Have We Just Had The First Snapchat Election?

When the Electoral Commission launched its Snapchat geo filter across the UK to encourage Britain’s youth to register to vote in  the General Election it received a mixed response. The filter, which carried a voter registration message to encourage engagement and conversation among young people was called a ‘gimmick’ by some, while others praised the Commission for reaching out to this elusive audience. At the time their research showed that young people were typically less likely to be registered than older voters, with only 69% of 18-34 year olds correctly registered in the UK compared to 96% of those aged 65 and over.

“By working with Snapchat we can get this important message across in a new way and help ensure fewer people lose their chance to cast their vote” a spokesman said. And why not? With the average user spending 30 minutes a day on Snapchat* it appears to have been key in attracting this demographic to not only engage but to actually vote.

After all 3 candidates in the recent French elections used it to take questions, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn seems to have been the main benefactor of adopting Snapchat, and as reports are of a staggering 72% turn out of the youth vote this platform may have changed the way we approach politics, voting and social media.

If you would like to optimise your social media activity or turn your handles into revenue generating tools, Zest Media can help. For information on our social media management service contact us here. We’d love to hear from you!

*’eMarketer Releases New Snapchat Usage Numbers’, eMarketing, 07/06/2014, https://www.emarketer.com/Article/eMarketer-Releases-New-Snapchat-Usage-Numbers/1015324

Mama’s got a brand-new mag… we are delighted to announce the launch of Absolutely Mama by Zest Media, having received amazing support from some of the most renowned brands within the industry.

Absolutely Mama is the parenting magazine for stylish London mums, focusing not only on must-have parenting buys and advice but also on the mum herself, guiding her through pregnancy and parenthood with top fashion, beauty and fitness content.

The circulation of Absolutely Mama is unique. 20,000 copies are printed for each edition and on sale at the top 100 travel WH Smith stores, in Selfridges and at select Waitrose stores in central London. Copies are also available at over 1,000 carefully selected venues throughout the capital. A digital edition is mailed out to Emma’s Diary database and Absolutely Mama will be promoted as a free download through our website; absolutely-mama.co.uk and our social media platforms. It will also be available as an app. Absolutely Mama is also offered as a complimentary gift through some of the key retailers such as; Lorna Drew, Clair de Lune, Baby Base, with copies also mailed out with all online orders. There are also copies available through select NCT groups, Maternity Nurses, Antenatal Classes and Private Maternity Hospitals.

Absolutely Mama is published bi-monthly with the second edition out on 1st April 2016. For more information about the suite of Absolutely Mama range of products, please contact [email protected]

The 15th April this year, saw the brightest and best estate and letting agents in the UK being honoured and acknowledged for great service at the ESTAS awards 2016.

Now in its 13th year, the ESTAS awards’ prestige lies in the fact that the awards are based on responses from clients – something they aren’t likely to take the time to do unless they are delighted with the service. With this in mind, a record 30,000 customer questionnaires were completed this year making the categories more competitive than ever. The ESTAS awards founder Simon Brown notes that just for an agency to take part shows its commitment to its customers and that, “To be short listed is a great achievement in itself.”

Friday’s ceremony was hosted by property expert (and one half of beloved TV duo Kirsty and Phil) Phil Spencer. He made the important point that letting or buying a property can be an incredibly stressful event so any advice, help and support that agents and related property services can give at this time will always be gratefully received. Conversely, any poor service reflects badly on the entire profession so “It’s crucial everyone provides the high quality service the customer expects and deserves,” he said.

Absolutely was the proud sponsor of the London category awards for letting agents (as voted for by tenants): for London East, base property specialists won gold and Landmark Estates won silver; for London South West, First Union Battersea won gold and Patrick Henry won silver; and for London West, Abacus Estates of Kensal Rise won gold.

In the London letting agents rated by landlords category, for London East, base property specialists won gold and Knight Bishop of Hackney won silver; for London North, Anthony Pepe of Highbury won gold and Anthony Pepe of Harringay won silver; for London South West, Chamberland Residential won gold and First Union Battersea won silver; and for London West, Thorgills Ealing Lettings won gold and Chelsea Square of West Hampstead won silver.

In the category of estate agent of the year, for London East, Kings Group of Walthamstow won gold and Kings Group of Chingford won silver; for London North, Kings Group of Edmonton won gold and Bairstow Eves of Muswell Hill won silver; and for London South West, Patrick Henry won gold and First Union Battersea won silver.

In the spirit of celebration that characterised the whole evening, Absolutely would like to extend its congratulations to all of the winners and short-listed agents that have truly raised the bar for service excellence. Next year’s ESTAS has a tough act to follow and Absolutely looks forward to supporting this key event in the property calendar once again.