Summer is coming!

As most of the UK would probably agree, the weather this week has left much to be desired, with the previous sunny spell feeling like a very distant memory, that is... until today! We've definitely got that Friday feeling as the sun has been shining gloriously all day over beautiful Ely, casting a warm glow over the Cathedral. Here at Atom the unexpected sunshine was very much welcomed, along with a brand new client, The Gypsy Caravan Company. 

 A small family run business, The Gypsy Caravan Company hand build beautiful, fun and practical Gypsy caravans. A delightful feature in any garden or meadow, these statement caravans are quite unlike conventional garden buildings. We are very pleased to be representing The Gypsy Caravan Company, where all of their beautiful images of their Reading-style caravans, Children’s caravans, and resorted vintage bow-tops can be found high-res at www.atomeyes.co.uk

 Along with a new client, many of our current clients have also brought out new products ready for summer, be sure to take a look at our AtomOnline Image Library, for all the latest in client imagery, including Ingarden’s innovative new selection of furniture for 2012; choose from retro mango wood and steel dining sets, PU leather look outdoor sofa's, nautical driftwood tables and even very cool illuminated fibreglass furniture, sculptures and accessories! We particularly like the champagne/wine cooler. 

Garden Art Plus, another fresh new client to Atom have a great range of antique garden ornaments; boasting a selection of urns, statues, benches, tables, birdbaths, sundials, fountains, stone troughs and staddle stones which are all sourced from around the country.

Roger's taking the plunge!

So this weekend saw some amazing efforts around the country to raise money for Sport Relief. So many people got involved for this amazing charity which helps people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries. It goes a long way too. From transforming the lives of people in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, or those living with poor mental or physical health, to protecting street children and providing life-saving healthcare abroad.  

The Sport Relief Mile was a huge success and saw more than a million people get involved bringing the current fundraising total to £52,070,587. Celebrities got involved on mass with various challenges for example, Freddie Flintoff's challenge to beat 12 world records within 12 hours which he smashed and actually beat 14 world records! These included fastest time to high-five 20 people blindfolded (in 6.53 seconds); Most people popping party poppers (420); Most peas eaten with a cocktail stick in 30 seconds (38); Most kisses in 30 seconds (40).

Our local celeb, Roger Illsley, loves getting involved with these good causes (we all saw the moustache) and this time is no different. Unfortunately he missed the chance to take part in the Sport Relief Mile but is gearing himself up for the Big Splash Mile which is pretty much the same idea... Just in water. As they say, 'Missed out on the mile? Take the plunge now!' Now's your chance to get involved, with charities like this a little really does go a long way so loosen those purse strings and sponsor Roger for his Big Splash Mile here. 

In the spirit of charitable giving Griffin Glasshouses have been selected by The National Garden Scheme (NGS) to offer an exclusive new collection of free standing glasshouses. This collection represents excellent value for money, features beautiful design and the NGS receives 5% of the proceeds from the sale of every glasshouse in this collection. Included are 5 designs which can be personalised with a range of accessories and made in any colour. To find out more about the NGS visit their website here.

Spring in our step

With a noticeable improvement in the weather and the nights getting a little lighter, it’s a great time to reflect on the year gone, but also to be looking forward to all the delights Spring brings with it. We’ve seen many positive news stories recently, which is a real boost for morale. The 101^st International Women’s day was celebrated by many across the globe yesterday with initiatives, events and news creating a real media buzz, and a top ‘trending’ theme on Twitter. Social media was marked as an essential key in spreading awareness, with our own Prime Minister, David Cameron, marking the day with calls to eliminate violence against girls and women using social media initiatives to change and improve lives. Celebrity supporters for the day include singer-songwriter and We are Equals activist Annie Lennox, Avon Foundation advocate Reese Witherspoon and OXFAM supporters Helena Christensen and Kristin Davis.

 

In other positive news, the marketing group, WPP has reported a surge of more than 18% in pre-tax profits for 2011 to break the £1bn mark for the first time. With Martin Sorrell, WPP, stating that: “The group's 26th year was a record year on virtually whatever measure you are to name… This record performance was achieved in difficult circumstances, particularly in the second half of the year." While we are still in the early quarter of 2012, it’s a great boost to hear companies are not only starting to do well, but are smashing records. Read more about the WPP story here.

Here at Atom, as well as having a great selection of products ready for Spring issues, we’re also proud to report that many of our clients are also going from strength to strength. Eurostove have announced that they are branching into the European market. Continuing their expansion becoming exclusive distributors in France, Spain and Portugal of the already well established UK brand of Scandinavian wood burning stoves, ‘Westfire’, with plans to also expand the European coverage of their own brand, ‘Mendip’ stoves. Any of our followers in France can look forward to seeing the range exhibiting under the name Eurostove SAS at the ‘Foire de Paris’ show: 28^th April - 8^th May. And in St Etienne at the ‘Salon Bois Energie’: 22^nd -25^th March.

Go Get ‘em Tiger

London Zoo is hosting an event tonight to raise money for Tiger SOS. Some very brave (or very stupid…) people, including Daisy’s zookeeper sister, Grace, will be taking on the challenge of walking over hot coals, all in aid of a great cause. Tiger SOS is a campaign to raise money for ZSL’s tiger conservation work in Sumatra as well as developing a new Conservation Headquarters right in the heart of central London.

 
The tiger is desperately endangered throughout its range and its future is in our hands. Over the last decade the wild tiger population has been decimated, with a massive 95% drop in numbers. ZSL’s aims are to raise £4 million to save the Sumatran tiger. Plans include developing a state-of-the art Tiger Conservation Headquarters in the centre of London at ZSL London Zoo. Its purpose is to inspire support and a lifeline of funds for their tiger conservation work in Indonesia and other key tiger ranges.

A huge amount of money has already been raised, but further efforts and support are still needed. Tonight’s fire-walking event will see participants attending a 'Nothing is impossible' seminar, where they will learn to face their fears and attempt to walk over burning hot coals in the London Zoo grounds… if, like me, you have a more ‘rather them than me’ attitude towards putting bare flesh to hot embers, don’t fear, you can still play your part in support by putting your hands in your pockets and donating to this worthy cause. Daisy’s sister’s just giving page can be found here. At time of publishing Grace has already raised £360.00, keep it coming!

Spectators are welcome on the night, with gates opening at 5:30pm. More information can be found about the event, and the Tiger SOS campaign here.

A Great British Knees Up

This year is a pretty special year for Britain, with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June just a month before the opening of the London Olympics in July. The tube will be rammed, the streets will be busy and taxi’s will be extortionately priced but regardless of all this, what a fantastic summer it will be. Everywhere will buzz with the confusion of lost tourists, the excitement of sports fans and/or royalists. On top of all of this there will be an immense feeling of unity, not only within our own community but throughout the entire world.

It’s a time to really show off what talent Britain has to offer, I think Adele managed to kick start this on Sunday evening at the Grammy Awards by winning 6 awards and irrefutably giving one of the most moving yet infallible performances of the night, just weeks after throat surgery.

It’s not only music that the British can be proud of; we should also take note of the great designers that to this day are still recognised as pioneers in their industry. Namely the great Thomas Crapper, whose designs are still kept alive and known as the world’s most authentic period style sanitaryware. Another is H&E Smith known for their traditional techniques, coupled with an inherently skilled work force, these expertise is what lead to their presence within a vast re-furbishment programme by the London Underground.

And a little on the business side… Just two days ago the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) issued a positive * forecast with growth in UK manufacturing and professional services having been encouraging in recent months. Their report forecasts that as well as increased business investments, net trade will continue to provide the most positive contributions to growth with UK exports expected to increase by 4.3 per cent in 2012 and 6.4 per cent in 2013. 

The British love a good knees-up and I imagine this summer will just be one big party rolling into the next.

For a further read on this subject the Editor of Elle Decoration, Michelle Ogundehin, explores some fascinating views on her blog.

*Source CBI PressRelease 13th Feb 2012 entitled 'Growth will restart in 2012'

The Power of Print Media

To follow on from our last blog I think it's appropriate to bring to light a recent Mintel report that shows how people are still very fond of 'traditional' print media.

Richard Cope discussed at 'The InternationalContent Summit 2011' how, what is often dubbed as, 'slow media' is still going strong. Some of the main points of his presentation were:

• 71% of people say they prefer to read a printed magazine than the online version.
• Time is the new privacy and slow is the new opportunity for publishers.
• 42% of people consume print for long journeys.
• 1/5 adults would buy a print subscription if it included free access to exclusive online content.

Many people argue these days that with the rise of social media, print media is becoming somewhat redundant but with the above stats they couldn't be more wrong. Everyone loves to sit down, with a cup of tea and flick through their favourite magazine, it's safe to say it's definitely one of the perks of working in PR for the home interest sector! Subcriptions are also still so popular, and why wouldn't they be? It's lovely to have your favourite magazine posted through your door every month, many people will keep older copies as either a coffee table read or sometimes as collectables.

For further information and if you'd like to read the full report (maybe over a cup of tea!) click here.

The Power of Social Media

Happy Friday everyone!

We thought we'd kick your weekend off to a nice start with a follow up story from our last post.

So you all read about the lost dog, Digger, and hopefully some of you got the chance to see the Facebook group set up by the owners. Well, soon after the, what started out small, social media campaign was launched both Facebook and Twitter were absolutely buzzing with sightings and news of this furry pup! Word spread and by the same evening people around the Cambridge area were trawling up and down the A10 (where Digger was last seen) looking for the dog. And, the good news we'd all been waiting for, he was found!

The Facebook group is still going now, helping other people find their lost dogs and raise awareness for lost dogs in other parts of the country.

The main factors that went into the finding of one families beloved dog were:

• A Facebook group (set up by the owners)
• An article within the local paper (written by an impartial journalist)
• And a few announcements on the local radio stations

Which goes to show how important social media is when compiling a successful marketing campaign.

I wonder who will play us in the film...?