NEWS FROM HOVIS

Hovis goes Ga-Ga for new scarecrow

Lady Ga Ga, famous for her scary outfits and bizarre make-up, is the inspiration behind a new range of scarecrows for Hovis – thanks to one Brits-watching farmer.

Nigel Britten from Whelan Farm in Surrey is one of over 600 farmers growing premium wheat exclusively for Hovis as part of its move to using 100% British wheat. He came up with the idea after seeing Lady Ga Ga’s latest fashion creation at the Brit Awards.

Nigel said “We’ve been worried about the increasing audacity of birds on our farms for some time. The old ways just don’t seem to work anymore, so farmers are having to become more and more inventive. I was watching Lady Gaga at the Brits with my wife and the idea suddenly came to me!”

“I know it’s not the most traditional scarecrow, but I suppose we have to move with the times! I don’t know whether it’s the dress or the hair but the birds are terrified – they daren’t approach the field anymore. Though I suppose she does look pretty scary”.

Marie Davies, Marketing Manager at Hovis said “We’re very excited by our move to 100% British Wheat and are passionate about protecting our crops which have taken over five years to perfect. The Lady Ga Ga scarecrow is a little bit unusual but it’s been a great success for Nigel and it’s definitely something we’re now considering rolling out to all our Hovis 100% British wheat farms”

Hovis has made a milestone change to its entire product range baked in Great Britain by switching over to flour milled from 100% British wheat and supporting British farming. Hovis is the first major bread brand to make this change.

For more information visit www.hovisbakery.co.uk

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For further information please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or email hovis@frankpr.it

NEWS FROM NPOWER

FAMILY HARMONY FOUND IN THE TURN OF A THERMOSTAT
COLD SNAP MAKES BRIT FAMILIES SNAPPIER


One in four family tiffs over the recent cold snap were sparked by disputes over the temperature of the home, it emerged yesterday, with kids acting as the mediators.

Research conducted by npower Climate Cops among 2,000 homeowners found ‘it’s too hot, it’s too cold’ squabbles took place in millions of homes as Britain was struck by the lowest temperatures for nearly 30 years, with more bad weather on the way.

Surprisingly the survey showed that it’s being left to the kids to restore the peace and encourage parents to turn down the thermostat. The research also revealed that the ideal temperature for family harmony is 21 degrees Celsius.

Yesterday a spokesman for npower’s Climate Cops, the energy company’s education programme that encourages kids to think green, said:

‘’What’s really heartening is that the results reveal that it’s kids who are championing greener practices around the home.

“An encouraging 17 per cent of parents have been pressurised into turning down the thermostat by their kids in order to help protect the environment and a quarter are nagged about being more environmentally conscious.

“As many as four in 10 youngsters are taking it even further, entering into dad’s domain by sorting out the recycling at home and encouraging their families to stop wasting water or electricity.”

Parenting expert and author Lorraine Thomas commented:

“According to these results more than half (53 per cent) think that families have been grumpier because of the cold snap, with families having one squabble a week over the correct temperature for the home. Family disagreements are perfectly healthy but it’s great to see that kids are acting as mediators and working to restore family harmony.”

The survey found the typical family has at least four ‘niggles’ a day and at least one disagreement lasting 10 minutes.

A third have complained of feeling cold around the home. One in five are fed up of being told to ‘put another layer on’ and the same number have disagreed about the time the heating should come on in the morning.

But seven in 10 believe family disagreements are healthy and 87 per cent reckon it’s best to have everything out in the open so everyone knows how everyone truly feels.


WHAT FAMILIES ARGUE ABOUT
1. Household chores
2. What to watch on TV
3. Money
4. The temperature of the house
5. Who has the remote control
6. Replacing the toilet roll
7. What time the children go to bed
8. Being unable to find something in the house
9. Whose go it is on the computer or games console
10. Treating the house like a hotel
11. Taking each other for granted
12. Whose turn it is to wash up
13. Homework
14. What to have for tea
15. Feeling too hot or too cold
16. Taking someone else’s toy / book / game without asking
17. Constantly being asked for money
18. Getting kids to stop eating sweets
19. Putting an empty juice carton back in the fridge
20. Getting kids to eat vegetables
21. Whether someone is really ill or not
22. People spending too long in the bathroom
23. Leaving the loo seat up
24. Loud music
25. Who drank the last of the milk
26. Who should empty the dishwasher
27. Wanting a new toy / clothes / trainers
28. Who ate the last of the bread
29. Never ending sport on television
30. What time teenagers should be back home

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For further information and interview requests please contact:
Frank PR: 020 7693 6957


About npower
• npower is one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK.
• npower sponsors the Test Match Series in England, Women's Test Series and the Village Cup.
• npower has been awarded platinum status in Business in the Community’s CR Index and is one of twenty-nine companies to have achieved the CommunityMark since its launch. All CommunityMark achievers have been recognised for demonstrating excellence in their holistic and strategic approach to community investment.

NEWS FROM PREMIER INN

Biggest Ever Premier OFFERS: 1 MILLION ROOMS at £29

The UK’s biggest budget hotel chain, Premier Inn has announced the release of 1 million rooms available from just £29 for over the Easter and Summer period.

The £29 rooms are the perfect way to have a well-earned, great value, quality break in the UK during the Easter holidays and throughout the Summer months.

With 584 hotels nationwide, Premier Inn is at more locations than any other hotel chain in the UK, and each Premier Inn room can accommodate a family of four. What’s more, guests can also take advantage of the All You Can Eat Premier Breakfast where children under 16 can eat for free! There are also great value ‘2 for 1’ and ‘Kids go Free’ deals on over 800 top family attractions including theme parks, museums and aquariums.

Premier Offers for Easter and Summer can be booked now at www.premierinn.com.






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For further information please contact:
Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or e-mail premierinn@frankpr.it




TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Advertised rates are room only inclusive of VAT. “Rooms from £29 offer” is available for stays until 30.08.10 inclusive. Bookings must be made online at least 21 days in advance of stay. Offer valid for minimum 2 night stays Thursday to Monday inclusive except in relation to bookings which fall exclusively within the periods 12.02.10 until 21.02.10 inclusive, 26.03.10 until 18.04.10 inclusive, 28.05.10 until 06.06.10 inclusive or 27.08.10 until 30.08.10 inclusive when the offer applies to minimum 1 night stays on any day of the week. Offer also applies throughout the offer period to one night stays at participating airport and motorway service station hotels. No cancellations, amendments or refunds can be made. Offer is available at selected Premier Inns only and is subject to availability. Please check alternative dates if your selected date is not available.


Notes to editors:
Award-winning Premier Inn is the UK’s largest hotel brand with 584 budget hotels and more than 40,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathroom, TV with Freeview, and WiFi internet access. Premier Inn offers customers a money-back ‘Good Night Guarantee’ of a good quality room, comfortable surroundings and friendly service, which is unique amongst Britain’s leading hotel chains.

All Premier Inns feature a bar and restaurant; situated inside the hotel or adjacent, offering a wide range of food choices.

Premier Inn was the first Britain-wide hotel group to sign up with national tourist board VisitBritain; this means Premier Inn is now part of a new quality assessment scheme, specially created for budget accommodation.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and has just opened a hotel in India. On a domestic front, Premier Inn is set to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London by the 2012 Olympics.

Premier Inn is currently offering rooms for just £29 (restrictions apply). Visit www.premierinn.com for full terms and conditions.

NEWS FROM COMPARETHEMEERKAT.COM

Aleksandr Orlov launches new art-vertisement

Premiering on 12th February 2010 on Facebook, Aleksandr Orlov’s new advert, “PAINTING” sees Sergei polishing a grand painting in Aleksandr’s study as Aleksandr talks about the courageous journey his ancestors travelled.

Aleksandr explains: “Last week I send Sergei for 3 day expedition up to attic for retrieving of favourite rocking horse. After many day he return empty-clawed, but he did manage for find genuine ‘Meercasso’ painting of my ancestor. I like so much I hang above fire-place, but it is shame that only Sergei and I get to see such handsomeness. Then I have brainwave; why make arty telebox commercial? So, I decide to use oil painting in latest advertisement, in hope that such handsome painting will help small-brained peoples realise the troubles that my ancestor go through, and remember that compare meerkat and compare market are very different thing!”

The 20s advert follows Aleksandr’s recent movie epic “THE JOURNEY OF COURAGEOUSNESS” which went back to his family’s humble beginnings and saw him join Sergei as they traveled out of Africa on a desperate voyage that took them across the world to the barren wastelands of Russia.

The ad is part of Aleksandr’s ongoing mission to prevent people from confusing his business with comparethemarket.com - the website for cheap car insurance.

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Notes to Editors:

comparethemeerkat.com is cutting edge meerkat comparison website that was launch at the very beginnings of the internet. It is also first ever website to use latest computamabob technologies to make comparing of meerkats more efficient than ever before.

comparethemeerkat.com has over 1400 different shaped and sized meerkats to compare. If we can’t find meerkat right for you, I will eat my cravat.

Remember, comparethemeerkat.com cannot find you cheap car insurance. All timewasters please go to comparethemarket.com.

comparethemarket.com is a trading name of BISL Limited, Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6YS. Registered in England No. 3231094.

BISL Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

NEWS FROM HOVIS

Get Ready For British Fashion ‘Wheat’
Erin O’Connor teams up with Hovis 100% British Wheat to bring bread back into fashion

As always promoting healthy eating amongst models is a priority, and for 2010, Hovis 100% British Wheat will be teaming up with the fashion industry to keep the models looking and feeling good.

Supermodel Erin O’Connor who founded The Model Sanctuary, an oasis for models away from the catwalk, is supporting the trend and has worked with Hovis to devise a ‘British Fashion Wheat’ sandwich using bread made from flour milled from 100% British Wheat which will be on offer to models at the secret location.

Erin said: “Fashion Week is the highlight of the year for models but it’s also an incredibly busy and stressful time. The Model Sanctuary offers a free, safe and relaxing getaway, staffed by a full-time nutritionist, psychologist and other experts on hand to help out the models. This year I’ve worked with nutritionists at Hovis to create the British Fashion Wheat sandwich specifically for our models to help keep them looking and feeling great during their busy week. It’s made from Hovis 100% British Wheat Original Wheatgerm bread, avocado, smoked salmon and sun-blushed tomatoes and contains a great balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.”

Continuing: “British fashion and culture is thriving as we continue to support our own fantastic home grown talent. Hovis is also cultivating British talent in its own, special way by switching to 100% British wheat which supports our farmers. ”

Lindsey Ormond, the Hovis nutritionist explains: “Diet and lifestyle play a huge part in keeping you looking your best. The ingredients in Hovis’ British Fashion Wheat sandwich contain vitamin E, which is an antioxidant which helps protect against free radicals, B Vitamins to help keep your skin healthy and Omega 3, all of which are key nutrients. It also provides energy to help the models recharge for their next catwalk appearance.”

Make your own Hovis British Fashion Wheat sandwich

Ingredients:

2 slices of Hovis 100% British Wheat Original Wheatgerm bread
3 slices smoked salmon
½ avocado, sliced
3 sun-blushed tomatoes
Unsalted butter to spread
Instructions:
Spread a thin layer of butter on 1 slice of Hovis Original Wheatgerm. Layer the slices of smoked salmon on the bread, top with the sliced avocado, followed by the sun-blushed tomatoes and finish with the second slice of bread.
For more information visit www.hovisbakery.co.uk

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For further information please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or email hovis@frankpr.it

NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

Rogue Alton Towers Resort Squirrel drives park bosses nuts!
Squirrel banned from Sonic Spinball coaster

Employees at the Alton Towers Resort have been forced to ban a dare-devil squirrel from its revamped Sonic Spinball coaster after a series of incidents. The grey haired squirrel, native to the United States of America, has been causing mischief during the ride’s recent makeover and is continuing to cause headaches for the resort as it prepares to launch the ride for half term on 13 February.

The squirrel, aptly nicknamed ‘Sonic’ by operators due to his maverick nature, first baffled workers who noticed that he was riding the coaster as it was tested in the mornings. Sonic has also been accused of flagrantly stealing workers snacks.

As the resort gears up for the main season opening on 20th March, Sonics’ antics will no longer be tolerated as he presents a health and safety risk.
Harmless alarms have now been installed that emit a warning noise, inaudible to human ears, that will hopefully ensure he avoids the ride for the foreseeable future.
Morwenna Angove, Sales and Marketing Director at the Alton Towers Resort said, “We’re proud to welcome guests of all kinds to the Alton Towers Resort and strive to make their visit pleasurable. Unfortunately Sonic’s behaviour is a danger both to our guests and himself and so we’re doing all we can to ensure that he stays away from the ride! Banning a squirrel from a rollercoaster is certainly unusual, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything! ”

Sonic Spinball opens to the public this February half term (13-21 February) at the Alton Towers Resort and joins a number of selected rides and attractions available for the half term holiday. For further information on pricing, short break stays and to book online, please visit www.altontowers.com.

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For further information please call 0207 693 6999 or email altontowers@frankpr.it

Notes to editors:

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 59 attractions and six hotels/ 2 holiday villages in 13 countries and across 3 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 35 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,500 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Zoo, Underwater Adventures, Heide Park and Earth Explorer.

NEWS FROM DORITOS

Make an Ad, Make a Fortune

Make the next Doritos advert and win up to £200k!

Think you can create the next great TV ad? The one that everyone will be talking about? The one that will make you famous?

On the 16th February 2010, Doritos launches it’s ‘King of Ads’ campaign, encouraging all budding young directors or anyone with a video camera, to create the next big Doritos TV ad and win up to a staggering £200,000.

Arm yourself with ideas and a video camera and create a 29 second commercial to be uploaded onto www.doritos.co.uk. The makers of the top 15 adverts will then be invited to pitch their Doritos TV ad to a panel of specially selected experts, which includes Bafta award-winning actor, director, and screenwriter Noel Clarke, TV and radio presenter Lauren Laverne and top ad director David Shane. The top three ads, as selected by the panel, will then be put to the public vote to decide who the true King of Ads is.

The budding director of the winning ad with the most votes is guaranteed £100,000 and will win an extra £1 for every vote they receive up to an additional £100,000. They will have their advert watched by millions as it airs across British national television from 13th June to 11th July. Not bad for your first commercial!

Pete Charles, Marketing Manager, Doritos, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for anyone wanting to make a name for themselves in the world of advertising or earn a life changing amount of money. In true Doritos style your adverts can be as bold, leftfield or as funny as you make them – good luck!”

The Doritos King of Ads competition opens to entrants on the 16th February and closes 30th April. Voting for your favourite ads opens from 29th May and closes on the 10th June 2010. Throughout the entry stage there will also be the opportunity to win amazing prizes if your ad is chosen as ad of the week. To download the toolkit and submit your advert visit www.doritos.co.uk.



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For interviews with the panel, further information, images and samples please contact:
Frank PR on Email doritos@frankpr.it or call 020 7693 6999


Notes to editors:
Competition Specifications
o Competition opens 16th February 2010
o Competitions closes 30th April 2010
o Winning advert airs throughout June and July 2010

Entrants
o Must use the tool kit provided on www.doritos.co.uk
o For terms and conditions (including judging criteria), see website for details
o Prize breakdown is as follows:
o 1st Prize – guaranteed £100,000 and £1 for every vote up to a maximum of £100,000
o 2nd and 3rd prizes - £1 for every vote up to a maximum of £5,000
o Top 15 – prize from play.com up to the value of £500
o Top 50 – prize from play.com up to the value of £300
o Top 100 – money off coupon with play.com


Why do we need this?

29 Seconds?
o Your ad must be exactly 29 seconds in length no more no less.

Video format
o Shoot your ad however you like, but the final edited version must be in one of the following formats: .mpg, .mp4, .mov, .flv, .avi, .wmv.
o 16:9 perspective


Product
o Ingredients: as with all Doritos products, all key ingredients will appear on pack including those within the seasoning which creates the overall flavour of the product
o GDAs: a 40g pack of Cool Original Doritos includes: Calories: 200g; Sugar: 1.6g; Fat: 11g; Saturates: 1g; Salt: 0.8g

About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with 2007 annual revenues of more than $39 billion. The company employs approximately 185,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 18 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the company’s impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. As a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America), PepsiCo is a recognized leader in sustainability.
For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.