Digital Community Brawls at the Ivy

London 18th June 2013

The turnout at the much anticipated digital crisis meeting, held at The Ivy Club yesterday, was a ‘who’s who’ in digital, entrepreneurship and marketing.  People such as Julie Meyer (Chief Executive of Ariadne Capital and founder of First Tuesday) and Jeremy Waite, Head of Social Strategy, Adobe EMEA attended to debate how digital pioneers can effectively pass on their knowledge to marketers and so stop more house-hold names disappearing from the high street. 

The debate identified many differences of opinion, with some arguing that it didn’t matter if we lost some high street shops.  Most agreed that there was a lot of work to be done and were enthusiastic about the fact that action was going to be taken, and confident that it would make a difference.  The key issues identified were:

·  The perception that digital marketing is about technology when the key to getting it right is to understand relationships

·  Ignorance over the breadth of digital marketing activities, with too many only associating it with just one activity (such as social media)

·  The belief that it can be left to junior employees when the Board need to take ownership

·  The perception that it is not relevant to some businesses

·  Ignorance over the opportunities provided by digital (e.g. Data to give marketers a much better understanding of their customers)

Nick James of Freshly Made Content, who organised the debate, explained why they had hosted the event; “Instead of waiting for other people, or the Government, to take charge of this issue I thought it was time for the digital community to lead the way.”

Chris Searson, CEO and founder of Citizen and Chairman of Mediastation and HotelStayUK commented afterwards on why the event was seen as so important for the digital and marketing communities: “It’s alarming how ignorant some senior people in marketing are about digital and the huge impact that can make, even at point of sale.  The Government has paid a lot of attention to the physical and social aspects of the high street.  I’m delighted that we now have a ‘digital Mary Portas’ to address the real cause of the high street grave yard filling up so quickly.”

Nick concluded; “I’m pleased that the digital community has really got behind this.  Together I believe we can make a real difference.”

 The outcome of the debate will be used to inform the content of the Digital Marketing Show which is being held 26th to 28th November 2013 to educate the marketing community.  The Show aims to make digital marketing more accessible for marketers at all levels.

….Notes to Editors….

About the Digital Marketing Show 2013

This is the first year for the Show.  It is aimed at every level of the UK Marketing Community. 

The Show will offer a deep, but simple to understand insight into how digital marketing works and give businesses core competitive advantage that is essential to survive.  Attendees will leave with the knowledge they need to ensure that they’re not left behind. 

The show will focus on: Affiliate Marketing, Internet Advertising, Web Analytics, Social Media, Search Marketing, Mobile, Email Marketing, E-commerce, Customer Experience and Content. 

The Show is being organised by Freshly Made Content.   

To find out more about the Show go to: http://digitalmarketingshow.co.uk/

About Freshly Made Content

Freshly Made Content is one of the UK’s most respected publishers of business content, and their websites attract over 600,000 people a year.  They also run events which will be attended by 10,000 business decision makers in 2013 and they have engaged 75,000 people in social media communities.

To find out more go to: http://www.freshlymadecontent.com/

For more information please contact;

Anne Cantelo or Alice Chowen

Onyx

info@onyxcommunications.co.uk

T: 020 7025 8030

www.onyxcommunications.co.uk