Web access fears as iPhone buyers await launch

Apple finally took the wraps off the British iPhone yesterday, as experts warned that customers in some parts of the country could find themselves short-changed.

The handset – which has a finger-sensitive touchscreen as well as iPod and internet capabilities – will go on sale in the UK on November 9, four months after it was launched in America. Fans keen to get their hands on the gadget will have to pay handsomely for the privilege: the phone itself costs £269, and customers will also have to sign up for at least 18 months of service with mobile phone network O2, at a minimum of £35 a month. "We can’t wait to let people here get their hands on it and see if they love it as much as we do," said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, at the announcement in London yesterday.

The British iPhone will be the same as the model launched in America this summer, which has already been bought by more than 1 million customers. It combines the iPod’s music and video-playing functions with a camera, touchscreen and wireless internet access. Customers signing up to O2 will also get the benefit of free net access at more than 7,000 Wi-Fi hotspots around the country.

But experts said they were concerned that buyers in rural areas could be paying over the odds, since the higher-speed network that the iPhone uses to surf the web will cover only a third of Britain by the time the gadget goes on sale. "We think that this is simply inadequate and will frustrate a lot of users," said Martin Garner, of industry analyst Ovum. "It could be problematic for O2." Users outside major urban areas could be forced to pay large sums for "unlimited internet access" but only be able to use slower, older web connections. Some potential customers said it had put them off the idea of buying an iPhone altogether. "I really want to combine my iPod and mobile internet access," said Iain Wright, a nursing assistant from Inverness. "But since it uses a network that isn’t available where I live, it’s basically something I can never use."

Mr Jobs defended Apple’s decision not to incorporate faster 3G mobile capabilities into the European iPhone, saying that the inclusion of higher-speed access would reduce battery life too much. But it is believed that the lack of support for 3G services – which British networks paid £22bn to use seven years ago – was one stumbling block in negotiations.

Rival operators who were spurned by Apple have since been critical of the deal with O2, but Mr Jobs said that he was courted by all the major companies before making a decision. Apple also confirmed that the high street retailer Carphone Warehouse will sell the gadget, in an attempt to help it reach its target of selling 10m iPhones by the end of 2008.

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GAC Announces Launch of GAC Events Asia

After delivering ‘Satisfaction’ to The Rolling Stones and countless organizers of concerts, exhibitions and other events for more than a decade, GAC has strengthened its niche position as Asia’s leading events logistics specialist with the establishment of GAC Events Asia.

The new service builds on GAC’s growing reputation as the service provider to meet the complex and challenging demands of event promoters and organizers throughout Asia. Since the mid-1990s, GAC has successfully managed the logistics for shows staged by Alicia Keys, Robbie Williams, Shakira, The Rolling Stones and Christina Aguilera, as well as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) tours. The Group was also the exclusive logistics partner for the 15th Doha Asian Games in 2006.

From its regional base in Singapore, GAC Events Asia offers a complete portfolio of services from international air/sea freight, customs clearance, packing, onsite supervision and set-up, as well as contingency planning and preparedness.

Group Vice President for GAC Logistics, Bill Hill says the launch of GAC Events Asia is a timely move that capitalizes on the region’s booming economy and steady growth in the events sector across the board, from entertainment performances and sport tournaments to trade exhibitions and conferences. The complex and demanding nature of event logistics demands a combination of a strong network, contacts and experience.

‘Precision planning and execution is essential to ensure that all cargo – from staging, sound systems to costumes and props – arrive safely and as scheduled. There is zero margin for error,’ he adds.

‘GAC is the leading provider in music events logistics management of any scale and complexity in Asia. We have been a familiar name in the sector, particularly in handling ‘live’ performances, for over a decade. What’s new now, with the launch of GAC Events Asia, is our ability to consolidate our expertise and skills, and market our services directly to the decision makers.’

GAC Events Asia General Manager, Ronnie Soon, says the streamlined process offers customers significant benefits, including a single point of contact and access to the GAC global network. Customers will also be able to tap into GAC’s global purchasing power for competitive rates and access space – even during peak times – and rely on the Group’s innovative approach to moving items with unique requirements or product launches.

‘We have moved everything from one-of-a-kind, fragile items such as Sesame Street’s Big Bird and costly, highly-sensitive sound consoles to the charter of aircraft for several big names in pop and rock,’ he says. ‘With the launch of GAC Events Asia, we look forward to handling many more.’

The GAC Group (GAC) is a large independent shipping, logistics and marine services provider, with over 260 offices worldwide.

Established in 1956, GAC’s core business covers three key areas – shipping, logistics and marine services. The GAC reflects value for money, quality, continuity, innovation and global reach.

GAC employs more than 8,000 people worldwide. The GAC Group corporate head office is in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

GAC Logistics, the freight forwarding and distribution division of the GAC Group, specializes in a comprehensive range of supply chain and logistics solutions. These include air and sea freight, warehousing and distribution, door-to-door transportation, project logistics, international moving and courier services.

GAC Logistics operates an integrated worldwide network, serving international manufacturers, distributors and retailers from the FMCG, textiles, pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics and oil & gas industries.

GAC Events Asia is set up with the specific purpose to provide specialized logistics solutions to the events industry throughout Asia. These include the transportation of complex and time-definite cargo, handling all necessary documentation, and coordination with local authorities and customs formalities.

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GIBTM confirms technology and events services village

Standing as testament to the growing importance of technology in meetings and events, Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), will be hosting a technology village.

The Technology & Event Services Village @ GIBTM will the latest technology products as well as an array of support services and products for the meetings and incentives industry.

Graeme Barnett, GIBTM event director, said: “The fast-developing meetings and incentives industry in the region has prompted the need for GIBTM to offer this new feature area. Technology and event services are key to buyers as they are crucial elements of a successful meeting, incentive, conference and/or large event. We expect more exhibitors to book their stand in the near future enabling the feature to offer visitors a variety of solutions.”

The event’s organising team is planning seminar sessions, which will include a panel of international technology experts discussing the industry’s future and how to use technology cost-effectively.

“Last year’s GIBTM was an exhibition for us to expand our business in the Middle East market. It was a great exhibition and provided us with many leads. I recommend GIBTM to other technology companies interested in growing sales in this Middle East,” said Samuel J. Smith, Spotme Marketing Manager – Shockfish SA from Switzerland, which has already confirmed its attendance in the village.

GIBTM will take place from 8 to 10 April 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company Centre (ADNEC).

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BACD to use Confex database for future research

Following widespread criticism of its UK venue survey carried out earlier in the year, the British Association of Conference Destinations will be using the Confex Group database for future research.

The findings suggested that spending on events had gone down compared with 2006, yet all venues said business was on the up, which was somewhat surprising, as EVENTS:review pointed out at the time. It turns out that the reason for the seemingly contrasting feedback was that only 12% of those surveyed were based in London and Birmingham, with 15% of replies coming from Scotland and 27% from Yorkshire, where costs are much lower, hence the anomaly with regards to event spending.

“The BACD will now be able to draw on the database accumulated by exhibitions International Confex and the National Venue Show, and events directory Conference Blue and Green,” explained Duncan Reid (job title). “We will also actively encourage the industry to contribute to future BACD surveys through face-to-face contact at our shows and via email, to further help improve the sample size and make up.

“The industry is crying out for decent research that can help us win marketers’ mindshare and convince companies of the effectiveness of events,” Reid continued.

With the Confex Group and the BACD having worked in partnership for several years, it does seem unusual that the destination organisation hasn’t exploited the access it has had to this database before. The events industry will certainly be watching the BACD’s next survey with interest to see if, with the Confex Group’s assistance, a far more robust and representative set of statistics can be achieved. After all, more than any form of advertising, good research is a guaranteed way of generating column inches in the press and a much more effect way of engaging with marketers.

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What Doesn’t It Do? The Search Giant Taps Ogilvy Big to Promote Its Wares

Google has a new marketer it’s looking to help using its array of creative products and ad-targeting tools: itself.

The search giant is launching an in-house agency to handle all of its own advertising needs and, as first reported on AdAge.com, has lured Andy Berndt away from his post as co-president of Ogilvy & Mather, New York, to lead it.

The hire, along with Google’s first major consumer-public-relations outreach, represents a new focus on consumer marketing and PR and a definite shift in tack for a company that has largely shunned any sort of organized self-promotion. It’s also perhaps an admission that massive word-of-mouth endorsement around a hit in one category — here, search — and a brand that has entered the cultural lexicon doesn’t automatically translate to other products.

Low priority
Google admits its own consumer marketing hasn’t been a high priority in its brief 10-year history.

"We haven’t spent a lot of time internally thinking about marketing our own products and services," Tim Armstrong, Google’s president-advertising and commerce, North America, told reporters at an industry press day last week. He also said one of Mr. Berndt’s roles would be to use Google’s own products and services to create marketing executions that "other agencies can look at as examples."

Google, it seemed, was content to let others do its marketing, as with a Pontiac TV ad that directed viewers to search for the automaker on Google and a recent deal with the movie "Bourne Ultimatum" that used Google products in a promotion that aired ads in cinemas, among other channels.

And it has flirted with the concept of more-traditional advertising: Talks in November 2005 with several large general-advertising agencies went nowhere, although earlier that year Google had hired Crispin Porter & Bogusky to craft radio spots and print ads for its Google Local product. It has worked with agencies on a project basis for years, both in the U.S. and abroad, but has never been proactive in marketing its various products — unusual for a company that bases 99% of its revenue on advertising.

Bragging rights
"Google was one of those companies like JetBlue and Starbucks who were very busy bragging about the fact they haven’t done advertising," said Greg Stuart, former head of the Interactive Advertising Bureau and co-author of "What Sticks: Why Most Advertising Fails and How to Guarantee Yours Succeeds." "Everybody does marketing whether they hire someone to do it or not. How you position a business, articulate a business, serve your customers, is all a part of the business."

So why is Google now conceding it needs to do some marketing? It’s got more products now than ever — including a suite of applications bolstered last week with the introduction of presentation software, photo-sharing services, a social-networking site and mobile offerings such as the recently acquired Grand Central.

And that’s not to mention the 15 or so products it’s testing in its Google Labs. Despite all of that, search arguably, along with maps and mail, is Google’s bona fide consumer hit.

"In the next three to five years, they will need a new, big, major, profitable market," said Mike Vorhaus, managing director of Frank N. Magid Associates.

Hoping to introduce the company’s offerings to a broader audience, on Oct. 3, the New York PR team will host an event to show the likes of Real Simple and "Today" how consumers can create photo albums with Picasa. And it recently launched Google Sky in a "Good Morning America" segment.

’Like everybody else’
"In some respects Google has been a one-trick pony with search, but lightning doesn’t strike twice often; very few people win the lotto twice," Mr. Stuart said. "When you don’t hit lotto, you need to grind it out and build a business like everybody else."

One new product Google insists it is not launching: an agency. The agency world was atwitter last week with the news of Mr. Berndt’s hire, and several industry execs wondered privately whether this was Google’s play to get into the agency business. Mr. Berndt, who will report to David Lawee, VP-marketing, has a unique mix of creative and account-management experience, making him an ideal candidate for such a venture.

"Google is not getting into the agency business," Mr. Armstrong said, citing all the personnel requirements of a marketing services shop. "It would be mathematically impossible for us to get into that."

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Privacy may be a concern for many online users, but it seems Facebook and MySpace members aren’t among them.

The sites’ users are apparently happy to give away their private data — which the sites sell — to gain access to social networking features. Researchers from Pace University surveyed users of both popular networks regarding their views of the sites’ privacy protections and how much personal information they were prepared to post online. Despite believing that privacy measures on the sites are less than sturdy, most users were nonetheless willing to develop online relationships.

Not even 5 percent of users of both sites have faith that their private data is safe and protected by strong safeguards. In fact, only 18 percent of Facebook users and 21 percent of MySpace users strongly agreed that the site would only use their personal details as part of their social networking profile.

And instead of being concerned about who could access their data and what it was being used for, users were viewing the sites as a means to get online profiles and share photographs, etc for free, with little regard, it seems, for the consequences.

This is not the first time that the sites have come under the privacy microscope. A recent survey carried out by internet security firm Sophos on Facebook found that an alarming amount of personal data was available and publicly viewable on the sites — so much so that it could be used for identity theft. More worrying was the fact that few users were concerned about who they were accepting as friends on the site, with a large proportion accepting unknown "friend requests" that the researchers created.

Some 41 percent of Facebook users surveyed by Sophos were willing to give personal information — such as e-mail address, date of birth and phone number — to a complete stranger. The information included details on likes/dislikes, hobbies, employer details, photos of friends and family and other personal facts.

In addition, many Facebook users also disclosed the names of their spouses or partners, while several included their complete resumes, and one user even divulged his mother’s maiden name — information often requested by websites in order to retrieve account details.

This lack of concern for privacy was backed up by the latest study, in which more than 85 percent of respondents said they would share photos of themselves on the networks, while 91 percent of Facebook users and 62 percent of MySpace users said they use their real names online.

Facebook users appear to be a bit looser with their information, that MySpace members. Some 87 percent of Facebook users put their personal e-mail address on the sites, compared to 41 percent of MySpace users.

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Live marketing takes lead in hotel group campaign

Crowne Plaza, one of the hotel brands in the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) portfolio, has launched a new campaign with live marketing at its core. Called Think Tank, it aims to strengthen the brands position as the “hotel of choice for the discerning business traveller”.

Other agencies involved in the campaign include Anorak (microsite), Carat (media buyers), Henry’s House (PR) and Proximity (advertising).

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The Westbury Hotel opens after £20 million refit

This Autumn will see The Westbury Hotel, located on the corner of London’s exclusive Bond Street, re open after its £20 million refurbishment. This five-star luxurious hotel offers 249 refurbished rooms, sporting modern and individual interiors. All the rooms have lavish marble bathrooms, plasma screens and stunning views over London’s West End. The Westbury also offers a fitness suite exclusively for the use of guests, WIFI and ADSL/Broadband connection.

The Westbury has four individually designed private rooms capable of hosting any style and size of event. Ranging from the smallest, the Regency Room, holding a maximum of 20 guests for dinner or 40 guests for a cocktail reception to the largest, the Mount Vernon Room, accommodating up to 80 guests for dinner or 150 guests for a cocktail reception, the Westbury excels in providing an intimate, personalised service.

Also on site is the Artisan restaurant which features a modern European menu created newly by appointed head chef, Daniel Hillier, whose previous employment includes positions at Royal Hospital Road, Claridges and Putney Bridge restaurant. The restaurant can accommodate up to 70 covers and also has a private dining room next door which can be opened up as an extension to the main restaurant floor, accommodating a further 22 covers.

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Site to Showcase Industry

A dedicated event marketing portal will launch next month, aimed at showcasing the industry to a wider marketing audience.

Eventsreview.com will go live on 3 April and includes profiles of event companies as well as editorial content broadcast using Internet Protocol Television (IPTV.)

Neil Jones, former European managing director of The George P Johnson Company, is content director. He said: “It is a natural progression for this to move into the event marketing world.

“According to research, the early adopters of this type of communication are the telecommunications and IT sectors, followed closely by marketing communities.”

James Latham, former managing director of production firm Interactive New Media (INM), is chief executive of the start-up. During his 15 years at Opex-owned INM, Latham helped pioneer event television for organisers worldwide.

The new website will provide a resource tool for marketers and will include content such as trends in event marketing and corporate case studies. A directory will offer event suppliers, organisers and venues free listings. The site will also be dissected by industry sector.

“This is an event marketing portal but it’s not inward-looking. We need to ensure that all information and data is compelling and interesting and of course that the content is different to what’s been around before,” added Jones.

“Event marketing is still very fragmented. There is a lot of terminology banded around and no-one is sure what it all means. Having spoken to a large number of clients that have spent millions of pounds on event marketing previously, they’ve informed us that there is not one singular resource for them to go to.”

Nine staff work on the project, including journalists and a commercial team.

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Date change angers Royal Show’s rivals

The Great Yorkshire Show’s organiser has accused the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) of putting profits before content after RASE moved the date of the Royal Show to within two days of its rival.

In 2008 the Royal Show will take place from 3-6 July at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The annual Great Yorkshire Show, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), runs from 8-10 July at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

According to the YAS, the date change will force exhibitors into choosing one or the other, since transporting and exhibiting livestock over a prolonged period is neither viable nor humane.

Great Yorkshire Show honorary show director Bill Cowling said: “Many trade stands will also have to choose as you can’t physically move from one show to another and set up in one day. It’s a great shame as we’re all trying to promote agriculture and it’s not fair to force people into making a choice.”

RASE chief executive John Moverley said: “In January we had the biggest consultation for the Royal Show and the overwhelming view was that the show’s format from Sunday to Wednesday wasn’t working. It will be beneficial to run the show from a Thursday to a Sunday.

“We are not trying to compete with other similar shows. It is important to have one successful agriculture show in the north as well as our own national one.”

However, the YAS remains upset. Cowling said: “The RASE even suggested that it may allow livestock to leave its show early. This is simply not an option for exhibitors. It isn’t practical or advisable to show stock with less than a day’s rest. Farmers would not wish to do this, and nor should they, thus the RASE has put them in a position of having to choose.

“It is willing to sacrifice agricultural content for the potential financial gain of greater public attendance with the extra weekend day.”

This year’s Royal Show took place from 1-3 July and suffered financial losses after heavy rain forced it to close a day early.

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Brits Dream of Becoming Event Organisers

Once we were known as a nation of shopkeepers, but now it seems we have aspirations to be a nation of event organisers! According to a survey released by Birmingham Midshires, events are moving up not just the marketing agenda and are now our fifth most coveted job.

One theory is that this is driven by the internet creating the need for businesses and social groups to engage more. The sheer variety of events from exhibitions to festivals and from conferences to corporate hospitality is creating not just an interest, but also a desire among the working population to get involved, face-to-face.
The survey was carried out by YouGov as part of Birmingham Midshires’ Not So Average Joe campaign, which champions the needs of people with non-traditional lifestyles, and questioned 2,000 people about what their dream job would be.

Overall, it seems we British still dream of the acclaim associated with being authors and sports stars; while the sky’s the limit for others who want to be pilots and astronauts. But perhaps the most accessible occupation in the top five list is event organiser; which is the ranked second most coveted job for women.
Sadly, it appears the childhood ambitions of becoming train drivers and fire fighters, which have fallen distinctly out of favour. Almost none of the people polled said that either of these occupations would be their dream job.
Group chief executive of the Events Industry Alliance, Trevor Foley said of the poll:

“Organising events is a cross between real business and showbiz, so I’m not surprised with the YouGov findings. It’s a role that can take you around the world, into all sorts of industry sectors and it’s the most attainable of all the jobs mentioned. From zero in just five years there are now 56 Universities in the UK where it is possible to study event management, the first post-grads gained their Mas in the summer and there’s an A-Level course planned for September 2008.”

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Event Show unveils 2008 dates

The Event Show has announced dates for next year’s exhibition as the 23rd and 24th January 2008 at Olympia in London. The Show is experiencing unprecedented advance business for exhibitors with bookings for space up 40% up on the same time last year.

Following on from the continuous success of the seminars and Access Sessions at The Event Show, the organisers are increasing the number of presentation rooms from one to two for 2008. Meanwhile, the LIVEstage will be promoting the very best in stylish and unusual live entertainment for corporate events.

Five-day education event to boost Dundee economy by £270,000

More than 100 delegates descended on Dundee last week to attend the International Council on Archives’ Section on University and Scientific Archives (ICA/SUV) Conference ploughing investment into the local area.

Commenting on the affect the event will have on the local area, Karen Tocher, business tourism manager at Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau said: “Conferences and similar business tourism events have an important role to play in contributing to the local economy. Providing delegates at such events with the chance to visit the surrounding area is an unrivalled opportunity for those involved in tourism to showcase the area and plant the seed that these visitors might like to return with friends and family as leisure tourists.”

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Events Coordinator, Bentley Associates

Thisfantastic property company is looking for someone to work in their Arts and Events department working on various programmes such as music, concerts, comedy nights and film seasons etc.If you have had experience within event management at a co-ordinator or supervisory role, then this is the job for you!You must have good organisational, communication and negotiation skills and have the ability to work with limited supervision.We regret that should you not hear from us within 7 working days, your application on this occasion has not been successful.

Location: London

Salary: £26,000

Contact: Anna Fisher, Bentley Associates Tel: 02076360050

Events Administrator-Specialist Schools & Academies Trust

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is at the forefront of raising standards in secondary education. We are building a world-class network of innovative, high performing secondary schools in partnership with business and wider community.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This role provides administrative support on a range of events simultaneously, working closely with members of the events team and other project teams within the directorate. You will be team player who enjoys administrative tasks and possesses strong organisational skills. Duties will include production and collation of event materials, liaising with venues and speakers, and maintaining and updating information and data systems.

Key responsibilities include:

-Provide high quality work that enhances the work of the Trust.

-Handle telephone calls and queries from schools and other organisations in relation to events, communicating effectively with external and internal clients and directing them as necessary to relevant colleagues.

-Implement administrative processes and systems to support events, attending events as required.

-Assist in the collation of evaluation data, using relevant feedback to recommend future improvements.

-Liaise with key contacts pre and post event to ensure all processes are carried out smoothly.

-Produce error free delegate information and assemble high quality delegate packs.

-To ensure pre-event materials are correct, useful and reach all delegates in a timely fashion.

-Assist in the creation and maintenance of electronic and manual administrative systems and processes, using technology to reduce paper based working.

-Meet deadlines for routine schedules and support the team in ensuring that deadlines are being met

Location: London

Salary: See Description

Contact: www.ssatcareers.co.uk and search for this job in the opportunities section.

Senior Corporate Account Manager

A leading UK charity requires a Senior Corporate Account Manager on a permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to step up into a management role to lead & motivate a team on new business & to provide management support to the head of corporate fundraising.
Main Duties:
-Account management on a senior level
-To lead strategically on new business for the corporate team to ensure newpartnerships are secured.
-To manage the final quarter of there ’charity of the year’ partnership with EDF Energy ensuring final target is met.
-To work cross divisionally, in particular with the events & major donor team, to maximise new business opportunities.
-To line manage the corporate account executive including supervision, development & appraisal.
-To proactively develop and sell there sponsorship opportunities / fundraisingproducts / other initiatives to companies.

-Minimum 3 years Corporate Fundraising Experience.

Location: London

Salary:£30000 per annum

Contact: Jane Ray at Synergy Group Tel:44 (0)800 072 5900

Project Manager- Public Policy Events

Leading specialists in public policy communications, managing conferences and events are looking for a Project Manager to join their team.

Working on a minimum of two conferences a month you will be sourcing venues, negotiating costs, conducting site visits with clients, account managing your clients, obtaining sponsorship contracts, booking and managing suppliers, monitoring the budgets and allocating staff for the day of each event.

With solid experience in event management you will be responsible for your own events and must have:

-Excellent UK venue knowledge

-Prove experience sourcing and negotiating with suppliers

-On site management of your events

-Multitasking ability

-Client management experience

Location: London

Salary: £21,000 + BENEFITS

Contact: events@regananddean.co.uk

Event Manager- International Meetings and Events- Corporate

Leading blue chip in London is looking for an Event Manager to join their team of 5 to plan UK and international meetings and events.

With a solid logistical background you will be planning, co-ordinating and executing each event in response to the client requirements. Often multi tasking numerous projects you will be working in a close-knit team supporting each other to exceed the high standards demanded of these events. As they are in UK and Europe you will need excellent venue knowledge and be able to travel to manage each event onsite

With a solid background in event planning preferably within a corporate environment you will be articulate with strong communication skills and able to develop positive working relationships with your team, clients and suppliers alike

Location:

Salary:£23-25k

Contact: events@regananddean.co.uk