The Ben Nevis Challenge

Andy Wilkinson was part of four-man '2015 Peaky Behinders' taking part in the Dream  Challenges Ben Nevis Challenge, a hike up the Ben, 25 mile bike ride and 3 km  canoe in Gairlochy. 

The Peaky Behinders Flag in Birmingham

The Peaky Behinders Team

Another snap of the Peaky Behinders Star Team!

Finishing a respectable 82nd ( out of 82!!, no not really 83....) the PB's raised some £4,360 £4,360 for Breast Cancer Now, The Stroke Association and Meningitis Now and on the day the 400 plus participants raised over £250,000 for charities. Fantastic team spirit, lots of ups, more ups and even more ups.... and a few cold lagers. Here's to the 2016 challenge. 

Very cold! up on Ben Nevis! 

What is evergreen content? And how do you create it?

Evergreen content is content that doesn’t go stale and that your audience loves and shares. It is content that brings in visitors continuously. This content has to be relevant at all times and you should be able to share this with your followers on Social Media all year round without losing its news value.

Right here’s some examples that aren’t evergreen content:

EU referendum
This might be a hot topic now, but after the referendum has taken place no one will remember it.

Things to do for August Bank Holiday weekend
Bank holiday weekends only come round once year and very few people will be interested in it in January.

Orange is the New Black
This show might be popular now and could engage very well on social media, but no one is going to remember what happened in Episode 1 of Season 3 after a while.

So what are examples of evergreen content?

Top 10 tips for hosting a dinner party
People had dinner parties two decades ago and will likely still have them in three decades time: tips to make your dinner party successful will always come in handy.

How to budget your money better
People will always have in interest in money and how you can budget better, therefore this content will be as interesting now as it will be in a decade.



Invest in evergreen content
Evergreen content is unlike more seasonal and newsworthy content it will last a lot longer therefore it is worth investing in it. This content should make up the anchor text of your website. It should be well researched, well written and detailed. The content might last 5 years, so it is worth reviewing this and updating when needed.

Evergreen content is good for your SEO
As evergreen content is focused on the long term rather than the short term, you should think about the keywords that you are using and carefully use them in your text. Good content attracts search engine traffic. Also, adding images will help to increase your SEO value.

Have you got any questions on how to create evergreen content? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Can you rise to the challenge?

We need a very special person who can work in our marketing agency assisting our busy team with general admin and support and work alongside the two directors as our right hand 'man'!

You will need to be very organised, flexible, able to handle pressure, confident speaking to clients and capable of setting up and managing your own systems to maximise efficiency within the business. Must have excellent communication skills, English and grammar and be a proficient typist with good office management, but most important of all you should have a sense of humour and be just as happy making a brew as working on a proposal.

In return we offer the chance to work in an exciting, varied and very busy agency with some wonderful clients, a fun atmosphere and a great package for the right person.

If you think you have what it takes to fit into our talented team please send your CV and covering letter to shari@owb.uk.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

SEO and Social Media Specialist

OWB have an exciting opportunity for an experienced digital marketer to join their expanding, award winning team.

We are looking for a talented all-rounder with the ability to manage a number of different campaigns across SEO, PPC and Social Media.

The role will be responsible for driving our digital and social media marketing campaigns as well as planning, implementing and running the daily marketing activities for our clients.

Responsibilities:

• Lead digital marketing strategy and execution across all channels (SEO, Content, PPC, Social and Display)
• Working with clients to enhance their online visibility
• Producing weekly content plans in line with client objectives
• Create effective Google Adwords campaigns
• Lead in digital innovation championing new channels

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience implementing successful digital marketing campaigns
• Excellent Client Management skills
• Strong aptitude for competitor analysis and market research
• A creative approach to designing social media strategies for a diverse client base
• Ability to produce engaging copy
• An in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and the ability to analyse monthly data to find trends and make recommendations
• Ability to write reports
• Good communication skills
• Strong attention to detail

Please apply by sending covering letter detailing your current role and salary expectations and CV to Shari Bryan at shari@owb.uk.com

University of Birmingham Guest Lecture

Great time was had this month lecturing in marketing trends, digital marketing strategy and live OWB case studies to the University PostGrad Marketing students - working in a few selfies and few giggles it was truly inspirational. Looking forward to taking on the UnderGrads next...

Windsor Academy Trust Celebrates Outstanding Success

Windsor Academy Trust are celebrating success after Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education visited Rivers Primary Academy to announce they had been successful and awarded a grant to build a brand new school, following the announcement on Monday of the Governments new Priority Schools Building Programme 2. 

Find out more about this outstanding OWB Client and read the story in detail http://www.windsoracademytrust.org.uk/windsor-academy-trust-priority-schools-building-programme-2-psbp2/

Nicky Morgan meets and spends time with pupils (courtesy of http://www.expressandstar.com)

Mechatherm features on Business is Great Campaign

We're proud to see Mechatherm the leading designer and supplier of furnaces and casting machines for the aluminium industry and a world leader in the increasingly important business of aluminium recycling and re-melting featured on the Government 'Business is Great' Campaign - check the piece and film here

http://www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/winning-in-the-heat-of-global-competition/

Great start of the Year with Princess at The London Boat Show

Great to get out of the moorings with a fabulous campaign around the London Boat Show for Princess Motor Yacht Sales.

The stand was superbly busy and Princess report some really positive interest and excitement around the outstanding Motor Yacht range.

Legendary day at the inaugural MSB Summit

Following a packed 48 hours in London at the CBI and Lloyds Bank MSB Summit Shari Bryan and Andy Wilkinson have; observed great content, made great contacts, shaped great ideas and helped fuel the ambition for business growth.

"We thoroughly enjoyed talking to over 278 mid-sized businesses in two workshop seminars" comments Shari Bryan "our piece was around digital marketing supporting Sean Gilchrist of Lloyds who was leading a major talk around the wider digital opportunity for business growth. We were looking specifically at how business should be developing their digital marketing strategy and ideas to set their brand apart".

Andy Wilkinson comments "it was extremely lively with insightful questions and shared experiences from delegates which I feel added to the overall day...plus I got the chance to take a selfie with the audience which got everyone thinking digital marketing!"

The day included seminars on key business issues such as business planning and export with keynotes from the CEO of Lloyds Banking Group and the DG of the CBI.

"We were thrilled to be be invited to talk, it's a privilege to stand beside major brands and have the opportunity to talk with so many great business leaders".

OWB to support Lloyds Bank at inaugural MSB Summit

OWB are joining forces with Lloyds Bank and the CBI as part of the first ever MSB Summit.

The success of medium-sized businesses (MSBs) are seen to be a leading driver of economic strength and critical to the UK’s future prosperity.

The MSB Summit which is complimentary for medium-sized businesses will provide a platform for business owners to network with peers, exchange ideas, learn new skills and develop new opportunities.

• Topical matters will include:
• Getting to the next level
• Change Management
• Getting new skills into the business
• Securing growth finance, and
• Exporting with confidence

These are topics that business leaders believe to be vital in helping organisations reach their true potential.

CBI Director-General John Cridland and Group CEO of Lloyds Banking Group, António Horta-Osório will be on hand to discuss the strategies medium-size businesses employ and how they will play a crucial role in the UK’s economic recovery.

Delegates will also have the opportunities to attend a high-quality workshop entitled ‘Seizing the Digital opportunity’ where OWB’s Managing Director Andy Wilkinson will be giving an overview on how digital media has impacted on marketing strategies.

“We are delighted to be involved with this project. Not only are we proud to be working with Lloyds Bank and the CBI, but we are also able to demonstrate our Digital Marketing expertise to a number of leading MSBs.”

“The advice will undoubtedly provide these businesses with a number of ways to grow business in 2015 and beyond,” Andy said. “This is an amazing opportunity.”

The MSB Summit takes place on Monday 1 December at the ETC venue, St Pauls, London. For more information, visit: http://www.cbi.org.uk/events/msb-summit/

Google Go Local

When you think of Google you think Global right? You think big brand, and big scale?

Well I certainly do – that was until I attended a Google focus group to see what new thinking was on their horizon.

So it was with real interest that I listened to their potential plans to launch regional hubs across the UK to deliver innovative training, new thinking and help forums, all delivered in an urban coffee hub style format to the digital industries and SME’s of the world north of London. This is something I’m really interested in, and if their plans take off, will deliver real insight to creative businesses like ours to keep our clients one step ahead of the game.

As a marketing agency, Google can sometimes feel like a powerful, faceless brand giant with little regard for agencies trying to deal with its ever moving goal posts – so I for one would be delighted to embrace a more human element of Google to help businesses understand and plan their strategies better.

Here’s hoping their ideas come to fruition and don’t get lost in the latest Penguin pedantics.

AT A GLANCE

• Google to set up regional HUBS
• Deliver Incisive insight 
• Will support us to help you 
• Will help keep you ahead of the search game

OWB's resident Google expert, Graham Large, added: "Earlier this year, I visited one of Google's London offices to sit my Advanced AdWords exam. There was a real buzz about the place, and if that type of atmosphere can be replicated in Birmingham it will only be a good thing for local agencies like us."

Something to Hoot About

Over 100 giant owls will be taking up perch across Birmingham for 10 weeks next summer as part of a fundraising initiative.

The Big Hoot, launched last Wednesday night at the Ikon Gallery, will see more than 100 individually-designed 165cm-tall owl statues appear across the city – local artists will then customise the owls.

The initiative is being organised by public art specialists Wild in Art, in conjunction with Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and funded by a host of corporate sponsors from across the West Midlands.

Since 2008, Wild in Art has become the UK’s leading producer of mass participation public art events. They have launched similar exhibitions across the globe, including the highly successful Gromit Unleashed initiative – where sculptures representing Gromit of “Wallace and Gromit” appeared on the streets of Bristol throughout 2013.

OWB have been involved with the creative element of the project since its inception. Wild in Art were looking for inspiration for the Birmingham character that could be considered both representative of the region and educational too.

“We loved the fact that the bird represented flight and migration – perfectly aligned with our diverse culture in Birmingham” stated OWB Director Shari Bryan, so from then on there was only one choice.

In 2008 a BBC News article reported that the world’s largest owl – the Eagle Owl – had taken up residence in Birmingham. Since then, a number of sightings of European Eagle Owls in and around the Birmingham area have been reported.

Once the owl had been chosen OWB worked alongside Wild in Art to create the perfect identity for the initiative. And thus, The Big Hoot was born.

Speaking at the launch event, Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "The Big Hoot is a hugely exciting venture for Birmingham as a city and we at Birmingham Children's Hospital are honoured to have been selected to benefit from the half a million pounds we hope to raise as a result.

"This donation will help to support the ground-breaking work we carry out at the hospital, but more than that, the Big Hoot will also inspire pride in our much loved city and offer families a fun and free day out exploring everything that greater Birmingham has to offer."

Sally-Ann Wilkinson, director of Wild in Art, added: "Our public art projects have a proven track record of increasing tourism and heightening the profile of our host cities, and we're confident that this will continue in Birmingham, as visitors and residents alike discover the city through this unique and visually stunning artistic trail."

The Big Hoot has already attracted national media coverage with the BBC News website reporting on its launch: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-29722659

OWB have developed The Big Hoot’s website – www.thebighoot.co.uk – and created sponsorship packs for people who want to get involved with this initiative. An online pack can be found here: http://thebighoot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/The-Big-Hoot-Sponsor-Pack-23-October-2014.pdf

You can follow The Big Hoot on Twitter @thebighoot2015, like The Big Hoot on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thebighoot2015 and follow The Big Hoot’s Instagram activity http://instagram.com/bighoot2015. 

Windsor Academy Trust Open Evening

The latest client to join the OWB roster, Windsor Academy Trust, held an open evening Thursday night for prospective students at their High School and Sixth Form College.

Attended by over 500 students looking to make the jump from high school to college education, the Windsor Academy Trust Sixth Form stands out in the Halesowen area for its wide choice of courses and small, personal classes consisting of a student, teacher ratio of 11:1.

OWB looks forward to working alongside Windsor Academy Trust in the future and maybe teaching them a thing or two about marketing.

The Penguin is back – where’s Batman when you need him?

This past weekend, Google unleashed Penguin 3.0 – the latest update to its algorithm – AKA a blooming big headache for SEO specialists worldwide.

Penguin 3.0 is the sixth (releases only go up in whole numbers when they have a significant impact on queries) in a series of changes made to Google’s algorithm, the first of which was launched in 2012, in order to combat webspam and black hat SEO tactics.

SEO professionals have been anxiously waiting for the release of Penguin 3.0 due to the major impact caused by the previous updates. When you’re hit by Penguin, you usually have to wait until the next release cycle to see if your changes have resulted in a positive impact on your search engine performance, and many will have been waiting since the previous release back in October 2013.

If their clean-up methods have been successful, they’re likely to start seeing some improvement in traffic over the next few weeks. If not, they will need to make further more changes and wait until the next Penguin update. Now you can see why this causes such a headache!

It is important to bear in mind that whilst some websites may experience declining search rankings they may not have been penalised by Penguin. The Penguin update causes a huge amount of links to be discounted, so the value that these links may have once had will no longer pass over.

So any websites that have received value from these links may suffer a decline in visibility, even though the website has not been penalised itself.

Confusing, hey? Welcome to our world!

Fortunately OWB’s team of caped crusaders are well versed in tackling Penguin and the problems that arise from it. Who needs Bruce Wayne?

If you notice a drop in traffic and/or search engine visibility, please call us immediately on 0121 766 6571.

We will perform a free analysis to see if you have been hit by a Penguin penalty and advise you on what you should do next.

The OWB team is greatly saddened to hear of Jules Bianchi's horrific accident last weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix.

In 2013 we were immensely proud to have the opportunity to sponsor Jules and feature on his helmet for several grand prix. We also had the pleasure of joining him at a race weekend in Monza and a track day at the Jonathan Palmer motorsport facility where he scared the pants off us during a track drive. He is a great guy, happy to share his passion for motorsport and we wish him all the best and hope for a speedy recovery.

What a week of rugby coming up...

...with a ripper tonight at Rybrook Rolls Royce and Specialist Cars I'm looking forward to meeting Martin Johnson CBE and Neil Back MBE...more details will follow in this mege egg-chaser of a week..

A few Princess goodies - this year's Southampton Boat Show..

And what a great show it was for Princess. If you're looking for more motor yacht luxury check princess.co.uk

Spreading some OWB lovin'

...if you ever wondered what we get up to to put a little back - take a look at our new Community Pages http://www.owb.uk.com/about.html#community

our new brochure in development....

Dinner with the Prime Minister

An incredible evening with the Rt Hon David Cameron MP thank you to Investors in Excellence. Heythrop Hall provided the backdrop to a magnificent evening with IiE clients and friends to share business chat, non-business chat, World Cup stories and get to chit-chat with the PM....wonderful event and great to hear a global leader talk about life in and around Westminster and share some great stories.

The Prime Minister shares some thoughts with Ian Nield, CEO, IiE

PM starts the auction! judging by the camera angle we've bid...

Wilko asks if it's OK to go on the OWB blog....

Great evening, thanks to Investors in Excellence