The Factory Live is taking on one of it’s biggest challenges to date. HMV’s flagship store at 150 Oxford Street, LONDON, will be transformed into ‘Pandora’ to host the official UK launch of the biggest film of all time AVATAR on DVD and Blu-ray hmv 150 Oxford St. – Sun 25 April at 4.00pm
Very special guest on the day will be actor Stephen Lang, who plays Colonel Miles Quaritch in the film. Customers will receive exclusive Avatar goodies, see Stephen interviewed live on stage plus have the very first copies of the Blu-ray and DVD signed*.
* Due to high anticipated demand for the event, 400 wristbands will be issued for access to the signing queue. Wristbands will be available from the store on the day of the event from 10am on a first come first served basis, one per customer only, no reservations, subject to availability.
Posted on April 20th, 2010 by clivefactory | No Comments »
New evidence shows that handling cash has the same effects on the body and mind as taking Ibroprofen or Aspirin!
Researchers at the University of Minnesota carried out a series of studies which revealed those who counted money before taking part in an experiment where they were subjected to low levels of pain felt less discomfort than those who did not.
It is thought that fondling notes and coins helps ward off pain by boosting feelings of self-worth and self-sufficiency. Whoever said money can’t buy you happiness? We’re off to roll around in a bed full of twenty pound notes!
Posted on April 16th, 2010 by clivefactory | No Comments »
How’s this for a lesson in selling your body?
THE FACTORY LIVE has this week discovered a very unusual auction: an X-ray of Marilyn Monroe’s chest.
We like how she appears to have her hands on her hips!
The X-ray was taken by a young doctor in 1954 when Marilyn was admitted to the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital for surgery for endometriosis. It was recently left to his daughter who is putting it up for sale and it is going under the auctioneer’s hammer along with other memorabilia including a psychiatrist’s couch on which she was treated for a breakdown.
The image is expected to sell for up to $1,200. If up close and personal is what you want, then this could be the print for you!
Posted on April 16th, 2010 by clivefactory | No Comments »
After last night’s historic live debate between the three main party leaders, it’ll be interesting to see who gets the highest, er, hits, in this new Slapometer that’s doing the rounds on email.
Choose between giving a virtual slap to either Gordon Brown, David Cameron or Nick Clegg.
Perhaps this is the ‘real alternative’ that many people were looking for in this election!
www.slapometer.com offers you the chance to vent your frustration and give the main party leaders a jolly good hiding! Now that’s what I call election campaigning!
Posted on April 16th, 2010 by clivefactory | No Comments »
Stars strip for cash: interesting to see BBC1 dance judge Bruno Tonioli bare all recently, joining a host of celebrities including Strictly Come Dancing colleague Camilla Dallerup, Watchdog host Julia Bradbury and Apprentice star Kate Walsh. Nice to see the judges in the spotlight rather than the contestants.
The saucy s’leb shots are to raise money for Cancer Research UK as a part of the Give up Clothes for Good – which is supported by discount retailers TK Maxx and HomeSense. You can put your clothes back on now though…
Posted on April 12th, 2010 by clivefactory | No Comments »
Disappointing to see the ‘new’ campaign from Marks & Sparks for its new summer ads.
Everyone at The Factory Live liked its ‘sexy’ food adverts, but its new campaign with pregnant X factor judge Danni Minogue, ex-model Twiggy and some other nobodies just does not inspire.
The ad features an irritating tune and boring clothes that do nothing to get your senses going.
Hopefully they haven’t abandoned the old marketing strategy. It really worked and the brand message was so strong that it was repeated elsewhere in the media and around water coolers etc.
Quality worth every penny…? Maybe for the advertising ‘creatives’.
Posted on April 12th, 2010 by clivefactory | No Comments »
Heston Blumenthal actually failed his science O level, The Factory Live has discovered. The popular TV chef, famed for his scientific approach to cooking, apparently doesn’t even have the basic skills to work in a laboratory.
In fact the chef trained in art, dreaming of becoming an architect. Heston himself summed up his school life as “could do better” and chose girls and beer over studying. So if you’re thinking about becoming a chef, perhaps a degree in art is more suitable!
It certainly hasn’t curtailed his business acumen, having just added The Crown, a lovely old traditional pub, to his existing establishments in Bray, Oxfordshire, not far from his Fat Duck restaurant. Let’s hope he keeps it traditional, as not all of us relish the thought of Snail Porridge when you just want a pie and a pint.
Posted on April 12th, 2010 by clivefactory | 1 Comment »
"The aftershave for men"
Was stuck in traffic on the M25 this morning, so was listening to the radio to pass the time. At the risk of revealing my age, I was a little surprised – no, actually a lot surprised! – to hear an advert for Old Spice.
Now, those of you under 40 may not realise this wasn’t referring to the new solo album from Mel B. Old Spice was, in fact, THE aftershave back in the day. By which I mean the 40s, 50s, 60s and, frankly, the 70s!
I remember it well, as my Dad had a bottle sat in the bathroom, only ever to be used for special occasions! (I was too young to know what special occasions were in those days!)
After I’d got over my surprise, I reflected on how this brand actually represents a whole lot more than a few old memories – this is a textbook example of how effective marketing and promotional activity can result in real longevity.
Old Spice has stood the test of time and maintained its market presence throughout the tremendous changes we’ve seen in the male grooming market over the past 50 years. These days, a man is virtually undressed unless swathed in designer body lotions, gels and moisturisers. Old Spice, which was usually the first ever aftershave a guy would wear – before perhaps progressing on to Brut! – had cornered what was virtually a virgin market more than 60 years ago.
Interestingly, its tagline is still the same: “The aftershave for men” was how Old Spice originally marketed itself, many years ago – it will be interesting to see how many new men will be tempted to give it a try…!
Mock it if you like, but I wonder which of today’s fancy fragrances will still be on the market in half a century!
Posted on March 17th, 2010 by clivefactory | 1 Comment »
Flashbulbs, fashionistas and fox fur collars – a model crowd was on show last night at the launch of photographer Rankin’s latest set of snaps.
Some 500 of the capital’s most stylish individuals braved the cold to come to the Annroy Gallery in north London to see Rankin’s Cheeky collection – nudes, lingering lingerie shots and suggestive poses from the likes of Kate Moss, Helene Christiansen, Eva Herzigova and Lily Cole among others.
The event, hosted by Esquire magazine’s editor Jeremy Langmead and Rankin himself, saw the premiere of than 30 erotic, evocative and enigmatic images, from stunning portraits to more abstract visions of some of the best known supermodels – all with a definite sense of humour and Rankin’s own interpretation of ‘cheekiness’.
The impossibly skinny crowd drank Cheeky cocktails made with sponsor Woodford Reserve bourbon and danced along to a beat set by alternative DJs.
London experiential marketing agency The Factory Live organised the event, which seemed like a real life scene from The Devil Wears Prada – bringing a definite New York vibe to NW5.
Posted on March 11th, 2010 by clivefactory | 1 Comment »
Last night a few lucky staff from London experiential marketing agency The Factory Live were treated to the UK cast and crew screening of the new Matt Damon film ‘Green Zone’.
If you are looking for another ‘Bourne’ movie, then this is not for you, however, if you are looking for a nonstop gripping action movie that see’s director Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon back to their ultimate best, then this is definitely for you!
The film is based on the actual events of the Iraq war, Damon plays Roy, ‘Chief’ Miller who heads up a team of US troops who were sent in to unveil the so called WMD (weapons of mass destruction).
A major government conspiracy is unveiled throughout, which plays out as an incredible nonstop electrifying film.
From start to finish, Greengrass manages to create an incredible atmospheric film which keeps you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll.
Damon portrays Miller in a very convincing way which leaves us asking, are there any rolls this man cannot play ??
Speaking to one of the crew after the film, we were told that the real Roy Miller was on set throughout the filming of the film, and was very impressed with what he saw.
‘Green Zone’ is the latest blockbuster to be released by UK film giants Working Title, who yet again have managed to deliver us an outstanding piece of cinematic history.
We wait with baited breath for their next big release ‘Nanny Mcfee The Big Bang’, which luckily is only at Easter, so not long indeed.
Until then though, The Factory Live give ‘Green Zone’ a massive 13 out of 10 and is our current film of the year. Our only disappointment, is that it didn’t receive any deserved credit at this week’s Oscars ……
For a glimpse of the film go to: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/greenzone/
Posted on March 10th, 2010 by clivefactory | 2 Comments »
