Blog
News, insight and tips from the social web.
The Hoop blog covers the evolving digital landscape, social media, mobile communications, content marketing and also includes 5 top finds and Fish on Friday. Feel free to make comments.
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5 top finds - number 30! »
It's the 30th 5 top finds in the series, and we're celebrating with the new EU directive on cookies, Google's descent in the popularity rankings, pure internet gold(fish), the save Herne Hill velodrome campaign and web addiction is bad for you shock.
1. (Un-edible) cookies (with an illogical direction)
If you've not heard the EU directive (and now UK law) that's made the majority of websites in Europe illegal, don't worry. You've got until May 2012 to comply with what is quite possibly one of the most ridiculous laws ever. As of May last year, all European websites have to...
"gain consent for the use of cookies or similar technologies to comply with the law."
Or face a fine of up to half a million pounds. Wonderful!
To explain what a cookie is and why the law is entirely flawed (you can't track that a user has requested your website to not use cookies without using cookies), we thoroughly recommend watching the entertaining video above.
2. Google face a bit of an uproar with Search+
If you've not been following the repercussions of Google's announcement about integrating content from (only) Google+ into search results, it's worth reading through some of the responses.
Ex-TechCrunch boss Michael Arrington writes of how Search+ is reminiscent of Microsoft bundling Internet Explorer with Windows (which led to antritrust lawsuits) in the 90s; Harvard advertising law specialist Ben Edelman writes about the (il)legal implications of Google's initiative and "search engine guru" Danny Sullivan explains what's wrong with Search+. All well worth a read.
3. Goldfish, but not as you think they are
We like fish (if you hadn't noticed) here at Hoop – so when we saw the video above we knew it'd somehow end up on the Hoop blog. Truly amazing stuff from Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori.
4. Save Herne Hill velodrome
As well as liking fish, you may have noticed us Hoopsters are pretty keen on bikes. When we spotted this post on the Brooks blog, about 91 year old (1948 Olympic medallist) Tommy Godwin returning to Herne Hill velodrome and riding the race-winning bike again we then discovered an audio interview with Tommy on the Guardian travel section. Both are well worth reading!
5. Addicted to the internet
Ever struggled stealing yourself from reading updates on Facebook or staying on top of the latest tweets? According to preliminary research from Chinese scientists; there may be such a thing as 'web addiction'. The sample size is tiny (only 17 addicts sampled) but this research could potentially pave the way for treatment for those of us who just can't get off Facebook.
Categories: 5 top finds
Tags: Bikes, facebook, Fish on Fridays, Google, Google+, SEO, Social search, User Experience
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5 top finds #27 »
An intriguing marketing ploy involving cats (no, not the Ikea cat video), an impressive use of HTML5, 20 tips for mobile optimisation, Google's (ridiculous) spending habits and drawing some 3.2million dots (no, really). It's 5 top finds...
1. Catvertising
This morning, here at Hoop towers, we were talking about how best to control our recently discovered rodent situation. After an intense discussion, we had a collective epiphany; we could simply follow Toronto's John St.'s lead and open a catvertising arm. Visit YouTube to understand what we're on about (trust us, it's worth it).
2. Canvas & HTML5 with 9elements
What happens when you combine HTML5, tweets mentioning "love" and "HTML5", a bit of music and some serious development talent in the form of 9elements?
"HTML5 experiment" is the wonderful result. Beautiful work!
3. Mobile optimisation with Conversion Conference London
If we were to summarise this year in two words, they would be "Go Mobile". We've been going on about being ready for the mobile revolution for the majority of 2011 – and 2012 promises to be no different.
If you still need convincing (although if you follow the Hoop blog we hope you don't), SEOptimise has a great list of 20 tips you should be thinking about when joining champions of mobile first. Well worth a read.
4. "Hi, I'm Google and I'm a (shopping) addict"
It's technology conference Le Web this week. Google Chairman Eric Schmidt had the 2pm slot on the main stage yesterday and delivered some extremely interesting tidbits. It turns out that, on average, Google are buying one company every week – they bought 57 this year!
As usual, TechCrunch has the lowdown.
5. A hero with a pen, pencil and RSI
Multi-talented web developer Miguel Endara appears to have a serious bit of skill with a pen and pencil. He recently spent an astounding 210 hours creating 3.2million(!) dots on a piece of paper.
That may sound a little pointless – but when you see the finished product you'll be as blown away as we were. You can watch the video on Vimeo.
Categories: 5 top finds
Tags: cat video, Digital strategy, Google, HTML5, Mobile, Mobile First
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What’s next for text »
Words. It’s difficult to express how important they are. In the age of the internet words are gaining in value, as new ways of using them emerge.
Hyperlinks offer a complete system for navigating the web, search marketing demands that you anticipate the terms people use to find you, and you can even own certain words online if you’re prepared to pay.
Writing is breaking free of the margins as, arguably, the most potent tool in digital communications. And if the web is an ongoing conversation then business needs to rethink how to use words and writers. Honesty, openness, integrity and transparency are sweeping away old style corporate control and the droning tone of voice from on high. Only businesses that understand this change will thrive in a world where words reign supreme.
This article appeared in Moot 01, June 2008.
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Communication strategy »
Are you tired of being told by consultants what you 'could' do and wish someone would stick their neck out and say what you 'should' do?
Could, should, shouldn't, wouldn't
'Could do' is flimsy nonsense and closely associates with tactics. In our view strategy is about working out first what you shouldn't do, and then being brave about what you should.
Straight talking strategy
We are helping some of the UK's major businesses understand how to develop integrated communication strategies that harness widely available online tools such as social media, user experience, natural and PPC search and content marketing.
Businesses tell us they want
- a marriage of business and digital strategy
- meaningful advice
- creative problem solving
- first rate planning & project management
- measurable RoI
Simple is good
We ask a lot of questions but we like to keep it as simple as possible. What are you doing now that works and what doesn't? What needs to be done to put it right? How do we get there and what needs to happen? Who are we targeting and why do they care? What RoI do we need to achieve?
User centred thinking
We hammer home the importance of user centred thinking because it is users - customers, staff, people - who are in charge of your fate now. Should you be in any doubt just think about your own behaviour and that of those around you. People simply don't work, shop, find or share in the same way as they used to. Expectations are high and bad experiences are never forgotten.
New tools for new markets
The organisations we work with, and the ones that will survive this downturn, are already adapting to keep pace with their customers, staff and future talent.
How can we help?
We can help you understand this changing landscape and introduce practical, cost effective measures to bring your business up to speed. We won't shy away from giving it to you straight. Anyone can suggest what you could do, we'll tell you what you should.
What next?
Our top level service is UXB. It helps you understand your strategy from a user perspective and unleash new opportunities around customer needs. To talk through your issues and see how we can help with some UXB, call Sean O'Halloran on 020 7690 5431 for a confidential chat.
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