Latedeals, part of holiday giant TUI, has unveiled its new website (www.latedeals.co.uk) and a refreshed brand identity.

New Latedeals homepage

The re-design is part of the brand’s ambition to reinforce its credentials as the destination for genuinedeals on late distressed package holidays and to help reaffirm consumers’ understanding of the benefits of booking within eight weeks of travel.

Latedeals specialises in selling last minute package holidays (eight weeks or less) from brands including Thomson, First Choice, Airtours, Thomas Cook and Cosmos, offering savings of up to 70%. It acts as a retail agent for these brands selling package holidays around the world departing from the UK.

The site design, new brand identity, improved usability and remapped user journeys have been created by our team, with a heavy focus on UEx design using PET principals; working with our SEO teams to create a performant user interface.

TUI’s technical teams built the site.

Key features of the new site include:

• greater emphasis on the brand’s ABTA membership and ATOL protection
• the quality of holidays on offer from trusted tour operators
• enhanced, more intuitive search functionality to make choosing the right holiday from its 800,000+ deals quicker and easier
• a shortlist feature to narrow search and selection further
• social proofing elements on the home page to capitalise on recommendations from friends and family in social channels
• travel guides on top destinations featuring Google maps
• unique content, stunning photography and quick tips
• a real-time ‘ticker’ feature that shows the speed at which deals are being added and snapped up by bargain-savvy consumers

Latedeals’ online marketing manager Calum Macdonald said: “Our vision is to be considered as the specialist in last minute holidays and the number one place consumers consider when looking for a discounted holiday.

“Since we first entered the market in 2000, consumer understanding of what a late deal is has become ‘muddied’ and research carried out earlier this year showed that consumers were no longerconfident that they were getting a bargain by booking late. Adding to the confusion are firms claiming to offer ‘late deals’ on bookings that can be made months in advance.

“We’ve modified our brand identity towards a more premium look and feel to reinforce that we’re not about low cost holidays, we sell quality holidays cheaper because of our relationship with the major tour operators who want to fill rooms and seats on flights rather than them be left empty.

“Greater transparency in terms of savings that can be made on individual holidays also features on the new site and to support the re-launch we will be re-educating holidaymakers on the benefits of booking late and how to get a real bargainthrough our site.”

He added: “We’ve also reinforced our messaging as specialists in last minute holidays offering genuine deals, and given greater prominence to our strapline “part of Europe’s largest travel group” for added reassurance. Help and support buttons flow throughout the user journey to back up our messaging.

“As well as increasing site traffic, we’re confident that our conversion levels will increase through better navigation and enhanced functionality on the site.”

This site launch is the start of a pro-active relationship with Latedeals, with Code’s Performance team looking after web conversion and optimisation moving forward.

As one of the most established and historic brands in the global photographic arena, ILFORD appointed us to design and build a new website as part of a major marketing drive in 2012.

The heritage brand’s history spans over 130 years, and ILFORD remains a leading player in the development and manufacture of premium quality photo inkjet and commercial wide format media as well as colour photographic processes.

The worldwide digital imaging and colour photographic businesses, which includes R&D and manufacturing operations, is headquartered in Marly, Switzerland and includes such brands as GALERIE, ILFOCHROME, OMNIJET and BioMedia.

ILFORD is now looking to revitalise their website to help drive brand awareness to a new generation of users by showcasing their best-in-class products and services in a new and exciting way. Their audiences range from commercial printers and blue chip organisations to amateur and professional photographers. Most recently, ILFORD launched its new BioMedia range – the industry’s first biogradable and recyclable alternative to vinyl displays.

Code was appointed following a three-way competitive pitch and beat off strong competition from a US and Swiss agency to bring the work to the UK.

Jane Dixon, ILFORD Director of Global Marketing, said: “The ILFORD name is well established in the history of imaging and commercial printing and our world class manufacturing facility in Switzerland has been the driving force and inspiration behind many of the best quality inkjet products available in the market today.

“The ability to adapt to evolving markets and changing technologies has been something that ILFORD has done since its inception. A key objective for the website revamp is to help showcase ILFORD as an innovative, forward thinking company whilst also driving sales and brand awareness in our core markets by promoting the benefits of our product range and strong heritage. We’re also keen to embrace the latest digital marketing techniques to better communicate with our audiences.

Jane added, “Code demonstrated its ability to deliver a creative, impactful website that we can cost-effectively adapt for our global audiences.”

Our very own CSD, Rob Jones said, “The site needs to appeal to a diverse, global audience and showcase a wide range of products and services. An English version will be released first with the roll out of multi-lingual versions soon after. An easy to use Umbraco CMS system will enable us to easily create the different language variations, in French and German as well as other languages moving forward.

”We will also be integrating social media elements into the site to increase brand visibility and support the growth of its existing communities.”

We love it! Let us know what you think.

The North West tourist attraction is part attributing its best ever year in terms of visitor figures and shop sales to its investment in digital, with online bookings alone up 26% YOY.

Continuing our 2 year partnership, Chester Zoo is looking to further grow online bookings in 2012 and maintain the success of its online shop, which last year increased revenue by 40%.

Simon Hacking, Online Marketing Manager at Chester Zoo, said: “We’ve been phasing in our new identity, created by design agency, Design by Music, since last year. So far it features across signage and printed materials within the  zoo itself, our offline marketing collateral and campaigns. Code Computerlove has now translated the visual identity online and used knowledge gleaned from ongoing testing and user experience studies to introduce additional enhancements.

“The new web design offers flexibility for campaigns, including our award-winning Dinosaurs Bite Back! exhibition that we’re running again this year, and will enable us to easily emphasise key messages, seasonal events and news. It’s very well tailored to the needs of our target audiences – from families looking for a great day out to people across the globe who want to know more about the zoo’s conservation work.”

The site includes more than 1000 pages of content  as well as better links to the zoo’s social media channels. The online shop sells tickets, gifts and experiences, merchandise, zoo memberships and animal adoptions.

Simon added, “We have also tasked Code with PPC and SEO activity, and we are looking to create a mobile version of the site and an new app later in the year. Social Media is another area we will be investing in this year to further enhance our engagement with key audiences.

Chester Zoo won Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and Tourism Event of the Year for Dinosaurs at Large in the Marketing Cheshire Awards.

Our client First TransPennine Express (FTPE) has updated its mobile website, m.tpexpress.co.uk, to incorporate location-based information such as station facilities and onward travel options.

The move follows the introduction of GEO Location technology, which automatically directs users to their nearest station (it was the first UK rail operator to offer this), and the addition of live train arrival and departure information just a few months ago.

Visitors to the site can now get onward travel options, details of nearby cafes, restaurants, shops and taxi services as well as find out local weather conditions all on one site. It also enables customers to further plan their onward journey providing links to nearby bus operators and flight and terminal information for Manchester International Airport.

Nick Donovan, FTPE’s Managing Director said,
“We know that customers really value information and we are delighted that we are now able to provide them with more useful tips and local knowledge.

“Previously our mobile website provided customers with live train arrival and departure information and we have now added to this with data feeds that will help customers complete their onward journey.

“We recognise by providing information about what is in and around the station will mean that we are able to enhance our customer’s travel experience with FTPE.”

FTPE operates around 120 services a day to Manchester Airport from across the north of England and from Scotland and customers using these services will be able to use m.tpexpess.co.uk to find further information about their departing flight and which terminal it is scheduled to depart from.

Our Ian said, “Mobile and tablet use brings new customer needs and user contexts, and First TransPennine Express is ahead of the competition in adopting new technology to not only meet but exceed the needs of customers who want a fantastic user experience via their mobile handsets.

“Location and mobile will continue to play a more significant role in how people engage and interact. The inherent immediacy and location awareness of mobile devices adds depth, relevancy and context much further into the digital purchasing journey than has traditionally been.

“Train travellers now have even more reason to make First TransPennine Express’ mobile site their preferred train travel and reference tool. The improvements are grounded in customer insight and analytics that show the number of people accessing FTPE’s site via mobiles is increasing daily.”

FTPE’s mobile website, m.tpexpress.co.uk is accessible to all internet enabled phones and accounts for more than 10% of overall web traffic.

Over the past few months Code has increased its team from 50 to 60 and is currently recruiting for seven further vacancies.

The growth comes on the back of a number of large-scale projects for the agency, including a completely new site for Oxfam GB – the biggest user experience-led, Xplatform CMS development  in our 13 year history.  We’ve also won a couple of strategically important new business wins this year, which will further enable our Xplatform and mobile story to grow for our clients.

Sally Anderson joins us as an account director heading up Oxfam, NUS and recent new business win ILFORD.  Previously Head of Projects at Idox Information Solutions, Sally specialised in enterprise-wide, content-rich web portals for public and charity clients.

Sally worked on major platform developments for UK Government, including Funding Central for NVCO and the Cabinet Office.  Further high-profile clients included the Irish Government and European Commision, East Midlands Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands and One North East.  Sally also worked extensively in the education sector.

Sally said: “Code has an amazing reputation and a fantastic client base.  The fact that it is still independently owned whilst maintaining its brilliant team ethos was a major attraction for me.  I am excited to be part of a team that encourages its clients to innovate and be creative”.

Helen Homes also arrives as a project manager working on Oxfam.  Previously at Simon Jersey, Helen’s clients included Avis, Elior and Vision Express.  Helen said: “I actually used to be a Code client so I know the agency well and have first-hand experience of its fantastic reputation.  Code is somewhere I have always aspired to work at.”

Lucy Anderson, a producer, will also be working on Oxfam in addition to the NUS.  Lucy has worked at Amaze and Studio North and client experience includes Odeon, The Co-opertaive Food, Stagecoach and Every Can Counts.  Lucy said: “I jumped at the chance to become part of Code’s talented team.  In my opinion Code is the best digital agency and has a fantastic client base.”

Mike Cunsolo joins as another producer after graduating from Hyper Island.  Mike has been studying Media Design and Management and has recently interned at Perfect Fools an agency in Amsterdam and Stockholm.

Dom Barnfather, an interactive designer, was previously at GreatFridays. Dom will be focusing on the Berghaus, PDSA and Hillarys accounts.

Kier Gibson comes to us from I-COM as an SEO manager and will be working on Travis Perkins, Late Deals and The Car People, to name a few.

Finally, producer Lucy Maddocks began her career working for LEX Autolease in their customer services and client management team and quickly progressed to acting Team Manager. She supported on a number of internal projects that led to significant changes to the way the department was run. Lucy is responsible for the delivery of work for some of our biggest clients including First Group, McArthurGlen, Berghaus and PDSA.  Lucy combines good marketing and technical knowledge with strong attention to detail.

Other new starters over the past few months include Ursula Norman as project manager, James Horsfield, IT manager, and Adam Prendergast, James Antrobus, Andrew Elliot and Adam Pendlebury all as developers.

The latest Computerlovers

New recruits at Code (Back row L to R): James Horsfield, Mike Cunsolo, Dom Barnfather, Adam Prendergast, Keir Gibson

(Front row L to R): James Antrobus, Ursula Norman, Sally Anderson, Lucy Maddocks, Lucy Anderson, Helen Holmes, Adam Pendlebury

We are proud to announce the launch of latedeals.co.uk - our first venture with the TUI UK, which owns many of Europe’s best known holiday brands.

Our brief has been expanded to include the development of a digital marketing strategy for the brand that specialises in selling ‘late distressed package holidays’ (eight weeks or less) and to support its 2012 marketing drive.

Online marketing manager for latedeals.co.uk, Calum Macdonald said: “Acting as a retail agent for all of the leading tour operators, latedeals.co.uk offers a comprehensive late availability database and special offers, updated throughout the day, on package holidays from around the world departing from the UK.

Calum was kind enough to add “Code demonstrated that they have a detailed understanding of online travel together with the creative ability to help us increase conversion and achieve our vision to becoming the only place to go for late distressed package holiday stock. Code’s multi-channel approach and strength in mobile solutions were the other factors that swayed our decision to partner with them and we’ll be looking to explore these channels as part of our marketing activities in 2012.”

Our very own Claire Mason adds: “Our initial remit includes SEO strategy development and implementation, user experience reviews and site definition, followed by a full re-design and front end templates.

“But we’ll also be looking to develop an integrated digital strategy and exploit all channels from social media through to mobile and fuel latedeals.co.uk’s growth and to ensure it offers the best experience to customers no matter where they are accessing the site from.”

Established in 2000, Latedeals.co.uk is operated by TUI UK Limited, part of TUI Northern Europe, that operates across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. UK distribution businesses and channels include latedeals.co.uk, Holidayhypermarket.co.uk and First Choice. The firm also has leadership positions in its airline, inclusive tour business and travel agency sectors.

Another great moment for us – and the start of great things with TUI UK we hope.

You can get a last minute free ticket here…

http://momomcrapr12.eventbrite.co.uk

Mobile Monday is the global grassroots community that promotes and fosters cooperation & networking among mobile professionals/companies by providing opportunities for personal and virtual contacts in over 100 cities on five continents.

In last nights How-Do Awards we beat off our peers to scoop the top spot.

A MASSIVE thank you to our clients for supporting us, and giving us the creative freedom to do great work and deliver them the results they need.

Thank you

x

It explains why our awards cabinet contains more than 80 trophies, certificates and glassware.

And 2012 has got off to a very promising start. The agency has been shortlisted for six awards so far – with nominations in every scheme that we’ve entered.

Code is up for Digital Agency of the Year at the How Do Awards.

We’re also in the running for a Roses Creative Award for our Your4 video for Channel 4..

In the Drum Marketing Awards Code has three potential winning entries:

In the Social Media Strategy of the Year category for our Refuge campaign which, in addition to the usual measures of a social media campaign’s achievements – delivering huge numbers of fans, followers, donations and ROI, made so many women take positive action to reach out for support and help. Within this work, engaging creative and tapping into an individual’s personal Facebook environment drove home the all too commonly seen and ignored ‘1 woman in 4 will experience domestic violence in her life’ statistic.

In the Digital Strategy of The Year category our industry firsts for First TransPennine Express helping to deliver its best ever year for online sales caught the judge’s eye.

Responding quickly to customer insight and applying the latest technologies to meet the demands of today’s on the go consumer accessing its website via mobile devices has helped the train operator become an integral part of a customer’s journey planning and delivered greater brand engagement and loyalty.

The Refuge campaign was also recognized in the Cause Related Marketing Strategy of the Year section. The most successful digital campaign Refuge has ever run, it cleverly harnessed the reach of online and social media, PR, celebrity support, as well as Avon’s network of independent representatives, with engaging interactive content that encouraged social sharing and cost-effectively generated mass awareness of the www.1in4women.com website’s life changing – and life saving – messages.

And last but by no means least. The Big Chip Awards judges have shortlisted two of Code’s entries for awards this year.

Best E-business Project with First TransPennine Express’ customer-focused digital innovations; and Big Chip International Award for Innovation, which we won last year, with Photoswipe.com.

As ever – with love to our clients for giving us great briefs and a chance to do great things x

Organised by @CGaskell who has been working with us on our Oxfam project(s) we had the opportunity to meet @mattbrailsford and for him to run us through some of the v5 functionality that was either already released or currently in development.

It was a great night and good to meet fellow Umbraco devs in the area. We’re looking to host more of these events so if you have any suggestions or ideas please let us know or get in touch with Chris.

Some of the stuff Matt covered:

Visual Studio Templates

• Create project template direct through Visual Studio

Fluent API

• Create and publish content through hive
• Benefits of a fluent API and daisy chaining calls together so you can load data into the CMS quickly

Members

• Based on the membership provider from .NET
• Added goodness of Umbraco members layered on top with custom permissions and profile information
• Wrapped by MembershipService

Protected Media

• Protection based permissions on content, now also on media
• Redirect use to login screen to authenticate

• Languages and host names are independent
• Can define fallback languages

Route Hijacking

• Hijack a route based on doc type
• With document type x (e.g. ContentPage), create xController (e.g. ContentPageController) of type UmbracoController > will use that controller
• Can specify further to a template (e.g. ActionResult Template1)

Tasks

• Like events in v4
• Inherit from AbstractWebTask and decorate with a task attribute
• Create Execute method
• Can do multiple methods, cancellable tasks

Field Formatting

• Format including custom dates, currency etc

RTE Styles

• In settings/stylesheets/rte use commenting in css to display as styles e.g. /* Name : Heading 45 */

Virtual Directory Support

• Available now

And finally… a state of play

• Report V5 issues : issues.umbraco.org
• See planned versions : progress.umbraco.org
• Updating umbraco.tv
• Sites are launching now, v5.1 and documentation by end of March (ish)
• Working on update & packaging

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Photo courtesy of Simon Steed.