Today marks the countdown to the district’s free Digital Marketing Conference hosted by the Stray Ferret and sponsored by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison.

The event brings together industry leaders who will deliver insights, strategies and best practices for delegates looking to grow their business through digital channels.

Not sure if this event is for you – here’s a snapshot of what’s being covered during the day.

Emma Harris of the Stray Ferret will open the conference with why it is so important to embrace digital marketing in your promotional activities as well as signpost areas to focus on throughout the day.

Head of marketing at Next Chapter, Daniel Swepson will take you through the key elements to developing a strategy to meet your business goals. Spending time working out what you want to achieve helps to save you money and succeed in the long run.

Once you’ve established what you want to achieve, Charlie Hartley, Founder of Impressions is covering how brand and digital innovation drives growth. He will give you tips on how you can stand out in a crowded digital market, ensuring you embrace the latest technology as well as provide you with success stories to inspire.

Ben Foster, CEO of SEO Works will be talking SEO strategy, how to identify keywords and how you measure success.

Social media is a vital part of any business strategy, Rachel Moore will run through platform demographics to help you identify which platforms you should be engaging with, how the algorithms work and how to create a simple but realistic content plan. Rachel will also cover when to use paid content.

Lauren Cooper and Georgie Harmer from Intandem Communications will guide you through creating content that works including video. They’ll share top tips on how to reversion content to save you time but still deliver results.

The digital world changes at pace so Chloe Byrne, Creative Director at Audience will take you through consumer trends for 2023 and how consumers are spending differently and what is influencing their buying decisions.

The day will be rounded off with a guide to influencer marketing and how and when to engage them in your efforts. Chelsea Talbot will answer questions from the floor.

Tamsin O’Brien of the Stray Ferret will be leading a question and answer session with two local business owners who have used digital to significantly grow their businesses. Fiona Martin, Founder of Best Kept Secret, a women’s clothes shop in a rural village will answer questions on how she successfully uses Meta to drive footfall to an out of town destination.

22 year old Mia Willamson has grown her business from a one woman band to now employing 4 staff with a six figure turnover. Mia, used social media and in particular Instagram to achieve this impressive growth. Tamsin will be delving into the tricks and strategies Mia adopted.

During the day, there will be the opportunity to ask questions from the speakers and browse the exhibition stands.

Thanks to the sponsorship of the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and law firm Ison Harrison, the event is free to attend.

To secure your place at the event, please register here.

Decision-makers from across the district’s business community will be given the key to boosting their online impact this autumn, at the Stray Ferret’s first ever Digital Marketing Conference. 

The free, day-long event will include expert speakers from across the industry, addressing topics including paying to boost social media posts, increasing sales and measuring return on investment. 

The day will be compered by the Stray Ferret’s founder, Tamsin O’Brien. She said: 

“If you’re in business, you cannot afford to ignore the power of digital marketing – because you can be sure your competitors won’t. But many of us weren’t born to it, and for some, it’s completely unknown territory – and that’s where the experts come in. 

“Fortunately, we have a lot of them right here in our district – there’s a lot of know-how in Yorkshire – so we’re bringing together some of the best for the very first time.  

“The Stray Ferret Digital Marketing Conference is a must for anyone in business who’s serious about raising their profile, developing their reputation, engaging customers, or increasing sales.” 

Read more:

• Digital marketing conference to be autumn highlight of business calendar
• Eight reasons to switch from traditional to digital advertising

Tamsin, who was formerly head of BBC Yorkshire, will also be hosting a Q&A session with media-savvy local businesses including: The Glam Hut and Best Kept Secret 

The speakers are scheduled for half-hour sessions and visitors can see as many as they like throughout the day.  

The Stray Ferret’s first ever Digital Marketing Conference is sponsored by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison. It will take place on Thursday, September 28 at Pavilions of Harrogate, from 9.30am. 

For a full schedule of speakers and sessions, and to register for a place, go to our dedicated Digital Marketing Conference page. 

One of the region’s biggest digital marketing events will hit Harrogate this autumn, as hundreds of industry professionals come together for a lively day of discussion, exhibition and networking. 

The event, which is sponsored by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison, and is free for delegates to attend, will also feature 25 trade stands for local companies in the industry, such as social media agencies, web designers, content writers, videographers and photographers.

The full day conference will take place on Thursday, September 28 at Pavilions of Harrogate, the indoor event venue at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Andrew Raby, manager of York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, said: 

“More businesses approach the Growth Hub for fully funded support on the topic of digital marketing and skills than almost any other, so this promises to be a great event to showcase an array of creative talent from our region, and the ways in which that talent can help businesses to thrive and grow.

“We look forward to hearing from businesses, meeting delegates, and sharing more about the free support we provide.”

Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate at sponsor Ison Harrison said: 

“At Ison Harrison we’re delighted to sponsor this year’s conference, aligning ourselves with a vibrant digital marketing community in the North Yorkshire region.

“We’re a forward-thinking law firm that appreciates innovation and change – something that is embraced in the creative industry. Digital marketing agencies are often at the forefront of driving transformative change in the business landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and creative thinking to help organisations reach their audiences effectively.

“Being involved in an event that explores these new ways of helping businesses achieve their goals, and celebrating the successes of local businesses is something we’re delighted about.

“We act for many Agencies in the creative industry, so we hope to see many familiar faces at the event – along with new ones! Having recently opened a new branch in Harrogate, we hope to see some of our neighbours at the event in September.”

The Digital Marketing Conference, organised by the Stray Ferret, will feature talks from industry experts, including keynote, and a Q&A session hosted by the Stray Ferret’s owner, former BBC Yorkshire boss Tamsin O’Brien. 

Emma Harris, commercial manager at the Stray Ferret, said: 

“This event is long overdue. We haven’t really seen anything like it before in our part of the North, and yet some of the best companies in the sector are based up here.

“For anyone involved in digital marketing in our area, this is a must attend event. It will be the autumn highlight of the business calendar, so mark it in your diary and make sure you don’t miss out.”

Find out more:

To find out more about speaking opportunities or to book an exhibition stand, contact Megan Grant at The Stray Ferret on 01423 276224 or by email at megan@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Former crime commissioner Philip Allott has sold a majority stake in the Knaresborough marketing firm he founded almost 30 years ago.

Allott and Associates has become part of the Breakout Media Group, a digital marketing agency based in Stockton-on-Tees, the two firms announced today.

Mr Allott will continue to be involved as a consultant but has relinquished his role as director. Breakout Media founder Mike Lewis will take charge as managing director.

Mr Allott, who set up the business with his wife Sandra in 1994, said the move was “a step into the realms of semi-retirement” although besides his consultancy role he and Sandra remain directors of Boardroom Matters, which provides data protection and legal services.

The former pupil of Knaresborough’s King James’s School has combined marketing with a career in politics, having served as leader of the Conservatives on Harrogate Borough Council and stood unsuccessfully for election as a Conservative MP five times.

He was elected North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in May 2021 but stood down in October the same year in the wake of criticism of comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

Read more:

• Police commissioner Philip Allott resigns
• Knaresborough gears up for its biggest day of the year

Today’s news creates a fully integrated marketing agency serving with more than 20 staff in disciplines ranging from public relations and direct mail to social media, content marketing and SEO.

Mr Allott told the Stray Ferret he had reached an age where he wanted to wind down and the acquisition presented an opportunity “that’s good for the business and clients”.

He added:

“It’s been an honour to grow Allotts into the agency it’s become, with a very talented team and clients literally across the world from Canada to Europe, Asia to Australia.

“I’m delighted to hand over the reins to Mike as part of the succession plan and equally delighted that I’ll still be involved in the company to see where it takes the group next.”

Breakout Media aims to create a group of specialist marketing agencies covering the whole of the UK.

Mr Lewis said:

“Breakout Media has grown massively since I founded it five years ago and I’ve been looking for a PR and marketing agency with synergy and similar values to our own – and we found them in Allotts.

“This move is part of an ambitious growth strategy to make Breakout Media Group a dominant force in the UK and international marketing landscape. It’s business as usual going forward, as Allotts has a great formula for delivering for clients – and that can only be improved by the highly complementary skill sets across our teams. I can’t wait to get cracking.”

The Stray Ferret Business Award for Best Digital Marketing Campaign is sponsored by Next Chapter.

Next Chapter not only leads brands to exponential growth and success, but brands itself as “the agency for disruptors and challengers”.

The Stray Ferret Digital Marketing Campaign Award recognises campaigns run solely on digital channels.

The Finalists:

Coach Gyms

Coach Gyms, located on Hornbeam Park, opened just a little over a year ago.

Coach Gyms dazzled the judges with its submission. To kick start the opening, they designed a promotion to attract gym members before they opened the doors.

Its digital pre-launch offer, that ran on Facebook and Instagram, earned the gym 1,500 sign ups before the gym even opened. The ad had a 35% conversion rate (lead to sign up) and surpassed all forecasts.

Stuart Perrin, chief executive and founder of Coach Gyms said:

“We’re over the moon to be finalists in the Digital Marketing Award!

“To say Coach Gyms Harrogate has only been open for one year, it’s great to see how far we have come as a team. Winning this award would mean the world to us”.

Ogden of Harrogate

Ogden of Harrogate’s submission for the award was a digital campaign that was designed to engage its loyal customers .

The campaign was an interactive, virtual advent calendar that enabled the jeweller to bring its annual Christmas catalogue online.

Each day, a personalised email was sent to subscribers, with an animated image featuring the corresponding door, opening onto a wonderful collection of jewellery.

Customers could register for the catalogue and join a prize draw to win £1000 to spend at Ogdens.

Robert Ogden, Director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The main impetus behind the campaign was to engage with our longstanding clients in a digital way, but one that was reminiscent of the traditional Christmas Catalogue style that we have used for many years.

“The total number of pieces we were able to showcase through the 24 daily collections was around the same as for a printed catalogue, but the digital format allowed for deeper descriptions and the ability to connect with adjacent collections.  It is certainly something that we will consider doing again.”

Mumbler

Mumbler was founded by a Harrogate mum and has grown into an award-winning network of local parenting websites .

Mumbler partnered with Cry Babies interactive dolls that are designed to engage children’s emotions and empathy.

The dolls were sent to Mumbler parents who took videos and photos of their children playing with them.

The parents then wrote honest and knowledgeable reviews, that were collated into blogs.

Sally Haslewood, founder of Mumbler, said:

“The timing of the Cry Babies campaign was perfect; it gave us the opportunity to really help make life easier for our followers in the run up to Christmas.

“We knew that we’d done a great job on the campaign- the results spoke for themselves. Being recognised for this award is the cherry on top! It’s wonderful to be a finalist and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity”.

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

In these final few days before entries close, we are revealing the last of what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

The final category up is the Best Digital Marketing Campaign Award, which is sponsored by Next Chapter.

Digital is clearly the way forward. This award recognises the work of businesses that have run incredible campaigns on purely digital campaigns.

Companies looking to enter need to provide information on the digital marketing plan, including its aims and objectives. Also provide statistical information on why the campaign was a success.

Does your business deserve to win the Best Digital Marketing Campaign Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close at 12pm on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Company accounts show Linley & Simpson recorded a turnover of £15m in the year ending 31 December 2021, up from £11.7m in 2020.

Pre-tax profit was £2.81m, compared to £2.86m the previous year, while operating profit before depreciation and amortisation was £4.67m, up from £3.95m.

The group completed seven acquisitions during the period, with five share purchases and two trade and asset purchases.

The group’s residential portfolio increased from 11,477 to 12,515 during the year, primarily driven by its acquisitions.

The company is planning to expand its land and new homes department to cover the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber from its 23 offices.

David Waddington, the agency’s director of land and new homes, said:

“Having grown into the largest land and new homes agent in the area, we now have a strong launch pad for taking our services to house builders in new territories.”

Read more:

• Campaign to improve Knaresborough High Street

• New cocktail bar to open in Harrogate in 12 days

Digital marketing graduate scheme announced

Harrogate digital agency group IDHL has welcomed 14 new starters to its biggest ever graduate training programme, which will be run from its Harrogate, Leeds and Manchester offices.

The 12-month specialist digital development programme for graduates has a goal of attracting new talent and investing in the training and development of entry level candidates.

The graduates will undergo training and get first-hand agency experience in other digital marketing service specialisms such as 6technical SEO, copywriting and digital PR as well as web development and design.

Graduate training manager Giacomo Palmieri said:

“I am proud to see this graduate scheme grow, with our successes and learnings in Paid laying solid foundation for the wider teams.

“When we started this programme, we had just one graduate candidate in place at a time, but this year we’ll have four people in Paid Media alone, and a further ten across other areas of the business. It’s so great to see.

“Our six alumni have become key to the day-to-day running of our team, and one has recently been promoted to senior executive.”

It is rare for someone to not own at least one form of digital device. The majority of people including Grandma own either a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. This creates huge opportunities for advertising. So why not use this to your advantage?

Here are eight reasons why you should capitalise on digital:

Lower cost

Digital advertising provides a number of price points which can be minimal compared to traditional advertising spend, meaning whatever your budget is, you can reach your target audience.

Greater Return on Investment (ROI)

Digital advertising can deliver excellent return on investment (ROI). It is important at the outset that you are clear on what you want your digital marketing to achieve, eg brand awareness, increased footfall, more hits to your website etc. Advertising digitally means your target audience is only one click away from your business giving you far greater ROI.

Easy measurement

Digital advertising makes it far easier to measure the performance of your adverts. With traditional advertising you must make assumptions on who has seen, remembered and acted on your advert. With digital, you receive instant analytics on how well your activity is performing including how far it has reached, how many people have seen it and how many people have reacted/engaged with it.

Flexibility

Unlike traditional advertising, which is difficult to change once it has been printed or aired, going digital gives you the advantage of being able to stop or tweak a campaign. If something isn’t quite working, you can make adjustments to improve it. This is only achievable due to the data you receive from digital advertising channels.

Better engagement

Engagement is vital for a successful digital campaign. On social channels, the more engagement a post receives, the more people will see it due to how social media algorithms work.

Precise targeting

Going digital enables you to target your audience far more easily than traditional advertising, especially when advertising on social channels. Targeting your audience means you do not waste money putting your brand in front of people who are not interested in it.

Easy to share

With the click of a button your advertisement can be shared by one person to their network, who then share it to their network and so on. With traditional advertising methods, it is more difficult to expand the audience without it costing money.

Make the switch

The idea of changing from traditional advertising to digital advertising can seem daunting, however the benefits to going digital should not be ignored. Going digital gives you a measurable, flexible and cost-effective way to advertise your business to a targeted large audience.

Find out how the most-read news service in the Harrogate district can help your business grow today.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate digital marketing agency rebrands

Kariba, Harrogate’s oldest digital marketing agency, has rebranded as it celebrates its 25th year.

The business was set up by Chris Wilson in 1997, after being asked to build Harrogate Borough Council’s first ever website.

Since then, Kariba has gone on to design and build websites and provide a range of digital marketing services for clients in Yorkshire and across the UK.

Mr Wilson, who is Kariba’s managing director as well as its founder, said:

“Our brand refresh and new website means we have a more current look and feel, and in turn better reflects who we are and what we do today, so that we can appeal to those ambitious, growth-focused companies whom we love partnering with.”

Read more:

• Harrogate pet store celebrates a decade in business
• Harrogate Oak Beck Bridge project to cost £1m

Building society set to move into Knaresborough Library

Knaresborough Library will close today at 5pm for work to accommodate the new branch Newcastle Building Society that is due to go into the building.

Since the last bank in Knaresborough closed last year, North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council have worked with the society to maintain local access to financial services.

Harrogate Borough Council has also worked with Barclays to bring its mobile banking service to the market town.

The library will reopen on Saturday. The building society is expected to open late this month or early July.

Work to accommodate @NewcastleBSoc at #Knaresborough Library will start this week.

The library will close at 5pm tomorrow and is scheduled to reopen at 9.30am on 11 June.

More: https://t.co/6CqfsfCfjY pic.twitter.com/aOYN06L2Dp

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 7, 2022

Cllr Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said:

“The issues regarding banking availability in Knaresborough have been well documented, and Harrogate Borough Council has pushed hard to seek a solution.”

A shop in the centre of Harrogate has closed suddenly this week.

The former Dizzy Duck shop in Albert Street is now being advertised to let by FSS at £22,000 per annum.

A sign in the window says the estate agency re-entered the premises on Monday, on behalf of the landlord. It adds:

“As a consequence of the re-entry, the lease is forfeited and the premises have been secured.”

However, Dizzy Duck continues to trade online and owner Louise Chesters has been posting on its Facebook page frequently this week.

The business had a stall at Ripon market today, and has posted about plans to attend markets in Masham and Thirsk next week.

It changed its business address and phone number before 9am on Monday to remove the Albert Street details.

The Stray Ferret contacted Dizzy Duck about its departure from the shop. The owner declined to comment, but said there would be news coming soon about the business.

Read more:

• Harrogate YMCA shop to close after just two years
• Harrogate sandwich shop re-opens after 2 year closure
• Harrogate bookshop Imagined Things set to move

Knaresborough ecommerce firm acquired by Leeds agency

A specialist e-commerce firm in Knaresborough has been acquired by a digital marketing agency in Leeds.

Three members of staff from Audere Commerce have joined Ascensor as part of the deal, including managing director James Withers.

He said:

“The Audere Commerce team and I are very much looking forward to joining a larger, more established digital agency.

“Ascensor share our values of delivering advanced digital technology to clients looking to grow through conversion.”

It is the third acquisition for Ascensor in the last 12 months. Managing director Andrew Firth said:

“This is a very exciting deal for Ascensor, and presents an opportunity to build further our ecommerce client base. We will be able to extend the range of services offered to the new clients.

“The skills base represented by this acquisition complements our existing strengths.

“Audere Commerce are ecommerce software specialists, they’ve developed a specialism in B2B ecommerce.

“We will be able to provide the new clients with marketing services, and they’ll benefit from our focus on conversion rate optimisation, that helps website owners to generate the maximum possible value from their digital assets and grow through return on investment.”