Microsoft

Context Matters – Microsoft Funeral Video

Any idea what this may be about? Stay tuned………

Live Search Launches Celebrity xRank & Video Search

Just been given the nod that the Live Search UK beta for Video Search and Celebrity xRank has gone live here in Blighty.

Search for your fave pop star or actor and find a glittering array of images, videos, biogs and movies in the search results.

The coolest feature is the video pre-roll – just hover over a video thumbnail and it’ll play right there and then, saving you clicking back and forth to different sites to find the clip you want.

Nice to see Phil ranked just 3 behind Beyonce and 3 in front of George Michael

Bill Suggests Boards Buck Up

One thing I love about working here is the amount of research we invest in.

Last month is was all about small business marketing and how some 62% of SMBs are not investing in promoting their websites through online strategies because “it’s too complicated!”

This month Bill Gates has written an article for the BBC based on research that shows “IT knowledge” placed 7th on the list of must have key-skills by the leaders of 500 companies in the UK.

He hinted that computer skills were undervalued as “a solid working knowledge of productivity software has become a basic foundation for success in virtually any career.”

So from the below, where would you put IT? Doesn’t a good knowledge of computers enhance most of the other skills? Should it be on the list at all?

TOP BUSINESS SKILLS

1. Team working and interpersonal skills

2. Initiative

3. Analysing and problem solving

4. Verbal communication

5. Personal planning and organising

6. Flexibility

7. IT skills

Christmas CoolWall – Live Search & Silverlight Mashup!

Always wanted to pick your own presents at Christmas? How do you let people know what you’d rather get as a gift………or rather not?

Christmas CoolWall

Check out this mashup from Live Search which includes some fab Silverlight technology.

Search for what you want, drag and drop the image on your CoolWall, save and send around to friends and family.

Simple and fun stuff means no more crappy presents!!!!!

Wanna Star In The Next Harry Potter movie?

OK maybe not “star” but at least get a walk on part!

MSN UK are running a Harry Potter Competition in conjunction with the launch of the “Order of The Phoenix” DVD.

Josh Berger, President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, said:

“Digital plays an important role in our marketing mix. We’ve been investing in digital for many years and are constantly pushing the bar to break new boundaries and create campaigns that truly engage with the consumer. Digital enables us to achieve cut through in a very competitive market and allows us to engage with consumers in innovative ways.”

That’s what we like to hear!

Harry Potter

“Harry regrets putting his website up for scrutiny at a conference site clinic!”

Revealing Research About UK Small Businesses

Top line takeaways from the report on UK SMBs in the online space:

SMBs are saving Search Marketing for a “rainy day”:

- 34% are planning to use it “in the future”
- 20% have never “got round to it”

Many are resistant to trying out Search Marketing:

- 92% of SMBs have not even tried to set up a campaign, even though 78% are aware of the online tools available to them

Of those who have investigated it:

- 44% thought it was too time consuming
- 33% though it was too complicated
- 56% though it was too expensive

Nigel, Trade Marketing Manager for adCenter in the London says:

“UK SMBs are missing a trick by not investing in search marketing campaigns. The misconceptions that exist in the industry, search marketing is holding back potential SMB revenue. This is surprising, considering the majority of people questioned use search engines and yet they are not investing in search marketing to grow their own business.

In today’s world, just having a website is not enough – you have to drive traffic to your site to ensure you are front of mind with your potential customers. Search marketing is one of the most cost effective ways to achieve this.”

What an opportunity?!*£$

Check out the full report here: Search Marketing for Small Businesses

Check out the adCenter Blog for more on this SMB Research