Wednesday, 25 July 2012
#Notpartof2012: Part 1
Written for and first published at: http://www.letsbebrief.co.uk/notpartof2012/
There is nothing like being made to feel like a party pooper to stop people from raising genuine concerns.
‘Get Behind the Games’ has become the mantra of public figures and politicians keen to jolly up all those who just don’t seem to be able to see past the G4S security fiasco, or that the biggest global celebration of health and amazing ability has descended tiring and predictably into an event for the highest bidder. Given that tickets are going on the black market for £100,000 for the 100 metre final, how can I, we, really be involved?
On Any Questions on Radio 4 last weekend, former chancellor Norman Lamont said that the proposed Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union strike this week was “doing damage to our reputation”, and was timed to cause “maximum embarrassment while the world is watching”.
Well, yes.
The strike by frontline staff at the Home Office, including in the Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau, against 5,000 job losses was called off with just days to go to the Olympics. The government claimed irregularities with the ballot. The union has said that they have been promised that more than 1,000 new jobs will be created. Nothing like a clear cut end to a disagreement…
I wasn’t sure whether the action was a good idea. It would make a big impact, certainly, and really highlight the need to keep the jobs that are now on the line, but the media coverage would have been unbearable. Any sense of the reason would be drowned out by front-page pictures of visitors queuing, babies in Wenlock suits with their lower lip out, to have their passports checked.
But really, we have known that we would be hosting the games for seven years. The Government has had two years in office with this knowledge. Why did they only find out two weeks beforehand that G4S wouldn’t be able to fulfil its commitment to provide security staff? How wasn’t security -sad world that we have created for ourselves in what should be a time of worldwide solidarity – top of someone’s list?
We knew that the eyes of the world would be on us, and it seems we buckled under the pressure.
If the world got the impression that workers are unhappy, jobs are being cut and private sector contracts aren’t improving standards, then they would be right. The media cannot report what doesn’t happen. They can only find bad news if something has gone wrong.
I want to support our Olympians and Paralympians to do things that I could never do. But I think we are all just as sick of the tales of incompetence as we are of finding out how brands are going to help us pick up our must-have Games souvenirs.
If more time had been spent managing projects, thinking about how to deliver something that we could all be truly part of and proud of, not scrabbling for the cheapest option in our race to the bottom, or worrying about the perception of the work, the whole project would have been seen as more successful.
Perhaps we, the people, can take this historic moment of competition to appreciate the one thing that makes us all the same. We are #notpartof2012, we are the Olympic Fringe. We have a mass communication tool at our fingertips, the largest collective in human history, and no doubt lots of lovely people with fun, and free ideas. We could do anything. Edinburgh ain’t seen nothing yet.
Why let the machine of the state take food to our mouths if we can do it, and feel good about doing things ourselves? This is ours, Britain, our Games. Let’s find some way to make it feel more like that.
I am #notpartof2012. How about you?
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Compass Youth Training Day: Reflections on political organising
Kirsty Styles, a dedicated Compass Youth activist, tells us about its inspiring political action training day.
As a growing youth movement, enthused to bring together and support
young people to build a Good Society, the Compass Youth team arranged an
exciting political action training day on Saturday July 16th. Around 25 people came to participate, from the Labour Party, the Greens and those with no party at all.
As ever, Neal Lawson, Compass Chair, opened proceedings with some often needed inspiration. In a room full of bright and enthusiastic under 30s, he emphasised that working for the ‘Democracy Industry’, making the case for change and then actually creating it, can take a very long time, “but if you never give up, then you can never fail” and that “It’s not what party card you hold, but what’s in your heart.”
Three of our most committed campaigners were then reconised on the day for their contribution this year for making space to debate and making positive change. Lewis Dagnall won the award for Campaigner of the Year, James Whitaker won Most Improved Campaigner of the Year, and Jack Wilson won Compass Youth Ambassador of the Year. All received letters of thanks from Neal Lawson.
Next, we had an inspiring workshop by Jamie Audsley (a former Compass Youther) and Jim O’Connell on political organization. We did a Power Analysis to work out where Compass and Compass Youth could seek to influence the national debate and ways to engage people. Jim said, “if you find people who are angry, ask the right questions and use your sense of humour and you can build the kinds of relationships that are necessary to help you join together and make a difference.” Jamie went on to explain how we could create hubs in community centres and schools, to take our message further.
After a bit of a break, we had a group discussion on issues of generational politics which sparked some great conversations. Zain Sardar from the Young Greens and Deborah Grayson, contributing author to the Regeneration book of the Radical Futures series gave some great insights as did our Chair, Will Cass. We explored ideas around generational identity politics, discussed the main issues facing young people now and over the next 20 years, and look at questions of intergenerational justice.
Deborah said that it is easy for young people to feel angry at the raw deal we’ve got from some of our parent’s generation and that this should only compel us to ensure that we don’t do the same thing to our children. We should also, she argued, use this as a reason to justify our right to speak. Zain went on to quote the BBC journalist Paul Mason, ‘the whole option for self-betterment has been withdrawn,’ but, he pointed out, this is the UN Year of Intergenerational Solidarityand a time to work with all generations against a common enemy.
We then were invited to get up off of our chairs when we had a practical session by Lyn Griffiths from Monkey Boat Facilitation who explained some basic principles for holding a meeting. This included the power of not having any tables, having chairs in a circle to make communication easier, how to make a clear start, listen, and ask good questions.
Then Jake Coleman then got us to explore Consensus Building. He explained that in a world that teaches us to be competitive, we should use this as a tool to make decisions that takes everyone’s views into account to create common goals. Sometimes, that means being realistic in accepting that you have to accept conflict.
The day was an excellent introduction to framing and building the discussion around how to make a Good Society a reality and how to make the case for change. Thankyou to everyone who helped to organise the day and we look forward to the next one!
We will be having many more events similar to this one over the coming year. For more information email youthchair@compassonline.org.uk, like us on facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Written for Compass Youth and first published here: http://www.compassyouth.org/compass-youth-events/compass-youth-training-day-reflections-political-organising/
As ever, Neal Lawson, Compass Chair, opened proceedings with some often needed inspiration. In a room full of bright and enthusiastic under 30s, he emphasised that working for the ‘Democracy Industry’, making the case for change and then actually creating it, can take a very long time, “but if you never give up, then you can never fail” and that “It’s not what party card you hold, but what’s in your heart.”
Three of our most committed campaigners were then reconised on the day for their contribution this year for making space to debate and making positive change. Lewis Dagnall won the award for Campaigner of the Year, James Whitaker won Most Improved Campaigner of the Year, and Jack Wilson won Compass Youth Ambassador of the Year. All received letters of thanks from Neal Lawson.
Next, we had an inspiring workshop by Jamie Audsley (a former Compass Youther) and Jim O’Connell on political organization. We did a Power Analysis to work out where Compass and Compass Youth could seek to influence the national debate and ways to engage people. Jim said, “if you find people who are angry, ask the right questions and use your sense of humour and you can build the kinds of relationships that are necessary to help you join together and make a difference.” Jamie went on to explain how we could create hubs in community centres and schools, to take our message further.
After a bit of a break, we had a group discussion on issues of generational politics which sparked some great conversations. Zain Sardar from the Young Greens and Deborah Grayson, contributing author to the Regeneration book of the Radical Futures series gave some great insights as did our Chair, Will Cass. We explored ideas around generational identity politics, discussed the main issues facing young people now and over the next 20 years, and look at questions of intergenerational justice.
Deborah said that it is easy for young people to feel angry at the raw deal we’ve got from some of our parent’s generation and that this should only compel us to ensure that we don’t do the same thing to our children. We should also, she argued, use this as a reason to justify our right to speak. Zain went on to quote the BBC journalist Paul Mason, ‘the whole option for self-betterment has been withdrawn,’ but, he pointed out, this is the UN Year of Intergenerational Solidarityand a time to work with all generations against a common enemy.
We then were invited to get up off of our chairs when we had a practical session by Lyn Griffiths from Monkey Boat Facilitation who explained some basic principles for holding a meeting. This included the power of not having any tables, having chairs in a circle to make communication easier, how to make a clear start, listen, and ask good questions.
Then Jake Coleman then got us to explore Consensus Building. He explained that in a world that teaches us to be competitive, we should use this as a tool to make decisions that takes everyone’s views into account to create common goals. Sometimes, that means being realistic in accepting that you have to accept conflict.
The day was an excellent introduction to framing and building the discussion around how to make a Good Society a reality and how to make the case for change. Thankyou to everyone who helped to organise the day and we look forward to the next one!
We will be having many more events similar to this one over the coming year. For more information email youthchair@compassonline.org.uk, like us on facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Written for Compass Youth and first published here: http://www.compassyouth.org/compass-youth-events/compass-youth-training-day-reflections-political-organising/
Friday, 15 June 2012
My week in mobile: It’s the Jubilee, doesn’t one know!
Any good advertiser knows that a big key to success can be aligning
your brand with a huge public event. To hijack it, so to speak. If you
have been to the UK recently you will have seen some interesting
commandeering of the ad space, in newspapers and on the tube, with
Jubilee-themed advertising.
From ‘Queen-tisentially’ British Buxton water, to the Pimms o’clock stats news story in the Metro today, and a ‘Right Royal Dine in for 2 meal’ from Marks and Spencer’s. Matalan urges you to ‘Kit out your Royal Family’, lastminute.com thanks her majesty on our behalf for the long weekend. With liked and loved British brands, getting into bed with the Queen is like putting strawberries with cream. A perfect combo.
Other brands must run into more trouble.
So, in light of their valiant effort, the Jubilee Advertising Award has to go to my new favourite advertising team, the one in charge of Jungle Formula insect repellant.
Flies + photoshop = bunting. Sorted.
Innovation in the Mobile Sector goes to our good friends at Swiftkey, who have updated their hit Android keyboard app to include Queen’s English. Timely, and different.
As if we needed more confirmation that mobile is big and here to stay, the humble QR code has made its way into the monarchy’s media mix. Scan, enjoy, loyal subject. By Royal Decree, we urge you to enjoy the long weekend.
Olympics here we come…
Written for Somo and first published here: http://www.somoglobal.com/news/1941/
From ‘Queen-tisentially’ British Buxton water, to the Pimms o’clock stats news story in the Metro today, and a ‘Right Royal Dine in for 2 meal’ from Marks and Spencer’s. Matalan urges you to ‘Kit out your Royal Family’, lastminute.com thanks her majesty on our behalf for the long weekend. With liked and loved British brands, getting into bed with the Queen is like putting strawberries with cream. A perfect combo.
Other brands must run into more trouble.
So, in light of their valiant effort, the Jubilee Advertising Award has to go to my new favourite advertising team, the one in charge of Jungle Formula insect repellant.
Flies + photoshop = bunting. Sorted.
Innovation in the Mobile Sector goes to our good friends at Swiftkey, who have updated their hit Android keyboard app to include Queen’s English. Timely, and different.
As if we needed more confirmation that mobile is big and here to stay, the humble QR code has made its way into the monarchy’s media mix. Scan, enjoy, loyal subject. By Royal Decree, we urge you to enjoy the long weekend.
Olympics here we come…
Written for Somo and first published here: http://www.somoglobal.com/news/1941/
Friday, 25 May 2012
My week in mobile: Google Tablet, Facebook browser rumours and Apple’s Developer Conference predictions
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| Fragmented Android landscape by Open Signal Map |
Google tab and Kindle Fire head-to-head?
Rumour has it that the seven inch tab will sell for just $199 – could this be a loss-leading strategy to snatch marketing share from the Kindle Fire? Amazon is yet to launch the Kindle Fire in the UK, but Brand Republic reports that the company has negotiated a deal with UK bookseller Waterstones. Although a top online retailer joining forces with the struggling publishing sector might seem counter-intuitive, Barnes & Nobile in the US is showing how a multi-channel strategy like this can work – their stores provide Nook tablets for kids to play on, and special deals for their tablet owners, to entice them in store.
Facebook to buy browser?
Facebook is rumoured to be buying the Norwegian internet browser Opera, showing yet another serious move towards becoming a fully integrated ecosystem, after a rocky week post-IPO. Microsoft, moving ever-closer to being a post-PC digital company has launched So.cl (pronounced social), its assault on the social networking space. With the ‘screen agnostic’ Windows 8 OS on the way, they may also be poised to lead in the smart TV market; VP Frank Shaw detailed that CEO Steve Balmer keeps an 80-inch in his office…
Apple Developer Conference
This multiplatform glory could be short-lived; we are all on the edge of our seats for the Apple Developer Conference on 11th to 16th June, where we expect to see iOS 6, without Google Maps, perhaps an NFC-enabled iPhone 5 and possibly the Mac TV. How much do you think it would take to get the UK’s ITV channel to sell their trademark? We want iTV!
Written for Somo and first published here: http://www.somoglobal.com/news/our-week-in-mobile-google-tablet-facebook-browser-rumours-and-apples-developer-conference-predictions/
Friday, 11 May 2012
My week in mobile: Facebook App Center and no more Maps on iOS
Yesterday, another
long-awaited opportunity was finally revealed as Facebook launched its
own app marketplace, The App Center.
Facebook has a $3 billion advertising business that’s tipped to get a lot bigger. Despite recent speculation that it can’t win on mobile, the company is in a commanding position both in terms of user base and the value per user. This new social discoverability platform will soon reach one billion people, more than 50% of internet users and nearly 15% of the world’s population.
To date, only web or mobile apps built with Facebook were displayed on their platform. Developers can now promote any Android or iOS app that allows users to log in via Facebook. New ‘product pages’, similar to other app stores and brand Facebook pages, will hold app details.
The aim of this move is to drive mobile downloads, either directly or through links to the relevant app store. The center will contain paid apps, the first time they have been given visibility on Facebook.
Facebook has not yet revealed what will be taken into account when ranking new apps, however, we are expecting highly social elements – weighted towards social sharing, positive ratings and reviews.
We expect Facebook to become one of, if not the biggest, mobile publisher and this is an excellent opportunity for our clients to promote their apps in a highly populated and social setting.
Watch out for Apple getting rid of Google as its default search engine…
Written for Somo and first published here: http://www.somoglobal.com/news/our-week-in-mobile-facebook-app-center-deadline-no-more-maps-on-ios-and-uminski-on-the-brand-perfect-tour/
Facebook has a $3 billion advertising business that’s tipped to get a lot bigger. Despite recent speculation that it can’t win on mobile, the company is in a commanding position both in terms of user base and the value per user. This new social discoverability platform will soon reach one billion people, more than 50% of internet users and nearly 15% of the world’s population.
To date, only web or mobile apps built with Facebook were displayed on their platform. Developers can now promote any Android or iOS app that allows users to log in via Facebook. New ‘product pages’, similar to other app stores and brand Facebook pages, will hold app details.
The aim of this move is to drive mobile downloads, either directly or through links to the relevant app store. The center will contain paid apps, the first time they have been given visibility on Facebook.
Facebook has not yet revealed what will be taken into account when ranking new apps, however, we are expecting highly social elements – weighted towards social sharing, positive ratings and reviews.
We expect Facebook to become one of, if not the biggest, mobile publisher and this is an excellent opportunity for our clients to promote their apps in a highly populated and social setting.
End of Google Maps on Apple?
In other news in Platform Wars, Apple is likely to drop Google Maps from the next iteration of iOS. According to ‘trusted sources’ speaking to 9 to 5 Mac, this will give way to a new Map app with an Apple back-end. This is unsurprising in the race to become the ruler of mobile, but is potentially an unsettling change as many people are used to Google Map. How different can a map be you ask? Apple’s new offering should include 3D. Like you’re actually standing there…Watch out for Apple getting rid of Google as its default search engine…
Written for Somo and first published here: http://www.somoglobal.com/news/our-week-in-mobile-facebook-app-center-deadline-no-more-maps-on-ios-and-uminski-on-the-brand-perfect-tour/
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