Brands Adopting a Dual Approach of On-site & Social Media Marketing Will Develop The Strongest Customer Relationships, Says Punch Communications

Brand marketers that are evolving their approach to develop a strategy that encompasses engaging content on both their own-brand website and social media, stand to develop the strongest possible relationship with their customers, according to integrated social media, PR and SEO agency, Punch Communications. (EDITOR: And Punch Communications know what they are talking about, having received many relevant, useful and well-written press releases from them, over the years.)

Whilst customer relationships clearly work differently in the two environments, the strategy of adopting both as complementary presences allow a brand to engage in two distinct models – firstly reacting to customer interest via the brand site and secondly to thoughtfully participate in a customer's experience when they are already engaging with social media. By engaging through social media, the brand benefits from the provision of relevant customer information and illustrates increased transparency, flexibility and the desire to understand their customers.

In the UK for example, Facebook is the most popular social network as it has twice as many users as YouTube, 17 times more than Twitter and is the second most visited website in the country, behind Google. Therefore, it is the marketing channel that provides businesses with the greatest opportunity to reach out directly to consumers in what has rapidly become somewhat of a natural habitat for thousands.

Whilst many brands are now strengthening their customer relationships through social media, many have yet to take advantage of the opportunity, through focussing on broadcasting content to users, rather than engaging them in dialogue.

Marketing strategies can no longer rely on audiences returning to a brand time and again and Clinton Cards is one such B2C business that is rapidly developing its social media strategy alongside its website communications. The UK’s leading high street greeting card retailer recognises that the more choice of touch points offered to a consumer and the varied communication techniques that each one brings, the greater the chance for a sustained relationship.

Pete Goold, managing director of Punch Communications, said: “When Facebook users are visiting the site many millions of times each day,  B2C brands should be asking themselves if they are participating with those consumers as effectively as possible, in order to engage their interests and further their relationship. Sadly, so many are not fulfilling their potential to reach out, start on-going dialogues and create highly engaged social networking communities in order to further brand awareness and loyalty.”

By using the top 100 retail websites as a sample group, Hitwise found that each brand’s Facebook fan equated to an additional 20 website visits (over a 12 month period). This illustrates that if brands successfully participate in the space in which their audience already convenes, as well as through their brand website, there are plenty of rewards to be reaped; in the UK alone, 500 million hours are spent on Facebook each month.

Pete added: “There is little doubt that one-size fits all approach is no longer a sufficiently sophisticated strategy for digital marketing. Where brands are able to meaningfully participate in social media experiences, rather than simply push messages out, social communities tend to respond extremely favourably, resulting in disproportionately high positivity and loyalty. In short, it’s simply about going back to the old marketing truism of tailoring the message to the individual, which remains universally beneficial and is now more possible than ever before.”

For more information on Punch Communications’ integrated approach to social network activity and to see what it can offer your business compared to other social media agencies, visit www.punchcomms.com. Also, if you’re looking for social media, SEO or PR jobs, visit the Punch website to review the positions that are currently available.

To join in the conversation with Punch on Facebook, Twitter or Google plus, visit facebook.com/PunchCommunications, twitter.com/punchcomms and gplusnick/punchcomms.

Statistics courtesy of Experian Hitwise, 2 February - http://weblogs.hitwise.com/james-murray/2012/02/10_things_yo...

PHG adds some Punch to its PR effort

Performance Horizon Group (PHG), a leading provider of performance marketing technology, has appointed Punch Communications to handle its national, trade-specific and online PR.

Established in May 2010, PHG is the latest venture of Malcolm Cowley and Paul Fellows, co-founders of global affiliate network buy.at which was sold to AOL in 2008 for $125m. A high-tech start-up from North East England, over the past year it has expanded its operations to London and New York and brought to market its ExactView technology: a global platform for tracking, reporting, managing and optimising performance partner relationships in affiliate marketing and lead generation, regardless of channel or device.

Since its appointment, leading SEO agency Punch has been responsible for building awareness of the brand and ExactView, sharing corporate news announcements including PHG’s second round of venture capital funding from DN Capital and Greycroft, and raising the profile of senior personnel within the company. Working closely with the team, Punch is also assisting with the delivery of relevant award, events and speaker submissions.

Malcolm Cowley, CEO of PHG, said: "We wanted to appoint a PR agency which not only has a good understanding of the sector in which we operate but one that is also creative and has excellent media and blogger contacts. Punch has not only demonstrated that it understands our core business proposition but that the team is enthused to meet our company vision.”

Georgina Dunkley, account director at Punch Communications, added: "The growth of PHG over the past few years has been phenomenal and we are thrilled to be appointed by the brand as it embarks on an action-packed 2012 including the growth of its operations in the UK and US.”

As one of the UK’s foremost social media agencies, Punch Communications also handles PR and SEO services for its clients. For further information visit www.punchcomms.com.

Brands Need to Prepare For the Upcoming Boom in Commerce Through Facebook, says Punch Communications

With social networking giant Facebook announcing a number of changes to its open graph platform at the recent f8 conference, brands should be ready for a change in the way e-commerce will be implemented on the site, says integrated PR, SEO and social media agency Punch Communications.

Due to this development and the ability to now not only ‘Like’ something on Facebook you will soon be able to ‘Want’, ‘Love’ or ‘Recommend’ things. This development has caught the eye of e-commerce heavyweight eBay and its developer arm X.commerce, as they announce an upcoming partnership that will make Facebook the market place of the future.

A recent study into social commerce by the e-tailing group found that 59% of users rated customer reviews as the most important impacting factor on their buying behaviour. Social shopping aims to capitalise on this by creating visibility and feedback for products and services from the people you trust the most, your friends and family.

Brands using Facebook to promote their products will soon be more in control of the message they push to potential buyers and fans. Using the open graph platform, developing more descriptive and appropriate interactions such as a ‘Want’ button will become easy to implement and promote. This type of functionality coupled with the real time news feed of friend activity provided by the Facebook Ticker will propel the social shopping experience.

Pete Goold, Managing Director at tech PR agency, Punch Communications said, “Facebook provides an important platform for brands and companies to reach and interact with their fans and customers. Social commerce will appeal to an audience who are already familiar with the functions and features of the platform to recommend and create visibility for promoting products and services to their friends and connections.

“Social recommendation carries much weight when acting as a basis for a purchase decision and with the new developments in the f-commerce area users will be instantly notified of their friends purchases; this will encourage them to look at the product and it may influence decision to buy”

Social commerce will become a fully integrated service within social media and e-commerce platforms now that the tools are available to developers. With predictions that more business will be carried out through Facebook than Amazon, brands would be wise to begin developing their strategies and apps now to get a head start and take full advantage of the opportunities that social commerce will afford them.

If you are currently talking to PR and SEO agencies then contact Punch Communications to find out how an integrated campaign would benefit your business. For more information regarding Punch's services, please visit www.punchcomms.com, or call 01858 411 600.

(EDITOR: I have worked with Punch to help promote some of their clients for some trade magazines. A nicer, more professional set of people you could not hope to meet. I can recommend them thoroughly. If you need a PR firm, then Punch should be on your list.)

Sweet appointment for Punch Communications

Jealous, a new manufacturer of high end sweet-gifts made from natural ingredients and suitable for people with dietary or ethical considerations and requirements, has appointed Punch Communications to handle its PR, SEO and social media.

For the initial launch activity over July and August, Punch has been handling Jealous’ consumer and business media and blogger relations, social media, social search and SEO activity.

Following the launch, Punch is being retained as Jealous’ SEO agency and will be providing consultancy services to the brand with its ongoing PR and social media activity. (EDITOR: A wise choice!)

Commenting on the appointment, joint managing directors Tahzeen Basunia and Imran Ali Merza, points out: “Punch’s enthusiasm for the Jealous product combined with its technical understanding, creative flair and impressive track record made the agency the most compelling proposition for us. We have been impressed with the team and really see them as an extension of our operation.”

Georgina Dunkley, who is the account director at Punch charged with the job of who overseeing the Jealous account, added: “Through this initial burst of activity we have seen some fantastic results including a continuously high level of engagement on the social media channels and some standout pieces of secured press and blogger coverage. The sweets have been extremely well-received by both consumers and the media.”

The sweets, which boast no artificial colours or flavours, are also suitable for vegetarians and contain no alcohol or gelatine. Presented in 400g gift boxes, the selection which is now available in Selfridges’ flagship Oxford Street store, includes Sinfully Sour, Gummy Heaven and Paradise Lost, all of which retail at £13.99.

In addition, the Enchanted Eden selection, which is produced using purely organic products, completes the initial range and is priced at £14.99. In addition to purchasing from Selfridges, the sweets can be bought directly online at www.thejealouslife.com.

Punch is one of the UK’s leading social media agencies working with big brand clients including Sony Ericcson. In addition it works on a number of integrated briefs in both the UK and oversees. For more information about Punch Communications visit www.punchcomms.com, or you can follow Punch on Twitter @punchcomms or like them on www.facebook.com/punchcommunications.