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Check out the latest news and views at Montpellier 

Day 12 of #12daysofChristmas: What’s next for AI? Trends to watch.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept confined to science fiction. It’s a reality that is shaping how we work, communicate, and solve problems. As we move into 2025 and beyond, it’s clear that AI will continue to evolve, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the key…

Day 11 of #12daysofChristmas: The Threats of AI – Balancing Innovation with Ethics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly one of the most powerful technological advancements of our time. From transforming industries to enhancing everyday experiences, its potential is vast. However, beneath the allure of innovation lies a more troubling side. As AI continues to evolve, its risks—such as deepfakes, misinformation, and job displacement—cannot be ignored. It is crucial…

Day 10 of #12daysofChristmas: AI for Accessibility – How Technology is Empowering Inclusivity?

AI is reshaping the way we interact with technology, breaking barriers and making digital spaces more accessible for people of all abilities. While often celebrated for its innovative applications in automation or personalisation, AI’s real triumph lies in its ability to empower individuals, enabling them to engage with the world on their terms. Here, we…

Day 9 of #12daysofChristmas: How AI-Powered Customer Support is Transforming the Customer Experience?

Customer support has long been the bridge between businesses and their customers. Yet, as expectations rise and communication channels multiply, delivering seamless support has become increasingly complex. Enter AI-powered chatbots—a technology that is not just reshaping customer service but redefining how businesses and consumers interact. Instant Responses, Any Time of Day Imagine being stuck with…

Day 8 of #12daysofChristmas: How AI in Adobe Design Software is Redefining Graphic Design

Artificial intelligence (AI) has found a significant place in Adobe’s suite of design software, transforming how designers approach their craft. By integrating advanced AI-driven tools such as Adobe Sensei, Adobe is not merely enhancing productivity but also opening new doors for creative expression. These innovations are shaping the graphic design industry in ways that are…

Day 7 of #12daysofChristmas – The Human-AI Collaboration: Amplifying Creativity, Not Replacing It

In recent years, AI has often been depicted as a tool that could replace human jobs, particularly in creative fields. But this narrative is increasingly being challenged by a more optimistic vision: AI as a collaborator, not a competitor. Far from diminishing human creativity, AI has the potential to elevate it, opening new avenues for…

Day 6 of #12daysofChristmas: How AI is Elevating Visual Storytelling in Design and Marketing?

Visual storytelling has long been a cornerstone of impactful design and marketing. With the advent of artificial intelligence, this craft has undergone a remarkable transformation. Beyond automating routine tasks, AI now serves as a dynamic collaborator, unlocking new levels of creativity and precision in how stories are visually communicated. Hyper-Personalisation in Visual Content One of…

Day 5 of #12daysofChristmas: Artificial Intelligence – A Game-changer for e-commerce platforms!

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly revolutionising the e-commerce landscape, and its impact is particularly pronounced during the festive season when online shopping surges. From enhancing customer experience to streamlining operations, AI empowers businesses to meet the unique challenges of Christmas shopping with agility and precision. As consumers increasingly seek personalised, seamless, and fast online experiences…

Day 4 of #12daysofChristmas: AI in Video Editing – Smarter, Faster, Better!

Video editing for social media campaigns has long been considered an intricate art form, demanding hours of meticulous work to perfect every cut, enhance visuals, and synchronise sound. But today, AI is making significant inroads, reshaping how videos are produced and edited. What once took hours—or even days—can now be accomplished with minimal effort, thanks…

Day 3 of #12daysofChristmas: Stunning images made in seconds!

Artificial intelligence continues to revolutionise creative industries, and AI image generation stands as one of its most awe-inspiring achievements. Tools such as DALL·E and Midjourney are leading the way, transforming text prompts into vivid and intricate visuals within moments. These technologies not only showcase incredible innovation but also signal a new chapter in artistic expression….

Day 2 of #12daysofChristmas: AI-Enhanced Presentations: Organising Your Thoughts into Impactful Slides

With the average attention spam, being just 8.25 seconds, the need for clear, impactful presentations is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re preparing for a business meeting, a lecture, or a creative pitch, the ability to communicate your ideas effectively can make all the difference. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way we create…

Day 1 of #12daysofChristmas: AI in the Christmas Spirit

This Christmas, AI is likely behind some of your seasonal conveniences. Automated chatbots handle your online shopping queries, voice assistants keep track of your holiday plans, and streaming platforms fine-tune playlists to fit the festive mood. The beauty of AI lies in how it makes the extraordinary feel ordinary. Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a…

2024 Gloucestershire Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards Ceremony

Montpellier have been presented with the Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award at the recent Gloucestershire Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards Ceremony held on 24 October 2024. This honour is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for veterans, reservists, and other…

Montpellier PR Honoured with the Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award

We are delighted to announce that Montpellier PR has been awarded the prestigious Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award. This significant achievement highlights our longstanding commitment to the Armed Forces community and our efforts to support them through proactive workplace policies. The Silver ERS Award, recognises employers who not only pledge but actively demonstrate…

Montpellier PR Celebrates Founder Guy Woodcock’s Prestigious Appointment as Fellow of the PRCA

Montpellier PR is delighted to announce that our founder and CEO, Guy Woodcock, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). This honour is in recognition of his exceptional contributions and enduring commitment to the public relations industry. Guy Woodcock’s career spans over three decades, during which he has…

The Future of Search: Navigating the Impact of Google’s AI Overviews (AIO)

Search engine optimisation (SEO) and online search is continually developing, a groundbreaking development has emerged from Google: AI Overviews, formerly known as the Search Generative Experience (SGE). This advanced feature is redefining how users interact with search engines, promising a more conversational and contextually relevant search experience. At Montpellier Creative, we are closely monitoring these…

Mastering SEO: How Competitor Analysis Can Elevate Your Strategy

Competitor analysis is an essential component in shaping a company’s SEO strategy. By understanding what your competitors are doing, you can refine your own strategies to improve your search engine rankings and online presence. This article will explore the role of competitor analysis in SEO and offer guidance on implementing effective strategies. Understanding Competitor Analysis…

2023 Team Montpellier’s #12daysofChristmas

As the festive season unfolds, the team at Montpellier embraces the spirit of joy and reflection with 'Montpellier's 12 Days of Christmas'. This unique celebration serves as an opportunity for our dedicated team members to pause and ponder the achievements and milestones for 2023. Each day leading up to Christmas is marked by a thoughtful exploration...

The Growth in Importance of Digital PR Link Building

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, SEO has always been a crucial factor for businesses striving to establish a strong online presence. Over the years, search engine algorithms have evolved, becoming smarter and more discerning in determining the credibility and relevance of websites. In this evolution, link building has emerged as an integral and…

Key Public Relations Trends for 2023: Navigating the Evolving Landscape

Public relations (PR) is an ever-evolving field that plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and maintaining the reputation of organizations. As the digital age continues to transform the way we communicate and engage with information, the field of PR has witnessed significant trends and shifts. PR is an essential aspect of any business…

How to make a campaign stand out? Collaborate.

There is rarely ever a one-size-fits-all solution for a PR or marketing campaign, although there are some shared attributes. One of these, in my view, is collaboration. That isn’t just limited to within an agency or creative team, or even geographical locations. Creative tools and Cloud-based software have made putting a winning campaign together a…

The value of a strong client relationship

I'm a great believer that any PR and marketing company, particularly ones which operate on a retainer basis as we do, should see themselves as a surrogate part of the client’s management team, and/or marketing department. In this post-pandemic world of hybrid / remote working and shared Cloud-based resources, this is especially important for the...

Pantone Color of the Year 2023

At this time of year, we tend to get excited by TV Christmas ads and decorations from leading designers and brands. Something else that we as creatives look forward to is the announcement of Pantone Color of the Year by the Pantone Color Institute. The colours are selected by Pantone’s expert colour stylists and trend…

Ballsy, but right.

It may sound – at face value – a little trite, but clients pay us for our leadership within the professional realm and area of our experience of expertise. As reputation management and public relations consultants, this means providing advice that is focused unequivocally upon the strategic objectives and needs of the organisation, or products,…

Creativity and collaboration – coming together in one platform

Established platforms like Adobe Creative Suite and Hootsuite are likely to keep their place at the top of the Christmas tree, so to speak, for some time yet, but there are some great alternatives that have aided collaborative working. One of my personal favourites is Canva, an online design tool that enables multiple ‘teams’ to…

How design trends are moving forward?

The world of graphic design is constantly evolving and changing. In recent years, we have seen a shift towards minimalism, with designers opting for clean and simple designs that focus on functionality and user experience, driven to a large degree by web and UX design crossing back into physical design. This trend is expected to...

12 days of Christmas 2022

What is a targeted audience and why it is so important in a business marketing strategy?

What is a targeted audience and why it is so important in a business marketing strategy? A targeted audience is a group defined by specified behaviors and demographics. Brands offer content curated to their audience’s needs, and in turn, individuals feel more connected to the brand. Understanding your audience is a crucial aspect of effective...

Three ways SEO can boost your business’s growth

Three ways SEO can boost your business’s growth What is SEO?  Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO, is the process of maximising the number of visitors to your website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the...

How infographics can help online content stand out

How infographics can help online content stand out Infographics are an effective way to hold reader interest and help explain complicated or data-heavy topics in an interesting and visual way.They can also be used as a tool to drive traffic to your site from social media and are liked and shared three more times than other...

Four ways to improve your social media engagement

Four ways to improve your social media engagement If you are using social media for business, you’ll already know that it can be a powerful tool for building your brand and cultivating an audience online which, in addition to supporting the public profile of the brand, can bring in potential clients from a whole new...

Multimedia experience in your website

Multimedia experience in your website Now more than ever a business’s website is one of the first points of contact for many people. First impressions are crucial in any situation and your website has to provide a premium user experience as one of the most impactful extensions of your brand. A multimedia experience is important...

12 days of Christmas 2021

12 days of Christmas 2021 We love great marketing campaigns, and Christmas is arguably the most challenging time of year for brand marketing, with everyone cramming in to get a slice of the turkey. Some brands have become synonymous with Christmas, massively increased sales with clever campaigns and created adverts so popular that their release...

National Poetry Day: the perfect example of using language to facilitate change

Each year, on the first Thursday in October, National Poetry Day celebrates the contribution that poetry makes in our lives. The event encourages people, particularly school pupils, to “enjoy, discover, and share” poetry, and even try their hand at writing themselves.   Montpellier senior PR account manager and resident poet, Dan Burton, explores why National Poetry…

From the classroom to comms

As an intern and career-changer, Montpellier PR is providing me with valuable experience in corporate communications. Reasons for choosing PR, its parallels with my former teaching career, and learnings so far should offer some modest musings to readers. In 2019, I tended my resignation after multiple successful years in teaching. I was leaving to pursue…

From Battlespace to the Boardroom

Montpellier’s CEO, Guy Woodcock, formerly an infantry officer, shares his expertise on leadership and resilience in times of crisis.  I was an infantry officer prior to setting up my business and, in many ways, the principles of armed conflict translate directly into commerce. For the principles of ‘attack’, read sales. For client-retention, read the principles…

Make your consumer brand fly during the Covid Era!

A year ago, few people had heard of Covid-19. Now we live in a changed world. “Lockdown”, “Isolating”, “Shielding”, “Social Distancing”… these newly coined terms have become everyday parlance. Look around you and what you see would also have been unrecognisable in 2019. Now it’s the norm to see people out and about in masks,…

How to nurture visitors and convert hits into leads

How to nurture visitors and convert hits into leads With COVID-19 expected to continue imposing disruption on trade shows and face-to-face events for many months, business growth rate now relies on the strength of a company’s online presence more than ever. Roger Taylor, creative director at award-winning Montpellier PR, explains how content converts hits to…

How to build an enduring brand

Many brands come and go with whatever the current trends are, but solid foundations require an enduring brand. Examples of brands which have endured over the years are rarer, but equally, these are the ones you know and trust, for exactly that reason. Over fifteen years ago Montpellier designed a new brand for the Maldives…

Are virtual internships the way ahead?

Covid-19 has done a real number on the economy, hasn’t it? With high streets closed and everyone holed up in their homes, the economy contracted 20.4% between April and June this year – the first time there’s been a recession since the crash of 2008.1 Recent graduates face a brick wall where a road should…

We must all adapt and find our place in a new world

  It is perfectly obvious to anyone that business leaders are currently navigating uncharted waters as never before. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a period of extreme uncertainty and financial pain to businesses across all industries, both large and small. As well as managing resultant disruption to professional and personal lives, most business leaders…

Montcast Episode #2 – Discussing visual content during COVID-19 with Edward Loades

Recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Montcast interviews Edward Loades of Black Cliff Media on what can be achieved through video content and animation, when the option to film does not necessarily exist.     Hosted by our lead audio-visual content creator and PR account manager, Dan Burton, Montcast hosts interviews with PR and…

In times of crisis, digital communication is critical

We are living in extraordinary times. There has not been a world-wide disaster like COVID-19 in most people’s living memory. It’s led to a public health crisis, and to what extent it will affect the global economy remains a worrying unknown. What is clear, however, is that face-to-face marketing and communications, such as launch events…

How millennials are driving a healthcare revolution

Facing pressure from an ageing population and the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the healthcare landscape is, as it always does, adapting to change. The knowledge and skills of tech-savvy millennials, who have grown up alongside the rise of the smartphone, social media and almost any service being available online, fuels the growing HealthTech sector, predicted…

Do we want to be private or safe?

It has been proposed that Ofcom will hold social media companies to account for potentially harmful content on their platforms. This follows two recent terror attacks in London and the UK government’s aim to tackle terror threats and extremism, including the ‘influence’ of harmful and extremist content being posted and shared on social media platforms….

What harm could a ban on facial recognition do? 

Integration of new technologies is usually swathed in scaremongering and controversy, but facial recognition has had more than its fair share. After more than two years of a global heated debate, the European Commission is now considering a ban on the use of facial recognition in public places for up to five years.  Guy Woodcock,…

Could podcasts be the next PR goldmine?

Fifteen years ago, above a Californian pizza shop, history was made. YouTube took its first steps into the world. From a small acorn, it has grown into the world’s largest online video search engine, with an audience of some 2 billion-plus monthly users.   And those users are posting content about literally everything from instruction videos…

Montcast Episode #1 – From the boardroom

Welcome to Montcast; the new podcast courtesy of Montpellier. Hosted by our lead audio-visual content creator and PR account manager, Dan Burton, Montcast will delve into the issues faced by the PR industry, host interviews with journalists and influencers, and shed light on key topics with PR and communications. In this first episode, Dan interviews…

How the cloud can help your business fly

It’s 7pm and dark outside. You’re struggling to type by the poor light of streetlamps filtering through the window. The phone has been ringing off the hook all day, you haven’t had a chance to eat since breakfast and you should have gone home two hours ago. But you haven’t finished updating your spreadsheet and,…

He hid, he’s found, he’s banned from every ground

Facial recognition is under the microscope again, after football fans and civil liberties groups have criticised its deployment at the upcoming Wales derby between Cardiff City and Swansea City this Sunday. Most football fans turn up to enjoy the match and have a good time. Some may have a bit too much to drink and…

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