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Digital Signage

Buyers and suppliers converge at the Digital Signage & Interactive Solutions Summit
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Registration is now open for VIP delegate spaces or supplier stands at the Digital Signage & Interactive Solutions Summit, which takes place on September 17th & 18th 2018 at the Radisson Blu London Stansted.

The Summit is a highly focused event that brings advertising and marketing professionals together for one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

Throughout this two-day event delegates will meet with credible solution providers who will be able to talk through projects, concerns and obstacles, offering the best advice as well cost saving solutions.

Attendees will also learn about the latest digital signage trends in educational seminar sessions led by some of the industry’s leading lights.

Jessica Deluca, Event Manager at Forum Events, said: “As an advertising or marketing professional we know your time is precious, valuable and limited. You tell us who you want to meet. We handle all the details.

“Digital Signage & Interactive Solutions Summit is also a tremendous opportunity to learn new skills and network with peers – we look forward to welcoming everyone on the day.”

To secure a complimentary delegate place or to find out about attending as a supplier, call Jessica Deluca at j.deluca@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374090

For more information, visit www.forumevents.co.uk/events/digital-signage-interactive-solutions-summit.

GUEST BLOG: Digital Marketing – The best academic routes to success
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By James Potten, Managing Director of RED Academy

Education Secretary Damian Hinds recently spoke about the university fee system and the necessity of increasing variety in tuition rates across the UK.

His revised plan places an emphasis on how degree courses could benefit a student’s future career. He said that a combination of three things should determine tuition costs: the cost [to the university] to put it on, the benefit to the student and the benefit to our country and our economy.

There has also been an emphasis on the career strategy guidance and encouraging more schools and businesses to work together to better prepare students for the workforce after they leave school. While this looks like a promising move for current students, what about those who have already finished school and are looking to break into sectors like digital marketing? Often, this requires specialist knowledge and industry experience but without this first-hand insight at school, what can we do to help students fill the gaps?

Weigh up all the options

In the digital marketing world, there are many alternatives to fill gaps in learning, like work experience, sandwich courses, apprenticeships, and part-time and full-time alternative study options focus on real-world experience. In a poll from The Independent, 58 per cent of employers rated work experience as their most looked for qualification, with personality coming in second at 48 per cent. Time and time again work experience is proven to outweigh grades and a university degree during a job search in terms of value. By gaining hands-on work experience, students are better able to acclimate to work situations and, typically, have more success in the beginning of a new job or task. In a similar way, apprenticeships or courses that incorporate real-world experience are shown to develop work readiness and tend to yield a faster return on investment for both employers and employees.

Employers tend to see students that undertook an apprenticeship as delivering higher quality work more quickly than say students who have graduated without experiencing placements; it is for these reasons that the government aims to increase apprenticeships by 50,000 a year.

Sandwich and degree alternative courses are also a good way for students to gain the necessary background, while still maintaining classroom learning. By being placed in a work environment, students are allowed to make important networking connections, build social capital, and improve self-confidence through accomplishment. These environments also provide students with a safe place to make mistakes and to fail, which is often where true learning happens. According to one study, “employers view part-time study as a good model to develop work readiness” and “part-time students, including young students, do achieve a more favourable labour market outcomes at least in the first few months”.

Some options for part-time courses and other courses that incorporate real-world experience, specialise in short-term, highly focused courses, which allow students to work towards certifications while building real skills to help get them hired.

When it comes to digital marketing or digital design, to succeed students will often need a broad skillset and an understanding deep enough to put these skills into action.. While there is plenty of content out there covering the basics, being able to put this into practice and work on projects with support from industry experts and real clients is where real experience can be gained. Look for courses and projects where you can put theory to the test and take part in activities in an agency-style or work place environment.

With only about 50 per cent of UK students choosing to go to university, there are many alternative opportunities gaining traction each year. By combining real world knowledge and classroom instruction, typically lead by working professionals, students can not only increase their chances of landing a job that they can excel at, but refrain from taking on thousands of pounds of student debt.

The restructuring called for by Damian Hinds is necessary and will mostly likely help future, and current students, however it leaves out students trying to enter into industries that benefit from additional experience and training. For those students, it is up to them to find alternative opportunities that work within their own lives, while helping them to move forward in their careers. In order to succeed in a more digital and technical industry, people need to have the necessary training and background to adequately perform at a high level. Alternatives like apprenticeships, work experience, sandwich courses and part-time courses could help people bridge the learning gap, while allowing them to remain fiscally responsible.

www.redacademy.com

NME

NME pulls the plug after 66-year print run
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Iconic music mag NME will cease its 66-year print run, with the Friday 9th March issue being its last ever going to print.

Parent company Time Inc has blamed the decision to close the title on increasing production costs and a ‘tough’ print advertising market, with a new aim of expanding NME’s digital offering and increasing online readership.

The NME switched from a newstand mag to a free sheet back in 2015 in a bid to increase it’s print circulation and win back commercial partners.

“The print re-invention has helped us to attract a range of cover stars that the previous paid-for magazine could only have dreamed of,” said Paul Cheal, Time Inc UK Group Managing Director for Music. “At the same time, we have also faced increasing production costs and a very tough print advertising market. Unfortunately we have now reached a point where the free weekly magazine is no longer financially viable.

“It is in the digital space where effort and investment will focus to secure a strong future for this famous brand.”

Time Inc has said that it will continue to publish special one-off print versions of the magazine and will continue to explore ‘other opportunities to bring its best class music journalism to market in print’.

Print Machine

Print Services: 2018 buying trends revealed
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Digital Print (Colour), Brochure Printing and Banners & Posters top the list of solutions the UK’s leading print marketing professionals are sourcing in 2018.

The findings have been revealed following the Print & Digital Innovations Summit, which took place in November.

Delegates who attended the event were asked which areas they needed to invest in during 2018 and beyond.

A sizeable 70% are looking to invest in Digital Print (Colour) services, with 65% sourcing Brochure Printing solutions and 60% looking for Banner & Poster printing.

Just behind were Creative & Design Services (55%) and Digital Print (Large Format) at 52%. Direct Mail services remain in high demand, with 50% of delegates expressing their interest.

“It’s probably no surprise that Digital, Brochure and Banner printing top the list of areas our delegates were most interested in,” said Print & Digital Innovations Summit Event Manager Sam Walker. “But the full table provides a valuable insight into trends within the print sector.”

% of delegates at the Print & Digital Innovations Summit sourcing certain products & solutions (Top 10):

Digital Print – Colour – 70%
Brochure Printing – 65%
Banners & Posters – 60%
Creative & Design – 55%
Digital Print – Large Format – 52%
Direct Mail Print – 50%
Print on Demand – 45%
Exterior & Interior Signage – 43%
Interactive Marketing Campaigns – 37%
Packaging & Labels – 35%

For more information about the next Print & Digital Innovations Summit, which takes place on November 22nd 2018, click here.

James Jarvis

5 minutes with… James Jarvis, Antalis
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We talk to James Jarvis, Channel Director at paper and packaging specialist Antalis, about the print market’s biggest challenges, opportunities and predictions for the future…

Tell us about your company, products and services.

Antalis is Europe’s leading paper, packaging and visual communications merchant (and number two worldwide). We work in close partnership with the leading manufacturers from around the world to ensure we can offer customers the best and latest products and technologies, first.

Alongside providing customers with access to a leading product portfolio, we build relationships by sharing best practice expertise and learning. It’s crucial that we arm customers with the knowledge and support they need to enhance and expand their proposition in a constantly evolving print landscape. With this in mind, our Antalis Academy – the first facility of its kind in the sector – has quickly become a centre of excellence, providing a broad range of advice and training through the provision of practical workshops, seminars and webinars. Now with more than 30 courses available – all led by independent experts – the Academy has expanded to include a host of new subject areas that cover business skills such as social media training and sales techniques.

We also offer additional support in the form of a free Smart Audit, where our experts will review your current materials and procedures and suggest improvements. Also our dedicated Connect team of paper consultants had been set up to provide tailored advice for all types of printing jobs. These facilities and services have been created to demonstrate our commitment to help our customers remain competitive and stand out from the crowd. Antalis takes this approach because we think we will only thrive if our customers thrive.

What have been the biggest challenges the print industry has faced over the past 12 months?
Against the backdrop of an increasing emphasis on digital media, traditional parts of the print and paper industry are still in decline – we are continuing to see a decreased demand for high print volumes which, in turn, means reduced overall paper volumes. However that is not to say the market is staid; as we continue to see pockets of growth in new applications, markets and sectors. With this, the challenge is for customers to be able to be agile and adapt their offer to align with these new trends.

And what have been the biggest opportunities?
There is a real opportunity in the marketing and creative sectors. With people receiving so many digital communications each day, digital fatigue has begun to set in and marketers are coming to recognise the benefits of a tangible, paper-based item as a way to create stand out. That’s why, although print runs are generally getting shorter, customers are increasingly willing to spend more to create bespoke, aspirational concepts in order to achieve cut-through – offering a perfect opportunity for printers to upsell premium, custom and bespoke options. Aligned to this, printers are now able to cost-effectively create variable data campaigns on speciality materials, and in short-runs, for highly targeted and impactful holistic marketing campaigns which can deliver a higher return on investment.

This in turn means there is a real benefit for customers to partner with a consultant who can provide a tailored approach and recommendations on individual projects.

What is the biggest priority for the print industry in 2018?
For us, the biggest priority for printers lies in progression and growth; whether that’s by embracing new innovation, diversifying into new markets or honing their current proposition.

We see it is an incredibly exciting time to be in the industry as we continue to witness a determinable shift away from standard to creative, personalised and often bespoke concepts, reaffirming the importance of print and paper amid the digital landscape. However, in order to unlock this opportunity printers must remain innovative and creative.

That’s why, at Antalis, we are constantly working to bring print service providers the newest, most exciting products first, designed to help them delight customers and, in turn, create stand-out. It’s crucial that we capitalise on new growth areas as more customers seek to broaden their services and diversify into new markets, and Antalis’ Academy is in place to help do just that.

The time is now for printers to take advantage of stand-alone printed communications or print within multi-channel campaigns and we encourage them to look to inspire and advise their customers on the endless possibilities that paper based communication can bring.

What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2018?
As digital printing is able to better meet demand for personalisation, it will continue to grow in prominence this year. Printers are now able to cost-effectively create variable data campaigns on speciality materials, and in short-runs, for highly targeted and impactful marketing. We therefore expect to see an increasing trend for small print runs and, as such, we offer a split pack service whereby customers can purchase our creative papers in smaller qualities at a minimum of 25 sheets.

What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?
There’s lots of innovative products set to make an impact this year, including PowerCoat® Alive – an advanced paper range featuring integrated NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. It works in conjunction with smartphones and other devices to display a programmed web-link direct from the paper and is an excellent example of multi-channel communication at its best.

It truly bridges the gap between printed and online communication in a way which far surpasses what QR codes have done in the past.

It will enable businesses to obtain data via a dedicated analytics platform in order to measure the impact of their campaigns and better understand customer behaviour. In an age where data is king, this approach to paper communications can provide an extremely useful commercial tool.

In 2020 we’ll all be talking about…?
How our industry is always changing. I think the future is bright for the print and paper market. There’s no doubt that there are challenges ahead, as with any market, but print and paper is alive, kicking and full of potential. The industry is continually evolving and there are huge opportunities to embrace new technologies, enter new markets and build new revenue streams. I’m confident this will still be the case in 2020!

Which person in, or associated with, the print industry would you most like to meet?
Timon Colegrove of Hunts Printers. He is mad about print and transfers that feeling constantly to everyone he meets. He’s passionate about training and education in our industry but is also very forward thinking and is constantly pushing the boundary of how print fits into a modern world of multichannel communication. I think the way he constantly tries new ideas is great!

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
The constant opportunity I see all around us

And what’s the most challenging?
My boss

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
1. Never give up; there’s always a way
2. Reach out – more brains are better than one
3. Don’t go out with her!

Lead Generation

Do you provide Lead Generation & Tracking solutions? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on Digital Marketing Briefing we’ll be shining the spotlight on different parts of the print and marketing sectors – and in March we’ll be focussing on Lead Generation & Tracking.

It’s all part of our new ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help marketing industry professionals find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Lead Generation & Tracking solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Lisa Carter on lisa.carter@mimrammedia.com.

Here are the areas we’ll be covering, month by month:

March – Lead Generation & Tracking

April – Email Marketing

May – Digital Printing

June – Social Media

July – Brand Monitoring

August – Web Analytics

September – Conversion Rate Optimisation

October – Lead Generation & Tracking

November – Brochure Printing

December – Creative & Design

For more information on any of the above topics, contact Lisa Carter on lisa.carter@mimrammedia.com.

Digital Marketing Solutions Summit

Don’t miss the Digital Marketing Solutions Summit – Secure your place today!
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Claim your free ticket for the Digital Marketing Solutions Summit and meet the solution providers most suited to your upcoming projects.

It takes place on May 15th at the Hilton London, Canary Wharf, and is entirely free for you to attend.

But register your place now as we have limited availability for delegates.

As our VIP guest, you will be benefit from:

  • A personalised itinerary of face-to-face meetings with innovative suppliers who match your requirements and upcoming projects. No time wasted, no hard sell.
  • Access to educational and inspirational seminar sessions.
  • Networking opportunities with like-minded peers.
  • Full hospitality, including lunch and all refreshments.

To find out more, contact Camilla Watkiss on 01992 376727 or email c.watkiss@forumevents.co.uk.

Alternatively, if you’re an industry supplier and would like to showcase your products and services at the event, contact Sam Walker on 01992 374 054 or email s.walker@forumevents.co.uk.

Print & Digital Innovations Summit

SAVE THE DATE: Print & Digital Innovations Summit 2018
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As a senior print & marketing professional you’re invited to attend the Print & Digital Innovations Summit, which returns on November 22nd 2018 at the Hilton London Canary Wharf.

This highly-focused, one-day event will connect you to the cutting edge print solution providers you need for your 2019 projects and beyond – and it’s completely FREE to attend.

As our VIP guest, you will be benefit from:

– A personalised itinerary of face-to-face meetings with innovative suppliers of your choice, who match your requirements and upcoming projects. No time wasted, no hard sell.

– Inspirational seminar sessions hosted by industry thought leaders.

– Networking opportunities with like-minded peers.

– Full hospitality, including lunch and all refreshments

However, we have an extremely limited number of VIP invitations to the event, so act swiftly to avoid disappointment.

Register HERE to activate your ticket today.

Alternatively, contact Emily Gallagher on 01992 374085 / e.gallagher@forumevents.co.uk for more information.

Or, if you’re a supplier and would like to attend the event to showcase your solutions, contact Sam Walker on 01992 374054 / s.walker@forumevents.co.uk.

GDPR

Average spend on GDPR compliance ‘tops $1.5 million per global organisation’
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An EfficientIP X-Day study says average spend on GDPR compliance tops $1.5 million per global organisation, with less than 100 days to go before the deadline for EU GDPR compliance on 25th May this year.

EfficientIP, through independent market research firm Coleman Parkes, asked over 1,000 companies worldwide about their preparation plans for GDPR. Among the key findings were:

  • Over two-thirds of global businesses at 72% are confident they will have all required GDPR compliance processes in place by 25th May 2018.
  • North America is the most confident region in world, with American and Canadian organisations saying they will be prepared at 84% and 75% respectively.
  • Despite the on-going Brexit negotiations and uncertainty looming over the enforcement and effectiveness of the EU GDPR regulation on local businesses, the UK is the most confident nation in Europe, with 74% saying they will be ready by deadline day.
  • In comparison, Spanish businesses are a close second to the UK at 73%, dropping to 66% of French respondents. German organisations are the least confident in Europe at 61%.

Businesses worldwide believe there will be a variety of benefits they will gain from being GDPR compliant. Nearly half of all organisations surveyed, at 46%, say the most important benefit from being GDPR compliant is gaining customer trust to handle sensitive data.

31% of businesses believe the most important value from compliance is enhanced brand awareness. 18% of respondents felt GDPR compliance will increase customer loyalty is the most important benefit.

APAC, North America and Europe businesses believe the biggest positive impact from compliance is increased trust in handling customer data at 53%, 46% and 41% respectively.

European organisations lead the study in saying increased customer loyalty is the biggest impact at 22%, with North America and APAC following respectively at 15%, 14%.

On average, global organisations have so far spent $1,583,000 (£1,145,000) on GDPR compliance. Globally, European businesses have spent the most on average on compliance with Germany leading at $1,969,000 (£1,424,000), followed by the UK with $1,798,000 (£1,300,000), with France completing the top three at $1,781,000 (£1,288,000).

USA and Singapore tops regional spending in North America and APAC, investing $1,568,000 (£1,134,000) and $1,521,000 (£1,100,000) respectively on average. Small and Medium Business have spent on average $1,263,000 (£893,000) so far on compliance, whereas large businesses have spent up to $5 (£3.5) million on compliance.

A key element in EU GDPR is for businesses to provide adequate data protection. In response to this regulatory requirement, 38% of global organisations are convinced that better monitoring and analysis of DNS traffic is the best option to provide data protection in their networks, whilst 35% think securing network endpoints is best and only 21% choose to add more firewalls.

EfficientIP says this shows organisations are finally realising, after the various successful data breaches over the last year, that firewall technology is no longer adequate.

APAC, North America and European organisations are confident in DNS monitoring and analysis technology at 40%, 37% and 36% respectively.

Commenting on the study figures, Herve Dhelin, SVP Strategy at EfficientIP, said: “As organisations enter the final straight of GDPR compliance with 100 days to go, our research shows they have never been so close to regulatory compliance. There is still some work to do, but it is encouraging to see nearly three-quarters of businesses are ready and most organisations see monitoring and analysis of DNS traffic, not firewalls nor endpoints, is the best way of preventing data breaches.”

20% of brands to abandon mobile apps as Virtual Customer Assistants come to the fore
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Twenty-five percent of customer service and support operations will integrate virtual customer assistant (VCA) or chatbot technology across engagement channels by 2020, up from less than two percent in 2017, according to Gartner.

Speaking at of the Gartner Customer Experience Summit in Tokyo, Gene Alvarez, the company’s managing vice president, said more than half of organisations have already invested in VCAs, as they realise the advantages of automated self-service, together with the ability to escalate to a human agent in complex situations.

“As more customers engage on digital channels, VCAs are being implemented for handling customer requests on websites, mobile apps, consumer messaging apps and social networks,” Alvarez said. “This is underpinned by improvements in natural-language processing, machine learning and intent-matching capabilities.”

Gartner says organisations report a reduction of up to 70 per cent in call, chat and/or email inquiries after implementing a VCA. They also report increased customer satisfaction and a 33 per cent saving per voice engagement.

This follows a 2017 Gartner survey that found that 84 per cent of organisations expected to increase investments in customer experience (CX) technology in the year ahead. Other Gartner predictions include:

  • By 2019, 20 percent of brands will abandon their mobile apps.
  • By 2022, two-thirds of all customer experience projects will make use of IT, up from 50 percent in 2017.
  • By 2020, 30 percent of all B2B companies will employ artificial intelligence (AI) to augment at least one of their primary sales processes.
  • By 2020, more than 40 percent of all data analytics projects will relate to an aspect of customer experience.
  • By 2020, augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality immersive solutions will be evaluated and adopted in 20 percent of large enterprises as part of their digital transformation strategy.