July 2011 - Stripe Communications

Stripe Communications tasked with promoting the MOBO Awards return to Scotland

Stripe Communications has been appointed to maximise Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and national events agency EventScotland’s partnership with the MOBO Awards, as the star-studded event returns to Glasgow’s SECC on 5 October. As part of a three-year deal, the Scottish partners will bring the annual awards ceremony to Scotland for the second time this year, followed by 2013 and 2015 where the national music industry event will be held in the new Scottish National Arena, adjacent to the SECC. Stripe Communications has developed a pro-active media relations campaign which aims to promote Glasgow and wider Scotland as a one of the world’s hottest music destinations. Supporting MOBO’s aim of raising awareness of the Awards, performers and partners, Stripe will also be working alongside London based House PR and the talent PR agency – The Outside Organisation. This year’s awards will be hosted by R’n’B American superstar Jason Derulo and MOBO Award winner Alesha Dixon and will see a stellar line-up of performers take to the Scottish stage including Jessie J, Wretch 32, Adele, Tinie Tempah, Katy B, Alexis Jordan, Dappy and Tinchy Stryder. Boys II Men will also treat guests to a special 20 year anniversary performance and Dionne Bromfield, Amy Winehouse’s goddaughter will perform a special tribute to the lateRehab singer. Juliet Simpson, Managing Director of Stripe Communications, said: “As one of the world’s biggest music events the MOBO Awards provide a fantastic platform for strengthening both Scotland and Glasgow’s position as a world leading music and event destination. With a strong line up of award nominees just announced it’s looking set to be a fantastic show and we’re thrilled to be on board.” Launched in 1996, by founder and CEO Kanya King, the MOBO Awards were the first in Europe to celebrate urban music. In its 16 year history, the MOBO Awards has undoubtedly played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK and is proud to have played a significant part in launching the UK’s biggest and brightest urban acts over the years. For arena seats please visit https://www.ticketsoup.com while information on VIP tickets can be found at https://www.mobo.com ;

Bring your own lunch sweeps the nation

The bring your own lunch (BYOL) concept is eating its way into the nation’s offices, with a massive 70% of office workers opting for a packed lunch to save money in the current climate.

According to a study commissioned by Nairn’s Oatcakes revealed today (Thursday 28th July) almost half of the packed lunch patrol feel their lunchtimes are stuck in a rut, and almost three quarters are hungry for more inspiration when it comes to lunch choices.

The research into the lunch habits of the UK revealed that:

· 44% of those questioned skip lunch at least once a week – which is a concern for 2 in every 5, who feel they should be making more of daily lunchtimes · It comes as no surprise that the days of ‘ladies who lunch’ has diminished and the results show that the average working lunch break is 25.9 minutes – that’s less than 2 hours per working week! · The majority of the country is eating ‘al desko’ and treating lunch as an additional action on the long to-do list

In a bid to save, lunchtimes have become short, sharp and stale – just like our meals – and as a result, the nation is crying out for more inspiration. Even when we do make time for lunch:

· The current ‘soggy sandwich’ doesn’t cut the mustard, with 53% finding the traditional sandwich doesn’t fill them up and 37% feeling hungry again after only two hours · 56% of us are too busy for lunch, yet 3 out of 5 of us wish we had more time for lunch · 76% state that they like to make the most of their lunchtime · 88% look to feel more naturally energised from their midday meal

As a result of the recent findings, Nairn’s is on a mission to naturally energise the working lunch and inject some inspiration into the lost lunch hour. Teaming up with TV’s Rachel Allen, Nairn’s will be giving tips on how to balance a busy lifestyle with a daily, nutritious yet exciting lunch routine.

Joined by renowned nutritionist and food consultant, Christine Bailey, and Scottish food ambassador Lady Claire Macdonald, Nairn’s has created delicious and nutritious recipe and topping ideas to help consumers feel naturally energised and keep them going for longer.

G1 Group announces new venture

The formation of new leisure company – EH1 Limited – today (Tuesday 26 July 2011), signals a major union between two of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs, and the evolution of Scotland’s largest leisure group.

The new venture between Kenny Waugh of Festival Group, and Stefan King of G1 Group Holdings PLC, sees EH1 Limited take ownership of some of the capital’s premier leisure assets including Biddy Mulligans & Grassmarket Hotel, Bank Hotel and the Murrayfield Hotel.

Under the terms of the agreement, Waugh becomes Chairman of EH1 Limited. He also becomes a Director of G1 Group Holdings PLC, sitting on the board of the company which oversees G1’s core assets and flagship venues including The Corinthian Club and Arta in Glasgow, and now also the Three Sisters on Edinburgh’s Cowgate.

Sitting within G1 Group Holdings PLC, EH1 Limited strengthens the group’s portfolio and increases its east coast presence.

G1 Group Managing Director Stefan King said: “I’ve been keen to work with Kenny for some time and I am pleased to be able to join him in strengthening Edinburgh’s leisure market. No-one knows the city’s bars, hotels and clubs better than him and to have his in-depth knowledge and experience at Board level will be of enormous benefit.”

“We are both very excited about the road ahead, and look forward to creating a company at the forefront of innovation and standards in Scotland.”

Initial plans for EH1 include a significant capital expenditure programme in excess of £1 million in 2012.

Sourz launches search for MTV video star

If you’ve always dreamt of starring in a music video, then Sourz could be set to make your dreams come true with its UK-wide search for a star.

To celebrate the launch of new Sourz Raspberry, the leading spirit brand has teamed up with entertainment giants, MTV, and is calling on guys and girls to strike a pose with their mates in a bid to become the first-ever MTV Sourz Superstarz.

If you are aged 18 or over and think you know how to have fun at the weekend, visit sourz.co.uk and upload your photos of great nights out with friends. Budding starlets will be whittled down by a UK-wide public vote to find a winner who really lives for the weekend.

The lucky winner and 3 mates will shoot a unique MTV music video in London, which will hit TV screens throughout the country later this year. As Sourz Superstarz, you will stay in a luxurious hotel and enjoy a shopping and prepping session with a personal shopper before hitting the town after dinner and dancing the night away at celebrity hotspot, Funky Buddha Nightclub.

Music fans will also have a chance to get in on the action this summer as Sourz makes its festival debut at the first ever Norfolk Spectacular on 3 and 4 September. Revellers will have the chance to have their pictures taken in an interactive photo booth, automatically entering them into the MTV Sourz Superstarz competition.

Emma Heath from Sourz says: “We’re thrilled to be giving Sourz drinkers this experience of a lifetime. MTV is one of the most widely watched entertainment channels so it is a perfect way for us to connect and engage with our core target audience of 18-24 year olds across the country.

“Heading down to the Norfolk Spectacular will be a first for Sourz, with exposure to 60,000 potential fans giving them the chance to try out new Sourz Raspberry. Our interactive photo booth promises to inject a sense of fun into the festival experience for groups of mates.”

To celebrate the new raspberry flavour, Sourz has also commissioned the first-ever Sourz Weekend Index which surveyed18-24 year old guys and girls across the UK to find out what really makes a weekend great. Nationwide, the survey showed a boundless passion for planning with an average of almost three hours spent organising their weekends. It also takes an average of 10 texts, two emails and four calls to get the grand plan of action together.

The survey also revealed what people across the country, from Manchester to Birmingham to Glasgow prioritise when planning. Findings included:

· North Westerners stood out as the biggest weekend-planners with 70% spending the most time plotting what antics they’ll get up to up to well before the weekend is in sight.

· Guys and girls north of the border get the biggest kick out of planning their weekends with half of 18-24 year old Scots saying anticipation and preparation is one of the best things about it. Scots girls are also the biggest shoppers with over half splashing out on clothes and accessories before every weekend commences.

· North Easterners top the vanity chart with 46% claiming that grooming and pampering makes their weekend complete.

· West Midlanders are more bothered about destination than striking a pose, with 43% citing it’s where you go that makes a great weekend compared to only 7% who said looking your best was the key priority.

New Sourz Raspberry – the latest addition to the Sourz line up – was launched on June 1st and is available nationwide in pubs, clubs and bars and will be stocked in independent retailers and multiple retail outlets including Tesco, Morrisons and ASDA. At 15% ABV, Sourz is great on its own, but also tastes fantastic in a simple cocktail or with ice and a mixer in a long summery drink.

Castle Terrace named newcomer of the year

Scottish ‘Michelin Rising Star’, Castle Terrace Restaurant was awarded the prestigious Newcomer Award at the annual Catey Awards earlier this month, beating competition from restaurants throughout the UK to win the coveted accolade. The title reaffirms the Scottish restaurant’s status as one of the finest young establishments on the UK’s dining scene.

The award is the fifth big achievement of 2011 for Chef Patron, Dominic Jack and the team at Castle Terrace. In January the restaurant was recognised with a highly regarded ‘Michelin Rising Star’, true testament to the talent and commitment to quality of service shown by the entire restaurant team. The recognition was quickly followed with three other Scottish newcomer awards in 2011.

Beating off UK-wide competition from the industry’s leading food and drink establishments, Castle Terrace Restaurant is flying the flag for quality, fresh, seasonal Scottish produce. Previous ‘Newcomer’ winners include Michelin-starred restaurants Texture in London, The Nut Tree Inn in Oxon and sister restaurant The Kitchin.

The judges commented on the award winners: “Our winner is a restaurant that delivers the “nature to plate” philosophy that so many aim at, and one that is arguably setting new standards in one of the most competitive locations in the British Isles. This restaurant has already caught the attention of Michelin, and is widely tipped to pick up its first star next year. And one of the reasons it is doing so well is that the kitchen is under the talented guiding hand of chef-patron Dominic Jack.”

Commenting on the award, Chef Patron Dominic Jack says: “We have only been open for a year and in that time we have picked up a number of awards. It’s always rewarding to be acknowledged by customers and industry peers but to receive this national award is a real honour and we hope it will help to put Scotland and our enviable natural larder firmly on the culinary map.”

Recipe for success at Taste of Edinburgh 2011

Organisers of Scotland’s biggest outdoor food and drink festival, Taste of Edinburgh, have confirmed this year’s event was a success, with over 25,000 visitors descending upon The Meadows over the three-day weekend for a gastronomic melting pot of food, drink and entertainment.

Soaring temperatures, celebrity chefs and an eclectic mix of over 100 artisan producers saw visitors arrive in their droves to digest over 40,000 glasses of champagne, 63,145 taster dishes from 15 of the top restaurants in Scotland and enjoy 68 demos from 20 chefs.

Top TV chefs; Gary Rhodes, Rachel Allen, Silvena Rowe, Martin Wishart, Tom Kitchin and Jean-Christophe Novelli were just some of the highlights and culinary favourite Jason Artherton took to the stage with Edinburgh’s own talent, Roy Brett offering top tips to a captive audience of foodies.

Festival Director, Justin Clarke, says: “We were absolutely thrilled to be back in our home of The Meadows this year and it was great to see so many Scots turning out to support the country’s culinary talent and food and drink producers. This is the first year we have had Glasgow and out of town restaurants on board, bringing new visitors to the event. Combined with the warm weather and later summer date this was a real recipe for success.”

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