The royal baby is finally here - Prince George of Cambridge

It seems a life time ago when they announce that Kate was pregnant but finally the wait is over. As the country celebrates companies are quick to jump on the bandwagon. I can't believe how quickly press adverts where related to the royal baby theme. Everything must have been lined up, ready to be swapped the moment it was announced. No matter what the product or services a company supplies everyone is trying to connect it somehow to the happy couple and their newborn heir. 

A campaign that combines the royal baby with probably one of the biggest summer marketing campaigns come from one of the most powerful brands in the world - Coca Cola. 

Within hours the below image was released. 

What I like about this campaign is plays on the news, but is completely on brand. The whole summer has been focused on #shareacoke along with the personalised bottles in shops. I imagine you could pick up a Kate in store, even if they made the Wills bottle just for His Royal Highness. 

Well I am sure there will be much more to come as smaller companies catch up. And then there will be the memorabilia and merchandise. 

Beyonce - Red Hot Tour Tickets

A few weeks ago, after having taken a break to be with her baby girl, Beyonce took to the Super Bowl stage and blew the world away. Yes there was a few dishy pictures that her estate tried to get removed, but it is undeniable that the performance was a success and beyonce had reminded everyone she is the Queen Bey! Then moments later it was announced that she would be performing a World Tour entitled The Mrs Carter Show, which included dates in Manchester, Birmingham and London. For what seemed like an eternity I watched the O2 priority moments ads and waited to book my tickets on Thursday 21 Feb. I tried for London, my other 02 Friend for Birmingham, but no luck for either of us.

So Round 2 on Saturday, this time we thought we would be more prepared. Try online, 1 ticket agent on the mobile, another on the landline. Sadly still nothing. It is rumoured that tickets sold out in minutes, which is phenomenal! At a starting price of £55 plus a rip off booking fee (I was quoted £7) it is no cheap night out, but 'people' bought then without hesitation. Or did they? Within minutes tickets were on eBay for thousands of pounds!!! An intelligent  individual on my Facebook pointed out that with VIP packages costing $595 paying £1000 is ridiculous, but I am sure somewhere someone will pay it leaving both Beyonce and the reseller making a pretty profit. And for me... I will look out for competition tickets or just watch the footage on YouTube and no doubt buy the DVD, which will come out afterwards.

A Month as Marketing Manager

They say that "times flies when you are having fun" and it sure does! This month has been a whirlwind and I seriously do not know where the time has gone. It's crazy to think just over a month ago I walked into Jay Mews on my first day full of anxiety and anticipation. Marketing is something I have always been passionate about, but seemed like a dream career that I wouldn't be able to break into. Being business minded I love how results orientated marketing is. You can measure your success and tell if you are doing a job. My mission is simple - get bums on seats and the more bums the better. 

I was ecstatic when I was offered the job of Marketing Manager. Not only was I getting the chance to solely focus on marketing but it was with a touring company and a dance company. For me I don't think there could be a better combination (unless Kiss or MTV comes along).

So far the reality is still as great as the fantasy. The works hard and the commutes long but I love it! I think the most exciting thing is working for a company that has a brand. I'm not talking a logo that gets puts on everything but an actual brand personality. There are prescribed fonts, palette and templates for everything under the sun. Yes it is prescriptive and some would say restrictive, limiting or controlling, but at least it means there is a cohesive message coming from the organisation. It feels like working for any other business rather than an organisation, which is a refreshing change. So one month in and I am still as excited to get up in the morning as my first day. Here is to next month :)

Anyone can do social media marketing, right?

A few years ago Social Media Marketing didn't even exist. Facebook required a university email address, Twitter wasn't born and YouTube was for filming fanatics looking for a platform to exhibit their work. Now the world has changed if you don't have a Facebook you might as well not exist. Music stars are discovered and led to number 1 stardom by millions of YouTube views. Breaking news is now discovered through Twitter.

As a business you would be stupid to ignore social media as part of your marketing mix but you would also be an idiot to think anyone can be responsible for your social media. It is a complicated landscape with endless opportunities for your company, but importantly not all are suitable and more importantly than that not all will provide you with a return. Taking up every opportunity is not cost effective and it essential for companies to carefully access what platforms to be utilise and others to discard.

Check out this amazing image that Buddy Media displayed recently. Social media may be used my a twelve year but working your way through that diagram is strictly for an intelligent adult.