HiQ tickled pink by Silverstone supporters' generosity

The HiQ fast fit network is well and truly tickled pink with fans of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship, whose clamour for official memorabilia helped raise £6,000 for Breast Cancer Care.

For the third time this season, the Teams’ Championship sponsors parked up their eye-catching pink stand on the outfield and watched as the crowds flocked to pick up HiQ hats, large foam spanners and all number of T-shirts and goody bags.

The HiQ team, together with the pink ladies and special guest Beverley Edwards - who won HiQ’s national grid girl competition - managed to boost the championship total to more than £15,000 for the season.

In the process, HiQ smashed the £80,000 mark for Breast Cancer Care since partnering with the charity in 2009.

HiQ retail marketing manager Geraldine McGovern, said: “We have enjoyed a fantastic season of fundraising and it is with thanks to everyone involved that we have raised so much.

“There was a great atmosphere at Silverstone with fans going above and beyond to donate to Breast Cancer Care, a charity very close to everyone’s hearts.

“Fifteen thousand pounds is an incredible amount to raise over the season and we are proud to have totalled over £80,000 through various fundraising initiatives applied through our project pink programme.

“We are continuing with our sponsorship and charity partnership in 2012 so we look forward to continuing in our fundraising and turning the grids pink once again.”

For more information about HiQ’s project pink programme, please visit www.hiqonline.co.uk/projectpink

Austin knocks Wrathall off top spot for HiQ champagne moment win

There’s no doubt who fans of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship were most impressed with at Rockingham, judging by Rob Austin’s landslide HiQ Champagne Moment victory.

A whopping 46 per-cent of supporters voted for the Worcestershire speedster to scoop the bubbly, in the biggest margin recorded by HiQ all season.

Rob claimed the fastest overall lap in his Audi A4 in the second practice of the day, pre-empting a 2^nd place podium in race three at the Northamptonshire circuit.

Winning fan Gerry Barclay praised Rob for his ‘tenacious driving’ and his ability to storm up the grid in qualifying and in races two and three.

Not surprisingly, Frank Wrathall – winner of the last two HiQ champagne moments - took second place with 29 per cent of the vote, and James Nash was third with 14 per cent.

Gerry has won the opportunity to present Rob with champagne at the penultimate round of the season, Brands Hatch this weekend.

Gerry will also receive two tickets for the race weekend and a complimentary grid walk before one of the races.

To vote for a HiQ Champagne Moment and stand a chance of winning a race weekend experience to treasure, click on http://www.hiqonline.co.uk/hiqBtcc/champagneMoments/

Connect announces 20th appointment for 2010 as agency celebrates best ever year

Midlands marketing communications specialist Connect has appointed its 20th marketing specialist of the year as it celebrates its best ever year since the company was formed in 1993.

The appointments in 2010 come on the back of new business wins from Bentley Motors, Countrywide Farmers, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Jaguar Land Rover and Marstons.

Rob Hampton, group MD, said that the growth was not just about new clients joining the agency but also about existing clients taking greater advantage of the full mix of integrated services and technologies offered by the agency: “We’ve had an extremely fast start to 2010. Our mission to provide one agency, more answers, has helped us increase our clients’ voice across all types of media.

“Our digital team now has 15 dedicated specialists and current projects include developing iPhone and other mobile applications across a range of clients, working with Land Rover on the launch of the new Evoque and further digital projects for Masterlease and Goodyear Dunlop.

“Connect PR has increased its work with Volkswagen UK by adding Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to its passenger car work. This is alongside briefs in from Baxi and Bauer Media.”

Recent projects for Connect Advertising include the launch of Bentley’s Continental Supersports, the relaunch of Banks’s bitter and the launch of Goodyear’s EfficientGrip tyre. The agency is currently working with Countrywide Farmers, the leading UK business in the supply of products to the rural community, on a major new brand campaign and retail strategy.

Connect is now turning its attention to further recruitment with the agency actively seeking senior creatives. Rob said: “We know we have the right strategy in place to grow the business even further and we’re looking for like minded senior people to take us to the next stage in our development.”