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BT Vision Introduces New Interactive Presenter

Posted by Calvin Lau September 7th, 2011

London: BT Vision has launched an innovative way to showcase all the features and benefits available to users with an interactive guide; and he’s there to tell you all abut BT Vision with a smile.

The application developed by LBi, Europe’s biggest digital marketing and technology agency, introduces visitors to a wealth of information, via a guided tour where customers can ask questions and play with the features of the BT Vision box.

The character has been developed using clever logic and data acquired through the questions most frequently asked of BT’s ‘Live Person’ virtual assistant, ensuring that customers are directed to the right information quickly and effectively.   He can even sing, dance and entertain customers asking the right questions.

Nick Wong, Director of Online at BT’s Consumer division, said: “. Our vision for BT.com is to build innovation on top of a strongly customer-focused strategy and to keep adding value to the overall online experience.  The work we’ve done with LBi to produce this rich demo matches a data-driven approach with a fun, interactive character that we hope will make learning about BT Vision simple and enjoyable for our customers.”

Iain Preston, Client Partner at LBi, added: “BT has always been mindful of how the technical nature of its products can be presented in ways which everyone can understand.  The launch of the interactive demo is a beautiful addition to BT.com, which LBi recently redesigned, taking a more content led strategy to give people a much richer and more engaging experience with the brand.”

The Guide shows potential customers the advantages of the sleek new black Vision+ digital TV box, which is a Freeview box and digital TV recorder all rolled into one. With BT Vision you can pause and rewind live TV, plus you can record up to 80 hours of TV at the touch of a button and there is something for the whole family – but if you do happen to miss something you can catch-up with the best of the last seven days TV from the five main channels, including BBC iPlayer.

BT Vision also brings you the latest from Hollywood and beyond with the latest blockbuster pay-per-view movies. Sports fans can also enjoy Premier League football and more by adding Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 plus ESPN to your subscription.

To find out more about BT Vision visit www.bt.com/telly

Tags: bt vision, CRM, customer service, interactive video

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LBi introduces learning initiative for clients and staff


Posted by Calvin Lau August 24th, 2011

London: LBi taps Hyper Island to explore collaboration during Master Class

LBi, the global marketing and technology agency, has announced today it will embark on a learning initiative in collaboration with a selection of its big-brand clients and their roster agencies to develop the group’s ideas around digital innovation and organisational change.

Hyper Island is collaborating with LBi to explore blending, hosting a Master Class

LBi has long believed in blending insight, creativity, media and technical expertise to produce the best and most innovative work possible. This approach lies at the heart of the agency’s strategic partnerships with clients such as Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

LBi has enlisted Hyper Island – the world leader in the field of education for interactive communication, change management and leadership through collaboration – to host an intensive three-day Master Class in Karlskrona, Sweden, which will be attended by a blended team of clients, roster agencies and LBi staff.  During the Master Class, taking place between 30^th September and 2^nd October, LBi will explore and experiment with its approach to blending and collaboration.

Later this year, LBi will share the outcomes of the experience with the wider marketing and advertising community via a series of articles, seminars and workshops.

“We believe this initiative comes at a crucial time as CMOs are being asked to stretch themselves into new uncomfortable territory, ” said Chris Clarke, Chief Creative Officer of LBi.  “Marketing no longer stands alone, but sits at the intersection of product, technology and communication. This means our clients and their agencies desperately need new ways of working.”

“It’s all about the people. Media and communication technologies have converged, and the industry needs talent that is collaborative, unbound by disciplines, and able to thrive in a rapidly changing environment,” said Christina Andersson, Director of Short Term Courses for Hyper Island. “Hyper Island has worked with various organizations since 1995 to develop more creative and efficient coworker teams and more profitable workplaces, and we are proud to be part of this journey for LBi.”

Tags: blending, client relationships, clients, collaboration, digital agencies, hyper island, training

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IPA launches new Digital Business Group, co-chaired by LBi UK CEO Anil Pillai

Posted by Calvin Lau July 18th, 2011

London: The IPA has launched a new Digital Business Group, to be co-chaired by Anil Pillai, CEO of LBi UK and Chris Thurling, Managing Director of 3Sixty, and supported by new IPA Digital Business Consultant Brian Hoadley.

The Group will represent and promote a holistic approach to the provision of digital services spanning design and build, data and technology platforms, and marketing communications. It will also champion the awareness, professionalism and profitability of this sector via a programme of dedicated qualifications, collaborative marketing for talent, and educating clients and their procurement teams.

Additional members of the Group will include: Anna Watkins, Managing Director, Grand Union; Caroline Margolis, Head of New Business, VML; Charlie Wolcott, Human Resources Director, Syzygy Group; Susanne Jones, Managing Director, Critical Mass; William Makower, Managing Director, Panlogic; and Lee Woodard, Director of Client Services, Sapient Nitro.

Says Anil Pillai: “As the digital industry continues to go from strength-to-strength now is the perfect time for the IPA to be launching the Digital Business Group to address the issues arising from the sector’s on-going growth. I’m looking forward to the challenge of helping to bring new-found rigour to this dynamic and fast moving industry — in particular setting creative benchmarks for design & build agencies and implementing new standards for user-experience.  As Co-Chairman I will also ensure that the Digital Business Group tackles the common issues faced across our businesses and supports initiatives to bring fresh talent in to the sector.”

Says Chris Thurling: “I am delighted to become the Co-Chairman of the new Digital Business Group. I think it’s a great opportunity for me to contribute to this new initiative from the perspective of the smaller, independent digital agency sector. Digital is rapidly re-defining what it means to be involved in the advertising business. It’s broadening the talent pool from which we need to draw and blurring the boundaries with other disciplines. In founding the DBG I think the IPA is showing its commitment to staying relevant in an industry that is going to look very different five years from now. As well as contributing to the wider debate about the impact of technology on advertising, I hope that the DBG can help raise professional standards within what is still a relatively fledging sector and contribute to attracting new talent from a diverse range of backgrounds into the industry.”

Says Brian Hoadley: “With the ubiquitous nature of digital, the IPA’s launch of the new Digital Business Group comes at an exciting time. Initially focussing on User Experience and Project Management, I believe the IPA can act as a focal point in the facilitation and provision of industry support and in driving up professional standards. We intend to work with our membership in a drive to attract new talent, create innovative training courses, and create a new set of professional digital policies and standards. I look forward to working with the dedicated and experienced group of professionals at the IPA and our digital agency membership.”

Biographies:

Anil Pillai
Anil joined LBi in 1996 and is now UK CEO, responsible for the day to day running of the agency with a single-minded focus on top-line growth, client development, new business success and LBi’s external brand profile. He is Client Sponsor on the Lloyds Banking Group account, is one of the longest standing members of the Galaxy Board, providing strategy and advice across their £120M year digital change programmes, and continues to provide executive leadership to key client engagements such as BT and Ericsson. Last year Anil oversaw the company’s new business wins, including Virgin Atlantic, Compare the Market, E-ON and Coca Cola.  Anil also sits on the European Ad:Tech advisory board and is a consultant to the IPA for digital effectiveness and agency development.

Chris Thurling
Chris Thurling is the Managing Director and founding partner of 3Sixty, a 15-year-old independent digital agency based in Bristol. 3Sixty specialises in the travel and financial services sectors with clients including Deutsche Bahn, High Speed One, three major UK Airports, AXA plc and Cofunds (part of L & G). Chris is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the IPA Digital Creative Group, the board member with responsibility for digital at Bristol Media and an occasional lecturer at Bristol University on digital marketing.

Brian Hoadley
Brian is a senior-level User Experience Strategist with 23 years experience in the digital and telecommunications industries, 11 years of which involve senior and board level management, consultancy, and thought leadership delivering to private and public sector clients. His previous positions have included: Senior Business Architect at Syzygy UK, Founder and Managing Director of phunQube, Head of Innovation & Product Design at Directgov, User Experience Advisor at the COI/Cabinet Office, andHead of User Experience at BBC DMI. He is currently consulting at BSkyB as a UX Strategy Consultant for Sky Creative.

In addition to the IPA Digital Business Group the IPA also runs the IPA Digital Media Group and the Digital Creative Forum. The IPA Digital Media Group’s remit is to raise the digital standard, share knowledge among members of the IPA about digital issues, and to represent the agency perspective in the digital media arena. The IPA Digital Creative Forum seeks to raise the digital standard most notably by improving the creativity, accountability and integration of interactive advertising.

The first meeting of the IPA Digital Business Group will take place on 4th August.

Visit the IPA website at http://www.ipa.co.uk.

Tags: Anil Pillai, digital business group, digital services, ipa, marketing communications, technology platforms

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LBi retains Barratt Developments account following five-way pitch

Posted by Gareth Jones July 14th, 2011

London: The UK’s No.1 home builder Barratt Developments has reappointed LBi as the lead digital agency for its flagship Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Ward Homes brands following a competitive five-way pitch process.

The strategic partnership will see LBi, Europe’s largest marketing and technology agency, deliver a wide-ranging digital strategy on behalf of the three Barratt Developments brands, spanning strategy, research, web design & build, user experience, technical development, CRM, content and social media.

LBi will work with Barratt Developments to devise a next-generation digital platform that will enhance the way in which new-homes are bought and sold, creating a rich and engaging user experience which best showcases the Barratt Developments offering, whilst supporting local sales and marketing.

Barratt Developments first appointed LBi three years ago, but the home builder recently decided to review its digital agency arrangements to make sure it was working with the right strategic partner as it embarks on the next stage of its digital development.

Over the coming months Barratt Developments and LBi will work together to deliver a rolling programme of development activity, bringing new energy to the Barratt Developments brand and increased technical innovation to the user experience.

Jeremy Hipkiss, Marketing Director at Barratt Developments, said: “Digital is central to our vision and strategy for creating a new and engaging way for customers to experience our products online.

We are delighted to be working with LBi, as they offer the right blend of digital expertise and experience necessary to deliver business benefits and innovation across our group.”

Ewen Sturgeon, CEO LBi EMEA, added: “We’ve had an amazing year in which we’ve been able to retain a number of key strategic accounts such as Barratt Developments, whilst successfully winning new pitches including Coca-Cola, SAB Miller and Sony Ericsson.

Barratt Homes has a real ambition and vision for using digital as the catalyst for improving and enhancing all facets of its business, which is why I believe Barratt Developments and LBi are such a great strategic fit.”

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