Industry News January 2008
Award-winning chef leads keynotes at Confex
Jean-Christophe Novelli, Michelin and 5AA Rosette award-winning chef, is to present a keynote speech at this year’s International Confex 2008, the events industry exhibition taking place at London’s Earl’s Court on 12-14 February. Coffee Republic founder Sahar Hashemi and Fast Future leader Rohit Talwar will also feature as part of the keynote line up.
The first day of Confex will see events industry futurist and award-winning speaker Rohit Talwar highlight the critical challenges faced in the future of the meetings and events industry and present practical ideas on how to respond in innovative ways.
Jean-Christophe Novelli will speak on the second day, offering an inspirational view on how, in this increasingly competitive environment, catering and creativity can deliver success to an event.
Finally, on the third day Sahar Hashemi will give a fascinating insight into how she, along with her brother, founded Coffee Republic and built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high-street brands.
Commenting on the speakers, Duncan Reid, event director at International Confex, said: “This is a great line up and it underlines the growing profile of business experts that are engaging with our industry. Each speaker has a different insight into our industry and we want both exhibitors and visitors to benefit from their knowledge. We look forward to welcoming them to the show.”
Kerry Katona to be dropped from Iceland advertising
Kerry Katona, the former popstar now better known for her lifestyle excesses, has lost her contract as the spokeswoman for supermarket chain Iceland, which will not be renewed when it comes to an end in March.
The Daily Mirror reports that the former Atomic Kitten singer is being dropped because of repeated controversies and because the ads have been so widely criticised.
The Iceland campaign is built around the slogan: "That’s why mums go to Iceland". Katona, a one-time "mother of the year" was seen as an ideal representative for the brand following her success when she won "I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here" in 2004.
However, Katona has been criticised for smoking and drinking while she is pregnant, and has also been forced to deny claims that she takes class-A drugs. Tabloids recently ran stories about her fighting with her mother-in-law, and she made headlines following an interview on GMTV in which she seemed somewhat worse for wear.
The Iceland campaigns are made by Salford-based Tom Reddy Advertising. Other celebrities to have been roped in to join Katona in campaigns are Jason Donovan, who won "I’m a Celebrity" in 2006, and TV host Coleen Nolan.
Iceland’s ’I’m a Celebrity’ idents were named turkey of the week by Campaign magazine and the whole campaign made the magazine’s list of worst celebrity advertising.
Although the campaigns have been widely panned, research by Marketing magazine has shown that the ads have incredibly high recall.
One spot, where Katona promoted roasting joints that could be cooked from frozen, had the second-highest recall of any ad shown during a yearlong period.
Iceland marketing director Nick Canning told the Mirror: "It is clear we have been hiring different staff including Jason Donovan and Coleen Nolan over Christmas. I’m not sure what contract we will be able to offer."
ABPCO announces 2008 conference programme
Planning for the Future is the theme of the 2008 Conference of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) which will take place at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead from 24-26 January.
Harnessing the full potential of event technology, maximising web marketing, tendering for business, and making exhibitions a genuine profit centre are just some of the topics to be addressed by the conference speakers and delegates.
“We are anticipating a record attendance at our 2008 conference,” commented Lesley Maltman, ABPCO Chair and managing director of MCI Belfast. “We believe the programme offers something of interest for all our members, whether independent or in-house PCOs. It’s deliberately designed to encourage active participation in the formal conference sessions, combined with a great social programme to maximise networking opportunities. Newcastle Gateshead has proved to be a very supportive and welcoming destination, and delegates will experience a number of its attractions over the three days.”
Gyro International acquires healthcare PR agency
Integrated agency Gyro International has acquired specialist healthcare PR firm hsdcommunications for an undisclosed sum.
Hsdcommunications was formed in 1998 and represents companies in the complementary healthcare, over-the-counter and prescription medicine industry. It has an annual turnover of £2m and employs 20 people.
Gyro International, which handles client work for Sony, Oracle, American Express and Virgin Atlantic, said the acquisition would strengthen its presence in the healthcare sector.
Gyro also acquired healthcare marketing agency Woolley Pau for an undisclosed sum in November; biochemical industry marketing communications company Cicero in March; and brand communications specialists Dowell Stubbs in July.
It is understood that hsdcommunications will be fully integrated into Gyro International’s global marketing platform. The business will retain its current client list.
Gary Brine, chief executive officer of Gyro International, said: "Healthcare is a key market for Gyro, and this latest acquisition completes the picture for us in terms of the solution we can provide."
Banquets for 2008
The Pharaohs’ Palace, the exclusive hospitality facility at the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition, The O2.
Tutankhamun Hospitality has announced three new dates in 2008 for its popular shared evening, The Pharaohs’ Banquet. The Pharaohs’ Banquet will be hosted once a month in the beautiful Egyptian themed hospitality suite adjacent to the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition at The O2.
The new dates are Tuesday 19th February, Tuesday 11th March, and Tuesday 15th April.
The Pharaohs’ Banquet is a shared evening catering for those who wish to entertain smaller groups in the stunning Pharaohs’ Palace. The evening includes a champagne reception upon arrival, a sumptuous Egyptian themed buffet with beer and wine included and a private viewing of the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.
Bookings are available for groups of two or more, with private tables for those hosting a table of ten. Already interest is proving to be high for the new nights.
Prices for the Pharaohs’ Banquet start at £259 +VAT per head.
Simon Gillespie, CEO of Tutankhamun Hospitality attributes the popularity of the shared evenings to those clients who want to enjoy the hospitality experience at the Exhibition but with a smaller group of guests. “Many clients have commented on the stunning surrounds and enjoy being able to view the exhibition at leisure with a select group of clients or colleagues”.
After a successful launch in November, the first Pharaohs’ Banquet shared night for 2008 on January 16th is now sold out.
