Cookie… d’oh?
In just over a month, UK business will be subject to new EU laws that will totally change the rules around using cookies on websites. From 26th May, businesses will have to obtain website visitors’ consent to store cookie on their devices, as well as explaining what they want to install and why.
Image from the Muppets Wikia site
Some limited cookies will be exempt, but largely, that’s the deal.
Obviously this is a huge change both for both companies and user experience. So it's not as surprising as it should be that a survey out by KMPG suggests 95 per cent of businesses are not yet compliant with the rules.
The law is pretty much universally criticised for being vague and ultimately pointless, with no clear recommendations for implementation. As a result, businesses have tried many different strategies for implementation, none of which are ideal. Marketers complain it will kill business, developers are scratching their heads in bemusement wondering how to comply.
However, whether you understand it or not, code breaches could result in fines of up to £500,000
Is this perhaps another example of the difficulties traditional lawmakers have in imposing their will on the internet?
From Studio Manager Dougie Pender @YomegoSocial #YomegoSocial
Olympic Gamification
With this year’s games being heralded as ‘the social games’, it was inevitable that the IOC would mark its major milestones in social media. Cue the launch of the ‘Olympic Athletes Hub’ to mark the ‘100 days to go’ countdown. This site aggregates the Twitter and Facebook feeds of more than 1000 current and former Olympians and allows people to follow and connect with them.
Fans can enjoy photos, videos and live chats from the heart of the Olympic Village. The IOC has even added gamification elements to play on the sporting feel, as users have the ability to unlock extras such as training tips and virtual Olympic medals through their activities on the site.
It will be interesting to see the extent to which the Olympic ‘Brand Police’ make use of the platform to keep an eye on athletes and ensure they don’t use social media to promote brands that are not official sponsors.
From Insight Executive John Paul Fox @johnpaulfox #YomegoSocial
Coke-Spot
Coca-Cola has a rich history of musical partnerships, dating back to Ray Charles and most recently ‘The Beat’, a campaign for London 2012 with Mark Ronson and Katy B. The 125 year-old brand has now teamed up with music-streaming service Spotify to bring free music to the masses.
Details of how the partnership will actually work are yet to be released. But the move is undoubtedly a great opportunity for Spotify, as it teams up with one of the world’s best known brands. Not only that, but it grants Spotify access to Coca-Cola’s 41m Facebook fans.
Both brands have close ties with Facebook and it is almost inevitable that the partnership will bring many exciting new features. An ‘hacker den’ event took place in New York last weekend with the intent to develop apps centered on social, music-sharing experiences – so things look promising. With less than 100 days to the Olympic Games (for which Coke is a huge sponsor), the timing couldn’t be better. From live shows and events to Olympic playlists, this looks to be a match made in heaven.
From Insight Executive Mark Stuart @MisterMumble #YomegoSocial
Facebubble?
And in case you missed it, Facebook has supposedly set its IPO date for May 17th (or maybe the 24th). The company is hoping to raise $10 billion on a $100 billion valuation – mindblowing figures.
This week, we also spotted this great infographic from Century Link, looking at the lifespans of other internet giants. Apparently, 11 years is the average before the empire starts to crumble. Facebook is eight years old. Obviously, this is one we want to buck the trend – but it’s certainly food for thought.
From PR and Marketing Manager Claire Foss @claire_foss #YomegoSocial
Samsung and Apple take it outside
Federal Judge Lucy Koh this week directed the feuding CEOs of Apple and Samsung to meet up ‘mano-a-mano’ to discuss their ongoing patent war over the Galaxy and iPhone/iPad. Although ordering settlement talks isn't out of the ordinary, it is usually the legal teams that meet rather than the CEOs, further adding to the excitement and underlining the enormity of this case.
With Samsung a key supplier to Apple, it is in both companies’ interests a truce is reached pre-trial. Let’s hope Harry Hill is on hand to ensure a clean fight.
From Insight Executive John Paul Fox @johnpaulfox #YomegoSocial
Find more at @YomegoSocial #YomegoSocial