I write with half an eye on Lord Justice Leveson’s hefty report the other half on the Twittersphere’s reaction. A few points come to mind. Social media reaction before-and-after is, predictably, mixed; freedom of speech is held sacred by bloggers and this libertarianism may filter through on social media more widely.

The media prepared for the report in different ways. Apparently the FT have urged staff not to tweet about the report at all but to take a more considered view – are they making a special effort to behave themselves? Meanwhile Channel 4 wryly pointed out that we might be missing stories elsewhere: Read More »

Sixty per cent of Twitter’s UK users use it while watching TV and Twitter would be “poorer” without TV, according to Bruce Daisley, its sales director. Speaking at Twitter’s Tune in with Twitter  event in London today, Daisley claimed the social network has a “phenomenal” relationship with TV, stressing that Twitter is “a layer” that exists alongside TV, rather than a competitor to it.

Daisley said: “Twitter and TV have become extraordinary partners over the past twelve months – Twitter loves TV and TV loves Twitter.” Read More »

Since the dawn of television, advertising has been a mainstay of American presidential elections. From the first political attack ad, Lyndon Johnson’s infamous ‘Daisy’ spot, to the George  W Bush campaign’s John Kerry windsurfing parody, the advertising has become more and more important. With spending reaching record levels, this election was no different. But behind the scenes there has been a revolution in how both side’s ads were targeted and delivered.

Every presidential election can point to big breakthroughs in marketing tactics that are often ahead of their time, but this election was unique in the way it embraced real-time media buying in both the display market, but more significantly video advertising. Read More »

Firstly, let’s be clear, a lot of digital strategies ARE failing. I have had the feeling this was the case for a good couple of years now – that beneath the hype that ‘new media’ constantly generates a lot of digital initiatives simply weren’t working.

Then, in December of last year, TNS released its ‘Digital Life’ report suggesting that “misguided digital strategies are generating mountains of digital waste, from friendless Facebook accounts to blogs no one reads.” At last, a major study honest enough to comment on something more than social behaviours and the rise of mobile. Read More »

If you wanted more proof that the conversation in 2013 will be more about content and less about social then this it.  PR group Bell Pottinger Private, formerly part of Chime Communications, has launched a a specialist digital content agency called Bell Pottinger Wired.

Expect to see much more of this in the coming year as brands focus on developing their content strategies and agencies respond. Bell Pottinger Wired pulls together separate content and digital teams from within the group to focus on delivering digital content-led campaigns both for the group’s existing and new clients. Read More »