So we’re looking for an ambitious and sparky new member to join our team.

As you’ll see from our website we’re a small team that offers the full marketing mix, mostly B2B but with a little bit of consumer thrown in there too.

We’ve been going since ’94 and are in great financial shape to strengthen the business with a Social Media & PR Exec.

We’re looking for someone who will help us develop social media & PR business, can write a strategy proposal and ‘muck in’ with all the other things a small agency get up to.

It’s a tall order, but if…

• You’re a great communicator who understands the world of PR
• Can write brilliant copy
• Is not afraid to sell yourself and Cloud 9
• Knows all about how to maximise business opportunities on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and podcasts
• Doesn’t mind pitching in with some general admin around the place, as well as taking on some account management
• You want to work in the middle of the countryside and are not afraid/allergic to Molly

…then you’re the perfect person for us.

Put your PR skills to good use and persuade us to meet you – the world is your lobster!

Please note: At this time we’re not looking for any help filling this role from recruitment agencies or similar thanks.

We’re looking for someone who knows how to identify and qualify, write proposals and help us win extra business.

We’re progressive and have all the in-house ability to design and build. We’re really cost-effective and have GREAT customer service (all you have to do is let people know about us).

As the New Business Manager your focus will be on generating sales for our digital services, including website design and development, CMS, e-Commerce, email and social marketing.

If you’re feeling unloved where you’re currently working, and want to join a friendly team where you’ll get all the support you’ve been craving, you need to get in touch and sell yourself to Mike.

Please note: At this time we’re not looking for any help filling this role from recruitment agencies or similar thanks.

We have no strong political views one way or the other here at Cloud 9, however it does seem the Lib Dems are trying to win our votes in getting down with the kids in launching their own Manifesto iPhone app

Could a queue of Lib Dem MPs be ordering their Apple iPads on their expenses right now?

WRONG!

Google is now combining the maximum price you’re prepared to pay per click with the quality of your website in order to determine how high up the sponsored links you appear – so if you’re prepared to pay £2 per click and your competitor is prepared to pay £1 per click but has a better website – they could appear above you in Google sponsored links.

Want to know more? – check out this nice, nerdy old dude from Google who explains it better.

It seems the more you invest in your website, the less you pay in Adwords (and of course the better it performs in regular search engine optimisation too)!
Isn’t it about time you gave us a buzz and got your site performing better for you?

I was delighted this week to be invited to judge a creative writing contest at Oakfield Primary School in Rugby.

Mrs Walsh’s class of 9 year olds had to design a poster advertising fictitious chocolate – ‘Cocoas’.

Not only had everyone created great looking posters, I was amazed to discover that even at this early age, kids already had a good grasp of some of the techniques that people like us use to help sell product.

The Contest

Although it was tough judging, the 3 best were :

1st Place – Emily

Cocoas - 1st Place

We chose this as the overall winner because we felt is had a good headline, a good promotional offer and a great description of the actual bar itself.

2nd Place – Brandon & Adam

Cocoas - 2nd Place

This entry came 2nd because we liked the idea of ‘cheeky little cocoas in their beds’ – it was fun and conjured up a great image of the product.

3rd Place – Brandon

Cocoas - 3rd Place

We liked this one because of the strapline – “The cream of your dreamzzzz’

Well done to you all!

What’s it like working in advertising?

In addition to judging the contest, I gave a brief insight into what working in an advertising agency was like.

Eager to know what happens at Cloud 9, Questions included:

• Do you do all the adverts on the TV?
• Did I have to go to university to work in advertising?
• If you make posters, do you have to put them all up?
• What is the best advert we’ve ever created?
• How much do you get paid?

All the kids seemed really interested – who knows? maybe the next Ogilvy or Saatchi will come from Rugby!

Well here it is – Christmas day 2009!

At first glance it looks as though Mike has nothing better to do on Christmas day than blog , but I’m cheating (actually like most people on Christmas day, I’m probably well oiled and feeling stuffed from eating too much).
For the geeks amongst you, I setup our CMS to publish an entry automatically at a pre-determined time and date.

It’s been a tough year all round but there appears to be a good vibe about business picking up next year. Although I’m sure we’re not out of the woods just yet, those customers who have continued to push on with their marketing efforts throughout 2009 appear to have seen a real benefit. With their brands now at the fore, I’m sure this will really slingshot them when the market picks up again.

Anyway – back to the frivolities. On behalf of us all at Cloud 9, I would like to thank all our great customers, suppliers and friends for making 2009 such a success – we look forward to working with you all again in 2010!

We’re back in on 4th January.

Regards

Mike

Watch the video below to find out more

Sometimes it hits me hard; how unfortunate I really am being a Mac user living in the UK…

Thanks to the guys at Creative Review for this one.

Is it the best business card you’ve ever seen? Are we wrong? Can Americans really design?

You be the judge…

Let us know what you think by commenting below