To kick off the new year, we've been holding 'mind and body' sessions at Different - here's some pics from the body session. It's our first fitness class or maybe we should say unfitness class!
Thanks to Sophie for organising - a no show from Quigs/Yousaf/Millen was noted - double session next week for them.
The 'mind' session next week - bring it on!
Marko
Different are proud to announce the launch of the new L’Oréal Colour Trophy branding work for 2012! The prestigious L’Oréal Professionel Colour Trophy is the longest running hairdressing event in history, dating right back to 1957. We were delighted to be working on the applicant entry packs including the brand new Dossiers for the UK and Ireland, the Regional Tickets, Entry Forms for each category, press ads and not to mention the new and refreshed L’Oréal Colour Trophy Website.
The L’Oréal Professionel Colour Trophy Awards, like no other, have the ability to inspire hairdressers all over the UK and Ireland. Like what you’ve seen so far? Watch out for Part 2… a Regional Final near you!
Twitter Trends: #teamawesome #LPCT #DiFFERENTtweet
Victoria McCartney
The Street Art Utopia blog has posted 106 examples of the best street art of 2011. There are some stunning and inspiring pieces of work and it's well worth 5 minutes of your time to look through. Click here to view the blog.
Matt
Newcastle’s Alive after Five retail offer is attracting high numbers of shoppers to the city in the run up to Christmas. Different created the Alive after Five creative marketing campaign for client, Newcastle NE1 Ltd.
Most shops in the city centre are now open until 9pm during the week, and the scheme has had a marked impact on shopper levels in Newcastle. During the weeks commencing 21 and 28 November, footfall was up 33% and 44% respectively on the same weeks in 2010.
The Alive after Five figures are even stronger, with shops witnessing a 58% and 90% increase in shoppers during the same two weeks.
This will come as good news to retailers, especially in light of the recently released Portas Review, which looks into how the UK high street can be improved.
Shoppers have embraced the new opening times, and the added bonus of free parking after 5pm in all council owned multi-storey car parks has provided an additional incentive.
Stephen Patterson, Commercial Manager, NE1 Ltd commented: “It has been fantastic to see Newcastle so busy with shoppers over the past few weeks.
“In these difficult times, the added convenience of the extended opening times, supported by free car parking after 5pm in the Council multi-storeys all helps to deliver better value for shoppers and makes Newcastle’s offer even more attractive.”
Over the festive period additional attractions including the festive lights, Christma markets and NE!‘s monument movies have also helped to retain people in the city centre for longer periods.
Many retailers have also witnessed a marked increase in sales, including department store John Lewis which has reported that sales figures are up by 18.5%.
Barry Blamire, managing director at John Lewis Newcastle added: “As the cold weather kicks in winter woollies, coats and boots are all performing well, while shoppers also busy preparing for Christmas with strong sales in Christmas shop and gift food.
“Technology is also proving to be a big hit with Kindles and iPad2 amongst the most popular purchases.”
Public transport providers have also seen a surge in passenger numbers. Rob Knight, commercial director, Stagecoach North East explained: “Over the last week we have seen a 16% increase in bus usage against the same week last year.
“Great news for the city, that at this time of year when roads become congested, more people are coming into town but are using the bus to travel.”
The Travel Destination Germany – represented by the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) – has been nominated as a finalist in the ‘Best International Youth Destination’ category of the 2011 British Youth Travel Awards.
Organised by The British Educational Travel Association (BETA), the annual awards recognize and raise the profile of the work and individual successes of organisations engaged in youth, student and educational travel – to, from and within the UK.
The GNTO is nominated for its current ‘TravelMeister’ Facebook campaign, which is designed to find the ideal candidate to become the student ambassador to Germany. With all major universities across the UK and Ireland involved, the contest targets students aged 18-29 and has the potential to reach 2.4 million students in total. The main aim is to stimulate young people’s interest in Germany as a fun and exciting travel destination.
Klaus Lohmann, Director GNTO UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted in the ‘Best International Youth Destination’ category this year. Students are a very important target group for us. It’s been one of our goals to engage with a younger audience and communicate Germany’s diversity, which has great appeal to young people. We are very happy that our efforts have been recognized; being a finalist at this year’s awards confirms that we have chosen the right approach in conveying our message to the youth.”
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced on 8th December 2011 at the British Youth Travel Awards Ceremony in London.
Further information on the TravelMeister campaign can be found on GNTO’s official Facebook page at www.germany.travel/facebookcompetition.
Was lucky enough to attend last night's Turner Prize at Baltic, Gateshead. Amazing night, saw lots of old friends including NE1 and Cool Blue. Fantastic for the Turner Prize to come to Gateshead, what a coup. Congratulations to Martin Boyce and commiserations to my own, personal favourite, the excellent George Shaw.
The German National Tourist Office is working with Different on a Facebook campaign to find the perfect youth ambassador for Germany.
UK university students have until 12 December to submit a 50-word application on Facebook explaining why they would be the ideal 'TravelMeister'.
The winner and a friend will then go on an 8-day trip to the country where they will be given a new task every day - such as skiing at an indoor alpine centre or exploring the moated castles of the Muensterland by bike. It's a great competition.
Equipped with a tablet computer, they will post daily reports about their experiences in Germany on Facebook.
The tourist board hopes it will encourage more young people to see the country as a fun and exciting travel destination.
UK and Ireland director Klaus Lohmann said: "Students are an important target group for us. Germany’s diversity has great appeal to young people. It offers a host of cool cities and captivating landscapes, great shopping, the arts and a vibrant nightlife.
"The TravelMeister campaign allows us to further leverage this appeal, and we are hoping to increase the awareness amongst students here in the local market.”
