Converse & 100 Club

London's 100 Club has been saved from closure after its owner struck a deal with the Converse shoe company.

The iconic venue had been threatened with closure due to rent increases. Musicians including Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Mick Jagger came out in support of keeping it open.

Now owner Jeff Horton has revealed that Converse are set to sponsor the venue – although he told XFM that this would not mean the venue would be dominated by logos and other corporate presence.

He said the company "wanted to give us a hand".

Converse released a statement saying: "Converse and the 100 Club both share a love for music and this partnership is a great opportunity to reunite the 100 Club with a generation who experienced history inside its walls, as well as introduce it to a new generation with a vow to bring the best in music to its legendary stage."

Sex Pistols, The Libertines, The Clash, Gallows and The Specials are among the acts who have played at the Oxford Street club.

See The100club.co.uk

BodyTrain with Kimberley Walsh and PUMA!

Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh has partnered with sports brand PUMA to front a new campaign by the company.
The pop beauty will endorse the brand's new fitness and toning trainer BodyTrain, which will be available from January 1st, 2011.
The shoes are designed to help tone, shape and give a beautiful derriere. We think they chose very well indeed, Kimberley has one of our favourite, shapely celeb bums! And doesn't she look as pretty as a picture in the....well, pictures.

In a statement, Kimberley says of the venture: "I am really excited to be involved in the launch of BodyTrain.
"With such a busy lifestyle I often don’t have time to go to the gym and so this is the perfect way to do something positive for my body."

Vauxhall's new pop act!

Katie Melua has been named as Vauxhall's new "brand ambassador" as the car firm intends to inject a little celebrity stardust into its range.

The partnership was announced this week, as Vauxhall and Opel revealed that they were headline sponsors for the songwriter's European concert tour in spring 2011.
"We are thrilled to be working with Katie," said Peter Hope, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. "Vauxhall is all about being British, forward thinking and energetic and we think Katie embodies these values perfectly. In addition, we are passionate about consistent environmental awareness and social responsibility; as a subject very close to Katie's heart, it only makes the partnership more fitting."

Katie Melua follows in the footsteps of many other celebrities who have endorsed Vauxhall, including Boyzone's Shane Lynch, actors Ross Kemp and Bradley Walsh, model Jennifer Ellison, actress Amanda Holden, cricketer Angus Frazer and comedian Griff Rhys Jones to name but a few.
"I like the way Vauxhall addresses topics like environmental efficiency and sustainability," said Melua. "I feel very comfortable with the partnership; it's a great fit."

Thomas Sabo snaps up Katy Perry!

German jewellery brand Thomas Sabo has secured Katy Perry as its first brand ambassador.

In addition to appearing in the brand's forthcoming Pop Now advertisements,Perry will also wear Thomas Sabo jewellery exclusively at her concerts and press appearances.
"Katy is a match made in heaven for us," said the brand in a statement. "In terms of her personality and charisma, she is absolutely the perfect complement to our brand, so much so that we just couldn't imagine a better partner."

In return, Perry said she was excited to make things "pop" for Thomas Sabo. "I'm such a fan of all things cute and collectable – I like the Charm Club the best because I get to make it my own."

The new Thomas Sabo collection for spring/summer 2011 called "Pop Now" is inspired by a wide array of elements such as pop art, popmusic, disco, neon and Andy Warhol. Making Perry the perfect fit for the brand. The 26 year old singer has previously spoken of her love of "quirky jewellery", with her favourite piece given to her by husband Russell Brand.
"It's a Hindu hand of peace. But they're not beads, they are black diamonds. He gave me black diamonds on our very first date."

Rumours also sparking that Katy Perry is set to be the new face of GHD, starting with campaigns next month and becoming a second-tier sponsor of the upcoming ‘I kissed a girl’ tour that is set to start in March!

Clarks Originals Launches First Music Campaign

Clarks is launching the first campaign for its Originals brand to emphasise its connection to music and pop culture.

The brand has long been the shoe of choice for indie rock bands such as Oasis and The Verve, but Clarks says it is the first time it is communicating its connection to the music scene. It aims to “encourage a sense of community, loyalty and engagement”.

The brand is also launching what it calls a “pop-up store” within the Clarks store in London’s Piccadilly. An entire floor will be dedicated to the Clarks Original brand from 7 to 20 February, and it will host a week of “guerrilla activities” including live music events.

Clarks Originals has partnered with The Strummerville Foundation – the charity set up in memory of Joe Strummer, lead singer of The Clash.

The brand will make a £2 donation to the charity for every pair of Festival Classics Desert Boot, Natalie, and Wallabee shoes sold.

Gemma Green, Clarks Originals marketing manager, says: “This opens an exciting new chapter for Originals. Our shoes have been on the feet of musicians (and music fans) for decades and it is time we communicate the passion we have for music. There are many parallels between musical expression and the values we hold dear; authenticity, individuality, craft, creativity.”

The online and in-store campaign was developed by retail brand agency Yellowdoor.

The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project

The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project was a unique global experience aimed at discovering and celebrating the best nightlife from around the world.

The campaign used Facebook to call upon people across the globe to suggest what makes the nightlife in their city the best in the world. In addition to this, video booths housed in shipping crates popped up at street level, gathering further insight into local nightlife. The ideas were then whittled down to create a set of unique nights in each country.




A total of 14 cities paired up to exchange nights out, taking the best of their local artists, events and clubs and exporting them to their partner city.
The London event included a set from Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, live set from Example and Jaguar skills and offered lucky partygoers a taste of Miami’s vibrant and varied nightlife. There was also a virtual interactive pool floor and a beach dance floor complete with sand and palm trees.

The projects finale happened on November 27 2010, More than 100,000 people were part of the event, either in person or watching online and this is still rippling out on social networks with Photos and tweets on the event.

Find out more about the London event @ www.facebook.com/SmirnoffGB.