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Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day has been dubbed a waste of money with novelty mugs and cheap underwear amongst the worst presents.

More than half of the 2,015 adults polled, said their partner should make more effort, rather than splurge on presents they don’t even want.

Respondents reported the rubbish gifts they had received included ‘wrong’ perfume, socks, candles and even, a car mat.

But while most said the day of lovers is a waste of time, one in three said they’d be gutted if their better half did nothing to celebrate.

Travel together

The research by Railcard.co.uk, found that one in five said a trip away would be the best romantic gesture with the Lake District top destination in the UK.

Relationship expert and coach, Sarah Louise Ryan, said: “Couples who travel together often end up more fulfilled and happier in their relationship.

“There are many reasons for this; inclusive of the fact it encourages communication and can deepen feelings of commitment as they plan their trips ahead of time, looking towards the future.

“Travel allows more opportunities for romance and time outside of the day-to-day routine, meaning romantic sparks can be reignited.

“Where flowers and chocolates can play a part, this Valentine’s Day I’d encourage all couples to carve out some time to book and experience a romantic getaway, whether for a day trip or a long weekend.”

The study also found 36% had considered a trip together as a way to rekindle a floundering relationship.

Awaken Your Brand: Innovative Approaches for Dynamic Growth

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In the bustling marketplace of today, where innovation is the norm and preferences shift with the blink of an eye, the question isn’t whether to revitalize your brand, but how. Gone are the days when a static image could sustain success; now, brands must dance the delicate waltz of evolution, constantly attuned to their audience’s shifting desires and aspirations. This article isn’t just a list of strategies—it’s your roadmap to rejuvenating your brand with creativity and foresight, ensuring it not only survives but thrives in the modern market.


Captivating Connections Transform Brand Perception

Reassessing how your brand is perceived in the marketplace can provide valuable insights, and engaging with your audience is a key component in this process. By leveraging platforms like social media for feedback, you can gain a clearer understanding of how your brand is viewed and identify areas for improvement. Audience participation isn’t just a marketing tactic—it’s a strategic priority that can boost brand engagement significantly. By actively engaging with your audience, you can gather real-world data that informs more effective branding decisions, giving you a competitive edge.

Embrace Tomorrow’s Visual Trends for a Fresh Look

Incorporating contemporary design trends is a great way to refresh your brand’s visual identity. Today, innovations that blend creativity with strategic storytelling are becoming more prominent. Embracing a minimalist approach can help your brand stand out in an overcrowded marketplace, ensuring it remains relevant and resonates on a deeper emotional level with consumers. Conduct thorough research and stay true to your core values, tailoring modern designs to amplify your brand’s unique voice. If navigating these trends seems challenging, professional design assistance can ensure your brand captures attention and builds lasting connections.


Green Is the New Gold: Elevating Brand Messaging

Integrating sustainability and social responsibility into your core message is an effective way to refresh your brand. With a growing number of consumers willing to change their behavior to reduce environmental impact, transparently communicating your brand’s efforts in these areas builds trust. By adopting ethical business practices and ensuring partnerships align with your values, you demonstrate a genuine commitment to these causes. This not only strengthens your brand’s credibility but also positions you as a leader in a rapidly evolving market.

Data-Driven Insights Propel Market Adaptability

Leveraging data analytics is key to understanding and capitalizing on market shifts. By transforming vast amounts of raw data into actionable insights, you can uncover trends in customer behavior and evolving market dynamics. These insights help identify emerging opportunities and anticipate future challenges, ensuring your brand remains relevant and resilient. Embracing advanced data analytics fosters a proactive approach to business strategy, keeping you ahead of competitors.

Storytelling as a Catalyst for Emotional Engagement

Refining your storytelling techniques is crucial for fostering emotional connections with your audience. Emotional storytelling is set to dominate marketing strategies because emotions create stronger bonds with consumers. By crafting narratives that evoke genuine emotions, you can transform ordinary transactions into meaningful experiences, leading to deeper customer loyalty and engagement. Adopting these storytelling strategies allows you to stand out in a crowded market, ensuring your brand remains impactful in nurturing lasting relationships.

Digital Evolution Keeps Your Brand Ahead

To keep your brand relevant in today’s digital landscape, routinely assess and refine your digital presence. By adapting to the latest technological advancements, such as AI-driven personalization and 5G integration, you can provide a more tailored experience to your audience. Embracing new platforms and interactive content formats helps you stay ahead of competitors and create memorable interactions with your customers. Updating your strategy to include ethical and inclusive marketing practices aligns with modern consumer expectations and strengthens your brand’s reputation.

Impact with Style: Custom Business Cards

Creating personalized business cards is a strategic way to reinforce your brand’s identity and make a lasting impression on potential clients. By opting for custom designs, you ensure that each card reflects your brand’s unique personality through appropriate colors, fonts, and layouts. Utilizing a platform that allows you to create and print business cards online simplifies this process, providing access to high-quality templates, generative AI features, and user-friendly editing tools. Thoughtfully crafted cards serve as potent promotional tools, fostering deeper connections and brand recognition.

Embracing the challenge of brand revitalization is about more than survival; it is about crafting a narrative that aligns with the vibrancy of today’s marketplace. As the business landscape continues to evolve, let creativity and innovation be your guiding stars. Whether through the careful integration of modern aesthetics, ethical practices, or the power of emotional narratives, your brand has the opportunity not just to adapt, but to inspire and lead. Each step taken is an invitation to turn the ordinary into extraordinary, ensuring your brand resonates, connects, and thrives like never before.

New US Tariffs Fuel Rise in British Consumer Loyalty and Demand for .UK Websites

UK shoppers increasingly choosing British websites and products after Trump’s “Liberation Day” policy.

A growing wave of consumer patriotism has emerged in the UK following the announcement of “Liberation Day” tariffs by US President Donald Trump, according to recent insights from the country’s domain name registry.

Nominet, which has overseen the .UK web domain since 1996, reports a noticeable increase in support for British goods in the wake of shifting US trade policy.

In a poll of 2,000 adults across the UK conducted by the registry – responsible for 10 million domain names – 49% of respondents said the new US tariffs made them more likely to purchase British products in the future.

Just 14% said they would not be swayed by the tariffs, while 37% remained uncertain about how it might affect their buying behaviour.

Older consumers, particularly those over 55, were more likely to express a renewed appreciation for homegrown products. Residents of the North East and West Midlands were also more likely to reconsider their purchasing habits due to the tariffs.

The survey found that 64% of respondents felt an increased sense of pride when buying British following the announcement. By contrast, 13% said they felt no change, and 23% were unsure of their response.

Additionally, 54% said that the presence of a UK domain name – such as .co.uk or .uk – played a role in where they chose to shop online. This preference was most prominent in Scotland and the South East, and among the over-55 demographic.

David Carroll, Chief Customer Officer at Nominet, commented:
“We’ve seen a Trump bump of our own in terms of online searches for UK domain names over the last week or so. With pride returning to buying British – it looks like a growing number of businesses and individuals are looking at registering a UK web address to join the 10m already registered.

“Choosing a .UK domain name has always been a conscious decision for many online businesses, but with a growing sense of pride in buying British – now may be the time for many UK businesses to tap into this feeling.”

Online search trends from Google reveal a sharp rise in interest for UK domain names following Trump’s policy announcement, with “co.uk” reaching its highest level of search interest since February 2024.

Limited100 Celebrates International Growth with 400th Order

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Limited100, a British luxury automotive wall art brand based in the East Midlands, has proudly surpassed the 400-customer mark – a milestone that reflects its increasing global popularity. The company, known for its handcrafted, limited-edition prints of iconic cars, has seen orders flow in from around the world since its launch in 2020.

Founder Simon Wright explained how the idea for the company first came to him: “I started Limited100 because after moving into my first home I was searching online for some artwork of a Lamborghini Miura, which I regard as the most beautiful car of all time and I couldn’t find anything of super high-quality that was handmade, so I decided to create a company of my own that celebrates the handbuilt artisanship that Britain is so synonymous with.”

The landmark 400th customer came from Portugal, purchasing a Ferrari F40 print as a birthday present for their CEO. It’s one of many examples of how Limited100’s bespoke prints are being used to mark special moments in customers’ lives.

Simon elaborated: “At the business’s conception, I began working with a carefully curated group of award-winning photographers and to ensure exclusivity, each print we produce is limited to 100 units ever, hence our name. The edition number is picked at random for each order, unless a customer reaches out for something specific. For example, edition 8/100 is popular with our Japanese customers, and we recently had an order for someone’s 50th birthday, so as a thank you for their custom we gave them edition 50/100.”

The business is officially accredited with the Made in Britain collective, reinforcing its commitment to UK manufacturing. “In 2020 I applied for Made in Britain status, and eligibility requirements included manufacturing and assembling a physical product in the UK, and that 80% of our value chain is in the UK. Because our printing and framing are completed in Nottingham from UK-sourced materials, our application was approved and we now display the Made in Britain logo on our website, the backs of our frames, and certificates of authenticity.”

The company’s automotive prints are available in a range of sizes, from A3 all the way up to 5 metres wide. Formats include print-only, framed, canvas, aluminium composite and acrylic glass. Fully bespoke, they can print any format their customers request.

Enviro Waste Management Refocuses on Commercial Sector Through Strategic Rebrand

Enviro Waste Management has undertaken a brand overhaul to align more closely with its new commercial-only focus. Formerly operating across domestic and construction sectors, the company has now committed fully to serving businesses, with a goal of delivering seamless, sustainable, and efficient waste management solutions tailored to commercial needs.

The rebrand includes the rollout of a contemporary website, built for ease of use, and a refreshed digital voice to reflect the company’s refined commercial positioning. Changes will extend offline in stages, with updated uniforms, vehicle branding, and waste sacks being introduced across the business. Complementing this visual revamp is an expanded range of services — including the recently launched bins and sacks collection, which features overnight pick-up to ensure no disruption to business activities. Alongside collection, Enviro Waste Management is committed to responsible waste handling through sorting, reuse, and sustainable disposal.

“Our core values have always been about helping businesses operate more efficiently while reducing their environmental footprint,” said Eli Kushmaro, CEO and Founder of Enviro Waste Management. “While our brand is built on reliability and robust customer support, with this rebrand, we’re not only sharpening our focus on commercial waste but also expanding our service portfolio to truly become the ultimate partner for businesses.”

The updated logo signals this shift with a vibrant blue design and a distinctive brown ‘I’ at the centre — a symbol of the customer’s central role in the company’s mission. Departing from the industry-standard green, the new colour scheme reflects a deeper message: brown stands for trust and stability, while blue signifies professionalism and dependability.

With strong roots in customer service and a forward-thinking strategy underpinned by market research, Enviro Waste Management’s rebrand positions the company to better meet the evolving demands of the commercial sector.

For more information about the rebrand, please visit https://envirowastemanagement.com/ or contact Allysin Pinto, Marketing Lead, at [email protected].

FlairAI Introduces AmourAI to Address Loneliness with Emotionally Smart AI Companions

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AI technology leader FlairAI has unveiled AmourAI, a pioneering AI-powered platform aimed at tackling the escalating loneliness crisis brought about by modern digital lifestyles.

AmourAI is the company’s first direct-to-consumer product, offering 24/7 virtual companionship. Designed to deliver more than just conversation, the platform creates emotionally intelligent interactions that help users feel heard, valued, and supported.

FlairAI views its technology as a bridge toward better real-world engagement, offering users a safe way to practise communication, manage anxiety, and boost confidence in social settings.

“We recognise that meaningful social connection is fundamental to human wellbeing,” said Christer Gustafsson CEO of FlairAI. “AmourAI represents our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance lives through authentic digital relationships while addressing the very real challenge of loneliness that affects millions worldwide.”

Using advanced personalisation, AmourAI companions remember user preferences, detect tone, and tailor responses accordingly—mimicking natural conversation while promoting emotional growth.

The platform encourages authentic self-discovery and personal development, supporting users as they build emotional awareness and interpersonal skills in a risk-free digital space.

In line with FlairAI’s strong data governance policies, the service also guarantees that every user interaction with AmourAI is treated with complete confidentiality and protection.

“AmourAI is just the beginning. Our technology can be seamlessly integrated into any platform where human-like interaction would add value. We’re looking to develop partnerships with healthcare providers, educational institutions and customer service organisations to bring these benefits to their users.” added Christer.

Beyond the individual user, FlairAI’s technology is being developed for integration into a variety of professional services. Its white-label solutions support customer engagement, healthcare delivery, remote education, and support for the elderly—paving the way for human-centric AI to become part of everyday life.

ECB Sets a Clear Liquidity Vision—But Banks Strain Under the Weight of Delivery

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The European Central Bank’s (ECB) new intraday liquidity standards have introduced welcome clarity but also significant implementation burdens, according to analysis from Planixs, a pioneer in real-time liquidity solutions.

Unveiled in late 2024, the ECB’s guidelines redefine what effective liquidity risk management looks like. With 76 individual standards covering real-time data, granular analytics, and solid governance, banks must now upgrade systems rapidly or risk supervision and higher costs.

This is the first time any regulatory body has provided such detailed direction on intraday expectations. The ECB’s publication outlines a comprehensive vision for what institutions must deliver and was developed in partnership with regulators across jurisdictions, making it a useful guide even beyond Europe.

Still, the path from guidance to action remains far from straightforward. Many banks are unsure how to adapt legacy systems and fragmented operations to fit this new paradigm.

To assist, Planixs compiled insights from across the banking sector in a report titled Mastering Intraday Liquidity: ECB Guidelines as a Catalyst for Change. The report provides a roadmap for identifying weaknesses and developing sustainable compliance models.

“The ECB’s guidelines are not just another compliance exercise; they’re a wake-up call for banks to modernise their intraday liquidity capabilities,” said Pete McIntyre, Director at Planixs.

“But awareness alone isn’t enough. The real question for banks isn’t ‘what does the ECB expect?’—that part is clear. The challenge is execution: identifying capability gaps, closing them efficiently, and ensuring continuous compliance as the regulatory environment evolves.”

Success in this environment requires more than compliance—it calls for real-time control, cross-departmental alignment, and risk anticipation.

Planixs promotes a unified strategy for liquidity management, urging banks to integrate platforms and use predictive tools. However, the challenges of disjointed systems and persistent risk volatility remain significant obstacles.

“We encourage banks not to wait for a regulator review but to act now. This is about more than passing an inspection — it’s about future-proofing operations and thriving in an increasingly real-time financial world,” said Pete.

“Institutions that take a proactive approach to intraday liquidity management can reduce funding costs, improve operational agility, and strengthen their market position. Many forward-thinking banks are already using this regulatory shift as an opportunity to enhance efficiency and profitability.”

With intraday liquidity now firmly in the regulatory spotlight, Planixs continues to support banks at all stages of their journey—whether assessing current capabilities, identifying practical steps for compliance, or embedding long-term resilience. The full report, Mastering Intraday Liquidity: ECB Guidelines as a Catalyst for Change, is available by clicking here.

Batman star Val Kilmer dies, aged 65

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Hollywood star Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, has died aged 65.

He died of pneumonia on Tuesday in Los Angeles, his daughter Mercedes told American media.

Kilmer had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, and tracheotomy surgery affected his voice.

But he did make a return to the screen in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), where his character, Iceman, was reunited with Maverick, played by Tom Cruise.

Tom Cruise said at the time: “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”

Kilmer grew up in a middle-class family in Los Angeles and he joined the Julliard School in New York – a prestigious drama conservatory.

He made a name himself in comedies including Real Genius in the eighties, before landing the role that would define him – Iceman – the arch enemy to Maverick in 1986 movie, Top Gun.

Kilmer also chose to use his own singing voice to take on the role of Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991).

He later starred in fantasy film, Willow, where he met his then British actress wife, Joanne Whalley. They had two children.

The release of the 2021 documentary Val, would look back on the actor’s career and his refusal to be silenced by throat cancer.

Actor Josh Brolin, lead the tributes. He wrote: “I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope I see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there.”

Heat director, Michael Mann, told The Hollywood Reporter: “I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character.”

Graeme Souness to Brave English Channel Once Again in Double Swim for EB

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Football legend Graeme Souness CBE, who inspired the nation in June 2023 with his heroic swim across the English Channel, is preparing to return to the water—this time with an even greater challenge ahead—to support those living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin.

His remarkable effort last year raised over £1.5 million for DEBRA UK, a charity dedicated to people affected by this rare and painful skin disorder. Now, Graeme is determined to go even further by swimming the Channel to France and back—a double-distance relay to raise crucial funds and awareness.

In May, Graeme and a team of six swimmers will set off on the round-trip journey, hoping to generate momentum—and donations—for vital clinical trials that could lead to real breakthroughs in EB treatment.

Explaining what drives him, Graeme said:

“I was truly blown away by the support we got back in 2023. I had to do something for my wee friend, Isla, and the thousands of other children and adults affected by this cruel condition. With the money raised DEBRA was able to start testing drugs which could be life-changing for people with EB, but there are many more drugs that they need to test if we are to secure effective treatments for every form of EB, treatments that could help stop the extreme pain of EB. This is why we’re getting back in the water once again. It’s going to be tough; I’m 72 now and it’s double the distance, but I know we can do this, we must do this, we must BE the difference for EB.”

Scheduled for early May—weather permitting—the swim aims to raise £750,000. This will allow DEBRA to fund two additional trials testing existing medications used for severe eczema and psoriasis, which may also help relieve EB symptoms such as painful blisters, open wounds, and relentless itching.

To learn more about EB, visit www.debra.org.uk, and to support Graeme and his team, please donate at www.give.as/debra.

Gary Nunn’s Fusion Approach Is Transforming the Future of Wedding Photography

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A quiet revolution is taking place in the world of wedding photography, led by Gary Nunn, an experienced photographer and filmmaker based in Gloucestershire. His signature style, Fusion, blends traditional photography with cinematic video to offer a powerful, immersive way for couples to relive their day.

Fusion goes beyond static images or conventional wedding films. It’s about emotion, energy, and authenticity—from quiet tears during speeches to the unfiltered joy on the dancefloor. With a fresh, contemporary aesthetic, Gary tells the story of the day exactly as it unfolded.

Unlike traditional setups that involve multiple photographers and videographers, Gary works entirely solo. This allows him to capture moments naturally, without guests feeling overwhelmed by cameras or direction.

“Couples don’t want a production crew following them around,” says Gary. “They want to enjoy their day with their guests. My Fusion style means I capture everything—the laughter, the tears, the little moments—without ever getting in the way.”

With over 700 weddings under his belt—many in far-flung destinations—Gary brings a unique combination of experience, creative instinct, and storytelling precision to every wedding he documents. His editorial and travel film background informs his ability to craft cohesive narratives through visuals that feel both timeless and dynamic.

Couples also receive a package of short-form edits, perfect for posting on social media and sharing instantly with loved ones. All content is thoughtfully curated to reflect the tone and atmosphere of each wedding, with Gary’s signature editing style providing a consistent, high-end finish.

Whether it’s an intimate countryside celebration or a lavish manor house affair, Fusion is flexible enough to suit all kinds of weddings. Gary’s easy-going nature helps everyone feel at ease, encouraging natural interaction and genuine emotion in front of the lens. His rare skill in handling both photography and videography simultaneously sets him apart from traditional teams.

“This isn’t about ticking boxes or staging moments,” says Gary. “The couple is already telling the story—I’m just there to capture it as honestly and beautifully as possible. When they look back, I want them to see the real moments, the real energy, and feel like they’re right back in it.”

Gary Nunn’s Fusion Hybrid Wedding Photography is now available across the Cotswolds, the wider UK, and for destination weddings worldwide—bringing a fresh, cinematic edge to wedding storytelling.

For media enquiries, bookings, or to learn more about Fusion Hybrid Wedding Photography:

Gary Nunn Photography
📧 mailto:[email protected]
 🌐 https://garynunn.co.uk/hybrid-wedding-photography 

Flixier Responds to Sharp Drop in Social Media Reach with Free AI-Powered Content Repurposing Guide

Flixier.com, the fastest cloud-based video editing platform, has launched a free Content Repurposing Guide aimed at helping creators and marketers overcome a dramatic fall in organic reach—particularly on Facebook. According to Flixier’s newly released data, content reach has declined by over 60% in the past two years, impacting influencers, brands, and publishers alike. Their solution? Repurpose existing content to maximise value and visibility across multiple social platforms.

Reports from industry analysts like Socialinsider.io highlighted that as of mid-2024, Facebook’s organic reach had slumped to just 2.6%. While Instagram maintained higher engagement at around 4%, it too recorded a significant 18% drop in total reach—raising concerns about the future of organic distribution.

A Growing Crisis for Content Creators

To better understand the trend, Flixier conducted a study involving Facebook pages with between one and three million followers. The results showed a widespread collapse in reach, even among publishers who had grown their audience or maintained consistent posting. Most saw their Facebook-generated traffic fall to just 10–20% of what it once was.

“In this context, most senior management starts to question further investment into organic social or even winds down on social media activity,” explains Paul Ruscior, CEO and co-founder of Flixier.com. To tackle this problem, he adds that “to help influencers, content creators and marketing managers uphold their efficiency and meet KPI goals, content creation needs to be streamlined.”

Repurposing: The Key to Recovering Lost Visibility

Repurposing content—reworking a previously published video for a new platform—is one of the most effective ways to extend its life and broaden its reach. However, doing this manually can be time-consuming and resource-heavy.

With AI tools now capable of handling transcription, caption generation, and voiceover production, Flixier is enabling creators to streamline repurposing workflows and scale output—without sacrificing quality or time. Their guide outlines practical steps for leveraging these tools and maintaining visibility in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

In Flixier’s step-by-step guide Take back 60% of your reach: Repurpose content and reconnect with your audience through a better medium choice and the right editing toolkit, the authors outline all the steps needed to increase content’s reach on average by 60%. 


Highlights from the Guide and Case Studies

All details are available at: 
https://flixier.com/blog/video-repurposing-combat-falling-social-media-reach-with-content-repurposing, but some of the key takeaways are: 

Features: 

  • 70% time saved
  • Reach increase average of 25% (up to 45% reported)
  • 9 supported platforms for simultaneous video auto-publish
  • 1080p (Full HD) / 4k
  • Ratio conversions (16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:5, 2:3)
  • Compatible with all operating systems (Windows, Mac, Chrome, Linux) through browser
  • Exported videos are always saved as MP4 to ensure maximum compatibility with any online platform, can also export the audio as MP3, or turn segments into GIFs easily. 
  • Seamless integrations with cloud storage providers like Google Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Twitch, Zoom, Soundcloud & external links, besides lightning-fast import for computer uploads. 
  • Generate and edit captions easily, and customize the colors and animations in Flixier to keep them consistent across all platforms. 
  • Brand kit for fonts and colors

Case Studies: Success Stories of Content Repurposing

Content repurposing helps most content creators see a considerable uptick in their cross-channel reach. On average, the period spent on creating content, whether that’s shooting, editing, and sharing posts, was cut down by 70%, all while most users reported a significant reach increase, of 25% or even 45% in some cases. Flixier analyzed examples of creators who took back control of their content’s performance and went from declining reach to explosive growth simply by repurposing their content, leveraging Flixier’s AI technologies. 

Reported were results such as a 320% increase in total engagement across all platforms, a 240% increase in total number of followers, 89% monthly increase in sales, and a shortening of the sales cycle by 23 days. 

CEO and co-founder Paul Ruscior adds: “One of our newest clients reported a 34.6% rise in traffic and 20% more bookings, especially after repurposing preexisting reels to TikTok, as well as to YouTube shorts, instead of just Facebook.” 

About Flixier


Flixier is a cloud-based online video editing platform that enables users to create and edit videos directly within their web browsers, eliminating the need for powerful hardware or installing software. ​Founded in 2018, Flixier is trusted by users in over 190 countries, with over 2000 hours of natively-edited videos getting published monthly.