Digital Marketing Blog Archive

Posted 6 May 2010  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

May 1st marked the start of our exciting new sporting challenge.  In a bid to get fit and tone up, a group of us have set out to swim the 22-mile cross-channel distance between Dover and Calais!

Fortunately however, no goose fat is required!  We'll be swimming the distance in our local pool, covering a total of 1416 lengths each in just 12 weeks.  Stuart, Kalli, Chris and I will be waving goodbye to our dignity as we don our speedos and goggles.  We'll be supporting each other on the outside, but are really in competition to be the first to cross the line.  Meanwhile, Denis will be attempting to show us all up, swimming to France and back in the same time!

You can keep track of our progress by checking our blog for updates, and watch out for our channel map showing the distance we've covered and who's taken the lead.

Posted 30 Apr 2010  /  Written by Mark Townsend  /  Make a Comment

The way each of us view the World Wide Web is an experience unique to our own interests, dictating on where our digital travels take us. So with the digital world becoming more dynamic by the day from more real time results, (provided by the more popular search engines and dynamic websites continuing to upgrade the content) we are constantly required to install, upgrade and update our systems no matter our travels. 

This move to become more dynamic has pushed "static" websites out of the picture and more importantly out of the search results, seeing more of us creating our own network with a large amount content being updated regularly. A common example for a business keeping digital sees them maintaining and optimising a dynamic website, tweeting about notes of relevance, providing customers/clients with Facebook activity and more. This is a task not lightly approached compared to the previous "static" website with the same content for months on end. 

As we know the WWW is always moving forwards, although I believe we can happily say creating and maintaining a large digital presence will be hugely beneficial regarding business for some time yet, even if the tools we use achieve this take a few turns here and there. 

Living in this digital world we are never shocked when technologies move forward, but sometimes we are impressed. Some of the changes that caught my eye recently included the way we browse. We haven't seen many new brands moving in new browsers over the past couple of years until Chrome came along. As the power struggle continues with the long lasting few we saw this new browser emerge in the top three, which set out around September 2008 saw a continuing rise, from 3% of the whole market in September to a staggering 12.3% in March 2010. (stats). This means Safari and Opera are providing a browsing experience for only a small part and the market is left between Internet Explorer (34.9%), Firefox (46.2%) and Chrome (12.3%). If Chrome’s presence shows no sign slowing down I can see some real competition starting here.

For the future we have had seen Facebook claim to be taking on Google: "Facebook's bid to rule the web as it goes social" and similarly Yahoo are confident "Google will have a problem" for its future due to lack of branching out in terms of business as well.

To confirm the strength of Social Media think back to a time Before Facebook, would you of thought a social networking site would give people the ability to join groups and unite for or against public concerns, seeing headlines like "Facebook groups strength"? on BBC news. We are truly moving a large amount of economy to our digital business’ which is in turn providing a larger and smarter digital world.

Posted 14 Apr 2010  /  Written by James Saunders  /  Make a Comment

Picture this scene for a few months time if you will. Instead of sitting on the Underground listening to the rustling of newspaper pages as the tunnel dwellers flick through their fix of free gossip and lonely hearts you can expect shaking, spinning, flipping and tipping as excited readers tuck into their new eBook, Alice For the iPad.

This 52 page app features illustrations restored from Lewis Carroll's original book and promises that no journey through the timeless tale will ever be the same - tilting the iPad in a different way will make the Mad Hatter madder or grow Alice to the size of a house.

Take a look below.

Unfortunately I suspect you won't be able to pick up a used iPad on the Central Lines for the journey home though.

Posted 9 Apr 2010  /  Written by Wickedweb  /  Make a Comment

Last night Wickedwebers descended on Waterloo’s Dim Sum restaurant Ping Pong for a spot of No. 268 The Sichuan Feast Selection… Chicken, beef and clams individually cooked with Sichuan spice and served with ginger, garlic and chilli soy sauce… there were a few beers too... lovely food, lovely people, just lovely...

Posted 31 Mar 2010  /  Written by Denis Zvjagincev  /  Make a Comment

Writing code and creating interesting and useful applications as a forum or a gallery should not limit the creative flight of programmer. Starting to work on my new workplace in a new office could not hold me out of creating my favorite time-lapse shoots.

Posted 31 Mar 2010  /  Written by James Saunders  /  Make a Comment

The internet is such a vast and wonderful place, full of sneezing pandas and Rickrolling that it's easy to miss some of its entangled strands of delight. Luckily, I'm going to post up a few things which you might like to ease away your midweek blues.

Twitter gets a new homepage

Twitter unveiled a new homepage on Thursday and I’ve got to say, it does a much better job at demystifying just what it is that the micro-blogging service is actually all about. As with the previous design, search is still a strong focus but a lot of the vagueness which surrounded the service has been given the boot.

For a few months, Twitter was so chic it didn’t need to actually tell anyone what it was about, instead relying on word of mouth and enthusiastic web agencies to pass on its message. Or that’s how it seemed to me at least. I can’t imagine that many curious business owners would’ve felt the need to create an account based on the previous homepage.

With the new web design, it’s far easier for a potential user to understand what Twitter is all about. A nifty algorithm plucks interesting tweets from the Twittersphere and places them front and centre on the page. Couple that with the block of brands and celebrities using the service and the decision to click ‘sign up’ seems a lot easier to make.

The Twitter Blog describes the change as:

“... our recent changes embrace the notion that Twitter is not just for status updates anymore. It's a network where information is exchanged and consumed at a rapid clip every second of the day. With so much being shared, we know that there's something of value for everyone. People who internalize the value of Twitter understand the power of this simple medium. But it hasn't been easy to make that value transparent or obvious for curious folks coming to Twitter for the first time.”

I think that sums it up nicely.

Album covers make great book covers

Something to inspire you next, a collection of album covers re-imagined as Penguin Classic books.

If Picasso had a netbook, this is what he’d be sat doing right now

Well, sort of.

This little project makes use of HTML 5 which will be rolling onto a browser near you in about ten years. This really is a glimpse into the future of what websites could be capable of.

One of the main features of HTML 5 is the dramatic reduction in the need for resource hogging, constantly updating, randomly crashing RIA proprietary plugins like Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight and Java. HTML 5 will also mean that embedding a video is as easy as , and common CSS elements such as and will create much cleaner code for everyone involved.

The good news is that, although it isn’t expected that HTML 5 will become the norm for a few years yet, many aspects of it are currently stable and open for exploratory business. Watch this space...

Dexter has amazing opening credits

The title sequence for the US show Dexter is a work of art. Every time I watch it I am compelled to turn around to whoever is within earshot and tell them just how brilliant I think it is.

On my ‘top title sequences ever’ list, this sits at number one.

And finally...Even evil scientists tweet

In the style of a true James Bond villain, the gaggle of Nuclear physicists who are in charge of the world’s largest death ray [which they refer to as the Large Hadron Collider] over at CERN in Switzerland yesterday revealed that their plan for world domination was close to completion. And how did they decide to broadcast this proclamation of doom [and scientific revelry] I hear you cry... Twitter of course.

The one update I don't want from them is 'Oooops'.

Be sure to follow the end of the world in 140 characters or less.

Oh...You didn't click the Rick Astley link did you?

Posted 11 Jan 2010  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

On 7th January, some of the team headed into nearby Knole Park for a brisk lunchtime walk and snow fight. 

The snow fall had transformed the already stunning National Trust estate into a winter wonderland and catching a glimpse of the deer in the snow was magic.  Making the most of Sevenoaks' rural surroundings and Knole Park just 5 minutes walk from the office, Cat, Anna and Billy walked to the highest point to take in the views, created snow angels and indulged in snow fights and sledging... only minus the sledge!

With the new office providing easy access to London, quicker commutes for most and many high street shops on the doorstep, as well open countryside and perfect snow fight territory, the Wickedweb team is truely loving the new development office location.

Posted 23 Nov 2009  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

The development team has this month joined forces to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity by supporting Movember. Billy Harvey, Steve Coventry, Danny Sharkey, Mark Townsend, Robert King, and Art Director, Rob Hollander, are all sporting moustaches throughout November and are looking for sponsorship to help the 35,000 men who are diagnosed each year with prostrate cancer in the UK. The figures are astonishing so we wanted to do something to make a difference and help raise awareness.

The moustaches were all rather impressive, as you can see, but the ‘Best Wickedweb Moustache’ award went to Rob King, our Lead Developer, who sports a moustache daily and it was a relief for all when the amateurs shaved off their efforts!

Posted 9 Oct 2009  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

This week Wickedweb's online marketing manager was interviewed by the BBC's The Politics show. With lots of talk on the 2010 general election and how to win voters, The Politics Show was interested to talk with a leading digital marketing agency regarding social media.

Wickedweb manage a range of online marketing projects including social media engagement. With a strong focus on strategy, Wickedweb was able to advise on what works and what doesn’t on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

The show will be aired at 12.00 on Sunday 11th October 2009 on BBC 1. After the show has appeared on TV the show will be available via the BBC iPlayer.

If you are interested to find out what social media can do for you please contact Wickedweb today on 0207 183 4999 or use the contact form.

Posted 3 Aug 2009  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

The Wickedweb team triumphed on 1st August, completing the Mazda London Triathlon in impressive times (for amateurs!!) and raising over £800 for Concern Worldwide. The event was great fun and competition between the Wickedweb teams was tough, with Stuart's swim putting his team in front from the start and Ian, the quickest Wickedweb cyclist, closing the gap. It was all to play for in the run and we finished the day sporting medals, and smiles of relief!

Posted 11 Jul 2009  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

This weekend we've been swinging from the trees at the Leeds Castle Go Ape' high wire forest adventure course! With hanging hoops, zip wires, tarzan nets, rope ladders, tunnels and bridges, we climbed and swung our way along the obstacles, literally taking our lives in our own hands. Our team working skills were polished as together, we all laughed at Billy, suspended in the air, one foot caught in a hoop, the other swinging aimlessly, trying to find his footing! Leaping off platforms, hanging only from harnesses, we enjoyed the sense of flying freedom but the risk was too much for some, as Lynda put it "I did  swing from very high trees, believe me it was not a breeze!". We had so much fun and would highly recommend it.

Posted 19 May 2009  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

Two teams from Wickedweb have entered The London Triathlon 2009 to raise money for Concern Worldwide. With only one experienced triathlete among the teams, the event will be one to remember as Anna, Ian, Steve, James and Matthew battle their ways across the line displaying advanced skills in doggy-paddle, cycling with stabilizers and flat footed running!  With 10 weeks to go and training schedules looking scratchy, we vow to get into shape quick-sharp and will keep you updated on our progress.

We have chosen to support Concern Worldwide after working with them to create an ecard for existing donators, highlighting the charity's work around the globe to eliminate extreme poverty. The charity helps those suffering in the poorest communities in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean through health and nutrition, education, livelihood support and emergency relief and Wickedweb is keen to help make a difference.

The triathlon will take place on 1st August at the ExCel Centre, London, so if you can make it, we'd love your support.

Posted 18 Dec 2008  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

Wickedweb digital marketing agency celebrated the Christmas holidays in style, starting with a Grapevine tour of Vinopolis - London's wine tasting venue - before a festive and delicious meal in Covent Garden's Fire & Stone... we enjoyed the best Christmas pizza for miles around!

Fortunately for you, this photo, featuring just a few of your favourite Wickedwebbers (the others were, predictably, getting the next round in!), is pre-wine... we can now share, first hand, a secret... wine tasting before food doesn't work! The other photos are staying under wraps... No bribes will be accepted. We hope you all had great a Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2009!

Posted 12 Oct 2008  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

On Sunday 12th October, eight figures emerging through the fog became seven Wickedwebers stumbling to the start line of the Leeds Castle 10k run to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Through the cold, dense mist and around the challenging up-hill, down-hill course, the team fought on, some through hangovers, (Matt!), and completed 70k between them, hurting never-before used muscles and getting blisters, but all in aid of a good cause.

Stuart was first across the line for Wickedweb, with Steve hot on his heels, and Matt not close behind. Team spirit was high at the finish line as Stu, Matt, Steve, Shane, Gwen, Cat and Lynda posed with medals while team-paparazzi Anna snapped away and supplied home-baked chocolate biscuits by way of an apology for not running! Despite the early start, everyone had great fun and we're proud we took part, so we're vowing to be back again next year!

Posted 14 Aug 2008  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  3 Comment(s)

Kicking off our newly formed collaboration with Rank Hovis, the Wickedweb team was treated to a day's baking at the company's head office.

Going back to school were Anna, senior account manager, and Rob, senior designer, who competed in a personal (and highly competitive) bake-off to create Hovis Wheatgerm loaves and bread rolls.

Working under the watchful eye of the master baker, the pair managed to rise to the occasion, proving that good fun and education can be a real recipe for success.

Posted 10 Aug 2008  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

As if recently acquiring a new member of the family wasn't stressful enough, Wickedweb's MD Stuart finished months of strenuous training to queue up on the start line of the London Triathlon in early August.

While most of Britain amused themselves with armchair athletics, watching the world's finest battle it out in Beijing, Stuart was storming through London in water, on foot and by pedal power.

Just two hours and 55 minutes later, he crossed the finish line to raise more than £600 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and having put a 1.5k swim, a 10k run and a 40k bike ride behind him.

But as Stuart would doubtless testify, it was nothing compared to the rigours of looking after a new-born baby...

Posted 25 Jul 2008  /  Written by Anna Dixon  /  Make a Comment

After working long and hard on the NSPCC's Big Bike Ride website, it was time for the greatest challenge yet - actually taking part.

In late July, the Wickedweb team wheeled their bikes to the start line of the Horsham event in Sussex.
The ride got off to a troubled start when one member of Team Wickedweb was stopped and requested to produce proof-of-age ID, despite wearing a really quite striking 'bride to be' sash and accompanying veil.

Said member was later seen clinging to the back of another colleague's bike in an attempt to roll over the finish line in tandem, but was keen to point out that it's the taking part, not the winning, that counts.