Insights

Data only matters when it helps people decide and act. Right? Not quite. Data also helps processes and automation act on clear signals, within clear rules.

For years we’ve been stuck with intrusive cookie banners, a clumsy solution that frustrates users and offers little real control. Now, the EU’s Digital Omnibus Regulation proposal, though disappointingly slow to implement (we’re looking at 2027 at the earliest), finally sets a clear direction for a future without them.

In this month’s Thoughts on Tap, Rachael Stackhouse explores how corporate communicators can close the gap between activity and impact - and why smarter analytics are key to proving real value.

For any international business, a website is often the first point of contact with clients and partners. But when it comes to mainland China, being online does not necessarily mean being accessible. The Chinese internet operates under a distinct set of regulations, technical standards, and network constraints that make website availability a complex issue for companies based outside the country.

Over the past months, several major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud have suffered from outages. When even the biggest players experience problems, millions of websites slow down or stop working altogether. This shows a simple truth: no platform is immune to failure.

TikTok is where discovery begins — but loyalty is built elsewhere. In a feed that moves in seconds, you can win attention fast; the next purchase is won when it’s easy to understand, believe in, and choose your brand again. Treat every video as a small trust transaction: if it gives the viewer proof, an explanation, or a useful service, you’ve earned a “trust token” you can compound over time.

In this month’s Thoughts on Tap, Karen Lester examines the push and pull between corporate and consumer brands in the FMCG sector – and the critical role of digital comms.

Full disclosure: I am a 50-year-old woman, so having feelings when I see Harrison Ford is probably normal, a generational thing. But I am also a brand and communication strategist, so I know there’s more to it than nostalgia.