In light of the Fourth Plinth campaign by Antony Gormley I have had a media enlightenment!!!….or just a really bad idea that can only go one way.  There seems to be a good amount of unused Underground as well as other outdoor media spaces.  Instead of letting these go to waste why don’t we let the always creative public have a go.

What I am proposing is we can have all the ‘empty’ spaces bought up by one company (or rich person) and sold on the cheap to the public, Maybe £30-£50?  People can submit artwork, poems, thoughts, promotional events, model pictures, CVs, etc. (all approved beforehand).   These entries can then be allocated across stations and outdoor places.  I think as a parameter we should keep religion and politics out of this as people are unable to cope with the idea that people might have different ideas than them.

What would you put on a XTP, cross track, 6 sheet, or even the Colossus?

Sadly enough, I would put up a recruitment poster for my Rowing Club (Thames Rowing Club) for all those who are interests…and should join!

On Tuesday March 10th the Videogame BAFTA’s were held in Piccadilly.  These awards have been hosted by GAME, a nationwide retailer of…well…games, since 2003.  Ubisoft had two games amongst the star-studded list of nominees: Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia.

Assassin’s Creed was nominated for an astounding four awards:   Artistic Achievement, Original Score, Story & Character, and Technical achievement.  Prince of Persia was nominated for Action & Adventure.  Unfortunately neither game won but it says a lot for a game to even be nominated.  With all the games Ubisoft has for the upcoming year I imagine we shall have some good nominations for next year and possibly even some winners.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare lead all games with three awards, Story & Character, Gameplay, and the GAME award which was voted on by the public.

Until next year!

My first winter in London and we have the best (or worst depending on how pessimistic you are) snow storm in almost 20 years.  Growing up in Washington D.C., I am used to the city shutting down at the thought of snow so I was not too shocked when the public transportation took a vacation.  After a 2 hour ‘adventure’ into work that included a snow angel outside my tube station I managed to make it into work.  To get all ‘Media-y’ on you, this is a perfect time to do an underground take over because the dwell time is amazing.  While my face was plunged into a strangers armpit I was able read a surprising amount of tube ads.  Maybe the new thing is to plan outdoor advertising according to the weather???

At lunch time Matt and I decided to venture out into the wilderness of Bloomsbury Square to build Frosty the Snowman.  Armed with glasses, eyeballs, a nose, and buttons fashioned out of junk lying around our desks.  In order to get into the park we have to hop a fence (with encouragement from the local park authority).  We instantly start rolling snow into two enormous spheres which make the bottom and middle of frosty then with a quick construction he is built.  Our snowman even attracted the likes of several girls who were not in Uni that day.  Matt and I were very proud of Frosty and even had pictures taken with him and an assortment of other people in the park…see picture below.

On Thursday October 16th Matt (the man pictured in the ‘Mud Mud Glorious Mud’ blog below) and I were invited to a play-list meeting at the newly re-branded Absolute Radio office.

The idea behind these meetings is to sit down with several other members of the Absolute radio company and listen to selected tracks decide if it is a ‘hit, ‘miss’, or ‘maybe.’  Naturally, Matt and I went above and beyond what was expected of us.  Prior to arriving at the studio Matt and I decided to make a list of songs we would like to hear on the radio.  Our playlist quickly developed into an 80s power hour of music.  Our list ranged from Foreigners’ ‘Juke Box Hero’ down to The Thompson Twins’ ‘Hold Me Now.’

Upon our arrival we met with several members of the Absolute Radio staff that worked behind the scenes and received a small tour of where broadcasts occur, small live session are held, and found a guitar case full of sweets (my favorite part).  In our meeting there were five people other than us who work throughout the building but not directly with the music. 

Before I continue I must mention that I whipped out my page completely covered in names of artistes and tracks and handed it over to Ben Jones (one of the DJ personalities) who enjoyed our list and was going to give it a look over…

This play-list meeting required listening to six tracks and deciding what we thought.  We would have a little background information on the band and also discuss amongst ourselves what we thought of the sound of the song and what part of the day you would prefer to hear it. 

Overall it was an enjoyable experience and a valid reason to get out of the office on a Thursday afternoon.  Absolute radio is really taking on their new ad campaign (with the midget/dwarf in the T.V. commercials) and trying to find new artists as well as playing songs from our favorite artists that might be a little less known.  My favorite part of Absolute is the 80’s hour from 10-11am as well as the ‘no repeat guarantee.’  Now my ears are listening to Absolute during the work day in hopes to hear some to the more obscure songs that were on my playlist…
What are you initial thoughts on Absolute Radios new ad campaign of ‘Discover Real Music?’

This summer has shown a drastic rise in the number of summer music festivals and an ever growing list of great venues such as:

‘V’
Isle of white
Reading
Glastonbury
Bestival
Global Gathering

The growing number of companies willing to sponsor and advertise at these events has caused a rapid growth over the past few years.

Each summer brings a different experience.  Bestival was appropriately themed ‘under the sea’ this year as it was the wettest one ever.  Glastonbury is always a wash.  Matthew, a member of the Ubisoft team and pictured below, attended Bestival dressed as Scuba Steve from the movie Big Daddy.

What was your highlight of this year’s festivals that you have attended?

When we think of classic movies such as James Bond, Kill Bill, Rocky III, Star Wars, and Breakfast Club the movie and their theme song seem to go hand-in-hand.  Some we can sing and some we just think we can sing or hum.  Maybe it is a qualification for a movie to become such a classic.  Think of how many great movies that you can you think of that have a horrible theme song…not too many.

Is it an 80s thing?

 Or maybe it is just that the 80s were such a great time for both movies and music.  Being a child from the 80s and early 90s I am quite biased as to which era is the greatest.  As much as I love Ace of Base, I think Guns ‘N Roses have a slight advantage.

What do you think are the best theme songs (and their movies) of all time?

My #1 Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone AND Berlin - Take My Breath Away from Top Gun…..did you hear the rumors there might be a Top Gun 2???

While I listened to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” on the tube on my first day of work, I found myself happy to be returning to BJK&E.  Last summer I was fortunate enough to intern for them in an internship program I learned about through my university in the States.  Proudly named ‘the American intern’ last summer I was now a university graduate and returning as ‘the American ex-intern’ and could not be more excited about it.  No longer the intern, I was somehow more excited about being able to work longer hours and have more responsibility….I might be a glutton for pain.
      The great thing I’ve noticed about the media industry, and most likely the reason why I returned, was that everyone you work with is amazing.  Whether it is helping you understand something or being able to go out for a drink and be completely relaxed.  Then again, this just may be the difference between the American lifestyle and the British lifestyle.  I am American by the way……in case you missed that.  It might just be me but I feel that there are very few people who dislike working with media.  I imagine every person will say this about their industry, however, I can think of a few accountants who dislike their work but only work for the fact that they are earning a lot of money.  Does money really buy happiness?  I think it gives you options but not happiness.
      Anyways…..since I’ve been gone I have noticed: Facebook has changed its format, a lot of those digital screens on my way down (and up) to the tube,  screen projectors on the tube walls, much better cell phones (the Nokia N95 8GB is amazing), less rain this summer, tons of new business, and lastly even MORE road construction.
      It is good to be back…Magic Friday has made an official return.