Ernest Opoku

CEO: Why is no one signing up to our newsletter? The sign up experience: Enter first name Enter email address Tell us your favourite book Favourite film? Favourite food? What colour pants are you wearing? Any pets? What are their names? Do you smoke? Do you drink? What do you think about pineapple on a pizza? If you were a fruit, what would you be? Who let the dogs out? What’s your Wi-Fi password? What’s your stance on garden gnomes? Can you complete a Rubik's cube? You can?! Do it right now. With your eyes closed Tell us why you want to join our mailing list In less than 3 words, but more than 2 Now click ‘sign-up’ 97 times Triple click it on the 97th time Coooooool That’s done Does your UX look like this? If so, we should probably have a chat. #WebDevelopment

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I really enjoyed having a chat with Chris Barnard on his Bear Business Podcast about Branding for Hotels and Hospitality businesses. I share experiences from the latest project, here's a snippet, full episode to follow. #branding #brandstrategy #hospitality #digitalmarketing

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Digital Out Of Home is an essential part of any omnichannel marketing strategy - but no time is it more effective than at big cultural events. InterContinental Hotels Group proved this with their campaign during the Rugby World Cup in 2023, gaining a whopping 12% increase in favourability among ruby fans. With the Olympic season upon us brands have an exceptional opportunity to reach their audiences on the ground - success here can have long lasting impacts for brand awareness. Read more here in this article on The Drum: https://lnkd.in/ePv7D6yM #dooh #programmatic #digital #dsp #omnichannel #advertising Yahoo Yahoo Advertising IHG Hotels & Resorts #olympics

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“This young merlot is best served chilled, and pairs well with cucumber pies and oregano nutmeg croissants”… The first thing I do with a new bottle of wine is go straight for the wisdom on the back label. It never fails to bring a smile.   I love the pretentiousness of the vintners out there. Of course, anyone who buys a new bottle immediately begins a frenetic search for its culinary suggestion. But - it works. A little part of us feels quite the sophisticate sipping a beverage that's intended for people of such refined culinary sensitivity - they wouldn't dream of a wrong pairing. It would be like showing up to shul on Shabbos in weekday clothes. Or having a Bordeaux with their yogurt. Oh! The power of marketing! #winewisdom #marketing #designwithdestination ____________________ Hi, I’m Yaakov, strategist/writer/researcher at Studio BLU, where I enjoy uniqueing businesses who know they're outstanding. At Studio BLU, we design for growing small businesses who have strong sense and fine taste. We craft powerful brands that build recognition, inspire interest and create connections to help them scale. Reach out and we’ll start creating solutions together.

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We’ve worked with many of the country’s leading hospitality brands for the last 17 years and are acutely aware of the importance of advance planning for key campaigns. It’s interesting to see how different companies approach these key calendar events, particularly the big one; Christmas. We worked with one huge business who started planning for the festive season in January, as soon as the previous campaign ended! Talk about hit the ground running. We’ve also worked with businesses who’ve not contacted us about Christmas until 2 months before. A little late to take advantage of the company Christmas party bookings unfortunately. How are your plans for the festive season looking? Drop us a line if you need some inspiration and help delivering your key calendar events. #christmas #keycampaign #planning #hospitality # festive #calendar #season

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Is branding the most undervalued area of marketing? I enjoy recruiting for branding roles, hearing stories about how campaigns and narratives were crafted, the creative approaches to activations and what people have achieved. How they ties in different channels with a nuanced approach to feed into an overarching brand narrative! I also love seeing tasks in this area as you get to see thought processes behind it. Branding can also be an area that faces heavy cuts during times of economic uncertainty - something that I’ve head from more than a few frustrated professionals!! Interesting read on how Brand Marketers should use metrics and numbers to illustrate branding is as important as performance marketing, especially when they’re working to save their budget. Do you feel businesses should prioritise branding? That they should be aiming to build better brand affinity as the economy begins to grow? Or do you feel there are better areas for them invest their budgets? https://lnkd.in/epGR7xfv

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Having worked both client-side and agency-side, I get asked ALL the time - what's better? Like all good things in life, the answer to that is to be unpacked, rigorously, over a glass of wine at a fantastic restaurant. 👀 Jokes aside, being client-side has only cemented my belief in how bloody important agencies are and how much we need good ones as clients. Marketing Jesus, a.k.a. Mark Ritson, wrote about McCain's Grand Prix this week, world-class creative execution, and 'the reason that in-house agencies and AI generators will never beat two incredibly unreliable humans who work late and use naughty words'.  It got me thinking… We need more *unreliable naughtiness* in marketing.  So. How can agencies help us all get there? 1. MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE 😬. Fresh creative, original ideas, wild 11pm thoughts, the madness at the back of the PPT that you've slipped in and think might get us all fired but might also massively change the game - show me that! 2. CHALLENGE US 🕵🏻‍♀️. I once had someone ask me to be their 'bullsh*t detector'. At the time I rubbed my hands together with glee at the chance to point out all the things wrong with their strategy; but now client-side me gets just how crucial that role is. It’s so easy to get caught up in the minute details of your brand - I think I bleed Belazu blue at this point - that in a flash, it's been a month since you've gone into a supermarket and properly looked at the fixture and who is shopping it (luckily, if I could live in a supermarket I would and I know many others with a similar affliction).  Anyway… Unbiased, real, no bullsh*t.  No, that initiative doesn't matter. Yes, no-one will care.  3. HELP US EXPERIMENT 🔬. Tools, data, platforms, insight and even expertise.  A chance to test and learn, and see if our slightly odd idea has legs without having to hire initially.  4. CONNECT US 👯‍♂️. Networking isn't dead, and agency folk are some of the best networked around… They know brand leaders all over the industry, what's working for them, and how you might be able to work together - it's a different way in and sometimes can lead to some unconventional but incredible connections.  The best partnerships are unlikely bedfellows after all.

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At Ink Digital we have worked with 11 travel and tourism brands generating millions of pounds worth of revenue through organic search. One of these campaigns was a finalist at the UK Search Awards! But what are the 5 key SEO considerations from working with some of the leading travel brands within the UK? Our team explores what travel businesses need to consider when looking at their SEO strategy. If you're a travel brand looking to scale via organic search this year - drop me a message! #travelseo #traveltourism #travelmarketing #tourismmarketing #marketing #seo #searchengineoptimization #search

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At Ink Digital we have worked with 11 travel and tourism brands generating millions of pounds worth of revenue through organic search. One of these campaigns was a finalist at the UK Search Awards! But what are the 5 key SEO considerations from working with some of the leading travel brands within the UK? Our team explores what travel businesses need to consider when looking at their SEO strategy. If you're a travel brand looking to scale via organic search this year - drop me a message! #travelseo #traveltourism #travelmarketing #tourismmarketing #marketing #seo #searchengineoptimization #search

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Questions you should ask a food photographer BEFORE hiring them 👇 Not all photographers shoot food, so if they say they do, ask these questions: 1. What's your process for working with hospitality teams? 2. How do you achieve consistency and ensure your images are on brand? 3. Can you share a portfolio of your work for similar restaurants/hotels? A photoshoot is a big investment for a lot of hotels and restaurants, so make sure you find the right person to work with. ➕ Follow me for tips on hospitality photography ✉ Drop me a message if you'd like to discuss working together #FoodPhotographer #RestaurantMarketing #FoodPhotography

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✨Why creatives will never be replaced by AI✨⁣ ⁣ I read an article this weekend about AI, the way social media content was changing and how social media agencies were directing more energy into video content. ⁣ ⁣ It got me thinking about AI, and whilst it is a blessing with it’s rapid expansion and accessibility in some areas of my work, it also made me smile because AI cannot think like a human does…⁣ ⁣ Our creativity is tied to our experiences, emotions, and perceptions, which are complex and often unpredictable. ⁣ ⁣ Whilst AI can generate impressive outputs based on patterns and data, it lacks the ability to truly understand and innovate in the same way humans do. ⁣ ⁣ Human creativity involves intuition, imagination, and the ability to think beyond existing frameworks, elements that are difficult for AI to emulate. ⁣ ⁣ Creativity often involves making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts, a process that relies heavily on human cognition and subconscious thought. ⁣ ⁣ Ultimately, while AI can enhance and complement human creativity, it cannot replace the unique ingenuity and imagination that defines our creative beings. ⁣ ⁣ What are your thoughts? ✨⁣

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Skip the usual stuff about New Year's Resolutions and market something different in January, like "Dress Up Your Pet Day" on January 14. Imagine the type of engagement you could get on your page by posting a picture of YOUR pet dressed up and encouraging the followers of your page to do the same. Make 2025 the year you stop doing the same social media posts that you've always done, or that your competition does. Start doing things that stand out. #restaurantmarketing #restaurantindustry https://lnkd.in/gi3hV6Gm

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What do vegan pork farmers and wedding photographers have in common? ... an Unforgettable Brand Strategy! No, you didn't read my opening sentence wrong. This group of amazing #entrepreneurs recently attended my Branding Masterplan workshop: Gareth Danks of Gareth Danks Photography Rebecca Griffiths, The Travel Curator at Not Just Travel Nicola Dickenson of Pasture Perfect Sarah Evans of Sarah L Evans Photography Liz & Dr Andrew Baker of The Baker's Pig Rhidian Jones of Derwen Design A special thank you to Sarah Pearce of Datrys Business Solutions, Menter Bro Dinefwr at Hengwrt and Carmarthenshire County Council for your support. Working through an intensive day of strategic business growth exercises, these business owners successfully created a cohesive foundation for their brand strategy. What exactly did they develop? ⚡️ Brand Purpose ⚡️ Brand Values ⚡️ Brand Vision ⚡️ Brand Mission ⚡️ + so much more! They gained CLARITY, DIRECTION and learned to create an action plan to make their brand STAND OUT! ... and so can you. Join the next Branding Masterplan workshop and take your business to the next level. Comment "NEXT LEVEL" below to join the waiting list. #BrandingMasterplan #UnforgettableBrand #brandstrategy #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #workshop

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Cultural Relevance for Brands. Great discussion this morning organised by Creativebrief and Exposure Some points that resonated / that I thought useful to remember: 💬Raoul Shah "People don't really care about your brand they care about their own lifestyle / what makes them tick / what enriches their own communities and culture" 💭Cultural marketing does not mean sponsorship 💭Convincing investors / stakeholders of the long term approach towards building a sense of culture into campaigns is hard work but worth the effort. 🫣Brands have nowhere to hide in today's world 💃🕺Engulf yourself and your teams in culture in a genuine way and that will resonate in your marketing. 💭💡As brands we need to think at depth (do build credibility) and with breadth (to cast a wide enough net to the right community). i.e. How do we show up? Where we show up? The best mix for any brand trying to " tap into cultural relevance" is to not tap in at all... it's always better to fully commit. Find your purpose and combine it with good entertainment. Sophie More : from her Red Bull days: "WOM" SCORE - a finger in the air Word of Mouth score for each idea... scientific, data led decisions can easily become a barrier to creativity... Jed Hallam "Put more emphasis on anthropology over the economics and you'll find your place within the right communities." Create your energy and ppl will come to you Or Go to where the energy is and ppl will be there waiting. #marketing #creativeagency #production #contentproduction #speakers #events #networking #business

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I started Drink Local because the beer I wanted didn’t exist. A beer that didn’t leave me feeling feeling hammered, heavy & bloated after drinking with friends. That wasn’t obscenely calorific. That tasted delicious. Now I rarely drink anything else. Turns out I’m not the only one… Here is a great article from James Beeson around consumers more mindful approach to drinking… key takeouts; ✅ A new generation of mindful drinkers are saying no to getting completely hammered. Instead, we favour longer, more compos mentis sessions. ✅ We’re no longer seeing drinking & not drinking as binary. We hunt for drinks that allow us to moderate, not abstain entirely. ✅ We aren’t looking to cut down our time spent socialising or decreasing the volume we consume. If you’re in the space & want to try our beer, send me a DM. Come over to the light side! ☁️☀️🍻

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What do clients really want (and need) from agencies? During a recent CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing panel event, Sharon Jiggins emphasised the critical role of consumer insights and the responsibility agencies bear in genuinely engaging with their target audiences. #CreativeAgency #AudienceInsight #Advertising

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So, me and Elliot Ghali💬 have worked with some fantastic brands over the last couple of years: hospitality, beverage, e-commerce, and service-based businesses have all been part of the journey. However, there’s one type of client that’s been top of our wish list for a while now - a coffee brand or business. ☕ As big coffee advocates/borderline addicts (as you can see in the image) this is a project we’d be genuinely passionate about sinking our teeth (and mugs) into. So, here’s our ask: if you know a coffee brand looking to level up their marketing, web design, or SEO (or if you are one) reach out or tag them here. Let’s get the conversation brewing 👀

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One quick branding element that loads of breweries seem to forget about… Ever wonder what makes some breweries instantly recognisable, even if their name isn’t plastered all over their message? It’s not just their logo or colour scheme—it’s their tone of voice! Surprisingly, this is a secret ingredient that loads of breweries overlook in their branding. Think about it. If you came across a piece of text with no brewery name attached, could you tell who’s speaking? For most breweries, the answer is probably no. But imagine being so distinctive that people know it’s you just from your words—that’s powerful branding! **Here’s a Fun Tip:** If your brewery were a celebrity, who would it be? Pick someone with a voice that really stands out, like Ryan Reynolds or Sir Ian McKellen. Not exactly mimicking their voice, but think about the vibe they give off. What makes them unique? Is it their humour, their elegance, or maybe their boldness? **Why Does This Matter?** Creating a unique tone of voice can set your brewery apart in a crowded market. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it that can resonate with your audience. And the best part? This doesn’t cost a penny. If your brewery were a celebrity, who would it be? Drop your thoughts in the comments below … #BreweryBranding #MarketingTips #CraftBeer #BreweryLife #BrandPersonality

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Some agencies are punching out of their category and I’m here for it. If you had asked me 2 years ago, I would have said, surely not. 🤯 Surely, Design agencies can’t act as transformation consultancies. 🤯Surely, Ad agencies aren’t rolling out major branding projects while being clued up on all things digital. 🤯 Surely, Influencer agencies aren’t knocking out some serious ATL creative gold. But it’s happening.  Oh boyyy it’s happening. Things are being done differently than ever before. Agencies have more budget to play with and true influence on the brands they are working with.  It's a big ask for a brand to put more eggs in the same basket. So, how is this working? They have some seriously strong, legendary Client leaders.  Operating this full-on offering as their own business. Building insanely talented diverse teams to deliver across the board.  I’m not saying you have to do it all to be successful. Butttt you should have a client services team that knows exactly how to create more. More…  Great work  Increased revenue Stronger teams People who look beyond the basics of your offering, and know what a brand truly needs. These legends are normally called Business Directors, Client Partners or  MDs… This kind of innovation wouldn’t be a thing without a strong Client Services team as the backbone ❤️

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