It's been a while

I haven't written for a while as work has taken over. Here are some of the things I have been doing...

Love Bites

Bite's Consumer team uploads fun and interesting content to their Tumblr frequently. This week, I was asked to write a Love Bites post - an update on the interesting topics and trends happening in the PR world. 
Read it here - http://consumer.biteglobal.com/

Stop Content Pollution

Wonder what these guys are doing? 

Well, find out here - www.stopcontentpollution.com

Brilliant solutions

Unsung Hero 

This advert entitled "unsung hero" is really one that will pull on your heartstrings. It is about a man that does small acts of kindness everyday, for example, he gives a child money for education, he feeds a dog and he helps a lady with a food trolley up a curb. He does this not for the thanks or recognition, but for the happiness. After a while, he begins to receive things in return, like a hug, a growing plant, and to see a smile on a little girls face when he sees her in her school uniform. It is a brilliant advert, and one that really sells life insurance in the best way possible, with emotion. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU

Popcord

I wouldn't class myself as a big gadget bod, but this is something that I definitely want to buy. I am constantly a victim of low battery, as I have an iPhone which is always in use. There is nothing worse than being out and seeing your battery go down and down - so Popcord is the perfect solution. It is a small and compact phone charger that clips onto your keyring. You will never be caught short with low battery again! This is definitely on my list of things to buy. 

http://popcord.co/

Pollution and packaging

I haven't blogged for a while as i've been very busy with work. But here are a few things that I want to tell you about this week...

Stop Content Pollution

This week saw the launch of the Stop Content Pollution campaign - an initiative that aims to stop the war on bad content. B

Check out the:
Website
Storify 
Twitter

There are lots of exciting things happening with the campaign, so watch this space!

Cool places to work 

I saw this last week and had to post about it. This is a list of the top 10 coolest offices in the UK, according to the Telegraph and they are absolutely right. My favourite is Mind Candy as it is life a real life fairytale. These places must encourage an enormous amount of creativity and I love them.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9640237/Top-10-coolest-offices-in-UK.html?frame=2383634

Packaging madness

Packaging. It's just there to protect the product and inform consumers right? WRONG. This just shows you that it can be amazingly imaginative, providing you just think outside the box. Or, thing very simply. Here are 41 fantastic packaging ideas that may just blow your mind 

http://www.emlii.com/7f10b33/41-Exceptionally-Beautiful-Product-Packagings-That-Will-Steal-Your-Heart 

Films and vacuums

Make your brand relevant

A few weeks ago Sochi was in the spotlight hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics. We had a lot of it on in the office and I quite enjoyed the Curling - even though I had no idea what was going on! I love this video from Dyson and their take on the sport, and this is a brilliant way to show how you can make your brand relevant to pretty much anything. 

Film night

It's award season in Filmland and this week was the biggest of all - the Oscars. I have been trying to see as many of the nominated films as possible, and I have had my own opinions on who should win the prestigious gongs. I have seen 12 Years A Slave, The Wolf of Wall Street, Dallas Buyers Club and Captain Phillips and can honestly say I was blown away by all of them, each in a different way. I'm thrilled Jared Leto won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club and his performance was outstanding. I have always loved film, but these select have excited me like never before. A selfie, taken by Ellen DeGeneres with some of the actors has now become the most retweeted picture ever, and I love the Simpons take on it! 

Valentines Day love

This week it has rained......A LOT. So I have been keeping entertained with lots of fun campaigns. 

Have a beer, be spontaneous 

This advert for Bud Light is brilliant. Although I don't believe for a second that this man is a stranger off the street! It is set around a decision to take a beer and be spontaneous, so much so that this man ends up in a lift with a llama, shortly before playing table tennis with Arnold Schwarzenegger and singing with One Republic. This campaign is fun and evokes the spark of spontaneity within us all. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKKVQLDYYcw

Lego life

This campaign for Lego was shown in an ad break during Dancing On Ice on Sunday night. Amazingly, they 'Lego'ed' a whole set of adverts! It was really creative and think it got a lot of people excited about the upcoming Lego movie.
http://www.thinkbox.tv/tv-toolbox/the-worlds-first-entire-lego-ad-break-celebrates-the-release-of-the-lego-movie/

They're different actors!

This stunt from McDonald's, created by Razorfish made me smile as well as got me extremely frustrated. It features a fake couple who ask a passer by to take a photo of them together. When a huge Big Mac board seems to walk in front of them, the actors change to a different couple, although the passer by doesn't even notice! I was stunned that this person didn't see the couple were completely different! It is a very clever way of showing how easily people can get distracted by a huge Big Mac, though. 
http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/thework/1230645/mcdonalds-the-big-mac-mind-tests-razorfish/

So awkward, so true

So it's Valentine's Day as I'm writing this and I saw someone tweet this link earlier. The Huffington Post is always a great place to get fun and thought evoking content, and this is no different. It features images of Valentine's Day cards for the modern relationship - which we all know can be extremely complicated! My favourite one is the card that reads "we hate the same things", which is clearly what we look for in a partner, right?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/valentines-cards-awkward_n_4757404.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Birthday antics

I turned 22 on 5th February, and had a nice few days off work doing various things (and I missed the tube strike!)

On Wednesday, I went to see Wolf of Wall Street and was blown away by Leo! Even though it is a good three hour viewing, I really enjoyed it. Because it was Orange Wednesdays, we had to watch in a Vue Extreme screen - basically a bigger screen so not worth the extra few pounds. I did go with my mum, so the high level of drugs and sex was a bit awkward, but a perfect film to see with friends or partners. 


On Friday, my boyfriend and I tried out Bodeans in Soho. After hearing good reviews I was keen to try it whilst I was off work and I wasn't disappointed. However, a word of warning, the platter is definitely too much food for two people. We ended up taking most of it home but the flavours were great and it's the perfect place if you want real American pulled pork and ribs.

I'm a Benebabe!

I have had a make-up overhaul of late, and ended up spending over £100 in the last two weeks on new products and brushes and so far I love them all. I actually take some time putting my make-up on in the mornings now and enjoy doing it. Here are some of the products I have been trying out:

Brow Zings  (Fair)
I have never been someone who likes OTT eyebrows, but this palette gives just the right amount of colour and allows you to shape them to make an impact, without looking like two black slugs on your face! Having said this, next time I will go for the medium as I find it doesn't always give a dark enough effect for me. 


Hello Flawless powder (Honey)
I am not one to wear powder usually, but I thought I'd try this over my foundation and it does make a difference. The staying power is great and it really finishes off the look. 



Hoola
I've had Hoola before and found it was quite dark for my skin tone, as I am quite fair. However I have been using it with a blush brush and it has been giving me a lovely golden colour. 



Rockateur
Rockateur gives me a shimmery glow which I love. It is subtle, but as I use it as an overall face powder, the colour is really lovely. 



Watt's Up!
I love this product! I have had High Beam before and I tend to find the liquid highlighters stain too much and leave you with shiny streaks. Watt's Up eliminates this problem as it is a soft highlighter, so I have the perfect shimmer and glow. 


Urban Decay Naked 3
I am obsessed with this eye-shadow palette. I always wear browns because I have blue eyes and there are so many beautiful colours to choose from with this I am stuck for choice. It is pricey for eye-shadow but you definitely get what you pay for. 




Real Techniques stippling brush
I was told by friends to try a stippling brush over a normal foundation brush and I am happy with the results. It eliminates the streaks that you get with a paint brush style product and leaves an overall lovely finish with your foundation. 


Real Techniques blush brush 
This brush needs a good bit of bronzer/blusher on it but it is very soft and gives a nice overall finish. 


Real Techniques powder brush 
With all the Real Techniques brushes, they are so soft on your skin. This one is great for my powder as you get a lot on the brush and it saves time and provides a really nice overall colour. 

Cool campaigns

Tanning blunder

This advert from Virgin Holidays to promote its January sale is very funny indeed. It captures the British culture of dodgy tans perfectly and I'm sure we can all relate to bad sunburn and awkward t-shirt tan lines!

http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/1228760/brits-abroad-embarrassing-tan-lines-focus-virgin-holidays-tanuary-sale/

I love love

I have been loving Not On The High Street lately and treated one of my friends to a personalised hip flash from there for Christmas. Since then I've been hooked on the website, flicking through all the lovely gift ideas. I especially like the section with personalised messages in frames. I am very sentimental so these ideas for bedrooms and kitchens are really up my street.

Not On The High Street's new campaign is aligned with Valentines day and called 'What's your story?' The videos share people's views on love, how couples relationships have developed and every different love story imaginable, old and young, gay and straight. Mixed with sweet gift ideas, I really love this love campaign. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/love-your-story/

Give Fearne a break!

I was intrigued by this story that surfaced this week. As we are all aware, Former Lost Prophets frontman Ian Watkins has been charged with child sex offences in the last few months and his former girlfriend and Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton has been criticised over her use of the phrase 'mega lolz', a popular phrase used by the band. . Personally, I feel sad for Fearne that she has been slammed for using this very popular phrase and I feel that it was unfair to criticise her. Radio 1 has a light-hearted and fun nature and I believe she did not intend to make any connection to Watkins, but simply used the generic phrase during a feature innocently. People are very quick to judge, and in this case a little thought process wouldn't have gone a miss 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/29/ian-watkins-fearne-cotton_n_4685967.html?utm_hp_ref=tw- 


Below are three campaigns that blew me away this week. I love the art of storytelling, and feel that these brands get it so right:

Storytelling campaigns

Coca-Cola's campaign is all about building bridges between neighbouring India and Pakistan. Interactive Coke machines were placed in both countries, and in turn people approached them and followed instructions. For example, people were asked to wave at each other and dance and trace a circle with their fingers, which then turned into a peace symbol. It is very touching and shows that people can get along, despite political and religious differences. 

Winter love

This campaign from P&G is inspired by the Winter Olympics and shows the journey of athletes. It begins with toddlers learning to walk and falling and as the people featured get older and older, still slipping on the ice and snow whilst playing sports, you realised that they turn into athletes. Their mums are there at every step, picking them up, icing their injuries and when they finally win. This goes to show that a mothers love can get you through everything. 

Dove and beauty

This is by far my favourite campaign of the three. It shows people arriving at a loft with a man sitting with his back to the door. When each person sits down, they are asked to describe their features, from hair to eyes to skin tone. When this is over, they are asked to describe a person they had met downstairs which the artist then drew. After each person has finished. The artist brought them back in and showed each person the portrait of themselves against the portrait of them describes by another person and the different is phenomenal. People are incredible moved by how they portray themselves in a somewhat negative light compared to how others see them. This shows that we are all beautiful in our own right, even if we don't always see it. 

Lots happening this week

As I didn't post last week, I have gathered some really exciting and fun campaigns to share for this weeks blog...

Natural beauty 

This campaign from Dove made its debut at the Sundance film festival this week and it's a great way of promoting natural beauty. The short film shows mothers and daughters taking selfies together and discussing their thoughts on body image. Dove has always been a brand that stands up for real women so this is a really touching video.

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1227900/dove-celebrates-natural-beauty-selfie-short-sundance

I wish the tube was like this!

I want to hug whoever has done this! This Tumblr shows a number of alternative tube images and notices. From sloths carrying passengers to heaven and hell tube stops. Seeing as the tube culture is very much "don't talk or look at me because it's not the norm", this funny and light-hearted idea makes fun our moody tube habits.

http://prosign.tumblr.com/post/33766157596/someone-has-made-fake-london-underground-signs-and

Sunny Sweden

This coke advert brightens up commuters waiting at a bus stop in Sweden. The interactive bus shelter turns a dreary and dark day into a summery scene and gives everyone a little seasonal cheer.

http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/1228290/coke-gives-swedes-bus-stop-taste-summer/

Someone is getting fired!

At work on Thursday, I was drawn to the Victoria Line trending on Twitter and was tickled to see that for an unknown reason, there had been fast setting concrete poured into the signalling room at Victoria. Firstly I thought, what on Earth is going on? My second thought was that it is so ludicrous but really quite funny. At first it was reported as flooding, then when everyone caught wind of the real reason, the web blew up with jokes, opinions and laughs. 

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/workers-bought-sugar-from-supermarket-to-slow-cement-flood-farce-on-victoria-line-9081168.html

The Walking Dead prank

I am a huge fan of The Walking Dead and when I saw this video, I was amazed. I hadn't heard of Nick Santonastasso before, but I found out that he is a disabled Walking Dead superfan who plays pranks on people whilst posing as a zombie. Brilliant! So The Walking Dead team decided to bring him along to a junket to prank one of the shows actors, Norman Reedus. The effects and make-up department transformed him as he hid under a table ready to jump out. The reaction was priceless and he looked brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igDzM4CyWa8#t=121

Devil baby 

Working at a PR agency, I can appreciate a good stunt, but this one blows anything I've seen out of the water. With Devil's Due set for release, a demon baby robot was placed on the streets of New York to scare unsuspecting passers by. Some of the reactions had me in stitches and I cannot stop watching. With over 37 million views on YouTube in its first week, this video is first class. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUKMUZ4tlJg

Archy the snake charmer

I had to share this video of our Director Mike's dog, Archy yesterday. He took this inflatable snake and ripped it apart, running up and down the office shaking it. When I came over to see what he had done, his little angelic face was priceless!

Unfortunately, It's still January

The beginning of January has been really busy at work, so although I have been exhausted, the time has been flying by. There are lots of exciting projects happening at the moment, and I am really looking forward to what we have in the pipeline. 

The circle of no life

This advert from Greenpeace takes the iconic opening scene from The Lion King and reworks it, so all the animals disappear, showing what could happen if we keep treating wildlife and the environment as we do. Greenpeace is renowned for it's thought provoking campaigns and this one definitely lives up to their reputation. Taking a children's classic and given it a sinister spin really drives their message home. Check it out here:
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1226024/greenpeace-hacks-disney-wipes-lion-king-characters

It's really been that long?

Continuing with The Lion King theme, this article shared last week shows albums and films that will be 20 years old in 2014. Being born in 1992, I recognise some of these from watching or listening at an older age, and I myself can't believe that some of these have been around since 1994. The Shawshank Redemption is a film that I love to watch and I recently saw Leon, The Professional. This article shows that if something is a classic, it will never go out of date. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/07/1994-movies-albums_n_4554540.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

The power of timeless creativity

For the ad to promote the iPad Air, Apple used a speech from the Dead Poets Society to demonstrate and highlight the iPad's creativity. It begins with an amazing line: "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry, because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion." I love the theme for this ad, and the beautiful scenic shots accompany the beautiful words perfectly.
http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/1226804/apple-uses-dead-poets-society-speech-demonstrate-ipad-creativity/

Juicing!

I have recently bought a juicer and have been enjoying some lovely fresh fruit juices. Even though it is a nightmare to clean, it is a great way of enjoying some fruity goodness. Here are some pictures of the finished articles! 

January blues

So now we're in January it's back to work time! No more lazing on the sofa watching films and eating your body weight in food! It was lovely to have a few days off but I am glad to be back in a routine. Here are few pictures from the festive season

I have also started a health kick so I will also be sharing some great healthy meals with you all!

Dish of the week - Wok fried greens, Wagamama

I caught up with some friends on Thursday and we went to Wagamama in Westfield. I had checked out the menu before setting out to check nutritional information on my favourite dishes. I found that my normal dish, Yaki Soba was only around 700 calories so i chose that. My friend also ordered wok friend greens, and when I tried them I was so surprised. I didn't think they would have much taste but they were soft without being soggy, and have a great bite which came from the soy sauce. I will definitely chose these again!

You'd never get away with this now!

This week I found some old adverts and was so shocked at some of the content. Even though I understood their tongue-in-cheek humour, these would be completely unacceptable now and would never pass ASA standards. Drawing on discrimination against women, race issues and sexual innuendos  really shows a shift in attitudes. Next to a few of these adverts I have added some recent campaigns for similar products to really highlight the differences.