Owned-social networks are replacing Facebook as a way for brands to market to their communities November 27, 2018 Two months ago, I helped Blewbury in Oxfordshire become the first village in the UK to launch its own social network. We were inspired by the MP Matt Hancock, who during his tenure as digital minister launched a social network for his constituency. His decision to call it “Matt Hancock” attracted much media attention. But [...]
Five reasons why tech stocks are in trouble November 27, 2018 For months, technology stocks have been the holy grail for growth, with valuations reaching dizzying heights. So, considering that what goes up must come down, perhaps it’s not surprising that stocks started tumbling last week. Share prices for each of the five tech giants – Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google (the so-called Faangs) – [...]
Trump threatens to close Mexico border permanently after migrants storm crossing November 26, 2018 President Donald Trump today said the US will close its border with Mexico permanently if needed as he repeated calls for a wall between the two countries. “Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries,” Trump said today on Twitter. “Do it by plane, do [...]
This Thanksgiving, President Donald Trump is thankful for himself November 23, 2018 US President Donald Trump has said that this Thanksgiving, he is thankful for himself. Asked by a reporter what he is most thankful for, Trump said in an interview that he was thankful for his family before going on to praise himself and the "tremendous difference" he said he has made to the US in the last [...]
Crowdfunding isn’t just about money, but communicating with customers – the best businesses are the best listeners November 22, 2018 Consumers are increasingly sceptical of industry leaders, disloyal to brands, well-researched in the products and services they need, and not willing to be talked at. Through social media, they listen to one another about which brands are worth caring about, and which are not. The brands that are the best communicators are also the best [...]
John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, or M&S? Whose Christmas ad was best this year November 20, 2018 So this is Christmas. And what have you done? Another year over, and the festive ads just begun. Yes, ’tis the season for brands to splash the cash on fancy holiday-themed adverts in hope of attracting that sweet Christmas shopping revenue. Retailer John Lewis has been the reigning champion of the season for the past [...]
Twitter picks a man named John Lewis as the star of its new Christmas advert November 20, 2018 Every year, a man named John Lewis in Virginia receives over 50,000 tweets intended for UK department store John Lewis and Partners. This year, he's been made the star of Twitter's Christmas advert. Lewis secured the Twitter username @JohnLewis in 2007, and has become known for his witty responses to people who confuse him for [...]
Tesla’s Model 3 sedan on sale in China as Elon Musk plans to increase global operation November 17, 2018 Tesla's new Model 3 sedan is now available to order in China as the company continue to expand its global operation, particularly targetting the Asian market. On the company's website it says that Model 3 deliveries to China will begin in 2019 and Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed via his Twitter account that they will [...]
The hidden meanings behind the Q&A November 16, 2018 You've finished your presentation. You remembered to look at the audience, rather than at the massive screen behind you, so it actually seemed like a presentation rather than a modern corporate version of temple worship. You didn’t just read out the slide deck, so no one is wondering why you bothered with a presentation at [...]
DEBATE: Should we be concerned that the Brexit secretary didn’t realise the extent to which we rely on Dover-Calais trade? November 9, 2018 Should we be concerned that the Brexit secretary didn’t realise the extent to which we rely on Dover-Calais trade? Richard Angell, director of the think tank Progress, says YES. The admission by Brexit secretary Dominic Raab that he “hadn’t quite understood” how “reliant on the Dover-Calais crossing” the UK is would be funny if it [...]