Escher’s Relativity and Terminal 5

Sarah Mulder writes . . .

Poor old Terminal 5. Its been one of the most spectacular PR disasters over the last year, from the letters to the most valued frequent flyers before it opened promising a world class experience only to launch in abject chaos, to the continued problems with baggage control that the powers that be promise are nearly taken care of. However on the flip side, it has piqued a certain interest to go and see it for oneself; what does it look like? Will it be ‘different’? Is it really fixed now? So imagine my delight to find out that on the way back from a recent trip to Paris that my flight would not be coming into boring old T1 but would be arriving at the brand spanking new T5. It was sleek, huge and seems to have incorporated all forms of transport they could think of - trains, lifts and travelators that impressively travel over humps (although why, I am not quite sure?). The thing I found most interesting though bizarrely were the escalators. Distinctly reminiscent of a classic caper where the baddie is on the escalator just over there and when you finally work out how to get there, the escapee is somehow on the one above you and a bit to the left. My personal theory is that that someone with a penchant for Escher’s Relativity drawing got their hands on the main atrium. . .

Overall conclusion? Not as many visible gadgets as I had imagined (although I did like the car spotter device in the car park that helps you to find your car somehow from your number plate for people that have wandered off and forgotten where they parked) but I was out of there in record time which is never a bad thing on your way home.

Nuclear power: what’s the alternative?

A couple of weeks ago the second seminar in the 2008 Clarke Mulder Purdie Hothouse series, hosted by spiked, took place at RIBA. The subject discussed was ‘Nuclear Power: What’s The Alternative?’

The debate focused on energy options as we seek to overcome reliance on fossil fuels. Offshore turbines and wind farms are often cited as options, but can they really provide more than a fraction of the UK’s energy needs? Video excerpts of the speakers can be viewed by clicking here.

In outlining his implacable opposition to nuclear power Neil Crumpton from Friends of the Earth evoked a recent statement from Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which declared that about 1,000 new nuclear stations will be needed around the world to fight climate change and end our global addiction to oil. Crumpton compared this to the conflict in Iraq, claiming the move to nuclear is similarly rushed and would have damaging long-term consequences.

James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort University began by visualising the 450,000 cubic metres of radioactive waste which has been produced by nuclear power. This mass is roughly the volume of the RIBA building and Wouhuysen suggested that human ingenuity is a great thing which is surely able to deal with this problem. He labeled Brown’s statements about nuclear power as much to an attempt to satisfy a Green agenda as any firmly held commitment to nuclear power.

Keith Barnham, Emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College, London and co-founder of the solar cell manufacturing company, QuantaSol spoke to deflate any nuclear enthusiasm. In response to James Woudhuysen he emphasised the danger of radioactive waste and also suggested there isn’t enough easily extractable uranium in the world to fuel a programme of building 1,000 new nuclear reactors.

Lord O’Neill, Chairman of the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) clearly and vociferously rejected this view as he explained that the NIA remains confident that the UK’s nuclear industry will prove capable of building and maintaining new nuclear power stations without government subsidies. Whilst acknowledging that renewables have a role in the energy matrix, he said that in the short and long-term the extensive use of nuclear power is essential.

The fifth speaker Frank Barnaby, Nuclear Issues consultant to the Oxford Research Group put forward that society needed to recognise that climate change is occurring and the world is heating up because of human activity. There are two possible solutions in approaching this problem; either alter society by encouraging less materialism and less consumerism or seek a technological solution via nuclear energy.

Can actions really speak louder than words…?

Watching BBC Four’s programme ‘Black Power Salute’ late last night (repeated tonight at 0045), I was struck by the overriding sense that this one isolated, and essentially unplanned, gesture made by Tommie Smith and John Carlos sent shockwaves throughout the world that achieved more than a million propagandist pamphlets ever could.

 

A brief potted history: At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, after winning gold and bronze medals respectively, raised their black-gloved hands, and stood shoeless, with heads bowed atop the podium while the Star Spangled Banner played. The act was done to show support for the Black Panther movement, and to decry the appalling treatment of America’s black population.

 

This act was unplanned, and only decided at the last minute, yet the subsequent effect it had across the globe was monumental, becoming front page news around the world, and is now acknowledged as an essential part of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

During the programme last night it was also revealed that the Australian runner Peter Norman who finished in second, athough appearing disinterested and almost awkward in the iconic photo of the act, was in fact also an integral part of the scene. Despite being a white athlete, he asked for an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge, that he wore on the podium, as recognition of how he was sympathetic to the other athletes’ cause. The impact of his act is proven by his subsequent treatment – he was ostracised by the Australian media and banned from the ’72 Olympics despite his unquestionable talent.

 

The point I would like to make is about the vital importance, and dramatic impact that actions can have, but only when done correctly. If we look at the recent pro-Tibet protests that have been dominating this year’s Olympics, the images we have seen are of violent protesters attempting to hijack the torch-bearers. When confronted by such images, it seems hard to feel sympathy for their cause, and you have to question what it will actually achieve. This is in stark contrast to the genuine impact of the peaceful and silent protest of Tommie Smith and John Carlos – a gesture that was deafeningly loud throughout the world and truly monumental for the Civil Rights Movement in America.

 

Are we facing an internet crunch?

Chris Clarke writes:

Are we facing an internet crunch? 

Last night, I attended an event, hosted by Spiked, which looked at the topic of whether or not we are facing an ‘internet crunch’.  The debate has become more urgent as users are downloading video and audio content in greater volume than ever before.  The discussion raised some important points about how bandwidth is charged, the impact of emerging markets and how major players such as regulators, network providers, ISPs and mobile providers can ensure we continue to get the bandwidth not just that we need – but bandwidth that allows us complete freedom to access what we want at any time.  

At times, the debate threatened to confuse more than enlighten those of us in the audience not too familiar with some of the deepest internet acronyms and technologies.  However, the speakers and the contributions from the audience shone a spotlight on some of big prickly issues which will continue to dominate the industry – and the media agenda – for some time to come.

For a full write up of the discussion go to:

www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/5446/

Serious discussions at G8…

Chris Clarke writes:

It is rather amusing to see the Prime Minister talking about the need to plan meals in advance and store food correctly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7492573.stm

Surely, it is a step too far that even the Prime Minister, let alone annoying TV chefs, is now telling us what we should be doing in the kitchen.  I wonder what the other G8 leaders are contributing.  How to pack enough clothes for a one week holiday in hand luggage or how to get your whites whiter than white?  The mind boggles…

Tables turned…

So much of the life of the PR professional is lived as the power behind the throne that it can be a shock to the system when the full glare of publicity actually swings round onto you instead. My extremely talented colleague Helen has just been splashed across the eminent built environment title - Building. She had been hosting a meeting of the London Sustainable Development Commission’s London Leaders for the “Building Buys a Pint section“. Clearly delighted to have two extremely personable young women on his hands instead of the usual grizzled building types the journalist couldn’t resist including Helen in his report and photo montage. She is horrified of course, while the rest of us are very much enjoying her 15 minutes of fame. My only claims to fame in this department are some desultory appearances in PR Week and the FT letters to the editor column.

Just call me Cinderella. . .

Despite my extensive PR career I have not yet been able to come up with the answer to successfully moving from day wear to evening wear with just a clever little tweak in accessories. Last week once again I was faced with a question of Cinderella-esque proportions of how to transform my usual power suit into an exquisite little ball dress in the back of a taxi in time to get to a black tie dinner.

The situation was exacerbated by the fact that first I had to be at City Hall for a ceremony to mark the six month milestone of the London Leaders programme for the London Sustainable Development Commission. We launched this initiative last year and are managing the call for more people to sign up. There were some really great speeches from people including Dusty Gedge who is campaigning for more London companies to have living roofs, and Lutfun Hussein from the Coriander Club who is working with the Bangladeshi community. There was also a band led by youth worker Ife Piankhi.

Then straight away after this it was on to the London Chamber of Commerce Annual Property and Construction dinner at Claridges. In the absence of a fairy godmother I’m afraid that the best I could come up with to transform my outfit was lots of red lipstick and a big necklace. The dinner was great and the keynote speech from Howard Shiplee, Director of Construction for the Olympic Delivery Authority was fascinating. I met some really interesting people and no-one seemed to notice my lack of ball gown. I even managed to get home before midnight!

How to make boys wear flowers

When I hear the words ‘4th birthday party’ a terrible image is evoked in my mind. It is one of clowns, ice cream, bouncy castles, crying, twiglets and reckless children screaming at full volume for reasons beyond my comprehension. This is what I imagine the inner circle of hell is like.

So I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when I found myself looking forward to a 4th birthday party two weeks ago [yes, this post is late but Wireless 08 has dominated my To Do list - don't hurt me Emily! - ed]. This is because the birthday was not one of a sticky child but of the company. Clarke Mulder Purdie is officially 4 years old this month. The celebration was to be held in a Cuban restaurant and that inevitably lead to the involvement of one thing. Mojitos.

Even the incomparably useless waitress who managed to drop 3 of our drinks on the floor in the space of an hour could not dampen our spirits. The party favours came in the shape of miniature bottles of tequila and artificial flowers which I am still surprised to say the men wore with relish. Apparently if you attach something to alcohol men seem a lot more willing to involve themselves in it.

Sarah gave a touching toast and one of our team who is notorious for offending people without meaning to was on fantastic form. I’ll admit that the green shots may have been a mistake but at least we’ll know that for next time.

I am pleased to say that the night reflected the reason we were all there: a celebration of the success that has come from the skill, hard work and dedication of the team. I would like to offer sincere congratulations to Chris, Sarah and Amanda for all they have achieved and the impressive company they have built. They deserve all the success they continue to work so hard for.

Happy Birthday Clarke Mulder Purdie!

[For those of you who can't get enough of our lovely faces, there are more photos on our Facebook group - ed]

Tightening the Green Belt?

Last night the first seminar in the 2008 Clarke Mulder Purdie Hothouse series, hosted by spiked, took place. The subject discussed was ‘Time to build on the Green Belt?’

The debate asked the question: should we unbuckle the green belt, view the countryside as a solution to the housing crisis and allow developers to build, or does Britain’s countryside need to be zealously protected from the danger of suburban sprawl. Video excerpts of the speakers can be viewed here.

Michael Owens, Head of Development Policy at London Development Agency raised the simple fact that there needs to be 209,000 new houses built annually within the next twenty years to cope with increases in population and changes in household structure. The only solution is to remove planning barriers, develop more urban conurbations, invest in strategic infrastructure and allow developers and architects the freedom to innovate.Only then can we see the innovation needed to affect the housing crisis.

Paul Miner of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) rejected the idea that Green Belt preservation policy was redundant and proclaimed it more relevant than ever in preventing sprawl. Whilst acknowledging the housing crisis, he claimed that over 600,000 homes currently lie empty and developments needed to be focused on brownfield land to avoid the prospect of the sprawling urban rural fringe and satellite towns.

Penny Lewis, editor of architecture journal Prospect, reinvigorated the debate by asserting the absolute necessity of building on the Green Belt, whilst suggesting treating developments on a case-by-case basis would ensure Great Britain’s natural beauty would be preserved. She regarded the fear of urban sprawl as a symptom of a broader issue – the cultural problem of self-hatred, the need to diagnose organic development as an expression of societal ignominy.

Academic, columnist and broadcaster Tristram Hunt offered an impassioned defence of the countryside, aligning the Green Belt with the BBC, NHS and rule of law as uniquely British. He derided the North American model of endless suburbs and suggested Northampton was emulating this model in, what he regarded as, the destruction of an entire civic city. He also suggested the sub-prime crisis would catalyse a backlash against the suburbs and strengthen the need for clearly demarcated cities and countryside.

The Peter Andre Effect

I wonder if there is a formula that can work out the exact length of time between simply losing interest in something and the point where the nostalgia kicks in. In order to work out this complex formula I’m sure one will have to take into account your age, the level of interest you had in whatever it may be and probably some fractions.

If there is such a formula, Cadbury knows it and isn’t telling us. If you are going to aim to market something based on nostalgia, you have to get the timing just right. If you don’t leave it long enough you just appear to be flogging a dead horse, leave it too long and anyone who remembers it will be too old to care anymore. Nostalgia, when harvested intelligently can rally even the most conscientious shopper, evoking in them a warm fuzzy feeling, reminding them of a time when they were younger, firmer and therefore happier.

Remember the Wispa? This chocolate bar was discontinued 5 years ago owing to plummeting sales, yet last autumn someone at Cadbury cracked the formula and realised the time was ripe for a revival. Well, that and the fact that there was a huge Facebook campaign about it. I would like to point out though, that not everything people campaign for on Facebook is worth pursuing, just in case you were wondering.

The limited edition was a phenomenal success and it is coming back permanently. The interesting thing is that Cadbury replaced Wispa with the same bar in 2003, just with a different name. No one wants that, they all want the original (identical) bar. It is clearly not about the chocolate then, nor is it about the branding (that has not changed). The only thing that has changed is the dewy-eyed look from the consumer.

The lack of interest that damaged sales in the first place has somehow transformed into spend-encouraging nostalgia and the latter is far more powerful than the former. The ability to turn apathy into public campaign is surely a marketing ability exclusive to those in brightly coloured tights and capes.

This is my warning then, be aware that nostalgia can make us all do crazy, irrational things by making us think that we enjoyed them the first time round. Do you remember a time, before a certain celebrity jungle show, that Peter Andre was just a distant memory? Look what your nostalgia has done. I hope you are happy.