Google Glass Rule 5

Google Recruits First Users for Project Glass

Google Glass image

Google has today announced that it is looking for ‘Explorers’ to test the first versions of the futuristic Glass product.  Founder Sergey Brin was spotted testing the product on a New York subway in January.

  “We’re looking for bold, creative individuals who want to join us and be a part of shaping the future of Glass.” They are inviting hopefuls to use Google+ or Twitter to say what they would do if they were given the chance to be one of the first users of Glass using the hashtag #ifihadglass.

 Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S.  The deadline for applications is February 27th and ‘Explorers’ will need to shell out $1500 plus tax for the ground-breaking eye-wear.

Along with the announcement Google has released a video that gives a good idea of the Glass experience and how integrated it will be with other Google products including search, Google Hangouts and no doubt Google+.    You will be able to call up flight information whilst at the airport take pictures and video of what you see just using voice commands and make video calls all from the headset.

Rule 5 Welcomes Kirsty Usher

Kirsty Rule 5

Kirsty Usher has joined the agency as a Trainee Account Executive.  A graduate from the University of Leeds and former John Lewis intern,  Kirsty started at the media city based agency at the beginning of February.  Speaking on her appointment, Rule 5 Director, Julie Wilson, said: “It’s important that we build the right team and Kirsty’s ambitious personality and confident manner were exactly what we were looking for and we’re delighted to welcome her on board.”

The agency received over 50 applications for the post.  “For a  new role in a start-up agency we received significant interest” Julie added.  “Kirsty was chosen from a really strong field of candidates.”

Bringing Down the Boundaries: An Editorial First

ELLE-LOGO-black Rule-5

Speak to anyone in the communications industry and they’ll tell you that the media landscape is changing.

The way in which we consume news has evolved; fact.

One of the most significant recent developments in the consumer magazine sector is the launch of this month’s new-look Elle magazine format.

In a move that sees the barriers between print and digital media banished, a philosophy we at Rule 5 champion; Elle Editor in Chief, Lorraine Candy, has introduced what she says is “the first editorial team trained to personally produce exclusive content for both the website, ELLEuk.com, and the glossy magazine.“

The aim?  To be a part of readers’ lives on more than just a monthly basis.

In so many cases, the merging of online and offline editorial teams is about one thing – cutting costs.   This, from an observer’s stance, doesn’t appear to be the case at Elle however.  The bridging of the gap between digital and print content isn’t just taking place behind the scenes of the acclaimed title, it’s evident in the copy too.

From the demise of the traditional readers’ letter page to the introduction of a replacement ‘Tweet, email, reply’ feature; editorial headlines encouraging readers to ’see it, love it , shop it and share it’ and a noticeably increased and highlighted number of references to the publication’s digital and social media platforms throughout the magazine,  the new-look format is certainly making all of the right moves to satisfy the demands of the modern day reader.

How many will, of course, down their weekly magazines in favour of an interim online ELLEuk.com fix remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting move from the style bible in its on-going fight against the weekly competition and in capturing the attention of the on-line media advocate.

Carolanne Joins Rule 5 as Senior Account Manager

carolanne 3

Rule 5 has appointed Carolanne Bamford as Senior Account Manager.

Prior to joining the MediaCityUK agency, Bamford worked at Manchester agency, Smoking Gun, and before that was at Hill & Knowlton in London working with Robinsons, Dairylea, Tango and Bombay Sapphire.

Speaking on her appointment, Rule 5 Director, Julie Wilson, said: “It’s important that we build the right team and Carolanne boasts an impressive CV having worked with some of the UK’s leading brands.

“Her experience across FMCG; automotive; beauty; healthcare and nutrition sectors, combined with her ambitious and creative personality and knowledge of the social media landscape,  presents the perfect fit with Rule 5 and further strengthens the agency’s offer.  We’re delighted to have her on board.”

Rule 5 is communications agency, specialising in PR and digital communications.  The agency launched in November 2012 and is anchored in MediaCityUK.   It has clients in the media, food and sports sectors and was involved in the recent Track Cycling World Cup in Glasgow delivering its presence on Twitter and Facebook. 

Track Cycling World Cup – The Audience Online

British Cycling Rule 5

When we were asked by British Cycling to deliver a social media campaign for the Track Cycling World Cup they wanted us to ensure that fans could get a look at the action – whether or not they had tickets – for the sell-out weekend at the new Glasgow Velodrome.  We had just three months in which to do it.

We took full advantage of the post Olympic excitement and interest in cycling to quickly build a following and used tickets, rider profiles and exclusive photography of the new Velodrome to drive interest on Twitter.  The agency also implemented its own process for identifying similar or interested accounts and encouraged them to follow.   A dedicated Facebook page was also created and used to share behind the scenes images and information.  In the immediate run up to event we posted team selections news, insights about the venues and promoted broader media coverage; linking to articles in the press.

Rule 5During the World Cup itself a combined British Cycling and Rule 5 Team were stationed in the press stand and reported the event live alongside the world’s media giving the audience instant online news and images.  Pictures of Sir Chris Hoy’s appearance were delivered online live, whilst he was still speaking to the crowd.

  • We gained over 5000 twitter followers in three months (1,500 over target) and the Facebook weekly reach peaked at over half a million – five times the target figure.
  • Over 4000 people engaged with comments, likes and @posts on the Twitter and Facebook pages over three days of the World Cup itself.
  • The social media platforms also operated as a vital customer service tool – reducing calls and assisting with enquiries from fans.

Not only were we able to deliver an enormous reach over a short period but we showed how social media can work alongside conventional media at a major world sporting event.