Review | Berghaus Revolutionise the Fleece

Whilst it may not seem the appropriate weather to be talking about fleeces (seeing as most places are basking in sun at the moment) one thing is certain about British weather…it won’t last and when it turns you’re going to need something to keep you warm!

If you have read any of my other blogs you will know that I am currently working on trying to get fit for two 10km runs and, in the process get a six pack (vain as it may seem).

Part of my fitness regime has been to mix indoor and outdoor activities rather than merely the sterile environment of the gym. With that in mind, I took up hiking and dragged the family Shih Tzu’s with me up any hill I could find around the Birmingham area.

I realised quite quickly into this endeavor, that my attire was not really suited to traipsing up the Lickie Hills. So I decided to buy something to keep me warm but still give me the maneuverability to break into a jog or run when/if I felt like it.

At first I tried both hoodies (too warm) and golf jackets (too sleeveless) but felt that neither offered a comfortable combination for the intended purpose. So whilst looking for skins (base layers) I came across the range of Berghaus fleeces on Simply Hike (sister company of Simply Piste from whom I bought my recent ski gear).

Let me just state something for the record – my impressions of fleeces were steeply entrenched in experiences I had in the 90’s of being forced to wear them when they were sack like (and green) on family outings…something that still haunts me to this day!

This fleece, on the other hand, has redefined my understanding of what a fleece is.

Lets start with the fit. Due to lack of supplies of mediums I went with a large hoping it would not be too big. In fact it was completely the opposite – it’s rather snug. I like to think this is because I have gained some mass from going to the gym but I think the reality is that the sizing comes a little on the small side - so take note if you are intending to buy (I think might be because they are no longer sack like in any respect).

The wrists and waist have elastic in them to keep it from flailing around, whilst the sides have 4-way stretch side panels which offer excellent maneuverability – I may even take it when I play golf as it is better than golfing attire that has cost me twice as much.

With a half zip the top can be adjusted to allow additional ventilation when you get warm or zip it up for more warmth if it gets chilly. It’s also blue which helps me disassociate it with the monstrosity that I had to wear when I was younger.

However, the lack of pockets does pose a small problem. There is one on the breast (which I think you can see in the picture) and whilst this is quite deep and nicely lined, carrying anything in it just seems as though you have one really heavy boob, looking somewhat out of place. My advice - if you think it is going to get chilly take some gloves with you.

For me the comfort, fit and feel makes this the perfect mid-wear top that keeps you warm on cool evenings and is cool enough to wear even when the weather has got better. At just over £40 it is very reasonably priced and has become a firm favourite of mine, whether it is walking the dogs or just chilling out around the house…and the dogs like it as it means they get walked more!

It will also be one of key pieces of gear when I go on my hiking/mountain biking holiday to the Hotel Mar I Vent in Banyalbufar, Mallorca at the end of the month.

As ever hoped you enjoyed the post and please feel free to comment on any of my posts. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Fitness | So far...so hard!

Apologies for the delay with this post…hopefully the following blog will explain the reasons.

When I started this process I think I was kidding myself that it would be easy to commit to and that I could do it without changing much at all...how wrong I was!

No sooner had I started training sporadically at gyms, indulging in free trials, had the inconsistent training taken its toll and I lost the will to continue flitting from one gym to another. With the lack of will also came to the fear that what I was trying to do was unachievable and when I feel like this I shut down and do nothing. So basically, January was a wash out (unless you count reading Mens Health).

But with February came a revival of the drive (and with it the oppressive reality that in a few short months I would have to run two 10km runs) to continue training in the hopes of getting fit...and that six-pack of course.

To start with I joined a gym – Bannatyne’s in Solihull. This was not one of the ones that I had a free trial with but upon having a viewing I thought that it suited what I wanted – quiet, full of equipment, swimming facilities and best of all no pack mentality (i.e. groups of lads hanging around judging you and generally making for an uncomfortable atmosphere - unlike Virgin).

Since starting, I have created a program for myself and have been every day with strategically placed days off. I have also cut down on carbs (bad carbs) and have started taking protein and supplements to aid the process…so far I am quite impressed with the results and at half price from MyProtein a great deal.

I have also taken to hiking - a totally new experience but one that I am really enjoying having got the right equipment for it starting with my new Berghaus fleece a review of which will be my next blog.

Anyway, this is just a starter for ten…more blogs will follow (I promise) along with more information on what I am doing and using in the hopes of reaching my goals.

Please feel free to leave comments!

Fitness | Gyms in Solihull

Solihull (and the surrounding areas) and Birmingham have a number of gyms that cater for the varying needs of those looking to get fit. Whether you are looking for a big or small gym, franchise or one off – there is a gym to suit all requirements.

Over the last week and a half, as part of my quest to get fit and attain a six pack by summer, I have frequented a number of them by using free passes that most offer. In the coming days and weeks I will be reviewing them breaking down the good points, bad points and eventually joining one that I think fits my requirements.

Wish me luck!

Fitness | A Six Pack by Summer?

You have probably come across this blog hoping for some tips on how to attain a six-pack by summer and erase the memories of summers gone by where you have frolicked in the surf in you best ‘Lifeguard’ t-shirt.

In truth, my own search for such information is what has lead to me writing this blog. Over the next few months I am going to embark on a challenge to get myself a six pack or a close as I can by the beginning of June. Follow my progress and hopefully we can learn something together.

‘How am I going to do this’ you might ask?

Having only visited gyms infrequently over the last couple of years I know this is going to be tough. I’m going to use program of regular exercise, supplements and mild dietary changes (as I eat quite healthily already).

What I don’t want to do is sacrifice enjoying things like crisps and drinking, in the hope of proving that you can still achieve the results you want without having to make drastic changes. Hopefully, through hard work and commitment I can achieve what I want to but if things don’t seem to be working out I will re-evaluate my strategy mid stream - so wish me luck.

But first you need to know some things about me so that you can compare my results and how they might work for you!

I am 27 (28 in Feb), six foot tall and weigh 12 and a half stone (177.8 lbs). I work for a PR firm which means quite a lot od sitting down and meeting food which isn’t always the healthiest. But I eat fairly healthily, with fruit and veg factoring frequently in my diet but am prone to snacking and enjoy going for drinks on the weekend and the odd glass (or two) of red wine in the evenings. I have always had a fast metabolism but as people continually tell me it will slow down so, in a way, this may be my last chance to get a six-pack before it all goes pear shaped.

I play golf and touch rugby every week but apart from that don’t do much else physically. In order to achieve what I am setting out to achieve I am going to have to increase my activity. Therefore, I am going to join a gym, take up kickboxing again (I kick-boxed for two years between 19-21) and start skiing once a month on a dry slope for a more diverse plan which will hopefully keep my interest.

There are already a couple of key dates that I need to work towards. The first is the Birmingham Publicity Association HardCorps Ultimate Miltary Fitness Challenge – a mixed race taking place on the 19^th May and Water Wipeout – an extreme 10km water based obstacle course taking place in June.

That’s about it for the moment and as you can see I have my work cut out for me in terms of the events I am entered in and my ultimate goal to get a six-pack! I’ll keep posting blogs on my program and pictures to help evaluate my progress. My next post will be about the gyms I am trying and will review how good they are – eventually choosing one at the end of the month to join.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment, ask question or make any suggestions that may help me reach my goal (supplements, nutrition, programs…anything).

Review | New Ski Wear from Simply Piste

As the saying goes ‘better late than never’, and that certainly applies to this blog post, which was supposed to go up a short while ago but sadly the fates intervened with some interesting consequences…

Having had my laptop removed from my possession (stolen) my original blog post went along with it (I hope the thieves enjoyed reading it!) But what that allowed me to do was give my new ski suit a more rigorous test than I had previously intended.

Bought from Simply Piste, my Five ski suit arrived a little over three weeks ago and since then I have been putting it through its paces (mostly using it to combat the broken heating at home). The purchase process was simple enough with the site being easy to navigate and the suit was delivered within a couple of days.

A black and red suit, I had initially intended on spending a little more money as I have always labored under the illusion that the more you spend the better the product. However budgetary restraints meant that I needed to consider a cheaper option (which could easily have been at my peril) and with that in mind I purchased my £90 suit.

Having received it, I promptly went to my nearest dry slope to give it a try. The salopettes were very comfortable and durable, as having fallen a couple of times on the hard surface they only scuffed very slightly. They do have some braces on them that can be annoying. In the end, having adjusted them a couple of times I gave up and took them off which was much better. They fit very well and dealt with the cold excellently, meaning my legs were nice and toasty.

The jacket, which is very bright ensuring there would be no visibility problems on the slopes, was a little more difficult to get used to. When walking around with it done up like in the pictures, it is stiff and unforgiving in the neck. Luckily once the top button was undone it was a lot more free flowing and came into its own on the slopes.

It moves very well with the contours of your body especially while you are skiing. There are numerous pockets for storage including on the arms and whilst you wouldn’t put anything too heavy in them, they are great for carrying bank cards and notes (just don’t expect to empty your penny jars into them and be able to move your arms). There is also a glove pocket and detachable hood which is great as the hood can be quite annoying.

The one thing that had me concerned was that the cold still penetrated it somewhat and I was worried that if this were the case how would it hold up to snow and/or rain. The answer I was soon to find out…

Due to the laptop debacle, the delay in re-writing my post allowed me to test the suit out in Ireland (the home of rain). Throughout the weekend it rained cats and dogs and the jacket kept me both warm and dry, whilst the oversized hood that really annoyed me when skiing came into its own, keeping kept my head nice and dry.

All in all, for £90 an excellent suit that is good quality and will come in handy when I go skiing next year.

A snow angel rating of * * * * out of 5

If you have any questions about the suit, this blog or any comments you would like to leave please feel free to do so. I hope you enjoyed it and I will blog about my other ski related purchases shortly.

The Devil wears a ski suit!

What do you do after you have booked your ski trip – you buy your ski wear! Having booked my trip for next year my attention has turned this weekend to what I will be wearing when I carve up the slopes of Bansko, Bulgaria.

Having missed the previous year, the equipment I had may have been sufficient for another season. Sadly though, having lent it to my sister’s boyfriend, a travelling Australian whose lack of consideration for his own clothing is matched only by that for someone else’s, I was none too surprised when he returned minus a few items.

When I say a few I mean he brought back one glove, a broken pair of goggles (how he broke them I have no idea), no jacket and the wrong pair of salopettes. Fortunately, I didn’t borrow him my long john’s (for hygiene reasons) but having searched the garage I have found my long johns are long gone - basically rendering me totally ski wear-less.

But every cloud has a silver lining and I now have the pleasure of being able to purchase a whole new wardrobe funded by some Australian dollars – sweet! With this in mind I have made my first purchase (a ski suit) and will be reviewing it this week and giving it my Snow Angel rating – stay tuned!

If you have comments on this post, my blog in general, how I should test my new equipment or on skiing in Bansko I would love to hear your thoughts! Please use the comment box below...

The 5 Golden Rules of a successful media tour

The media tour is a vital tool in the arsenal of any PR practitioner; helping to develop relationships with journalists and putting a face to the email signature. Whilst a good media tour can secure coverage a bad one can be professionally fatal for you and your client.

With this in mind I have come up with a list of 5 Golden Rules for surviving a media tour unscathed:

1. Don’t pre-book appointments longer than a week in advance. It’s difficult tying an editor down and booking a meeting more than a week in advance leaves you open to schedule changes and cancellations. By booking it within a week the editors schedule is more defined and it also keeps it fresh in an editor’s mind.

2. Always check when an editor is on deadline and never try to book a meeting around this. If they get the slightest hint that the magazine may be delayed hitting the press, then your meeting will be the first thing to go out the window. By checking little details like this you’re showing an appreciation for their timetable, which will curry favour with the editor.

3. Ensure you take a note pad and pen. It sounds simple but often the little details are overlooked. Failure to have such basic tools will reflect badly on you and your abilities.

4. Put all relevant material on a USB stick for the editor. The average editor’s desk is often awash with pieces of paper and by taking printed releases you will only add to the pile. Not only can you include all press releases but you can also add all relevant high res images, which can often be crucial to the success of a release. Make sure you use a client or own company branded stick, as each time they use it they will think of you.

5. Bribe editors with coffee and/or pastries. Shameless as it may seem this is possibly the most important rule of media tour club and will immediately soften an editor to your cause. Make sure you find out what they like in advance though - give a latte to a cappuccino drinker and you’re on the back foot from the off.

Ultimately, the media tour is a great way to meet an editor face to face and let them get to know you and, more importantly, know your client. Good relationships built on the back of these meetings could mean it’s plain sailing for the coming year but bad ones could leave you up a certain PR creek without a paddle.

Kim Kardashian wedding: brilliant PR stunt or career killer?

Kim Kardashian is/was a star on the rise following the success of the television show ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ and various spin-off shows, which have launched her into stratospheric heights of stardom.

Being all too aware of this she may have thought she was untouchable, made of Teflon perhaps, but the recent backlash against the most prominent Kardashian over her divorce announcement has left fans with a bitter taste in their mouths, and the lingering question - was this all just a PR stunt?

Far be it from me to cast aspersions on her marriage but having lasted a mere 72 days, one can rightly speculate that the decision to marry was career and not love driven. While her manager (and mother) defends her client stating she ‘didn’t earn a dime’ from the wedding, reports in the New York Post speculate that she, and the Kardashian clan, stood to make nearly $18 million dollars, which over 72 days equates to about $250,000 a day, from the marriage and ensuing promotion and television deals.

News of the divorce was met with an outpouring of contempt from fans towards Kim, with most taking to Twitter to air their views. A trending topic on the subject listing things that have lasted longer than Kardashian’s marriage became an overnight sensation, with some of the best tweets captured in a recent Yahoo! article. If you want to have a look type #thingsthatlastedlongerthankimkardashiansmarriage into Twitter.

Numerous comments have been posted on articles written about the divorce showing a turn in the tide of support for the Kardashians and anger that it was assumed the public would not see what the marriage inherently was – a PR stunt. So much so, that E! is looking to suspend re-runs of the four hour wedding special and debating the release of the latest series of ‘Kim and Kourtney take New york’, in which Kim and Kris talk about having a break (an obviously outdated decision at this point).

Whilst the normally infallible Kardashian clan has rallied around their sister in her time of need, and Kris Kardashian has appeared on a bevy of shows refuting rumours of the wedding being a PR stunt, there is no argument that the Kardashian stock is in a recession of its own.

Whatever your opinion of the wedding, there is no denying that the Kardashians made money from the affair but at what cost in the long run? In time, the loss of scores of fans and vicious tirade against the Kardashians could far outweigh their payoff. Worse still, this story contradicts the findings of my last blog surrounding Guy Fawkes and how there is no such thing as bad PR. Apparently there is….

Guy Fawkes: No such thing as bad PR

The yearly burning of Guy Fawkes effigies is a testament to the power of a well developed reputation, seeing as 400 years after his death the person most synonymous with the failed plot to revolutionise parliament, a disillusioned soldier and a pawn in a greater man’s plot, is celebrated with a firework extravaganza worthy of a hero’s homecoming. Despite the fact he was caught, tortured and executed, in the years following his death Fawkes’ reputation has seen a transition from villain to hero – ah the power of PR.

Fawkes’ perceived failure was successful in bringing to the forefront of the political sphere, the issue of Catholic oppression and whilst following his death Catholics were persecuted more than ever, within Catholic circles the legend of Guy Fawkes was being built.

Vilified in public but exulted in private, the years since that fateful day in 1605 has seen his overall status as villain supplanted. Modern times have seen Fawkes’ transformation to hero solidified via his home town, York, running a PR campaign in 2005 to challenge perceptions of Fawkes as a traitor. Couple that with the 2006 film V for Vendetta in which the protagonist is a revolutionary attempting to incite change within a dystopian society while dressed as Guy Fawkes, and it shows how opinion of Fawkes has changed over time.

Even today, there are protestors occupying various sites across the country sporting Guy Fawkes masks (both here and across the pond where Fawkes’ legend has little weight), in a homage to a man willing to use any means necessary to disrupt an oppressive regime and who has been considered “the only man to enter parliament with honest intentions”.

The Catholic PR machine of the 1600’s (underground as it was) turned Fawkes from hero to villain following his death by detailing his heroic exploits as a soldier in Spain and over-emphasising his part in the overall plot. Popular culture and a disillusioned section of society in turn, have taken Fawkes to their breast and subsequently moulded him once more into an agent of revolutionary change.

His legacy clearly lives on today and where original views of the gunpowder plot were that it was an unqualified failure, the result it seems, is that it was an unparalleled success for Guy Fawkes (putting aside his torture and execution), developing him a reputation that money can’t buy.

Eek…Coffee Supplies Set To Dwindle

Few things fill me with impending dread, but news that coffee supplies are set to dwindle over the coming decades is one such thing.

The Guardian Eco has interviewed the sustainability director of Starbucks, Jim Hanna, who states that they are already seeing the effects of climate change on their coffee suppliers: “if conditions continue as they are there is a potentially significant risk to our supply chain.”

The increased threat surrounds the Arabica bean, one of the most important to the coffee trade. Climate change has meant that an influx in pest infestation, along with changing and more aggressive rain patterns, are threatening even the most well established coffee farms.

This is the second threat in less than a month to a food source that many cannot live without. Late in September, research from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture warned that chocolate was also under threat due to spiking heat in Ghana and much of the Ivory Coast, the world’s main producers, meaning that by 2050 these countries may be unable to produce chocolate.

With this in mind, the question is now is it too early to start bunkering coffee?

While the shelves of supermarkets may not yet be stripped of the remaining coffee supplies, there is an onus on action in the present before it’s too late. With Hannah set to address members of Congress in Washington on the severity of the situation, coffee addicts the world over await with baited breath any decision that will keep our coffee mugs full in the decades to come.

Some Domestic Incidents: An Exhibition of New Painting from Britain

24^th September – 13^th November

MAC

www.macarts.co.uk

Home is where the heart is – or so they say. A new art show, in conjunction with Prague gallery Biennale 5, looks at the different perceptions that people have of their homes and how every day occurrences can make a home into an oppressive force. Instances like burglaries, family deaths or even visits fro bailiffs have the power to strip warmth from a home and leave an indelible mark.

For others, the home is never a happy place from the start. It is a place of loneliness and melancholy, misery and oppression – where the walls are more akin to a prison than the proverbial castle they should be. Some Domestic Incidents explores the reality of these differing perspectives and the gulf that exists in modern perceptions of the home.

With a number of artists collaborating, including Graham Chorlton, Sally Payen, Oliver Clegg and many more, the subject matter is as diverse as the perceptions of the home they represent. Midlands based Chorlton will explore, in his segment, night scenes often devoid of human presence, with chairs pulled from tables and cards discarded on tables, all signifiers of relationships and lives that have ended in the home. Another West Midlands based artist Sally Payen previous work has addressed issues of angst, protest and civil unrest. In her pieces for the show depict the remnants of a house party that has gone sour.

Curators Matt Price and Charlie Levine will be hosting a free tour of the work on 20^th Oct at 7.30.

Written for Area Magazine

George Shaw

I woz ere

18^th November – 11^th March 2012

Herbert Gallery

www.theherbert.org

Coventry born George Shaw has forged a formidable reputation within the art community over the last 15 years, culminating in his recent Turner prize nomination. His work surrounds the area he grew up in, Tile Hill, which was often riddled with the graffitied musings of a disillusioned youth, who took comfort in scribing I woz ere wherever they chose.

Much of Shaw’s work documents these, seemingly obscure, areas of his youth and the disembodiment he felt when returning later as a so-called ‘visitor’ to his old stomping ground to find everything changing. The moody simplicity of Shaw’s work is haunting and yet there is an underlying beauty that lurks beyond the surface. What usually would be considered mundane subject matters, are brought to life by the deft attention to detail and the skill of Shaw’s brush.

Having showed his work once this year already, Shaw believed that the Coventry paintings would end following the showing. It was not to be, as fresh inspiration following the death of his father means that he continues to cling to the past, working on his end to the Coventry paintings. In a sense, his work is his moniker on the Coventry landscape - his I woz ere.

For the first time, Shaw brings the product back to the inspiration with his first show starting at The Herbert in Coventry, in November.

Written for Area Magazine

PR clangers not restricted to former PM’s

A little less than a month ago I blogged about the PR gaffe involving Gordon Brown’s rant regarding a Rochdale senior citizen that arguably left the Labour re-election campaign in tatters. It now seems however, that it is not the former PM alone that is capable of PR Clangers but more worryingly, supposed PR experts that are the subjects of the latest faux pa.

In what is being billed as a staggering lack of professional decorum, PR Week have reported that a social media PR company have taken to their blog to verbally berate a rival company, for what they perceived as their inability to manage social media. The smaller agency’s crime; to send unsolicited press releases to a database of bloggers - hardly the crime of the century.

The blog post itself reeks of an overeager need to ‘get one over’ on a competitor that won a pitch (the very pitch that forms the subject of the blog) they were interested in. Not only is it excessively hasty in its criticisms of a growing company, it is exceptionally hypocritical. The blog post makes fun of grammar that is correct whilst the post itself is riddled with grammatical errors for which the writer atoned by explaining it was ‘hastily’ written, highlighting at the very least the incompetency of the individual in question.

What is most concerning about the post is not its flagrant transparency or the spiteful tone it adopts, it’s not even the mistakes that litter the text, it is the fact that the offending company has done little to assuage the contempt felt by fellow industry professionals. In fact, they seem content to add to their woes by attempting to excuse their actions under the pretence it was ‘for the good of the industry.’

NixonMcInnes MD Will McInnes said of the issue: 'Inevitably we all make mistakes so we shouldn't point the knife when someone slips up. Effectively we exist in what is like a village so we should act like a community. We're all in this together.'

Had they removed the post and apologised for any offence then the matter may have been forgotten. But they have not seen fit to do this and all the blog has succeeded in doing is cause one to question the integrity of said company and its Managing Director, who cleared the post for publication. With 95% of the comments on the blog being negative, future relations with PR professionals will no doubt prove difficult for the company in the coming weeks.

11th May 2010 Review: Blood Brothers the Musical

The iconic Blood Brothers returns to Wolverhampton in this sublime interpretation guaranteed to have you laughing hysterically one minute and in floods of tears the next. Surrounding the exploits of the Johnstone twins Mickey and Edward who, when separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks in tough Liverpool. Despite Edward enjoying all the advantages of wealth while Mickey has struggled in depression hit Liverpool, the two strike up an unlikely friendship, forging a blood pact. As the poison of the secret increases the ‘mother’ of Edward descends into madness fearing the truth will be revealed. Ultimately the friendship of the two brothers proves disastrous. Sufficed to say this is not one for those who enjoy a happy ending!

The cast of this latest interpretation were superb and have continued the long, distinguished history of this play. Throughout the crowd are treaded to the mesmerising vocals of Lyn Paul, former member of 70’s group New Seekers. She is excellent in her reprisal of the role that she first took in 1997. Her portrayal of loving mother and hard Liverpudlian is excellent, even maintaining traces of the accent in her musical scores. She engages with the audience who can’t help empathise with her plight.

This play is also rich with young talent whom display a wealth of maturity and experience. Notable performance of the evening was the charismatic Sean Jones who played Mickey. Also reprising his role, he seamlessly flowed between the cheeky, lovable rogue that Mickey is through the first half into the depressive drug addicted Mickey, who has been hardened by the toughness of his upbringing. He was responsible for the largest laughs and the largest tears.

Other notable performances come from Tracey Spencer and Robbie Scotcher. Spencer played the part of Mrs Lyons, the ‘mother’ of Edward. Her portrayal of a woman descending into madness had an eerie feel to it and made the hairs stand on the back of your neck. Her desperation to conceal the secret that has blighted their lives oozes from her performance.

Likewise, Scotcher who played the narrator generated an immense sense of foreboding and was an ominous presence on the stage - like a shadow of the tragedy that was about to unfold. While his timing was sometimes off, the manner in which he skulked around the stage was exquisite.

As always the musical score was exceptional as was the set design and use of props, particularly from Mickey and his green jumper. Despite its age, this play has the ability to captivate audiences of all ages and is assured a long future to come. In what was certainly the best performance I have seen this year, I laughed, I cried and I’d do it all again.

Fabio’s PR own goal disallowed by FA

It seemed to have crossed the line but the FA has evidently seen fit to intervene in the latest scandal to have hit football. Whilst not quite on the national scale of Ashley Cole’s numerous affairs or John Terry’s infidelities, it does pose the most significant threat to the harmony of the England team and strikes at the heart of the credibility of the one time untouchable England Manager, Fabio Capello.

The subject of the controversy is Capello’s new business venture unveiled on 10^th May, which would have seen him publish his post match reports from the World Cup in order to collate a performance table/ranking system. The goal of the service termed the Capello Index, would have been to create an accurate scoring system that would be implemented into Capello’s soon to be released video game Capello XI. The move was immediately branded as a ‘PR own Goal’ from the usually suave Capello.

Imagine if you will having submitted a tender or proposal, that the first thing your bosses did was to immediately Tweet about your performance even going so far as to give you a score out of ten. The embarrassment alone would impair your judgement on your next case and cause you to question yourself, making decisions that normally you would not. That in effect, is the system that Capello was hoping to deploy.

Amidst the growing debate Capello’s employer (the FA) have stepped in and put the kibosh on the deal suggesting that the move is insensitive and could affect the mood of the players. This comes as a massive blow for both Capello and Pitch who were brought in to handle PR for the account. In the wake of all the bad press and with an indefinite postponement and distancing from Capello, it will be interesting in the coming weeks to see how Pitch can disencumber the rubble of their campaign.

A Taste of the East for the HP Site

In 2007 the new owners of HP moved production from its Birmingham site to Holland in cost cutting measures that left the iconic HP factory dormant and derelict for three years, along with the loss of 125 jobs. Now though East End food company, who have been producing authentic Eastern cuisine for over 30 years in the Birmingham area, have bought the site and revealed a £25 million plan that will rejuvenate the area and put Birmingham back on the food map.

The ambitious plans for the site include a 15 storey building that will host a cash and carry warehouse, a 150 bed hotel with conference facilities and a new based of operations for the Indian food company. The company even hope to create kitchen space in which people can come and learn the art of cooking authentic Eastern cuisine.

Committee member Keith Linnecor had this to say “This is an excellent development. A great looking building and will lead to the creation of so many jobs in the area…far more than there were on the site previously.”

Since the closing of the factory the area has suffered a great deal. But these plans will undoubtedly bring the site back to its former glory and will provide twice the number of jobs previously employed at the site. The firm have stated that it would very much like to hear from HP staff that have been unable to find work and promises “quite a mixture of employment.”

With construction set to end within the next 18 months, East End food has proven its commitment and confidence in the Birmingham area and hopes that this rejuvenation project will inspire other such projects in the area.

Oh Gordon...

Nick Clegg and David Cameron need not flex their creative muscles when it comes to smearing the current PM as it seems that Gordon Brown, shovel in hand, is more than happy to dig his own gave.

Having been advised recently to engage more with the public as it was felt he was previously seen as being too aloof, the PM has gone on the offensive meeting the public left right and centre. It seems though that his advisers forgot who their candidate was; the George Bush of British Politics.

The PM was in Rochdale when he came across life-long Labour voter Gillian Duffy. Towering over the pensioner, Brown began confidently defending policies on pensions and accepting praise for the state of the school system in Rochdale. When presses on the issue of migration the PM (seeming somewhat flustered at this point) tried to deflect the question stating “a million people come into here…but a million British people have gone into Europe”. Deflecting the question he returned to policies where Labour has had some success in an attempt to end the matter on a high.

However Brown was unaware as he extradited himself from the situation that his microphone was still. He began engaging in a personal conversation with one of his assistants in which he blames ‘Sue’ for making him speak with the woman and called the woman in question a ‘bigot’, assumedly relating to her pressing on the immigration issue.

This is not the first gaffe the Prime Minister has made but it may prove to be the final one. In Dec 2008 he was ridiculed in the House of Commons when giving a speech regarding the banking system. Meaning to say he saved the banks he instead professed to having ‘saved the world’. Needless to say, the Tories pounced on this momentary slip and the session descended into a debacle. Then in 2009 at the 65th anniversary of D-Day the Prime Minister, seemingly gushing over his new friend President Obama, repeatedly referred to Omaha Beach as ‘Obama Beach’.

So whilst Brown tries to extricate his foot from his mouth (in the process blaming the news company who owned the microphone for taping a private conversation), Nick Clegg and David Cameron are certainly not going to be hiding their smiles in the wake of the latest Brown gaffe.