Blogs
20/04/20: What got Gloo (virtual) HQ talking
Design makes us go a little weak at the knees. Luckily, this week there's been plenty of design-related stuff for us to get excited about.
WFH: 5 tips when starting a new job in a pandemic
In the second part of our reflections on working from home we talk about what it's like to be a newbie in a pandemic.
WFH: The new normal
In the first part of our reflections on working from home we talk about how to make it feel normal (or how to try, anyway).
23/03/20: What got Gloo HQ talking
We are now WFH—and chatting non-stop about coronavirus, whose marketing has been affected, and how they're handling it.
09/03/20: What got Gloo HQ talking
From increased visibility to complete invisibility—this week we’ve been talking facial recognition, AI and all the security implications in between.
14/10/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
It's been a cold week at Gloo HQ, but that didn't stop our heated chats about IoT devices, smart kitchen gadgets and the power of adjectives.
16/09/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
How do you feel about facial recognition? We delve into the UK public's opinion, and why Alexa is so popular among the elderly.
09/09/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
This week we discuss new ads from Channel 4 and Facebook, as well as the latest technology updates from McDonald's.
What if AI really did replace copywriters?
We've seen a lot of stories about copywriters being replaced by AI, so we thought we'd test out the theory with some of our everyday challenges.
The Deepfake epidemic
New technology is making it easier than ever for anybody to create fake images, videos and news.
19/08/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
This week we look at Google's new Chrome extension trying to improve security and new gender stereotyping regulations in ads.
12/08/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
It's an AI special this week: We discussed AI in healthcare, AI in pubs and even AI that isn't really AI at all.
22/07/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
It was another hot week at Gloo HQ! But that didn't stop us from seeing one of the best ads of the year and discussing those new smart nappies.
Let’s talk: Caitlin and Katie talk B2B Ignite
Caitlin and Katie from the Gloo content team discuss their thoughts on B2B Marketing Ignite 2019.
15/07/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
So this week we found out Bluetooth hair straighteners were a thing, but they're not as good as you think. We also discussed movies, mobiles and AI.
Key takeaways from B2B Ignite
Here's what we took away from the recent B2B Marketing Ignite 2019 conference in London.
8/07/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
It was a hot week at Gloo HQ, but we kept our cool by talking through topics ranging from FaceTime to China.
If we can’t make unbiased decisions, should we let AI make them for us?
Do you struggle to make decisions? It's something we all do, but luckily AI could be set to do it for us—what could go wrong?
Facebook money—building a better world or brazen power grab?
Facebook has announced its intention to sell digital currency. But what does that mean?
01/07/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
This week we've been discussing the various uses of AI from helping the elderly to tackling climate change. And is Chrome spying on us?
5 reasons why you need primary research
A lot of companies are reluctant to commission primary research—here's 5 reasons we think it could massively benefit your brand.
Now that’s what you call influencer marketing
Influencer marketing is a challenge—how do brand know which celebs to team up with? Luckily Heinz had one approach them.
17/06/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
Over the past week we've been discussing chatbots, amphibious vehicles and Spielberg's new horror series coming direct to Quibi.
10/06/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
Over the past week we've been discussing our cashless society, Walmart's new delivery service and how technology is helping diagnose Parkinson's disease.
How to get more value from talking head videos
Recently, our clients have been asking for more and more video content. Here's our top tips for getting the most value from this type of content.
03/06/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
5G is here, but is it everything we hoped for? We discuss in this week's roundup, along with some great ad designs and stories of fraudsters.
Can cheaters prosper?
The North Face manipulated its way to the top of Google—here's our take on the stunt.
27/05/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
It was all about faces this week, from the latest updates on Amazon's facial recognition technology to animating the Mona Lisa.
Your password isn’t strong enough: Part two
Part two of our password series tackles the challenge of what we should be doing to improve password security.
20/05/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
From facial recognition technology to the rise of dark kitchens, here's what got Gloo HQ talking this week.
Data versus journalism
Find out what we learned when we saw events hosted by Ola Rosling, Thomas Friedman and Steven Pinker last month.
Your password isn’t strong enough: Part one
In the first part in our series on passwords we bust some of the biggest myths surrounding this key area of security.
GDPR: One year on, what’s changed?
It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since the EU's GDPR was introduced. We take a look at what's changed for marketers.
13/05/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
From streaming wars to mobile banking and everything else in between, here's what Gloo HQ was discussing this week.
Lighthouse manufacturers
Don't have time to read a full McKinsey report? Check out our summaries. This time we look at the report "Lighthouse manufacturers lead the way—can the rest of the world keep up?"
How we give back
We believe in CSR and giving back to our community. That's why we don't just donate our money, but our time and resources too.
23/04/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
It may have been a four-day week, but the team at Gloo HQ still found plenty to talk about.
How technology could help rebuild Notre-Dame
The Notre-Dame fire this week was shocking to watch, but thanks to technology there could be hope for it being rebuilt to its former glory.
Why robots aren’t writing our blogs… yet
Machine-generated copy is becoming widespread—but here's why copywriters don't need to worry about being replaced. At least not yet.
Strategy or excuse? Lush ditches social
Lush is stepping away from its social channels in the UK. Is this a really strategy to improve customer experience or just an excuse to relax their marketing?
Why curiosity is essential for a marketing agency
As children we questioned everything. Here's why that same curiosity is beneficial to your content marketing agency.
08/04/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
This week it was all about cybersecurity at Gloo HQ. A number of data breaches in the news got our conversational juices flowing.
What does cybersecurity mean for marketers?
We've been writing about cybersecurity for years. But there's always more to learn, so I asked our resident specialist all about it.
Can a voice be truly genderless?
What do Siri, Alexa, and Cortana have in common? They’re all virtual assistants designed to serve us—and they’re all voiced by women. Could Q be about to change that?
01/04/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
This week we've been discussing the latest ad starring Hollywood hunk Tom Hiddleston, the surprising new signing by Warner Music and the UK's growing trust in AI over politicians.
25/03/19: What got Gloo HQ talking
This week we've been discussing the many interpretations of emojis, robots in HR and the merits of good PR.
AR posters: latest fad or marketing revolution?
Filmmakers have always looked to new technology to attract new audiences. The marketing teams are now catching on—could AR posters be the next big thing?
How to bring your data to life
Data doesn't have to be boring. But it can be hard knowing the best way to share that data. We can help.
Why body positivity starts with advertising
It’s promising to see so many brands reconsidering the way they represent women in their advertising.
What got Gloo HQ talking and sharing this week
It was all about 5G, MWC and IoT beehives at Gloo HQ this week. Find out why these topics sparked our interest.
What have beards got in common with content?
In a world where content has reached saturation point, how do you make yours stand out? We've got six tips that can help.
Time to fold? Should you go all in?
The folding phones have finally been revealed—but are they matching up to our expectations?
Is a cashless society right for everyone?
I probably couldn't even tell you when I last used cash. But not everyone is in favour of the cashless society.
Did we forget to mention that?
When it comes to transparency, Google is all for it. Except, when it’s not.
Style guides say a lot about you
Really good style guides aren’t just about the act of writing. They reveal a lot about the organisations’ brand values.
We need to talk about Kevin
That's one less thing to argue about this Christmas. This year there's an out-and-out winner for best festive advert.
Toasting good social media marketing
How do you make your social media stand out? The truth is, you might not be able to. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.
Data, data everywhere
Data can be a tricky business. Get it right and it can elevate your collateral—but get it wrong and it can confuse, distract and even mislead your customers.
Seven suggestions for using social media
You're using social media, that's great. But could you be using it more effectively? We've got seven tips for you.
I love Amazon, but feel no loyalty
We're Amazon addicts here at Gloo. With many a parcel arriving daily. But are we starting to fall out of love with it?
Meet the real digital dinosaurs
We work in advertising, so it goes without saying that we love adverts. So why is that some marketing campaigns can get it so wrong?
How to get your whitepapers read
Short content—infographics, podcasts, videos and social—is all the rage. But longer content is still important. You just need to do it right.
Evading the adblockers
It may have a buzzword for a name, but Adblockalypse is here and it's causing problems for marketers.
Are you proud of your newsletter?
Are you proud of your newsletter or worried it's more of a snooze-letter? Here are our top tips to transform your content and improve engagements.
Why B2B design is special
Marketing for a B2B audience is different to a B2C—here's why we think it's so special from a design perspective.
Taking stock of photography choices
Stock photography is incredibly useful for marketing—but there is definitely room for improvement.
Big or small? Marketing across the business scale
Marketing isn't the same across the board. Here's what I learned when I went from a big company to Gloo.
Big data? Get real
Big data, fast data, smart data—it can be tricky keeping up to date with the shifts in jargon.
Making SlideShare work for you
SlideShare is an excellent tool for your marketing needs—you just need to learn to make it work for you.
Is this the end of scantily clad models in cheesy poses?
We all know that stock photography isn't true to life—its portrayal of women is particularly questionable. This organisation hopes to change that.
What marketers should learn from cybercriminals
Yes, marketers really can learn a thing or two from cybercriminals.
Has IKEA got a screw loose?
Customers can be one of your best marketing assets—but you need to allow them to be creative. Don't make the same mistake IKEA did.
How to get more from your subject-matter expert interviews
Conducting an interview for a piece of content marketing? Here's how to get the most out of your interviewee.
How to apply for a job at Gloo
Fancy working with us? Here's our top tips on how to apply for your next position. And even if we're not your cup of tea, the advice is universal.
Webinars: Love them or hate them?
A great webinar can be incredibly powerful, but they can be difficult to organise and stressful to deliver. We have some advice.
Doing bid docs right
Most B2B companies will have to, eventually, create a bid document. Luckily, we're experts at it. Here are our top tips for creating the best document.
When you’re looking for examples, think global
It's easy to look for examples close to home. Hit your readers with something new and look globally for future examples.
Four key ingredients for successful collateral
In our experience, we've found there are four primary ingredients that every good piece of collateral needs. We call them the “4 Ss”.
Worth repeating: Marketing is everything you do
Marketing is everything you do—it's not just a way to sell to customers. Here's an example of one company that's doing marketing right.
Time for a new taxonomy of infographics?
Clear definitions help everyone. Is it time we defined what infographics are once and for all?
I’m starting to hate “infographics”
We all love a good infographic. But just because something looks like an infographic doesn't mean it is.
Five tips to create the right content for the job
Want to get better results from your campaigns? You need to pick the right content for the job. Here are our five top tips.
How well do you know your marketing prospects?
Here's why creating an in-depth profile of your customers is so important to help create more effective marketing content.
The new LinkedIn: what it means for your content marketing
LinkedIn is changing. Here’s how you can make the most of it.
The Force is strong with Mission Burrito
We can't help but spot great marketing—even when we're out of the office grabbing our lunches.
Cardinal sins writers should avoid
Are you making any of these cardinal sins in your writing? Learn how to avoid them with this handy blog.
Is your content customer-safe?
Even if the assets your marketing agency creates are designed for internal use only, here's why they should always be appropriate for customers too.
What on Earth is marketing?
At my interview I was asked the question: "How would you define marketing?" Now that I've got the job, I aim to find out.
How to get the most out of your agency
Agencies come in all shapes and sizes, and offer a range of different services. Here's how to get the most from yours.
When is a whitepaper not a whitepaper?
Cutting through the jargon to get to the heart of content marketing. And finding out once and for all what a whitepaper really is.
Social network Top Trumps. Well, somebody had to do it…
We all love a quick game of Top Trumps. But what if we could do the same to compare social media platforms?
eBay Now has got us excited
eBay Now is one of the most exciting pieces of marketing and commercial news we’ve read about in a long time.
Why let bad customer service undermine your marketing?
You have a great product, and you've marketed it well. Don't fall down at the last hurdle—check your customer service is up to scratch.
What do job applicants and marketers have in common?
Applying for jobs is tough, and so is marketing. Turns out the two can learn a lot from each other.
Don’t rush your product naming
It's difficult naming a product, but it pays to spend the time getting it right. Here are our top tips.
What’s a marketing agency blog for?
Like you, we’re interested in ROI in marketing. So as we sit down to write a new post, we ask ourselves: what’s the value in it for our readers, and for us?
Give the gift of dignified marketing
Christmas can be tough for marketers. But before you start a big promotion with daily emails, think about the long-term effect on your brand.
Of elephants and invisible gorillas
Sometimes all it takes to fix a problem is a fresh pair of eyes.
Netflix u-turns on Qwikster
As Netflix announces its u-turn on the Qwikster split, we ponder the problems and what we can learn from its mistakes.
Don’t be afraid to ask
You know data is important to marketing—but are you collecting the right data to actually be useful to your customers? If not, it might be time to ask.
How not to do email marketing
You can learn a lot about what not to do in your own email marketing campaign from the spam you receive daily.
Save time with our ‘quick review labels’
Keep seeing the same problems on your sales and marketing materials? Flag them with our patented, tried-and-tested Quick Review Labels.
One year on—our tips for choosing an agency
We've been in business for a whole year—here's the things we've learned that might help you select your next agency.
When did annoying people become a good idea?
Advertising is never going to be something consumers actively look for. But is this the best way to attract our attention?
Timing is the thing, it’s true
Just like in comedy, timing is everything. Here are four tips to help you nail yours.
Small detail, big impact
Even tiny details, like your font choice, can be distracting for customers when you're trying to get a message across and build your brand.
Big data: opportunity or headache?
The volume and variety of data available has grown massively. What can we, in marketing, do with all the data available?
You keep using that word… I do not think it means what you think it means
Companies love boasting about the unique benefits they offer to customers. But how come what they're saying is so generic?
Lead generation is a mug’s game
Conventional wisdom still tells you to buy large lists and send out direct mail. But with DM budgets dropping, is it the best way?
Ditching your website for Facebook? Oh, come on…
Remember when companies put AOL keywords on their marketing communications? The same thing is happening with Facebook.
In social networks, size isn’t everything
With so many people to follow, there's no way you can keep up with all the content produced. That's why we strive for quality not quantity.
Forget the “top ten writing rules”
The internet is full of "top X" lists on copywriting. But great copywriting isn't as simple as following bitesize rules.
How to be a complete and utter failure
We all like to read — and write — about success stories. But you can learn just as much from looking at what businesses do wrong.
Writing copy? Pack light
Writing copy is a lot like packing for a holiday. You only have a limited amount of space, so how do you decide what goes in?
Three ways to write better presentations
Fed up of presentations with boring slides and too much text that go on too long? We've got some suggestions that could help.
How the cookie crumbles
Here's what the amended EU e-Privacy directive means for you and your online marketing.
What car hire can tell us about customer loyalty
You can learn all about customer loyalty in the most surprising of places—as a recent car hire experience taught me.
The art of giving effective feedback
Feedback is a fundamental part of the client-agency relationship. And learning how to give it effectively can ensure future success.
Style guides are alive and kicking (and relevant to you)
We're big champions of the value that a consistent and high-quality style can bring to any written document, but what makes a good style guide?
Finding your way in social media
It's a big field, so how do you get where you want to go? Here are six fundamental questions to help you avoid the pitfalls and achieve more, more quickly.
How little mistakes can ruin campaigns
Royal Mail's "Business Solutions Pack" provides a great lesson in how not to design and execute a campaign.
Making sense of Facebook’s $50bn valuation
Goldman Sach's investment in Facebook has received an amazing amount of press coverage. But what does Facebook's $50bn valuation really mean?
Behind every suit is a person
When you're marketing to businesses it's easy to forget that you're still talking to individual people. We've all done it.
Our manifesto for better customer references
Recently we identified where companies struggle with customer references. Now we look at solutions.
Thank you Royal Mail for encouraging intelligent marketing
A price increase from Royal Mail is going to encourage marketers to change their habits and adopt more intelligent methods.
Why your customer advocacy programme isn’t working
Customer references can be an incredibly powerful tool. But lots of companies struggle with them. We look at why.
Building a channel? Take it steady
When you're a small business it can be tempting to grow as quickly as you can—but that might not always be the best tactic.
Amex: not exactly in the spirit of opt-in…
I opted out of receiving marketing communications when I signed up for Amex. Despite this, I just got this gem.
What inertia means for online advertising
How have your ad budgets shifted over the past couple of years? When do you still advertise in newspapers and magazines?
Would your company pass the “van test”?
I've been thinking about a simple test for company taglines. I call it the "van test". Would you pass?
“They’re boxy, but they’re good”
Volvo have delivered a sublime bit of brand-aware advertising that teaches us three great lessons.
Economist promotion shows that the little things matter
This example from the Economist shows that the little things matter—especially when it comes to your marketing.
Why you should avoid security theatre
Is too much security a bad thing? No, but security for security's sake might be.
What’s in a name?
Is its decision to take legal action against Teachbook a sign that Facebook has reached its peak?
SEO? What about optimising for users?
We're always seeing articles about optimising your site for SEO, but what about your users? Are you optimising it to give them the best experience?
Truth in advertising
David Mitchell's latest column in the Observer can teach us all a thing or two about marketing.
Even big brands get it wrong
Marketing is tough. Don't fret when you make a mistake—the big brands do it too.
Why we need more campaigns like #ShowUs