Are you Cookie compliant? If not, we’ve got three great solutions.

are you cookie compliant

are you cookie compliant

The EU Cookie Directive came into force in May 2012. But there’s still a large number of websites which are not yet compliant. Is yours one of them?

The Cookie law was brought in to protect the privacy of internet users by informing them of a websites use of cookies.

In order to comply, a website must alert a user to the use of cookies. As well as show which cookies are being used. What they do and allow users to manage them.

You’ll be happy to know that we offer three different solutions; one for webmasters, a non-branded solution and a branded solution. (Did we mention that the non-branded and branded solution come with a nifty certificate?)

Despite some big website’s still being non-compliant the Cookie law is not something to be ignored. As non-compliance can lead to a £500,000 fine from the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), which we can both agree is pretty nasty.

Visit our Cookie solution page to see our quick and effective compliant solutions.

If you know anybody with a non-compliant website, help them avoid a fine and share our page.

 

 

If you live in the Burntwood, Lichfield, Cannock or Staffordshire area and require some help or advice with your marketing. Why not see what we can do. Take a look at our case studies. Or call us on 01543 495752 and book a no obligation meeting with us today.

If you want to read more from our website series of blogs, just click here to see what other resources are available.

George Is Back!

george is back!

george is back!

Bonjour humans,

As you can see my nose job was a success!

George human nose
….Just kidding. This is me and not a human nose in sight, see.
Both of my operations went well and I’m not feeling too bad, a little sore and sleepy.

I’ve heard that a lot of people have been ringing up asking about me and I must say I’m very flattered. You can all stop fretting and worrying now (that includes you Mum and Dad), I’m fine!

I spent most of last night in doggy intensive care in an oxygen tent, receiving one on one care from a lovely nurse at the Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, a dog could definitely get used to that kind of care.

My happiness was short lived as I woke to the news that I would be meeting my mortal enemy, the bath.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, I noticed that my legs have been shaved in patches! I look ridiculous.

Jokes aside, I have nothing to complain about, I’m healthy and the best part is I’ve been told I’ll have a louder bark now. That will make warding off any rude door to door salesmen even easier.

For the next few days I’ve got to reduce my activity and take it easy, which means no creating landing pages or designing leaflets for me.

If you’re thinking about using landing pages for your website, please get in touch with my humans. Call them on 01543 387 047 or email them on contact@themarketingpeople.com.

 

George the French bulldog and Chops the pug are our resident Marketing Dogs. They are full of fun, cuteness and even sometimes some useful pointers too. You can follow their adventures through their blog, or see their latest updates on twitter.

Olympic Censorship: Know What Your Business Cannot Say

Olympic Censorship, know what your business can't say

Olympic Censorship, know what your business can't say

This summer the UK will play host to the 2012 Olympics. While your customers may be looking forward to it, as a business you need to be very careful with what you say. Or rather don’t say about the Olympics.

Unless you are an official Olympic sponsor, there are very strict rules about what words you can use or what images you can use in reference to the Olympics.

Unfortunately it’s quite serious and the way it’s been handled thus far suggests it’s not something that will only affect big businesses. As small businesses and individuals have suffered at the hands of LOGOC. (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.)

At the end of May a florist in Stoke-on-Trent wanted to show her support for Team GB and created a paper tissue display of the Olympic rings. She was then forced to take it down as she hadn’t received permission to use the logo.

This means that any deals, offers or sales you were thinking of having in celebration of the Games will have to be forgotten or rehashed to show no association to the Olympics.

Words

The use of Olympic related words in association with the Olympics is forbidden without prior written consent from LOGOC.
As mentioned above, this means any plans for ‘Olympic Deals’ will have to be forgotten. Changed to ‘Large global sporting event in the capital of the country over the summer deals’ perhaps?

The Olympic rings themselves. The five colours. The Olympic motto (Citius Altius Fortius / Faster Higher Stronger). And the words ‘Olympic(s)’, ‘Olympian(s)’ ‘Olympiad(s)’ or anything similar or a translation cannot be used.

The same goes for the Paralympic Games. Where the use of the Paralympic Symbol, the Paralympic motto (Spirit in Motion), the words ‘Paralympic(s)’, ‘Paralympiad(s)’, ‘Paralympian(s)’ or anything similar or a translation is also prohibited without prior written consent.

You can however refer to things factually. For example, if you run a sports centre you can still talk about your olympic sized swimming pool. If you run a hotel near a stadium hosting events for the Games, you can mention that.

A table of ‘Listed Words’ was produced by LOGOC, which if used, could end up in a visit from the ‘branding Police’.

A

‘Games’
‘Two Thousand and Twelve’
‘2012’
‘twenty twelve’

B

‘Gold’
‘Silver’
‘Bronze’
‘London’
‘medals’
‘sponsors’
‘summer’

You cannot use a combination of two words from Group A or one word from Group A combined with one or more word from Group B.

Images

The use of certain images is also risky. Though LOCOG say the use of these images may not immediately create an association with the Games.
When you read the list though, you’d be hard pushed to image how any of those couldn’t be associated with the Games.

The list includes;
• Olympic-style torch or flame.
• The five colours of the Olympic symbol.
• Use of the official designs for the 2012 Olympics or similar designs.
• Images of venues that will be used for Olympic events.
• Depiction of Olympic and/or Paralympic sports.
• Words which capture the essence of the 2012 Games and/or qualities associated with Olympism such as spirit, endeavour, friendship, winning or determination.

Visit the London 2012 website to view the full copy of the ‘Information On London 2012’s UK Statutory Marketing Right’s.’ 

It’s understandable that LOCOG want to help official sponsors get as much out of being an olympic sponsor as possible. But the restrictions placed on other businesses makes it hard for them to celebrate the Olympics with their customers.

Make sure you don’t get caught out this summer; know what you and your business can and cannot say.

 

Keeping ahead of industry developments can seem a hard task, but we try and make it as easy as possible with our marketing news blogs.

If you live in the Burntwood, Lichfield, Cannock or Staffordshire area and require some help or advice with your marketing, why not see what we can do. Take a look at our case studies, and call us on 01543 495752 and book a no obligation meeting with us today.

Chops: Pug Of Many Talents

chops pug of many talents

chops pug of many talents

Hi everyone,
As you can see I’m absolutely shattered, it’s really not easy being a Marketing Dog. Today I’ve been doing two dog’s jobs and filling in for a human!

First of all, George went in for his operation this morning and one of the graphic designers was off, so I had to fill in for both of them.

I spent the morning rushed off my paws trying to put the final touches to a brochure before it went to print.
I then spent the afternoon picking up George’s slack, creating some landing pages. I think I did a good job, better than George I reckon, but don’t tell him that.

We’ve just heard from the vets; George’s operation went well and apparently his barks going to be even louder now, great.
I do miss him, I can’t wait until he gets back and we can get back to chasing each other around the office.

If you’re thinking about updating your brochure or creating some landing pages, please, call the humans, I’m absolutely shattered.
You can contact them on 01543 387 047 or send them an email on contact@themarketingpeople.com. (Tell them I sent you, I might get treats!)

Love and licks,
Chops.

 

George the French bulldog and Chops the pug are our resident Marketing Dogs. They are full of fun, cuteness and even sometimes some useful pointers too. You can follow their adventures through their blog, or see their latest updates on twitter.

The Marketing Dogs: George’s Update.

georges update

georges update
Bonjour humans;

I’ve been informed by my humans that some of you have been a little worried about me, so I thought I’d let you know what was going on.
Despite enduring far too many people prodding and poking at me, everything looks like it will be okay, apart from my dignity, I’m not sure that will ever return.

Sometime soon I will have to undergo a small operation, which you guys would really rather I don’t go into the details of. However for those interested (You might want to put your lunch down) I was originally diagnosed with a rectal tumour, however thankfully it’s just a polyp.
At the same time, I’m going to have a nose job; despite what my humans may tell you, it’s not cosmetic, (I like my nose the way it is thank you very much), I have Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, so the operation will improve my breathing.

I’m going to feel very ruff afterwards and won’t know what to do with myself after being battered at both ends, so I’d love it if you guys could continue to show me lots of love and attention.

So, to reiterate, don’t worry. Got it?

Love and paws,
George – The Marketing Dogs.

 

George the French bulldog and Chops the pug are our resident Marketing Dogs. They are full of fun, cuteness and even sometimes some useful pointers too. You can follow their adventures through their blog, or see their latest updates on twitter.