Startup Spotlight: Enjoy London on a budget with Frugl

Startup Spotlight: Enjoy London on a budget with Frugl

In the news this week here in Londontown, we have learned that the city has more multi-million-pound mansions being sold Fruglthan any other city in the world, we are also hearing that our city is the most expensive place to live in the world.

So what if you are on a budget?

What if cheap eats and charity shops are more you’re style than big bling shopping and dining out for hundreds of pounds? Hey, guess what? There’s an app for that!

For Londoners on a budget, the app Frugl delivers on its promise to keep you informed about the best deals for entertainment in the expensive city. Download the app for free from the Apple App Store and begin to discover an affordable side to London. You’ll get to pick from events and happenings that are free, and up to £10, and select from categories of comedy, poetry, film and cinema, classes and courses, meetups and networking, talks and lectures, beauty, food and drink, kids and family, live music, nightlife, shopping and more. You can also book tickets through the app, and find the location of where you are headed with maps.

Frugl has gotten a good amount of press since launch happened in March 2014, including this article in Forbes. The startup received initial funding of a grant from the Technology Strategy Board (now called Innovate UK). At the helm is CEO founder Suzanne Noble, a 20-year veteran publicist and CTO co-founder Tikiri Hulugalle.

We got to catch up with both founders by joining them recently at TECHtoberfest, and had a blast of a time, all on a budget!

Suzanne let us quiz her further about Frugl, and here’s our Q&A session with her:

Suzanne Noble

Suzanne Noble

Can you tell us the background of Frugl? When did it come about and why?

I’ve been a bargain hunter and a culture vulture since I was a kid growing up in London. Back in the 80s I used to run underground jazz clubs, spending every night handing out flyers, as that was the only way to get the word out. Now there’s so much going on all the time, it’s a challenge to find those under the radar events or great offers. That’s where Frugl comes in – giving event promoters and businesses a platform to publicise great value experiences for our users to discover.

So you set out to make an app for those looking to experience London on a budget. What was your interest in this low budget market?

Well, I believe that having fun shouldn’t be something that only the wealthy can afford. Anyone should be able to have a good time, to find great food/drink, clothes or events whatever their budget. I’m naturally inclined to want to save money whenever possible so Frugl reflects my own passion.

What kind of events and offerings can people find on Frugl?

From the start, I wanted to reach varied tastes and interests. Currently you can find free haircuts, meal deals, live music and comedy, workshops and much more. The basic philosophy of Frugl is that, provided it has a start/end time and there is at least one of something to be sold, it can be listed on Frugl.

Have you had many downloads of the app and can you share with us how many?

We’ve hit about 20k and, with our new marketplace on web and now iOS and Android too are looking to rev up our numbers over the next few months.

You know, there are a lot of event business models out there – can you tell us why Frugl stands apart from the competition?

We’re really trying to broaden our inventory beyond events. We know there’s a lot of apps out there but we know that when people think of Frugl, they think beyond events. That’s why we encourage businesses in the food/drink and health/beauty space to use us too.

Frugl is just for London now, but do you have plans to offer it in other cities?

Absolutely. Moving beyond London is definitely on the roadmap over the next year.

What are your top picks for Frugl things to do in London?

We love The Good Ship Comedy Club on a Monday night in Kilburn. It’s always fun and the atmosphere is great.

Thanks for talking with us Suzanne!

By the way, you can find Suzanne on Twitter at @FruglFounder and follow Frugl @Frugl.

 

 

Sneak Preview: WeAreDotDotDot

Sneak Preview: WeAreDotDotDot

We love to share first looks at new things happening in the world and are thrilled to invite you to come along to a sneak

WeAreDotDotDot.com

WeAreDotDotDot.com

preview of WeAreDotDotDot.com!

WeAreDotDotDot.com, now in beta phase, is a new platform that will connect young people in East London with digital learning programmes and job networking opportunities. The Connecting Tech City team behind this initiative aim to help East London young people prepare and find employment with the thriving businesses of London’s Tech City. See the press coverage about WeAreDotDotDot featured on TechCityinsider.net here.

Do you want to be part of the development stage in the run up to WeAreDotDotDot’s official launch in March 2015?

Sign up today to be part of a great movement at: www.wearedotdotdotdot.com

WeAreDotDotDot is particularly keen to hear from you if you are from Hackney, Islington, Newham or Tower Hamlets and aged 11-25.

Due to high demand, we will be holding the sneak previews on three days, with the first one kicking off 2015 on Wednesday, 21st January.

Then the next sneak preview will be on Tuesday 17th February and finally the last one will be held Wednesday 11th March.

All events will be held 4-6pm at Central Working Whitechapel, 69-89 Mile End Road, London E1 4TT. (Entrance through Foxcroft & Ginger Café)

*Teachers and guardians also welcome to attend.

At the sneak preview you will get to:

• beta test the platform

• get to know first hand how experienced developers tackle issues around user experience, design and coding

• be the first to have access to more than 60 courses on offer on the platform, to develop your skills in tech

• find out about the latest apprenticeships available in tech

• find out about funds and grants to support you financially

• receive an invite to attend our launch event in March 2015 as a VIP guest

• know why you should help get the word out and encourage other young people to sign up to the platform

Get your ticket to attend a sneak preview here:

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wearedotdotdotcom-sneak-preview-tickets-15177131208

Follow WeAreDotDotDot on Twitter:

#WeAreDotDotDot

@WeAreDotDotDot

Find WeAreDotDotDot on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/connectingtechcity

*Coming soon to Instagram!

Do you tweet? We’d love to see you on there. Here’s a few suggested tweets you can share:

Young? In East London? Want to work in Tech City? Be among the first to know about @wearedotdotdot #WeAreDotDotDot: http://www.wearedotdotdot.com

Check out @wearedotdotdot, helping East London young people prepare for jobs in Tech City. #WeAreDotDotDot Sign up here: http://www.wearedotdotdot.com

#WeAreDotDotDot launches in 2015! Helping East London young people prepare for jobs in Tech City. Sign up at: http://www.wearedotdotdot.com @wearedotdotdot

For more information, contact lisa@haimediagroup.com

Hai Media Group Supports: Women Shift Digital Conference 26th November 2013

Hai Media Group Supports: Women Shift Digital Conference 26th November 2013

We are proud to be supporting an upcoming conference that will bring together some of the most talented women

The Women Shift Digital Conference is 26th November 2013 at Level 39

working in the digital and technology sectors. Presented by body>data>space the Women Shift Digital conference will take place 26th November 2013 at Level 39 in Canary Wharf. They are expecting about 200 guests, and they have an exciting line-up of speakers and attendants.

Please find full details in the press release, here:

 

A Conference to celebrate

Women in Digital Careers

 Level 39 / Canary Wharf / 26 November 2013 / London

Women Shift Digital is a conference for women and men, designed to celebrate women in digital careers, network the networks and influence the influencers. It is a day to reflect collectively on the positive impacts women are making with digital-led careers as creatives, managers and executives in creative industries, education, business, design, skills development and the arts.

We are inviting women and men, active talents in the digital sector, ready to input, share ideas, make new partners and move forward together.

This special gathering will feature inspiring keynote speakers and panelists, demonstrations and debates from leaders and movers in micro-enterprises to SMEs, institutions to companies. 

Confirmed speakers and participants include:  Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central MP, currently Shadow Cabinet Office Minister and former Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science & Digital Infrastructure),  Kate Russell (Technology Reporter, BBC Click & Author of ‘Working The Cloud’),  Dr Sue Black (Senior Research Associate in Computer Science, University College London/the goto Foundation), Ghislaine Boddington (body>data>space), Eric van der Kleij(Level39), Dinis Guarda (CEO IHQ), Anne-Marie Imafidon (Stemettes), Ron Edwards(QA), Emilie Giles (Codasign), Will Harvey (Ogilvy), Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino(Designswarm / Internet of Things), Rachel Coldicutt (Director, Caper/Articulate), Magdalena Kron (GeekGirlMeetup UK),  Richard Adams (Microsoft), Evelyn Wilson (TCCE), Haidee Bell (Nesta Innovations Programmes),  Dr. Mitra Memarzia (IC tomorrow / Social Media Week London), Paola Cuneo (UK Trade and Investment), Roberta Lucca (Bossa Studios), Christoph Jankowski(UK Cultural Contact Point), Derek Richards(Hi8us South), Ruth Catlow(Furtherfield), and more!

This is the right point in time to recognise and celebrate the greater benefits gender diversity is bringing to the digital and tech marketplace in terms of creativity, user design and economic added value. Underusing the talent, skills, visions and knowledge offered by women is no longer an option – we need to work together, women and men, to design our future.

BOOK YOUR TICKET: http://womenshiftdigital.eventbrite.com/

Start following the debate now #womenshiftdigital

Co-produced and curated by body>data>space, supported and hosted by Level39 / Canary Wharf

Supported by:QA, UK Trade & Investment, Canary Wharf Arts and Events, Taylor Wessing, SMartEU, Creative Guild, Kinura, IntelligentHQ, Hai Media Group.

 

Media Partner:The Huffington Post UK

 

The What’s Happening Guide to Mobile World Congress 2011 by Hai Media Group

The What’s Happening Guide to Mobile World Congress 2011 by Hai Media Group

Are you getting ready for Mobile World Congress 2011? Let Hai Media Group help with your planning.

Firstly, we would like to invite you to meet with our client HipLogic, who recently launched *Spark:
www.sparkmyphone.com

This popular new app for Android and Symbian phones gives your mobile home screen a complete makeover, and connects you to Twitter, Facebook, news, entertainment, weather and even Groupon deals.

The Sunday Times in the UK calls it a “clever way to customise the home screen of an Android phone, replacing the normal grid of shortcuts with constantly updated news and weather headlines, as well as your friends’ updates on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. It’s also the most convenient way to hear about offers from Groupon, the American company that earlier this month did the unthinkable and spurned a buyout offer from Google of nearly $6 billion (repeat, in Dr. Evil voice: six billion dollars).”

The new app has also been featured in PC World, Stuff UK and will be reviewed in T3, among hundreds of other blogs and media outlets. *Spark is a free app and can be found in the Android Market and Nokia’s Ovi Store.

In just a short beta period *Spark attracted 100K downloads, and since launch late last year, has grown in popularity in 150 countries. At Mobile World Congress 2011 you’ll be able to meet with CEO Mark Anderson, where the company will provide a news announcement.

*To book your meeting, please contact Mary Epworth today at:
mary AT haimediagroup DOT com

Additionally, To guide you to this year’s Mobile World Congress 2011, Hai Media Group has put together tips on events happening, and included some veteran insight from mobile marketing and media specialist Helen Keegan, who has attended for the last six years.

You may know her as the mobile blogger Technokitten or follow her on Twitter (@Technokitten). She also organizes the popular Swedish Beers (@swedishbeers) event and Mobile Monday London ( @momolondon).

The What’s Happening Guide to Mobile World Congress 2011
By Hai Media Group (www.haimediagroup.com)

Hot
Mobile World Congress veteran Helen Keegan suggests you be sure to check out App Planet in Hall 7, which is expected to be even bigger this year with more exhibitors, more seminar and conference sessions and more to do. Based on what was spotted at CES in Las Vegas earlier this year, expect to see a lot of tablet devices in the main devices Hall. And don’t forget to look out for the best of British at the UKTI pavilion and the usually impressive technology innovations which can be spotted at the Israeli country pavilion.

Crime
Keep your kit minimal, leave anything you don’t really need at home, and do get a Yoigo sim card, as it in previous years has had the best Pay as You Go rates for data and calls. Extra gadgets to worry about can make you a crime target. Definitely don’t take your laptop or briefcase around with you, and hide your Congress badge when you leave the venue. Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets and muggings so be street smart both inside the venue and out and about. Bring a spare phone, in the unfortunate event that you get robbed. Many do. See more on Helen’s tips to stay safe at this blog post.

Fun
When it comes to networking events and parties, go with the flow! Helen says to keep your ears open for random parties that come up during the event that aren’t always publicized, which can be the best ones. The Mobile Entertainment Forum is always popular and Swedish Beers should not be missed. Nokia generally runs a party, usually invitation only, and attendants have loved it in past years. Mobile Monday has in works a couple of worthwhile panel sessions to be hosted with United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI). Blue Via is sponsoring the Mobile Premier Awards in the company’s Barcelona offices.

If you can make the time, a fast way to check out the sites of Barcelona is to take the tourist bus, that will show you the city’s amazing architecture, with discussion on the history. Stroll down La Ramblas where you’ll see many creative street performers. To be recommended is St Eulalia’s feast where they have the Little Devil’s parade in the Old Town on the Sunday night. It is spectacular if you get chance to see it.

Health
Helen says that you’ll need to pace yourself at Mobile World Congress and remember that it is a marathon and not a sprint. Get organized, plan well with your team, wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget to eat properly. As you book meetings, try to see the people you wouldn’t have opportunity to meet at home, the international event attracts business from every country in the world. Be sure to leave time for attending all the evening events and parties, where you just might meet someone who could transform your business prospects.

Find your insider’s guide to events at Mobile World Congress below, and please note that we aren’t organizing the events, so if you want to RSVP or find out more information please visit the appropriate website. You are also welcome to use our tips for your blog or news stories, please do credit and link to Hai Media Group www.haimediagroup.com

What’s Happening?

Mobile Sunday Barcelona 2011-01-15
WHEN: Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7 PM
WHERE: VINTAGE, Carrer de la Fusina, 7, 08003 Barcelona
WEBSITE: http://www.m-trends.org/2011/01/mobile-sunday-barcelona-2011.html

The sixth annual Mobile Sunday – an unofficial, informal and generally cool and funky gathering of mobile bloggers and their chums is hosted by Rudy de Waele (m-trends.org), meets at one of the coolest bars in Barcelona, the VINTAGE, that has a spacious, jazzy, loungy atmosphere with various rooms and salons. On offerfor 500 guests is drinks and nibbles, a heated terrace, sofas, private salons, four screens and a dancefloor. Attended by start-ups to VCs, operators to handset manufacturers, making an influential crowd. This is also a unique chance for you to meet the most influent bloggers writing about mobile and to meet the MobileMonday global chapter founders in one spot during the conference.

Mobile Premier Awards
WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2011, 3 PM
WHERE: Telefonica R&D Catalunya Headquaters
WEBSITE: http://www.mobilepremierawards.com

The Mobile Premier Awards are among the most influential events in the mobile industry and the point of reference in early-stage innovation during the Mobile World Congress, featuring 20 finalists from the AppCircuses events held during 2010. Participation is free and open to any start-up or developer with a mobile app! Registration will start 2:30 PM, drinks will be offered after the event in the same location until ca. 8 PM.The nominated apps for the Mobile Premier Awards 2011 edition include the AppCircus winners of the 2010 series of events and a selection of the best apps of the AppCircus Categories. All entries will be judged by an international jury (2011 jury TBC) in the week from January 17-22. The finalists to present at the event will be announced on January 24, 2011

MEF EMEA AGM and Board Elections at MWC
WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2011, 6 PM
WHERE: Museu Picasso, c/Montcada, 15-23 08003, Barcelona
WEBSITE: http://www.m-e-f.org/industryevents/mwc_2010/emea_board_elections/#c2249

The MEF EMEA board is committed to creating local trade development opportunities, providing regional market insight and briefing the membership on legislation affecting their businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For this year’s elections, there are five vacancies for the EMEA board at the forthcoming elections on Monday. If you are a Full MEF member and would like to run for the EMEA board and contribute, send in your 200-word campaign statement and photo (jpeg format) to Sarah Roberts. As well as the elections, the meeting will provide a round-up of MEF’s activities and an opportunity for members to discuss the agenda for the year ahead. The AGM is open to all MEF members. If you would like to attend, please register at the website.

MEF Connects @ MWC 2011
WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2011, 8 PM
WHERE: Museu Picasso, c/ Montcada, 15-23, 08003, Barcelona
WEBSITE: http://www.m-e-f.org/industryevents/mef_connects_mwc_2011/

MEF Connects @ MWC in association with Dolby is back and expected to be even bigger and better. A night of cocktails, tapas and art among 13th century architectural surroundings. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit the world-famous Picasso collection upon arrival.

*Please note this is a MEMBERS-ONLY event and each member company will only be allocated a fixed number of tickets. Please visit the website to register.

Mobile Valentines Day
WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2011 7-11:30pm
WHERE: Alsur Cafe el Born: Carrer dels Carders 17, Barcelona.
WEBSITE: http://www.amiando.com/em/mvalentine/263571228

*RSVP required, please visit website.

Each year in February we get together to celebrate our true love to mobile devices by taking part in Mobile World Congress, which starts this year on February 14th. To share your passion to mobile we are happy to invite you to Mobile Valentine’s Day party at MWC 2011. Bring your good mood, networking skills and friends with you.

This event is sponsored by Mobile Europe Magazine, SPB Software and Camerjam, who make sure there will be enough food and drinks for all.

Women in Mobile Data: Cava and Canapes
WHEN: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 5-7 PM
WHERE: On site, Stand B101, Hall 8
WEBSITE: http://www.amdocs.com/Pages/HomePage.aspx

“Women in Mobile Data are excited to announce that Amdocs are kindly sponsoring their MWC2011 ‘Cava and Canapes’ networking event.“

The Global Mobile Awards Ceremony
WHEN: Tuesday, 15 February 2011, 3:45 – 5:15
WHERE: Conference center, Hall 5, Auditorium 1
WEBSITE: http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/awards/global_mobile_awards.htm

The Awards presentation will take place in a special ceremony during Mobile World Congress, followed by the official Congress Party & Awards Celebration event. The afternoon Global Mobile Awards Ceremony is included in Gold and Platinum Passes. The evening Congress Party & Awards Celebration is included in the Platinum Pass only, but may be added on to Gold, Silver and Exhibition Visitor Passes for an additional fee.

Congress Party & Global Mobile Awards Celebration
WHEN: Tuesday, 15 February 2011, 7:45 – Midnight
WHERE: National Palace in Montjuïc
WEBSITE: http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/awards/awards_celebration.htm

This evening event provides attendees with fantastic high-level networking opportunities – while enjoying world-class entertainment. This year we’re pleased to feature Grammy and Brit award-winning singer/songwriter Duffy. Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Rockferry in 2009, and she was nominated for two other Grammy awards. The evening Congress Party & Awards Celebration is included in the Platinum Pass only, but may be added on to Gold, Silver and Exhibition Visitor Passes for an additional fee. See the website.

GoMo News Blender
WHEN: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 6:30-11:00pm
WHERE: Incognito BAR, Calle Fusina 6, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
WEBSITE: http://plancast.com/p/39xy

The GoMo News Blender now in its fourth year has become a symbolic, yet legitimate path of the institution that is the Mobile World Congress. Last year at the Blender, they drank the bar dry; twice! In 2010, readership on GoMo more than doubled and are hitting over 300K page views a month. Sponsors this year, for the second year running are Smaato and Diffusion PR who have doubled the investment, so there will be more food and drink for all.

Mobile World Congress Brokerage 2011
WHEN: Monday-Wednesday, February 14-16, 2011
WHERE: Fira de Barcelona
WEBSITE: http://mobile.b2bmatchmaking.com/p_index.php

This forum will bring together suppliers and users of mobile technology and know-how from all over Europe (and other countries such as Canada, Israel, United States and more) to discuss solutions and new opportunities for the future. The Mobile Brokerage Event 2011 is the ideal environment for: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering and those looking for new technologies; scientists and research institutes offering innovative RTD results; start-up companies and entrepreneurs; operators willing to meet innovators and added-value service providers.

Silverstreet & Tranglo GSMA MWC 2011 Party
WHEN: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 9 PM
WHERE: Hyde Club, Pasaje Domingo 3, 08008 Barcelona
WEBSITE: http://www.tranglo.com/events/tranglo-networking-party-gsma-mwc-2011-barcelona

*RSVP by February 9, 2011 to: Barcelona@silverstreet.com/ barcelona@tranglo.com

Swedish Beers
WHEN: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, TIME TBC
WHERE: TBD
WEBSITE: Check Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2456995682

Swedish Beers is an ad hoc (roughly quarterly) networking event for folks with an interest in mobile technology, mobile marketing and mobile media. You don’t have to be a geek to attend, and they actively encourage people to join us from all industries – media, creative, marketing, mobile, telecoms etc.

WIP Jam Party @ MWC “Carnival of Nations Party”
WHEN: Thursday, 17 February, 2011, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
WHERE: Marmalade, Riera Alta 4-6, 08001, Barcelona
WEBSITE: http://www.wipconnector.com/wipjam/mwc2011party

This is “THE” Developer Party at MWC so make sure you come and connect with all the members of the mobile ecosystem. This won’t be just any boring old party. By popular demand, we are bringing back “Jameoke” for the third time – bigger and better than ever! Best practice up for the fun!

UKTI & Digital Communications Knowledge Transfer Network (DCKTN)
WHEN: Various times and days. *See website.
WHERE: On site at Stand AV26 and seminars at Sala Principe in Hall 8.
WEBSITE: http://www.uktechnologylive.com/mwc_uktech_at

UKTI is partnering with the Digital Communications Knowledge Transfer Network (DCKTN) to bring a comprehensive UK programme to this year’s Mobile World Congress. This includes innovative technology displays on the UK Technology stand and a technology seminar programme.


Are you hosting an event at Mobile World Congress 2011?

Please leave a comment and let us know what’s happening!

What We Did This Year: 2010

What We Did This Year: 2010

Hai Media Group had a busy and productive year in 2010. In fact, we were so busy that we didn’t really have time to update this website. The year was spent helping clients with PR campaigns, blogging, guest lecturing, and getting out to a lot of industry events.

So, here is a rundown of what we got up to and highlights of the success we’ve had:

HipLogic
http://www.hiplogic.com

Representing HipLogic, a rising star mobile technology company in Silicon Valley that is in-part funded by Benchmark Partners, the same investors who fund Twitter, we promoted news announcements, and helped build up awareness for the brand in Europe.

*Spark

HipLogic has figured out a better way to help people access social media and information content on your mobile phone. They offer a free application called *Spark that connects you with Twitter, Facebook as well as news, entertainment, weather updates and shopping deals from Groupon. The application can be personalized, allowing you to mash-up the information you are receiving on your handset, selecting what you want to receive, or want to skip.

For *Spark, we first got excitement going for the beta period, in which 100K people downloaded and tested out the app. The beta version of *Spark was featured in Stuff UK, among other outlets.

We launched the full release version of *Spark in December, handling press relations in Europe. Top coverage included a review in The Sunday Times ingear section, an upcoming feature in T3 magazine, and attention from top industry blogs including Allaboutsymbian.com, Androidguys.com, Mobile Marketing Magazine, Mobile Entertainment, GoMo News, and many more.

You can download *Spark for your Android or Symbian handset from the Android Market, Nokia’s Ovi store, GetJar, or from here:

http://www.sparkmyphone.com

Press was particularly interested in HipLogic’s new alliance with Groupon, which is the first of its kind between the massive deals company and a mobile application developer. In the UK, *Spark is the best way to get Groupon deals on your Android phone.

Earlier this year we also announced HipLogic’s partnership with The Carphone Warehouse, and secured attention for this partnership across mobile industry blogs, including an analysis by influential blogger Ajit Jaokar who writes the Open Gardens blog.

Robots & Avatars
http://www.robotsandavatars.net

Hai Media Group represented Robots & Avatars, a programme of events and educational activities. It is designed to explore how young people will work and play with new representational forms of virtual and physical life in 10-15 years time. As part of the programme, debates on topics of the Future World of Work and Behavior and Ethics have been held in London, with leading robotic industry experts and academics. The debates can be viewed on the Robots & Avatars website.

Schools throughout the UK are booking learning experiences offered by Robots & Avatars, with the team coming into classrooms to present interactive lectures on how to build and use avatars, and discussion about career opportunities in the field of robotics.

Robots & Avatars is funded by NESTA, and founded by the art and technology collective body>data>space.

We secured attention for the programme with the BBC Outriders, T3 magazine, The Hackney Gazette and a number of educational outlets and blogs covering technology and robotics. We were particularly excited about the T3 magazine feature, a full page article in the December 2010 issue, offering an interview with Robots & Avatars founder Ghislaine Boddington.

Vodafone Mobile Clicks 2010
http://www.vodafonemobileclicks.com

We promoted the second annual Vodafone Mobile Clicks competition, a search for the best, most innovative mobile internet start-ups in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. This year’s competition saw more entries and received extensive media coverage across Europe. The first place winner was Cardmobili, who received €100,000. Second place was awarded to Roulette Cricket, who won €50,000.

We teamed up with Mobile Monday London and mobile expert Helen Keegan to work with Vodafone in promoting this major contest for European mobile technology start-ups.

StreetSpark
http://www.streetspark.com

StreetSpark is a mobile application that 50K+ people are using in London to meet other likeminded singles. The app uses your phone’s mobile GPS system to locate available people in your immediate area who have similar interests. Unlike other mobile dating apps, this sophisticated technology can match you with others who share your taste in music, food, entertainment and culture.

Top media attention we secured for StreetSpark appeared in Stuff UK, Cosmopolitan, Londonist.com, UrbanDaddy.com, Telecom TV, and more.

Pinnacle PR
http://www.pinnaclepr.net

Hai Media Group’s Director Lisa Devaney continued serving as a trainer for Pinnacle PR, teaching public relations professionals from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the tips and tricks of PR 2.0. In a full-day course, she teaches how Web technologies, including social media and blogging, can be integrated into promotional campaigns. This year she travelled to Brussels several times and to Berlin, where she trained public relations managers from across Europe preparing to promote European Mobility Week.

Over the Air
http://overtheair.org/blog

Hai Media Group’s Director Lisa Devaney hosted a DIY PR Workshop at the Over the Air mobile developers event in London, along with technology public relations star Lauren MacGregor. About 30 attendants provided positive feedback about the workshop, that showed how to promote your mobile application or service with low cost, creative planning and tactics.

Blogging for BrandRepublic

Lisa Devaney continued contributing blog posts to BrandRepublic magazine, where she has been a guest blogger for about three years now. The magazine launched its new social media blog The Wall Blog, and one post drew significant attention from across Europe and America, discussing how PRs are feeling like social media is being dumped on them:

http://wallblog.co.uk/2010/11/04/stop-dumping-soical-media-on-your-pr

Devaney was also invited to be a delegate, as a blogger and technology industry advocate in London, to an event called Innovation Future hosted by UK Trade & Investment, where Prime Minister David Cameron announced his intentions to have the government support creation of a new Silicon Valley in East London:
http://wallblog.co.uk/2010/11/09/american-insight-to-how-east-london-can-be-the-new-silicon-valley

Ark
Throughout 2010, we collaborated with Joan Smith, of Clarendon Media, a cross-platform media expert, to develop a transmedia entertainment property. We explored how to use the online medium to tell an eco-sci-fi story about humanity living on the brink of climate change. Ark is set 30 years in the future, and is under development to be told across Facebook, as a eco-survivalist game, in a book, and to be pitched as a TV programme.

A special thanks!

This year we also want to say thank you to the talented folks who pitched in to help from time to time.

Thank you Jocelyn Brandeis, our PR associate in New York City who supported USA outreach efforts.

Thank you Mary Epworth who is showing a real knack for technology PR, in addition to being a beautiful and talented singer and songwriter.

Thank you Katerina Hejralova for help and support in 2010, who has gone on to start a promising career with London agencies specializing in PR 2.0.

Thank you Kinura for ongoing help with maintaining the Hai Media Group website.

Looking ahead, the new year promises to be busy and packed with a variety of opportunities. If you are interested in working with Hai Media Group in 2011 contact Lisa Devaney at: lisa AT haimediagroup DOT com

You can also follow Lisa Devaney on Twitter at @lisadevaney

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