Bavaria capitalize On Robbie Earle’s World Cup Own Goal

Rob Illidge (Marketing Executive)

Change is coming…for the next England game I will be sourcing Bavarian beer in place of the usual Budweiser or Corona, I may even treat myself to a nice Bavaria Premium Pils larger. All thanks to the somewhat heavy handed approach by FIFA in light of the recent ‘ambush marketing’ campaign during the Holland v Denmark World Cup match.

This series of events raises one question in particular, why was football pundit and former Wimbledon player Robbie Earle allocated a substantial number of tickets to a relatively low key World Cup match? Especially when there are hundreds of South African football fans queuing daily for tickets,  not to mention those from Holland and Denmark that were unable to obtain them. Read more »

When to press that panic button…

Gillian Nuttall (PR & Marketing Manager)

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The first time I heard the expression “panic button” was around 25 years ago, when I felt unnerved by a reported burglary in my neighbourhood.  Unnerved enough to have an intruder alarm system installed in my house, the guy who installed it explained the benefits of having panic buttons, one by the bedside and one by the front door.  It made sense to me. 

If I was in a panic I could just press it and all hell would break loose.   I had visions of it being like a scene from The Bill, police cars arriving from all over the place, burglars in stripey jumpers carrying swag bags and jumping over hedges.  

Read more »

Lord Triesman, Steve Curry and Privacy Law- A Recipe for Disaster?

Rob Illidge (Marketing Execuitve)

It’s that time again, whether England are looking to host the world up or ‘bring it home’, there is always something in the media to scupper even the most optimistic England fan’s hopes and dreams.

I am talking of course about the recent news that FA Chairman Lord Triesman, has resigned from his position after being secretly recorded making bribery allegations about Russia and Spain’s attempts to secure the 2010 tournament.

It has since been alleged that The Mail on Sunday paid Melissa Jacobs, a ‘friend’ of Lord Treisman’s, to set up the meeting and recording. Cue a national scandal, the bid is ruined e.t.c…e.t.c

However, Steve Curry of The Daily Mail went one further yesterday morning whilst being interviewed by Sky Sports News, describing Mr Triesman as a “vain FA chief” who “wasn’t right for the bid anyway”. Surely he would not have made these comments had the recording not been published, it certainly is one way of kicking someone whilst they are down. Read more »

Happy World Intellectual Property Day!

“Most people regard tangible assets, such as premises and plant, and staff as material to business operation and success or failure. Of equal if not greater importance is knowing what intellectual property your business owns or licences and your rights.

Whether it be the name or logo you use; the design and supply details of your products or services or the software that records orders and delivery all involve intellectual property. You need to know what you have and protect it and exploit it or lose it. Read more »

Marketing Excellence Rewarded With Second Award

Ralli continued a successful start to 2010 with Marketing Executive, Robert Illidge, awarded a Commendation in the Emerging Marketer of the Year category.

Robert was awarded for embracing web 2.0 strategies allowing Ralli to share our expertise using digital outlets and establishing an excellent social media presence, including the use of Twitter and LinkedIn.

The results of the 2010 Drum Marketing Awards were revealed at the gala black tie awards ceremony held at the Ramada Manchester, rewarding those who had shown marketing excellence. Read more »

Deborah Rainford elected as MJCC President

(L-R) Adrian Anderson, Deborah Rainford, Stephen Fox

Solicitor Deborah Rainford has been appointed as president of the Manchester Junior Chamber of Commerce to lead the organisation’s ambitious growth plans.
 
Deborah, a specialist in business law at Manchester law firm Ralli, was officially appointed as President at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting on 22nd April 2010.
 
Her plans include to increase individual and corporate membership, raise the profile of the organisation and position the Chamber as an essential resource for the business community in Manchester. Read more »

Marmite Launches Legal Action Against BNP Over Image Rights

Phil Hitchen - Associate

Marmite is today launching legal action against the British National Party after an image of the spread was used in a political broadcast without the company’s permission.

The famous jar appeared in the top left hand corner of the screen while party leader Nick Griffin was addressing viewers in a BNP general election broadcast on the web. Read more »

Caught in the Web?

David Potts (Partner)

A simple click on a computer has the ability to send a defamatory statement to a huge audience across the world – instantly.  Whilst the internet has many fine uses, it can also pose a huge threat to any one’s reputation, particularly those in business.

To be defamatory, a statement must tend to lower someone in the estimation of right – thinking members of society generally.  The party aggrieved has to show that the words are defamatory (in the sense above); refer to or identify him; and are published to someone other than him.  Having established that, the person making the statement has to prove it is true; amounts to fair comment; is privileged; published with consent; or was innocently disseminated (of which more later). Read more »

Respect My Authoritah! Viacom adds spice to YouTube lawsuit

Rob Illidge (Marketing Execuitve)

I read in the Times this morning that Viacom have now alleged that the use of copyrighted material was central to YouTube’s website business model.

This of course is in relation to the argument that the content-sharing website had hosted more than 60,000 copyrighted videos without authorisation, including versions of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and South Park.

The figure of the lawsuit? $1bn! Surely plucked out of American lawsuit heaven.

It could be sadi that perhaps back in 2005 YouTube had a visitor’s first/worry about copyright infringement later attitude. Something I’m sure many young  inspiring online entrepreneurs do.

I’m not in any way condoning the breach of copyright; although I do have my trusty Intellectual Property Solicitor here at the ready, should the Viacom heavies come knocking at my door. Not tonight though, I’ll be out!

There is no doubt that these videos are property of Viacom, but surely YouTube is simply giving shows like South Park the product extension that it needs? Read more »

Facebook says NO to Government backed Panic Button

Gillian Nuttall (PR & Marketing Manager)

Ralli’s resident Auntie Gill has her say:-

I am not new to Social Media, I started to use Facebook a few years ago when my daughter went to live in France.   She’s been there nearly 3 years now and I still miss her very much.

Facebook is a great way for us to keep in touch.  If I don’t receive a call or a text from her every couple of days, I start to wonder if she is alright.  A quick look at her Facebook page will tell me what I need to know:-   She is working very hard and very tired, or she is burning the candle at both ends, with the same result, very tired! Read more »