Tuesday 29 April 2008

News from npower

PIERS MORGAN AND FEARNE COTTON LAUNCH NPOWER’S SEARCH TO FIND
UK’S TOP ‘GREEN-AGERS’

Piers Morgan and TV presenter Fearne Cotton today sent out a green SOS to find the UK’s most passionate ‘green-agers’ to take part in npower’s Climate Cops programme - a £20million, five year initiative designed to motivate eco-aware students to turn their passion for the environment into positive action.

The Climate Cops programme will offer a ‘first of its kind’ training scheme led by some of the UK’s most high profile campaigners, environmental experts, media gurus and celebrities, who will come together to mentor 11 to 13 year old students through their chosen green mission. Selected students will take part in a unique training course designed to teach them how to develop campaigns that will affect change in their local communities. The year long programme includes:

- Piers Morgan: With over twenty years of media experience under his belt, Piers will tutor the students on how they can harness the media to publicise their cause, along with working out ‘Whose Got Talent’, by judging the year long competition
- Fearne Cotton: As an all round media presenter and aspiring green queen, Fearne’s role will be to act as a mentor to the kids, to inspire them to sign up to the programme and share their experiences of living an ethical lifestyle
- Green Outward Bound® Course: In conjunction with The Outward Bound Trust and endorsed by HRH, The Duke of York, the students will attend the UK’s first ever ‘green’ Outward Bound® course - offering them the chance to learn about sustainable living, climate change and leadership skills through challenging outdoor experiences

Schools and students interested in entering the programme are invited to go to www.npower.com/GreenSOS before 13th June to submit an entry by identifying a local ‘green’ issue they feel passionately about changing; from poor recycling facilities to a neglected public park. A panel of judges will then select ten schools to secure a place on the programme. The most successful green mission, as judged by Piers Morgan and other industry experts, will win a £20,000 ‘green’ makeover for their school.

Piers Morgan commented: “As a father, I’m concerned about the future of the environment and how education can help to tackle this important issue. The npower Climate Cops programme is unique in that it has been designed to motivate young people to make their own choices in how they want to help the planet. This campaign will include all the training and skills the students need in their green mission, from selecting a cause, through to project management, campaigning, using the media and working as a team. Conducting a green project at a local community may seem like a small contribution, but if we all joined forces to do our bit, together we can make a difference.”

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Outward Bound Trust commented "I am delighted that npower are working alongside Outward Bound in our determination to deliver far-reaching and innovative ideas and courses for young people. npower brings a new dimension to what we are able to deliver to young people's development and education."

TV presenter and green supporter, Fearne Cotton commented, “I’m not professing to be the ultimate green queen as all of us can always do more, but the great thing about npower’s Climate Cops programme is that it encourages students to work together to spread awareness, which can definitely can make a difference! I think it is a great initiative to inspire young people to lead a greener lifestyle, feel motivated to take more action to help reduce climate change and through that, inspire others to do the same”.

Wednesday 16 April 2008

News from Budweiser

BUDWEISER LAUNCH NEW TV ADVERT

Budweiser’s new TV ad features musicians doing what they love. Inspired by the dedication that goes into brewing Budweiser, the brand’s new advertising campaign captures the passion musicians have for their craft and the social atmosphere that comes from friends getting together.

The ad brings you along with the band as they jam in their basement studio and develop their own version of the 1969 classic instrumental ‘Popcorn.’ The group also takes the stage at their local club for a rendition of Salt ‘n Pepa's ‘Push It.’ To make the music all their own, the musicians have customised their instruments using Budweiser bottles, kegs and cans.

The band is encouraged and inspired by Dave Cloud, the veteran musician who the Sunday Times heralded as music's “last genuine lost genius.”

Visit www.budweiser.co.uk to meet the band.

News from Smarties

SMARTIE-ART
UK’s first ever edible exhibition opens in London

On Friday 18th April, food artist Prudence Emma Staite unveils a unique set of paintings made completely from chocolate, as part of the Smartie Art exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood.

Her pieces include iconic landmarks from around the UK including the London Skyline, the Blackpool Tower and the Angel of the North as well as recreations of famous artwork such as Andy Worhol’s ‘Monroe’ and Banksy’s ‘Spotless’.

The edible exhibition is part of a wider initiative launched by Smarties to encourage parents and children to get creative in the kitchen by using food in arts and crafts. The exhibition will also contain chocolate art created by children from around the UK who entered their work into a nationwide Smartie Art competition.

The exhibition is being unveiled to celebrate the return of the blue Smartie, which has been reintroduced to the tube with no artificial colours or flavours.

Location: V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA
Tube: Bethnal Green
Date: Friday 18th April – Sunday 20th April
Time: 10am – 5.45pm
Admission: Free

Extra Information: Free chocolate art workshops to run on Friday 18th April

Further information on the Smartie Art exhibition and competition can be found at www.smarties.co.uk.

News from Brylcreem

Styling British men since 1928 - Brylcreem celebrates 80th birthday


On this day 80 years ago Brylcreem found its way into the hands of its first British consumers. At the heart of male grooming since 1928 – Brylcreem is proud to celebrate 80 years of styling Britain’s men.

Brylcreem is a truly iconic British brand, that has been able to maintain a dialogue with British Blokes for almost a Century. The brand has evolved alongside British men over the last 8 decades, with its product lines and packaging changing to reflect the look and feel of the time. Since launching its classic glass pot in 1928, Brylcreem quickly rose to become the UK’s number 1 male styling brand, where it remains 80 years later* albeit with a much larger range of modern gels, waxes and creams.

Reg Scott, a Brylcreem user for over 80 years commented “ I’ve used Brylcreem for as long as I can remember, it was an essential part of our grooming routine before going out to impress the ladies. It may look a little different now, in a plastic red pot, but is still just the ticket.”

The Brylcreem brand was personified throughout the years by some of Britain’s most revered sporting icons, referred to as the ‘Brylcreem Boy’s’, such as Denis Compton, Johnny Haynes and David Beckham. They were joined in 2007 by Sam Veale who was found in a UK first, when Brylcreem used MySpace to recruit the new Brylcreem star. Sam featured in the latest Brylcreem advert, performing a choreographed ‘effortless’ morning wake-up routine and was the first non-celebrity face of the brand.

Brylcreem continues to push innovation in 2008 with the launch of the brand’s first ever styling product for longer hair. The Brylcreem antiStyler scruffing paste is the latest addition to the Brylcreem range and has been created specifically to give control when taming longer locks.

The ‘Original Brylcreem’ in the instantly recognisable, iconic red pot is still available today and sits alongside the continually evolving Brylcreem core range.

Brylcreem constantly updates its range to appeal to the modern male audience and is able to do this without losing its core values. It’s an inherently British brand, that is as trusted by men in 2008 as it was in 1928. Happy Birthday Brylcreem!

www.brylcreem.com

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* IRI Oracle Sales Analyzer, 29th December 2007

Notes to Editors:
The new-formulation Brylcreem range, in addition to Brylcreem antiStyler, is available from March 2008, RRP from £3.19 and is available nationwide in Boots and all other good high-street and grocery retailers includes:
· reStyler - The springy gum holds and remoulds short to medium hair so with one application, you can restyle your look throughout the day (RRP £3.19)
· toughStyler - For strong control and structure, toughStyler is best applied to short hair to style and keep it fixed and looking fierce all day (RRP £3.19)
· easyStyler - easyStyler is a hybrid of gel and wax for short hair. easyStyler holds and defines short hair, it is also is the easiest product to wash out, leaving hair clean and gunk-free (RRP £3.19)
· strongGel Fast-drying strongGel holds any style in place all day. The water resistant gel has its longest lasting hold yet, making it a favourite for big styles. (RRP £3.19)
· extremeholdGel Ultimate strength for an extreme style. extremeholdGel can be trusted to keep any style, no matter how outrageous, in place all day. (RRP £3.19)
· wetlookGel creates and holds that smooth, sleek, ‘wet look’ shine, giving you greater control over your style. Best applied to short to medium hair for sleek results. (RRP £3.19)
· modellingGel gives a light, non-greasy hold doesn’t set like concrete but allows for a re-workable style. An understated yet stylish look is easily created with modellingGel. (RRP £3.19)
· waxStick - Using the waxStick you can apply as little or as much as you like to give a choppy and messed up look without any hassle. (RRP £3.99)

Monday 14 April 2008

News From Fila

Fila Pops Up in Seven Dials

To celebrate 35 years in sportswear, Fila will be opening a retrospective exhibition and interactive pop up retail shop in the bustling area of Seven Dials, London. Situated on Earlham Street, Fila’s pop up shop opens to the public with a selection of original 70s and 80s framed pieces from their vintage collection alongside a display of the iconic green Matchday jackets customised by celebrity Fila fans including The Enemy, Danny Dyer, Tamer Hassan, Dave Berry, Hard Fi, The View and selected up and coming artists/illustrators. The customised jackets will be auctioned off at the wrap party in aid of children’s sports charity Sparks.

For those who just want to kick back and relax, a PlayStation®3 interactive entertainment area has been created within the store offering a range of the latest games and bespoke Fila features to encourage visitors to become part of the exhibition themselves. The PlayStation 3 experiences will change over each week showcasing different interactive activities such as; visitors will have the opportunity to join in the customisation craze and their re-worked Matchday designs will be shown on the PS3™ photo gallery with the winning design going into production for one lucky fan, visitor Vox Pops will be filmed and shown on the PS3 video gallery as well as a photo wall installation that is designed to display photos of visitors taken and printed off in store – enabling visitors to really leave their mark!

For those who just want to relax Fila’s celebrity fans have provided their top 10 playlists and they’ve been uploaded for easy listening and a break from shopping. The gaming side of the chill out area is not forgotten, with retro greats like Qbert and Mortal Combat as well as new games like NBA Live and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue™. All activities throughout the 4 week period are designed to bring to life the PS3’s extraordinary multi-media functionalities.

The Fila pop up shop is a ‘must see’ for anyone interested in fashion, sport or technology. Both contemporary and archive photography will be shown beside the latest campaign shots with cult actors, Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan celebrating the brands 35 years in sport. Also on show are signed trainers worn by Danny Dyer and the new Alfa Wimbledon shoe which has been created as part of Fila’s new partnership as the official footwear licensee.

The Fila Pop Up Shop fuses an exhibition and retail concept to achieve a slick shopping experience full of interaction and archive memorabilia. It’s a perfect stop to relax while catching up on some Fila history and seeing the new collection in its own brand environment.


-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
- The pop up shop is located at Unit 2/3 Earlham Street, Thomas Neal Centre, Seven Dials, WC1
- Fila stockist number 01923 475600
- Sparks registered charity number no. 1003825
- More information about PlayStation products can be found at www.playstation.com or visit the SCE UK Extranet at www.sceuk-press.net.
- PLAYSTATION, PlayStation PS3 and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Thursday 3 April 2008

News from Premier Inn

A slice of the desert comes to the UK as Premier Inn celebrates the launch of its first hotel in the Middle East

Dubai is best known for 7 star luxury hotels and for most Brits, seems like an extravagant destination a world away. Not any longer! Britain’s biggest and fastest growing hotel brand, Premier Inn, has announced the opening of its first hotel in the region.

To celebrate the launch, Managing Director Patrick Dempsey and Marketing Director Gerard Tempest, boarded an Arabian camel in true Middle Eastern style to make the announcement, and demonstrated that Premier Inn can bridge the ‘Gulf’ between luxury and quality budget with the forthcoming opening in Dubai.

This new Premier Inn opens up the traditionally luxurious holiday destination of Dubai to those travellers who are looking for great value for money; making it an accessible exotic location for families and couples, of all ages, alike.

Premier Inn’s Top 10 Tips for a Budget Savvy Trip to Dubai

1. Fly Budget: Check out the budget airlines offering cheaper flights to the UAE

2. Sleep Budget: Stay at a budget hotel such as Premier Inn, which offers great quality at an affordable price

3. Shop Budget: Go beyond the big malls and get your shopping fix in Karama, the discount district - remember to bargain, bargain, bargain!

4. Swim Budget: Spend a day at the beach – Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Park is a bargain at just a few dirhams for entry and the open beaches are completely free. Or stay at Premier Inn and relax by the hotel’s very own pool!

5. Drink Budget: Cash in on happy hour – most bars have happy hours in the early evening and Tuesday is ladies night all over town

6. Drive Budget: Due to the lower price of petrol, taxis are dirt cheap, so relax in the back seat and leave the navigation of Dubai traffic to the masters

7. SightSee Budget: Dubai is home to some incredible architecture: e.g., the Jumeirah Mosque, cross the creek on an abra for a dirham only, and take a tour of the souks

8. Eat Budget: Eat as the locals do on cheap shawarmas, a yummy combination of seasoned meat and vegetables wrapped in Arabic bread, available all over the city

9. Bespoke Budget: Need a suit? Shop for your fabrics in Satwa and have your suits hand made by one of Dubai’s high quality tailors at a fraction of Savile Row prices

10. Entertainment Budget: Check the local press for the offers available all over the city- there are books full of discount vouchers waiting to be used


This new hotel marks the beginning of a strategic partnership with The Emirates Group to develop the Premier Inn brand within the Gulf region. Premier Inn will introduce their high standard, “value” hotel model into the Gulf market with plans to develop at least a further ten sites across the UAE by 2010.

The Premier Inn is located in Dubai Investments Park next to the Green Community, the hotel features 308 modern and stylish air conditioned rooms, with a swimming pool and whirlpool bath and officially opens on 8th April 2008.

www.premierinn.com

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