Starbucks are using their distinctive red takeaway cups, the shops and streets of Nottingham are not only adorned with pretty twinkly lights but are getting busier by the day, and just to confirm that we are indeed approaching Christmas, Coca Cola have just started airing their infamous Christmas adverts – yes, the holidays are coming!
Yet again, it’s that time of year where us girls in the office have the same old discussion, “I can’t believe it’s nearly Christmas…”, “I meant to start my shopping early this year…” & “where has the year gone?” are phrases which have been thrown around more than a few times in the last few days.
This year, Christmas really has seemed to have crept up on us (and thank goodness there were no Christmas light ‘switch on’ in September!). Despite being disappointed that those coffee connoisseurs have taken my personal favourite - the mint hot choc – off the menu this year, (why, Mr Starbuck, would you do that to me??), we’re getting very excited here at Gemini (as we munch our first mince pies of the season)… roll on the carols and Christmas spirit!
Ruth
Friday, 30 November 2007
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Football in the firing line
As I write this, Steve McLaren is collecting his P45, but I don't really blame him for the mess that was last night's Croatia match. He came in having to deal with Sven's mess and sort the team out, a team of players / overpaid show ponies who play without drive or passion. There's only so much he could do short of putting his boots on and having a shot himself. Honestly, should he have been hired at all?
Now that the unthinkable has happened and England have the summer off, perhaps people will start to realise that the team aren't all they're made out to be. We've been spared the false hope that the press instill in us all before a major tournament 'it's England's year', 'it's our best chance ever'. Only for everyone to be disappointed when we don't get past the semis. They're really not that good, no matter what the papers say!
I have to admit that I'm one of those football fans shunned by die-hard England supporters, I care more about my club (Liverpool) and always will. Although I watch England, I'll never really be that bothered about how they do when it comes down to it.
And this is the problem, many people are loosing faith in England, because the players look like they are. The public's passion for the team needs to be revived but, before that, the quality of English players should be addressed. How is the team supposed to grow when young English players can hardly get a game because the clubs are too busy signing up foreign players?
Don't get me wrong, I'm aware that Liverpool is just as guilty and I wouldn't want to give up Kuyt or Alonso for anything, but I do agree that a cap on foreign players should be gradually introduced. Give English players a chance to improve their skills and give England managers the choice of a large, quailty squad, who can perform when it matters.
When it comes to the public, reducing ticket prices and getting families back to the matches would be a start. The sport is becoming elitist and when someone forks out their hard earned cash on an England ticket, they want results. The players are being paid enough to provide it!
In the meantime, my solution to the problem? Bring back the man we love to hate - Mourinho!!
Helen
Now that the unthinkable has happened and England have the summer off, perhaps people will start to realise that the team aren't all they're made out to be. We've been spared the false hope that the press instill in us all before a major tournament 'it's England's year', 'it's our best chance ever'. Only for everyone to be disappointed when we don't get past the semis. They're really not that good, no matter what the papers say!
I have to admit that I'm one of those football fans shunned by die-hard England supporters, I care more about my club (Liverpool) and always will. Although I watch England, I'll never really be that bothered about how they do when it comes down to it.
And this is the problem, many people are loosing faith in England, because the players look like they are. The public's passion for the team needs to be revived but, before that, the quality of English players should be addressed. How is the team supposed to grow when young English players can hardly get a game because the clubs are too busy signing up foreign players?
Don't get me wrong, I'm aware that Liverpool is just as guilty and I wouldn't want to give up Kuyt or Alonso for anything, but I do agree that a cap on foreign players should be gradually introduced. Give English players a chance to improve their skills and give England managers the choice of a large, quailty squad, who can perform when it matters.
When it comes to the public, reducing ticket prices and getting families back to the matches would be a start. The sport is becoming elitist and when someone forks out their hard earned cash on an England ticket, they want results. The players are being paid enough to provide it!
In the meantime, my solution to the problem? Bring back the man we love to hate - Mourinho!!
Helen
Monday, 19 November 2007
Celebrities ‘glamourise’ drugs
It was reported in today’s Metro that the UN’s drug chief has criticised Amy Winehouse and Kate Moss for glamorising cocaine use and that it was fuelling problems in Africa.
The articles said that the Rehab singer, 24, and supermodel Moss, 33, had been singled out by Antonio Maria Costa as he warned that drug use in Britain directly contributed to the 'complete collapse' of some West African countries where drug cartels corrupt vulnerable governments. He said: 'Look at Kate Moss, who still receives lucrative contracts after she was photographed sniffing.
I completely agree with Mr Costa, I think it is terrible that Kate Moss has been awarded £1m plus contracts by Rimmel and Topshop - I for one haven’t bought any products by these companies since then. If it was single mother of one, say A.N. Other from Nottingham, who had been photographed taking drugs, no doubt she would be in danger of having her children taken away, but Kate Moss continues to reign supreme in the fashion world. I hope that more people jump on this bandwagon and make these ‘celebrities’ think about their actions, and realise that just because they are on the front of magazines – they aren’t untouchable.
Ruth
The articles said that the Rehab singer, 24, and supermodel Moss, 33, had been singled out by Antonio Maria Costa as he warned that drug use in Britain directly contributed to the 'complete collapse' of some West African countries where drug cartels corrupt vulnerable governments. He said: 'Look at Kate Moss, who still receives lucrative contracts after she was photographed sniffing.
I completely agree with Mr Costa, I think it is terrible that Kate Moss has been awarded £1m plus contracts by Rimmel and Topshop - I for one haven’t bought any products by these companies since then. If it was single mother of one, say A.N. Other from Nottingham, who had been photographed taking drugs, no doubt she would be in danger of having her children taken away, but Kate Moss continues to reign supreme in the fashion world. I hope that more people jump on this bandwagon and make these ‘celebrities’ think about their actions, and realise that just because they are on the front of magazines – they aren’t untouchable.
Ruth
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Alcohol tax
BBC Online today
'Taxes on alcohol should be increased and advertising restrictions should be tightened, according to a new group of 24 leading health organisations. The Health Alcohol Alliance says 13 children are admitted to hospital every day as a result of Britain's growing alcohol misuse.'
Forgive me, but shouldn't the root of the problem be addressed, rather than just lumping more tax on us? Why are these children drinking? Where are their parents??
I managed to get through my childhood without the need to drink and go to hospital so now I'm older, I work hard and I drink responsibly at weekends, should I have to pay more?
Increasing tax is a terrible idea as, once again, the people who don't cause the problem will end up paying.
Helen
'Taxes on alcohol should be increased and advertising restrictions should be tightened, according to a new group of 24 leading health organisations. The Health Alcohol Alliance says 13 children are admitted to hospital every day as a result of Britain's growing alcohol misuse.'
Forgive me, but shouldn't the root of the problem be addressed, rather than just lumping more tax on us? Why are these children drinking? Where are their parents??
I managed to get through my childhood without the need to drink and go to hospital so now I'm older, I work hard and I drink responsibly at weekends, should I have to pay more?
Increasing tax is a terrible idea as, once again, the people who don't cause the problem will end up paying.
Helen
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Remembrance Sunday
As I write this, it's 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month...and I'm watching the parades from London.
I always feel rather overwhelmed with patriotism as the veterans march past the cenotaph, shoulders still held high with pride - for some it's been 90 years since they fought and risked their lives. I have always been in awe of these ex-soldiers, my father is a historian, my Grandfather came to Britain from Poland to fight with the Allies during World War II, and my Great Grandfather fought in the First World War, so it's little wonder with these family connections that I have always had a fascination for war history. Sadly, I can't help but wonder that as the years go by we will forget the what they fought for.
I found it hard to buy a poppy this year, maybe because there was a spate of thefts in Nottingham and many appeal collection boxes went missing, or maybe because the great wars are fading into the background. With the increase in tabloid news and the obssession with celebrities, there is little reminder of remembrance day until it is upon us.
If its not too late I will try to buy a poppy today or at least drop a donation in a box that is still in tact to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of these surviving veterans, and the hundred of thousands of those who lost their lives in the last century, and of course, not forgetting those who are currently putting their lives at risk in the Middle East.
Ruth
I always feel rather overwhelmed with patriotism as the veterans march past the cenotaph, shoulders still held high with pride - for some it's been 90 years since they fought and risked their lives. I have always been in awe of these ex-soldiers, my father is a historian, my Grandfather came to Britain from Poland to fight with the Allies during World War II, and my Great Grandfather fought in the First World War, so it's little wonder with these family connections that I have always had a fascination for war history. Sadly, I can't help but wonder that as the years go by we will forget the what they fought for.
I found it hard to buy a poppy this year, maybe because there was a spate of thefts in Nottingham and many appeal collection boxes went missing, or maybe because the great wars are fading into the background. With the increase in tabloid news and the obssession with celebrities, there is little reminder of remembrance day until it is upon us.
If its not too late I will try to buy a poppy today or at least drop a donation in a box that is still in tact to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of these surviving veterans, and the hundred of thousands of those who lost their lives in the last century, and of course, not forgetting those who are currently putting their lives at risk in the Middle East.
Ruth
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Not All Publicity Is Good Publicity
The old adage of all publicity is good publicity doesn’t always ring true. Unless you spent yesterday in a soundproof book, avoiding all press, television and radio news you will know what I’m talking about - Heather Mills and her embarrassing public outburst against the press.
It was an interesting move, especially from our professional point of view, which caused her PR agent of four years to step down. Phil Hall, who has worked for Ms Mills for over four years, was quoted in the Metro as saying: “She said she wanted to do a TV campaign attacking newspapers. I can’t have a good relationship with a newspaper editor while my client is attacking them. It would be destroying years of contacts.” Even Max Clifford said: “she had made a bad situation even worse.”
We, at Gemini, have to agree.
The clue is in the name of our industry ‘public relations’. Probably the most important part of my job and indeed for all PR practitioners is to develop and maintain good working relationships with the media. Without these contacts we would struggle to get any level of publicity for our clients. Heather Mills has used the press in the past to gain coverage for her landmine charity, but the likely chance of her getting any coverage now is probably somewhere between zero and nothing…I’m sure Adopt-a-minefield, Cosmesis, Peta and Viva! are thrilled with her public performance yesterday.
Our advice to her would be to keep a low profile and apologise to Mr Hall in the hope that he may be able to salvage some damage control from this – if he wanted too.
Ruth
It was an interesting move, especially from our professional point of view, which caused her PR agent of four years to step down. Phil Hall, who has worked for Ms Mills for over four years, was quoted in the Metro as saying: “She said she wanted to do a TV campaign attacking newspapers. I can’t have a good relationship with a newspaper editor while my client is attacking them. It would be destroying years of contacts.” Even Max Clifford said: “she had made a bad situation even worse.”
We, at Gemini, have to agree.
The clue is in the name of our industry ‘public relations’. Probably the most important part of my job and indeed for all PR practitioners is to develop and maintain good working relationships with the media. Without these contacts we would struggle to get any level of publicity for our clients. Heather Mills has used the press in the past to gain coverage for her landmine charity, but the likely chance of her getting any coverage now is probably somewhere between zero and nothing…I’m sure Adopt-a-minefield, Cosmesis, Peta and Viva! are thrilled with her public performance yesterday.
Our advice to her would be to keep a low profile and apologise to Mr Hall in the hope that he may be able to salvage some damage control from this – if he wanted too.
Ruth
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