Month: October 2021

Link stickers on Instagram Stories

Back in June, Instagram announced the introduction of link stickers to Stories. Attached links used to appear as a ‘swipe up’ method, allowing the app’s users to link to external webpages from their accounts.

Now, the platform has decided to completely remove this feature, replacing it with a sticker option. This way, users can follow links to external pages through a simple tap. However, since the launch, the feature has only been available to verified users or accounts with over 10,000 followers. This remained the status quo until today.

The good news for small businesses

Instagram has now announced that link stickers will be more widely available than the original ‘swipe up’ feature ever was. The company previously claimed that link sharing is useful in many ways to accounts of all sizes and types, which is why it’s now expanding access to this handy tool.

In the past, link sharing has been largely utilised by creators and businesses who wish to direct their followers to webpages related to their services. Now, it looks like the social media platform has decided to roll out the feature to all users who want to engage with their followers. This will benefit thousands of small businesses and nano influencers trying to grow their audiences.

Instagram said in a statement: “We made this decision based on feedback we heard from the community about how impactful it would be for creators and businesses of all sizes to benefit from link sharing to grow in the same way larger accounts do.”

Safety precautions

Prior to this change, Instagram had previously noted that this kind of decision regarding link sharing needed to be made carefully, as it could affect the app’s safety and integrity. The previous rule which prohibited non-verified accounts from including links in their stories existed to prevent spam and to cut down on potentially fraudulent links.

However, the company will be taking measures to maintain safety within the app. And it’s not as if Instagram will be letting users run wild and free with the feature: the app has stated that accounts found to repeatedly use these links to spread misinformation, hate speech or spam, will lose access to the platform and be blocked from using the feature.

Today’s expansion is the first step in broadening access to link sharing on Instagram for all users. When the link stickers were first announced in June, Instagram noted that they would only be available for posts on Stories and said that it had no plans to bring them to the main Instagram feed or other areas of the app.

Although Instagram still doesn’t allow direct linking in posts, “link in bio” platforms like Linktree, Shorby and Linkin.bio have become increasingly popular over the past few years. However, with this latest expansion, users now have an additional tool to share links through their accounts.

If you would like to know more about how to market your business on Instagram, get in touch with Posh Cockney today.

In this generation, digitalisation has been happening faster than ever, a large amount of physical activity has transformed into a digital format for convenience and efficiency.

What is Digitalization?

According to Brennen and Kreiss digitalisation refers to “the adoption or increase in the use of digital or computer technology by an organization, industry, country, etc. Parviainen et al. stated that “Digitalisation has been identified as one of the major trends that are changing the society and business in the near and long term future.”.

With the impact of COVID-19, examples of digitalisation can be seen everywhere in our daily life; shops have been encouraging consumers to use contactless payment instead of cash; restaurants adopted online ordering strategies to instead staff taking orders at tables; mobile check-in to venues instead of staff check-in; online shopping instead of in-store shopping and much more.

How does digitalisation benefit hospitality businesses?

Decrease in labor cost: With the increasing use of technology and smart gadgets, a lot of human-led work and services can be replaced e.g. booking and order taking. Therefore, businesses do not need to hire as many members of staff and lower costs towards staff training.

Internal efficiency: As mentioned above, technology can eliminate a lot of manual steps e.g. inventory management and data analytics, which can improve business process efficiency, quality and consistency.

Convenient communication: With the use of social media and other communication platforms, messages can be sent to consumers with one click. Furthermore, it makes mass communication easier as well by posting functions that benefit marketing activities such as PR and advertising.

Better accessibility to information: Research has no doubt play a big part in all businesses as it allows companies to know more about their customers, industry, competitors and the latest market trends. This is crucial for them to differentiate and achieve their targets.

Is digitalisation 100% perfect?

Although digitalisation can benefit the hospitality industry in a variety of ways, there are debates towards complete digital transformation.

Digitalisation is not risk-free: There’s no guarantee that technology and digital tools won’t fail. For instance, on the 4th October 2021, there was a social media blackout including WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, three of the biggest social media platform. This meant that and businesses that completely rely on social media to communicate lost their channels of communication. Therefore, putting all eggs in one basket is not suggested, businesses should integrate digital in a hybrid format to achieve their goals.

Limited service experience: As stated, digitalisation can ensure the quality and efficiency of business operations, yet this might not suit all hospitality businesses. For some businesses, especially the luxury ones, customer service is generated mainly through the interaction between staff and customers. Friendly services from the staff always boost customer satisfaction; however, this is something that complete digitalised business cannot do as digitalised services are often identical with really low emotional involvement.

To conclude, digitalisation has a positive impact on the hospitality industry yet complete digitalisation is not suggested, businesses should adopt a blended approach to operate their businesses. Posh Cockney is an innovative Hospitality and Lifestyle consultant, get in touch with us today to find out how to utilise digital technology to achieve your business goals.

Frankie and Benny’s rebranding 

News has just been released that Italian-American restaurant chain Frankie and Benny’s is transitioning into more concisely named rebrand, Frankie’s. The family-favourite venue’s new look is said to exhibit a more vibrant feel alongside improved sustainability features.

For many years, Frankie and Benny’s has been best known for its red-green-and-white design and 1950s American diner style interior. Founded by Kevin Bacon in 1995, the lively restaurant has been host to countless children’s birthday parties and family dinners since its establishment.

Despite its more recent start, the chain’s identity has been largely defined by a fictional story, which describes the humble beginnings of the restaurant in the 1950s. Plastered across the venue’s walls and menus is the tale of Frankie Giuliani and schoolfriend Benny, who took over Giuliani’s family restaurant in 1953.

With only Frankie now recognised in the new title, we can only wonder whether this storytelling will continue to remain a significant part of the brand’s identity as it modernises into something “lighter, fresher and brighter”.

The Frankie and Benny’s rebranding will first hit customers in Basildon, where the newly refurbished Frankie’s is scheduled to open at the end of October. Following this will be two further restaurant refurbishments before the end of this year.

The importance of rebranding

Frankie and Benny’s rebranding unfolds after the chain was badly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic last year. Over 100 restaurants were forced to shut across the country, cutting around 3000 jobs.

However, even before the pandemic, the brand was seeing a dramatic fall in sales and profits, leading to closures pre-2020.

After a somewhat failed attempt to save the restaurant by introducing new menus, directors of the brand recognised a desperate need for a refresh. Indeed, for almost thirty years, one singular design has shaped Frankie and Benny’s since its establishment.

But what does it mean to rebrand? The Economic Times defines rebranding as, ‘the process of changing the corporate image of an organisation. It is a market strategy of giving a new name, symbol or change in design to an already-established brand’.

Rebranding can be a critical move for companies in a world of constantly changing consumer trends and desires. Like Frankie and Benny’s, brands can lose their shine over time, especially when they’ve stuck to the same design and message for years. They simply become dated in the minds of consumers.

Instead, brands need to stay relevant if they want to succeed in today’s market. Adapting to design trends, modern societal goals and consumer needs can make the world of difference for a struggling brand. The Frankie and Benny’s rebrand is reported to accommodate the growth of takeaway apps like Deliveroo and Just Eat, enabling customers to experience more modern interactions with the brand.

In some cases, it is not the world around a brand that moves too fast, but the company itself. Brands evolve over time, and often this means they can grow out of their own identity. For brands like these, a rebrand can mean repositioning themselves in the market and therefore exhibiting themselves in a new light. Without rebranding, their original identity can actually hold them back.

Breathing new life into a brand by inventing a more modern logo or changing its slogan also allows marketers to retain the attention of consumers. In fact, rebranding not only retains but grabs the attention of new customers, reaching a whole new audience.

What’s on the horizon for Frankie’s?

The proof is in the pudding when it comes to rebranding. Some of the biggest brands in the world have done it several times: Burger King, Pepsi, Starbucks, Apple – the list goes on.

With all these potential benefits, you’d think Frankie’s is guaranteed great success. But what if it’s too late for this iconic restaurant to be saved? Is the brand still able to cling onto relevancy, or have they permanently lost it forever after waiting too long?

Is your hospitality brand in need of a refresh? Get in touch with Posh Cockney today.

COVID-19 strikes again

London’s NYE fireworks display has been cancelled for the second year running, due to remaining ‘uncertainty’ surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite lockdowns being fully lifted and a successful vaccine roll-out, City Hall has suggested that cancellation of the celebration is still a necessary move as we near the end of this unprecedented period.

Many have questioned this decision, comparing the virus-spreading potential of the annual display to other large-scale events which have been permitted since July.

In fact, various sources have reported that an alternative New Year’s party is set to be held in Trafalgar Square, instead. But, with a lack of information made public at present, many non-Londoners are unsure as to whether visiting the capital on the 31^st will be worth the trip.

Spokesman for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the 2021 celebrations will still be ‘spectacular’, however, it is unknown whether fireworks will be involved in any way.

It’s been some time now since London was the same place it was before the pandemic. Last year, a surprise light show involving drones took place in Greenwich, after the regular display was cancelled due to the second wave of the virus. In the midst of strict lockdown restrictions, the show honoured the NHS, as well as pandemic heroes, like Captain Sir Tom Moore.

About London’s NYE fireworks display

The idea of illuminating the sky above the Thames first came to organisers as the UK approached the new millennium. Previously, it had been a tradition since World War Two for Londoners to gather in Trafalgar Square and get merry as the clock struck midnight.

Presented by the Mayor of London, the event is broadcasted worldwide, so individuals all around the world can hear Big Ben’s “bongs” as the UK welcomes in the new year.

Rivalling that of Sydney Harbour’s electrifying display and the Times Square ball drop, London’s spectacle is one of the largest annual fireworks displays in the world. In recent years, over £2m has been spent on the event; however, only £1.5m went towards the toned down show last year.

What’s NYE in London without the fireworks?

With the display bringing staggering numbers of people into the city each year, it’s no doubt that New Year’s is a busy time for businesses in the London hospitality industry. But what happens when you take away this huge event?

Last year, the industry lost billions of pounds throughout the festive period and over New Year thanks to lockdown restrictions. After being placed in Tier 4, Londoners were forced to celebrate the occasion at home, watching what resembled the usual fireworks display on their TVs. Restaurants and pubs were unable to benefit from the holiday as Government guidelines required them to close.

This year, due to the cancelled annual celebration, hotels and restaurants could expect to face losses again, with people less likely to book accommodation in the capital without the display to look forward to.

However, only time will tell what impact the rumoured Trafalgar Square party will have on surrounding London businesses, as we await the release of further information.

One thing that we can take from this announcement is that we’re certainly not yet back to ‘normal’, and businesses will continue to feel the effects.

Are you worried that the cancellation of London’s NYE Fireworks display may threaten the success of your business? We’re confident we can help. Get in touch with Posh Cockney today.

What is everybody talking about?

If you still have not heard of or watched the new tv series, Squid Game, you must have been living under a rock. But just in case, whilst trying to not give any spoilers, let us briefly introduce it to you.

Hundreds of people with large debts accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a huge money prize. However, the stakes are deadly, as they don’t know there is a catch – losers get killed. It sounds pretty scary and not everyone’s cup of tea, but the lessons from the games are worth the watch. Maybe avoid having children around while the series is on or you could be in for a sleepless night! 

Squid Game as a global phenomenon

Since its launch on Netflix only three weeks ago, the show has experienced increasing popularity, having already been watched by millions of people on a global level.

In terms of social media coverage, the South Korean thriller has become one of the most viral topics of 2021. As of 5th October, over 9 million social media mentions have used the hashtag #squidgame, and over 8 million people have posted content related to the series.

The impact of Squid Game on the marketing world

Marketers saw this as the perfect opportunity to get playful with their brand messaging and take advantage of the social phenomenon.

They took notice of the trend, because being aware of what your audiences are doing and feeling is the key to the success of any successful brand. Therefore, to engage with their followers, some brands quickly started to act by posting content related to the show.

Some of the best advertising campaigns related to Squid Game are by brands, such as, Heineken, Pepsi and Domino’s, pictured below.

Interestingly, Squid Game even had a positive impact on the fashion industry, according to data from Lyst, as seen by Vogue Business. Consumers are already looking to buy the signature costumes.

Within days of the show’s premiere, worldwide searches for red boiler suits (+62%), retro-inspired tracksuits (+97%), white slip-on sneakers (+145%) and white numbered T-shirts (+35%) have all increased dramatically. Vans, in particular, are the most viewed slip-on sneakers. According to the Sole Supplier, the sales of white slip-on Vans have increased by 7800% since the series’ launch.

What can we learn from this trend as businesses?

Nowadays, to attract and get the attention of more customers, marketers need to observe what they watch, understand the consumer’s point of view and engage with them in every way possible. It is essential for companies to know their audiences, because the better the observation, the better the engagement.

The case of Squid Game shows that even without officially collaborating, any brand can experience an increase in sales and media coverage, and be a part of a trend, if they act fast enough. Companies should not underestimate the power a TV show has over our culture.

What are your thoughts on the show if you’ve seen it? As Halloween is approaching, do you think Squid Game has created the next new costume trend?

For information about how your brand can engage with trending topics, get in touch with Posh Cockney today.

In this day and age, everything revolves around social media. People are constantly on their phones from the minute they wake up until the moment they go to bed. Some may call this an addiction, but when everything happens online can you really blame us for being that dependent on social media?

On the 4th of October 2021, the unthinkable happened; Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp went down for more than five hours which is now called the ‘great social media blackout of 2021’. For so many of us who rely heavily on social media and messaging sites to entertain ourselves and communicate with friends, family and work remotely, this blackout was something close to a nightmare.

With remote working and everything being managed through social media this phenomenon ruined the smooth running of many businesses for a whole day. This forced hiatus caused everyone to panic with communication being severed and deadlines being severely disrupted. Jobs in social media and marketing took an involuntary break with everything being down, which interfered with their daily work tasks leaving them in a frenzy. 

Dr Rachael Kent, lecturer in digital economy and society at King’s College London and founder of Dr Digital Health commented on the blackout’s effects on businesses. She said that “on the business front, there’s always going to be a lot of anxiety around not being able to manage and run your business effectively,” and continued to explain that “we live in an always-on, always-available culture that was immediately halted.”

The head of Whatsapp, William Cathcart, also took to Twitter to speak about the blackout where he said that “We know that people were unable to use @WhatsApp to connect with their friends, family, businesses, community groups, and more today — a humbling reminder of how much people and organizations rely on our app every day”.

This goes to show how important social media is nowadays for everything from communication to work, family etc. It plays a vital role in our daily lives and without it we feel incomplete. Especially now that everything’s online and people still work remotely we cannot manage if it’s not up and running.  

What are your thoughts on social media and what did you do when it went dark? Do you think we are addicted or do you think it’s part of our daily routine?

The ‘New Normal’

The hospitality industry has been one of the most impacted industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the physical nature of hospitality totally contradicts the social distancing rules put in place over the past year. As a consequence, many businesses stopped their activities during lockdown, while others created innovative solutions to overcome and adapt to the current situation, shaping a ‘new normal’. For example, technology has been taken on as the go-to tool for the majority of hotels and restaurants.

A Digitalised World

For most of the hotels that survived the pandemic, their guest journeys have been re-imagined from being physical to contactless. Because of this, technology has had a major influence during this period. Hotels have had to forcibly invest in high-tech innovations to ride the trend and comply with safety requirements for customers and staff members. For example, establishments have replaced front desk check-in with mobile app check-in. Online communication tools have also become more efficient in terms of meeting customers’ requirements, delivering a high quality customer experience during their stay.

Restaurants have also gone digital. Online orders, e-menus and digital loyalty cards are the new upcoming trends for venues. Furthermore, restaurant owners have adjusted their menus and activities according to the new safety-oriented mindsets of their customers. In other words, go safe and show safe.

Many restaurants have provided contactless solutions for customers, such as pulley systems at registers to enable fluent transactions, hand-in and hand-out robots for orders, as well as smart-screen controlled shelves. Shaping the ‘new normal’ is what is required to maintain restaurants’ activity during the pandemic, but it’s also a great opportunity to reconsider implementing more technology into systems in the future, digitalising menus, payments and the store footprint.

Hygienic and Ethical Behaviours

Technology is not the only way, however, to survive in this industry after COVID-19. Hygienic and ethical behaviours are also very popular strategies to attract Gen-Z consumers. Subway, for instance, has introduced a new branding strategy capitalising on the tagline, ‘Eat Fresh’. Healthy and ethical activities are driving high value companies in the hospitality industry, especially for mature markets.

The Future of Hospitality

Overall, it seems as though digital methods will continue to stick around in the industry, and that companies already implementing tech solutions in their systems will find themselves ahead of the curve. However, will the hospitality industry completely eliminate human interaction within their activities, or will we create a hybrid of technology and physical contact?

Does your business need help adapting to the ‘new normal’? Get in touch with Posh Cockney today.

“The hospitality industry is facing dire times”

In the constantly evolving and unsteady world that we live in, it is very difficult for the economy to stay afloat. After nearly 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitality businesses in the UK have been left out to dry. With Brexit also being a current reality, a lot is changing. Ultimately, the hospitality industry is facing dire times, presently accompanied by staff shortages and vacancies which have nearly tripled now that the sector is opening up again.

How have staff shortages come about?

Reports suggest that nearly 75% of London’s hospitality workers are primarily European. Now with Brexit, this figure is bound to change. 

Post-Brexit immigration laws have rendered many EU workers unable to stay and work in the UK. They have either chosen to quit their jobs and leave the country, or have been forced out due to rigorous new visa requirements.  

A new report states that around 90,000 workers have left the UK’s hospitality sector during the past year, which is a frightening statistic. This phenomenon, paired with training shortfalls and the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, could very well put a halt on the industry’s ability to bounce back after being in lockdown for almost 18 months. 

The consequences of staff shortages

Studies published by The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warn that staff shortages could continue for another two years. However, the consequences are prominent now. 

General Director of the CBI, Tony Danker, states that “The CBI has  heard from companies  actively cutting capacity  because they can’t meet demand,  like  the hoteliers limiting the number of bookable rooms because they don’t have enough housekeeping staff and can’t get linen laundered.” 

“Meanwhile some restaurant owners have had to choose between lunchtime and evening services when trying to make the most of summer.”

The staff crisis has not only affected businesses themselves, which are currently understaffed and cannot provide their usual quality and maximum output, but consumers and workers as well. 

In some industries, shortages have severely contributed to businesses’ distribution issues and shops’ lack of stock with no one available to restock the shelves, leaving never-ending images of empty shelves in stores and hundreds of unsatisfied customers.

Moreover, hospitality workers have been forced to work longer hours under more stressful conditions to compensate for the under-staffed industry, leaving them at risk of burnout. 

Now, with the world opening up, this will remain a “growing constraint”, as characterised by the CBI, in an industry that wants to flourish like it did, pre-pandemic.

We are a team of experts committed to helping hospitality businesses thrive and reach their goals. If you believe your business is facing issues caused by the current economic crisis, do not hesitate to get in touch with Posh Cockney today. 

B2B marketplace, DesignRush, has ranked Posh Cockney among the Top 30 Influencer Marketing Agencies worldwide. 

DesignRush is a platform that works to help brands connect with top professional marketing and web design agencies, as well as technology companies, removing the laborious task of searching for these online. 

The marketplace lists the best agencies around the world, based on area of expertise, reviews, cost, and so on, generating qualified leads and projects for an extensive number of B2B companies. 

“We are delighted to have been recognised by DesignRush in the top influencer marketing agencies category. The last two years have been tough for the industry and we are sure this will be a great step towards us coming out of this, bigger and stronger than ever,” said Liam Norval, Posh Cockney CEO. 

Posh Cockney continually demonstrates a strong expertise in establishing and building influencer-brand relationships. Over the past few years, our database of contacts has grown immensely, enabling brands to connect with the right influencers for them. Influencer outreach continues to remain a vital part of Posh Cockney’s marketing strategy as we move forward with new and existing clients. 

Posh Cockney is a hospitality and lifestyle consultancy based in London, specialising in marketing, PR, event management and web development. We are a team of experts with passionate and creative minds, able to turn any brand’s vision into a reality. 

To learn more about how Posh Cockney can connect your brand with leading influencers, get in touch with us today.