Getting British Business Online

Setting up Google Places, advice about the new Google Ad Words Express and the new Google+ were some of the talking points at a seminar in Liverpool called Getting British Business Online.

The seminar featured a cross section of North West businesses from start-ups to SMEs covering a wide range of digital based communication.

There were interesting statistics showing that 15 per cent of internet searches are now from mobile devices which makes free directories like Google Places a useful facility especially for businesses with a strong local client base.

There was a mixed response from delegates about the benefits of Google Adwords as well as reference to the new Google Ad Words Express, which came out a couple of weeks ago and aims to be more user-friendly. Free tools such as Google Analytics, Insights and Alerts were also highlighted.

The social media break-out session encouraged businesses to make the most out of platforms like Twitter and Facebook by creating interesting and informative content; several businesses expressed concern about negative reviews on social media and there were discussions about ways to turn poor reviews into positive outcomes.

There was also talk about about Google+ which is Google's new social networking platform unveiled earlier this year. The + is a similar to the 'Like' button on Facebook, and it is another way of sharing information and communicating online.

If you need additional help and resource to make the most of social media platforms or advice about optimising your web presence you can also speak to the team here at ICG. Visit www.icgonline.co.uk or drop us a line at info@icgonline.co.uk

NETWORKING & INVESTMENT IN BLACKPOOL

The Minister of Tourism's visit to Blackpool earlier this week was among the key talking points at The Gazette's Fylde Means Business networking event today.

David Cam, Company Secretary and Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, spoke of John Penrose MP's visit to the resort earlier this week and of the key issues facing tourism businesses.

As a champion of the industry, he praised the work of many attractions to promote Blackpool as a family tourist destination with significant investments to attract 'lapsed' visitors to experience the new promenade, the Sandcastle, Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach.

He called on businesses and individuals to help promote a 'Buy British' culture, more innovative solutions to car parking charges as well as discussing the failed casino bid, the minimum wage and other key issues for Blackpool including attracting political party conferences back to the resort, better transportation links and quality accommodation accreditation.

There was also an informative talk from Andy Barton of MUSE Developments, owned by Salford Quays based Morgan Sindall, about the plans for the emerging Blackpool Business District. The regeneration scheme for the area around Blackpool North train station includes plans for new retail and office space and has been in the planning stages for the last six years.

ICG Brandbuilders is the PR agency for Blackpool Zoo and provides PR and design services for a variety of businesses on the Fylde coast including BAE Systems in Warton, Twelve Restaurant & Lounge Bar in Thornton Cleveleys and Freeport Fleetwood as part of the Realm group.

ICG's design team also worked closely with Morgan Sindall to compile an extensive bid document for the 'Building Schools for the Future' project in May 2010.

BBC Children in Need rocks at Scott Rees

ICG client Scott Rees & Co Solicitors is showing its spots with some fantastic Children in Need fund-raising!

While Coldplay and Lady Gaga are performing tonight in Manchester, at Scott Rees in Skelmersdale, staff are auctioning off a guitar and amplifier as well as an Ozzy Osbourne signed copy of Black Sabbath LP, Master of Reality.

Bids for the Black Sabbath LP have already topped £150 and there's still plenty of time for more bids before it goes under the hammer.

ICG have blogged and tweeted about the fund-raising activity! Find out more here!

Moustaches in November, it must be Movember

It's the moustache growing season once again and ICG's Senior Designer, Ian Jones has become a mo bro!

For those new to the whole Movember concept, it is a unique moustache growing event throughout November to raise awareness about men's health and generate much needed funds for cancer initiatives.

It is the second time Ian has decided to sport a moustache for Movember and less than half way through the month, he already has a dashing, lip-tickling hedge and is on track to more than double last year's fund-raising total.

Good luck to all fellow mo bros and if you would like to support Ian, donate at www.mobro.co/DONTMOIT

Get the festive look

Christmas may still be a few weeks away but here at ICG we're already in a fashion winter wonderland thanks to retail client Realm.

Our design teams have been busy working on Christmas promotional campaigns for Realm's shopping outlets producing marketing collateral for outdoor advertising, point of sale, press advertising and shopping outlet guides.

Since we started working with Realm earlier this year, we have created individual design styles for six of its shopping outlets from illustration based profiles for Freeport Talke and Freeport Fleetwood to chic photography and clever straplines for Junction 32 and Lakeside Village.

Now with Christmas shopping about to begin in earnest, we've added lots of festive sparkle and seasonal good cheer to each design to appeal to local shoppers.

Christmas leaflets are packed with information on gifts, winter essentials, party wear and stocking fillers and there's also lots of information about late night shopping times, gift cards and links to Twitter and Facebook.

Look out for ICG's work in action if you're Christmas shopping at...Freeport Fleetwood in Lancashire, Freeport Braintree in Essex, Freeport Talke in Stoke-on-Trent; Lakeside Village in Doncaster, Clarks Village in Somerset and Junction 32 near Leeds.

ICG rebrands VIP Computers

ICG has been working closely with VIP Computers to reinvigorate and modernise its corporate image.

The rebranding was commissioned to reflect the growing depth and breadth of the company's services as the UK's largest independent distributor of PC components, peripherals and associated products.

The company colours of blue and yellow were retained and deepened to offer greater distinction while the logo was modernised and combined with the strapline 'Delivering Value in Distribution'.

The refreshed profile has been rolled out across a variety of platforms including press advertising, presentations, pop-up stands, digital output and promotional items.

ICG worked closely with VIP Computers' newly appointed Marketing Manager Jason D'Cruz who was recruited to oversee the rebranding process.

Half term animal antics with Daybreak!

National Breakfast TV favourite Daybreak selected Blackpool Zoo as its filming location for the first day of the October half-term holiday after the ICG PR team offered them a trio of really wild exclusives.

We bundled a package of dream filming opportunities that included jelly loving elephants, 32st gorillas having a morning cup of tea and training Zambar the critically endangered Amur Tiger.

A full brief, which explained the animal health benefits of each of the feeding exercises was put together and ICG PR Manager Paula Holden was on hand to help with the two day shoot....including a 4am start on the first Monday of the school holidays.

The resulting footage was fantastic and Daybreak crossed live to the Zoo several times throughout its three hour programme.