Working with a close relation is usually not advisable. We know. However in this case we are dealing with one big, all round amazing exception.

Meet Despoina a.k.a. Mama Despoina, our Sofia‘s mother and all around creator extraordinaire. (more…)

Here is a short video – in Greek – with Panos from Aegean Sky where he explains the value of being online.

We made this video as part of our “I want you… online” campaign. You will recall that the cheekily titled “I want you… online” encourages travellers to leave feedback to hotels regarding their digital needs using a little card we created.

Even though Greece boasts some lovely small and medium sized hotels, the vast majority is not online. Travellers cannot find them and they cannot book online.

Panos is a SoMaFusion client and he recognises the value of being online and understanding his guests’ needs. In this short video he explains that by creating a website, analysing booking trends and his guests feedback he has managed to turn things around.

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We are delighted to announce the next step of our Greek campaign.

Even though Greece boasts some lovely small and medium sized hotels, the vast majority is not online. Travellers cannot find them and they cannot book online.

Good hoteliers want to move forward but in most cases they are not certain that their customers consider things like a good website and an online booking facility as neccessities.

In the normal SoMaFusion spirit of working together we are launching an action today cheekily titled “I want you… online”

Travellers are encouraged to leave feedback to hotels regarding their digital needs using a little card we created.

The action is also on Facebook and interested parties can also use our banners if they want to. In case there are questions we also created a FAQ.

If you are a Greek language speaker we would love to see you around.

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The amazing feedback card and banners were designed by our favourite artist.

The on line version of the newspaper article that presents Manolis and his famous hospitality in times of crisis.

Sometimes – especially in difficult times – it does your heart good to find positive news and especially to be in the privileged position of promoting them.

It was lovely therefore to talk with Achilleas Hekimoglou, a journalist for the Greek daily newspaper TO VIMA who read our white paper and saw real value in the story of Manolis from Golden Bay.

Following his research and discussions with us and our client he wrote a front page article in the newspaper which shows how Manolis of Golden Bay, following the advice of our white paper and operating as a hotelier in the true sense of the word rather than just another businessman has made a difference.

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Dimitris Karavasilis is a wonderful Greek writer and teacher.

It is our pleasure to announce that we are helping him on a pro bono basis to bring all his on line endeavours together, present his work and communicate with his numerous readers and friends online. (more…)

Ahsan, Saima and Mark with Ken Livingstone - from the Working for Hoe Street website

Our whole-hearted congratulations go out to newly elected Cllrs Saima Mahmud, Mark Rusling and Ahsan Khan at Hoe Street ward in Waltham Forest, London. They didn’t just get elected – they triumphed!

They came to us with a simple request. Help us reach our potential voters online and set out our policies clearly. (more…)

Quick word of caution when you are doing a website for any political candidate in the UK.

There are rules which are there for a reason.

Rules about publicity materials – also covering websites – can get your client in trouble if not followed. And when it comes to politics we are talking about serious trouble.

Speaking from experience I would always suggest that your first port of call is your candidate’s local Party people – they hold the ‘books’ as it where and I’ve always found them helpful.

Alternatively the three main parties at least have really good comms and campaigning departments who will help out.

Want to see an example? Check out the footer here.

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More information:
Electoral Commission website
Guidance for candidates and agents – Local government elections in England (pdf)

Just a quick note but I can’t resist blogging about this.

I met with one of the councillors we are doing a website for today and I love it that he is so excited.

We are setting up a sandbox version to play around with the design, colours and contect soon and he has a million and one ideas.

It’s bliss when you are working with someone who is more excited about the project than you.

local election
Uploaded by pindec on 4 May 06, 4.06PM BST.

It’s no secret that I have a Public Affairs background and I am a bit weird when it comes to political communications (yes, I’ll put my hand up I do watch BBC Parliament).

That’s why I am ecstatic today. SoMaFusion just got a new project with three candidates in the UK local elections.

At the moment there’s not a lot I can share with you (seriously, there are Electoral Commission rules we are researching at the moment) but I really think that it really is worthwhile doing something related to local politics. Not that we would shun national *obviously* but local tends to be a lot more focused and a lot more personal, in a sense they have the ability to put you back in touch with what politics is all about if you get my drift.

I will update as the project progresses, for now we are in research and planning mode for requirements.

Just in case you are not familiar with the British way of doing things DirectGov has got a really clear entry on Local Councillors.

I love flickr – always have.

It’s one of those services that does what you need, better and faster than many other offerings out there. I like how it connects to your blog, I like the slide shows, I like the connections and the groups. Not to mention I love the pics I discover on there.

For now I’ve uploaded some screenshots of our hotel projects – I know they are not photographs but they are a start. Hopefully some pics of us furiously coding, brainstorming and drinking coffee will follow.