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King Cobra rules the World: behind our man Froch
Saturday 30th May 09 - 13.48 - posted by Glenn


We do alot of work for the cross-Atlantic boxing promoters Hennessy Sports (including this website), and their stable super star Carl Froch is causing a bit of stir in the Industry. His last fight, a defence of the WBC Super Middleweight Championship which he was crowed with last year, was a heart stopper. We all flew out to Connecticut, US to witness Froch do something very special in the final round of his bout with American Jermain Taylor. He was loosing on points by this stage, and needed to do something drastic. And he did. Check it out!
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The end of a very unique era
Friday 29th May 09 - 22.28 - posted by Glenn


This weekend sees the Ibiza opening parties - the start of what is a yearly pilgrimage for most to the White Isle. This year also sees the close of what is now a legendary club night, which was held each week, every season, at the super club Privilege ever since the early nineties. Made infamous for it's disregard for convention and contempt for the norm, Manumission attracted crowds of 8,000+ on a weekly basis, to the envy of all its competitors.

 

With roots in Manchester, the owners moved the night to Ibiza in 1993 to develop their concept. They were the first to Europe to charge clubbers entrance. They knew hat their unique offering; a promise to the clubber of an experience involving world-leading acrobatics, pyrotechnics, 100s of burlesque dancers and much more, would still attract the crowds. And it did.

 

At it's height the performance cost in excess of £200,000 to stage a night, and by 2009 its owners decided it was time to call it a day. Their success story shows how redefining norms and taking a bit of a risk, doing things your own way can reap big rewards.

 

And it doesn’t need to be massive differences. Smaller businesses taking different approaches to the way they present themselves - approaching their market from an angle in a way that's different from the competition gets you remembered.

 

And, at the end of the day, it's all about being remembered.
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Re-invention to ensure a longer, more prosperous life
Thursday 28th May 09 - 23.37 - posted by Glenn


Star Trek. A now elderly franchise, dating back deep into the sixties, saw 100s of TV episodes and films into the double figures. Films that, well, most people saw as obscure, far fetching and peculiar. Films that, by the end of last decade, had alienated the majority of the Worlds movie going population. It's prosperous life had most definitely come to an end.

 

That was my opinion. That was, however, until I'd seen JJ Abram's perspective on the multi-million dollar franchise. Together with writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman they've rethought, albeit deliberately, everything, and instead of trying to push things into the future they go back in time, back to the original characters' youth; which gives them lots of poetic licence. Cue excuse for young, sexy actors to appeal to a younger, modern audience.

 

This film boldly goes where no Star Trek film has gone before (sorry) - and it works.

 

Star Trek changed and evolved around it's ever changing and evolving audience. Essentially everything is still there. Trekkies will go to see this film. It will satisfy all their geekly desires, however it also gives something more to a wider audience.

 

It's what branding and rebranding is all about, and it doesn't just apply to the big brands either. Changing the way you look, giving yourself a fresh identity to meet modern demands is essential for long term survival. Everyone's market changes. No matter how big or small you are, from British Airways to Joe the local plumber, making sure your brand image is in tune to your customers is the key to success.

 

Take a leaf out of Star Treks's book. Speak to your graphic designer if you think your business's brand image is loosing it's appeal. You'll live long, and prosper.
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A 60 hour look at America's cross section of society
Thursday 21st May 09 - 17.37 - posted by Glenn


The BBC last month started carrying an exceptional drama, the best made for Television. The Wire's front is as an American crime drama. However it's alot more than that. It's respect for the viewer; treating us as intelligent humans that don't need hand holding is more than refreshing. This lack of 'situation explanation' infuses unrivaled realism to every episode, which is also helped by the use of non-actors, ex cons and drug dealers for major roles. It's gritty yes, and it's violent. But, as we're always being assured, realistic.

 

Based upon an ex reporter's experience from shadowing Baltimore's homicide department, the show spans over 5 series, each of which explores the corruption and woes of a different part of America's cities. From drug lords and corrupt beaurocrats to the schooling system and the media, it's vast and complex cast will have you emotionally involved by the end of the first season.

 

Watch the first 3 episodes, I dare you. (Shown on BBC2 every weeknight, around 11pm I think)

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