Category Archives: Life & Style

The Hunt For Prince Harry

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Channel 4 film follows ‘Harry Hunters’.

Since the marriage between Kate Middleton and Prince William, Prince Harry has been thrust into the spotlight as the most eligible bachelor in Britain. Third in line to the throne, the remaining handsome Prince has become an object of desire for girls across the globe. A brand new Channel 4 documentary, First Cut: The Harry Hunters is set to follow five girls who are determined in their quest to snag their very own Prince Charming.

The film follows 21-year old American friends Cassie and Whitney who grew up in rural Iowa, watching Disney movies and dreaming they would one day marry Prince Harry. They know that to achieve your dreams you have to be prepared to go the distance. Cassie and Whitney have done their research and have a plan – to hit his favourite haunts – from Polo clubs to exclusive Mayfair nightspots.

However, they have strong competition from the ‘queens’ of the social network in East London. School friends Joy and Jade know Prince Harry’s whereabouts at any time, day or night. Twitter is their medium of choice – whether Harry’s partying in Croatia or flying Apache helicopters, they will know within seconds. 16-year old Joy even has an engagement ring for the Prince when the right moment comes to propose.

And finally 14-year-old Flora who hangs out in Chelsea, London and avidly reads the newspapers to know what Prince Harry is up to each week. However, she is determined to impress her teenage heart-throb by working hard at school in her hopes to become an intelligent Princess.

Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Aysha Rafael says: “The Harry Hunters shares the romantic age-old dreams held by thousands of young girls around the world. They fantasise of fairy tale dresses, extravagant royal weddings and for that special day when they finally meet their Prince Charming.”

First Cut: The Harry Hunters is directed by first time producer and director, Emily Hughes and is executive produced by Emily Renshaw-Smith and Peter Dale.

First Cut is a collection of original and bold documentary films by up and coming first time directors and part of Channel 4’s continuous commitment to nurturing new and diverse talent. It first launched in 2007 and now in its sixth year and is commissioned by Aysha Rafaele.

MASTERS OF DIRT BRING THEIR WORLD CLASS FMX SHOW TO THE UK

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**FIRST TIME UK EVENT PREVIEW**

MASTERS OF DIRT BRING THEIR WORLD CLASS FMX SHOW TO THE UK

14th LONDON- WEMBLEY ARENA
16th MANCHESTER – MANCHESTER ARENA

TICKETS ON SALE NOW – £32.50

www.mastersofdirt.com
www.wembleyarena.co.uk // www.mcr-arena.com

Masters of Dirt have been setting the standard for world class FMX and bike stunt entertainment for the past 10 years performing across Europe. Hitting London and Manchester for the first time, The UK now has the chance to see the World’s top Freestyle Motocross, Quad, 50cc mini bike, mountain bike, bmx and even snowmobile riders perform their death defying whips, backflips and other jaw dropping tricks live and up-close at the action packed 2 1/2 hour fully seated indoor arena shows.

UK Champion Chris Birch and Aussie superstar Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams confirmed for Masters of Dirt UK Tour 2012.

We are delighted to confirm British FMX champion Chris Birch for the Masters of Dirt UK Tour hitting London 14th March and Manchester 16th March. Twenty Seven year old Birch competes on a world-class level bringing the most amazing whips and backflips this side of the Globe.

‘I can’t wait to ride MoD in my home country and you can guarantee I will bring some serious new tricks to the ramps in March’

25 year old Aussie Sensation Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams has also been added to the all star cast.

Bilko was the first ever athlete to land a cliffhanger backflip, as well as winning X Games Gold, Silver and Bronze and competing in X-Fighters, makes him one of the most exciting athletes to flip the Masters of Dirt ramps in March.

Sam Reynolds, 20yr old British Mountain Bike champion also adds to one of the most exciting line-ups MoD has seen for years. He said ‘I cannot wait to bring MoD to London and Manchester riding along side some of the best freestyle athletes across the globe’

Confirmed Rider List:
Edgar Torronteras (ESP)
Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams(AUS)
Derek Burlew (USA)
Alastair Sayer (SA)
Rob Adelberg (AUS)
Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP)
Chris Birch (UK)
Jostein Stenberg (NOR) (Snowmobile)
Jon Guetter (USA) (Quad)
Tomas Barta (CZ) (Minibike)
Sam Reynolds (UK) (Mountainbike)
Bienvenido Aguado (ESP) (Mountainbike)

Bletchley Park puts its stamp on Turing Centenary.

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On 23rd February Bletchley Park will release four first day covers celebrating Alan Turing’s centenary year. Each will carry a 1st class Royal Mail “Turing Bombe” stamp cancelled with a unique first day of issue postmark. The intention is to restrict the issue to just 500 of each. Produced in association with the Alan Turing Centenary Year Committee and Bletchley Park Post Office, proceeds will go towards supporting the preservation of Bletchley Park. Similar stamp and envelope combinations from Bletchley Park Post Office have fetched several times their original issue price. So at £9.99 each these little pieces of art and history could be a good investment. They can be previewed and ordered at bletchleycovers.com

The first design is by Rebecca Peacock of Firecatcher Design and the theme is Turing’s work on the mathematics of patterns. It was Turing’s genius for mathematics that made his work so vital to Bletchley Park and the development of modern computing.

The other three are original paintings by artist Steve Williams who has donated his work to Bletchley Park. They depict three buildings at Bletchley Park associated with Alan Turing. These are the cottage and hut where he worked and the room that housed the Bombe machines.

The stamp features a rebuilt Turing Bombe. The first day of issue postmark is a facsimile of one of the Bombe’s 108 drums that replicated the workings of 36 Enigma macines.

A dedicated team spent 15 years rebuilding the working Turing Bombe that is now on display at Bletchley Park. A marvel of electro-mechanical engineering used to crack the enigma code that is now essential viewing for visitors. Bletchley Park Post Office was once the code breakers’ undercover mail room then a sub post office when Bletchley Park became a GPO training centre. Its re-creation of a 1940’s post office is a popular attraction. The first day covers and special stamps it began issuing in 1994 are sought after by collectors from around the world.

More information can be obtained on the issue through bletchleycovers.com or calling 0044 (0)1908 363489

David Beckham For H&M

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David Beckham celebrates the launch of David Beckham Bodywear for H&M in London

This week in London, David Beckham celebrated the global launch of David Beckham Bodywear for H&M with an in-store launch, followed by a cocktail party at a pop-up gentleman’s club created especially for the occasion. At the in-store event at H&M on Regent Street, David showed the new television commercial, met with fans and signed the collection. Later, celebrities such as Bianca Jagger, Emma Bunton and Jessica Ennis joined David to toast his bodywear range. This debut collection is the first in a long-term partnership between David Beckham and H&M, and is available from today in 1,800 H&M stores worldwide, as well as online.

“I am very proud to launch my Bodywear collection for H&M in London. It was amazing to see the product at the in-store launch after so many months of development and meet with fans. I loved the pop-up gentleman’s club, which felt both traditional and brand new. It’s the same mix I hope men will find in the Bodywear collection. It was an amazing evening to launch my new collection.” David Beckham.

“The debut of David Beckham Bodywear is a very special moment for us at H&M. It marks the beginning of a new kind of long-term partnership for H&M, one based on quality and excellent design to H&M prices. I am very excited to see how our customers will receive the David Beckham Bodywear collection.”
Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of H&M.

At the cocktail party, guests were treated to a unique David Beckham for H&M experience, with decor, food and drink designed to reflect not only classic gentlemen’s clubs but also David’s British roots. Live music was provided by the James Pearson Trio, direct from the infamous Ronnie Scotts club, followed by a DJ set by ”Mani” from The Stone Roses and DJ the Queens of Noize.

The event marks the debut of David Beckham Bodywear for H&M, a new collection which focuses on fit, function comfort and design. Designed by David’s in-house team and sold exclusively at H&M in around 40 countries worldwide, this first collection presents the nine key products which will go on to form the core of the range. The collection will develop seasonally with new styles, new fabrics and new patterns.

“Lots of people have worked with H&M, so why not David Beckham? I think it’s a really good idea. It means that now everybody can have a bit of him.” Suzy Menkes, International Herald Tribune.

Bring Down The Cost of Motoring

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Saving money on fuel is a priority according to research by Mobil 1

  • Cash strapped Brits look to save money on motoring but actually lose out where it matters most: in the engine
  • Research marks launch of Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30, a fully synthetic car engine oil approved for use by BMW and Mercedes-Benz
  • Drivers understand engine oil helps their vehicle but do not know it can help them save money on driving costs
  • New Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 is designed specifically with potential fuel savings and efficiency in mind

 

LONDON,  2012 – Checking oil ranked highest in the activities we’re willing to do on our own, over and above a number of everyday activities. New research commissioned by Mobil 1 has found that more Brits are confident checking the oil in their car than making beans on toast.

 

This research comes as Mobil 1 launch its latest synthetic car engine oil, Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30, with BMW and Mercedes-Benz approval. The research also shows that Brits are increasingly looking to cut motoring costs as the economic climate gets tougher, with over a fifth of drivers cutting their mileage by as much as 2,500 miles each in 2011.

 

However, it also seems that drivers are missing out on other easy cost-cutting measures, unaware that basic actions such as keeping engine oil topped up can reduce overall motoring costs, as only 6% of respondents recognised that using the correct engine oil prolongs the life of an engine.

 

“It is great to see that as a nation we are confident with checking car oil and we are surprised to see it beat so many everyday activities in terms of consumer confidence” said Dan McGoldrick, Field Marketing Advisor UK, Nordic and Benelux for ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialities, makers of Mobil 1. “Checking oil, especially in winter months, is essential to keep cars running smoothly, avoiding wear-and-tear and making sure your car runs as efficiently as possible – potentially saving you money on fuel and ensuring your motor is as confident on the road as you are in looking after it.”

Developed using the latest synthetic lubricant technology, Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 has the potential to improve fuel economy whilst optimising engine protection. Expertly engineered to help prolong the life and maintain the efficiency of emission systems in both diesel and petrol powered vehicles, it has gained approval from Mercedes-Benz1 and BMW2 for a range of models.

 

 

Mobil 1 top tips for saving money and keeping your motor in peak condition:

 

  • Choose the right oil for your car.
    • Using the correct engine oil can potentially improve fuel efficiency, provide valuable engine protection, and reduce wear and tear.
    • Mobil 1’s online “Which Oil” product selector – found at www.mobil.co.uk – helps drivers find the correct engine oil to optimise their vehicle’s performance.
    • Simply insert the vehicle registration number and ‘Which Oil’ identifies the most appropriate engine oil.

 

  • Talk to your service representative about the “health” of your engine and the motor oil they use during maintenance checks.
    • Service representatives are your vehicle’s “doctor”, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about the benefits of different oils and how to keep an engine running smoothly.

 

  • Keep a 1 litre container of engine oil in the boot
    • Maintaining the proper level of engine oil and lubricant is essential to the protection and efficiency of a vehicle.
    • A one litre container of oil is a cost effective way of maintaining an engine between regular maintenance checks.

 

What Recession? How Biomedical Device Companies Thrived in a Bad Economy

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New Study Reveals the Secrets to this Industry’s Success during an Economic Downturn

The biomedical devices industry grew, invested, and prospered from 2007 to 2009, flouting an overwhelming trend that saw many of the world’s largest companies collapse during the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. How did they do it? A new analysis of this industry from WTP Advisors, the global tax and business advisory firm, reveals three key traits that helped recession-proof the top independent biomedical device makers around the world, and determines whether or not their success is sustainable over the long-term.

The study is published in the current online edition of the biomedical industry journal MD+DI.

“In short, our study shows that the best of biomedical device makers succeed by making very little, very well, for sale at very high prices,” says lead author, Yair Holtzman, director at WTP Advisors and Global Life Sciences practice leader.

The authors looked at 25 of the top independent biomedical device makers worldwide[1] and analyzed their business strategies, financial results, marketing investment, product portfolios, and research and development to better understand what drove growth and profitability in a time of worldwide downturn.  They found three common characteristics shared by the most successful of the 25 firms that appeared to contribute to their growth during the recession, and are still a factor today, including:

  • High Value-Added Manufacturing: Building advanced technology products in developed markets while adding a very high level of value to base costs has and will continue to do well for this sector.  For highly differentiated products sold as customized solutions, the U.S. and Europe have been great places to establish and grow businesses.
  • Increased Marketing Efforts: These companies continued to increase spend on marketing efforts during the Great Recession of the last couple of years (2008-2010).
  • Investment in Research & Development and New Products: The most successful biomedical device companies developed a robust pipeline of new products and R&D capabilities, which allowed them to navigate challenging times successfully. Even during the great recession they were increasing their R&D spend.

However, Holtzman warns, “Despite the unparalleled success of the biomedical device industry from a 10,000 foot view, our close study reveals operational fissures that, if left unchecked could threaten future growth.”

For instance, some firms, having grown through acquisition of start-ups and by purchasing of piece parts of organizations now have too many plants and too many labs to be efficient.

Holtzman believes that consolidation will be a key driver facilitating growth over the coming years and that companies should sweep up the collections of purchased parts and turn these businesses into coherent and focused companies in order to achieve maximum efficiency.

In the future, the industry review reveals that the big opportunity for the biomedical device business – one already being grasped by the best in the industry – will be to move beyond the sometimes bumpy revenue stream from selling things, and migrate to a business model focused on selling systems that provide a point of control and differentiation (through software) or that yield sustained revenues from related consumable products used in caring for patients.

“This is the kind of strategy that worked for King Gillette when his business first adopted the razor and blades model, and one that has also worked for IBM as it has migrated from a hardware business to one driven by sustained revenue streams from software and services,” Holtzman says.

Going forward, Holtzman concludes, biomedical device companies will need to demonstrate that a particular intervention improves a specific patient outcome and is more cost effective than existing alternative treatments available on the market.

WTP Advisors is a leader in tax and business advisory services for a global marketplace. Our highly skilled professionals equipped with years of industry experience, coupled with our cutting-edge technologies, make substantive and long-term differences to an organization’s profitability. WTP Advisors is headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., with offices across the Americas, Asia and Europe.

[1] The organizations that were examined in this analysis include:  Abbott Labs, Alcon, B. Braun, Baxter, Beckman Coulter, Becton, Dickinson, Biomet, Inc., Boston Scientific, C R Bard, Inc., CareFusion, Covidien, Danaher, Fresenius Medical Care, Getinge AB-B, Hospira, Medtronic, Smith & Nephew, Inc., St. Jude Medical, Stryker, Synthes, Terumo, Tornier, Varian Medical, Wright Medical, Technology, and Zimmer Holdings.

 

SOURCE WTP Advisors

Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award – A sneak preview at the work of the finalists!

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 The finalists of the Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award have been announced and we have the winning sketches that are taking this year’s hottest new designers to FS2012!

 

Now entering its 20th year, the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show is a professionally run and high achieving student organisation, which is passionate about both fundraising and fashion. It is currently the largest student-run charity fashion show in the UK. FS2012 will take place on 25th February and will showcase young design talent alongside big fashion brands and as official jewellery partner of this year’s show, Swarovski will adorn models with pieces from its couture jewellery collection, Atelier Swarovski.

 

Nadja Swarovski commented, “The St Andrews Charity Fashion show has a long history of promoting both young and established design talent, which is in keeping with Swarovski’s commitment to supporting creative industries. As a patron I am delighted to be a part of this exciting event which also benefits such a deserving cause as the Muir Maxwell Trust.”

 

FS 2012 are working this year with the Muir Maxwell Trust (MMT), a charity that supports the 70,000 children in the UK with epilepsy and their families. Established in 2003 by Ann and Jonny Maxwell, the Trust is named after the Maxwell’s 14 year old son, Muir, who is profoundly damaged by a severe form of epilepsy that began in infancy.

 

The Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award will function as a platform for UK-based new and emerging young designers. In conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of our show, it will combine the authority of well-known designers with the flare of the country’s best student design talent both on the catwalk and throughout our campaign.

 

The recipient of the Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award will receive:

 

  • The Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award 2012
  • £1000 in prize money, courtesy of Alfa Romeo
  • The opportunity to design a fashion line, worth £500, in support of our chosen charity: The Muir Maxwell Trust
  • Exclusive feature and spread in The FS Magazine, with over 7,000 online readers.

The 2011 judging panel included the PPQ design duo, Amy Molyneaux & Percy Parker, as well as Britain’s Next Top Model Winner, Alex Evans.

Brits would rather share meal with Stephen Fry than Hollywood stars

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Brits would rather share meal with Stephen Fry than Hollywood stars

* Stephen Fry most popular well-travelled celebrity to share a meal with
* Italian food is British people’s favourite foreign cuisine
* Half of Britons say food is important factor when choosing holiday destination

A new survey by Intrepid Travel has found that more people would like to share a meal with TV presenter Stephen Fry than with Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie or George Clooney.

When asked to choose from a list of well-travelled celebrities, Stephen Fry was the most popular person to share a meal with (15%), followed by Frozen Planet presenter Sir David Attenborough (11%) and adventurer Michael Palin (9%). Just one in 20 people said they’d most like to share a meal with Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie or George Clooney (both 5%). Three times as many people chose Jamie Oliver compared with Gordon Ramsay (6% and 2% respectively).

The poll, which was carried out for the small group travel specialist by YouGov, found that although Chicken Tikka Masala may be thought to be the nation’s favourite dish, Italian food is British people’s favourite foreign cuisine, with one in six (17%) saying it’s their top choice.

Italian was voted the most popular cuisine among 18 to 34 year-olds*, Indian cuisine is the top choice for 35 to 44 year-olds**, while 45 and overs are more patriotic in their choice of meal and most likely to favour British food***.

Almost half of those surveyed who have been on holiday abroad (47%) said that the local cuisine is very or fairly important when choosing their holiday destination abroad. But although almost 9 in 10 with a favourite cuisine (87%) have eaten it in a restaurant, and 8 in 10 have cooked it at home, less then four in ten (38%) have eaten their favourite cuisine in a restaurant in the country that it comes from.

Within the UK, Londoners are the most likely to seek out the most authentic food they can find when travelling, eating from street stalls and markets whenever possible (18%), while Scots are the most likely to stick to Western chain restaurants or familiar cuisines (15%).

“It’s refreshing to hear that British people would rather share a meal with someone famed for their great wit and conversation, than with a Hollywood heartthrob,” says Rebecca McKernan, Manager at the Intrepid My Adventure Store.

“Sharing a meal is a great way to get to know people, their tastes and their culture. That’s why eating in family-run restaurants, local markets and people’s homes features so highly on Intrepid’s itineraries. Whether your favourite cuisine is Italian or Indian, Mexican or Malaysian, you haven’t tasted it at its authentic best until you’ve enjoyed it in the country where it comes from,” adds McKernan.

Throughout February, Intrepid Travel is offering 15% off gastronomic tours in more than 15 countries known for their fabulous cuisine, from India to Vietnam, Sri Lanka to Mexico, as well as destinations closer to home including Italy, Spain and France.

The discounted trips showcase global food at its most authentic, with cooking classes, street food and local markets featuring prominently on many of the itineraries. Trips can be booked at www.intrepidtravel.com/deliciousdiscoveries.