Author: Joanna Muggeridge

Some of you may know that I was fortunate enough to have my honeymoon in Brazil at the end of last year. Wow, what an amazing country it is… my visit there made me realise a) how I have been missing out on South America all this time and b) just how much more we are likely to see and hear about Brazil in the next couple of years, as it is hosting some of the sporting calendar’s biggest events – the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

Author: AD Communications

As a number of our account teams are in the midst of preparing for the upcoming trade exhibitions, I’m working through my own checklist to ensure nothing gets missed or overlooked while juggling these preparations with the rest of my everyday tasks. And, with the start of 2012 especially proving extra busy with a few key shows and other pre-exhibition events, including FESPA Digital, the drupa International Media Conference and drupa 2012 in the next few months to name just a few – having this checklist is proving more important than before.

Author: Patrick Anderson

Much like Marmite, reality TV shows and Scientology, Valentine’s Day divides opinion. Well, for the consumer anyway. Many of us enjoy the day that allows us to be even more romantically and fiscally foolish than normal. But there are always the hardnosed sceptics who, like my perennially single friend Pierce, denounce it as ‘just another gross manifestation of capitalism’ and that there are ‘364 other days in a year to show that you love someone’. Strong words. But largely irrelevant; the GCA’s (The Greeting Card Association) market research showed in 2011 that ‘the average spend [per card] on Valentine’s Day was £2.17 – the highest of all the categories tracked’. Supply and demand is the perfect match.

Author: AD Communications

As the famous British poet John Keats once said “Nothing ever becomes real ‘till it is experienced”, and it was in the last few days leading up to Christmas that I was fortunate enough to be invited to visit one of our clients, who had kindly offered to show me around and give me an insight into the real work that goes on in a busy print house.

Author: AD Communications

With FESPA and DRUPA fast approaching, the print world is buzzing. Everyone is eager to see new innovations, learn about industry trends and build relationships. But with print still feeling the bite of the recession many marketing departments may also be looking to trim their budgets. However when looking at your marketing spend, it’s important to remember that although running an exhibit at a show can be a costly activity, it can also generate an excellent return on investment if handled correctly.

Sometimes I get lost reading articles on groundbreaking marketing campaigns tips, allegedly innovative Apps and trends on social media. Together with on-line advertising, social media seem to dominate the marketing landscape and people tend to use this magic word in every context, even when inappropriate. 

Author: Lucy O’Dea

There’s nothing like coming across an interesting use of print, and this one certainly caught my eye.  Printing what can only be described as a ‘use by’ date on pillows!  http://bit.ly/uxMq0J

Author: Shireen Shurmer

A long wait in a foreign airport recently prompted me to visit the sweet shop for a sugar hit and a packet of chewing gum.  Expecting to find the familiar green and blue packs of spearmint et al, I was somewhat confounded.  In the usual spot beside the cash register was an array of discreetly branded matt black packages, featuring a classy embossed effect and the simple words ‘cobalt’ and ‘turbulence’ reversed out of the black in bright primary colours. So discreet, that I assumed these must be – how shall I say this – prophylactics.  Apparently recognising my confusion, the sales assistant reassured me that the product was indeed chewing gum, and clarified the choice of refreshing mint or water melon flavours.

Author: AD Communications

Every year it creeps up on us, and every year we cannot believe it is that time of year again. It’s Christmas and it’s coming soon!

Author: Shireen Shurmer

My husband’s trade magazine of choice dropped through the letterbox this week (It’s Automated Trader, in case you were interested. I know. And you thought your job was dull. ) The magazine sported a belly band promoting a financial information provider, with a QR code driving the recipient to a dedicated micro site. So far, so good. Great integration of print and online, I hear you cry.

Author: Kerry Rice

I have a question for magazine publishers everywhere. In the age of digital printing, when homesick antipodeans can pick up the same copy of the Sydney Morning Herald in London as is on newsstands in Australia that day, why can’t we get a copy of any magazine from anywhere in the world printed digitally on demand and delivered to us?

Author: Joanna Muggeridge

Any client or media friend who’s visited us here at AD in Esher will most likely know that Waitrose is one of the most frequently visited shops in town – if only as our working lunches are generally purchased there! So, it almost goes without saying that I seem to spend a fair amount of time (and money!) in this high street supermarket chain, and therefore can’t fail to notice any offers or brand introductions.