Resources and News

resources & news

You heard it here first. Whether it’s the latest social media trend or headline-grabbing industry data, we’re all about sharing the knowledge.

First things first – one lump or two? However you like your news, we’ll deliver it to you in a digestible format. Keep your eye on our expert speakers at industry events, or flick through our blog for useful hints and tips.

And don’t forget, we always like to explore new topics – so if you’re looking for inspiration and insights, get in touch.

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Our News

September 2019 in the Smoking Gun study

To prorogue or not prorogue, that’s the question that defined the UK this month. Thankfully, here at Manchester’s most ingenious PR and social media agency we were much clearer on things. Downton Abbey product launches, high profile trade shows, not one but two returning team members, a new starter, and our own successful industry roundtable. … Continued

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Marketing

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Generation Z: Insights into brand loyalty and discovery

Generation Z, AKA The Great Unreachable. Coming hot on the heels of self-interested millennials is a demographic already claiming to be the most compassionate and concerned on the planet. But what do these people want from brands? Other than more ethical and environmentally-sound practices? Thankfully, wherever Gen Z is, Snapchat is too— trophy piece social … Continued

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Influencer marketing

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CGI influencer marketing: 4 questions for the avatar stars

When is an influencer not an influencer, as we know them? How about when the influencer isn’t a person, and nobody knows who’s behind the animated character? The world of influencer marketing has always been a murky one. Celebrities promoting products they don’t believe in. Bloggers on the blag. Uncertaintysurrounding what has been paid for … Continued

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Rick's Rambles

Without its reputation, your brand is nothing

Last week Smoking Gun’s Manchester HQ hosted a round table with Prolific North [LINK]. Attended by some of the finest marketing and branding minds in the region, we wanted to know one thing. Just how valuable is a name? It’s tragically fitting that this took place just days after the collapse of Thomas Cook. One … Continued

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Marketing

Brand experts at Google: 'Branding means coherency'

How do you market a company that’s big enough to be a verb? Why bother marketing a company worth $155.5bn? According to a new piece in The Drum, brand experts at Google believe the nature of what it means to be a brand has changed dramatically in the last decade. And understanding this is vital.

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Digital marketing

Messaging and c-commerce: What consumers want

According to the figures, the top four messaging apps in the world now claim more active users than the top four social networks. But how are brands using messaging in c-commerce, as the term has been coined, and what do consumers want and expect from this?

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Social Media & Digital

Social media tips: 6 proven conversation starters

How do we get people talking online, and specifically talking about our brand? You may not think you need social media tips anymore, but we could all do with a little help starting digital conversations.

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Facebook

Social media marketing improvements with Facebook Relevance Diagnostics

2.23billion people log-on to Facebook worldwide each month. So it’s unsurprising the platform has been dominant in social media advertising for years. But do you understand the social media marketing improvements this can offer?

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Influencer marketing

Social media influencers: Love Island, six weeks on

It has been just over one month since ITV’s hit reality show finished its latest season. And just over one month since our CEO, Rick Guttridge, published his piece on social media influencers. So what did we learn about social media influencers from the show? If you’ve downloaded our free guide, ‘Out of the Fyre, Into … Continued

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Our News

August 2019 at Smoking Gun HQ

It has been one of those months to say the least at Smoking Gun. Heatwaves, floods, Amazonian fires and parliamentary sovereignty mean many people haven’t known which way to turn. For our clients, though, things have been far smoother— outstanding coverage, brand film shoots and yet more evidence we’re committed to ongoing staff development to deliver … Continued

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Social Media & Digital

Mental health and social media: Lead by example

When Instagram removed its like counter, reactions were mixed, to say the least. Psychology professionals were quick to approve the move, citing a potentially beneficial impact on the relationship between mental health and social media. Avid users were less welcoming of the decision. Model Mikaela Testa’s video response went viral— bagging her priceless earned media … Continued

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Marketing

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Rebel brands and causes: Anti-message marketing

Members of the public are growing sceptical towards businesses. Concerns relating to the environment and sustainability have reached deafening levels. Political malaise is a widespread pandemic. In 2019 organisations are reacting to this with anti-message marketing Brands are encouraging us not to buy their products. Activists are seizing public and digital spaces to bolster understandings … Continued

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Social Media & Digital

Expert content marketing with Reddit: What you need to know

In 2005 two college graduates in the US had an idea. Launch an online community for people to decide for themselves what stories are newsworthy. Links and information are posted, others vote on those posts and the most popular rise to the top of the list. Today Reddit remains focused on that same principle. The … Continued

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September 2019 in the Smoking Gun study

Generation Z: Insights into brand loyalty and discovery

CGI influencer marketing: 4 questions for the avatar stars

Without its reputation, your brand is nothing

Brand experts at Google: 'Branding means coherency'

Messaging and c-commerce: What consumers want

Social media tips: 6 proven conversation starters

Social media marketing improvements with Facebook Relevance Diagnostics

Social media influencers: Love Island, six weeks on

August 2019 at Smoking Gun HQ

Mental health and social media: Lead by example

Rebel brands and causes: Anti-message marketing

Expert content marketing with Reddit: What you need to know

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