Oct 09 update - Multimedia marketing vs. traditional marketing? How do they compare and what are the benefits of digital marketing?

Multimedia marketing vs. traditional marketing?

How do they compare and what are the benefits of digital marketing?

In an ever increasingly competitive marketing environment, finding a marketing edge is important. For companies who have not yet adopted multimedia as part of their marketing mix, there is a great opportunity to push their marketing to the next stage.

Multimedia marketing is based around interactive, screen-based presentation of information and can include elements such as video, audio, animation and interactivity, all of which add up to a more engaging experience.

90% of businesses have to sell proactively their services and products. It is true that a lucky few have products which do not require marketing and promotion, but in a competitive market, you need to effectively demonstrate why your product is better than your competitors. Multimedia, when done right, delivers significant advantages over traditional marketing materials.

What are the actual benefits of multimedia marketing:

Print cost-savings
Printing traditional brochures is expensive when compared with CD-ROMs, particularly if the brochure contains many pages. CD-ROMs can be duplicated for as little as 15p per unit but contain thousands of pages of information.

Distribution cost-savings
Posting a CD-ROM is much cheaper than posting a 25 page A4 brochure - by as much as 75%, depending on the weight of paper and cover. This saving can be reflected in better quality information within the marketing piece.

Greater impact
Using multimedia allows companies to show-off their products in the best possible way by using video, graphics, animations and audio - maximising the impact of their marketing.

Increased flexibility
Did you know that it is possible to update information on a CD-ROM using the Internet? Unlike a brochure which when printed can not be changed, CD-ROMs can be programmed so that the information can be updated over the Internet on an ongoing basis.

Better PR coverage
Papers and magazine are more likely to notice and give coverage to a well presented CD-ROM than a traditional brochure, even though CD-ROM technology has been in use for over 10 years.

High retention level
It has been proven that (on average), people remember 20% of what they read but remember 70% of what they experience through interactive multimedia. If you want people to remember your company, then multimedia is the way to go.

Image boosting
By using CD-ROMs, companies demonstrate their commitment to technology and therefore improve the image they project about their attitude to the future of business.

Increased distribution by clients themselves
Content on CD-ROMs can be printed and duplicated by the potential customer as often as he/she wants, enabling him/her to distribute your information at will.

Of course, one could argue that not everyone has computers. But then the questions is, are you likely to be doing business with the type of person or company who never uses a computer?

July 2009 - E-creation launches SneakerSeeker.co.uk Future Culture

E-creation launches Future Culture's "Sneaker Seeker" website - a publishing & comments website for trainer culture in the UK.

The Sneaker Seeker concept realised in November 2008, and thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding, the dream project started in March 2009. The Sneaker Seeker project led by a group of ten young people, examined sneaker culture through a series of workshops and events and involved over one hundred young people in the workshops. The Sneaker Seeker project was a collaboration between Slough Young People’s Centre and Slough Museum and the project was delivered by Future Culture Ltd.

Young people learnt about traditional and modern sneaker customisation techniques and customised their very own free pair of Nike sneakers! Young people also took part in Photography, Photoshop, Podcasting, Breakdancing, Graffitti and Film workshops – all of which contributed to a touring exhibition viewed by nearly four hundred people.

The website is an online archive of the work which was created for the Sneaker Seeker exhibition including films, photographs and audio and it provides anyone who is passionate about sneaker culture an opportunity to upload their own photographs and imagery which reflect sneaker lifestyle.

The MD of Future Culture described E-creation as "creative, knowledgeable and efficient - we have been stunned at how quickly you were able to deliver a high quality website... and all within our limited budget."

Jan-Erik Paul of E-creation further commented that "this is a great example of how a high quality website can be created with a small budget and limited time frames. The team at E-creation completed the project in under 6 working days from initial design concepts through to the final, working website as hosted by E-creation."

Sneaker Seeker can be found at: www.sneakerseeker.co.uk

June 2009 - SYPC website nominated for prestigious award

SYPC website nominated for prestigious award

Slough Young People’s Centre is an innovative peer led project, which is nationally recognised as an example of good practice. We work in a uniquely holistic way with disadvantaged 14-25 year olds. Our work is covered by three main strands; Information & Advice, Creative Opportunities and Enterprise. These three strands collaborate and interlink with each other to provide young people with support through clear progression routes into education or employment.

What the challenge was

Slough is a densely populated, urban area situated in the east of Berkshire, just west of London. It has a fast growing population, which, with close to 40% of residents from a Black or Minority ethnic background, is also one of the highest BME populations outside of London. There are high levels of asylum seekers, and economic migrants. Slough has wards in the top 10% most deprived nationally. Overall, our economy is buoyant, although Slough residents do not have the skills necessary to participate in and benefit from this success. Around 70% of the 56,000 full time jobs available in Slough are filled by people who travel in from outside the town.

What was done

SYPC staff decided to provide innovative creative opportunities for young people to develop and achieve. The flagship programme introduced in 2003 was the Afterhours Arts Academy; targeting disadvantaged 16-25 year olds who had often fallen out of mainstream education and respond better to an unconventional educational structure. The courses are free, yet are accredited by nationally recognised bodies such as OCN, NCFE and Arts Awards.

How was it done

The programme has been running successfully for five years and attracts funders such as Arts Council England, Lifelong Learning and SEEDA. A team of three young staff fundraise, co-ordinate the programme and market it to all young people across the borough. Focus groups ensure that courses delivered are relevant and cutting edge and the website offers a space to upload work created and social networking for artists to collaborate.

What the results or outcomes were

Many young people have achieved great things since attending the Afterhours Arts Academy. Some have used their qualifications to apply for and attend University, others have become Creative Apprentices at SYPC, six creative enterprises have spawned from the project such as a graphic design company, dance companies and a theatre company and on evaluation forms the most common achievement listed by young people is confidence gained. The Academy has held many events with students performing at national events such as the World Rowing Championships. Over 200 students have gained qualifications and the project reached the finals of the National Lottery Awards for Best Arts Project.