Mel Carson - UK Internet Marketing Blog - Microsoft - Memoirs

Review: Whiting Bay Golf Course on the Isle of Arran

MelC — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:31:13 +0000

Some friends have been saying for a long while that as I do so much travelling, why don’t I write about that as well as all the tech and media I talk about.

Well, in the first in a series of travel reviews about our recent trip to the fabulous Scottish Isle of Arran, here’s a taster of the couple of hours I spent at the Whiting Bay Golf Course on the south east of the island.

At 20 miles long and 10 miles wide, you wouldn’t have expected to find SEVEN golf courses on Arran. But as the ferry trundles towards it from Ardrossan, you can’t help but see the adverts talking about the fabulous views and hospitality that awaits all ages and proficiencies of the great game of golf.

Last Sunday, I took the opportunity to let my wife – Ashley – do a spot of reading on the balcony of our lovely B&B – Ellangowan House – while I trotted off to thwack 9 holes for the bargain “after 4pm” price of £10!

I had rung up earlier to book a tee. I asked if they hired out clubs and was told, “We can give you a set for free but they aren’t very good!”

Replying that neither was my golf, I duly turned up at the allotted hour.

The lady behind the bar was very helpful in showing me a 10 hole route that would get me back to the clubhouse in time for a pint of Arran Ale before she clocked off for the evening.

So off I went.

Now I’m no Monty, but I managed to keep in single figures for all the holes which are mostly par 3s and 4s.

One hole called “The Plateau” was an incredible ride. Just 81 yards, it called for a skied shot “up and over” with very little room for error.

Suffice to say it got the better of me as I over-egged it a couple of times before landing a few feet away from the pin for an embarrassing 7!

The main wow-factor of this course is not that it’s just so well maintained and while I was there, virtually empty, but that the views are simply stunning.

Click on the above panorama which I made with Windows Live Photo Gallery to see just how beautiful the sight from the top of the course is.

Being on my own with not a soul around, it took me about 80 minutes trudging up and down to finish the recommended ten holes, none of which disappointed.

Back in the clubhouse, I was warned not to let Ashley know it was the highlight of my holiday so far, and settle down to a well earned beer!

I can honestly see a return trip to Arran for a seven courses in seven days adventure.

It’s not often you get such value for money in quality of course and scenery to boot!

Blog Round Up for August – Lots of Juicy Content

MelC — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:46:41 +0000

Thought I’d start adding one of my fave photos every time I post some content from other blogs I have a hand in.

Today’s is a snap from a game drive at dawn in the Kruger National Park in South Africa last year. We were staying at the Arathusa Game Lodge on a holiday we’ll never forget.

Anyway…………….day dream over!

Microsoft Advertising Blog

Attention Please: Advertising in the Age of Overload

Think Visibility 2010 – Microsoft Advertising Speaking on Social Media and Community

Microsoft Advertising Asia Digital Showcase Video and Online Marketing Resources

UK OFCOM Report Proves Multi-Screen is Marketing Manna

Admira – Bringing the Emotion to Digital Affordably via TV

Microsoft Advertising TV – Episode 1 – Multi-screen Digital Research, Spikes Asia, Cloud Computing

Microsoft adCenter Blog

Yahoo! and Microsoft Search Alliance News: Organic Search Update on the Bing Blog

Digital Image: Looking After Your Online Reputation

Updated Tutorials for adCenter Desktop Beta in the Microsoft adExcellence Classroom

SES San Francisco: All Customers Are Not Created Equal

SES San Francisco: Making the Leap From Search to Display

I’ve been a very bad person and not written for Media Week for a while so promise to get back on it next week after our long weekend in the Isle of Arran.

Video: Online Advertising in Asia – China, Hong Kong, Singapore & Japan

MelC — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:43:50 +0000

Beautiful video from our Microsoft Advertising team in Asia showcasing all the creative digital goodness they’ve been spreading around the net over the last few months.

I’m off down there soon to learn more about the teams and the region, so more on that soon.

Just written a post with all their online collateral on: Microsoft Advertising Asia Digital Showcase Video and Online Marketing Resources

The video is also on our Microsoft Advertising YouTube Channel

Let me know what you think!

Jesse Schell: When Games Invade Real Life via TED Video

MelC — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:30:47 +0000

Via the TED website, this quite long – 28 minute – presentation is a very entertaining look at how games are starting to become part and parcel of our digital lives.

Jesse is quite hilarious in his delivery, but the serious point is how these games have huge potential for marketers and brands.

Microsoft Adaptive Computer Keyboard Prototype

MelC — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:04:22 +0000

Pretty awesome demo of a new ideas on how we input data via a keyboard.

The idea is to try and find new and dynamic ways of interacting with computers using touch.

The team is investigating whether this kind of work can help increase productivity.

If you’re short on time, forward to 5.20 for an amazing intuitive use of Outlook and Communicator which minimises interruption of your workflow.

Check out their blog post: How will input devices evolve to help information workers?

Not bad eh?

1st Wedding Anniversary in Painswick in The Cotswolds

MelC — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:42:59 +0000

Taken at the top of Painswick Beacon in The Cotswolds, Ashley and I were having a romantic moment after a long walk in which I’d taken a wrong turn and nearly had us squished like a fox on a B road!

I’d surprised her with a trip having suggested she pack a swimsuit and her passport.

As we drove down the M4 she kind of twigged as we zoomed past the Heathrow turn off!

We stayed at Byfield House which caught my eye as it’s the number one B&B in the Cotwolds on Trip Advisor.

Jill and Brett’s hospitality was just amazing. Greeted like long lost friends with TWO bottles of wine, we were sloshed before we got to the pub to devour wood pigeon, duck and fish and chips!

£75 a night to stay in an antiques haven, with a healthy breakfast instead of a heavy cooked one, meant were able to enjoy some great food after exploring the countryside at the Royal Oak and St Michaels Restaurant the following night who did us a nice chocolate cake for our anniversary….after we’d scoffed some sumptuous puddings and cheese!

[Loosens waistband.]

We had such a lovely time. Think everyone should make a trip this part of the world as it’s just 2 hours max from London.

Seems we have a habit of climbing hills with romantic notions.

The last time was when we got engaged!

Digital Advertising Case Studies

MelC — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:35:03 +0000

Just posted on the Microsoft Advertising Blog about our digital advertising case studies which are all up on our ad site in Silverlight glory.

Includes insight from campaigns we’ve run for Pepsi, Sony, Sprint, Coca-Cola, Bing, Cadbury, P&G, Toyota, Kia, Nivea and loads more.

Pretty cool that you can pick and choose via different criteria.

The team say it’s set to grow as we get more and more advertisers to partner with us on talking about their campaigns in detail.

Brian Blessed’s Tom Tom SatNav Acceptance Speech

MelC — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:51:47 +0000

The man, the myth, the legend that is Brian “Gordon’s Alive!” Blessed has just become the voice of Tom Tom after a Facebook campaign where he garnered over 25,000 votes.

As a commenter on YT says, why hasn’t he been given a knighthood?

Did drama with his daughter Roz at university. Lovely family!

Just listen to his thank you to see why I’m so proud to be British!