Christmas and New Year Staff Holidays

Planet Ink Limited will be closed for the festive holidays from 2pm on Friday, December 19 2008 and re-opening for business from 11am on Monday, January 5, 2009.

Email messages will be checked throughout the period.

For urgent inquiries, the team can be contacted by mobile: Gerry Cassidy 0798 543 9752, Derek Bryce 07887 483 627

The staff and management would like to wish all our friends and clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Publishing Expo 2009 - Meet the Team

The senior executive and creative teams at Planet Ink Ltd will be in attendance at the Publishing Expo 2009 taking place at Olympia 2 in London on February 11th and 12th.

They will be available to meet clients old and new, and to answer where they can any questions relating to design for digital or design for print, and to introduce the services offered by the company.

To book a meeting in advance, simply contact us on 0141 248 5595 or email info@planetinkltd.co.uk.

Powering Through the Work

In what has been a pleasantly busy few weeks for Planet Ink Ltd the team has been working closely with ScottishPower on a series of publications across their business for both internal and external readerships.

We were called upon to help digitise a specialist newsletter for the company before an event in Glasgow.




We also created printed and digital editions of the comprehensive guide for contractors detailing health and safety and environmental requirements.


And of course were responsible for producing the latest editions of the staff newspaper, ScottishPower News, in both printed and digital formats.



To find out how Planet Ink Ltd can deliver these high standards for your company, get in touch today, on 0141 248 5595 or email info@planetinkltd.co.uk.

Planet Ink Ltd. A member of PPA Scotland.

MS CONNECT ONLINE NOW

Planet Ink Ltd is delighted to have digitised the latest edition of MS Connect on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland.

Designed by 39steps of Edinburgh, this is the second edition of the magazine to be published in digital format by Planet Ink Ltd, and runs to 20 pages.

Digitising magazines through Planet Ink Ltd is easy - opening up the publication online without the memory drag of old style PDFs clogging up PCs or Macs - and can help to dramatically slash both print and distribution costs.

Make it your New Year's resolution to see how Planet Ink Ltd can help your publication go digital.

MEDIA RELEASE: Planet Ink Ltd Joins PPA Scotland

The Periodical Publishers Association Scotland today confirmed Planet Ink Limited as its newest member.

The association now boasts over 300 publishing companies among its membership, together producing more than 2500 consumer, business and professional magazines.

Part of its role is to maintain professional publishing standards to ensure a healthy, visible industry.

Shaun Milne, founding director of Planet Ink Limited, said: "We are delighted to have been accepted as full-members of PPA Scotland and look forward to the opportunities it will provide.

"Our team has been hugely grateful for the support and friendship of those within the association we have met already, and we look forward to playing a full and active role as members.

"In particular we hope to champion the cause of digital publishing and how it can be made to work with traditional print as well as promoting the best practices in publishing.

"We've already benefited from PPA Scotland through its fantastic awards events in the past two years and we look forward immensely to the challenges 2009 will bring as bona fide members."

Established in 1908 as The Society of Weekly Newspaper and Periodical Proprietors before undergoing various transformations, the PPA settled on its current form in August 1967, with a mission to promote and protect the interests of the industry.

Among its many initiatives is the highly acclaimed Scottish Schools Magazine Competition, open to every school in Scotland, now accepting entries until Friday, 24 April, 2009. It is aimed at encouraging pupils throughout Scotland to produce their own title to showcase their creative skills.

The current chairman of PPA Scotland is Fraser Allen of White Light Media, with Steven Craven of Craven Publishing the vice-chairman. Kathy Crawford is the association's business manager in Scotland. Details of PPA Scotland's aims and work can be found at www.ppa.co.uk

Gerry Cassidy, fellow founding director of Planet Ink Ltd, added: "We're thrilled to join the elite of Scottish publishing and look forward to promoting our work under the PPA Scotland seal of approval."


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tel: 0141 248 5596
email: info@planetinkltd.co.uk
http://www.planetinkltd.co.uk

Interview: ecoforyou

Founding director Shaun Milne was interviewed by respected lecturer Alex Lockwood, a specialist in environmental journalism, about Planet Ink Ltd's latest digital title ecoforyou and the decision to publish it as an online only title.

You can read the interview and learn more about the eco-friendly magazine over at Online Journalism Blog by clicking HERE.

ecoforyou Issue Two

Planet Ink Ltd is delighted to announce the safe arrival of ecoforyou, issue two, the new free digital magazine about all things environmental.

We would encourage all our friends and colleagues to sign-up for future editions and to forward the link to anyone they think may be interested in reading it.

This month's bumper edition stretches to 40-pages of news, interviews and tips along with our great green gift guide for Christmas, special offers and competitions.

Don't forget to follow updates for ecoforyou by signing up to its Facebook Group and Twitter site too.

View ecoforyou for free here.

PPA Scotland Magazine Awards 2008

Planet Ink Ltd was finalist at the PPA Scotland Magazine Awards in Glasgow last night, pipped at the post for Customer Magazine of the Year by Kwik-Fit Insurance who picked up the award for 'You're Covered' magazine.

Scottish Magazine of the Year went to 'Clash' by Dundee based Clash Music Group while Roger Taylor was named Columnist of the Year for The Scottish Farmer.

Taste Design of Edinburgh won Staff Magazine of the Year for 'Pulse', Think Scotland took Member Magazine of the Year for 'Tree News', while Best Online Presence went to The List.

Times Educational Supplement Scotland was awarded Business & Professional Magazine of the Year, Best Magazine - Small Publishing Company went to Fusion Flowers of Kippen, while the Beano 70th Anniversary won Sales Initiative of the Year for DC Thomson.

Publisher of the Year was John Innes of Think Scotland, Bunkered took Brand Development of the Year for PSP Publishing, while Best Magazine Design: Consumer went to The Big Issue Scotland and Best Magazine Design: Business and Professional was awarded to Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society for Think Scotland.

Other winners included Adam Forrest at The Big Issue Scotland (feature writer of the year: consumer); Katie MacIntosh at Holyrood (feature writer of the year: business and professional); Martin Dempster at Bunkered was named Editor of the Year Consumer and Connect Communications Rob Outram was named Editor of the Year: Business and Professional for CA Magazine.

Arlene Russo of Revamp, Glasgow, was also presented with a special commendation.

Planet Ink Ltd's founding director Shaun Milne said: "This year's PPA Scotland Magazine Awards showed that even in these tough economic times Scotland has some of the best design and publishing in the world, and we congratulate all those who won or were nominated.

"This is the second year we have been lucky enough to take part in the awards and we would like to thank PPA Scotland and business manager Kathy Crawford, in particular, for all their support and hard work in providing Scottish publishers a showcase to be proud of."

Hearts FC Launch Digital Catalogue With Planet Ink Ltd

Heart of Midlothian Football Club today launched it's Official Merchandise 2008/09 e-catalogue available now at www.heartsfc.co.uk.

The catalogue, produced by the club's in-house design team directed by marketing manager Lawrence Broadie, features exclusive photography of players shot on location in Edinburgh.

A full print version is also available, allowing Hearts to target fans by post and online.

The web edition, digitised by Planet Ink Ltd, is just the latest innovation from the club online including its new store at Hearts Direct.

To see how Planet Ink Ltd can assist your retail needs, contact us on 0141 248 5595 or online by emailing shaun@planetinkltd.co.uk.

Planet Ink Ltd Shortlisted for Scottish Magazine Awards

Planet Ink Ltd has been shortlisted in the prestigious Scottish Magazine Awards for the second year running.

Our team has been nominated by PPA Scotland for the Customer Magazine of the Year category alongside White Light Media who have two nominations, and Kwik-Fit Insurance.

Planet Ink Ltd's nomination is for its work creating the digital only Switch On magazine for Setanta Sports and transforming it into a Flash based interactive publication.

The category for Staff Magazine of the Year, won by Planet Ink Ltd last year, has been dominated this time around by Redhouse Lane Communications who have three nominations for its banking clients RBS and NatWest - who have been at the centre of the credit crunch storm.

Pulse from Taste Design is the final nominee in that category.

Shaun Milne, founding director of Planet Ink Ltd, said: "As a small, emerging company we are absolutely thrilled to have been nominated for the second year running, particularly when you look at the incredible talent and creativity on offer from all those companies shortlisted for the Scottish PPA Awards.

"Our debut year last time out was better than we could possibly have hoped for, and we look forward to another enjoyable event, whoever wins, and wish all those companies and individuals who have earned a place on the shortlist all the very best for the awards night on November 27."

MEDIA RELEASE: ecoforyou launches live today

MEDIA RELEASE:

Click HERE to view Issue One of ecoforyou for FREE


FOR IMMEDIATE USE: Tuesday, Oct 21st, 2008

NEW digital only green lifestyle magazine ecoforyou is now available for FREE from website www.ecoforyou.co.uk

Issue One runs to 34 full colour pages and features eco news, features and tips on going green.

Among the interactive offerings available to readers is the chance to pick their own cover – selecting from four alternatives – and click-through advertising.

Video and other Flash animation, including scroll bars and slideshows, are used across the live digital magazine.

As well as being 100% carbon neutral, ecoforyou is also available in Text Only format compatible with screen readers, opening up its written contents to the blind and visually impaired.

Scottish Environment Minister Mike Russell has penned an exclusive piece for the title that also includes articles on the Energy Agency, ScottishPower, Heathrow Airport and the world’s first occupied carbon zero house.

Glasgow-based Eco publishers Planet Ink Ltd estimate the first edition will be mailed out to around 50,000 email addresses.

They are now accepting inquiries for advertising, sponsorship and editorial for Issue Two which will be available late November.

Preferred publishing partners YUDU Media – the multi-award winning digital platform - have sponsored the publishing cost of Issue One.

An ecoforyou page is also available via social networking site Facebook and updates for the magazine will be posted via Twitter and an associated blog available at ecoforyou.wordpress.com.

Co-Publisher Gerry Cassidy said: “We’ve already had scores of people trying to sign up for the mag before it was even available, thanks to all the fantastic coverage we received from the media and bloggers last week.

“We really hope readers will like what they see and sign-up for free to receive future editions and – importantly – send the ecoforyou link onto their friends, clients and colleagues to support the project.

“Everyone at ecoforyou would also like to thank all those who have been in touch with their advice and emails of support. We’re still wading our way through them trying to reply to them all to say thanks.”

Unlike traditional magazines, Planet Ink Ltd are relying on only web-based communities to help promote ecoforyou.

Co-Publisher Shaun Milne said: “We already know what the power of the web can achieve through communicating quickly, efficiently and socially.

“So this platform offers us the perfect opportunity to grow.

“The more people who hit the Share Me button to pass on the link, the more readers we hope will sign up every month to receive their free editions.

“As our community grows, so should the magazine, opening up a web-savvy community across the ages and demographics for advertisers and sponsors to target using Flash or video ads.

“We’re fast approaching Web 3.0 – the intelligent web – where content and how it is used and distributed will be key to its development, moving on from ability to simply inform online, to being able to do so better.

“Not only is ecoforyou doing away with traditions such as print and ink to become 100% carbon neutral, we hope it is also recycling the mould of how publishers can reach as many readers as possible by embracing the emerging technology available.”

NOTES FOR NEWSDESKS:

(1) ecoforyou is available by email or free link found at www.ecoforyou.co.uk.

(2) the publishers plan an estimated initial mail-out to 50,000 potential readers.

(3) ecoforyou is accepting inquiries for sponsorship, advertising and editorial inquiries on 0141 248 5595/6 or via info@ecoforyou.co.uk. A full rate-card is available.

(4) Planet Ink Ltd is an award-winning independent design, media and publishing house established in January 2006 by directors Shaun Milne and Gerry Cassidy.

(5) For further information call Shaun Milne on 0794 121 9061 or Gerry Cassidy on 07798 543 9752, or 0141 248 5595.

For further information please email info@ecoforyou.co.uk or visit www.planetinkltd.co.uk

MEDIA RELEASE: ecoforyou to launch October 21, 2008

A NEW lifestyle magazine covering environmental news and features is to launch this month – but without a print edition.

Available in digital page-turn format the new magazine - ecoforyou - will be free to readers and circulated using web only distribution channels.

Publishers Planet Ink Ltd say the digital format, which can be used on both PCs and Macs, allows them to save on both natural resources and energy used in traditional printing.

It also allows ecoforyou to feature video content, audio, live links to stories and websites and animated Flash based advertising normally associated only with websites.

Content will include news, interviews, features and tips on going green, sustainable shopping and more, all set out in an innovative fully interactive format, hosted for Planet Ink Ltd on the YUDU Media digital platform.

The actual production process will also be fully offset – aiming to make it a 100% carbon neutral publication.

The Energy Agency, ScottishPower and Scottish Government are among the big names lined up as part of the maiden launch.

The first edition of ecoforyou is expected to go live on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, and publish as a monthly.

In what could be an industry first, ecoforyou will rely upon the online community to spearhead its assault on the market through social networking.

A Facebook page and Twitter subscription site are up and running already, while a dedicated website hosting the free editions is also about to go live at www.ecoforyou.co.uk

Readers will be encouraged to use ‘Forward to a Friend’ buttons and post links to blogs or add content they enjoy to the likes of Delicious, Digg and Technorati among others.

Employers are also being invited to send ecoforyou to staff or clients for free as part of their company’s own corporate environmental responsibility.

Founding director Gerry Cassidy said: “We hope ecoforyou will appeal not only to individual readers who care about green issues but businesses, campaigners and industry leaders too.

“By making ecoforyou available online and for free, we are inviting people to use it as part of addressing their own commitment to encouraging a sustainable lifestyle.

“They can easily email ecoforyou to their clients, colleagues and workforce and retain their green credentials, without having to go to the additional expense of their own publication.”

“Many businesses would love to have their own green edge title but with today’s economic picture, environmental considerations are all too often the first to be axed.

“But in ecoforyou we believe we have a product not only to be proud of but one that is trailblazing a new era for publishing in general.”

Planet Ink Ltd also believes that the online only approach will prove popular with potential advertisers because of its full interactivity with readers.

Founding director Shaun Milne said: “One of the many great things about ecoforyou is the fact that it engages the reader in a way print titles can only dream of.

“They can play videos, click onto websites, scroll their way through articles, move photographs – even choose their favourite cover, making it an enjoyable experience.

“And we can also offer statistical packages detailing how many views an edition has had, how long people have lingered on a page or how many times a link has been clicked and so on.

“It’s like a half-way house between print and web. All the familiarity of turning pages with the interactivity and usability of the web – while being eco friendly."

“Call it publishing with a conscience – combining entertaining content and functionality to propel an important yet often maligned subject into the mainstream.”

Director Derek Bryce added: “Online ad revenues remain one of the few areas to have performed far better than print based advertising, with click through rates on page turn titles also reportedly higher.

“This gives added value to advertisers who can track the success of their ads or allow us to provide them with the background data, literally at the click of a button.”

Other functions will allow readers to burn to disc or memory stick, download offline versions for later viewing, bookmark, print, add notes or even search content.

ecoforbusiness ecoforlife ecoforyou

Launching October 21, 2008
www.ecoforyou.co.uk

NOTES FOR NEWSDESKS
(1) ecoforyou will be available via email or through a free link available at
www.ecoforyou.co.uk from October 21, 2008.
(2) the publishers plan for an estimated initial mail-out to 50,000 potential readers. Accurate readership figures will be made available in due course.
(3) ecoforyou is now accepting inquiries for both sponsorship and advertising opportunities on 0141 248 5595/6. A full rate-card is available.
(4) Planet Ink Ltd is an award-winning independent design, media and publishing house
based in Glasgow established in January 2006 by founding directors Shaun Milne and Gerry Cassidy.
(5) For further information call Shaun Milne on 0794 121 9061 or Gerry Cassidy on 07798 543 9752, or 0141 248 5595. Email info@planetinkltd.co.uk or visit www.planetinkltd.co.uk

Media release posted FRIDAY OCTOBER 10, 2008.

ENDS

MSS Scotland Connect With Planet Ink Ltd

Planet Ink Ltd has just completed its first project for the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland by converting their printed magazine into a digital title.

MS Connect, which is designed by Edinburgh based 39steps, is now available online after we were able to convert their hi-res PDFs on a same day service.

MSS Scotland are hosting a link to the new format on their webpage and inviting feedback from members.

Coming Soon....

ecoforyou

The new online only magazine about eco living.

Launching October 21, 2008.

For advertising inquiries call 0141 248 5595/6.

Press: allmediascotland.com

Founding director Shaun Milne writes about the potential for national newspapers to make the switch to digital, in today's edition of allmediascotland.com.

Read the article in full here.

ScottishPower News: Issue 21

The latest ScottishPower News, the award winning staff newspaper designed and published by the team at Planet Ink Ltd, is out now.

New enhancements to the digital edition, such as animated advertisements and other features throughout, have been introduced for our client this month.

Planet Ink Ltd also project managed the printing and distribution of the printed edition across all of ScottishPower's required business networks.

To find out how we can help enhance your internal staff communications, contact the team today, by calling 0141 248 5596 or emailing info@planetinkltd.co.uk

Smooth Sailing with Cunard

Planet Ink Ltd has successfully completed its first project for Yudu Media on behalf of their world famous client Cunard cruise line.

The company was commissioned to carry out Flash animation for the bespoke Cunard digital editions published by Yudu Media.

Planet Ink Ltd's multi-media unit were able to quickly deliver the necessary animations on time and budget, working from pre-supplied artwork.

Founding director Shaun Milne said: "We were delighted to assist our friends at Yudu Media and are delighted they saw us as a first port of call for this particular project."

To find out how our team could help introduce Flash animation to your existing publications, then contact the team by phoning 0141 248 5596 or email info@planetinkltd.co.uk.

ScottishPower News: Issue 20

Planet Ink Ltd have completed the latest edition of ScottishPower News.

The latest issue - available as a newspaper and digital alternative - marks the second year of our award-winning partnership with Scottish Power.

It also follows last month's re-design of the current PPA Scotland Staff Magazine of the Year which introduced their new corporate branding.

To find out how our creative team can help your business transform its publications, contact us by emailing info@planetinkltd.co.uk or calling our team on 0141 248 5595/6

Planet Ink Ltd Scores with Clydesdale Bank Project

Planet Ink Ltd are delighted to have carried out their first project for Clydesdale Bank as sub-contractor to The Sports Business.

Our creative team were behind the re-touching and backround treatments for the official Clydesdale Bank 'Captain's Photograph' used to kick off the new Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League campaign.

The images were taken by Scotland's largest independent photographic agency, the SNS Group.

The end results were used across Scotland's national newspapers including The Times, Scottish Sun, Daily Record, Scottish Daily Express, Daily Star Scotland and Scottish Daily Mail.

Founding director Shaun Milne said: "The images were already of excellent quality, but as former newspaper journalists our team were able to add an extra dimension to them for their intended use, working to the instructions of The Sports Business and their client, Clydesdale Bank.

"It is just one of the many areas our team can help businesses get their marketing campaigns off to a winning start."

To find out more about our services, click on the digital brochure on our splash page, call us today on 0141 248 5595/6, or email info@planetinkltd.co.uk

Planet Ink Ltd - Bigger and Better

Planet Ink Ltd have completed the expansion of their office facilities in Glasgow city centre today.

Based on the same prominent site in Union Street next to Glasgow Central Station, the expansion allows for the recruitment of more staff and creation of a new central production hub.

The project has been completed in time to welcome our newest recruit, Mari Reilly, who joins the company on Monday.

Mari, a graduate of Glasgow Metropolitan College, has been working closely with Planet Ink Ltd over the past few months developing our range of interactive and Flash based digital documents.

Founding director Shaun Milne said: "Planet Ink Ltd is already an award winning company with an enviable reputation for fast paced, innovative publications that have really led the field in Scotland.

"By expanding the size of our operation we create not only a great working environment for the creative talents we have, but the increased capacity to handle more and more projects.

"We are particularly pleased to have captured the talents of Mari and look forward to her working with the existing team to add an extra dimension to the company as we look to offer our clients the best possible service.

"By investing in our core services, we are well placed to help other companies through these difficult times.

"The credit crunch means budgets have never been tighter, but with digital documents we can shrink the cost of delivering information packed publications by 70% or more on traditional print alternatives.

"And with environmental awareness also peaking, the chance to enhance green credentials at the same time in preparation for the potential tax breaks of the future that may bring, means the time to look at our digital solutions really is now."

NB: The contact details for Planet Ink Ltd remain the same. Suite 3.4, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, G1 3TA; Tel: 0141 248 5595/6; email: info@planetinkltd.co.uk