly visual content works wonders with hashtags like this one. Though Diabetes Week is a worthy cause to promote, it’s important you think carefully about how you promote causes like this. If there isn’t a clear link between your business and the cause (or your brand actively opposes it) trying to jump on the hashtag bandwagon could do more harm than good. Don’t be afraid to sit a hashtag out if you don’t think you have something useful to add.
Vegan Fish & Chips?
Vegan foods continue to grow in popularity, and we’re pleased to report on one business a little closer to home! A Leeds entrepreneur has opened up a new vegan fish and chip shop, which has—at least in the short term—seen massive popularity.
The Yorkshire Evening Post has reported on JJ’s Vish and Chips, which is now open on Kirkstall Road in Leeds. The shop offers vegan versions of several fish shop staples; banana blossom, a southeast Asian flower with a flaky texture, acts as a fish substitute. There are also vegan sausages, battered halloumi and several other vegan foods for sale.
According to Jessica Jones, the shop’s owner, the shop saw queues outside the door on opening day. The shop has also inspired some heated debate online, with some people questioning whether it’s really fish and chips at all.
Though vegan foods are doing very well at the moment, vegan fish and chips may prove a tougher nut to crack. Fish and chips are a cherished part of British cuisine (such as it is) and a lot of people won’t accept any substitutes. However, with companies like KFC launching vegan options, JJ’s Vish and Chips is certainly in good company.
More opportunities on the horizon
Social media has long proven itself as an effective marketing tool. A keen awareness of social media trends helps you find inspiration for your next big marketing campaign. This, in turn, allows you to grow your brand and directly engage with your customers.
However, growing your brand like this can be time-consuming. It can be difficult to find the right channels for your message, and keeping up with the latest online trends can also be daunting. If you aren’t sure where to start—or you need some additional guidance—you might want a digital and communication expert to help you out.
Electric are a design and marketing agency in Leeds with plenty of digital expertise. We can help you to get the best out of your digital marketing by pointing you towards the best social media channels for your business. We’ll create social media plans that highlight your brand’s strengths, and write the perfect posts to publish on your social channels.
Whether you need social media marketing, help with your marketing strategy or even a whole new brand, Electric is here to help. Click on the links to learn more about what we offer, or just give us a call today on 0113 287 9900.
Marketing Recap: May 2019
As a creative design agency in Leeds, we like to keep up with the latest marketing stories. Our latest marketing recap covers the most exciting stories from the last few weeks. From sneaky product placement to building refurbishment, there are lessons for every brand to learn from!
The North Face Loses Face
The North Face has come under harsh criticism thanks to a recent marketing stunt involving Wikipedia. The American company—which produces outerwear, tents and other outdoor goods—replaced images on Wikipedia articles with images featuring North Face products. Since Wikipedia ranks very highly in Google searches for specific locations, The North Face’s actions essentially worked as product placement for the company.
However—as Vice reports—this strategy came with several problems. For starters, Wikipedia explicitly prohibits someone editing their articles without revealing they’re being paid to do so. The new images also failed to represent the locations properly, focussing on the North Face products rather than the locations themselves.
To add insult to injury, The North Face published a video online bragging about what they’d done. Their actions drew ire from Wikipedia’s editors on Twitter, with the Wikimedia Foundation likening it to defacing public property. As a result, the North Face apologised for their actions, and Wikipedia removed all the images they recently posted.
Interestingly, Liam Wyatt—a prominent Wikipedia editor—has argued The North Face could have pulled off the campaign. The problem was less what they were doing than the fact they were so underhand about their actions. That said, trying to game the marketing system in this way is rarely a good idea. It comes across as deeply patronising, and isn’t worth risking the goodwill of an established audience for a potential new one.
A Sauce of Amusement
In 2017, Big Ben—one of London’s most famous landmarks—started to undergo an extensive, four-year renovation project. Elizabeth Tower (which houses Big Ben) has been covered in scaffolding since then; renovations are due to be completed in 2021. Heinz has decided to capitalise on this moment in history with a subtle branding change.
HP sauce famously features the Houses of Parliament (including the Elizabeth Tower) on its label. In honour of the tower’s 160th birthday, Heinz have released a new version of the label with said scaffolding in place. According to BBC News, the redesign is the first change to the packaging in 123 years. The revised bottle is available until the Big Ben renovations are complete.
This is a simple but effective way to get attention on a product that’s not always that glamourous. Reflecting current events like this isn’t just clever; its limited edition nature makes the bottles that bit more desirable. As a result, HP Sauce is riding much higher in the public consciousness than before, and it’s an elegant example of capitalising on current events.
Pop Goes the Culture
Furniture giant Ikea are branching out into a few new areas at the moment. They’re launching a new app which combines augmented reality with instant purchases, and they’ve already opened smaller stores in city centres. Their latest move is simpler, but just as savvy.
PR Examples reports that Ikea have used their furniture to recreate several scenes from pop culture. Examples include the living room from The Simpsons, and the Byers house from the Netflix hit Stranger Things. Names and prices of the items allow customers to get a better idea of how Ikea have put the scenes together… and what they can buy for themselves.
The choice of pop culture references is very thoughtful, and increases the campaign’s relevancy. The Simpsons has ridden high in our cultural consciousness for several years now, while Friends has gotten a second wind thanks to its appearance on streaming services. Stranger Things is more recent, but its 80s nostalgia (and third season, releasing next month) make references to it hugely relevant.
The campaign also allows Ikea to show off the breadth of their product line. A big part of Ikea’s brand is its versatility; their products are affordable, diverse and inventive. These pop culture recreations reflect this idea, without it being too on-the-nose as a sales tactic.
Heck Goes Vegan
Vegan lifestyles are steadily increasing in popularity at the moment. According to the Vegan Society there were 600,000 vegans in the UK last year, though The Independent suggests the number could be higher. In any case vegan lifestyles mean vegan foods, and a Yorkshire company is working to capitalise on this trend.
HECK Food—best known for their range of sausages—have launched a new vegan range in British supermarkets. The range actually appeared in Waitrose last year, but it’s now available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s as well. Vegan Heck products now appear in over 1,000 stores nationwide.
Their new prevalence reflects HECK Food’s massive success at the moment. They’re one of the UK food sector’s fastest-growing businesses, and expect to make £30 million this year. They’re also growing in popularity overseas, appearing in Holland’s supermarkets this September.
With other vegan foods doing very well (including Yorkshire-based Quorn’s sausage rolls) it’s safe to say vegan products are something other food companies should consider. Their popularity is being driven by many different factors, such as health concerns and animal welfare, and we suspect they won’t be slowing down any time soon.
A New Lease of Life
During the Industrial Revolution The Engine House in Leeds provided power to Tower Works, a steel pin factory. The factory closed in 1981, but it underwent extensive redevelopment, reopening in 2012. Now the Engine House could help give a boost to an entirely different industry.
Business Link reports that Leeds City Council is looking for expressions of interest from TV and film companies. The council hopes one of them will take a lease on the property, and work alongside the council to update the building for the 21st century. Although it’s a beloved part of the city the building requires extensive refurbishment, as well as modern amenities like power and heating.
The council’s actions reflect a wider prevalence of creative industries in Leeds. Channel 4 is opening a new HQ in the famous (but long-term vacant) Majestic cinema, while Leeds South Bank is home to more than 500 creative and digital businesses. The Engine House would be a valuable asset in a city that’s making big contributions to the UK’s creative sector.
Whether you’re looking for employment (or a great creative design agency) we recommend looking to Leeds for opportunities. The city’s recent developments only reinforce its status as a hotbed of creativity!
May 2019 has given us a diverse mix of marketing strategies. While we’ve seen some impressive creativity on display, The North Face shows what happens when you don’t put in the hard work and approach your audience with integrity.
If you’re looking to bring some creativity to your own marketing campaigns, we at Electric can help you. We’re a creative design agency in Leeds that can provide designs for print and digital, as well as web development, SEO, social media strategy and many other services.
Browse our complete list of services here, check out our previous creative campaigns, or give us a call today on 0113 287 9900.
Social Media Trends: May 31st
Social media is a great way to see what’s grabbing people’s attention! We’re taking a closer look at the biggest social media trends from the last few days in our latest catch-up.
The Best a Man can Get (again)
A few months ago, Gillette polarised the internet with an advert criticising toxic male behaviour. Their new advert takes a slightly different approach, by telling the story of a trans man shaving for the first time. The advert features Samson Bonkeabantu Brown—a Toronto-based actor, tap dancer and playwright—and his father, who coaches his son through shaving.
This new video has already garnered over 1 million views, and been shared 7,000 times. Reactions are similarly polarised; some commenters are praising its focus on diversity, and the message of acceptance Gillette is focussing on. Other commenters are criticising what they see as needless politicisation.
Though it’s a risky move on Gillette’s part, it suggests that the benefits of diversity-minded marketing outweigh the risks. That’s borne out by other companies’ actions; the Boston Globe reports other brands like Schick Hydro and Harry’s are celebrating broader types of masculinity. If these brands are any indication, we can look forward to more diverse advertising in the future.
Larry the Cat
British politics at the moment are… interesting, to say the least. However, we enjoyed a brief moment of levity when the Downing Street cat was relocated, shortly before a speech by the prime minister.
Larry the cat is actually a part of the Downing Street household. His title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office; according to the government, he is the first cat to officially hold such a title. He came to Downing Street from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2011, and has remained in Downing Street ever since.
Larry’s appearance (and subsequent removal) outside Downing Street was a welcome moment of levity in a fraught political climate. Commenters on Twitter celebrated Larry’s appearance (and political expertise) while an onsite sound engineer, ‘Hot Podium Guy’ also won some fans.
Larry shows how easily Twitter can amplify a bit of lighthearted fun. It also reinforces how Twitter facilitates quick responses to passing trends.
National Biscuit Day
The 29th of May is National Biscuit Day, and it’s a time to honour these sweet treats in all their forms! Several people (and brands) seized the chance to honour their favourite biscuits. Yorkshire Tea have also released a trailer for a new series, which investigates how dunkable different biscuits are.
The most important question, of course, was the oldest; are Jaffa Cakes classed as cakes or biscuits? There were fierce emotions on both sides of the discussion, with no clear winner depending on your definition. The confection was actually defined as a cake in 1991 for tax purposes. However, a YouGov poll from 2017 suggests most people see them as biscuits instead.
National days are a wonderful marketing opportunity; events like National Biscuit Day are especially good thanks to their broad appeal. We recommend thinking ahead of time how you can celebrate events like this in a creative way. But be aware; Orkney Library has already set the bar pretty high.
If you want some more inspiration, take a look at our guide to optimising social media marketing with days of the year.
New opportunities await
Social media is the perfect way to learn which stories matter most to people. By keeping a close eye on the latest social media trends, you can find inspiration for your own marketing campaigns.
If you’re not sure how to make the most of social media trends, we at Electric can help. We’re a design agency in West Yorkshire; our digital experts can take the weight off your shoulders by creating a social media plan that fits your brand. They can also write posts for you, or advise you on the best social media channels to grow your online presence.
If our latest social media recap has caught your eye, you can learn more about what we do on our services page. If you’d like to talk to us directly instead, you can call us today on 0113 287 9900.