We helped our client Tava Tea make a real splash this week when the product was featured on the front page of the Sunday Express newspaper.

More than one million readers were told of the tea's amazing weight loss properties and how celebs including Victoria Beckham and Oprah Winfrey  were fans of its ingredients. The story appeared over pages one and three under the headlines "Super slimming tea causes a stir" and "Wonder brew which helps weight loss".

Making the front page was a great start to our campaign for Tava Tea and sales on the product's website www.WeightlossTea.com went through the roof.

Tava's Dutch based director Tim Thurlings emailed us to say: "Amazing work achieved so far!! This short period of time and such amazing results!! The future looks bright and sunny! Up for an amazing branding campaign! Let Tava Tea be all over the media, and let´s take over the competition completely .  Thank you for your hard work, I really appreciate it."

 

England's lacklustre performance in the World Cup has led many football fans to call for the resignation of manager Fabio Capello. Those calling for him to fall on his sword claim the Italian stuck doggedly to a losing formula and refused to change his tactics even though things clearly weren't working.

Capello is like a business manager who continues to spend money on advertising every month for little or no return. In today's multi-media world consumers are far more savvy then they used to be. The public aren't stupid and they know an ad when they see one (even if it's pretending to be editorial). They also know that ads don't mean very much - anyone can claim their product is great if they buy the advertising space.

That's why more consumers than ever make purchasing choices based on editorial coverage. It's these endorsements that really are the ultimate word of mouth for businesses. Gaining editorial coverage for clients across all media, TV, digital and print, is what we do.

As a form of communication PR is more popular than ever (sector growth 8% year on year according to Marketing magazine - compared to a continual decline for advertising). PR is particularly effective for small and medium sized enterprises who lack the advertising budget of the Coca-Colas and McDonalds of this world. So if advertising isn't working for you don't be like Fabio - try something different.

 

Our clients have enjoyed some terrific national media attention during the past few weeks. The Mail on Sunday featured Timmp founder Marcel Gashi on 13 June, The Daily Express featured ArtsBowl.com today and The Star on Sunday featured Armitage Pet Care Products in their colour supplement Take 5.

London PR remain the only agency to fully guarantee national media coverage for clients. Please click here for more details.  

Above: ArtsBowl.com in today's Daily Express

Above: Armitage Pet Care in the Star's Take 5 magazine

Above: The Mail on Sunday feature Timmp in their business pages

They've been the pooch of choice for IT girls like Paris Hilton for years. Now a UK firm is searching for a tiny dog with a big personality to model for a new marketing campaign.

 

Armitage Pet Care Products, the UK's leading maker of toys for dogs, is looking for a tiny animal to show off their latest range of 1970s style retro pet toys.

 

The company behind the well known Good Boy range, has just launched two new products, the Lob it! Space Lobber and the Lob it! Torpedo and needs a miniscule mutt to model with the toys.

 

It is asking pet owners throughout Britain to send in pics of their tiny hounds if they think they could have the X factor needed.

 

The IT Girl's favourite dog - the Chihuahua - is expected to feature amongst the entries but the competition is open to any lovable dog - as long as it's small.

 

The chosen dog will win a year's supply of Good Boy Choc Drops and will live like an IT Girl's dog for a day - including pampering, being read stories and dining on gourmet dog food.

 

Product manager Andrew Tyers said: "They say that models can be bitchy and in this case that could certainly be true. Our model could be either a dog or a bitch.

 

"Our toys are for dogs of all shapes and sizes but we think it will make a fun image to have a tiny dog try out the Lob it! Space Lobber and Lob it! Torpedo for size.

 

"We are looking for a very special pocket sized pooch to model the toys. The winning dog will have to have boundless energy and a huge personality.

 

"Both toys are reminiscent of the 1970s and bring out the nostalgia in pet owners while at the same time letting their dogs have great fun."

 

If you think your dog could have what it takes please send in a photo of the dog along with his or her name, address and contact details to dogmodel@armitages.co.uk  

 

To find out more about the new toys please visit www.armitages.co.uk/goodboy

 

ENDS

 

More & images:

 

Steve McComish

London PR Agency

0207 193 0566

steve@LondonPRagency.com

www.LondonPRagency.com

 

Want a snappy press release but can't afford to hire a PR agency? Give us a call on 020 7193 0566 - we're not as expensive as you think! Of course if your budget is non-existant you could always have a bash at doing it yourself. Here are our ten top tips for creating a snappy press release...


1. Forget the title - that can be added at the end. Too many people agonise over a title but it's the least important part of the release. More important by far is the intro. Every press release starts with an intro - this is the first paragraph which has to summarise the whole story. Think carefully about what you want to say. What are your key messages?

2. Next identify your top line. Think how you would boil it down to one sentence if you were telling a friend in the pub or on the phone.

3. Write it down in just one sentence - 30 words is the absolute limit. If you can get it down to less than 20 that's even better.

4. Never start an intro with a name. If you want to go in with a name stick an adjective or some description in front of it.

Example: Instead of, "John Smith has launched a new company selling widgets." you could write, "Former fridge salesman John Smith has launched a new company selling widgets."
Or perhaps, "Dad of two John Smith has launched a new company selling widgets."

5. The next few paragraphs should expand on the intro. Why has John Smith started his new company? What is different and exciting about it?

Keep it simple and tell it straight - no jokes and don't try to be too clever.

6. This part of the release should include details such as John's age and where he comes from - don't use street just the name of the town or the suburb if he lives in a city. All names MUST be correctly spelt.

7. Once the facts have been told it's time to go into quotes. Run in with a line of indirect speech before opening quotes on the next paragraph.

Example:
John said the new company was his first attempt at running his own business.

He said: "I have always wanted to be my own boss but I have never found the right opportunity until now."

8. As in the above example keep every paragraph throughout the release to just one sentence. This will make the release read quickly and will increase its chances of publication.

9. Use action words where possible particularly towards the top. Example - instead of, "John hopes to attract customers with a ten per cent off all new widgets offer this month."

You could write: "Keen John has slashed his prices by ten per cent in a bid to entice more new customers through his doors this month."

In the second version John isn't just HOPING (passive) he is taking action - SLASHING prices in a BID to ENTICE. Even the customers are taking action - by going through his doors.

10. Keep the whole thing to a maximum of 400 words. When you've finish go back and add your title - this will be much easier now the release is in front of you. At the bottom write ENDS then underneath write, "For more information and images call John smith on 0123 456789 or 0987 654321. Email address is also a good idea. Make sure you're contactable. Journalists will react quickly if they like your story. Good luck.

 

It was one of the most iconic toys of the 1970s – and now a new version of the Space Hopper has been launched exclusively for dogs.

 

Good Boy, the leading dog toy brand from Armitage Pet Care, has launched the product to ensure dogs don’t miss out on the trend for seventies nostalgia.

The new toy has been developed after Good Boy marketing manager Adam Jaggar bought a retro space hopper toy for his sons Jacob, four, and Ben, two.

 

Adam, who was born in 1974, said: “Like most of my generation I remember the seventies as a golden time of childhood innocence, groovy fashions and amazing toys.

 

“There were no cars on the road, instead everyone went to work on a Raleigh Chopper, there were only a couple of channels on the box and when you turned on the radio all you heard were ABBA and the Bay City Rollers.

 

“Kids in the seventies had a fantastic time and I wanted to recreate that for my own children so I was delighted when I spotted a retro Space Hopper in a toy store last year.

 

“I took two home and gave one each to my kids for Christmas. They loved it and had a wonderful time bouncing all over the house and garden.

 

“But then I saw the look on my dog, Sammy’s face. He looked devastated and I realised he was missing out. It was sad and I was sorry I’d forgotten him. Why shouldn’t dogs have fun too?”

 

Luckily, as the marketing manager of Good Boy, Adam was able to do something about the lack of a Space Hopper for dogs.

 

“We got cracking on developing a dog hopper, or a Space Lobber as we’ve called it, immediately.

 

“It took us a long time to get things right. The dogs struggled to hold on with their little paws and kept bouncing off the thing.

 

“But eventually we got it right. We have come up with the ultimate fun toy for dogs. I’m very proud of it.”

 

ENDS

 

More:

Steve McComish

The London PR Agency

0207 193 0566

steve@LondonPRagency.com

www.LondonPRagency.com

Our latest press release for slimming product Proactol has been picked up by several nationals.

Links to coverage and full press release below...

Daily Mail

Daily Telegraph

Daily Mirror

Times of India


Professional Couch Potato Required

Ever dreamt about getting paid for sitting around eating your favourite food? Now those dreams could become a reality for one lucky couch potato.

Leading weight loss aid Proactol is seeking a new team member with a big appetite to test the product’s fat binding properties.

The tester will be paid an annual salary of £23,750 simply for eating an extra 400 calories every day.

The position is open to both men and women and the successful applicant will have their calorific intake and weight closely monitored by medics. Job spec here.

A spokesman said: “Proactol Ltd is currently looking to grow their established team by hiring at a ‘professional couch potato’ to test their clinically proven natural fat binder in the real world.

“We know it’s incredible, but it’s true. We are willing to pay you £23,750 a year to continue doing EXACTLY what you do every single day, and all we ask in return is that you eat 16% more calories a week - or 400 more calories a day – whilst introducing Proactol into your diet.

“The ideal candidate should not already be on a diet but eat a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and be prepared to increase their existing calorie intake by 16% a week by eating fatty foods such as Chinese takeaways, fish and chips, pizza or McDonalds

“Essentially we want you to be yourself. No strings, no catches. At Proactol we are looking to hire the ultimate average Joe who isn’t afraid to eat more, be themselves and become a professional couch potato for a living.

“Your basic salary will be £23,750 a year and every day will feel like a holiday in this job as you will get paid to be you.”

The tester will help the company’s medical experts learn more about the health benefits of taking Proactol – which has been clinically proven to absorb up to 30% of fat intake.

After an initial in house monitoring period the successful applicant will be given the opportunity to work from home – with supplies being delivered to their door.

The spokesman added: “It’s the ultimate work from home job.”

To see the specification of this unique position in full go to www.proactol.co.uk/jobs.php, you can also apply on this page if this sounds like your perfect job.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Steve McComish

London PR Agency

020 7193 0566

steve@londonpragency.com

An online auction has attracted bidders from across the globe despite offering nothing more tangible than a “Great Idea”.

The eventual winner of the eBay lot will win a consultation with creative consultant Shed Simove – author of the bestselling memoir Ideas Man.
He will come up with a shortlist of five ideas for the winner and help them turn their favourite into a life changing reality.

Almost 300 people had viewed the item at the time of writing, and five had placed bids, including prospective purchasers in Australia and the Ukraine.
Bidding began at one pound but has already soared to £26 and there is plenty of time for more bids before the auction closes on Sunday afternoon.

The item is listed for sale in eBay’s “Anything else” category as simply, “One Great Idea, brand new, delivery included.”
In his listing for the item London-based Mr Simove, a successful entrepreneur, product designer and television producer, writes: “A great idea can enhance your life or business. Ideas have the power to do so much - they can move people, take you on incredible adventures or even make you rich.

“I have a proven track record of both thinking up highly successful ideas and also implementing them effectively. I've also written the best-selling book 'IDEAS MAN' which chronicles my true life stories of success (and failure) - and contains secrets for getting anything you desire.
Mr Simove adds that the winner of the item can use the idea in whatever way they see fit. The idea could take the form of a new business product, a truly original gift for a loved one, a new marketing strategy, a concept for a music video, a party theme for an event, a way to secure a dream job, or even something simple like what to have for lunch.

Speaking yesterday Mr Simove said he was looking forward to meeting the winner and making a real difference to their lives with his idea.
He said: “Ideas are the most valuable commodities in the world so why shouldn’t I sell one on eBay?
“It really doesn’t matter who wins or what kind of idea they require. A great idea is a great idea and I’m confident mine will make a real difference for someone out there.
“I think selling a “Great Idea” on eBay is a great idea. I’m amazed no one has had this idea before. The best ideas are often the most simple.”
ENDS
View the item here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item;=230445130702

More info:

Steve McComish
London PR Agency
steve@LondonPRagency.com
www.LondonPRagency.com

Bingo has moved upmarket with players now more likely to be called Miranda and Fiona than Joan or Betty.

The rise in online bingo has meant the game has shed its traditional chips and lager image as players no longer need to congregate in crowded bingo halls to get their fix of the game.

For the first year ever 2010 will see more players enjoy bingo in the comfort of their own homes than in all the clubs and bingo halls in Britain.

Now one of the UK’s leading sites, the 200,000 member OnlineBingoClub.co.uk, has revealed its top ten list of registered members first names.

Unsurprisingly all are female – with women still making up more than 90% of bingo players.

But more surprising is the prevalence of middle class Christian names, perhaps more associated with country pursuits then the joys of Housey Housey.

The most common registered names are:

1. Emma
2. Claire
3. Victoria
4. Helen
5. Sarah
6. Julie / Julia
7. Fiona
8. Emily
9. Miranda
10. Elizabeth / Liz / Betty

The site’s Rob Hutchison said: “It’s interesting to see how bingo players are changing. The game has really shed its traditional image and is becoming increasingly universal.”

ENDS


More:

Steve McComish
London PR Agency
steve@LondonPRagency.com
020 7193 0566
www.LondonPRagency.com

It's been a fantastic week for our client Darren Stanton.
Darren is well known in the Midlands as a psychic entertainer who also does some corporate work.
We have been working with him since November and have concentrated on his corporate offering, positioning him as "The human lie detector" and a leading consultant in corporate deception.
We felt his website, DarrenStanton.com, was "too spooky" and urged him to launch a new website, which clearly differentiated his corporate and psychic work.
He launched his brand new corporate site DarrenStanton.co.uk last Monday.
As soon as the site was live we offered him out as a lie detection expert to the tabloids.
Our timing was perfect - we hit just as Cheryl Cole announced her separation from her husband Ashley. The red tops had an appetite for a story about "How to spot a liar."
On Wednesday we won him coverage in The Sun (click here). The piece also went up online with a hyperlink to Darren's site here.
Today the story was picked up by the Daily Mail (Click here).
The coverage was worth easily £60,000 in advertising value equivalent terms.
Darren's new website enjoyed 360,000 unique visitors in the 24 hours following publication. Not bad for a site that had only been live a few days.
Yet another example of the awesome power of PR.