Graeme Davidson speaks

Hotmail has been terrible recently.  I understand that Microsoft have update their platform and software for Windows Live but the result is awful.

It freezes, it deletes emails, it adds the emails back in, it doesn’t download attachments.  And more, but I can’t be bothered writing it all down.

Now I know that someone will say “use Gmail.”  I have a Gmail account, but I just don’t like it.  There’s something about it that isn’t as good as Hotmail.  Maybe it’s because I have had my Hotmail account since around 1997/98 and I am being loyal (who knows why!).  Plus, I may get an email out of the blue as people have had my same email address for that whole time – I remember registering my email address then not getting any emails from my friends for around the next 5 years!

Anyway, I hope they get their act together soon as it is seriously annoying me.  What if one of my long lost mates has emailed me because he is in town?

Posted by mmmbop on September 1st, 2010 in Work with no comments

I was having a look through the new ecommerce sites for Gap and Banana Republic.

A few things popped up as I did it:

1. Sign up to email gives you 15% discount

2. Orders over £50 get free delivery

3. Returns are free

All great, but…

4. Some of the items shown are not actually the items shown.  Let me explain more.  When looking at the item below, the tailored corduroy blazer, it shows a picture of this young man facing in that strange way (his mate must be behind him shouting “Get us a pint, ya walloper!”).  Anyway, as you can see when I put the cursor over the “camel” colour the colour of the jacket changes but the picture does not.  This means that we are not actually seeing one of the products – rather that someone has just coloured in the original to show how it might look.

Here are the two very similar jackets

That just puts me off buying either, as which is the correct colour.  I don’t like pictures being manipulated in that way.

You can see it here again with this rather fetching leather bag.  Just simply hover over the colour changes and you will see what I mean.  I think that is quite a bit off putting and at worst, extremely lazy photography from Gap and BR.

Well, there you go – it may not stop you buying either the corduroy jacket or the leather bag, but it may make you think about why it is a turn-off from this site.

Posted by mmmbop on August 25th, 2010 in Work with no comments

Last Friday morning (13th August 2010), waiting at Archway station for a tube train to come along, I was having a great time with the anticipation rising for my weekend away to Paris.  However, we were delayed whilst waiting on the train coming along.

Eventually it did and we got on.  Then it didn’t stop at Tufnell Park.  ”Weird,” I thought.  Then it picked up pace and went straight through Kentish Town. “Uh no” I thought.  Then the driver came on the tannoy shouting that we all had to move to the front carriage of the train.  It was an emergency and everyone on board knew it.

Everyone made there way to the front and there were a lot of scared faces.  Mine was too, as we had no idea what was happening.  It was only once we had sped through all stations until Moorgate did the driver inform us that there had been a runaway engineering train behind us.  Not a good start to the weekend.  Now they are carrying out an enquiry.  Good.

Nevertheless, Paris was amazing.  I could easily move there.

Read more about what happened at the London Evening Standard.  And here’s more at the BBC.

Posted by mmmbop on August 24th, 2010 in holiday with no comments

Equator has been appointment by Lloydspharmacy to promote awareness of its Men’s Health services via an online media campaign this month.

“Lloydspharmacy is a well known and trusted brand throughout communities across the whole of the UK and we are thrilled to be working with them on the Men’s Health campaign” said John McLeish, Equator’s managing director.

“Through their Online Doctor service, Lloydspharmacy offers its customers an extremely discreet and convenient way to access a wide range of private doctor services online.  This service can quickly provide people with peace of mind, especially when dealing with potentially sensitive subjects such as impotence, premature ejaculation and hair-loss, which many men can be embarrassed to talk about.”

Jeremy Wilson, online marketing manager at Lloydspharmacy, added: “Through our online media campaign we want to raise awareness of Lloydspharmacy’s Online Doctor service amongst men. Providing access to a free, confidential online consultation with a GP from the comfort of your own home, and next day delivery of prescription medicines to your home or work, this discreet service means that no man should have to suffer in silence about their symptoms.

This post was taken from The Drum – Lloydspharmacy looks to Equator for online Men’s Health campaign

Posted by mmmbop on August 11th, 2010 in Work with no comments

Well, I finally did it.  I have waited for over a year for these bad boys to be reduced in price somewhere.  Thanks to ASOS, I crow-barred open my wallet, dusted down my bank card and bought them.  And I am delighted – reduced from £220 down to £98

Timberland boots

And here I am wearing them:

timberland colrain reissue chukka boots 2

If you want to read a fabulous blog about High Street Fashion then a friend of mine has a wonderful site.

Posted by mmmbop on August 4th, 2010 in Play with 2 comments

AXA PPP healthcare has introduced a free iPhone app that enables users to access information on over 180 medical conditions and health topics ranging from Alzheimer’s to Yellow Fever.

The AXA PPP healthcare iPhone app was developed in conjunction with digital agency Equator.

AXA Policyholders can enter details to pre-authorise a claim and can find out about nearby AXA PPP healthcare approved private practitioners.

There’s also a quote facility for non-members who are interested in taking out AXA PPP healthcare cover.

AXA PPP’s head of e business Richard Cooper said: “We appreciate that, when it comes to their health, people want straightforward access to relevant information straightaway.

“Our iPhone app, which complements the wealth of health information already available on our website, is another way customers can contact us and increase their awareness and understanding of health and medical treatment.”

Posted by mmmbop on July 23rd, 2010 in Work with no comments

John McLeish, Equator’s Managing Director, is delighted to announce their appointment to design and develop two new websites for Ayr Racecourse and Western House Hotel, following a three-way pitch process.

“Ayr Racecourse and Western House Hotel are both great Scottish venues, and developing two new websites that bring the attractions they offer visitors to life in order to drive forward the online marketing strategy.

“As part of the site development we will be installing a new content management system that will work across both the sites, allowing components to be shared and making updates much easier to manage.  We will also be using our extensive knowledge of hotel booking engines to improve the user experience on the Western House Hotel site, integrating the current iHotelier booking engine more effectively, to provide a seamless journey from the time the visitor lands on the site to the completion of their booking.

“In addition to the site development, we are also planning search and social media strategies in order to drive traffic to the sites, helping to raise awareness and build communities around events which will encourage repeat visits and increase revenue from the websites.

“The team at Equator are really looking forward to working with Ayr Racecourse and Western House Hotel, in order to produce two fantastic sites that  will make visitors want to get involved and experience all that these award winning venues have to offer.”

Stephen O’Connor, Graphic Designer at Ayr Racecourse & Western House Hotel said : “Our websites are very important to us providing vital information on our two venues and driving business.

“We believe Equator will deliver what we want, which is two cutting edge, informative websites combining the latest technology with state of the art design.”

Posted by mmmbop on July 20th, 2010 in Work with no comments

Equator is delighted to announce the launch of ScottishFootballDirect.com.

Appointed by Greaves Sports following a competitive three-way pitch, Equator was tasked with developing a new website selling official Scottish Football Association (SFA) merchandise, ahead of this year’s European Championship qualifying campaign.

The eCommerce site, launched 20^thMay, allows fans to purchase the Scotland team’s new adidas strips, along with accompanying SFA merchandise such as scarves, hats and gloves.  The fully content managed site allowed fans to pre-order their shirts prior to the official release date of the 10^th June, and great features such as shirt customisation means that fans really can be the twelfth man!

John McLeish, Equator’s Managing Director, was thrilled that Equator were appointed to work on this project; he said:  “Working with Greaves Sports has been a great opportunity for Equator to use its extensive eCommerce experience and create a site that does Scotland’s football team and its fans proud.

“The ‘Scottish Football Direct’ site is the place for Scottish football fans to visit and show support for their team by buying the official kit.”

Stephen McCranor, communications director of Greaves Sports, said:  “Clearly we were very proud to be appointed as the official retail partner of the Scottish FA, so it was crucial to get the new site just right. We were very confident in Equator’s appointment and the resulting site shows why. The new Scotland kit launch has been a huge success with the new jersey being sent all over the world since the release date.”

Posted by mmmbop on July 15th, 2010 in Work with no comments

I think this is from 1970.  Correct me if I am wrong

Pele celebrates

By the way, I have heard so many people talking about Garrincha actually being the best Brazilian.  And I believe it.

Posted by mmmbop on July 1st, 2010 in Play with no comments

What a goal!  We were winning for a few minutes…

Posted by mmmbop on June 30th, 2010 in Play with no comments