Net Media Planet

Skn – Improving mobile conversion rate

Venessa — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:17:51 +0000

Switching customers to O2 through mobile

Venessa — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:07:53 +0000

Net Media Planet win Highly Commended at the Revolution Awards 2012

Sri — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:42:50 +0000

Last Friday, a few of us donned their finest garments and headed down to Grosvenor House on Park Lane for the Revolution Awards 2012, where we were named as finalists for Best Use of Search.

It was a fantastic event and a great time was had by all Net Media Planet team members who were there, so a huge thank you to the people who organised it.

The team’s excellent efforts in working with Papa John’s were rewarded when it was announced that we won Highly Commended in the Best Use of Search category. This is yet another sign that we excel when it comes to working closely with big clients.

A big shout-out also to Papa John’s – we could not have done this without such a great client.

This was our second award ceremony in 2012, and it’s fair to say we are developing a taste for it!

Cheers,
Sri

How the cookie crumbles for UK & EU eTailers

Sri — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:23:29 +0000

With the deadline to comply with the EU e-Privacy directive just over a month away (May 26), the confusion amongst marketers doesn’t look to be dissipating at all. In fact, in a recent study by Econsultancy, 61% of marketers said they still don’t understand the options for gaining user consent.

The lack of understanding is adding to the confusion and panic around the approaching deadline. However, if brands take things back to basics, they will see that there are actually just two main approaches to consider here – automatic opt-out (auto opt-out) and automatic opt-in (auto opt-in).

An auto opt-out approach essentially means that you don’t use cookies without explicit consent from consumers. Tanqueray.com and the ICO itself have adopted this approach, asking all visitors for their consent when they land on the site (see shots below).

A clear approach that enables consumers to opt-in upfront is perhaps the most logical route for brands to take. However, as the ICO site saw its traffic drop 90% when it first introduced the opt-in banner, it is sensible for brands to also consider an auto opt-in approach.

An auto opt-in approach means that whilst consumers are given the tools to opt out of having a cookie placed on their machine, they are automatically tracked from the moment they hit your site.
BT.com follows this approach. When a consumer lands on the BT site a pop-up appears, providing them with information on cookies, what they are, what they are used for and how they can opt-out if they wish. In a similar, but less proactive way, Johnlewis.com has updated its privacy policy and cookie notice for consumers and introduced clearer sign-posting on its site about where consumers can find this information as well as explaining how they can opt-out.

Both an automatic opt-in and opt-out approach are viable options. The question brands should be asking themselves is: ‘Am I providing my customers with the opportunity to provide their consent?’

Of course, if you operate internationally, you will also need to understand how your approach will play out when the directive is enforced in new countries. The UK is leading in introducing the cookie law but all 27 member states of the EU are planning implementation of their own laws. The US Congress is also looking at introducing a similar e-Privacy directive. From a legal perspective, brands should start by adhering to the UK law and then take market specific legal guidance as the directive is introduced as law into each new market.

In focusing on complying with the UK law, don’t focus on the financial punishment for missing the deadline. The ICO is unlikely to administer the maximum fine of £500,000 to just anyone. In fact, whilst the ICO may seem to have been harsh in its handling of the directive’s introduction and enforcement so far, it has provided a more flexible non-prescriptive approach for UK websites than its counterparts in the EU look set to offer.

As a UK brand, embrace the flexibility on offer to find an approach that enables your customers to easily provide their consent. Get it right in the UK and no matter what territory you expand into you will be on (and stay on) the front foot.

Thanks,
Sri

Cotswold Outdoor turns to Net Media Planet to heat up online activity

Sri — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:34:41 +0000

We’ve recently got to a flying start with Cotswold Outdoor and I wanted to share the Press Release:

Specialist agency appointed to re-vamp Cotswold Outdoor’s paid search strategy

Cotswold Outdoor, the award winning outdoor clothing retailer, has appointed Net Media Planet to refresh its approach to paid search. The aim is to drive awareness, traffic and, ultimately, increase its sales in 2012.

To drive awareness, traffic and revenues, Net Media Planet will develop a sophisticated data led search marketing programme for Cotswold Outdoor. The data will come from taking a multi-channel view of the customer across the various touch points where they engage with the retailer, such as mobile and online. The insights drawn from this data will enable Net Media Planet to target customers according to who they are, from the weekend walker to the experienced mountain climber and seasonal skier.

Alex Palmer, E-Commerce Manager at Cotswold Outdoor, said: “Feedback from our customers is that our website is fantastic, so we want to encourage more potential customers to visit it and make a purchase. The paid search marketing programme designed by Net Media Planet will do exactly that. Add to this Net Media Planet’s proven track record of delivering significant results for some of the world’s biggest retail brands and it is clear why I am looking forward to seeing the results of our new strategy.”

Sri Sharma, Founder and Managing Director of Net Media Planet said: “I am looking forward to using our expertise to help Cotswold Outdoor develop growth from online in 2012. Alongside this, I am looking forward to the opportunity to leverage new search technology to drive footfall in-store.”

Papa John’s – Creating Compelling Campaigns

Venessa — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:51:47 +0000

Harnessing the full potential of mobile through paid search

Sri — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:36:42 +0000

It was another great turnout yesterday, for the latest in our series of Net Media Planet invites seminars.

We explored the area of mobile conceptually and then moved to search. With 50% of all mobile activity starting with search, it makes sense.

I wanted the seminar to focus on what I see as the three key types of mobile customers – those on the move, those at home and those on the high street. I also concentrated on providing insight into how best to communicate and connect with these rapidly expanding potential customer types.

Check out the slide show below and please post any thoughts or questions.

Cheers,
Sri

Harnessing the full potential of mobile through paid search

View more PowerPoint from Net Media Planet

Net Media Planet nominated for second award in 2012

Sri — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:58:42 +0000

We are thrilled to announce that we have just been selected as finalists for the Revolution Awards 2012 for Best use of Search.

It’s an excellent result for the team, and one that reflects the superb client partnership that we’ve developed with Papa John’s, so well done to everyone involved.

It’s fantastic to be up for a second award in 2012, not least because it demonstrates just how much passion and commitment there is at Net Media Planet when it comes to delivering for our clients.

And of course, it also means that we’ll not only be at the eConsultancy Awards in February, but will also be dusting down our evening wear for a second great ceremony at Grosvenor House in April. Can’t wait.

Congratulations to everyone involved and roll on more nominations in 2012!

Cheers,

Sri

3M – Raising Revenue & Boosting Conversions

Venessa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:25:26 +0000

Growth in online spend signals the end of the hypermarket for Tesco

Sri — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:56:49 +0000

Tesco’s recent 2.3% drop in like for like Christmas sales has prompted much media speculation on why the supermarket’s fortunes have changed.

However, the focus on product quality and the retailer’s discounting strategy have detracted attention from a significant shift – Tesco has halted its plans to open more hypermarkets in the UK on the back of its strong online sales, which grew 14%.

This, combined with the fact that many of Britain’s best loved retailers, such as Blacks, HMV and La Senza are now struggling on the high street, shows that high street presence is no longer key to retail success.

Retailers shouldn’t remove themselves from the high street on the back of Tesco’s results, but they should certainly take a careful look at their own strategy.

Less profitable stores in high traffic areas such as Oxford Street, London and the Bull Ring, Birmingham, alongside a strong online presence, can play a key part in raising brand awareness and driving sales. The key is to see on and offline as two elements of an integrated strategy and focus on getting the balance between them right. Ultimately, the relationship between online and offline should be symbiotic.

Mobile technology, such as near field communications and specific mobile formats, such as hyperlocal adverts, have made joining up the channels far easier for retailers. For example, through Google Wallet a consumer can now search for a particular product, follow a paid search advert to an online offer, save the voucher to their “wallet” and then redeem it in-store via a swipe of their mobile phone. The challenge for retailers now is to understand their customers, how and where they want to shop and make the experience as easy as possible.

To learn more about how to leverage mobile to bridge the gap between on and offline take a look at our whitepaper The Future is Mobile.

Thanks,

Sri