Latest news with #JamesStokes
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Infobip Helps HESA Double Graduate Outcomes Conversion Rates for Mobile Communications
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global cloud communications platform Infobip has enhanced its partnership with HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), part of Jisc, to boost responses to its Graduate Outcomes survey, the UK's largest annual social survey. By implementing a Rich Communication Service (RCS) and mobile-first approach, Infobip has helped increase the agency's mobile survey conversion rates compared to SMS. Infobip has implemented a mobile and RCS-first approach for HESA, making the Graduate Outcomes survey available on this richer, more engaging channel across Android and Apple platforms. Share HESA, the UK agency for the collection and analysis of higher education data, delivers the Graduate Outcomes survey which surveys over 900,000 recent graduates annually. It helps improve university experiences for future students by providing a voice for graduates and postgraduates. To ensure UK higher education best reflects the actual needs of students, the survey needs to collect the experiences of as many graduates as possible. With survey fatigue and declining engagement an ongoing challenge, HESA is testing a number of different initiatives to boost online survey responses. With circa 70% of online responses completed on mobile, HESA needed to refresh its omnichannel approach and provide communication channels that graduates and postgraduates use and trust. RCS messaging enables organisations to increase their brand reputation and awareness. With RCS, HESA could add its survey logo and a link to its website. As the message design is more modern, it helps enhance reputation and verifies the message is genuine. Infobip has implemented a mobile and RCS-first approach for HESA, making the Graduate Outcomes survey available on this richer, more engaging channel across Android and Apple platforms; RCS survey conversion rates are double that of SMS. Dr Gosia Turner, Head of Surveys at Jisc, said: 'The Graduate Outcomes survey is a critical tool to allow recent graduates to share their experiences of UK higher education. To provide the rich, high-quality data that the sector needs, we need all graduates to complete the survey when they are invited. It's early days but the conversion rates on RCS compared to SMS look very encouraging.' James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK and Nordics, at Infobip, said: 'By integrating RCS capabilities powered by Infobip into the Graduate Outcomes survey, HESA has enhanced respondent experiences while helping boost completion rates. Having worked with HESA since 2018, this latest partnership demonstrates how we continue to innovate for our customers to help them achieve their objectives.' About Infobip Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip's omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Infobip Research Reveals Surge in UK Brands' Adoption of RCS
Infobip's Messaging Trends Report highlights the impact of Apple's RCS support and the growing dominance of conversational messaging in the UK LONDON, June 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global cloud communications platform Infobip has released its latest Messaging Trends Report, which reveals that the adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging has skyrocketed, transforming the customer experience landscape. Infobip analysed more than 530 billion interactions on its platform between businesses and consumers in 2024 to identify the latest business messaging trends. The data suggests Apple's support for RCS, following its iOS 18 update in late 2024, contributed to a 65% increase in UK RCS traffic. UK businesses have embraced the channel for highly engaging, two-way customer interactions. Infobip's data shows that the increase in RCS usage is part of increasingly omnichannel approaches, with UK brands leveraging it alongside SMS, Voice & Video and WhatsApp for a seamless customer journey. James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK & Nordics at Infobip, commented: "RCS is taking off because it works. The branded and verified experience reduces hesitation, while rich visuals capture attention and drive engagement. In A/B tests, RCS rich cards delivered up to 70% higher conversion rates than MMS. More significantly, RCS has driven conversion rates two to three times higher, and sometimes even ten times higher, than standard marketing channels." The UK is the largest European market utilising the Infobip platform, growing by almost a third (31.7%) from 2023 to 2024. Companies in the wholesale communications services sector represent the largest segment, followed by telecoms and technology & software companies. The Messaging Trends Report has revealed that as UK brands refine their customer engagement strategies, WhatsApp has emerged as a significant channel for conversational marketing, where the channel's growth has surpassed the growth of SMS and email. Infobip recorded a 392% increase in marketing messages sent over WhatsApp in the UK, driven by new features enabling seamless purchases within a single chat. This was accompanied by a 12x increase in conversational marketing messages, with majority being over WhatsApp. The platform also saw significant growth in other chat apps like Telegram, Line, and Viber. Globally, Infobip saw a 30% increase in the number of brands orchestrating conversational marketing interactions with their customers on its platform. AI adoption has also increased, according to data from Infobip's AI Hub. AI-powered chatbots and automation are being widely adopted, particularly in finance and insurance, where security and compliance are paramount. Businesses increasingly use AI for personalized interactions, fraud prevention, and real-time customer support. James Stokes added: "With RCS adoption accelerating and AI transforming customer interactions, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for conversational messaging." For more insights, download the full report here: About InfobipInfobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. View source version on Contacts Highbury Communications Sarah Penneyspenney@ Infobip Wendy
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Infobip Research Reveals Surge in UK Brands' Adoption of RCS
Infobip's Messaging Trends Report highlights the impact of Apple's RCS support and the growing dominance of conversational messaging in the UK LONDON, June 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global cloud communications platform Infobip has released its latest Messaging Trends Report, which reveals that the adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging has skyrocketed, transforming the customer experience landscape. Infobip analysed more than 530 billion interactions on its platform between businesses and consumers in 2024 to identify the latest business messaging trends. The data suggests Apple's support for RCS, following its iOS 18 update in late 2024, contributed to a 65% increase in UK RCS traffic. UK businesses have embraced the channel for highly engaging, two-way customer interactions. Infobip's data shows that the increase in RCS usage is part of increasingly omnichannel approaches, with UK brands leveraging it alongside SMS, Voice & Video and WhatsApp for a seamless customer journey. James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK & Nordics at Infobip, commented: "RCS is taking off because it works. The branded and verified experience reduces hesitation, while rich visuals capture attention and drive engagement. In A/B tests, RCS rich cards delivered up to 70% higher conversion rates than MMS. More significantly, RCS has driven conversion rates two to three times higher, and sometimes even ten times higher, than standard marketing channels." The UK is the largest European market utilising the Infobip platform, growing by almost a third (31.7%) from 2023 to 2024. Companies in the wholesale communications services sector represent the largest segment, followed by telecoms and technology & software companies. The Messaging Trends Report has revealed that as UK brands refine their customer engagement strategies, WhatsApp has emerged as a significant channel for conversational marketing, where the channel's growth has surpassed the growth of SMS and email. Infobip recorded a 392% increase in marketing messages sent over WhatsApp in the UK, driven by new features enabling seamless purchases within a single chat. This was accompanied by a 12x increase in conversational marketing messages, with majority being over WhatsApp. The platform also saw significant growth in other chat apps like Telegram, Line, and Viber. Globally, Infobip saw a 30% increase in the number of brands orchestrating conversational marketing interactions with their customers on its platform. AI adoption has also increased, according to data from Infobip's AI Hub. AI-powered chatbots and automation are being widely adopted, particularly in finance and insurance, where security and compliance are paramount. Businesses increasingly use AI for personalized interactions, fraud prevention, and real-time customer support. James Stokes added: "With RCS adoption accelerating and AI transforming customer interactions, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for conversational messaging." For more insights, download the full report here: About InfobipInfobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. View source version on Contacts Highbury Communications Sarah Penneyspenney@ Infobip Wendy
Business Wire
17-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Infobip Research Reveals Surge in UK Brands' Adoption of RCS
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global cloud communications platform Infobip has released its latest Messaging Trends Report, which reveals that the adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging has skyrocketed, transforming the customer experience landscape. James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK & Nordics at Infobip, commented: 'With RCS adoption accelerating and AI transforming customer interactions, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for conversational messaging.' Share Infobip analysed more than 530 billion interactions on its platform between businesses and consumers in 2024 to identify the latest business messaging trends. The data suggests Apple's support for RCS, following its iOS 18 update in late 2024, contributed to a 65% increase in UK RCS traffic. UK businesses have embraced the channel for highly engaging, two-way customer interactions. Infobip's data shows that the increase in RCS usage is part of increasingly omnichannel approaches, with UK brands leveraging it alongside SMS, Voice & Video and WhatsApp for a seamless customer journey. James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK & Nordics at Infobip, commented: 'RCS is taking off because it works. The branded and verified experience reduces hesitation, while rich visuals capture attention and drive engagement. In A/B tests, RCS rich cards delivered up to 70% higher conversion rates than MMS. More significantly, RCS has driven conversion rates two to three times higher, and sometimes even ten times higher, than standard marketing channels.' The UK is the largest European market utilising the Infobip platform, growing by almost a third (31.7%) from 2023 to 2024. Companies in the wholesale communications services sector represent the largest segment, followed by telecoms and technology & software companies. The Messaging Trends Report has revealed that as UK brands refine their customer engagement strategies, WhatsApp has emerged as a significant channel for conversational marketing, where the channel's growth has surpassed the growth of SMS and email. Infobip recorded a 392% increase in marketing messages sent over WhatsApp in the UK, driven by new features enabling seamless purchases within a single chat. This was accompanied by a 12x increase in conversational marketing messages, with majority being over WhatsApp. The platform also saw significant growth in other chat apps like Telegram, Line, and Viber. Globally, Infobip saw a 30% increase in the number of brands orchestrating conversational marketing interactions with their customers on its platform. AI adoption has also increased, according to data from Infobip's AI Hub. AI-powered chatbots and automation are being widely adopted, particularly in finance and insurance, where security and compliance are paramount. Businesses increasingly use AI for personalized interactions, fraud prevention, and real-time customer support. James Stokes added: 'With RCS adoption accelerating and AI transforming customer interactions, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for conversational messaging. ' For more insights, download the full report here:
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Milford Sound plans: 'We've got to get on with it'
The government has announced $15 million will go towards infrastructure upgrades and conservation projects at Milford Sound. File photo. Photo: 123RF Tourism operators are welcoming more clarity on the government's plans for Milford Sound, but say it is now time for action. A 2021 masterplan for the popular tourist destination recommended banning cruise ships, closing the airstrip, a park and ride system and charging overseas visitors a fee. The government announced on Wednesday that about $15 million would go towards infrastructure upgrades and conservation projects, while confirming cruise ships and the airstrip will not be going anywhere , and it was sticking with unrestricted road access. Glenorchy Air managing director James Stokes said the update gave the local aviation industry much needed certainty. "The overall emotion is one of relief that we are going to definitely have an airfield in the future. We were confident that that's the way it was going, but good to hear it finally confirmed," he said. The funding was a good start as Milford Sound had some immediate infrastructure needs it could help to address, Stokes said. The tourism and hospitality and conservation ministers held a call for stakeholders on the day to outline the plans, including wanting to address long-standing concession issues for tourism operators. "I'm keen to see what this reform is going to look like and keen to see how they're going to make it easier for businesses to operate in national parks responsibly," Stokes said. "Just want to get on with it and see the work actually happen. We can't afford another year of nothing happening. We've got to get on with it." Trips and Tramps co-owner Steve Norris said the announcement had been a long time coming and was moving in the right direction. But it left him with questions. A key one was how the traffic and parking would be better managed now the government sought to attract more visitors to the area. "The summer just gone, the carpark's full most days and they're not putting any controls on the road right now... which is fine," Norris said. But in the long term, numbers were expected to increase and there needed to be a solution, he said. Visitor numbers hit 870,000 in 2019, up from 430,000 in 2013. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said they now surpassed one million a year as Milford Sound was a magnet for tourists. Potaka was also keen to address long standing concession issues for tourism operators as part of conservation reform. It was an area Steve Norris also wanted to see addressed. But he was pleased to hear they were replacing the boat ramp in Deepwater Basin for recreational boaties and local operators. "Great news because that's probably 20 years past its use-by-date - the ramp that's in use at the moment - so that's very encouraging," he said. Work on two of the projects that received funding - cleaning up Little Tahiti landfill and flood protections - had either wrapped up or was underway, so he hoped the money would go towards new projects. The funding was coming from the international visitor levy and the Department of Conservation's capital works programme. Initial policy documents released by DOC suggested that one-off investment costs of between $450-500 million were needed to cover new infrastructure, transport services, visitor facilities, experiences, walking, tracks, carparks, and roadside developments. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she wanted to attract more visitors to Piopiotahi while still protecting it. "We do know it is a real focus point for visitors coming to New Zealand so we don't want to restrict access to it and actually if you then mean the only route in is by road, that creates other difficulties," she said. When the masterplan was launched, the reasoning for removing the airstrip was because it was in a poor state, exposed to flooding and tsunami risks, expensive to rebuild and only carried about three percent of visitors. Upston acknowledged they needed to look at work to upgrade the airstrip, which could involve more helicopter use in the future. Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram said the update addressed long standing uncertainty and gave direction to those wanting to invest in the region "There are a lot of things that the industry can agree on when it comes to Milford and improving the experience and safety are two of them," she said. "We have been strong advocates for a well-managed experience that is great for visitors, community, business and for the environment. "We look forward to working with the Department of Conservation as the proposal goes from plan into action." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
