Jason Capra writes: “Is it me or does everyone seem to be running these days? I love running and have been running for a while now but I remember when running used to be the preserve of elitist running clubs and solitary specialists / masochists / geeks running the streets almost embarrassed to admit to running – it certainly wasn’t cool or glamorous to run. This niche sport was perfectly brought to life in one of my favourite adverts of all time – Dave Dye’s ‘Just to the Lampost’ for adidas. Not only is it beautifully art directed but gave great insight and understanding into the mind and endurance a runner goes through.
These days, running is now a populist sport which can only be a good thing, especially if you are to believe the government that we are a nation of obsessed TV watching, video gaming overweight consumers.
Maybe the rise can be attributed to my theory that people are getting rid of their gym memberships to save money and turning to other avenues to get fit? Yes the weather is helping, but I think the rise of runners over the last decade can largely be attributed to the marketing dollars thrown at this sport by a well known American sports brand – Nike. Essentially, Nike has brought running to the masses. It is now cool and socially acceptable to run.
With running, all you need is a pair of decent running shoes, a pair of shorts and t-shirt and off you go. Running around Wandsworth and Clapham Common over the weekend, it seemed the majority of Claphamites appeared to be sponsored by Nike – bling trainers, big swooshes emblazoned across their shirts or iPods attached to their arm, no doubt connected to Nike+.
Events such as Nike 10k and Nike North vs South, became talking points over the water cooler at work. And when Nike created Nike+, Nike Run to the Beat and teamed up with pop artists such as Ellie Goulding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=236C14UBvcU Nike has taken running to a whole new level making it cool, fashionable and populist.
With all this talk of running, I am now finally motivated to don my running kit and head out for a 5K… in my blue Nike t-shirt and shorts of course.
Bank Holiday fans, listen up. It’s nearly the weekend. It’s a four-day weekend. That means Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday you could get on it. But then why would you, when you’re planning on coming to our joyous mid-week Jubilee Beano? Oh yes. It’s a massive tear-up, but we’re also hoping to raise money for our maternity ward building project in Mali. The money we raise this week will go towards finishing this project. And if you want to see what that looks like in bricks and mortar, then check out the pics of the first building, which has just been completed. Your money will help to construct the second one.
Think of this. You could come to our party at Village Underground, buy a raffle ticket or bid for something in the auction and help to save a life. You may even get some quality guff for your efforts. If you can’t come and still fancy donating, then please visit the link below. See you this Wednesday from 7pm. If not, we’d love a donation here. Thanks friends. http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/queensdiamondjubilee
I am not a massive royalist, but I defy anyone to not feel a tiny bit patriotic with the amount of celebrations taking place in the coming week. In case it has somehow escaped you, this weekend is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and marks the Queen’s 60th year on the throne, and the whole country will erupt into an explosion of red, white and blue bunting. 60 years in any one job deserves a party and by giving us an extra day off to nurse the hangover, I have become quite fond of the Old Dear.
There seems to be a real momentum and passion behind Cool Britannia at the moment. In an average British summer we might get one event such as Wimbledon (and the Chelsea Flower Show) and a whole host of festivals but this Summer we have Euro 2012, Wimbledon, International Test Cricket, and best of all the Olympics, being staged in our very own country. And we got that against the odds. We have just had our best football season ever culminating with an English team winning the Champion’s League (although gutted my beloved Spurs did not qualify as a result) and as usual we came second to last in the Eurovision song contest which is strangely reassuring… the build-up and sense of patriotism reminds me of one of my favourite ads for Blackcurrant Tango (look out for the Harrier Jump Jets at the end – nice touch). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opCecHAjzeQ
Not one to pass an opportunity for a party, we are throwing our very own Jubilee Party on Wednesday, with all proceeds going to support our efforts to build a maternity ward in Mali. And you are invited! Judging by the last legendary party we hosted, this is going to be a right Royal rave-up.
In the latest of theatre pairings by the innovative Royal Court Theatre, which supports young playwrights, they’ll be bringing theatre to the Bussey Building in Peckham. Two plays, Belong and Vera Vera Vera will run consecutively from May through to July. Punters will be charged a £10 set ticket fee in advance or to ‘Pay What You Like on the Day’. The Bussey Building has a long and chequered history including arms manufacturing and, if rumour is to believed, a more recent stint as an underground sex club. Its planned demolition was thwarted by the community group Peckham Vision and the CLF Art Café and its future as a cultural hub of South London secured. Vive les Arts!
Kirsty Wear writes: Brilliantly British is how I’d sum up my favourite article of the week, where the former Guinness Book of Records holder for the largest collection of Royal memorabilia and now tearoom patron, sparked a media storm by throwing out customers who refused to stand during a rendition of God Save the Queen.
Jules Coetzee writes: Our regular boardroom art installation has been refreshed to feature the photos of Henrik Knudsen. This particular exhibition features a selection of famous film locations, dubbed – unsurprisingly – On Location.
We’ve got 24 of the fellas hanging up in the office with a small competition to identify as many as possible over the exhibition’s duration. The prize is a bag of meat – chops, ribs, a salami.
To get you started, in case you come to the office, you can see the till from Clerks and a famous set of steps from The Exorcist below. They’re the less easier offerings, so why not check out the portfolio at Henrik’s website. You just need to click over here.
Jules Coetzee writes: Shilo Shiv Suleman has dreamt up an interactive iPad book that unites technology with the magic of imagination.
While children typically rely on films and animation for entertainment these days, the Koya app aims to get them out of their room and into dreamland. It’s a storytelling device that connects people and uses sound and touch to enhance their curiosity and creative power. Treat yourself to the TED video.
Our latest TV ad for Sky Sports launched this weekend. Profiling this unique summer of sporting joy, it features some of Britain’s best sporting heroes as they prepare for their events.
Shot by Ivan Bird and our very own Harris, the spot was conceived by Ivan, Sky Creative Director Barry Skolnick and our good selves.
Another fine performance by all those involved. Not least the fine athletes who feature in this film. Enjoy.
Bravo to our friends at Sky Sports who were named Sport Brand of the Year at the annual Sport Industry Awards ceremony this week. They beat fellow contenders Manchester City Football Club and talkSPORT to the coveted title.
The award highlights how Sky Sports has developed from a fledgling sports broadcaster into a partner and major investor in grassroots and top-flight sport.
Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis received the award from Ryder Cup-winning golfer Paul McGinley and former Formula One star Mark Blundell. Nice work, people.
Elliot Harris writes: “Everything about this project says the people involved loved doing it. It’s beautifully designed, functional, simple and will be re-visited many many times. It pays homage to one of the great heroes of the British music scene with an unfussy approach I’m sure he would have approved of.
So well done the Arts Council for making it possible. What a legacy to leave. It will only get better and better, the more people interact with it. Im very jealous I wasn’t part of the making of that love but I’ll be showing it lots in the future either way.”
