Friday 28 January 2011

Connect PR hit the headlines


A vibrant splash of fiery red hair whirled through our office here at Connect PR this week, as our collective attention was grabbed like never before.

Lucy Hird, a second year student at Birmingham City University, was spending a week with us as she works towards a degree in media, communications and public relations.

Hailing from Malvern, Lucy’s initial claim to fame was being a pupil at the same Chase High School that educated X-Factor contestant Cher Lloyd.

Unlike Cher however, she has been thoroughly likeable, unassuming and unaware of her emerging talent all week.

And unlike most work experience youngsters we’ve had in, she’s not been afraid to put the kettle on now and then, which always goes down well!

Lucy is the first student to spend time with us this year and has been a pleasure to have around the place as she mucked in with the less glamourous tasks in PR, not to mention some higher profile ones too.

We are always open to work opportunities and believe the role that agencies can play in leveraging youngsters’ study prospects – not to mention their ambition levels – remains vital.

Most of us remember our first forays into the world of work and when Lucy made such a lasting first impression, we hope we did likewise as we introduced her to the wonderful world of PR.

She said: “No two days have been the same here at Connect and I’ve had a great time with everyone here.

“I’ve gained an invaluable experience and have met some wonderful people, so to say I’ve had a beneficial week would be an understatement.”

Check your bag later Lucy – there’s a fiver in it for words like that. You’ll go far!

Meanwhile, Becki was having an uplifting experience of her own on Thursday night.

When she said she was watching a ripped, buff bloke strutting his stuff in front of an adoring public, we honestly thought she was on about Ben and his daily dealings with his clients HiQ, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and Uponor.

Turns out she was watching Usher at the NIA. It is fair to say she has been working with a smile on her face and a song in her head today.

She’ll regret regaling us all with her R & B anecdotes soon enough though. Chaz ‘n Dave are at the Civic in March. She’s got more rabbit than Sainsbury’s that one...

Happy weekend all!

Connect PR

Thursday 27 January 2011

JOHNSTONE’S UNVEIL THE NATION’S MOST MARVELLOUS MANAGER!


It’s official! The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has unearthed the most marvellous manager in the UK – and Fergie and Wenger are nowhere in sight.

The trophy urged fans and players up and down the UK to nominate their favourite amateur boss and after scores of entries and hundreds of votes, it can now reveal the winner.

Kevin Rayner, manager of Guildford City, has beaten counterparts across the land to be crowned as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’s Marvellous Manager and has now received a commemorative award and strip for his team.

The initiative was the competition’s highest profile attempt to recognise the many managers who give up their time and energy for lower profile positions they love, often at grass roots level.

Kevin was nominated by Guildford City fan and representative Kevin Howell, who said:

“Kevin has paid money from his own pocket to pay for team tracksuits, and continues to help us behind the scenes by attending all committee meetings. He has now taken on some of the jobs of the executive committee in order to help the club progress, such as organising and paying for friendlies and player registrations.

“Kevin Rayner is the most marvellous manager, because without him Guildford City FC would simply not exist.”

Kevin joined the club in March 2009 after it had gone a month without a goal, and two months without a win.

He immediately transformed Guildford City on the pitch, managing to string three wins together that meant they were able to stave off relegation.

More recently, progress has been even more impressive. Having persuaded a number of former professionals and one international player to join the set-up, Kevin oversaw excellent runs in the FA and League Cups, as well as a vast improvement in the league. Guildford lost just once at home in seven months.

And only two weeks ago, he led the Combined Counties League side into the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’s sponsorship manager Teresa Hardwick said: “Our Marvellous Manager campaign has been a resounding success and has really caught the imagination of hundreds of fans, all from hundreds of amateur leagues across the land.

“Kevin was shortlisted and polled 43 per cent of all votes to win and looking at his achievements at Guildford, we couldn’t have wished for a better winner.

“We really want pub footballers, non-league players and anyone else to dig out their stars of the dug-out for us to celebrate and when a manager like Kevin Rayner wins, we know we have achieved our aim.

“We’d like to congratulate him and wish him all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond. On behalf of everyone at the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, we’d like to say: ‘There’s only one Kevin Rayner!’”

Johnstone’s. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.


ENDS

Caption: Guildford City manager Kevin Rayner shows off his Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Marvellous Manager award, which he accepts from assistant manager Roly Martin (left) and club captain Simon Cooper.

Issued on behalf of Johnstone’s by Ben Smallman, Connect PR, ben@connect-group.com  01902 714957

Notes to editor:

About Johnstone’s

The Johnstone’s paint brand is owned by PPG. PPG Architectural Coatings EMEA, Is the second largest supplier of decorative coatings in Europe. With its headquarters based in Pittsburgh, PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, speciality materials, glass and fibreglass. The company has more than 150 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

Motoring group rewards its customers

A West Midlands motor group has launched a new loyalty scheme giving customers free MOT’s tests for life.

Trust Group UK, which manages three Volkswagen sites in Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Redditch, has introduced ‘rewards’ as a way of saying thank you to all its existing and future customers.

The free-to-join scheme gives customers a range of complimentary services such as, MOT tests for life, an annual valet, tyre and fluid level checks and discounts on vehicle accessories.

In addition members can also receive ‘rewardsPLUS’ vouchers as part of the friends referral element. These vouchers can be exchanged for a range of experience days including track days and hot air balloon rides.

“It’s all about giving something back,” said, Andrew Hockedy, Managing Director of the Volkswagen sites.

“We value each and every one of our customers and we wanted to launch a scheme that offered true value.

“All new customers automatically become members and early feedback shows it has been well received by our existing customers.”

Customers are required to book an annual service to be entitled to the ‘rewards’ benefits.

All members are asked to complete a registration form from one of the Volkswagen sites to receive the introductory rewards voucher pack.

For further information please contact your closest retailer, Wolverhampton Volkswagen on 01902 454602, Stourbridge Volkswagen on 01384 397600 or Redditch Volkswagen on 01527 883300 and ask for Tina Croot, Customer Services Manager.

Pink propels local team's winning streak


A newly established football club is reaping the rewards from its recent shirt sponsorship that has seen the squad sport bright pink jerseys.

Sudbury Vikings Football Club, who is sponsored by Volkswagen Van Centre (Bury St Edmunds), is flying high in The Treadfirst Sudbury & District Sunday League after winning five of its last six games.

The run has seen the club propel into second place with just over half of the league campaign played, and according to team manager, Alan Tychowski, the sponsorship deal and choice of kit colour has been instrumental in the team’s success on and off the field.

He said: “We are delighted to have the secured the sponsorship deal with our local Volkswagen van centre.

“Setting up the team on a tight budget was hard work, but with the support of Volkswagen Van Centre (Bury St Edmunds) the whole process was much easier.

“We chose the striking strip colour as we were confident no other league team would be wearing the colour pink, so we wouldn't need to invest a second team strip,” said Alan.

“Also, wearing pink strips is excellent motivation for the team not to lose too often in the league campaign – and it seems to be working at the moment!”

David Nichols, head of business at Volkswagen Van Centre (Bury St Edmunds), said that the business was delighted to have helped the Sudbury Vikings get their feet off the ground.

He said: “It’s a pleasure to be the official sponsor of Sudbury Vikings Football Club and it’s great to see the lads performing well on the pitch, let’s hope they can keep it up.

“The local community is very important to us and we have made it our company policy to support individuals from the region where we can.”

For more information about community work and sponsorships with Volkswagen Van Centre (Bury St Edmunds), please call 01284 715900.

Friday 21 January 2011

Connect PR hit the headlines



If you think the temperatures outside have been a bit changeable these last few days, you should see our office desk arrangement here at Connect PR.

Lucas’s desk is Becki’s, Sue’s is Ben’s, Ben’s was Kathy’s, Becki’s is Lucas’s, Lizzie’s is Sue’s, while Lee, Lizzie and Kathy’s desks are now new arrangements completely, in adjoining Connect PR office.

Did you keep up? Richard did, from his prime location in the corner which a Chubb Building lock maker could never prize him from – Pied Wagtail tit calendar and all.

Lee and Lizzie are comparing eachother’s handwriting in their new office environment at the moment, with good reason.

uni-ball has made thousands of their Jetstream roller balls available for customers to try out by writing a descriptive sentence about the qualities of the pen.

In return the shoppers have been receiving a fun handwriting analysis, which identifies character and personality traits. Should be some interesting results then!

Meanwhile, our underfloor heating and plumbing specialists Uponor will soon be writing their own headlines too, courtesy of some exciting new announcements that are sure to get people talking.

Never will a multi layer composite pipe get so much attention in the weeks to come, that’s all we’re saying!

In fact, the same line could be applied to leading fast fit network HiQ and tyre giants Goodyear.
Both brands are looking to tread a path to the highest profile publications and inflate their news columns with some memorable news. Again, watch this space for more.
A weekly round-up wouldn’t be the same without a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy update either, would it?

We are almost ready to press the button on a number of PR stunts and initiatives in Carlisle after the Cumbrians thrashed Huddersfield Town 4-0 in the northern area final first leg.
Things are a bit tighter in the south though, with Brentford and Exeter City still deadlocked after their first leg, with the tie delicately poised at 1-1.

But as all football fans will tell you, it is a crime to tempt fate just yet.

We never do that here at Connect PR.
To conclude then, we’re sure you are all going to have a brilliant weekend to remember, full of fun and laughter.
See you in seven days.
Connect PR

NEW POSCA WEBSITE CELEBRATES “ART FOR ALL”


A colourful and imaginative new website dedicated to the POSCA marker pen has been launched by leading stationery brand Mitsubishi Pencil Company.

Visitors can enjoy creative workshops, informative product information and specially commissioned videos on www.posca.com, a site which focuses on the favourite tool of many artists and craft enthusiasts.

Showcasing a variety of work from different creative artists from across the globe the site celebrates and encourages expression through art.

Stuart Barker, marketing manager at uni Mitsubishi Pencil Co., said: “A number of revered artists, illustrators and animators have publicly praised the POSCA marker pen for its performance as an artistic tool. The new website aims to create an artist’s community to introduce the public to the latest art, while inspiring tomorrow’s creativity.”

Included in the collection compiled on the site is artwork from Japanese illustrator Postic, Italian painter Riccardo Licata, French graffiti artist Nasty and English artist Jon Burgerman.

Stuart continued: “Artists enjoy working with POSCA marker pens due to the countless applications which the product offers and the versatility of being able to use it on practically any surface.”

Available in fourteen a wide range of ink colours and seven different tip widths POSCA marker pens can be easily used to produce unique designs.

For further information on POSCA water-based marker pens please visit www.posca.com

ENDS

Issued on behalf of uni-ball by Connect PR

For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com

Thursday 20 January 2011

Connect brings sparkle with radio launch


Connect Group has been appointed by Midlands-based Orion Media to launch its new East Midlands radio station Gem 106.

The new regional ‘adult contemporary’ service was launched by Orion on New Year’s Day, with Connect’s ‘turn on the sparkle’ creative campaign supporting it.

The campaign, created by Wolverhampton integrated agency Connect includes outdoor, online and TV.

Connect’s new executive creative director, James Sinclair, led the creative team that worked on the Gem 106 campaign. He said: “Working with David and Andy from GEM 106 has been as nice an experience as I can remember in advertising. They know who they are, who their customers are, and what they want to say to them.

“With that level of understanding of their brand translated into a tight proposition and a great name to boot, all we had to do was sprinkle a little pixie dust on top – which of course is exactly what we did.

“ What’s more our partners Bert and Bertie from The Gate Films and Flipbook SFX did a great job of making the magic manifest.”

Orion’s chief executive, Phil Riley, said of the campaign: “The Connect team has created an excellent campaign. Turn around times were extremely tight, particularly as a lot of the work had to be completed in the run up to Christmas, but the team, led by James and client services director Antony Green, met all of our expectations. The campaign is backed up by a serious media spend.”

The media partner for the campaign was Brilliant, based in Birmingham.
To see the television advertisement visit http://www.thegatefilms.com/

Cordwallis celebrate 30 year milestone

A Maidenhead business celebrating its 30th anniversary is attributing its success to pride in family values.

The Cordwallis Group, as it is known today, is a family run business established by father and son Roy and Ian Thomas in the 1970s.

Officially recognised as a Volkswagen and MAN truck franchise in Maidenhead in 1980, the business has since branched out, with further sites in Heathrow, Oxford and Reading.

Today, the business is one of the largest distributors of Volkswagen Vans and MAN trucks in the south of England.

Since its start-up, the Thomas family has been actively involved with the development and running of the business. Roy Thomas, who was the Mayor of Maidenhead 1966-1968, is one of three generations still involved in the business today.

Brothers Ian and Simon Thomas are now Managing Directors of the Cordwallis Group, and while taking a look back over the businesses 30 years, they described reaching this milestone as a really proud moment for their family and everyone at Cordwallis.

Ian said: “Thirty years ago, the business was just a fraction of what it is now but, with thanks to the dedication and hard work of all the staff that have come and gone we have achieved such success and this celebration.

“Even after thirty years, family is still at the heart of the business and we have found that customers really appreciate this in our attention to customer service and values.

“It has been a hugely rewarding thirty years and we hope to continue that for another thirty.”

This significant anniversary follows a string of accolades for Cordwallis. It was named Van Centre of the Year 2003 and achieved the Award of Excellence for Finance and Insurance 2008.

The Cordwallis Group has four sites. Maidenhead, Reading, Oxford and the flagship branch in Heathrow. In 2006, Maidenhead branch also opened CV Parts 365, a parts company specialising in the parts supply for all makes of Commercial Vehicles.

For further information about the Cordwallis group, please visit www.cordwallis.com

No congestion charge for Volkswagen drivers

The Volkswagen retailer in Harlow welcomes the changes to the London new Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD) which exempts environmentally friendly motorists from the congestion charge.

Abridge Harlow is confident it will help to encourage more drivers to purchase cleaner and CO2 efficient cars.

Drivers of the Polo 1.2 and Golf 1.6 BlueMotion TDI will now meet the GVD requirements and are exempt from the charge, since its introduction on January 4, 2011.

Ashley Humphreys, brand manager at Abridge Harlow, said: “The BlueMotion vehicles can now help commuters save money in more ways than one.

“Its innovative technology and more efficient engine means the Polo 1.2 and Golf 1.6 BlueMotion TDI uses less fuel emitting just 91g/km and 99g/km of C02 respectively.

“As the daily congestion zones costs has increased the BlueMotion vehicles will not only save motorists money at the pumps but also save them from the congestion charge all together.

“Ironically a motorist driving into the congestion zone on a daily basis would spend more a month than on the average finance package for a Polo 1.2 BlueMotion TDI.”

The new Greener Vehicle Discount provides a 100 per cent congestion charge discount for cars that emit 100g/km of CO2 or less and meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality. Car owners are required to register with the Transport of London and make an annual payment of £10 to be entitled to the discount.

Sales executive to make television debut


A Newton Abbot car sales executive is set to make his television debut this weekend by sharing the screen with Paddy McGuiness on ITV1’s hit dating show ‘Take Me Out’.

James Steel, who works at Murray Volkswagen in Newton Abbot, will be one of four bachelors trying to bag a romantic holiday with one of Paddy’s ‘flirty thirty’ girls, when the show is broadcast at 8pm on Saturday.

The 24-year-old took part in the programme’s pre-recording sessions in November and was also required to complete some filming at Murray Volkswagen to explain his role as a sales executive.

James said: “It was good fun bringing the camera-crew along to Murray Volkswagen, as they prepared some cheesy lines for me to say behind my desk during filming!

“The filming at the studio was brilliant too. I really enjoyed the experience and have made some good friends.

“I’d recommend doing it to anyone who wants a bit of light-hearted fun, which is the main reason why I applied.”

James applied to be on the show in the summer of 2010 and admitted that he was “shocked to be chosen” as a contestant after an audition and telephone interview.

Contestants on the show - who are always four single men - are challenged to impress thirty single women, who display their approval by switching a light on and off.

At the end of the game, a contestant can choose his date from the remaining women that have their lights switched on - but he will go home alone if all lights are switched off.

“People are just going to have to tune on Saturday to see how successful I was in earning my dream date!” added James.

You can catch ‘Take Me Out’ this Saturday on ITV 1 at 8pm.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

JETSTREAM RETAIL ACTIVITY PUTS HANDWRITING TO THE TEST


Shoppers in 200 WHSmith stores across the UK will be offered an insight into their relationships and emotions thanks to a revealing graphology personality test commissioned by Mitsubishi Pencil Co.

Customers will be invited to trial the Jetstream roller ball pen, by writing a descriptive sentence about the qualities of the pen. In return the shopper will receive a fun handwriting analysis, which identifies character and personality traits. They will also have the opportunity to purchase pens from the range at specially discounted rates.

Stuart Barker, marketing manager at Mitsubishi Pencil Co. commented: “The art of graphology is a fascinating and intriguing science that we hope will captivate and amuse shoppers throughout the UK. We are thrilled to be working alongside WHSmith for this exciting and unique campaign.”

He continued: “The Jetstream is the perfect handwriting tool offering smooth, smudge-free writing thanks to its innovative uni super ink.”

Mitsubishi Pencil Co have selected innovative experiential agency VIA Brand Experience to design and deliver the unique engagement strategy following on from the successful Signo Scents ‘sketch and sniff’ national shopping centre tour in 2010.

For further information on Mitsubishi Pencil Co. visit www.uniball.co.uk, www.unisuperpens.co.uk or view their latest tweets on Twitter by following @uniball_uk.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Mitsubishi Pencil Co. by Connect PR

For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com

Friday 14 January 2011

Connect PR hit the headlines


You know it's a busy week at Connect PR when we barely have enough time to shout about the work we have been up to for the past seven days!

But fear not, like a last gasp goal by Manchester United in the 5th minute of stoppage time, we are here to deliver for you.

Speaking of football, we are upping the ante for our colourful client, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

With only a matter of weeks until the final at Wembley, we are gearing up for all manner of PR activities to keep the fans of both finalists happy. But before that, we need to know who is going to get there.

Two teams from Carlisle United, Huddersfield Town, Exeter City and Brentford will make the trip, while assisting our PR projects in the process.

So that's the back pages of the national newspapers sorted, what about the front?

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are asking the question that everyone appears to have an answer for...

...What is the most popular urban myth that people still believe are true?

Apparently, some people think that if you sneeze for your eyes open, they will pop straight out of your head?

We worked with comedian Dave Spikey on a radio campaign on the theme, with the aim of disproving the theory that it is too expensive to get a van serviced at a any Volkswagen Van Centre. Quite simply, it isn't, as Dave explained to radio stations across the country!

As if working with a much loved comedian this week wasn’t enough, we’ve also been dib-dib-dobbing with the UK’s best loved lubricant and multi purpose product, WD-40.

WD-40 has announced a nationwide competition to support its sponsorship of the Scout Association's DIY Activity Badge with a cash prize for the winning troop.

Scout Groups across the UK are being invited to tell WD-40 how they have used their DIY and Scouting skills to make a difference to their community. It could be cleaning up a local park, helping clean up with a litter pick or redecorating and freshening up a community centre or Scout hut.

The winning group will be awarded £500 to use for equipment, materials or resources for their group.

WD-40’s senior brand manager, Neil Gow, says: “We know there are many Scout Groups up and down the country that are making a big difference in their community using their Scouting and DIY skills to help others. We want to celebrate those good examples and reward the youngsters for their efforts.”

Connect PR says: “Thanks for taking the time to read our latest blog. Next week might not be so late in the day, but it will be another mighty fine effort. We promise!”

Friday 7 January 2011

Connect PR back on the blog

With the mistletoe in the bin and wine in the tummy, most of you will have good reason for feeling like a weathered piece of tinsel right now – even if you do have a Cliff Richard calendar to remember the festive period by.

But fear not...The Connect PR weekly blog is back!

Suitably refreshed from a glass of red grape Shloer, we are in fine fettle to give you the latest news and views from one of the Midland’s finest, award winning PR agencies.


However, with more success stories to our name than that Andrew Strauss on an Aussie bashing trip Down Under, we thought we’d take time to reflect on some notable scalps of our own in 2010.


If you’ve indulged as much as we have over the past couple of weeks, we hope you can do so again one more time, as we look back at some of our 2010 highlights.

The year marked the advent of first online scout badge in partnership with our world famous client WD-40. The multi-purpose lubricant sprayed itself a name with the young and hungry generation, rewarding impressionable youngsters with a unique DIY badge for their handiwork.


The spray has been a favourite amongst many for its squeaky door silencing properties, but it’s unlikely Higgs & Sons will need a can any time soon.


The leading Midlands law firm moved into some of the plushest, modern offices imaginable and we were delighted to generate some memorable headlines over the move – even if there wasn’t a single squeaky door to be heard!


Staying on the theme of quiet efficiency, it is worth mentioning our work with Baxi in 2010, whose boilers always generate their own column inches when we work alongside the group.


A back boiler radio campaign raised £100,000 worth of estimated advertising value (EAV) before more seeds were sown for similar results in the coming weeks after we teamed up with Olympic gold medallist Nicole Cooke to promote the revolutionary Ecogen boiler.


If we had the front pages of most publications covered with work like this, then the back pages were similarly monopolised too, courtesy of our work with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.


Our proactive work with the much loved football competition climaxed in unprecedented scenes at Wembley Stadium in March, when Southampton beat Carlisle 4-1 in front of 73,000 fans.


Leveraging a sponsorship like this has always been a pleasure and 2010 was no different courtesy of a host of community projects and initiatives in the run up – and during – the final.


If Southampton were positively motoring away with success last year, so too were HiQ – the fast fit network ‘to be sure of.’


Not only did the network surpass the 150 centre mark during the year, but it edged closer to its £100,000 fundraising target for Breast Cancer Care, while culminating its Local Hero campaign, hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE.


The PR figures for both projects were marginally less impressive than Sally’s efforts in Barcelona back in 1992 and helped generate HiQ’s best ever year for PR results.


Also in the PR fast lane were Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, who benefited from a great relationship with us in 2010, shattering the £1 million EAV coverage mark that was set at the start of the year.


We always like a cheeky pun or two to start a good press release off on the right note, so imagine our joy when we were asked to promote the Go Fishing Show?!


Hot fish and chips, wrapped in said press release, were delivered to 20 journalists in the run-up to the event, and it is safe to say we caught them hook, line and sinker as they promoted the event like never before.


Working with Uni-ball – the UK’s leading pen manufacturer – also helps when you’re trying to pen a few memorable headlines.


We helped organise an art exhibition at the Tate Modern after working with NME Music Festivals in signing tents during the summer.


Not content with resting on our flip-flops and beanie hats, we then helped to promote the brand’s Office Exhibition in Earl’s Court, which has gone down as a spectacle to remember.


Meanwhile, not a million miles from London’s top exhibition venue, we were achieving a Mother Nature-defying feat of ingenuity, by creating a beach in the middle of one of London’s busiest train stations.


As part of our work with Wrexham & Shropshire Trains we decided to bring a huge beach to Marylebone Station, in an attempt to educate commuters about the tangible distance the coast is from their everyday rat-race journeys.

The stunt worked well, with the London Standard sending their own photographer for some fun in the sand!


Finally, we commissioned an office straw poll of our own for the best TV show of the year.


Funnily enough, Strictly Come Dancing was on the tip of everyone’s tongues, which is a coincidence, seeing as we worked with dancer Karen Hardy for a Goodyear EfficientGrip free fuel promotion and Camilla Dallerup for a new railway dance in Telford Shopping Centre for Wrexham and Shropshire Trains.


A number of us also enjoyed a spot of X-Factor indulgence too, so here’s hoping we hit the high notes again in 2011, with or without a celebrity appearance from Simon Cowell and Matt Cardle!

Here’s to a wonderful 2011 everyone (and a nice weekend!)
Connect PR

VAN-TASTIC SPONSORSHIP DEAL FOR JAMES WADE

World number three darts player, James Wade, will be stepping up to the oche this year with a significant new sponsorship deal.

Following one of his most successful years, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has agreed a 12-month contract with Wade, in time for this year’s Premier League.

After the announcement James said: “2010 was a superb year for me and being sponsored by such a major brand as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is fantastic news and makes me very proud.

“Volkswagen vans have a superb reputation for reliability, strength and success, something I aim to provide when on the oche, during the sponsorship and beyond.

“When I’m playing it gives me extra confidence knowing well-known brands like Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have faith in my ability.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ head of marketing, David George, said: “This is a new and exciting arena for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

“Darts is a growing sport, with audience figures rising every tournament and thousands of new fans following every week.

“It has the second highest viewing figures on Sky Sports after Premiership football and will provide a platform to continue to raise awareness of our commercial vehicle brand.

“As an ex-mechanic, James is familiar to the automotive industry and will prove to be a great ambassador for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

“Everyone at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be hoping James can reclaim the Premier League in 2011.”

Wednesday 5 January 2011

CUSTOMERS RATE IPSWICH VAN CENTRE AS THE BEST

An Ipswich business is celebrating after being named the top Volkswagen van centre in the country following its continual high level of customer satisfaction and business performance.

Wolsey Van Centre was given the ‘Most Valued Van Centre’ award by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which closely monitors the performances of its 69 van centres throughout the year.

The Sproughton Road van centre has claimed the award for the third consecutive quarter for 2010 and is hoping to maintain its status by winning the annual title.

Head of business at Wolsey Van Centre, David Nichols, said: “Naturally we are delighted to have maintained this position.

“The recognition is testament to the teams’ hard work as they continually strive to deliver the best service.

“All aspects of the business are recorded and monitored when establishing the title, from customers satisfaction and aftersales through to business performance.

“Therefore it is essential we have a motivated and diverse team that all have the same common goal.”

For more information contact Sue Foster on 01902 714 957 or sue@connect-group.com.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Barnstaple Volkswagen caps new sponsorship

A North Devon business has confirmed its support to Braunton Cricket Club after securing a new sponsorship agreement.

Barnstaple Volkswagen, on Braunton Road, will provide the clubs latest signing, Australian cricketer, Stewart Rhodes, with a Volkswagen Golf for the 2011 season.

The 24-year-old overseas professional will return to the Devon cricket league next April, after making his debut appearance for the team in 2007.

Brand manager at Barnstaple Volkswagen, Andrew Smale said: “It is great to see Stewart’s return to the North Devon league. I’m sure it has given the team a great boost ahead of the upcoming season.

“As a local business we feel it is important to invest in the local community and support local teams and individuals.

“We are more than happy to sponsor Stewart and wish him and the team the very best of luck for the forthcoming 2011 season.”

Stewart’s signing to Braunton Cricket Club follows a year playing with New Zealand’s Wellington Firebirds, as he strengthens his international career.