January 2013

UKTI Announces China Mission Backed by Huawei: Applications Open

Lanterns

UKTI are working with Huawei to offer small and medium enterprises SMEs the opportunity to join them on a Mission to China running on the 18-22 March 2013.

A British Government will be your guide round Huawei’s facilities to discuss their procurement processes and supply chain opportunities in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing & Shanghai.

There are discounts and grants available to participants. Deadline for applications 15 February 2013.

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31 January 2013 by Chinwag Team

Social Network Snakes & Ladders: Google+ Reaches No 2, Twitter Grows Fastest

The Stats

When it comes to popularity with Social Media Platforms it may be a case of slow and steady wins the race. We all know Facebook was the speedster Hare but who would have thought that Google+ is our plucky little turtle?

Globalwebindex latest research surfaces results that might raise a few eyebrows amongst social media marketers.

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30 January 2013 by Fleur Fine Hosken

SES London 2013: Keynotes from Twitter & Microsoft and Discount for Chinwag Readers

SES London

Europe’s leading digital marketing event hosts a stellar line-up of experts as they address the key challenges, opportunities and strategies for marketers.

Search Engine Watch and ClickZ, the 14th annual SES London event which takes place on 18-21 February at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. (Map)

SES London is Europe's leading digital marketing event, covering the latest trends and challenges facing the industry. The three day event helps you navigate the digital landscape with guidance from leading experts on Search, Social Media, Display, Mobile, Email and more.

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30 January 2013 by Chinwag Team

It's Just a Hop, Skip & a Jump over to Social Media Week Europe

Social Media Week Milano

As you probably already know Social Media Week London will be back in September. If you didn’t know then I am sorry to be the one to break the news. Although it must have been a mighty big rock you were hiding under.

Social Media Week February is running in 8 global locations, it may feel a little too last minute to longhaul it to the other side of the pond to NYC or Tokyo but the European locations are just a hop, skip and a jump across the channel.

With lots of the events being run in English it really is worth having a look, or getting involved in a google hangout!

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30 January 2013 by Fleur Fine Hosken

Editions: (Re)Branding in the Digital Age

EDITD know the secret to a good evening: Johnnie Walker. Well that and an eclectic crowd sparking insightful debate about (Re)Branding in the Digital Age. 

First up was keynote speaker Henry Holland. Not one to shy away from Twitter - 235,061 followers - his take on social media is simple; use it to show the brand’s personality. Promotion comes once trust is gained.

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29 January 2013 by Chinwag Team

Tax-Friendly UK Startup Scheme Extended to 2014

Kate Jackson, explains how social dining and Digital Mission delegate, TableCrowd took advantage of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and its sibling SEIS to secure investment.

Hoorah for the announcement that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption for investments in SEIS companies will be extended.

EIS and SEIS are tax relief schemes designed to encourage investment into early stage, high-risk businesses. A high number of technology and digital startups fall within this catchment and should pay close attention to the benefits. The CGT exemption is now valid until the end of 2014. 

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28 January 2013 by Kate Jackson

SMW REWIND: Socialympics, Lessons Learned From The Games [VIDEO]

olympic flags

Back in February, as part of Social Media Week, Synergy and Jam co-hosted the first Socialympics, a panel debate on the implications of London 2012 being the first social media Olympic and Paralympic games.

It was such a success, that by popular demand, we staged Socialympics 2, once again bringing together key players in the London Socialympics to review what was a historic moment in sport and sports marketing.

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28 January 2013 by Rebecca Rosman

Married People Who Like Prostitutes And Other Unintended Facebook Social Graph Search Results

In Memory 9-11 and Katrina by cobalt123

"Married people who like Prostitutes", "Single women who live nearby and who are interested in men and like Getting Drunk" are just two of the searches unlocked by Facebook's new Social Graph Search. For that first search, there's even the option to list their spouses.

As the saying goes, "with great power comes great responsibility". Safe to say, opening the endless mountain of personal data on Facebook to user search is a bold business move, but as programmer Tom Scott proves, there's mischief to be made.

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25 January 2013 by Sam Michel

TableCrowd: A Start-Up’s Diary

Table Crowd

TableCrowd is a social dining network where like-minded people can meet and eat. Kate Jackson is Founder.

Monday. Frantic. Meet designer to work on responsive technology, factoring in improvements which come from user feedback on our beta site.

Our application to Chinwag’s Digital Mission to New York was accepted, so we join 20 other companies to gain insight into the New York tech scene. UK Trade & Investment London is helping some companies with a grant towards the trip; I’m hoping we’re one of the chosen ones.

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23 January 2013 by Kate Jackson

Pump Up the Volume [VIDEO]

Can content shout? Ben Peacock from Outbrain knows that ‘amplifying’ a campaign can work, as proven by Do the Mobot.

The campaign

We partnered with Virgin Media and, via Fifty6 Media, the Mo Farah Foundation, to launch the campaign – raising profile and proceeds for the most vulnerable across East Africa.

The focus was a short video, narrated by DJ Tim Westwood, which provided step-by-step instructions on how to carry out Mo’s trademark move, encouraging users to upload their own videos. Each one earned a £2 donation courtesy of Virgin Media.

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22 January 2013 by Ben Peacock