Do my cookies comply with the law?

This post was first published on out site in June 2011. A new updated post will appear shortly.

The recent implementation of the new law on cookies has left many Manchester businesses unsure of whether their sites comply or not. Cookies are small text files, sometimes encrypted, which are stored on user’s computers. They can be used for a variety of reasons, mainly so that a website can remember when a user has visited before and enhance their experience. They can also be used to decide how pages appear to a particular user.… Read more

The great rebrand of 2012

This particular blog post is perhaps a little overdue, having had the site launched for a few weeks now, but now that all our stationary has arrived I think now’s the right time to explain a little bit about the big change.

As Daniel first touched upon in The ubiquitous first blog post, the old branding had served us well for almost ten years but being the forward-thinking, growing agency that we now are, we felt it was time for a change.… Read more

To QR or not to QR?

While QR (Quick Response) Codes are becoming more common, espcially in advertising, new research suggests that around two thirds of consumers may not know what they are. The two dimensional bar codes (as opposed to the 1D linear barcodes) were developed for the automotive industry in 1994. Like most things, it’s taken a while for them to be picked up for mass market use. A consumer can scan a QR code with a smart phone (assuming they have a barcode reader) and they are taken to a specific web page with more information about what they have scanned.… Read more

Manchester centre of social media revolution?

A Manchester charity shop could be at the centre of the next big thing in Social Networking – giving objects online profiles.

The Oxfam shop in Manchester has been involved in a pilot study in which items of clothing were tagged with QR (quick response) codes so they could tell stories about their previous owners. QR Codes are the square printed barcodes that are becoming more common on TV and around cities. Takings at the Oxfam shop in Manchester rose by 41% according to the University academic behind the project, Andy Hudson-Smith of University College, London.… Read more

QR Codes on business cards – Are we too far ahead of the game?

As you might have seen from our Tweets, our new business cards have arrived. They reflect the new branding, which is great (thanks to our Head of Creative, Tom). They also contain a QR (or Quick Response) code which, when scanned, brings up our contact details that can be saved onto a smart phone. My only concern is whether people know what to do with the QR codes or indeed whether they actually know what they are? They could just be a pretty pattern.… Read more

Adapt or Die?

Ok it’s probably not as drastic but my point is that you need to adapt your business to take advantage of new technology or you will soon get left behind. But be careful not to change what works too early as that could be suicidal.

A lot depends on the industry you are in. I was at a seminar recently where one of the speakers was Victoria White, the Editor of Company Magazine. There is an ongoing change in the magazine industry with printed versions becoming less and less important.… Read more

Android or iPhone app – what do you do first?

Point Break or Bad Boys 2?

If your budget currently only stretches for a one app – what platform do you decide to go with first? A recent report highlighted how Android has now overtaken iOS in terms of market share (read more here). If you didn’t know already, Android is an open source OS allowing manufacturers to tailor it to their needs and release it in its own form on their handsets. Hundreds of handsets are powered by Android now and the list keeps growing.… Read more

We love Manchester

Our office move to Manchester in 2010 cemented my own love for the city where I was born. Working in the City Centre is something I have never done – the closest I got was visiting my father’s offices first on Portland Street then Chepstow Street while I was still at school. By the time I returned to join the family business after several years away at University and then working, it had moved to Failsworth just over the border in Oldham.… Read more

BBC News launches new responsive mobile website

The BBC News website is one of my most common destinations on the Internet, particularly on my phone. The site has had a mobile version for some time but when I checked this morning I noticed that they had launched a new one.

The BBC are very good at implementing new media well, so analysing any developments is always worthwhile. After spending a little time looking at how it all fits together I can see their approach to this is quite interesting for three reasons.… Read more

Spring has sprung

It’s a beautiful day in Manchester today.

… Read more