Our highly experienced Publishing Manager, Fiona McParland, spoke at a Procurex Scotland Conference about the topic of inclusivity within publishing and how no-one should miss out on information due to a disability.

Accessibility challenges can be faced by everyone and not just those with a permanent impairment. You could have a temporary disablement if you’ve broken your arm, or it could even be situational, for example, if you’re holding a baby.

In 2024, 19% of people in Scotland have declared a long-term health condition or disability.

The above statistic equates to over 1 million people in Scotland alone – and that’s just the people who have actually declared it – so it shows how important it is to ensure your content is as inclusive as it can be, as it affects a lot of the population. Not only that but in addition to ethical considerations, there are also the legal regulations that need to be followed which are only becoming more stringent.

When publishing content you should be considering these three things:

• Accessibility – removing barriers to create equivalent user experiences for all​
• Usability – experiences should be effective, efficient and satisfying​
• Inclusion – experiences that are usable by as wide an audience is possible

Often people concentrate on making a website accessible but forget about the content that is being published on that website which also needs to pass certain WCAG guidelines for it to be deemed inclusive.

APS’s five-step model

We’ve created an easy to follow process to help you break down your communications so that the output is as inclusive as possible:

1. Context – why are you publishing this piece of content?
2. Conception – what’s the best way to get the message across?
3. Content – how are you going to make it accessible?
4. Communication – what channels are you going to use?
5. Curation – how will you maintain your content?

To find out more about how to create a culture of accessibility within your organisation and how APS can help you stay compliant with complex accessibility regulations, please reach out to [email protected].

To receive a recording of the webinar, please fill in your details and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon.

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a fascinating topic that cannot be avoided as it rapidly becomes more progressive, sophisticated and integrated within our day-to-day life. We brought together Gabrielle Robitaille, Associate Director of Digital Policy and AI Community Lead from the WFA, Maartje van Beek, Creative and Content Business Director and Len Borghuis, Motion Graphic Designer, both of APS, to discuss how the technology can realistically be used within your organisation, particularly within the creative process.

Hosted by George Smart of APS, the session saw these industry experts dive into all aspects of this revolutionary tool starting with some insightful research conducted by the WFA investigating how brands are currently using AI, where they are up to in their journey, and the main roadblocks to AI adoption.

At the time of publishing, of the companies using AI 84% say they are still in the very early awareness or development stages, with only 16% advising they are at a mature stage or further.

This shows there is still a tentativeness around this complex topic whilst brands are still learning how to navigate the risks, with legal concerns, upskilling and ethical concerns topping the list of apprehensions in relation to the technology.

For those businesses that have started to dip into the world of AI there are some extremely exciting developments into how it can aid the creative process, and it is no doubt transforming the marketing industry. Maartje presented some interesting use cases of how APS has used AI for both creative content and creative production, showing how automation can speed up repetitive tasks delivering efficiencies and saving resource for other creative projects that require a more human touch.

It’s not to say AI is perfect as there are still faults, it’s knowing how to work around these flaws and use AI effectively that can really give your brand a competitive edge. Len talks more about upcoming developments and trends, both good and bad, to give a fantastic, well-rounded insight into the way this technology is moving forward.

Here at APS, we thrive on innovation and aim to keep abreast of ever-evolving technologies to find the best solutions for our clients, enabling them to maximise efficiencies in both resource and budget. Our team will work with you to make innovative yet practical recommendations. Talk to us today, [email protected].

To receive a recording of the webinar, please fill in your details and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon.

Is your disaster recovery plan for customer communications robust enough? This was the topic of our webinar hosted by Amanda Beesley who is the Vice President of Consultancy at Aspire CCS, a specialist advisory firm dedicated to the CCM-CXM markets. 

Customer communications are becoming more intelligent and progressive, focusing on interactivity and improving the customer experience which has shown to improve brand perception and can influence success. Businesses are moving away from an inside-out operational approach to an outside-in model which is more dynamic, driven by real-time interactions and customer satisfaction to drive loyalty and engagement. 

This change does, however, bring increased risks and businesses need to adapt. Many risk profiles are outdated as threats are constantly evolving, from natural disasters and pandemics to digital and cybercrime, disaster recovery plans need to be constantly evaluated to keep up with the world. Consistent delivery of critical communications via the channel of choice needs to happen no matter what, or you risk reputational, commercial and regulatory impacts. 

1 out of 8 customers will switch providers due to poor customer experience and communication. 

Criteria to think about when choosing a disaster recovery partner are: 

• Dual sourcing – choose a company that is not your main provider 

• Proven ability to be able to reserve capacity to fulfill disaster recovery requirements in a timely manner 

• Implementation of a dynamic testing routine 

APS serves as the disaster recovery partner for some of the largest financial services brands in the UK. Contact [email protected] to find out what we can do for you. 

We gathered an exciting panel of experts within the US nonprofit sector to discuss the evolution of this industry, including how to overcome challenges and gain a competitive edge in today’s landscape. The panel included: 

• Johnny Burleson, Principal, Mid-Atlantic, Creative Fundraising Advisors

• Kathy Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for a Healthier Generation

• Chuck Kaylor, Chief of Staff, John M. Belk Endowment

• Rob Potter, Head of Strategy and Planning, APS 

Several factors have affected the market and how donors, both new and regular, decide on who to support with their money and time. The last twenty years have brought so many significant life events and these have largely influenced how people, younger donors especially, view the world. The new generation is completely different to any that have come before, and this means the way in which nonprofits communicate with their audience must also change – complacency is not an option. 

We are over-saturated with advertising noise and so organisations need efficient and effective practices to cut through and engage with their target audience. Storytelling needs to be compelling to resonate and evoke an emotional reaction, whilst remaining transparent and authentic to build those all-important, lasting relationships. Communications need to be omni-channel as our sources of trusted information have now changed, nonprofits need to meet their audience where they are and be able to demonstrate impact and how they are making a difference. 

In addition to external marketing activity, the infrastructure of an organisation also needs to be stable and resilient to withstand changing trends over time. This includes things such as having the right board in place and building a culture of philanthropy, to utilising efficient technologies and working with the right suppliers. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg. To hear further insights on how to thrive as a nonprofit and turn challenges into opportunities, please fill in your details and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon. 

At APS, we have already helped a number of partners in this space become more efficient and effective with their marketing activities and operations, and we’d love to help your organisation do the same. Talk to us today, [email protected].