A Different Way of Life

This one goes up to 11

On Thursday evening myself, Marko and our new designer (and drummer!) Annie went to Newcastle College to see an old friend of mine Doug Aldrich from rock monsters Whitesnake and his bandmates Michael Devin and Brian Tichy play at a Marshall Amplifiers event organised by the college's music department.

We were expecting a fairly quiet affair, being shown what the knob that goes up to 11 does, etc but we weren't expecting to be treated to a jaw-dropping 90 minute set by the 3 guys performing as SteamRolla, with songs by people as diverse as Led Zeppelin, KC and the Sunshine Band and Michael Jackson!

Here's some pics I took on the night and also, should your fancy like to be tickled, a bit of video I shot too!

 

The car? That's the Marshall JCM800 limo, obviously!

The tale of the monkey

Today we pay tribute to Mr Phil Wright, Creative Technologist, and his ridiculously impressive monkey's tail moustache/beard combo - a work of art if ever we saw one. Now we have to persuade him to dye stripes in it to produce a full-on toon army lemur's tail!

And they were all... yellow!

March the 2nd is ‘Wear Something Yellow To Work’ day, in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care. As you can see, we had a rather decent turn out. Some items, however, were questionable; post-it notes do NOT count Mick and Joe!

Matt’s ‘shan’ Simpsons tie, Carmel’s pastel skinnys and Lara’s on-trend bright yellow nails have helped us raise £40 (and counting) – with everyone donating £2 each to the cause.

Those who ‘forgot’ their yellow item have a forfeit of donating as many Easter eggs as they can (Tesco’s 3 for £2.50, wink wink!) to Sophie’s Easter egg collection, which will be delivered to sick and terminally ill children in our local hospitals.

Daffodil broaches with also be on sale in DiFFERENT reception as of next week!

Well done team,
Soph x

Meet the German TravelMeister!

James Burns, currently studying at Newcastle University, was the lucky winner of the recent TravelMeister competition we’ve been promoting with the German National Tourist Office. As part of the prize James not only wins an iPad but both him and his friend are also off on a money can’t buy trip around Germany from the 22nd-29th March. Keep an eye out for his blogs at www.facebook.com/visitgermany

Claire Stephenson

A different learning experience

This week we've had the pleasure of the company of two students, Carl and Dave, who are studying Advertising at Newcastle College. They've been getting some work experience and helping out on a live brief for a local charity The Angelou Centre. They've also gained an in-depth insight into the fine art of loudly insulting your colleagues and making copious amounts of tea. Hopefully their week has been enjoyable and worthwhile!

Styling St David's – photoshoot fun!

 

Here's a short taster video from the shoot we did this week for our client St David's shopping centre in Cardiff for their Spring/Summer 2012 campaign. Shot by long-time friend of Different Mark Westerby, the (long!) day was a great success and the resulting photographs are going to look stunning on the campaign material. Watch this space for examples of the finished work very soon (as well as a major motion picture from footage shot by Carmel and edited by Matt!)

Jumpers for goalposts!

The cream of North East football was assembled last night in Gateshead when several of the Different team had their first 5-a-side match at Power League. Several Premier League scouts were spotted checking out the talent on show - then walking away shaking their heads in disgust! With an age range from early 20's to late 40's it really was men v boys and we were all very excited to be playing alongside ex-Argentina and Tottenham star Ricardo Villa (pictured below).

Let's get physical, physical, I wanna get physical!

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

Have the Tyne of your Life

 

NewcastleGateshead's autumn city breaks campaign, aimed at our target market segment living in Yorkshire, the North West and Scotland, is underway and we’re already seeing a huge increase in traffic to the website (18 Sept – 12 Oct 2011: over 60,000 visitors; 40,610 during the same period in 2010). The campaign by Different includes press inserts in the Sunday Times, Guardian and Independent, press advertising, radio advertising, online activity and integrated PR, including a planned media visits programme. The campaign runs until the end of November.

South West shopping centres choose DiFFERENT retail therapy

Following a four-way agency pitch process, DiFFERENT has been appointed to handle the creative consumer marketing accounts for Cabot Circus shopping centre in Bristol, St David’s in Cardiff and Princesshay in Exeter, as part of a major review coordinated by Land Securities on behalf of its retail property joint venture partners across the South West region. DiFFERENT will be the single agency delivering brand and tactical consumer marketing activity within a new regional structure.

The South West region, home to all three acclaimed centres, is one of four newly designated consolidated marketing regions. DiFFERENT has held the St David’s account since the centre’s relaunch in 2009. Land Securities coordinates marketing for joint venture partners across the region, including Hammerson, Capital Shopping Centres and local authority partnerships.

Ben Quigley, chief executive said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious account. Shoppers in the South West have a wealth of choice, and ensuring that Cabot Circus, St David’s and Princesshay stand out from the competition as shopping destinations is a fantastic opportunity for us. We look forward to embarking on a long and fruitful relationship to help shape the future of retail in the South West.’

Different will be responsible for all above and below the line activity and will work with Land Securities' PR, media and digital agencies on the account.

Cabot Circus, Bristol.