There’s something quite sweet about the message that you get from the BBC iPlayer if you’ve yet to download anything. Most software would say something like “0 programmes downloaded” or “Programme Library Empty”, the BBC have gone for something a little more sweet and polite. It gives my inner pedant the same little frisson I get when I see the checkouts at M&S with their signs saying “5 items or fewer.”
On the train down to London this weekend, we were joined by the passengers from several other trains making it, to use Victoria Wood’s wonderful phrase, “nose to nipple” in the carriage.
Fortunately I was already seated, but I did a double take when the guard announced the reason for the overcrowding.
Not, as i’d assumed a broken down train. Instead, trains between York and Doncaster were not running due to a “Cable Theft“, which as excuses go, is a pretty good one.
Much as we may, pardon the pun, rail against the high prices of train tickets in the UK, which… » continue reading (No) cable on the line...
While we’re on the subject of dodgy direct mail. A couple of weeks back I got my latest Tesco clubcard statement. Yes, I know, I know, i’m giving all my personal data to the Tescopoly, but there are some infringements i’m willing to bear (and quite a few erosions of liberty that i’m not.)
What struck me though, is that Tesco as arguably the most sophisticated profiler and user of Direct Marketing in the business uses variable printing for it’s quarterly clubcard mailer.
What does this mean? Well… » continue reading Tesco, this time it's personal(ish)
