PR, marcomms, recruitment and all the bits in between

Credit Crunch? What Credit Crunch?......

The constant doom and gloom of the current market seems to be everyone’s favourite topic of conversation at the moment. You only have to switch on the TV, open your paper or even listen in to other people’s conversations on the tube (not that I ever do that) to be confronted with yet more depressing talk of the recession.

However, this weekend, I found a sanctuary where such dismal chat was not heard for miles around: Oxford Street. Despite the credit crunch crippling all of our wallets, walking into Topshop on Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon (I know, I must be mad) and seeing hundreds of young professionals stocking up on glitzy tops and quirky dresses ready for the Christmas party season, there was not even so much as a whispered mention of the credit crunch. In fact, thanks to Ms Moss, Topshop’s sales figures are actually up, with some of her Kate Moss Topshop Collection selling out within 15 minutes of being on sale.

So, guys and gals, the moral of the story is, to escape the depression of the recession, just head to the safe haven that is Oxford Street on a Saturday. It will cheer you up in no time (and who thought they would ever think that?!)

 

By Thea Foote

Jean-Paul Gauthier could be bought by Hermes

If the luxury groupHermesgains 45 % of the capital of Jean Paul Gaultier’s fashion label, they could soon have control of the totality. " We have a very narrow relation with Jean Paul Gaultier, who could end by a repurchase ", said Patric Thomas, manager of International Hermès, in an interview with the newspaper The Stand.

 

Jean Paul Gaultier has been Artistic Director of Hermes since 2004.

 

By Guillemette Faure

Catch 22…

As reported on Design Weekthis week, Independent Branding Agency Figtree  have recently been working on the naming and identity of a new youth charity, aimed at helping 18 – 25 year olds.  The Charity seeks to improve previously fragmented services, provided for youth offenders in terms of more adequate housing, education and employment support.

 It is criticised that previous lack of support leaves many youths in a “cycle of crime”, resulting in them unable to get back on their feet.  The charity is the result of the merger of separate charities Rainer and Crime Concern earlier this year.

Unveiled this Monday, Figtreehave cleverly named the new charity Catch 22, reflecting the situation of half a million young people who are "trapped in no-win situations" including those expelled from school, care leavers and teenagers with drug or alcohol problems.  For more information read hereor here.

If you have an opinion on a brand email Olivia

By Olivia Taylor

With or without garnish, Sir?

Scrumptious food, flowing wine, reminiscing giggles, and the ever atentative professional waiting staff all contribute to another enjoyable night out.  At the end of the satisfying meal, the final course arrives on its delicate silver presentation plate as the waiter can be glimpsed scurrying off to the next table, like a post man with an ever growing puppy pit-bull snapping at his heels.  The freshly-made bill delivered to your table nowadays is calculated and presented to company standards, automatically garnished with an 'optional' service charge added into the large-print, bold 'you-must-pay-me' total figure. 

This language comprehension confusion over the often missing prefix 'un' to the 'optional' is ever expanding, as is the practise of reallocating service charge payments away from the intended recipients, who are all now in serious need of heel-protecting-socks, for things like topping up managers’ wages, as highlighted by the BBC special report on The Dorchester Hotel.  Maybe the only option for those majority customers who are happy with their table service is to have pen at the ready to cross off the un-'optional' charge and return to the tradition of leaving a cash tip.

By Rebecca Griffith

Sorrell predicts 'very tough' 2009

WPP supremo Sir Martin Sorrell has warned that he and his company does not expect an economic recovery until 2010 – despite posting robust figures

 for Q3 of this year. Why 2010? Both the World Cup and Winter Olympics will be held that year, immensely boosting advertising and marketing revenues.

For a more provocative look at WPPs latest comments you could try here.

By Jamie McLaughlin

The Escapist

For everyone feeling sad or lonely in the sudden dark and cold of Winter- please escape to wherever you would rather be with this beautiful short film by the very talented Richard A. Jephcote.

I really hope this warms your heart…

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=560644063254

If you liked this, you can find similar stories and music at

www.teafuelledart.co.uk and more of Ricardo’s photography and cinematography at his website www.grigoriphotography.co.uk

By Nikki Blemings

Serge Gainsbourg

« Gainsbourg 2008 » : une exposition en hommage à un artiste français inoubliable

 

La Cité de la Musique à Paris salue l'œuvre aux mille facettes de Serge Gainsbourg par une exposition exceptionnelle qui se tient jusqu'au 1er mars. L'événement qui s'accompagne d'un cycle de concerts et de projections de films, présente un artiste total dont la popularité ne cesse de prendre de l'ampleur bien au-delà de l'Hexagone. Musicien, parolier de talent, Gainsbourg fut aussi un peintre et un cinéaste. Cet hommage, rendu à l'auteur de La Javanaise, entraîne le visiteur dans un voyage temporel qui s'étend de 1958 à 19 91 et découpé en quatre périodes : la « période bleue » (1958-65), « les idoles » (1965-69), « la décadanse » (1969-79) puis « ecce homo » (1979-91). À l'instar de Bob Dylan, David Bowie ou Patti Smith, Serge Gainsbourg ne s'est pas cantonné à un domaine unique et a fait partie de ces « catalyseurs des époques », observe Frédéric Sanchez, commissaire de l'exposition.

Serge Gainsbourg né Lucien Ginsburg le 2 avril1928à Pariset mort le 2 mars1991à Paris, est un auteur-compositeur-interprèteet cinéastefrançais.

Il a eu les plus belles femmes, Bardot, Jane Birkin…

Il voulut devenir artiste-peintre, mais en vain. Par la suite, il devint célèbre en tant qu'auteur-compositeur-interprèteet toucha à de nombreux styles musicaux, mais aussi au cinéma et à la littérature. Il a réalisé plusieurs films et composé plus de 40 chansons. Enfin, il s'est créé l'image d'un poète maudit et provocateur.

Some songs … :

LEMON INCEST http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE06lqT0Y2g

LA JAVANAISE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-w7SxLHGmI

A Blog on the Books of Branding…

One of my candidates recently made the move across from PR into the Branding Industry and was keen learn more about the ins and outs of the world of brands.  I suggested she has a read of one of the leading books on Branding.  Branding Consultancy Saffron’s Wally Olinshas written a lifetime of booksgiving insight into the wonderfully creative world of building some of the leading’s brands today.  To have a look at a selection, have a look here.  I personally recommend his book ‘On Brand’, which has been recommended to me by several candidates.  One of my other clientsInterbrandpublish a book each year, and have a great selection of books, take a look at their Brand Library…

 

       

If you’re looking to progress your career in branding, contact Olivia

By Olivia Taylor

Hanson Search battle for 2nd Spot

Hanson Search FC failed to retain the

City Chadwell Premier 5-a-side league, despite thrashing rivals LG6-0. Hanson also claimed the moral victory after beating eventual winners New Cross Juniors earlier in the season .

 

 

 

By Jamie McLaughlin

Social Networks – social or not?

I was definitely a late conformist to the world of social networking. I was always adamant the best way of staying in touch was to simply pick up the phone and have an actual conversation with whomever you have called.

However gradually the popularity of networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace

grew and I felt somewhat left out of the ‘latest craze’ buzzing around my friendship groups. Friends were sending out group invites to social events that I wasn’t receiving and I was the one getting in trouble for not turning up to them! They should have just called me surely?

It appeared that the easiest option was to simply conform to keep everyone happy. So after much uncertainty I chose Facebook as the platform for my profile as this seemed to be the most popular with my friends so it made sense.

I felt a little silly to start with, filling out my interests and ‘relationship status; trying to be informative but not too informative. Then came the absolute nightmare of choosing the profile picture. To pose or not to pose...? Once this was all sorted though I still didn’t feel the same excitement the rest of the world appeared to be appreciating. What was the point?

I have now been a fully fledged member of Facebook for just over a year. In that year I have connected with almost 300 people, half of which I would never have called or spoken to again had it not been for this social site. I am in contact with old school mates, old teachers, people I met on holiday, distant family, old friends who moved abroad...never would I be in this position had I just used my phone (imagine the bill for starters).

Synovate research showed that more than 132 million people visited Facebook in June of this year and 117.5 million landed in MySpace. Imagine how many people are sharing a similar experience if this is the stat for just one month of the year. Imagine how many people are in contact after years of nothing.

So we ask again – social networking, is it actually another way of being sociable or just an opportunity to compete as to how many ‘friends’ you have. Maybe a bit of both, but I am glad I conformed.

By Kelly Hopkins