Comments for Democracy PR - Manchester PR, digital and social media agency

Comment on Instagrump: twitter hysteria and trading data by simonwheatley

simonwheatley — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:17:49 +0000

The two problems I see with the current business models are: that the companies are selling the user’s souls in exchange for providing the service, which is the issue everyone complains about, and that their business model is often a gamble which I have no stake in and no way of influencing, even if I want the service to continue.

I want to choose how I fund a service I use and find useful, I don’t want to have to hand over my soul (aka my personal or business relationships) as a subscription service, not necessarily because I have a problem with the invasiveness of the soul-stealing process (though I do) but because it affords me almost no control. Each of these companies and services that are now integrated into my personal or business life, and have come to rely on to some extent and in some fashion, is gambling that they will be able to accrue enough of the fragments of my soul to sell to a third party on an ongoing basis or that they can drape enough of these scraps of soul across their corporate bosom/jockstrap to ensnare a bigger corporate into buying them like a mail order bride. I think we’re in a bubble with this personal information business model right now, and I’d rather the financial models of my preferred services was a little more stable than the flutter of a corporate eyelash. If I choose to pay for a service that I find interesting, engaging or useful, then I am empowered as a consumer to influence the longevity of that service, and that is valuable to me. Give me the option to subscribe, with actual cold hard cash.

Peace, out.

Comment on Instagrump: twitter hysteria and trading data by fraser

fraser — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:54:21 +0000

True, if its no longer a standalone app and depends on FB login then it’s a problem. As I said my issue isn’t with these rational types, it’s those that expect the world and baulk at the idea that they’d pay (money or data) for it.

Interesting to get comment from someone at Skimlinks given you’re behind Pinterest’s monetization (and no doubt hundreds of others).

Let’s wait and see what happens with Instabook or whatever the service becomes!

Comment on Instagrump: twitter hysteria and trading data by Tom Allin

Tom Allin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:19:37 +0000

Agree in many respects Fraser, it’s naive of any body to sign to a free service and not expect their actions with that service be monitored and turned into gain, but I can still see why people might be frustrated by this in terms of this particular acquirement. I think exactly how frustrating it is for established instagram users depends massively on how much they force the integration between the two (e.g. needing a fb account to login). I know they suggested the services will remain totally distinct from each other of now.

Good post.

Comment on Above and beyond… by Jennifer O'Grady

Jennifer O'Grady — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:38:07 +0000

You can take a look at the release about the Orbit lid here:

Comment on Above and beyond… by Sam Kidd

Sam Kidd — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:52:42 +0000

I know it’s not the point of the post, but sadly I want to know why/how the jars are so easy to open

Comment on Quora – the next big thing? by Tom Allin

Tom Allin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:04:20 +0000

Interesting to see you post on Quora, I’ve yet to get properly stuck into it. Initially it seems like a bit of self congratulatory celebration of all things tech? Imagine it was based around sport and it was just a load of footballers going over their successes. Ego much? That being said, I’m sure (I hope) there is plenty more for me to get my teeth stuck into. My concern however is that as the platform does become noisier that actually drifting back to Wikipedia, Twitter and Blog’s will be preferable? Anyway, certainly one that’s being watched!

Comment on Cash for tweets by Tweets that mention Cash for tweets « Democracy PR – Manchester PR, digital and social media agency -- Topsy.com

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:27:07 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by smc_mcr and Fraser McIntosh. Fraser McIntosh said: RT @democracypr: New blog Cash for tweets – http://bit.ly/e7JVE4 [...]

Comment on Could you be our next PR Apprentice? by Seven Manchester media moments from the last week | The Mancunian Way

Seven Manchester media moments from the last week | The Mancunian Way — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:57:09 +0000

[...] In true Sir Alan style, Democracy PR is looking to appoint an apprentice. Founder and MD Jennifer O’Grady explains more about the job on the company’s blog and promises ” to provide a lively working environment where you will make the best use of [...]

Comment on A year in the life of a Democracy Apprentice by PR Apprentice » Studio5Media Jobs Board

PR Apprentice » Studio5Media Jobs Board — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:46:43 +0000

[...] Our first PR Apprentice has just been shortlisted for the North West CIPR Young Outstanding Communicator Award, read what happened to Charlie Morley in her first year as apprentice here… <http://democracypr.com/2010/01/31/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-democracy-apprentice/> [...]

Comment on All the gear, no idea …. by Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:28:56 +0000

Jen – full marks for this post.

I’ve been contacted in similar ways, on so many occasions, where there is clearly little or no thought put into building a relationship of value. Unfortunately I think some suppliers have already written us off before hitting send because we are not considered to make them the return that they are really looking for in a partnership.

You make a valid point though, your website makes it very clear what you do and how you go about it.

Perhaps if he’d spent a little more time looking at your site, rather than impressing you with his ‘penthouse office’ you’d have gone and seen him for all of 20mins!

Jamie.