Last Monday saw Markco Media Ltd. move offices to a prime London location in order to facilitate rapid global expansion. The new offices close to Tower Bridge; a prime central location reflect the rapid expansion and financial success of the business. Located at Butler’s Wharf, the offices are a stone’s throw from Tower Bridge and close to London’s financial quarter.

The move has generated a much larger office space for Markco Media employees, in order to facilitate the increase in staff numbers. Following the huge success of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, launched in 2006; Markco Media has now expanded into new territories across the globe including the USA, German, France, Spain and Brazil to name a few; vowing to be active in a further 10 countries by the end of 2011.

The new office move will facilitate the recruitment of up to 100 new employees to the Markco Media Ltd business. The roles will mainly be in areas such as marketing, SEO and developers, mobile developers and management teams for each country.

The move comes following a successful year for Markco Media Ltd, with total turnover for 2010 exceeding £10 million. 2010 also saw Markco Media’s Chairman and Founder, Mark Pearson, named in The Sunday Times Rich List; with his own personal worth now exceeding £60 million. In November 2010, Mark Pearson also appeared as a Secret Millionaire on the popular Channel 4 series, donating £115,000 of his own money to causes around Nottingham.

The new offices in central London have been designed with employee welfare in mind, with plenty of relaxation space; as well as stimulating, brightly-coloured designs adorning the walls. Employees have plenty of space between desks making for a light and airy feel, whilst a designated relaxation area, complete with football table and bean bag area, provide plenty of space for employees to relax and have fun.

Mark Pearson, chairman of Markco Media Ltd, commented on the move:

“We’re extremely excited to have moved base to central London, and are very much looking forward to the new opportunities and expansion this can facilitate. We have enjoyed rapid expansion over the past 12 months, and with this in mind we felt the need to find offices that reflect our success accordingly; as well as giving us enough room to recruit up to 100 new staff for new projects to be able to take off.”

He continued:

“We hope that the location, close to the hub of London’s financial district, will place us deeper into the heart of financial matters within the UK; as well as attracting the high-calibre of employees that we’re on the lookout for. A great deal of attention to design and employee welfare had been put into the new building, and we can’t wait to realise the new opportunities that our new location will give us.”

MyVoucherCodes are very pleased to announce they are a supporting sponsor at London’s newest fashion and beauty conference and exhibition.

MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, the UK’s number 1 voucher codes, offers and deals website will be sponsoring the evening drinks reception at the upcoming PerformanceIN Fashion and Beauty event. Being held 6th July at the Hurlingham club in London, this brand new event provides the opportunity for key players in Fashion and Beauty to network, do business, learn and share knowledge whilst discovering the latest technologies and techniques to boost their online performance.

PerformanceIN Fashion & Beauty will combine the key performers and affiliate marketing specialists from around Europe including a keynote presentation from Wayne Hemmingway MBE. The expo expects to attract visitors from a variety of online, high-end and high street fashion labels as well as  affiliate management specialists and technology providers looking to take their performance to the next level with smart solutions, strategies and initiatives. Delegates will be treated to a highly targeted conference agenda, incorporating two simultaneous conference tracks aimed at either Publishers or Advertisers and Agencies. Key topics include social media, re-targeting, mobile, conversion optimisation & engaging with the long-tail and new technologies. In addition there will be a host of networking opportunities throughout the day, our micro-niche speed networking & our networking drinks reception within the exquisite gardens of the Hurlingham Club.

For more information visit: www.performanceinfashion.co.uk

I have just returned from an inspiring and thoroughly exhausting 3 days in Munich where Markco Media were exhibiting and sponsoring at a4uExpo Europe.
The members of our team that attended were Mark Pearson (Chairman), Salvatore Maiorano (International Marketing Manager), Cedrick Chantebel (Online Marketing Manager – CodesPromotion.fr), Natascha Kahmann (Online Marketing Manager – TopGutscheinCode.de) and Ben Brown (Director of Mobile at VouChaCha).

This was the first a4uExpo that I’ve attended and I have to say that it exceeded my expectations. The delegate list was top notch and we certainly made some very promising contacts. Also the international teams were able to put names to many of the faces they have been working with, via email, for months. Put this against the backdrop of a packed schedule of top quality and entertaining presentations and the event proved a fantastic opportunity for us and certainly one for the calendar next year.

Mid morning on the first day our own Salvatore was sitting on the panel to discuss ‘The Future Of Vouchers and Group Buying In Performance Marketing’ with Kevin Edwards (Affiliate Window and Buy.at), Daniel Engelbarts (ECONA), Axel Hesse (GutscheinPony) and moderated by Matthew Wood from a4uexpo. There were some interesting points covered and a couple of tough questions elegantly handled and discussed by the experts.

Salvatore Maiorano on the panel at a4uExpo Europe

Among the talks that I attended was a very interesting insight into the value of a fan and how to gain successful ROI through Facebook by Lee Griffin and Siebren Roorda from TBG Digital.

Ben Brown from VouChaCha (the Markco Media company responsible for our mobile apps) gave an interesting and educational talk covering the lessons learnt from being at the forefront of voucher/mobile/geo-targeting marketing.

The afternoon included an entertaining discussion on SEO trends and techniques with Dixon Jones (DixonJones.com & MajesticSEO), Gary Beal (Blueclaw Media Ltd), Alexander Holl (121Watt), Bob Rains & Marcus Tandler (Tandler.Doerje.Partner). The discussion dipped more than toe deep into the Panda update that Google recently made and how this had affected English speaking sites and might impact on those in the rest of Europe. There were some other great take-aways about the way Google has changed recently and how new features like Google +1 and how social is playing an ever increasing role in modern SEO. One question asked at the end was where Google would be in 5 years to which Dixon Jones (supported by the other panellists) answered “Number 2 [to Facebook]”.

Day two started unsurprisingly slowly after the networking party of the night before, but provided just as many great contacts and stimulating presentations as day one. The keynote talk was titled; Applying Behavioural Economics to Affiliate Marketing; “It’s easier to change behaviour than opinions” and was presented by Rory Sutherland of the Ogilvy Group. Rory explained how affiliate marketers have become experts in altering consumer behaviour, through often very small changes, often without being aware that is what they were doing.

After another fantastic lunch (tweeted by Bastian Grimm @basgr as the “Best conference lunch of the year!” and I have to agree) everyone was begining to feel slightly more human and you could feel the buzz around the expo hall.

Because of my interest in all things Search I attended the much anticipated ‘Panda – The Quality Bear of Search Eats Affiliates’ presentation by Dixon Jones (Majestic SEO) and Ralf Schwoebel (Tradebit). Dixon presented some interesting research done into analysing the winners and losers looking at as many possible factors for the differences. Great suggestions were put forward by Ralf on how they worked to reduce the impact of the update. The conclusions however was that there are ways to avoid being hit hard, there are ways to increase your conversion, there are ways to improve your link profile but there is no way to avoid the Panda.

The expo rounded off from about 4 in the afternoon and the Markco Media team were certainly feeling as if it had been a highly successful trip. Many thanks to Sarah Parsonage, Matt Wood and the rest of the a4u Team.

Natascha had this to say:
“It was very beneficial to attend and to meet personally with my contacts at Webgains, Affilinet, Commission Junction, Affilired, Peakpoint/Effiliation and Netaffiliation. It is always good to put a face to the person who you have been talking to over email to improve the relationship and the business. We’re looking forward to working even closer with them in the future.”

Mark commented:
“It’s always good to get all the right people together in one place at one time, you really can achieve so much. The people I spoke with were full of ideas and passionate about what they do and their particular area of performance marketing. I’m heading back to the office invigorated and looking forward to developing the contacts I made.”

Salvatore added:
“Although the event is predominantly European I think it is fast becoming a global conference. Some of the contacts I made were as far afield as Brazil and South Africa.”

Simone Vincent and Simon Blanchard presenting at 2011 EMEA Silverpop Customer Conference

Today I attended the EMEA Silverpop Customer Conference with our Melodie Laperdrix; the online marketing executive for our French website CodesPromotion.fr.

This inspiring event was held at The Brewery near Moorgate, London and was attended by over 250 of Silverpop’s EMEA customers. The opening presentation was given by Bill Nussey, Silverpop CEO, and Bryan Brown, Director of Product Strategy, and provided an overview of the company’s progress to date, and an introduction to their  latest products and features, and those that are in development.

Between Melodie and myself we attended many of the interesting and entertaining presentations focusing mainly in two key areas; Best Practices and Product & Training.

These were some very useful sessions providing insight into moving your marketing programme into the ‘mocial’ (Mobile, Social and Local) environment, considering creative design which is optimised for mobile devices, and integrating your social media presence more closely with your email marketing. A presentation on ‘Preference Centres’ confirmed development plans we already have under-way and that some of our development roadmap needs to be pursued more vigorously.

I presented to a 200+ strong audience along with Zoe Seaman – bmibaby and Simon Blanchard – Bauer Media. The focus of my presentation was to explain the way in which Silverpop features have benefited our email programme over the last year. I used examples such as ‘Send Time Optimisation’, ‘Programs’, ‘Automated Messages’, ‘Relational Tables’ and ‘Behavioural Tracking’ to demonstrate how the right mix can achieve results with examples in all cases. The case study examined the user journey from opt-in, to activation and engagement. I also covered the main thrust of our email strategy which is twice weekly newsletters and more recently ‘Discount Alerts’. Demonstrating how we engage with user through to retention and re-engagement I brought in our use of Best Practice as well as learning from split testing.

This was an extremely valuable event resulting in good exposure for us and an opportunity to network with key contacts. It is vital to maintain a good relationship with your ESP and events like this are great for exactly that.

Simone Vincent - MyVoucherCodes.co.uk Email Manager

If you would like more information about this information or anything regarding our email activities please do get in touch simone.vincent@markcomedia.com

Links:
http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/
http://www.silverpop.com/emea-customer-conference/

We’ve a stand at the Business Startup Show on now at ExCel London. As the industry-leader, Business Startup is free for anyone thinking about starting a business or expanding a business. With over 140 seminars, over 200 exhibitors, advice, opportunities, and much more. We also have two great seminars where Ben Brown talks everything geo-location and mobile and Salvatore Maiorano tells all about how vouchers and discounts can actually add value to your busines and brand.

If you’re attending do drop by and see us at Stand 750.

This week, the UK’s leading discount website will be helping consumers get in the mood for Easter, by offering Britons the exclusive chance to receive a free Thorntons chocolate egg.

As of this Wednesday, visitors to the MyVoucherCodes.co.uk website will be offered the chance to take part in an exclusive deal to get their hands on a free Treat Egg from one of the UK’s leading chocolatiers.

All visitors have to do is simply click on the link for the exclusive deal visible on the MyVoucherCodes.co.uk homepage, after which they will be directed straight to the exclusive offer page on the Thorntons website. Users will then simply be required to enter their details to receive a printable voucher for the free chocolate egg, which they can redeem at their nearest Thorntons store.

Social networking fans will also be given the chance to take part in the exclusive deal, as Facebook users will be invited to simply ‘like’ the MyVoucherCodes.co.uk Facebook page in order to see the deal promoted on the company’s page. From there, they will be able to click on a link taking them directly to the Thorntons exclusive offer page, where they can fill in their details for the printable voucher.

The offer is available exclusively from MyVoucherCodes.co.uk in partnership with Thorntons, with thousands of free Thorntons eggs available. The offer will run for one week only, going live on the discount website at 9am on Wednesday 6th April; so users will have to be quick to reap the free chocolate rewards.

Mark Pearson, chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, had the following to say about the exclusive offer:
“We’re really excited to be able to run this exclusive offer with Thorntons, especially given that everyone loves a good freebie- particularly if it’s chocolate! All chocolate lovers have to do to get their hands on a free egg is simply visit our website or Facebook page and fill in their details for a printable voucher to redeem in-store- so it really couldn’t be any easier.”

He continued:
“Thorntons has kindly offered thousands of delicious Easter eggs as part of this incredible offer, so everyone is in with a chance of getting their hands on one. The printable vouchers will only be available for one week though, so make sure you log on as of Wednesday. As they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it!”

Markco Media is delighted to announce that MyVoucherCodes.co.uk will be sponsoring a category at the 2011 a4uAwards.
The 4th Annual a4uAwards will be held at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane on the 17th May, 2011.

The a4uawards have grown to become the most glamorous night in the affiliate marketing calendar and provides unrivalled exposure and networking opportunities with the crème of the affiliate marketing industry.

The awards reward excellence and innovation as chosen by a panel of judges from the affiliate and digital marketing sector and by the affiliates4u.com community.

My VoucherCodes.co.uk are sponsoring the Affiliate Network Innovation Award, an award rewarding a network that has enabled their clients to increase revenue generated within the channel whether via the introduction of new technology, out-of-the-box lateral thinking or a creative solution that enhances or improves business.

www.a4uawards.com

Read the a4u blog article here: www.a4uawards.com/blog/myvouchercodes-co-uk-take-first-pick-of-category-sponsorships

Markco Media are sponsoring the first Online Advertising & Affiliate Expo in March, 2011.

Ben Brown; Director of Mobile and Dominic Yacoubian; Director of Strategic Projects will be leading seminars at the event and Markco Media is sponsoring the Affiliate Marketing Theatre.

Co-locating with TFM&A the Online Advertising & Affiliate Expo is a brand new event for the advertising community and brings together brand owners & agencies with publishers, affiliate networks, ad networks and ad-serving technology providers. OA&A Expo recognises that as online advertising continues to grow, the needs of advertisers & publishers have become increasingly complex and unique as a result of the sector’s increasing sophistication.

OA&A Expo provides a bespoke networking environment with enlightening education sessions and the industry’s leading suppliers.

Do come and see us at Stand 304 during the Expo.

Dominic Yacoubian, Director of Strategic Projects at Markco Media, is chairing a seminar at World Travel Market. The seminar titled; Hotel Promotions – Driving demand through discounting, examines when to drive discounts and the long term implications of open discounting.

Unfortunately the advertised chairman David Curtis-Brignell is unable to attend and Dominic has stepped in to save the day. Dominic will be introducing the session and the speakers, guiding the conversation and hosting the audience questions. He will also be sharing his own experiences in business and as a consumer.

Date/Time: 10 Nov 2010 15:30-16:30
Location: North Gallery Room 13
Chaired by: Dominic Yacoubian, Director of Strategic Projects at Markco Media Ltd.

Speaker/s:

• Pamela Carvell, Life President & Owner, HMA & Pampas
• Mark Lewis, Managing Director, HotelRez
• Morris Sim, Co-founder and CEO, Circos Brand Karma

Link: http://www.wtmlondon.com/page.cfm/action=Seminars/SeminarID=85

The seminar is sponsored by Filmbank and organised by the Institute of Hospitality.

UPDATE 10th Dec. The video of the event is now available to watch:
http://www.wtmlondon.com/page.cfm/link=653