Author: STERLING GLOBAL

SISTER SLEDGE JOIN HANDS WITH ANNIE LENNOX TO LEAD CARE INTERNATIONAL’S ‘WALK IN HER SHOES’ MARCH

In the spirit of celebrating women empowerment and spotlighting the inequalities and injustice that millions of women face around the world, Sister Sledge, the iconic music group famed for their award-winning, worldwide hits such as We are Family, Lost in Music and World, Rise and Shine, lent their voices and support in solidarity for International Women’s Day and a range of initiatives, to globally recognise the achievements of women as well as highlighting the issues faced by them in society.

The group brought forth a strong message of love, family and female empowerment by participating in various events and panel discussions, convening citizens, public figures, renowned personalities and business leaders.

Kick-starting the group’s activities this week was the Care International’s ‘Walk In Her Shoes’ march in London, which took place on Sunday 6th March 2016. Sister Sledge joined influential female figures such as Annie Lennox, Bianca Jagger and Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of the Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, who led the march ahead of International Women’s Day. The event comprised of music, keynote speeches by Helen Pankhurst and Bianca Jagger, who outlined the proceedings and importance of the event along with The Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, UK Secretary of State for International Development. A Q&A panel with guests was hosted by The Daily Telegraph’s Women’s Editor Emma Barnett, featuring eminent speakers such as Annie Lennox, Leyla Hussein (an award-winning campaigner on FGM and gender right) and Natasha Walter, author, founder Women for Refugee Women, followed by a Comedy performance from Bridget Christie.

Everyone then assembled for the walk over Millennium Bridge and reconvened at The Scoop for Sister Sledge’s finale performance of their greatest hits. To get everyone in the disposition for women empowerment, Kim Sledge also recited powerful words by Sojourner Truth, an African American Abolitionist born into slavery, who escaped with her infant daughter and in 1862 became one of the first pioneers for women’s rights, adding a truly global dimension to the female change-makers in the world.

On International Women’s Day itself, Sister Sledge participated in a panel discussion with BBC Radio 1 DJ and broadcaster, Gemma Cairney as part of the South Bank Centre’s WOW Festival. Cairney discussed the music industry with Sister Sledge, while laying emphasis on the inequality in representation of women in the industry and the difficulties faced by them trying to break into the industry.

Sister Sledge raised awareness of the struggles that women face in daily life – and on issues of growing inequality in society, which has become a serious matter and is something that must be addressed. The group spoke about their experience in the music industry and their own personal struggle of entering the industry in an age and time when it was a male dominated business. Debbie Sledge spoke about her faith in family values while expressing her love for her sisters worldwide.

On Saturday 12th March, Kim Sledge will be participating in the panel discussion, ‘Redressing the Balance: Women, Power and the Arts’, focused on pressing issues of inequality in the arts industry by raising questions which challenge the current convention on these issues, whilst emphasising how to address the imbalance and celebrate the creative power of women. The panel will comprise of industry experts including Barbara Hulanicki, Fashion Designer and Founder of Biba, Sandeep Virdee, Artistic Director of Darbar Festival and choreographer and dancer Jasmin Vardimon.
Sister Sledge will also headline the WOW Festival’s flagship variety show, Mirth Control on Sunday 13th March, which will bring together comedy and music in one exhilarating night hosted by Sandi Toksvig. Other guests include Sharon D. Clarke, Bonnie Langford, WOW Jazz Orchestra, Peggy Seeger, and the all-female amateur WOW Orchestra conducted by Sue Perkins and Sian Edwards.

Sister Sledge will also unveil exclusively to the audience, a full play of their soon to be released track – Women Are the Music of the World (WAMOW) – released in April 2016.

Speaking about their participation in the International Women’s Day events Joni, Debbie and Kim Sledge: said: “This International Women’s Day was very special to us. Being a part of an array of incredible events that celebrate women empowerment is something we Sisters have always been committed to.

Music can truly unite people across the globe and these projects are fantastic ways to help encourage, empower and inspire other young girls and women to break glass ceilings.

We have also been excited to share a tiny glimpse of our forthcoming track Women Are The Music of the World (WAMOW) at events such as Walk in Her Shoes and also the forthcoming WOW Festival.

We have truly met so many WAMOW’s this week, women that are strong, confident and beautiful and that’s what, through our music, we aim to celebrate.”

The WOW – Women Of The World events (11th, 12th and 13th March) are free and open to ALL – The lively programmes will include female drummers, spoken word artists and entertainers, and live music from Sister Sledge, making this a family-friendly occasion for all. Be a part of this special event with legendary musicians and WOW veterans who are dedicated to changing the world and inspiring others to do the same. For further details please visit careinternational.org

9th March 2016
WORLDS FIRST FREE MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY XENDPAY GROWS TENFOLD IN TEN MONTHS

The world’s first free money transfer company Xendpay has today announced that, following the introduction of its unique “Pay What You Want” service, its transactions volume has increased by ten-fold in just 10 months.

Transferring more money in August than in the entire previous period, Xendpay has also reported that it now transfers $1m (£650,000) every day, marking a landmark milestone for the company. As a result, Xendpay estimates that to date, it has saved customers over $2.7m (£1.75m)that would otherwise have been lost in bank fees, hidden costs and unnecessary charges.

According to the World Bank, the global average cost of sending money internationally is approximately 9% of the total transfer value, a figure often much higher if money is being transferred to less developed countries. However, through the use of transparent foreign exchange rates and a “pay what you want” fee model, the average cost of sending money via Xendpay is just 0.4%, the cheapest rate in the UK’s money transfer market.

The costs for Xendpay to deliver the service are met by voluntary “tips” by users as a sign of appreciation for the savings made. Xendpay has found that 86% of users choose to pay for the service, with 72% of users paying the suggested fee or more. Due to the success of its Pay What You Want model, Xendpay is predicting that by 2020, it can save customers £60 million in costs over the course of the next five years.

Delighted with Xendpay’s growing prominence in the market, CEO and Founder Rajesh Agrawal said: “As Xendpay has shown, money transfers fuelled by voluntary contributions are no longer a pipe dream. Because of our success, traditional money transfer outlets can no longer justify their high hidden costs or unnecessary charges, and must recognise the need for a more egalitarian industry. By using and sharing the Xendpay experience, customers join in taking real a_ction for a better global economy; ensuring more money reaches its intended destination”

Word of mouth marketing is often viewed as the most credible form of advertising – largely because it is customer led and cannot be bought. Recognising this, Xendpay has benefited from their development of a marketing strategy which understands the power of word of mouth and channels it to maximise its exposure. The acquisition numbers are supported by the service’s Net Promoter Score which stands at over 75 and its immensely successful referral scheme, both proving that Xendpay is a trusted and reliable platform.

“Xendpay’s growth demonstrates a rare brand success story, mostly relying on a ‘word of mouth’ marketing strategy. Steering Xendpay clear of gimmicky stunts, we have always wanted our service and its mission to speak for itself, reflecting our honest ethos whilst empowering our users to spread the word to their family and friends. No matter how big a marketing budget may be, it cannot match the power of recommendations”, Mr Agrawal added.

Committed to reducing the cost of money transfers globally, Xendpay has been recognised in the financial services sector as a social cause, and was recently accepted as a Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to a_ction. Xendpay, now available in 180 countries and 48 currencies, is part of the Rational Group of Companies, which has made transfers worth over $5billion (£3.25billion), since its inception in 2005.

26th February 2016
AKSHAY KUMAR’S AIRLIFT UNSTOPPABLE AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOX OFFICE
Indian cinema megastar Akshay Kumar has once again enthralled audiences with his latest film ‘Airlift’, a tense drama based on the true life events during the Gulf War of 1990 which witnessed the world’s largest human evacuation in history. Released just before India’s 67th Republic Day, the film captures the sheer brilliance of the unspoken heroic mission of India which has become an ‘AIRLIFT’ing experience.

Airlift opened to phenomenal reviews, word of mouth and box office takings in India, and has continued its winning streak in all major international box offices over the weekend, opening to record breaking numbers.

Touted as as Akshay Kumar’s PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME, Airlift has become Akshay Kumar’s highest grossing first week ever, surpassing his previous hits such as Rowdy Rathore, Houseful 2, Gabbar, Special 26, Singh Is Bling, Baby and Brothers.

The international box office for Indian cinema has historically been dominated by family dramas, rom-coms and romance genres, but despite Airlift’s thriller-esque screenplay, it has emerged a triumphant success as it entered its second weekend.

Continuing to capture the hearts and minds of millions of fans internationally, the impressive stats for the film’s performance to date include USA and Canada where it took USD $ 844, 454 and CAD $ 219, 770 respectively; the UK, where it made £208, 627; the Middle East saw it rake in a record USD $1.5 million (AED 5,200,000 approx); Australia saw it take $ 345, 250 AUD; New Zealand, where it broke it also broke previous records set by Akshay’s films, taking a very impressive $ 105, 863 NZD; the box office in Fiji Islands took FJD 48368 and rest of the world USD $375,500, amounting to an aggregate and ever increasing sum of approximately USD $3.4 million.

Speaking about the success of the film internationally, Mr Sunil Shah, Head of Film Division at B4U, said, “We are very proud of the response we have received for ‘Airlift’ internationally and the box office figures are hugely remarkable for a film of this genre. The success of Airlift internationally clearly conveys a trajectory in the changes in film consumption – the international audience for cinema is expanding and becoming more accepting of other genres – and as a company we are delighted to be at the forefront of this emerging trend.

The aim for us as distributors is to release a film, help widen its reach and appeal and ultimately to positively impact the box office. Despite distributing a film starring one of India’s greatest film actors, the strategy we adopted was qualitative over quantitative to reflect the concept of the film, selecting the most appropriate sites and markets.

Since the narrative of Airlift is transient and can resonate with migrants and any individual who has been displaced in their country as refugees, it strikes an emotional chord with audiences, thus we reflected this nuance in our publicity and marketing campaign which helped us to captivate and engage audiences.”

Airlift is an edge-of-the-seat entertaining thriller, directed by Raja Krishna Menon and stars Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur (Homeland, The Lunchbox). The story, based on a true event, is set in 1990 in Kuwait, the time of the Gulf War when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. The film has Akshay Kumar, playing Ranjit Katyal, a wealthy and powerful Indian businessman, who initially considers himself a Kuwaiti rather than an Indian. But after finding himself and the lives of his family in danger, eventually becomes the man who helps evacuate 170,000 Indians from Kuwait and brings them back safely to India. Over 59 days, 488 Air India commercial airliners were flown into a war zone to evacuate 170,000 Indians and bring them back home safely making this the largest human evacuation in history, which has also found its way to the Guinness Book Of World Records.

Here are just some of the outstanding reviews and comments the film has received:

Taran Adarsh tweeted: “#Airlift is a must must watch. One of the finest films to come out of the Hindi film industry. Just do not miss this one!”

Popular UK presenters Raj and Pablo from BBC Asian Network say: “Akshay is simply outstanding”

Top UK Asian website Punjab2000 said: So many positives can be taken from this dramatic film

Gulf News say: “Airlfit is Raw and Real”

First Post said: “Akshay Kumar nails the role of an unsung hero in this heart-stopping thriller”

Movie critics Shubha Shetty from Mid-day gave the film 4 stars, Saibal Chaterjee from NDTV 4 stars and Taran Adarsh 4.5 stars

B-Town has also been sending a wave of positive comments to Akshay Kumar and those involved in the project:

Rishi Kapoor – Saw Airlift.Brave film by director.Bhushan/Nikhil tops.Akshay,Nimrat work effortlessly.That George was good. Film Instils patriotism.See it!

Prabhu Deva – @akshaykumar sir superb, team work superb, loved it! #Airlift

Varun Dhawan – Saw #airlift. Really loved the film. .@akshaykumar best.lovely to see @NimratOfficial on screen congrats@TSeries @nikkhiladvani @RajaMenon

Anupam Kher – Congrats to the cast & crew of AIRLIFT. @akshaykumar your performance is of International level. Your graph as an actor is Inspirational.:)

Karan Arjun – #airlift is a heartwarming film about the triumph of the human spirit!! @akshaykumar in his career best portrayal was the soul of the film.

Hrithik Roshan – Happy Republic day! #Airlift is so deserving of all d success. Congrats @akshaykumar @mrsfunnybones n team. My Republic Day well spent!

Catch the video highlighting some of the brilliant reviews the film has garnered:
https://www.facebook.com/akshaykumarofficial/videos/10153634561098283/?theater

Airlift is released by B4U and is on general release internationally.
29th January 2016
Driving innovation within the fin-tech sector for businesses

• Hidden money transfer fees cost sMEs a sum of £4billion every year

• Xendpay Business offers small and medium-sized businesses first “pay what you want” money transfer service

• Start-ups have the hardest time in negotiating competitive fees with banks and this is where they require the most help – Xendpay Business could save start-ups and sMEs £Ms in money transfer costs

Xendpay, the world’s cheapest online money transfer service, has today announced the launch of Xendpay Business which for the first time will enable sMEs to make international money transfers for a fee of their choice.

Introducing the company’s successful “Pay What You Want¹” model to the international business payments market, Xendpay’s new service removes the requirement for sMEs to pay an initial mandatory fee for money transfers and the company estimates that it could save businesses ££££s in transfer fees in its first year alone.

Despite an increasing number of UK businesses engaging in international trade over recent years, now accounting for over 15% in the non-financial sector, a recent survey of small businesses found that more than 80% of small businesses didn’t know the true cost of foreign exchange through their banks. Extraordinarily, the cost to sMEs for an international transfer made through their bank could cost up to 6%, in addition to hidden fees incorporated in the spread of the foreign exchange transaction. In total, hidden fees are estimated to cost sMEs a sum of £4billion, highlighting the extent to which banks are overcharging their customers.

sME’s currently tend to turn to other players like Paypal who they believe will offer a better deal along with the ability to integrate and help collect funds but their fees are still extraordinarily high; Xendpay Business is here to change that. As strong believers in brand loyalty, the firm are confident that their competitive offering and understanding of the struggles of being an sME or start-up will ensure that clients continue to benefit time and time again from this new tailored service.

Speaking about the launch of Xendpay Business, Paresh Davdra, CEO and co-Founder of Xendpay, said: “It’s been an incredible year for Xendpay. We are the first company to have scrapped compulsory fees in response to the industrywide lack of transparency and endemic rip off prices. I knew we could do better while still remaining viable.”

Xendpay’s “Pay What You Want” model, which aims to empower the users of financial services for the common good, has been endorsed by Wikipedia Founder

Jimmy Wales and was recently accepted as a Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action. Since the introduction of the model just over a year ago, Xendpay has seen its number of users and transactions increase twelve fold and has saved its customers over $3.2m (£2.1m) that would otherwise have been lost in uncompetitive or hidden bank fees.

Paresh Davdra said: “As Xendpay has shown, money transfers fuelled by voluntary contributions are no longer a pipe dream. By using and sharing the Xendpay experience, customers join in taking real action for a better global economy; ensuring more money reaches its intended destination.”

As a start-up entrepreneur himself, Davdra is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups to thrive in business, supporting a number of ventures including the Princes Trust to empower young Britons and International Widows Day to help provide financial and education resource to widows in developing nations who are often marginalised from the community.

Xendpay is available in over 180 countries and 48 currencies and is part of the Rational Group of Companies, which has made transfers in excess of $10billion since its inception in 2005.

27th January 2016
Harrods Unveils Superbrands

To showcase the most seasoned and luxurious international brands including Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior, Harrods is delighted to announce the completion of Superbrands, a new luxury department dedicated to outstanding international brands.

For over 160 years, Harrods has been a destination for stand-out collections, presenting customers with the most exclusive pieces from luxury brands around the world. Leading designers have showcased their collections in Harrods, in a world-famous womenswear department that has continued to change and evolve over the years. To continue the Harrods legacy of luxury and innovation, Superbrands has now opened with the finest selection of womenswear and accessories.

Designed by Make Architects, this elegant and contemporary space stands apart from the rest of the renowned Harrods building, also known as the “Terracotta Palace”. In the stunning surroundings of marble walls, columns and floors, customers will find 17 exceptional boutiques, each with its own distinct décor. The interiors are beautifully designed, custom-made to suit the look and feel of the individual brands. Brands like Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Ralph & Russo display their most exclusive pieces in colourful and imaginative ways, showcasing them in their windows.

Harrods Fashion Director of Womenswear, Accessories, Fine Jewellery and Childrenswear, Helen David, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to launch Superbrands; this unrivalled space houses the World’s most revered brands and is dedicated to the very best in luxury Womenswear and Accessories. This magical space has allowed us to expand each of the brands’ product offerings and create ‘world of’ shops within Harrods, allowing our customers an unrivalled luxury experience within their favourite brands. This new area further demonstrates our commitment to bringing our customers the ultimate shopping experience housing brands’ finest creations.”

As guests walk along the corridors, they will find a range of boutiques that are truly exceptional, not only in their selection of products but also in their inspired design. For those who enjoy the art and expertise that goes into making such beautiful and timeless pieces, Superbrands is a sensational place to see these pieces in all their splendour.

26th January 2016
ABC YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH WITH NOSH DETOX DELIVERY
Alkalise, Balance and Cleanse your body into better health naturally and effectively with the NEW ABC Plan served by healthy eating company NOSH Detox Delivery.

Brought to you by the specialists dedicated to preparing delicious, fresh, homemade, gluten and dairy free meals, snacks and juices that are sent straight to your door, the NOSH ABC Plan is conveniently designed to improve your health and wellbeing by synchronizing your body’s rhythm with food and drink as you Alkalise, Balance, and Cleanse your system. Serious about your health, the Nosh ABC Plan supplies your body with all the essential nutrients it needs, so that you lose weight naturally, healthily and with ease.

The NOSH ABC Plan – How it Works:

The ABC Plan is split into two parts on a weekly basis. Designed to help your body rehydrate and eliminate toxins during the first three days, Nosh provides you with a liquid diet until 4pm, followed by a balanced meal in the evening. To help heal and rejuvenate essential parts of the body over the last three days, a raw food diet is provided until 4pm, followed by a balanced meal in the evening. All specially prepared meals, snacks and juices are conveniently delivered to your door every night.

The NOSH ABC Plan Helps With:

Gut balancing, colitis and digestive problems including IBS

Boosting fertility

Pre and post pregnancy health symptoms including convalescing

Natural weight loss

Improving general health and well-being

Throughout the program, a NOSH representative is at hand to help you through the physical and emotional stages while your body reaches a state of healthy balance.

On completion of the plan, NOSH also offers a suggested menu of appetising meals to ease you into eating well without overloading your system.

Essentially, the NOSH ABC Plan is a precise combination of the Nosh Juice Fast and Nosh Diet, so you reap the benefits of both programmes. As this diet is less rigorous than the Juice Fast, it can be continued for longer (from 6 days to 6 weeks) to give your body more time to heal, rejuvenate and in turn, optimise your general health and maintain body weight.

NOSH ABC Plan – Sample Menu

Days 1-3 (liquid until 4pm)

Breakfast (smoothie): Nosh Breakfast Smoothie (oats, banana and soya)

Snack (small smoothie): Rose’s Superfood Smoothie – shot of Vitamin C

Lunch (soup): Roasted Mediterranean vegetables and lentil soup

Snack (smoothie): Delicious Comfort Smoothie

Dinner (protein, carbs and salad): Bacon and pea risotto with garden fresh water cress

Days 4-6 (raw food and drink until 4pm)

Breakfast (smoothie): Granola with soya yogurt

Snack (small smoothie): Rose’s Superfood Smoothie – shot of Vitamin C

Lunch (salad): Mixed vegetable salad

Snack (nuts): Omega 3 and 6 seed mix

Dinner (protein, carbs and salad): Chicken cassoulet and mixed greens

NB: All meals, snacks and smoothies provided on the A, B, C Plan are dependent on seasonality and availability of ingredients used to ensure flavour and quality is never compromised
26th December 2015
END7’S HOW TO SHOCK A CELEBRITY VIDEO RECEIVES OVER 7 MILLION VIEWS!

In a hard-hitting video, celebrities from around the world call for support in the global effort to control and eliminate seven diseases that plague more than 1 billion people around the world, including 500 million children. In the video, international actors and musicians witness the devastation neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause and encourage their fans to be part of the solution. The video is part of theEND7 campaign, a public awareness initiative dedicated to controlling and eliminating the seven most prevalent NTDs by 2020.

Emily Blunt (“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,” “Devil Wears Prada”); Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”, “Les Miserables”, “My Week with Marilyn”); Tom Felton (“Harry Potter” series); Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South African pop star); Tom Hollander (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Pride and Prejudice”); and Priyanka Chopra (leading Bollywood actress and international recording artist) are featured in the video. These celebrities join a growing cast of supporters including Katy Perry, Ewan McGregor, Alyssa Milano, Norah Jones, Rosanna Cash, Paula Abdul and Stella McCartney to help raise public awareness about NTDs.

“NTDs are tied to nearly every major development issue today, including childhood nutrition, maternal/child health and water and sanitation” said actor Eddie Redmayne. “For example, washing with contaminated water can lead to blinding diseases such as Trachoma, which is particularly infectious amongst young children. 50 pence/cents is all it takes to treat and protect one child a year from having to live with this painful disease. Be a part of something big: Together we can see the end of seven NTDs in just seven years.”

END7 is the first global public awareness campaign dedicated to NTD control and elimination and relies heavily on individuals spreading the word and getting involved through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. It aims to raise the public awareness and funding required to cover the cost of distributing medicine and setting up treatment programs for NTDs. END7 is encouraging supporters to sign a pledge to inspire global policy leaders and philanthropists to take action and help end these diseases by 2020.

It costs approximately 50 cents/pence to treat one person against the seven most common NTDs for an entire year. Pharmaceutical companies have donated billions of pills to treat these diseases and many programs use existing infrastructure, such as schools and community centers, as distribution points, making NTD treatment one of most cost-effective public health initiatives available today.

“In India alone, nearly 700 million people are at risk for elephantiasis and more than 200 million children are at risk for worm infections,” said Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra. “Through the END7 campaign, we can offer a solution that will change the lives of millions of people living in poverty in Asia and around the world. I am proud to be a part of the global effort to end these diseases.”

The seven most common NTDs—hookworm, ascariasis (roundworm), trichuriasis (whipworm), schistosomiasis (snail fever), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trachoma—infect more than one in six people worldwide, including more than 500 million children. They cause blindness, massive swelling in appendages and limbs, severe malnutrition and anaemia. NTDs prevent children from growing and learning. They reduce adults’ economic productivity and ability to care for their families, keeping communities trapped in a cycle of poverty and disease.

“We are building a movement that allows nearly everyone to play a part in making these diseases history,” said Dr. Neeraj Mistry, managing director of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. “Since last January’s London Declaration we have seen a significant increase in support for NTD control and elimination among global leaders. What we need now is for the general public to get involved in our cause.”

The END7 campaign was launched in 2012 by the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, an initiative of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. Wunderman UK leads the creative direction for the campaign, which includes this latest video along with the campaign’s website, Facebook hub and previously released “Mission in a Minute” video.

To watch the video, entitled END7: How to Shock a Celebrity, and learn more about the END7 campaign, visit www.end7.org.

Home

2nd December 2015
Stars Shine for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Annual Collars & Coats Gala Ball

The visual spectacle that is Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s once again wowed the world last night with the return of the Collars & Coats Gala Ball at the iconic Battersea Evolution in London.

Celebrating its seventh successful year, the high-profile event is a highlight of the autumn social calendar, and is consistently regarded as one of the most unique and eagerly anticipated charity events.

The annual charity extravaganza saw a host of UK and international stars take to the red carpet for this worthwhile cause to raise vital funds for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s work in rescuing and re-homing abandoned dogs. This year’s star line-up, from the world of TV, music, film, sport and fashion, included: Battersea Ambassador Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Hilary Devey, Craig Revel-Horwood, Anthony Head, Nicky Clarke, Kelly Simpkin, Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Dr Christian Jessen, Rosie Marcel, Sue Barker, photographer Rankin, and Debbie Sledge of the iconic music group Sister Sledge.

The theme of the event this year was ‘Transformation’ to celebrate Battersea’s ability to transform dog’s lives, whilst its London site itself transforms with the construction of new facilities for its animals. Making a very welcome return was the popular ‘Battersea Doggie Guard Of Honour’ – a red-carpet parade of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s pooches.

Other highlights of this year’s event included an eclectic performance by music legend and Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry as well as a performance by classical cross-over singer Camilla Kerslake. Battersea ambassadors and supporters including Dr Christian Jessen, Anthony Head and Dame Jacqueline Wilson united on stage to highlight the work and achievements of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

High profile guests and celebrities also enjoyed the opportunity to bid for an array of money can’t buy experiences at the event’s exclusive auction.

Speaking about the return of the gala, Claire Horton, Battersea’s Chief Executive said: “The Collars & Coats Gala Ball was a truly unique event, celebrating our animals and raising money to care for the 9,000 dogs and cats that come through our gates, abandoned and terrified each year. Once again, we’re thrilled that so many supporters and friends of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home gave so generously of their time to make the event so successful.’’

This year’s Collars & Coats Gala Ball was proudly sponsored by Henry Wiltshire International, a leading estate agent in London who works across local, national and international markets delivering unrivalled customer service through the commitment of its team. With two offices in London (Nine Elms and Canary Wharf) Henry Wiltshire International provide expert Sales, Lettings and Property Management services both locally and to their international clientele through their offices based in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and Singapore. Speaking about the partnership with the Home, Kelly Gallagher, Director of Henry Wiltshire International said: ‘It was a pleasure for Henry Wiltshire International to support such a worthwhile and important event and help raise money for a fantastic cause.’

The Collars & Coats VIP area, an exclusive area for VIPs and celebrity guests was sponsored by Battersea Power Station Development Company. They said: ‘On behalf of the Battersea Power Station shareholders, Battersea Power Station Development Company was delighted to support our neighbour with this incredible charity event.’

It costs Battersea over £10m to care for its dogs and cats every year, and with no government funding, the Collars & Coats Gala Ball is all about helping to increase awareness of the important work the charity does each and every day of the year to offer a second chance in life to thousands of animals. Last year nearly 9,000 dogs and cats needed Battersea’s care and attention to help find them the best possible new homes.

For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and to pledge donations, please visit www.battersea.org.uk or call 0207 627 7883.

2nd December 2015
INTRODUCING THE EXHIBITIONIST HOTEL – LONDON’S BEST KEPT SECRET

The Exhibitionist Hotel is the next generation in luxury boutique art hotels. It expertly merges British heritage, unique design and an appreciation of modern lifestyle, within beautifully restored 18th Century London town houses in the heart of Knightsbridge on Queensberry Place.

The Exhibitionist Hotel is the hotel destination of choice for today’s modern, busy traveller, offering a warm welcome, first-class hospitality and uber-luxurious bespoke touches, guaranteed to make your visit one to remember.

Celebrating the limitless nature of the artistic license, The Exhibitionist Hotel promotes leading artworks with eight dedicated galleries within its walls, offering a blank canvas for iconic artists to exhibit their work. Currently corridors are adorned by the work of artists such as Sarah Pope, whose work has featured in the Saatchi and Saatchi Gallery, and the Paris based Mariana Thome, which will be transformed regularly with new artists, exhibitions and events, creating an exclusive experience for each guests’ stay. The Exhibitionist Hotel also features an eclectic concept room, The Backroom, which honours the craft of art with hand-inked wall paintings. Currently on display is an illustrative piece by Le Gun which, by blending punk, occult, pop and surrealist aesthetics, creates an idiosyncratic imagery.

With an intimate feel, The Exhibitionist Hotel has just 37 fantastically-designed bedrooms, all featuring bespoke furniture, fittings and custom-made headboards. Each room combines tranquil relaxation with ultra-comfort, including specially-designed cashmere and horse hair mattresses by Hypnos. Other quaint touches include a personalized scent for each room, in-room spa treatments from Viva Therapies and personal shopping by renowned VIP stylist Lucy Packman. Guests have the option to book such services before they settle-in either through the Hotel’s reception or via The Exhibitionist App, providing guests the ultimate level of personalization directly from their mobile. Offering the complete luxury get-away, guests can also avail of a concierge service.

Contemporary design is at the heart of the hotel’s interiors and tailor-made furniture, complemented state-of-the-art technology, including a personalized iPad in each room, a Smart TV to seamlessly connect you to a range of catering and concierge services, and complimentary Freeview channels and wi-fi.

A home away from home, The Exhibitionist Hotel features four unique luxury suites. The two penthouse suites of particular note are The Squint Suite and the Jimmie Martin Suite. The first is a colourful ensemble, with exuberant design and eye-catching modern art scattered across the room, whilst the latter is a darker, more eclectic space, infused with statement furniture. Both have roomy terraces with impressive London views, accommodating up to 25 guests for private events such as weddings, cocktail functions and meetings. The terraces feature outdoor TV screens, perfect for watching a film during a balmy summer evening, and an adjoined visitor bathroom, enabling total privacy for guests.

The hotel’s most unique feature is its status as the only London hotel to have opulent double rooms with “plunge pools”, the Splash Suites. Located on the basement-floor, the suites come complete with their own private entrances for an exclusive, apartment-like feel. Accommodating approximately eight guests, the plunge pools are the perfect relaxation treat after a busy day of retail therapy or for creating that intimate party atmosphere. They are also the perfect romantic getaway. Guests can also indulge in the hotel’s in-room male and/or female option butler and bartender services direct to the suite.

Away from the splendour of the bedrooms, the hotel also boasts three eclectic eateries and bars, including: the new Abstract Bar, the elegantly decorated Garden Room, located on the ground floor of the hotel, ideal for private dining and closed Door boardroom meetings, accommodating up to 12-15 people seated or 20 standing; and The Lounge Bar, a spacious seating area with decadent design features and snug armchairs. A stand-out feature is the hotel’s bar areas, which feature an array of tantalising signature cocktails.

Guests can enjoy continental or A La Carte breakfast, and a 24 hour in-room dining service from a former Hilton Group chef who is experienced in preparing exquisite meals. A sumptuous Halal menu is also provided.

An idyllic alternative to the more bustling Park Lane, The Exhibitionist Hotel allows guests to explore and sample the delights of Knightsbridge. The hotel is conveniently located near to some of London’s most exclusive shopping districts catering to an ultra-high-net-worth and stylish clientele. Within minutes you can experience iconic landmark stores such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols and an array of designer boutiques on Sloane Street. The area is also world renowned for its cultural attractions housing The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum and Royal Albert Hall to name a few. The hotel takes its name from the adjacent Exhibition Road, home to some of London’s most iconic cultural institutions.

For further information, visit: www.theexhibitionisthotel.com

10th November 2015
HARRODS LAUNCHES CHRISTMAS WINDOWS

The Harrods Christmas windows on the Brompton Road will set the scene for a world of moving puppets and performers. Inspired by the store’s “Once Upon a Christmas” theme, each window will feature a stage complete with performers, lights, scenery and red velvet curtains. Meanwhile, “hidden” beneath the floorboards is a magical world of Christmas mice, with Peter Pumpernickel returning to lead the entertainment as they play and prepare for their Christmas celebrations.

ALEXANDER WELLS-GRECO, HEAD OF VISUAL MERCHANDISING AT HARRODS, SAID: “This year, our customers are invited to become the audience and enjoy the festive season’s ultimate show. We want to continue to engage with families – children in particular. To achieve this, we raised the windows by 60cm to create the underfloor theatre scenes of Christmas mice preparing for the festivities, installed directly at a child’s eye level.”

Along the Brompton Road, Burberry’s window depicts its Thomas bears enjoying a night at the theatre, while Balenciaga’s window houses a swinging circus performer who introduces key Christmas accessories from a trapeze. A production line of mice work on Christmas orders in their workshop in the Stella McCartney window, while Bottega Veneta’s AW15 handbag collection appears alongside the strongman’s weights in the Magical Marionette circus tent. An oversized gingerbread house created by Rosalind Miller takes over one of Harrods’ windows, delivering a Hansel and Gretel twist. The house stands nearly two metres tall and three metres wide. Constructed of more than 42 gingerbread tiles (weighing a total of 40kg) and with around 200 sugar roof tiles, it took 33 hours to bake and involved 20 hours of hand-piping. Alongside the house, an array of festive fare from Godiva, East India Company and Ladurée is featured in the wintry forest scene.

To coincide with the launch of the famous Harrods windows, the Festival of Christmas begins on Friday 6th November with the arrival of Father Christmas and the opening of The Harrods Christmas Grotto. Meanwhile, in Hans Crescent, festive characters will be dropping by over the weekend and there will be a variety of entertainment on offer for children. Families can meet Father Christmas’ reindeer, visit Snowball Alley, and have fun with the Wheel of Fortune and a festive photo booth.

In-store, each department will be running a number of activities, including face painting with Disney in Childrenswear on the Fourth Floor; sock monogramming at Pantherella in Menswear on the Lower Ground Floor; and calligraphic personalisation and monogramming across Crème de la Mer products in the Beauty Halls on the Ground Floor.

2nd November 2015
UN GLOBAL GOALS REACH ALMOST 3 BILLION PEOPLE IN JUST 7 DAYS AFTER 193 WORLD LEADERS UNITE IN NYC
With the historic signing of the goals taking place in New York on 25th September, many extraordinary achievements have been made so far to make the goals famous, highlights availablehere*, with an estimated 40% reach of the global population – an average of 417 million people per day.

500 million children reached with the World’s Largest Lesson thanks to commitments from Ministries of Education in 103 countries

136 flags raised from the North Pole to North Korea, Moscow’s Red Square to 10 Downing Street, Larke Pass in Nepal to the Himalayas in India

Mobile operators text almost one billion people about the goals and spread the word to 5.2 billion customers

60,000 people attended the Global Citizen Festival including; First Lady Michelle Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Arjun Kapoor, Bono, Bill and Melinda Gates and Malala Yousafzai. The concert was headlined by Beyoncé and Coldplay and watched on TV in 26 countries

1.3 million mentions on social media with #globalgoals trending across the world thanks to the support of 20 of the world’s top websites, Prime Minister David Cameron, Hillary Clinton, Jennifer Lopez, Ashton Kutcher, 1D, David, Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar and Victoria Beckham and many more

Countless people joined a star studded line-up in the crowdsourced film ‘We The People’ contributed to by Stephen Hawking, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Colin Firth, Stevie Wonder, Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and many more.

The World’s First Global Cinema Ad produced by Aardman and voiced by Liam Neeson and Michelle Rodriguez premiered in 34 cinemas globally

Over 250 million people engaged via Radio Everyone in 75 countries with 600 radio partners

Famous faces including; Naomi Campbell, Nicole Scherzinger, Lily Cole, Sadie Frost, Jodie Kidd, Laura Bailey, Alice Temperley and Alek Wek pledged their support for the goals they are most passionate about in a series of striking photographs

‘Invisible man’ artist Liu Bolin created a new piece of artwork by camouflaging himself in front of 193 UN countries’ flags

Action/2015 report that over 200,000 people took action across more than 100 countries

Corporates such as Tata group, Standard Chartered, eBay India, Reliance Group, Aviva and many more, all helped promote the global goals
The aims of the Global Goals are to achieve three extraordinary things in the next 15 years; end poverty, fight inequality & injustice and tackle climate change – for everyone.

193 world leaders have now adopted these aims and committed to addressing 17 Goals.

Project Everyone, founded by Richard Curtis, aims to both make the goals famous and to push for their full implementation. If the goals are famous- if people care about what has been promised by the politicians, it greatly increases their chance of being implemented.

Richard Curtis said: “In just 7 days we’re halfway towards achieving the ambitious goal of telling everyone in the world about the UN Global Goals. Knowledge is power and country by country people are starting to find out about the plan their politicians have made.

We all need to know what our rights are in order to claim them. This simple idea of ‘telling everyone’ about the goals means that we can now begin to hold our politicians to account in addressing the 17 core issues brought to the world’s attention at the Sustainable Development Summit on 25th September. Their final aim will be to make us the first generation to end extreme poverty, the most determined generation to end inequality and injustice and the last generation to be threatened by climate change.

I hope we can now continue to spread the message of the goals to everyone to help make them a reality by 2030. And work towards an annual day where everyone will be encouraged to focus on the Goals, the progress made so far and what needs to be addressed in the years and years ahead to achieve their final goal.”

Stephen Hawking said: “2015 is the year world leaders sign up to the Global Goals. They are an ambitious to do list to eradicate poverty, save the environment, and make the world a fairer place for everyone. To save the world we need everyone to tell everyone.”

Find out more about the Global Goals: www.globalgoals.org
21st October 2015
DSC SOUTH ASIAN LITERATURE PRIZE

16th January 2016; Sri Lanka: Anuradha Roy has been announced as the winner of the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2016 for her novel, Sleeping on Jupiter at the Fairway Galle Literary Festival in Sri Lanka. In a glittering ceremony, the US $50,000 DSC Prize along with a unique trophy was awarded by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the winner.

The six shortlisted authors and novels in contention for the DSC Prize this year were Akhil Sharma: Family Life (Faber & Faber, UK), Anuradha Roy: Sleeping on Jupiter (Hachette, India), K.R. Meera: Hangwoman (Translated by J Devika; Penguin, India), Mirza Waheed: The Book of Gold Leaves (Viking/Penguin India), Neel Mukherjee: The Lives of Others (Vintage/Penguin Random House, UK) and Raj Kamal Jha: She Will Build Him A City (Bloomsbury, India).

Now in its sixth edition, the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature is an established international literary prize that awards the best work in South Asian fiction writing each year. This year the DSC Prize had received 74 entries with participation from publishers from the South Asian region as well as from countries like the UK, US, Canada, Australia and South Africa amongst others. The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature which is specifically focused on South Asian writing is unique in the sense that it is not ethnicity driven in terms of the author’s origin and is open to any author belonging to any part of the globe as long as the work is based on the South Asian region and its people. The past winners have been from various countries and their work has reflected the importance of South Asian culture and literature.

The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2016 was judged by a diverse and distinguished five member jury panel comprising eminent figures drawn from the international literary fraternity who have worked in or around South Asian literature and issues. The jury panel comprised of Mark Tully, Chair of the jury panel and renowned journalist who has commentated on a wide range of issues affecting the South Asian region for over four decades; Dennis Walder, Emeritus Professor of Literature at the Open University, UK, who has authored several articles and books on 19th and 20th century literature; Karen Allman, highly respected book seller and literary coordinator based out of Seattle, USA; Neloufer de Mel, Senior Professor of English at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, who has written extensively on society, culture and feminism; and Syed Manzoorul Islam, celebrated Bangladeshi writer, translator, critic and academic.

Speaking on the occasion, Mark Tully on behalf of the jury said “We had a shortlist of six outstanding books. Their excellence made our task particularly difficult. We chose Sleeping on Jupiter by Anuradha Roy because of its elegance, flair and readability. It raises many issues succinctly and with commendable economy of words. The South Asian setting is described faithfully and evocatively. Among the issues raised are the power of memory and myth, religious hypocrisy, sexuality, abuse and other forms of violence. The novel contains powerful portraits of both major and minor characters. We believe this book will be a source of inspiration to other writers.

Congratulating the winner, Surina Narula, MBE and co-founder of the DSC Prize said “My heartfelt congratulations to Anuradha Roy for winning the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2016. The winning novel highlights the changing dynamics in South Asian life and culture in a unique way. It must have been a tough task for the jury members to choose from the six exceptional contenders and arriving at the eventual winner as each one of the novels represents the very best in South Asian fiction writing. Completing six successful years, the DSC Prize remains focused on recognizing and showcasing the immense talent writing about the South Asian region and bringing it to the larger global audience.”

Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest of the event. While presenting the trophy to the winner he commented on the importance of South Asian literature and the crucial role it can play to improve the lives of the people living in this region.

The last five winners of the DSC Prize have been Jhumpa Lahiri (The Lowland: Vintage Books/Random House, India), Cyrus Mistry (Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer: Aleph Book Company, India), Jeet Thayil (Narcopolis: Faber & Faber, London), Shehan Karunatilaka (Chinaman: Random House, India) and HM Naqvi (Home Boy: Harper Collins, India). Each of these winners has gone on to be published internationally and their work has reached a larger global audience which has been one of the central visions of the DSC Prize.

Over the years the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature has been deeply involved in supporting the cause of South Asian literature and is committed to widen the ambit of conversation on South Asian writing by reaching out to diverse audiences through its various events and initiatives.

26th July 2015
AN EVENING WITH PACINO

GLASGOW 19 MAY | LONDON 22 MAY | DUBLIN 24 MAY

S2BN Entertainment is pleased to present AN EVENING WITH PACINO, the worldwide acclaimed event with one of cinema’s most riveting stars, Al Pacino.

Taking place at three coveted venues in Europe: Clyde Auditorium, SECC in Glasgow on 19th May, Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London on 22nd May and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin on 24th May, the unique events will be an unmissable opportunity for fans in Europe to get up close and personal, sharing private moments with one of the greatest actors of his generation.

AN EVENING WITH PACINO marks a welcome return for Al Pacino to the United Kingdom following a sold out night at the London Palladium in 2013. ‘An Evening with Pacino’ will explore the myriad highlights of one of the most celebrated careers in acting history, from his time off-Broadway in the 60s right up to the present day. Highlights will include never before heard stories and exclusive clips shared by Pacino in intimate theatre surrounds. The evening will include an on-stage interview projected on a state-of-the-art large screen, bringing the action closer to the audience. This very special event will also give audience members a rare chance to speak directly to Pacino in an audience question and answer session.

“I’m very excited to be presenting these special events with Al Pacino,” said Michael Cohl, Chairman, S2BN Entertainment “he is one of the most talented actors of all time and to see him live, in person, and to hear his stories, and watch him go in and out of his most famous characters, is truly a unique experience”.

Al Pacino has created some of the most indelible character portrayals in cinema history, starring in over forty films that include The Godfather Trilogy, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Scent of a Woman, Sea of Love, Dick Tracy, Heat, Scarface, Any Given Sunday, Donnie Brasco, Angels in America and, most recently, You Don’t Know Jack and Phil Spector for HBO. He is an eight-time Academy Award nominee and an Oscar winner for his performance in Scent of a Woman.

Pacino’s performances for HBO have garnered Golden Globe and Emmy awards for Angels in America and You Don’t Know Jack. He is one of the few actors to have won the triple crown of acting: the Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award. He is also the winner of the 2012 National Medal of Arts, AFI Life Achievement Award and American Cinematheque Award.

With an enduring devotion to acting, Pacino has become one of film and theatre’s most honoured artists, and one of the most famous and loved actors in the world. AN EVENING WITH PACINO is, undoubtedly, an exceptional opportunity to catch an icon in the flesh.

Tickets are available to purchase on www.ticketmaster.com and www.eveningwithpacino.com. Tickets range from £40 to £200. Additional ticket fees may apply.

For VIP and Meet & Greet Experience packages please contact Sterling Global

11th May 2015