Sterling Global

Category: Global

  • PAD MAN AKSHAY KUMAR FLAGS OFF INDIA’S LARGEST NATIONWIDE RUN IN LUCKNOW

    PAD MAN AKSHAY KUMAR FLAGS OFF INDIA’S LARGEST NATIONWIDE RUN IN LUCKNOW

    • Thousands attend run and concert at Sahara Shaher Auditorium with Akshay Kumar, Singer Darshan Raval and other eminent individuals
    • Akshay Kumar makes spectacular entrance into the auditorium with female bikers, sporting pink as an ode to woman empowerment
    • Run4Niine has been simultaneously organised across 500+ cities and 20+ States in India

    Megastar and the Pad Man of India Akshay Kumar flagged-off Run4Niine at Sahara Shaher in Lucknow – the largest nationwide run to take place in India to end taboos around menstruation – on the 8th of March to mark International Women’s Day 2019.

    An initiative by Niine Sanitary Napkins, the made-in-India affordable yet premium sanitary napkins brand, Run4Niine was supported by the Niine Movement which launched the nationwide #18to82 campaign movement to bridge the gap between the 18% of menstruating females in India who use sanitary napkins, and the 82% predominantly engaging in unhygienic and unsafe alternatives such as old cloths, rags, hay and even ash.

    The pan India event saw over 1,00,000 participants across more than 500 cities in 20 states in India including Lucknow, Gurgaon, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, Visakhapatnam, Ludhiana, Panjim, and Howrah.  Participants from across all genders, ages and abilities, ran, jogged, walked and wheeled for the noble cause of highlighting the importance of safe menstrual hygiene practices and to break the taboo associated with periods.

    In Lucknow, over 4,000 participants joined megastar Akshay Kumar at Sahara Shaher for the run, followed by a special concert by singer, songwriter and performer Darshan Raval who performed some of his most popular songs at the event aimed to smash the stigma on menstruation.

    Akshay Kumar took his commitment to supporting fem-force to a new level when he was seen sporting pink trousers at Run4Niine as he made his grand entry into the auditorium joined by the famous all-women biker group, on their motorbikes. He then took to the stage for a series of interactions with strong women empowerment champions.

    Speaking on stage about his association with Run4Niine, megastar Akshay Kumar said, “I am excited to be partnering with the Niine Movement to encourage an open and unashamed discussion on menstruation with my fellow citizens, pad heroes, change makers and pathbreakers for the Run4Niine. Each one of us that takes part in Run4Niine helps to create an unstoppable force that will beat the stigma around periods.” 

    Discussing the significance of the event taking place to mark International Women’s Day Akshay Kumar added “International Women’s Day is a significant day for women and girls across the world; a day when women are not only celebrated for their achievements and contributions in all sectors of life but a cold reminder of the inequalities that exist in our society which have kept girls and women back for centuries. International Women’s Day serves as a fitting day for Run4Niine, where EVERYONE can come together in solidarity to tackle menstrual taboos.”

    Run4Niine is an initiative by Niine Sanitary Napkins, a challenger brand in the menstrual hygiene sector of India. Co-founded by leading Gorakhpur social-entrepreneurs, Amar Tulsiyan and Gaurav Bathwal and Kanpur entrepreneur Sharat Khemka, the brand entered the market with products that have leveraged the innovation and expertise of international experts in the United States who have extensive experience in designing products in the sanitation and hygiene space. Niine Sanitary Napkins is also the first sanitary napkin brand in India, which comes with a disposal bag and the first to launch a Period Tracker app.

    Speaking about the Run4Niine Lucknow, Amar Tulsiyan said, “My heartfelt gratitude to so many thousands of people across hundreds of cities who took part in Run4Niine. I was also glad to see so many boys and men joining hands to raise their voice against the stigma around menstruation. The Chain of Niine has never been stronger, and I’d like to thank JCI India, FOGSI, Mr Akshay Kumar, for their support. People usually run for their own fitness and health. This International Women’s Day they ran for awareness of health of woman of country especially during menstruation. Niine was created to break the silence and the stigma around periods in India. Today I can truly say that we are not alone in that wish, and that we are one step closer to improving menstrual hygiene awareness for all.”

    Speaking about the significance of the Run4Niine, Amreesh Chandra, Vice Chairman, CEL and Global Ambassador of Niine said, “Run4Niine is truly a landmark moment for the Niine Movement, and for the conversation around menstrual hygiene as a whole. The enthusiasm that the run has received across cities shows the real support across India for breaking the taboos around menstruation. As an educationist I am sure Niine will play a major role in the eradication of girl absenteeism in schools on account of menstruation. I would like to thank our partners JCI India, FOGSI for their strong support and Sahara for a beautiful venue for a noble cause, and other organisations and everyone who has registered to Run4Niine, showing the world that India will no longer be silent about periods.”

    Run4Niine is being organised in the support of esteemed partners and is powered by JCI India, the non-profit organisation encouraging young people to be active responsible citizens and to take the ‘Let’s Talk About Periods’ message to the streets of hundreds of cities. It is supported by Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), a long-term partner of Niine and one of the largest membership-based organizations for specialized professionals within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology in India, who have also been organising workshops in several cities where Run4Niine activities are taking place to help encourage more people to take an active role. Run4Niine national partners include: Fortis Hospitals as medical partner across the cities they are present, and Coca-Cola as beverage partner across 10 cities including in Lucknow.

    Speaking about their role in taking the Run4Niine message to hundreds of cities across India, JCI India 2019 President Shirish Dundoo and JCI India 2018 President Arpit Hathi, who are mobilising support for Run4Niine across cities jointly said: “JCI India is proud to have a partner like Niine for the initiative ‘Run4Niine’. It has been brilliant to see so many young people across the country taking action and running, walking and more to show their support for menstrual hygiene awareness. It is shocking that there is still a stigma and taboo about periods that restricts women and girls across India – but the Run4Niine has shown that people across of India – young and older seek a change for the better. We are pleased to have played a role in this and look forward to working with Niine on future initiatives. JCI India has association with Niine with common interest to address the women health issues.

    We are associated to bring awareness among women for proper menstrual hygiene. Our aim is to educate women across the country to overcome the taboo of menstruation. We ensure that sanitary awareness reaches those most in need under the Prayas program. We are promoting women’s health awareness with this project as a part of Impact 2030 which is integrated into the UNSDG (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals). Let’s all Inspire youth, Inspire leaders, and inspire Change to create an impact in society and bring awareness about menstrual hygiene in women and girls. On this International Women’s Day let’s all support our sisters through this Prayas and Run4Niine for a better world.”

    FOGSI 2018 President, Dr Jaideep Malhotra and FOGSI 2019 President, Dr Nandita Palshetkar jointly said: “We are extremely proud to be associated with Run4Niine and truly believe in their vision to tackle menstrual taboos. We will be conducting workshops across India to help encourage people to start a dialogue on periods.”

    Innerwheel Club District 312 and Rotary International District 3120 have been actively supporting the Niine Movement’s mission and have organised runs in several cities across North India. Innerwheel Club District 312, District Chairperson, Mrs. Shalini Talwar and Mrs. Alka Past District Chairman jointly said: “We are delighted to partner with Niine Movement and support Run4Niine. It is very important that we encourage candid conversations surrounding women’s health; conduct sessions on gender, sexuality, and menstrual hygiene management, which will help young children understand menstruation as a clean and natural biological process.”

     Rotary International District 3120, District Governor Rtn Stuti Agrawal and President Rotary Club Lucknow jointly said: “We have been working with the Niine Movement to raise awareness of menstrual hygiene for over a year and more than eve before we are committed to ending every taboo around menstruation. Run4Nine has been an incredible opportunity to bring together everyone for one cause.”

    Run4Niine is also supported by WaterAid India, an international not-for-profit determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation, and UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

    Speaking about the importance of menstrual hygiene awareness, Farrukh Khan, Regional Manager (North), WaterAid India said, “Menstrual hygiene management is an important area of work for WaterAid. We use an approach that is comprehensive and focuses on addressing taboos while also creating an enabling environment to foster change. We believe that the issue needs a holistic approach that addresses all aspects, be it ensuring access to products, infrastructure or safe disposal of waste.”

    Speaking about UN Women’s work in menstrual hygiene awareness, Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Representative, UN Women India MCO, said “Access to sexual and reproductive services and information is linked to all the aspects of women empowerment. The fact that only 18% of the women in India have access to sanitary napkins is a stark reminder of the efforts required to uproot misinformation at a grassroots level. Menstrual hygiene is also a sanitation matter. We need to provide more WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities for women and girls, so that they can access all spaces in a safe and dignified manner. UN Women is pleased to support Niine Movement’s nationwide ‘Run4Niine’ this International Women’s Day.”

    Other supporters of Run4Niine include Sahara Group of Companies including Sahara Hospital and Sahara Shaher; Food Partner Buttercup Bungalow Bakery, Levana Hotels, Cappuccino Blast; Hospitality Partner Levana Hospitality with the kind support of Director Rahul Agrawal; Medical Partner Sahara Hospital; Hygiene Partner Freshca, Media Partners Big FM, India News. Run4Niine associates include Rotary International District 3120 and District Governor Rtn Stuti Agrawal, Innerwheel Club District 312 and Chairperson Mrs. Shalini Talwar, Chairperson; JCI India and especially JC Ashwini Kumar, President Zone 3 (U.P, East, West Bengal, Bihar & Jharkhand) based out of Lucknow; FOGSI’s Dr. Uma Singh, President FOGSI Lucknow and Dr. Preeti Kumar, Senior FOGSI Member; National Cadet Core (NCC) and Major General A. K. Sapra, Addl Director General, U.P; Srijan Foundation and its Founder Amit Sraikwal; Chetna Institute of Mentally Handicapped Children and its Founder Mrs. Alka Bansal; Jute for Life and its Founder Anjali Singh; U.P. Mahila Samakhya, a Government of U.P. Initiative; Pad Bank  NGO by College Students of Bareilly inspired by the film Pad Man and the Rehabilitation Institute of Visually Impaired.

    For further information on Run4Niine, log on to:  www.niine.com/run4niine

  • Worrld We Want launches to revolutionise Global Impact Sector through cross-sector collaboration – Sterling Media

    Worrld We Want launches to revolutionise Global Impact Sector through cross-sector collaboration – Sterling Media

    As UN Secretary General Warns of Dysfunctional World, Worrld We Want promotes collaboration for a better world through revolutionary ideas and responsible goals

    193 world leaders adopted The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, an ambitious plan to end global poverty, tackle climate change and reduce inequalities by 2030. In response to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ warning at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos 2019 that the world’s problems are becoming more ‘integrated’ but its responses more ‘fragmented’ and ‘dysfunctional’, an ambitious new organisation aimed at revolutionising the social impact and advocacy sector through cross-sector collaboration is launching to empower the next generation of leaders, businesses and change-makers to support social good causes.

    Worrld We Want (WWW) is a global impact enterprise launched to unlock the collective strength of people, ideas, networks and technologies to accelerate achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

    2019 represents a fast-changing world, where the assumptions and rules of old no longer apply, and where new ideas are born every day. As the UN Secretary General highlighted in Davos, issues of climate change and inequalities remain the world’s biggest challenges due to a lack of cooperation. The rise of social justice activism and corporate social responsibility reflects a generation imbued with the desire to do well by doing good. WWW has been launched with the aim of harnessing that sense of purpose to convert into meaningful action, combining revolutionary ideas with responsible goals.

    With an international team of experts based in the UK, India, USA, Hong Kong and the UAE, WWW has been co-founded by Teji Singh and Natasha Mudhar, seasoned entrepreneurs and the driving force behind the award-winning global business communication strategy consultancy Sterling Group.

    WWW is powered by “Accelerator” ventures aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on convening leading organisations, corporations, public figures including celebrities, campaigners and thought leaders around the world to awaken social consciousness and drive meaningful change. Ventures include identifying and enabling the change makers of the future through events, indexes, mentorship and incubation initiatives, empowering the world’s citizens through supporting open data policies, harnessing the power of celebrity and pop culture to entertain and inspire audiences and supporting critical impact projects through an ethical investment fund. “Accelerator” ventures include:

    • W: More than a consultancy, W will help businesses to turn their social good initiatives into a movement, through storytelling, communication strategy and encouraging cross-sector collaboration. With W’s guidance, more businesses will understand how they can do well by doing good, and how to create clear and compelling narratives that reflect what audiences really care about.
    • CHANGE4GOOD: Change4Good will look to the change makers of tomorrow. With the solutions to tackling complex challenges likely to come from creative, idealist, ambitious and energetic minds, Change4Good will showcase young leaders who are already making a difference. This will culminate with the launch of a Globe Shakers index profiling young change makers.
    • POWERTOPEOPLE: PowerToPeople will aim to support open data initiatives to empower the world’s citizens and provide solutions to major global issues. Through working together to build a strong data ecosystem, PowerToPeople will create the opportunity for everyone to access the knowledge they need to help to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
    • RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS: WWW will also have an expert service that will help companies to craft CSR strategies and become more trustworthy, accountable and responsible. Businesses will be given guidance on how to modify leadership, values and actions to craft a credible Corporate Social Responsibility strategy for today’s corporate world, respecting the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit
    • PopularCulture4Good (PC4Good): Pop Culture is a useful tool that can be used to develop a national and international communication strategy. PC4Good will help businesses to use the power of celebrities – from artists, musicians and film stars to cultural leaders -to bring attention to social good causes and to create impactful change
    • W Impact Investment Fund: The W Impact Investment Fund is a global consortium that has been set up to support critical impact projects, backed by investors seeking sustainable finance and green investment portfolios. Through ethical investment, the fund will help to create action and impact around the world. Supporting critical impact projects around the world through ethical investment.
    • Tashan: An ethical lifestyle and wellness retail brand with the core values of creating style with substance, centred around a planet conscious way of life. Tashan will aim to be a noble model for retail – creating a value driven enterprise, sustainably sourced and ethically created for the modern consumer.

     Speaking about the launch of Worrld We Want, Co-founder and Chairperson Teji Singh said: “Worrld We Want represents an exciting opportunity to convene changemakers from around the world and help to create new ones, all working to achieve the sustainable development goals. Now is the time to take action, and it will take our collective expertise, resources and willpower to build a better future for the world. We look forward to working with our partners and businesses to create truly effective global impact through cross-sector collaboration.”

    Co-founder and CEO Natasha Mudhar said “We are proud at last to unveil Worrld We Want. After years of bringing brands closer to their purpose, with WWW we aim to turn that purpose into action, by supporting new ideas for global impact and social good across sectors.  The UN Secretary General is right that a dysfunctional and fragmented response from the world only makes challenges more difficult to overcome. Most of today’s social challenges are too complex for any single individual or institution to solve. And that’s why we believe cross-sector collaboration is the game changer for social change. We believe that by working together, with revolutionary ideas and responsible goals, we can build the best possible world – the worrld we want.”

    Find out more: https://worrldwewant.com/

  • Winner of DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 announced – Sterling Media

    Winner of DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 announced – Sterling Media

    ‘No Presents Please’ originally written in Kannada by noted author Jayant Kaikini and translated into English by eminent translator Tejaswini Niranjana has been announced as the winner of the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet in Kolkata, India. The DSC Prize has always encouraged writing in regional languages and translations, and this is the first time that a translated work has won the prize. This magnificent book gives us a protagonist that is vivid yet full of contradictions, spirited yet lonely, embattled yet big-hearted – the city of Mumbai. Empathy and survival are the constant, codependent themes that unify every strand of this extraordinary book, creating a shimmering mosaic of a conflicted city that is as kind as it is, at times, cruel.

    In a glittering award ceremony, the US $25,000 DSC Prize was awarded to Jayant Kaikini and Tejaswini Niranjana along with a unique trophy by eminent writer Ruskin Bond. As per the prize process, the prize money would be equally shared between the author and the translator. The world’s literati including writers, publishers, media and literary enthusiasts who had gathered for the Award Ceremony at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall enthusiastically applauded the winner of the DSC Prize 2018.

    The six shortlisted authors and books in contention for the DSC Prize this year were Jayant Kaikini: No Presents Please (Translated by Tejaswini Niranjana, Harper Perennial, HarperCollins India), Kamila Shamsie: Home Fire (Riverhead Books, USA and Bloomsbury, UK), Manu Joseph: Miss Laila Armed And Dangerous (Fourth Estate, HarperCollins, India), Mohsin Hamid: Exit West (Riverhead Books, USA and Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House, India), Neel Mukherjee: A State Of Freedom (Chatto & Windus, Vintage, UK and Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House, India) and Sujit Saraf: Harilal & Sons (Speaking Tiger, India)

    Jury Chair Rudrangshu Mukherjee, speaking on behalf of the jury said, “The jury decided to award the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 to ‘No Presents Please’ by Jayant Kaikini which has been translated by Tejaswini Niranjana and published by Harper Perennial. The jury was deeply impressed by the quiet voice of the author through which he presented vignettes of life in Mumbai and made the city the protagonist of a coherent narrative. The Mumbai that came across through the pen of Kaikini was the city of ordinary people who inhabit the bustling metropolis. It is a view from the margins and all the more poignant because of it. This is the first time that this award is being given to a translated work and the jury would like to recognize the outstanding contribution of Tejaswini Niranjana, the translator.”

    Malavika Banerjee, Director of the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet, made the opening address and welcomed the DSC Prize to the city of Kolkata. As part of the evening program, the 5 member international jury panel of the DSC Prize was introduced, the shortlisted authors read excerpts from their books, and culminated with Ruskin Bond, the Chief Guest for the ceremony, presenting the trophy to the winner of the DSC Prize 2018.

    Administered by the South Asian Literature Prize & Events Trust, the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature has helped to raise the profile of South Asian writing around the world by rewarding authors who write about the region. The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature which was instituted in 2010, is an established international literary prize that awards the best work in South Asian fiction writing each year. The past winners have been from various countries and their work has reflected the importance of South Asian culture and literature.

    Congratulating the winner, Surina Narula, MBE and co-founder of the DSC Prize said, “My heartfelt congratulations to author Jayant Kaikini and translator Tejaswini Niranjana for winning the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 for their brilliant book ‘No Presents Please’. It was a pleasure reading the shortlist. The challenges faced by the authors to weave their protests against the wave of anti globalization into their writings of seemingly harmless pieces of literature could be seen through their work, migration being a major theme this year. The DSC Prize has completed eight years and reading South Asian literature written in English including translations has enabled larger global audiences to understand the issues globalization has brought about. The jury as usual has to do the difficult task of selecting the better amongst the best. My congratulations to the jury for their excellent choice of the winner.”

     The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 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. This year’s international jury panel included Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Jury Chair, Professor of History and the Chancellor of Ashoka University and an internationally acclaimed historian of the revolt of 1857 in India, Nandana Sen, a writer, actor and child-rights activist and author of six books, who has worked as a book editor, a poetry translator, a screenwriter, and a script doctor, Claire Armitstead, who has also been a theatre critic, arts editor and literary editor, Tissa Jayatilaka, who was the Executive Director of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission and is the author of several publications and has translated and edited many journals, and Firdous Azim, Professor of English at BRAC University, Bangladesh, whose research has focused on women’s writings in the early twentieth century Bengal.

  • India runs with Period-Positive vision for Run4Niine – Sterling Media

    India runs with Period-Positive vision for Run4Niine – Sterling Media

    Megastar and India’s very own ‘Pad Man’ Akshay Kumar has joined forces with the Niine Movement to announce the launch of Run4Niine in up to 500 cities in India on the 8th of March 2019 to mark International Women’s Day.

    Run4Niine expands the nationwide #18to82 campaign initiated by the Niine Movement, to bridge the gap between the 18% of menstruating females in India who use sanitary napkins, and the 82% predominantly engaging in unhygienic and unsafe alternatives such as old cloths, rags, hay and even ash. This will be achieved by tackling the age-old taboos associated with menstruation in India, which have resulted in school dropouts for girls to severe reproductive health ailments.

    Run4Niine aims to ensure no woman or girl is left behind in society due to her biology, whilst also engaging the men and boys of India to help show support for the cause. As an inclusive initiative, Run4Niine will bring together both genders, across all ages, backgrounds and of all abilities – to run, walk, jog and wheel across their cities, and help break the silence associated with menstruation and to join the Chain of Niine.

    Run4Niine partner Junior Chambers International (JCI), the non-profit organisation encouraging young people to be active responsible citizens, will help take the ‘Let’s Talk About Periods’ message to the streets of India and in up to 500 cities, made possible through JCI’s chapter networks.

    The Pad Man of India and Niine Movement champion Akshay Kumar will flag off Run4Niine in Lucknow. In addition to starting this unique nationwide campaign, Akshay Kumar will also be a part of a special event extravaganza where guests will be entertained and inspired to talk about the importance of menstrual hygiene awareness.

    Speaking about his association with Run4Niine, megastar Akshay Kumar said, “When I made the movie Pad Man, I was hoping for it to turn into a conversation. But today, after a year, I can proudly say that it has grown to become a phenomenal movement, truly at a grass roots level. I am therefore excited to announce my partnership with the Niine Movement to take this to the streets of India and invite my fellow citizens, compatriots, change makers and pathbreakers to join me for Run4Niine, to raise awareness and initiate action on menstrual hygiene. Each of us when joined together will form a chain – an unstoppable force fighting an improbable stigma.” 

    Speaking on the significance of the event taking place to mark International Women’s Day Akshay Kumar added “International Women’s Day is a significant day for women and girls across the world; a day when not only women are celebrated for their achievements and contributions in all sectors of life but a cold reminder of the inequalities that exist in our society which have kept girls and women back for centuries. International Women’s Day serves as a fitting day for Run4Niine, where EVERYONE can come together in solidarity to tackle menstrual taboos.”

    The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), a long-term partner of Niine and one of the largest membership-based organizations for specialized professionals within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology in India, also supports Run4Niine. FOGSI workshops will be set up in each of the cities where Run4Niine activities will be taking place, to help encourage more people to take an active role.

    Run4Niine marks the next step in the Niine Movement’s 5-year ambitious plan for action on menstrual hygiene awareness, which is to engage the youth. The inclusion of young children – both girls and boys – in Run4Niine represents everything at the heart of the Niine vision. At its core lies the belief that engaging the future minds of India in their formative years now, will make for a better tomorrow.

    The Niine Movement and Niine Sanitary Napkins, the made-in-India, affordable yet premium sanitary napkins brand was co-founded by leading Gorakhpur social-entrepreneurs, Amar Tulsiyan and Gaurav Bathwal and Kanpur entrepreneur Sharat Khemka. Speaking about the launch of Run4Niine, Amar Tulsiyan said, “I am delighted to be launching Run4Niine. The first event of its kind, we aim to galvanise the population into action and hope to get every woman, man and child running to break the taboos around menstrual hygiene. I would like to thank JCI and FOGSI for their support to help extend the reach of Run4Niine further, and to thank Mr. Akshay Kumar for his continued support. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to work with such esteemed organisations and brilliant minds and we look forward to expanding our partner footprint further to truly create a Chain of Niine.”

    For further information on Run4Niine, log on to:  www.niine.com/run4niine

  • BOARDROOM POWER SUIT – EMPOWERED WOMEN NO LONGER NEED A POWER SUIT

    BOARDROOM POWER SUIT – EMPOWERED WOMEN NO LONGER NEED A POWER SUIT

    As the obstacles facing women in business become clearer, global communications and brand strategy specialist Natasha Mudhar, Global CEO of business consultant Sterling Media takes aim at the board room power suit and argues that women shouldn’t need to dress to impress in order to be heard.

    A recent report found that FTSE 100 companies saw no change in the number of women in the board room whilst FTSE 200 companies saw a sharp drop, highlighting that despite discussions of the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling remains firmly in place. There are many more obstacles that stand in the way of women’s success in business, ranging from unequal pay to corporate fashion. Case in point: the power suit. Sounds like something from a Marvel flick. But the reality is, the boardroom ‘power suit’ is more sixties pin-up than Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.

    For years, as the Global CEO of Sterling Media – a multi-disciplinary, global business services and communications consultancy specialising in brand strategy – I have felt the need to dress in a certain way in order to be taken seriously amongst my male counterparts at important boardroom meetings. Whether it be launching iconic brands like Aston Martin in India or listing a corporate powerhouse on the London Stock Exchange, I have always held my own when it comes to success in a male dominated industry like marketing and advertising. Would I have been able to do so had I turned up to the planning meetings in a dress and pearls? I fear not.

    I have always had my own style, and fashion plays a big part in my life. However, when learning my trade in the communication agency, I soon found that my idea of style began to sub-consciously change, involuntarily. I would attend meetings with the top names of the luxury industry looking to offer the brand strategy services of Sterling Media, and find that the chief sitting at the head of the table would hardly even aim a glance in my direction. It was only once I began speaking would his eyes widen, his posture soften and the opaque bubble clearly surrounding me would pop. Only then would he pay me the attention. I may have won that contract for Sterling Media but it wasn’t without its collateral damage.

    The sheer fact that I felt like he wasn’t lending me the respect he was showing to the men around the table touched a nerve with me. Before you knew it I was wearing clothes that I imagined would make look more serious and as a business consultant ‘should’– cue the emergence of the ‘Boardroom power suit’. I was keen to be taken seriously, and I felt the only way to do so was to begin dressing as close to the males in the room as possible. How wrong it that? I felt like an element of my individuality was taken from me.

    It’s only now that I have spent over a decade as a business consultant in the marketing and advertising industry that my portfolio does the talking. I have built up a profile that digs deeper than the clothes I wear, but there is no doubt that I was forced to buy into the power suit culture in the opening years of my career.

    Now that the topic of equal pay and diversifying the corporate and global communications world with more women leadership is being openly discussed, I feel it’s the perfect time to address the power suit, and spread the message that women needn’t have to dress a certain way in order to be heard.

    This is not advocating turning up to job interviews and board meetings donning a pair of joggers and a tee and expecting anything more than a scowl and a literal and metaphorical door slammed in your face, but it is saying that women should feel comfortable in their own individual style.

    There is a difference between corporate wear and the power suit. I believe that as long as somebody, male or female, is dressed in a smart way – they should be judged on what is coming from their mouths, not what is on their feet.

    Women should feel free to express themselves with their own choice of clothing, and the boardroom power suit is a regressive stereotype which has no place in business. We should be able to address a room, which may happen to be full of men, and be shown the common courtesy of acknowledgment regardless of attire.

    21st Century business is not about fitting in. It’s about individuality, drive, passion and innovation – regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or social class.

    Let’s add dress sense to that list.

  • THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY IN BUSINESS

    THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY IN BUSINESS

    by Natasha Mudhar.

    There is wisdom in the old adage “honesty is the best policy”, especially for businesses. We live in an increasingly connected world, where openness and truthfulness is praised and secrets are viewed with suspicion. For businesses and brands, this has meant a concerted effort must to appear honest, and meet public expectations – or face the consequences.

    A good example of the cost this can have is the Volkswagen Emissions scandal, which led to resignations, plummeting stocks, and a tarnished brand reputation. Other organisations have also fallen foul of concealing facts for years that ultimately damage their brand significantly once discovered.

    Transparency in an international organisation can often be the simplest and most beneficial route for a company. It saves money through avoiding crisis management and helps to enhance a brand’s reputation with the right brand strategy. Furthermore, it can strengthen the general public’s trust in an organisation. This is something that governments around the world have been benefitted from.

    The UK government for example has instigated a number of initiatives to improve transparency and accountability, including the freedom of information act, improving the availability of open data, and giving people a right to data. This kind of openness has encouraged greater public participation in decision-making, and it is something businesses have been trying to replicate with varying levels of success.

    A transparent business is a more purposeful business; it is a business that an audience feel they can trust and one that shouts authenticity in everything they do. It is no accident that the rise in transparency in business has coincided with the popularity of corporate social responsibility. Honest practices demand businesses and brands to be more responsible; there can be no sustainability or responsibility without transparency.

    This relationship between corporate social responsibility and transparency in business highlights the fact that corporate honesty is synonymous with three other concepts: trust, responsibility, and accountability.

    Together these help to support sustainable growth for any organisation, and can result in better business management, increased innovation, greater profitability and of course a positive impact on social good. Much of this is rooted in an understanding of the importance of knowledge and the importance of sharing that knowledge through a strong communication strategy and influencer marketing so that it is available, accessible and usable.

    Whilst these are noble goals for any organisation, it needs to be actively pursued to have a lasting impact and maintain trust with its customer base. Corporate social responsibility goes beyond being a global PR or brand strategy. Recent controversies around social media companies like Facebook regarding secret personal data collection as well as the proliferation of harmful and potentially election-swinging fake news stories have undermined the image the company seeks to portray of an open, user-friendly and trustworthy platform.

    The focus for companies seeking to be transparent has to be on putting credible social, environmental and ethical data in people’s hands, so that they are able to make more informed – and therefore better – decisions. For businesses, an added benefit is the multi-plier effect it creates: consumers will ideally become more loyal with greater demand for products from a trusted source of relevant and truthful information; employees – the growth engine of companies – will be motivated to work more efficiently to meet demand, and so forth. A good example is the commitment to open data and accessibility that private corporations like Monsanto have demonstrated, with plans for openness within the agricultural sector that would benefit many customers and communities.

    The importance of trust and dissemination of trustworthy business practices and information to consumers and employees ties into the key concept of responsibility. Companies have a responsibility to their stakeholders, and that includes a willingness to share detailed information on the business and its activities. This responsibility also extends to making this information easily accessible to consumers, highlighting the importance of creating an open platform, where everyone irrespective of position/background can be heard and can hear others too. The recent popularity of petition platforms on government websites demonstrates this.

    The result of greater trustworthiness and responsibility is that the customer base is able to grow more aware of their issues and rights, enabling them to hold organisations accountable, whether they are governments or private sector companies. As businesses become increasingly transparent, accountability can be a powerful motivator in remaining so; the impact of the digital revolution on transparency is such that we will always leave a data footprint – and as many companies and individuals have discovered in the past year, the truth will come out sooner or later.

    The ever-growing need for transparency within businesses within our increasingly connected and data-driven world also highlights an essential need for the private and public sector to work collaboratively.  Through working together, businesses and governmental organisations are able to provide universal access to knowledge and information that’s available, useable and accessible.  This also extends to collaboration between commercial enterprises and not-for-profits.

    Transparency can seem like a daunting step for traditionally private businesses. But with more organisations ranging from tech giants to socially conscious enterprises committing to being trustworthy, responsible and accountable to their customers, it is increasingly clear that it is possible be both transparent and commercial; to be honest and successful. Never has there been a better time for an organisation to be doing well by doing good – in full view of the public with nothing to hide.

    Miss Natasha Mudhar, Global CEO, Sterling Media, the global business and communications consultancy, bringing brands, individuals and companies closer to their purpose.

  • Portugal Attracts London Filmmakers with Cash Rebate Scheme by the Country’s Tourism Bodies

    Portugal Attracts London Filmmakers with Cash Rebate Scheme by the Country’s Tourism Bodies

    • Portugal’s Secretary of State for Tourism Ana Mendes Godinho and key figures in Portugal Tourism & Film unveil exciting new incentive at FOCUS 2018 to attract more film productions to Portugal.
    • Portugal announced as the Best Destination in the World at the World Travel Awards
    • Portugal’s new cash rebate at 30% is one of the most competitive systems in Europe.
    • The investment strategies extend beyond tourism with focus on technology, filmmaking, innovation, and sustainability.

    Visit Portugal and Pic Portugal, the brands responsible for the international promotion of Portugal as a filming location launched by the country’s national film agency ICA – Instituto do Cinema e Audiovisual (Film and Audiovisual Institute), has unveiled its cash rebate systems to attract global filmmakers and productions at FOCUS 2018, Meeting Place for International Production.

    Now in its fourth year, FOCUS 2018 took place at the Business Design Centre, London between the 4th and 5th December to bring together industry professionals from across the creative industries including film, TV, advertising, animation and interactive. Attendees from over 60 countries attended the two-day trade event designed to present an opportunity for new inspiration for filming locations.

    Funded by the Portugal Tourism Board, the new filming incentive is in line with Portugal’s wider tourism strategy to drive investment and tourism towards the country. The film strategy complements Portugal’s recent booming tourism industry, business incentives and the roster of high-profile events such as the Web Summit.

    Since introducing the cash rebate in September of this year, Portugal has already received applications from 20+ projects applying for the scheme from countries as diverse as USA, Brazil, France, and India. Currently, 15 of these productions have already been approved with the others currently under evaluation from the respective governing body, resulting in a €25M investment in Portugal.

    The initiative has already seen several films shift production to the country, including Fatima (2015) by Italian director Marco Pontecorvo, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) which was directed by US-born film director, Terry Gilliam and was the final film at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Next year will also see Frankie (formerly entitled A Family Vacation) which sees well-established actors and producers’ film in the country in time for its 2019 release. Previous films shot in Portugal include Bollywood film “Jab Harry Met Sejal”, and the American historical drama starring Academy Award winner Christian Bale “The Promise”.

    Ana Mendes Godinho, Secretary of State for Tourism for Portugal along with Antonio Padeira, Director of the Portuguese National Tourist Office and Maria Mineiro, Vice President of the Portuguese Film Institute, spoke at a special presentation introducing the #CantSkipFilmingInPortugal campaign and the competitive cash rebate incentive for filmmakers and productions.

    The rebate applies to film, television and VOD productions with the minimum Qualified Portuguese Production Expenses (QPPE) of €500,000.00 (around £436,373.00) for fiction and animation and €250,000.00 (around $218,171.00) for documentaries and post-production. The rebate rate is also determined by a cultural test that focuses on the project’s characteristics. In addition, film productions will have no shortage of access to skilled multi-lingual professionals with experience from both film and television, studio facilities and equipment in Lisbon and Porto, courtesy location scouting and co-production treaties with more than 50 countries including all Portuguese speaking countries.

    Speaking about the incentive, Ana Mendes Godinho, Secretary of State for Tourism for Portugal said, “We are happy to welcome you to Portugal to hear of your ideas for filming.” Highlighting Portugal’s advantages, she said, “We have just elected the Best Destination in The World at the World Travel Awards, and soon we will be the best filming location. We have learned from the mistakes and success of others, so we are in the best position. We needed to make it fast, so it takes only 20 days to approve the project and 30 to pay the rebate. We’ve set up a special fund belonging to the tourism board to guarantee payments.

    We’ve put in the commitment to make this work and Portugal has learned from the past and is ready to be in the forefront of your minds for the future.”

    Long hours of sunlight and 300 days of sunshine, a variety of locales ranging from the dramatic grandeur of the historic castles, cathedrals, and churches to the shimmering glass of modern buildings, and the natural wonder of the country’s mountains, forests, lagoons are some of the reasons film productions come to Portugal. Speaking about Portugal’s appeal as a filming location, Maria Mineiro, ICA’s Vice-President said, “Filmmakers can enjoy sunnier days which give them more time to film, as well as a variety of wide, and diverse scenery to enjoy. We have affordable prices compared to Europe and are a stable and safe country with English speaking staff.”

    Antonio Padeira, Director of the Portuguese National Tourist Office drew attention to Portugal’s benefits beyond film, highlighting the country’s culture, history and diversity, saying “Portugal has 1000 years of history, with palaces, Roman culture, exquisite buildings, the home of music in Porto, breath-taking landscapes, from valleys and lagoons to hills and the ocean.”

    Stationed on the FOCUS exhibition floor with a standout booth, Pic Portugal showed delegates the benefits of Portugal’s accessible locations and affordable cost of living. A Happy Hour networking event also took place, providing the opportunity for attendees to ask more questions about Portugal’s highlights as a filming destination and find out more about the country’s newly announced incentive system.

    Earlier this year, ten US producers and studio representatives, from Disney, HBO, Warner, Paramount, and other notable companies, visited several locations in Portugal in a visit arranged by Pic Portugal and VisitPortugal which proved to be a success as the country now looks to establish itself as a leader for film productions.

    The PicPortugal cash rebate incentive system is on a first-come-first-serve basis, with eligibility determined by a cultural test.

    For more information visit PicPortugal.
    #CantSkipFilmingInPortugal

  • VOTE 100, THE FIGHT FOR THE FEMALE VOTE

    VOTE 100, THE FIGHT FOR THE FEMALE VOTE

    2018 marks the 100th anniversary of Women winning the right to vote. With every suffragette, is a girl or woman who is part of her legacy. With every year that passes, more and more females from across the globe are achieving success in all sectors and from all walks of life because of the dedication, passion and commitment of many women 100 years ago who wanted change.

    Innovators and heroines such as Sophia Duleep Singh and Emmeline Pankhurst cemented their places in history as they fought for the equal rights of women, which throughout the 20th century sparked further revolution as women began to have more choice and freedom over their lives. There is no doubt that they did for us in the past has, 100 years on, helped to create a positive present and future for us.

    The impact of the suffragette movement is so profound as it connects to woman’s rights movements which has a multiplier effect on the lives of women at home and at work.  This includes the right to divorce, access to contraception and sexual freedom and equal pay in the workplace. Today, over 70% of women aged between the ages of 16-64, are in work compared to just one tenth of married women in the 1930s. There are now female politicians, doctors, police officers and lawyers who are all contributing to much a more positive society. They also continue to excel in education, often out performing boys in a number of subjects.

    At the turn of the 21st century, there has been a growing influence of women in businesses, both as entrepreneurs and members of the board. As their presence continues to grow businesses have been enjoying the benefits of much fresher and innovative marketing and advertising approaches. This would never have happened if it wasn’t for the suffragettes who disrupted the status quo and brought about change for women to achieve a greater role in society for what had been a long and established patriarchal establishment.

    The issues these women battled against are exactly what brand strategy experts Sterling Media echoes today. The company was founded by Teji Singh and now headed by Natasha Mudhar, who both defied expectations as strong Asian women working in the Global communications sector.

    Business consultant Sterling Media works with major global organisations like the UN and grassroots local champions as well as convening various sectors – including government, corporate, media, celebrity and civil society – to make an impact on the ground. Amongst their best examples of this was the global launch of the Spice Girls’ endorsed short film promoting girls and women rights #WhatIReallyReallyWant, which broke the internet with over 150million views in a matter of a few days.

    The issues these women battled against are exactly what business consultant and global communications experts at Sterling Media echoes today. The brand strategy agency was founded by Teji Singh and now headed by Natasha Mudhar, who both defied expectations as strong Asian women working in the communications sector.

    Sterling Media works as a business consultant with major global organisations like the UN and grassroots local champions as well as convening various sectors – including government, corporate, media, celebrity and civil society – to make an impact on the ground. Amongst their best examples of this was the global communications launch of the Spice Girls’ endorsed short film promoting girls and women rights #WhatIReallyReallyWant, which broke the internet with over 150million views in a matter of a few days.

    Granted, there is still a lot of work to be done as many girls and women are not given the same rights as men.  Only recently, women in Saudi Arabia were allowed to drive and many women are still not being paid the same as men in most countries, but with the likes of Angela Merkel being one of the most powerful leaders in the world, and Saudi-Arabia’s best known film maker being nominated for an Oscar, it is clear that the future is bright. We need to establish more positive role models – both male and female – so that young people can follow in their footsteps and can help bring about the next wave of change. Women are already independent and strong enough to face the world, not all of them are given that opportunity to show it. It is female-led brand strategy and global advertising agencies like Sterling Media that are not afraid to face these issues head on, and from what they have shown so far, will no doubt become the spearhead for women’s rights and equality movements across the globe.

  • DSC Prize Shortlist For South Asian Literature 2018 Announced – Sterling Media

    DSC Prize Shortlist For South Asian Literature 2018 Announced – Sterling Media

    The much-anticipated shortlist for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 has been unveiled at a special event, which took place at the London School of Economics & Political Science. Now in its 8th year, the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature is one of the most prestigious international literary awards specifically focused on South Asian fiction writing.

    The announcement evening also featured a special panel discussion moderated by Claire Armitstead, Associate Editor, Culture, for The Guardian on the Importance Of Literary Prizes, with Alexandra Pringle, British publisher and editor-in-chief of Bloomsbury Publishing, and Sathnam Sanghera, British writer and author.

    Administered by the South Asian Literature Prize & Events Trust, the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature has helped to raise the profile of South Asian writing around the world by rewarding authors who write on the region. Founded in 2010 by Surina Narula and Manhad Narula, the winning author is awarded a US $25,000 prize.

    This year the prize received a record 88 entries which included stunning portrayals of migration, war and the pain of displacement, poignant love stories, the exploration of new found relationships and identities, and vivification of the personal struggles, hopes and aspirations that symbolize the urgent and divisive realities of contemporary South Asian life. The shortlisted entries contending for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 are:

    • Jayant Kaikini: No Presents Please (Translated by Tejaswini Niranjana, Harper Perennial, HarperCollins India)
    • Kamila Shamsie: Home Fire (Riverhead Books, USA and Bloomsbury, UK)
    • Manu Joseph: Miss Laila Armed And Dangerous (Fourth Estate, HarperCollins, India)
    • Mohsin Hamid: Exit West (Riverhead Books, USA and Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House, India)
    • Neel Mukherjee: A State Of Freedom (Chatto & Windus, Vintage, UK and Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House, India)
    • Sujit Saraf: Harilal & Sons (Speaking Tiger, India)

    The prize received close to a quarter of the submissions from publishers based beyond South Asia and from countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia etc, highlighting the growing interest of publishers and authors across the world in South Asian writing. The shortlisted entrants reflect this global interest, including British-Pakistani author Kamila Shamsie and Indian origin author Neel Mukherjee who are both based in the UK. Pakistani origin author Mohsin Hamid is based between Pakistan, UK and the USA, whilst Sujit Saraf is based in the USA. The growing global importance of South Asia coupled with the sweeping changes that are affecting the lives of the people here has encouraged more and more diverse writers to write about this region.

     Speaking on the occasion, Jury Chair Rudrangshu Mukherjee, said, “Being the chair of the jury of the DSC Prize has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I say this for two reasons. One is the sheer intellectual excitement of reading, evaluating and discussing these works of fiction. The other is the interactions I had with my four colleagues on the jury. I know I learnt an enormous amount from all of them and for this I am profoundly grateful to all of them. Evaluating these books reminded me once again of the importance of reading in human lives.”

     This year’s international jury panel includes Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Jury Chair, Professor of History and the Chancellor of Ashoka University and an internationally acclaimed historian of the revolt of 1857 in India , Nandana Sen, a writer, actor and child-rights activist and author of six books, who has worked as a book editor, a poetry translator, a screenwriter, and a script doctor, Claire Armitstead, who has also been a theatre critic, arts editor and literary editor, Tissa Jayatilaka, who was the Executive Director of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission and is the author of several publications and has translated and edited many journals, and Firdous Azim, Professor of English at BRAC University, Bangladesh, whose research has focused on women’s writings in the early twentieth century Bengal.

    Commenting on the shortlist, Surina Narula, co-founder of the DSC Prize said, “My heartfelt thanks and commendations to the jury panel for the detailed deliberations over the last few months, and coming up with such a good shortlist. The longlist announced last month was an impressive list, it must have been a challenging task for the jury to bring this down to a shortlist of 6 books. The shortlist represents the very best of South Asian fiction writing, and the depth, creativity and unique narrative of each of these novels is indeed both impressive and inspirational. My congratulations to each one of the shortlisted authors and translator and I wish them the very best for the final award ceremony”

    Following the announcement of the shortlisted entries, the jury will convene again to select the winning author, ahead of the final award ceremony to be held at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet which would take place in Kolkata, India between Jan 22 and Jan 27, 2019.

  • Pic Portugal Promotes Filming Opportunities & Benefits at FOCUS 2018

    Pic Portugal Promotes Filming Opportunities & Benefits at FOCUS 2018

    • Pic Portugal to emphasize the country’s appeal as a filming location, spotlighting its historic locales to lagoons with the #CantSkipFilmingInPortugal campaign

    • Portugal’s new cash rebate is one of the most competitive systems in Europe

    Pic Portugal, the brand responsible for the international promotion of Portugal as a filming location launched by the country’s national film agency ICA – Instituto do Cinema e Audiovisual (Film and Audiovisual Institute), has unveiled plans to present and highlight one of the most competitive film cash rebate systems in Europe to attract global filmmakers and productions at FOCUS 2018, Meeting Place for International Production, taking place at the Business Design Centre, London on the 4th-5th December.

    Funded by the Portugal Tourism Board, the new filming incentive is in line with Portugal’s wider tourism strategy to drive investment and tourism towards the country. The film strategy complements Portugal’s recent booming tourism industry, business incentives and a roster of high-profile events such as the Web Summit.

    Pic Portugal event at FOCUS 2018

    The rebate applies to film, television and VOD productions with the minimum Qualified Portuguese Production Expenses (QPPE) of €500,000.00 (around £436,373.00) for fiction and animation and €250,000.00 (around $218,171.00) for documentaries and post-production. The rebate rate is also determined by a cultural test that focuses on the project’s characteristics. In addition, film productions will have no shortage of access to skilled multi-lingual professionals with experience from both film and television, studio facilities and equipment in Lisbon and Porto, courtesy location scouting and co-production treaties with more than 50 countries including all Portuguese speaking countries.

    Now in its fourth year, FOCUS 2018 brings together industry professionals from across the creative industries including film, TV, advertising, animation and interactive. Attendees from over 60 countries will attend the two-day trade event which gives industry makers the chance to interact with content makers, film commissions, production services, and location providers. The event represents a key calendar event for location scouts and providers, presenting an opportunity for new inspiration for filming locations.

    At FOCUS, Pic Portugal seeks to emphasize Portugal’s appeal for productions as a filming location with the #CantSkipFilmingInPortugal campaign. Long hours of sunlight and 300 days of sunshine, a variety of locales ranging from the dramatic grandeur of the historic castles, cathedrals, and churches to the shimmering glass of modern buildings, and the natural wonder of the country’s mountains, forests, lagoons are some of the reasons film productions come to Portugal. Films shot in Portugal include the coproduction fantasy/drama, “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote”, Bollywood film “Jab Harry Met Sejal”, the American historical drama starring Academy Award winner Christian Bale “The Promise” and the upcoming American-French drama “A Family Vacation.”

    To highlight the advantages of filming in Portugal, Pic Portugal will be on the FOCUS exhibition floor with a standout booth. Attendees and delegates can also expect to discover the benefits of Portugal’s accessible locations and affordable cost of living. Pic Portugal will be hosting a Happy Hour event, which will showcase Portugal’s highlights as a filming destination and introduce the country’s newly announced incentive system. The rebate is set to be fully unveiled at a 3 pm session at FOCUS 2018, on the 4th December.

    Speaking about Portugal’s appeal as a filming location, Maria Mineiro, ICA’s Vice-President said, “We are delighted to be bringing Portugal to FOCUS 2018. Portugal has a world of opportunities and locations to offer filmmakers from around the world and we hope that more people will see that in greater detail at our booth.

    Our cash rebate system is one of the most attractive and competitive across Europe and we look forward to be the first port of call for producers in the future.”

    Visit the Portugal Booth at the Business Design Centre, London on the 4th-5th December

  • ‘Let’s Talk’ Event 2018 in Antalya Tackles Taboos Around Women’s Health

    ‘Let’s Talk’ Event 2018 in Antalya Tackles Taboos Around Women’s Health

    • The First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdogan, joins the conversation at the Let’s Talk! awards evening and vows to continue her efforts to advance women’s rights in the country.
    • The global initiative led by Natalia Vodianova and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, saw a plethora of thought leaders, change makers and policy shapers gather with the goal of galvanizing further progress on women’s health and gender equality.
    • ELBI co-founder, philanthropist, campaigner & model Natalia Vodianova announced an exciting new partnership with Flo Health, which would see significant funds raised for UNFPA to help educate women and girls in India.
    • Dr. Nagham Nawzat Hasan, a Yezidi activist and gynecologist from Iraq, and Adwoa Aboah, British Model and Activist, are among the on-ground changemakers from across the world honoured at glittering award ceremony.

    An ambitious new global initiative aimed at ending the stigma and taboos surrounding women’s health took place in Antalya, Turkey on the 25th and 26th of October. A crucial podium for discussion and innovation, the 2018 “Let’s Talk!” was hosted at the Maxx Royal Resorts Kemer.

    The two-day Davos style forum began with a keynote address by Natalia Vodianova, the supermodel activist, campaigner and founder of ELBI, to kick-start the event’s proceedings and usher in the agenda of the Let’s Talk! conversation. The event saw a number of key interactive discussions take place amongst panelists, special guests and key speakers from Fashion to Sport, Private Sector to Public Policy and Government, who announced their personal pledges for helping continue the Let’s Talk! movement, as they sought to delve into a range of critical issues including menstrual, reproductive and mental health.

    The panel discussions were followed by an awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of individuals at the forefront of tackling the taboos, with the guest of honour Her Excellency Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkey. Awardees included Dr. Nagham Nawat Hasan, a Yezidi activist and gynecologist from Iraq, Adwoa Aboah, British Model and Activist, Anja Rubik, Model and Founder of SexEd PL and Dilek Sabanci on behalf of Special Olympics Turkey.
    Hosted by Natalia Vodianova, the initiative was powered by her digital charitable giving platform ELBI, and was held in partnership with UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency    , with the support of partners including Turkish Airlines, Maxx Royal Resorts and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB).

    Opening the day’s event, Natalia Vodianova said: “This is an issue which needs to be addressed, not just from a political point of view, but from a societal standpoint. No matter which culture you are looking at, there are issues surrounding the attitudes towards women’s health. In India, 45% drop out of school in sixth grade due to their periods, and the attitudes are also damaging in Europe.

    I want no young girl around the world to feel ashamed of something so natural and I believe that the beginning of discussion can be the crucial vehicle for destroying the taboos. Every word has the power to be an empowering tool.”

    Alanna Armitage, UNFPA’s Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia said: “We are extremely proud to partner with Natalia Vodianova on this first global Let’s Talk! event. It has been a resounding success: we heard incredible stories of bravery and creativity that serve as inspiration for others. We have made connections that will spark new initiatives for change. And we are grateful for the many concrete pledges for follow-up action participants made. I’m delighted that Let’s Talk! has become such an important component of the growing global movement to dismantle taboos and stigma around women’s health and enable women and girls to shape their lives free from discrimination, fear, and shame.”

    9.30am – 5.30pm Friday, 26th October 2018 Let’s Talk! Panel Discussions
    Panel One – The Role of Government & Civil Society in Changing how we View Stigma

    Let's Talk 2018 - Panel One

    The day of panels began shortly after Natalia’s opening remarks, starting with a discussion on the role of government and civil society in changing the way we view stigmas of women’s health.

    Hosted by Canadian model, CEO of WomenOne and advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Dayle Haddon, the panel brought together a group of health specialists, activists and government officials. Activist and model Anja Rubik, Health Science Professor Dr. Zeynep Simsek, Assistant Minister for Health in Serbia Dr Danijela Urosevic, Director Institute of Women’s Studies, Arab World, Lebanese American University, Lina Abirafeh, world-renowned surgeon and founder of the Endo Foundation Dr. Tamer Sekin, Executive Director of the association ROMA S.O.S, Nesime Salioska and UNFPA India’s Dr. Nilesh Deshpande were present on the panel.

    Dr. Nilesh Deshpande shared how he would progress the Let’s Talk! cause. He said, “I vow to set up many self-sustaining units to promote public health and raise awareness of women’s health issues across India. It is my duty to help girls and educate them in menstrual health by providing vital access to products.”

    Anja Rubik talked about her fight against taboo in her native Poland with her #SEXEDPL campaign. She said, “I was once shunned by the church and the government for my efforts to promote awareness surrounding women’s health. Now I am giving 1,000 of my best-selling books to teachers in Poland to engage with how schools are educating children on sexual education.”

    Panel Two – We Need to Talk! Shifting the Narrative on Stigma and Taboos via Media and the Private Sector

    Let's Talk 2018 - Panel Two

    The second panel of the day was hosted by Africa50 Infrastructure Fund’s Carole Wainaina – who welcomed Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Turkey, Seda Domanic; Sevda Alkan of Sabanci University Corporate Governance Forum, Dean of Fashion at Parson’s School of Design New York, Burak Cakmak; Senior Editor at The Economist Anne McElvoy; Head of Company Communications at P&G Turkey Ayca Turgay; Chief of Private Sector Partnership Branch for UNFPA New York Mariarosa Cutillo and Chief Science Officer for Flo Health Inc. Anna Klepchukova.

    Moderator Carole Wainaina highlighted the need to “make the uncomfortable comfortable”, stating her belief that “if stories have shaped taboos, they can reshape them too.”

    Mariaosa Cutillo discussed the need to stop taboos from holding back young girls. She said, “We need to invest in the 10-year-old girl. It is the 10-year-old girl who will save the world.”

    Other panelists shared their own personal stories of meeting stigma and taboo. Sevda Alkan spoke of meeting women in rural villages around Europe who did not know enough about their rights, whilst Anna Klepchukova highlighted the fact that as a girl, friends would come to her for knowledge on sexuality education because they wouldn’t get this information from their parents or teachers.

    P&G’s Ayca Turgay also drew attention to the power of media and messages, spotlighting a recent P&G campaign. She said, “Before the campaign, only 19% of young women and girls associated with being a girl with positive attitudes. After our campaign that rose to 76%.”

    Panel Three – GURLS Talk

    Let's Talk 2018, Panel Three – GURLS Talk

    Women’s rights activist and founder of GURLS Talk, Adwoa Aboah brought her highly influential and respected forum ‘GURLS Talk’ to Antalya, where she looked to assess the pressures and mental struggles for young women of today’s society. During a highly interactive and insightful panel, Iraqi Social activist and youth advocate Anmar Khalid, women’s rights activist Jeta Berisha from Kosovo (UNSCR 1244), Dr. Kathryn Abel and her daughter, expert through experience, Auden Edwardes discussed the stigma associated with girls’ health, including mental health.

    Adwoa Aboah stressed the importance of talking, saying that “We need to educate our children, our society and each other by sharing stories and supporting each other”.

    Anmar Khalid also highlighted how the right environment is key for breaking down stigma. He said, “We need to create an environment and community space, where it is encouraged to talk about sexual and mental health, and fight for it. In Iraq, many have often felt fear of the consequences of discussing such taboos.”

    Jeta Berisha highlighted the high cost of breaking taboos, however, saying that “I defied my family as my first major move. I lost a lot of people in my life, but it is for a greater good. I knew I had to. I was too passionate.”

    Professor Kathryn Abel also commented on how these issues are subjected to stigma from the medical profession. She said, “The combination with sexual and mental health is often avoided but most relevant. The lack of sympathy and understanding within medicine is heavily contributing to the disempowerment of women.”

    Panel Four – It’s Not Fair Play. The Role of Sport in Reducing Inequality and Discrimination on and off the Pitch

    Let's Talk 2018 - Panel Four

    The final panel of the day saw figures in the world of sport assess the role of sport in reducing inequality and discrimination on and off the pitch as part of their commitment to tackling the worldwide taboos of women’s and mental health. Hosted by David Evangelista, President of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, the panel also featured Yuri Sviridov, Marketing & Communications Department Director, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Mario Leo of Result Sports Company, Friederike Karcher, Head of Division, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Ozlem Kaymaz, Sportswoman and Miss Turkey 1992.

    David Evangelista opened the panel, highlighting how “Every sport is an equaliser.”

    Friederike Karcher agreed, discussing the versatility of sport in tackling a range of issues. She said, “There are many topics that you can play very well through sport.”

    Yuri Sviridov discussed how FC Shakhtar Donetsk are helping to break down taboos in the sport. He revealed the surprising figures that only 5000 girls play football in Ukraine compared to 1million in the UK and 9million in the USA. He said, “We take the opportunity to promote gender equality and girls in football” and committed to creating a Shakhtar Donetsk women’s team.

    Mario Leo also cautioned against bringing expertise into countries without giving them the proper tools for continuous improvement and development. He said, “Power needs to be unlocked from within.”

    Ozlem Kaymaz signified the power of sport, stating “Sport made me who I am today.” Praising its universal language, she said “Sport is the only field in which you can get out there and practice what has been discussed at Let’s Talk! today.”

    Discussing the event, Alanna Armitage, UNFPA’s Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said: “We’ve highlighted that we live in difficult times. We’ve agreed that government is essential for tackling stigma in society. We’ve seen that media has created stigmas but is also driving progress in breaking them down. We’ve also seen that we need to do more to protect those who protect others from stigma.” Thanking host Natalia Vodianova, she also pledged UNFPA’s commitment to continue to support the Let’s Talk! campaign.

    Natalia Vodianova closed the day panels with the announcement of a new partnership between Let’s Talk! and Flo Health, which would give UNFPA access to funds raised from the 40 million Flo community to help educate women and girls in India about their health and access to menstrual hygiene products.

    WOMEN’S HEALTH TABOOS SMASHED WITH NEW PLEDGES & PARTNERSHIPS AT 2018 “LET’S TALK!” PANEL & AWARDS CEREMONY

    Let's Talk 2018 - Adwoa-Natalia-Anja

    The evening concluded with a glittering awards ceremony in the presence of Her Excellency Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkey, to celebrate and commemorate the inspirational activists and campaigners from across the world working towards women’s health and rights across the world.

    Speaking about her commitment to her work in tackling women’s rights issues including early and forced marriages, Her Excellency Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkey said: “Issues such as early marriage and female genital mutilation are harming the dignity of humanity. The health of women cannot be separated from human rights.”

    Gracing the occasion was also Natalia Kanem, UNFPA’s Executive Director. She said: “How proud we are to partner with Natalia on the Let’s Talk! a campaign, which contributes to the culture shift towards full gender equality that we need to bring it all together. Thank you, Natalia, for using your phenomenal influence to make it all happen!”

    On collecting her award, Adwoa Aboah, activist, model and founder of GURLS Talk said: “It’s vital that we keep coming together to have these conversations.”

    Join the conversation!
    #LetsTalkAboutIt

  • STERLING MEDIA’S GLOBAL CEO NATASHA MUDHAR DISCUSSES WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

    STERLING MEDIA’S GLOBAL CEO NATASHA MUDHAR DISCUSSES WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

    By Natasha Mudhar

    As a business owner myself, I hugely appreciate the importance of diversity within the workplace – this fosters motivation, which in turn encourages creativity and productivity. In addition, an equal environment makes employees feel comfortable and secure in their jobs, which will only mean positive things for the workplace. At global communications experts Sterling Media, one of the leading brand strategy and advertising agencies in London we pride ourselves in being a diverse company, with equality taking a prized place in our values.

    Be it through unconscious bias or simple scepticism, employers from all backgrounds too often find reasons not to diversify their workforce and can even be dismissive of the companies that do. As a result, we are finding today a great deal of underemployed and untapped talent who have yet to be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Being one of the premier brand strategy and global advertising agencies we find diversity such a key facet of Sterling Media’s DNA.

    Our approach and attitude to our work is built on open-mindedness, and our best successes have been achieved when we call upon the diversity of thought within our own workplace. This is often something which is overlooked by many sectors, as diversity quotas often focus on outward physical differences, rather than the variety of cultural and skill-based experiences that a diverse team can provide a business. A truly diverse workforce goes even further than that, and an open-minded approach means being willing to pull upon people of all levels of ability. At Sterling Media, we’ve built a global communications environment that utilises the strengths of all our employees, regardless of any personal challenges they may have.

    Diversity has no limitations – it encompasses a range of elements, be it gender, race, ethnicity or age. A diverse environment enriches an organisation by enabling for an interaction of ideas. This is especially relevant for an international global communications business and advertising agency like ours, which engages with a global audience. We operate with an international team from countries including Switzerland, Netherlands, India, Jamaica, Italy and not to mention the UK. That’s our secret to brand strategy success.

    Miss Natasha Mudhar, Global CEO, Sterling Media, the global business and communications consultancy, bringing brands, individuals and companies closer to their purpose.

  • UFO MOVIEZ STEPS UP TO SUPPORT THE CINEMA MEDIUM AND “FEED OUR FUTURE”, A NEW GLOBAL CINEMA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP)

    UFO MOVIEZ STEPS UP TO SUPPORT THE CINEMA MEDIUM AND “FEED OUR FUTURE”, A NEW GLOBAL CINEMA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP)

    UFO Moviez today announced its support for “Feed Our Future,” a powerful new advertising campaign aimed at getting global cinema audiences to tackle global hunger by supporting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide. With the support of Facebook, “Feed Our Future” was launched via a Facebook Live from Facebook’s Mumbai office, and was hosted by renowned television personality Mini Mathur and featured: critically acclaimed filmmaker R Balki, the Founder of Feeding India Ankit Kawatra, celebrity chef and award-winning author Vicky Ratnani, Mr. Siddharth Bhardwaj, Chief Marketing Officer & National Sales Head, UFO Moviez and megastars Sonam Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza.

    “This is the first time in India that a campaign of this magnitude has run towards a global cause,” said Sanjay Gaikwad, Managing Director of India’s largest digital cinema network UFO Moviez. “We’re happy to address the issue of global hunger in India with the World Food Programme. Cinema is the most impactful medium to deliver such a message to the audience in a highly captive environment. To add to this, UFO Moviez is the largest in-cinema advertising network and will run the emotionally stirring 60sec ad film across its screens for eight weeks.”

    The 60-second cinema advertisement was conceived by advertising legend Sir John Hegarty and The Garage Soho. It was directed by acclaimed film director Lynne Ramsay and produced by award-winning production company Somesuch & Co. SAWA, the Global Cinema Advertising Association, in association with WFP, will air “Feed Our Future” on cinema screens in more than 30 countries with a call to action to download WFP’s mobile-app, ShareTheMeal.

    The advertisement shows a bustling news conference with journalists vying to interview the recipient of a breakthrough medical research award. But the journalists learn that there was ultimately no medical breakthrough – the chilling conclusion reveals that Miriam Adeke, the young woman in question, had in fact died of hunger when she was only eight years old.

    “The creative challenge here is to find a way of engaging the audience without resorting to endless images of starving children. Creating empathy by reminding the viewer that when a child dies, we all lose,” said Sir John Hegarty.

    Inspired by the cinema advertisement’s message, Facebook is bringing the campaign to life through an integrated digital campaign. Borne from a “Hack for Good” at the recent Cannes Lions Festival for Creativity, the Facebook Messenger experience was created by a team of award-winning creatives from across the industry and Facebook’s Creative Shop to give viewers the opportunity to engage with the character from the advertisement and learn more about hunger. At a time when 821 million people – roughly one in nine of the global population – still go to bed on an empty stomach, this new digital integration will bring the offline online by connecting viewers with the cinema advertisement and the issue in an exciting new way.

    “Hunger is a major global issue,” said Cheryl Wannell, CEO of SAWA. “It is therefore fitting that the Cinema medium, with its global reach, should be proactive in driving awareness for the World Food Programme. Millennials who are educated, socially aware and a hard to reach demographic, make up a large part of the Cinema audience and these are the people that can and will facilitate change. Since 2015, the Cinema Medium has stepped up to support the Sustainable Development Goals and we are committed in 2018 and beyond to make the World Food Programme famous by using the power and impact of the Cinema Medium. SAWA encourages other mediums to do likewise.”

    The Facebook Messenger experience will enable viewers to engage with the ad’s main character, Miriam Adeke, to learn more about her story and the issue of hunger by searching ‘ShareTheMeal’ on Messenger.

    “Three million children die every year of hunger or malnutrition,” said Corinne Woods, Director of Communications, Marketing and Advocacy of the United Nations World Food Programme. “When partners like SAWA and their members step up, it helps us create a movement and generate support for our work to ensure that every child has the vital food and nutrition they need – not only to survive – but also to thrive.”

    Thanks to UFO Moviez’s generous support, the advertisement will air on UFO Moviez’s screens across India for the next eight weeks, and the message about aiming for a world with Zero Hunger will be heard by millions across India. For more information about the “Feed Our Future” advertisement and campaign, and to learn how to get involved in creating a world with Zero Hunger, please visit: www.wfp.org/feedourfuture.

  • “LET’S TALK!” – PHILANTHROPIST, CAMPAIGNER & SUPERMODEL NATALIA VODIANOVA JOINS UNFPA TO LEAD GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM ON TACKLING TABOOS AND EMPOWERING WOMEN

    “LET’S TALK!” – PHILANTHROPIST, CAMPAIGNER & SUPERMODEL NATALIA VODIANOVA JOINS UNFPA TO LEAD GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM ON TACKLING TABOOS AND EMPOWERING WOMEN

    • The 2018 “Let’s Talk!” event will convene thought leaders, influencers, activists and global policymakers who are challenging women’s health taboos with the goal of galvanizing further progress on women’s health and gender equality.

     

    • The two-day event is powered by the charitable giving platform ELBI and will run in partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. The event will comprise a Davos-style forum with high profile speakers and an awards ceremony to recognise the outstanding endeavours of change makers fighting globally for women’s health, choices and rights.

     

    • ELBI co-founder, philanthropist, campaigner & model Natalia Vodianova will host the event and bring together a number of special guests.

     

     

    An ambitious new global initiative is launching to end the stigma and taboos around women’s health by providing a crucial podium for discussion and innovation – “Let’s Talk!” 2018 will take place on 25th-26th October 2018 at the Maxx Royal Resorts Kemer in Antalya, Turkey.

    The two-day event has been developed with the ambition of creating an open platform to discuss issues such as the impact of societal taboos on sexual and reproductive health and women’s equality. The occasion will also celebrate and support the people and companies who are at the forefront of changing social norms based on rights, equality and inclusiveness.

    Hosted by philanthropist, campaigner and model Natalia Vodianova, the initiative is powered by her digital charitable giving platform ELBI, and will be held in partnership with UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. The event will take place with the support of partners including Turkish Airlines, Maxx Royal Resorts and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB).

    Stigma and taboos around women’s health are pervasive in most societies and their effects have serious negative consequences, sometimes putting lives at risk. Taboos around menstruation, for example, can lead to women not having access to hygiene products, being deterred from taking part in school or sports activities, and risking infections and other complications.

    Taboos around health education can also lead to young people not knowing how to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, or early pregnancy. Stigmas around the sexual and reproductive health of persons with disabilities can lead to a lack of adequate maternal health services, and fear of repercussions for talking about domestic violence can result in women not seeking help despite being in an abusive relationship.

    The event will commence with a networking reception on the 25th October and continue with a day-long forum on the 26th October, convening a series of global guests and influencers who share the common goal of removing the obstacles which currently prevent women from the prospect of a healthy future. The select group of courageous policy makers, influencers, entrepreneurs and activists will join Natalia to share and build on their ideas and innovations aimed at improving the lives of millions of women.

    In the evening of 26th October, a special awards night will recognise outstanding achievements in combating taboos and stigmas around women’s health. This ceremony will celebrate some of the world’s most pioneering and progressive minds in the fight to empower women from all corners of the globe. From patrons of the battle against domestic violence to beacons of hope in the education of menstrual hygiene, the MAXX ROYAL Let’s Talk About It Awards will provide recognition for their inspirational endeavours. The event will be streamed live on Elbi and UNFPA social media channels, and viewers will be able to donate to UNFPA causes throughout the stream and through Elbi’s App.

    Speaking about the 2018 “Let’s Talk!” event, Elbi founder Natalia Vodianova said: “I am very proud to be launching the “Let’s Talk!” initiative with ELBI and our partner UNFPA. A year ago, I began holding conversations with friends and colleagues about the taboos around periods and am so excited to broaden this conversation and bring it to a global level.

     Too often women’s health issues go unheard and unnoticed because of unwarranted stigmas and taboos which have let far too many women down for generations. Now is the time to take a stand and begin to make strides in liberating women around the world, opening new doors and providing fresh opportunities. The changes we make now can help shape the destiny of future generations.

    The event also represents an opportunity to acknowledge and recognize activists and advocates, who are making real progress for women’s health around the world, for their achievements.”

    Discussing the event, Alanna Armitage, UNFPA’s Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said: “We are excited to partner with Natalia and ELBI on breaking the stigma and taboos that still surround women’s health. Any lasting change requires a cultural shift, and this is why engaging influencers and innovators is so important.

     The “Let’s Talk!” initiative provides an excellent platform to bring together change makers from across society — governments, private sector, civil society, celebrities — and share and celebrate their successes in creating a world where women can exercise their right to health and well-being without discrimination, stigma or taboo.”

     

     

  • A NEW ERA FOR UK-SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS WITH FRIENDLY POLO MATCH AND FIRST INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON SAUDI VISION 2030 AT BMG SUMMER RETREAT

    A NEW ERA FOR UK-SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS WITH FRIENDLY POLO MATCH AND FIRST INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON SAUDI VISION 2030 AT BMG SUMMER RETREAT

    • Investment opportunities presented by Saudi Arabia discussed at Forum
    • Prince William leads BMG Financial Polo-team to victory in friendly UK-Saudi match.
    • Basil Al Ghalayini, CEO of BMG Financial Group, hails “a new era for Saudi Arabia.”
    • BMG Economic Forum marks the first major international Economic Forum focused on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
    • The BMG Summer Retreat includes two events; the Economic Forum on July 11th at the London Stock Exchange & BMG Foundation Polo Cup at Cambridge Polo & Country Club on the 12th.

     

    The first major international economic forum focused on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 took place in London this week at the BMG Economic Forum. Taking place at the London Stock Exchange, the event saw key figures in business and finance convene to discuss the wealth of opportunity available in Saudi Arabia.

    The BMG Financial Group is licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority to offer financial services including investment banking and advisory research to clients. BMG provides corporate advisory services to medium and large business clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, initial public offerings and more. The company has a wealth of experience across sectors including insurance, real estate, retail, telecommunication, oil & gas, aviation and consumer finance.

    Donald Brydon, Chairman, London Stock Exchange Group
    Donald Brydon, Chairman, London Stock Exchange Group

    The forum’s opening speech was delivered by Donald Brydon, Chairman, London Stock Exchange Group, who hailed Saudi Arabia’s forward thinking leadership, and highlighted the country’s investment in SMEs, saying “The London Stock Exchange is committed to being strategic partner with the Kingdom to help deliver the Saudi Vision 2030 and beyond.”

    Highlights of the Forum included a variety of panels including the Business and Financial Environment in Saudi Arabia, Investments in the UK post BREXIT and Wealth Management panel.

    Speaking about the BMG Economic Forum, CEO of BMG Financial Group, Basil Al Ghalayini, said “This is a new era for Saudi Arabia. An era of great opportunities coupled with great challenges.” He added, “Through this forum today, I am sure we can highlight these opportunities and learn how to manage these challenges.”

    CEO of BMG Financial Group & Basil Al Ghalayini
    CEO of BMG Financial Group, Basil Al Ghalayini receives the plaque of London Exchange Opening from Robert Barnes

     The Economic Forum formed the first part of BMG’s Summer Retreat which was followed the net day by the 22nd BMG Polo Cup, organised by the BMG Foundation. The BMG Foundation has been bridging East and West through sport, music and art for over 20 years. The vision of the Foundation is to transcend differences through the common language of culture. Taking place at Cambridge Polo & Country Club, the BMG Polo Cup is considered the oldest joint Saudi-British charitable social and diplomatic event.

     

    The 22nd BMG Polo Cup on Thursday saw a friendly polo match between a BMG Financial team captained by HRH The Duke of Cambridge Prince William and featuring John Steven Ziegler, Jaime Huidobro and Amr Zedan, against a team representing the Cambridge Polo County Club led by Charlie Wright, featuring Hugo Taylor, Hissam Ali Hyder and Jasper Upton.

     

    The BMG GCC Polo Cup was born of a conversation between HRH The Prince of Wales and Basil Al Ghalayini, the Chairman of BMG Foundation, in the 1990s. In response to the need for closer and more significant cultural and sporting interactions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, Basil Al Ghalayini worked to create a platform to facilitate this, whilst simultaneously supporting the most worthy of causes.

     

    The riveting match saw Prince William lead his team to victory with a score of 10 to the Cambridge club’s 8. Following the match, both teams received mementos from Prince Sultan Khalid Alfaisal Alsaud and Chairman of the BMG Foundation Basil Al Ghalayini who praised the exciting match, saying “It had the highest amount of goals in a match in the event’s history, and Prince William and Saudi polo star Amr Zedan played very well.”

     

    Underlying the whole event was charitable giving. In addition to The Duke of Cambridge Prince William’s charities, the Summer Retreat supports BMG Foundation’s key charitable initiatives, including the Foundation’s Safe Driving, Water Conservation and Health Awareness campaigns. The annual Polo Cup has raised millions for charity.

     

     

  • CWEIC 2018 – Encourages Gender Equality and Female Empowerment in Business.

    CWEIC 2018 – Encourages Gender Equality and Female Empowerment in Business.

    The CWEIC is proud to promote and encourage gender equality and female empowerment in business and this year’s Commonwealth Business Forum will include dedicated sessions to tackling these issues.

    The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), an organisation facilitating trade and investment throughout the 53 states of the Commonwealth, is today announcing a round of leading businesswomen as speakers for the 2018 Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF).

    All speakers at the Forum are personally invited by Lord Marland of Odstock, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and are considered to be leaders in their chosen field. One of the key themes of CBF 2018 will be economic empowerment, and this announcement coincides with International Women’s Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

    Approximately 70 senior business leaders and decision makers have been confirmed to speak at CBF 2018, including a number of leading female CEOs, founders, and representatives from global organisations. The speakers not only represent a diverse range of industries within the Commonwealth but are all outstanding examples of women who are at the forefront of their field.

    Confirmed speakers include:

    • Amy Jadesimi, a Nigerian physician, businesswomen, and entrepreneur who serves as the CEO of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), a state-of-the-art logistics and engineering facility located within the Port of Lagos in Nigeria.
    • Jessica Ground, Global Head of Stewardship at Schroders, the British multinational asset management company, and is a board member for the Investor Forum CIC. Schroders is also Strategic Partners of CWEIC.
    • Amali De Awalis, the CEO of Code First: Girls, and also one of CWEIC’s commonwealth first Mentors. Code First: Girls is a multi-award-winning social enterprise aiming to increase the number of women in tech.
    • Australian-born Leanne Kemp, CEO of Everledger, a digital global ledger that tracks and protects items of value, which is leading the market in the real-world application of blockchain technology. Everledger is a commonwealth first Export Champion.
    • Geetha Muralidhar is Chair and Managing Director of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, and also serves as the Managing Trustee of National Export Insurance Account Trust, set up by the Government of India.
    • Professor Ngaire Woods, the founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at Oxford University.
    • New Zealander Kate Brown, Executive Director of the Global Island Partnership, a platform that enables island leaders and their supporters to act to build resilient and sustainable island communities.
    • Julia Deans who leads Futurpreneur Canada, a national non-profit organization that has helped more than 10,000 18-39-year-olds launch start-ups with its business coaching, financing, mentoring and other resources.
    • Margaret Doyle, Partner, and Head of Clients & Markets, Financial Services and Real Estate at Deloitte. She has also covered business and finance for a range of news organisations including The Daily Telegraph, The Economist and the BBC among many others.
    • Dr. Sania Nishtar, a Pakistani cardiologist, author, and activist. A former Federal Minister for the Government of Pakistan, Dr. Nishtar is the founder and president of NGO Heartfile and Co-chair of the WHO High-Level Commission on NCDs.
    • Natasha Mudhar, CEO and Managing Director of Sterling Media, an award-winning global communications consultancy. Sterling Media has offices in London, Mumbai, and Delhi.
    • Singapore based Agnes Hugot, Co-Founder of Cites Gestion, and CEO of Fast Track Trade – a digital marketplace connecting SMEs across South-East Asia.

    Phyllis Muscat was Chair of the CHOGM 2015 Taskforce and convened the first-ever Commonwealth Women’s Forum. Phyllis sits on the Board of the CWEIC. Commenting on today’s announcement she said:

    “The Commonwealth is a fantastic network for promoting the empowerment of women across the world. As Chair of the CHOGM 2015 taskforce in Malta I worked with the Prime Minister of Malta to include a Commonwealth Women’s Forum in the CHOGM agenda for the first time, and as Chair in Office of the Commonwealth, the Government of Malta has continued to push for the promotion of women in business across the Commonwealth.  The Commonwealth Business Forum is an important opportunity to not only promote intra-Commonwealth trade and investment but also to advance the agenda as it affects women and girls across the member states. The economic empowerment of women is crucial to our agenda at CWEIC, so to have such a strong selection of important and influential women speaking and leading sessions at the Forum is fantastic. I was proud to convene the first ever Commonwealth Women’s Forum in Malta in 2015 and I am delighted to see the theme of economic empowerment taking center stage at CBF 2018.”

    The CBF will be organised alongside the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), set to take place in April 2018 in London, for the first time in 20 years.

    With the Commonwealth’s cumulative population standing at 2.4 billion, the combined GDP of the Commonwealth nations is set to reach US$14 trillion by 2020. Intra-Commonwealth trade, which was estimated to be worth $525 billion in 2015, is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2020. CWEIC’s ambition is to encourage and grow intra-Commonwealth trade and investment and assist member organisations in developing high-quality trade and investment opportunities.

    The CBF is an invitation-only event that will convene 800 senior business leaders with approximately 30 Heads of Government across three iconic Central London venues.

  • CWEIC welcomes The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth – Sterling Media

    CWEIC welcomes The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth – Sterling Media

    • The Gambia re-joined the Commonwealth on 8th February 2018 after their application was unanimously supported by the other 52-member states.
    • President Adama Barrow has been invited to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum organised alongside the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
    • CWEIC believes The Gambia has great potential for economic growth and prosperity and is a welcome addition to the Commonwealth network.
    • The shared values, regulatory systems and language, makes trade costs on average 19% lower between the 53 Commonwealth countries.

    Just 9 weeks before the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) comes to the UK for the first time, The Gambia has re-joined the Commonwealth.

    The Chairman of the CWEIC, Lord Marland, has welcomed The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth and has invited the President Adama Barrow to give a keynote address at the Commonwealth Business Forum and lead a delegation of Gambian businesses. The invitation only Forum will attract over 800 senior business and Government leaders from across the Commonwealth.

    Participants in CBF will explore how businesses can maximise the opportunities presented by the Commonwealth Factor, which estimates that trade costs are on average 19% lower between Commonwealth countries due to the shared values, regulatory systems and language.

    Commenting on The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth CWEIC Chairman, Lord Marland of Odstock said: “I am delighted that in the months before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the 11th Commonwealth Business Forum the Commonwealth is expanding its membership. The Gambia has a rich heritage and deep-rooted links with the Commonwealth, and I am very much looking forward to working with them to increase trade and investment across the Commonwealth. I would be delighted if President Barrow were to agree to give a keynote address at the Forum and lead a delegation of Gambian business”.

    Intra-Commonwealth trade, which was estimated to be worth $525 billion in 2015, is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2020. CWEIC’s ambition is to encourage and grow intra-Commonwealth trade and investment and assist member organisations in developing high quality trade and investment opportunities.

    The CWEIC is also due to announce the first round of confirmed speakers for the CBF. All speakers at the Forum have personally been invited by Lord Marland of Odstock, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and are considered to be leaders in their chosen field.

     

  • PAD MAN FEVER HITS THE UK AS TWINKLE KHANNA GETS THE NATION TALKING PERIODS

    PAD MAN FEVER HITS THE UK AS TWINKLE KHANNA GETS THE NATION TALKING PERIODS

    Pad Man fever well and truly took over the United Kingdom ahead of the worldwide release of the film on the 9th February. Britain was introduced to the most unconventional of Superheroes as the Indian bestselling female author, woman empowerment champion and film producer Twinkle Khanna took to prime-time television and the prestigious Oxford Union to discuss the need tackle period poverty and period taboos.

    Pad Man is inspired by the story of one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential entrants Arunachalam Muruganantham, a rural welder from India with a unique, eccentrically mad edge who turned incredible inventor by providing women with access to high-quality and affordable sanitary pads 20 years ago.

    Highlights of Twinkle’s whistle-stop visit to the UK included a meeting with Nobel Peace prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. 

    Popularly known to her readers as Mrs Funnybones, which also doubles up as the title of her first book and columns, Twinkle Khanna’s debut book Mrs Funnybones sold over 100,000 copies. This feat made her the highest-selling female author in India with her second book, The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, landing at number two on Amazon India’s bestseller list. The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad featured a number of short tales, one of which was the story of a man who invented a machine to make low-cost sanitary pads. Recognising a fundamental need to have this story shared to a wider audience, Twinkle had turned producer to develop it for the big screen.

    The result is her latest endeavour, Pad Man, a feature film on menstrual hygiene based on the life of social entrepreneur and activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, who revolutionised sanitary hygiene in rural India 20 years ago. Pad Man traces Arunachalam Muruganantham’s international journey from an outcast exiled from society for his endeavours to delve into such a taboo subject, to becoming a super-hero of India’s modern history, as he followed his dream to bring a menstrual hygiene revolution to India.

    Twinkle’s visit to the UK got off to a glamorous start with a photo-call in a London hotel alongside leading Bollywood actress and star of Pad Man Sonam Kapoor. Media interest was high as photographers and journalists flocked to London to capture the pair, which was followed by several high profile interviews.

    Twinkle khanna and Sonam Kapoor at Pad Man Photocall

    The focus later shifted to the world renowned Oxford Union as Twinkle prepared for her highly anticipated speech at the prestigious Oxford Union Society. Approaching its 200th anniversary, The Oxford Union has an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford, with the aim of promoting debate and discussion not just within the University, but across the world. Twinkle joined an esteemed list of former participants including US Presidents Reagan, Nixon, and Carter, as well as Sir Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Malala Yousafzai to name but a few. Twinkle’s appearance highlighted The Oxford Union’s fine tradition of hosting worldwide personalities from meaningful fields.

    Marking the first time an Indian film has ever been showcased at the institution, the audience were presented with the official trailer of Pad Man before Twinkle took to the spotlight. The trailer generated a rapturous response of laughter when in the trailer lead actor Akshay Kumar remarked that if a man bled for the amount of time a women did as a result of menstruation, he would die.

    Twinkle engaged the audience by explaining why the world needed to know about Pad Man’s story and the importance of spotlighting issues relating to menstrual hygiene.

    “My primary motivation to make a movie on menstruation was to bring awareness to a subject that so far has been tucked away in shadows and much like Voldemort is never mentioned.”

    Twinkle Khanna speaking at The Oxford Union

    Twinkle made the audience chuckle as she gave her solution to the prevalence of taxation on menstrual products around the world, stating “I think all women should just move to Canada: we get tax free tampons and blemish free Trudeau, and what more could any woman want?”

    Twinkle described her hopes for the film, saying “With Pad Man, I am hoping it is more than a movie – it’s a movement: where women are no longer held back or embarrassed by their biology.”

    Answering questions from The Oxford Union Vice President Sabriyah Saeed, Twinkle said: “One of the things I really wanted from this movie, which I think we are already on the way to achieving, is to make it a conversation starter. We want all members of the family to discuss this topic, including the men, even if it is merely to decide whether they should go and see Pad Man or not!”

    Responding to questions about how the next generation can end the cycle of period taboo, Twinkle said “I think mothers and parents both have to lead by example…” Using her own experiences as a mother as a reference, she added “There should be no forbidden territory – you should be able to speak about anything.”

    Twinkle also shared her views on the idea of making a film about a man solving problems for women. She pointed out that there are many women who solve issues, saying “There are a lot of women doing things for fellow women – but is anyone really listening to them?”. Twinkle recalled that it was Muruganantham’s conservative background that made the Pad Man story so unique, “Do men need to step up and solve women’s problems? I don’t think so – as you can see in what’s happening right now in the world, women seem to be giving men a sucker punch and pushing them down very well by themselves” she added.

    When asked if the film’s profits would be going to charity, Twinkle said that a proportion of the revenue would, referring to an anecdote from the real Pad Man himself, “Muruganantham himself said something very smart about it. He had a conversation with Bill Gates, and he said: what you do is charity and what I do is social entrepreneurship. It’s the same thing as giving people fish or teaching them to fish. So what he does is he makes machines that help women earn a livelihood, and if our movie does not make any money, and if we give away all of our profits, then nobody will make a movie based on content again. And that would be a shame, wouldn’t it?” The answer received applause, highlighting the film’s commitment to Muruganantham’s ethos for creating lasting change.

    The power of Twinkle’s message and that of Pad Man was clear during the course of the evening itself; when handed sanitary pads at the beginning of the evening, much of the audience, most notably the male members, balked at the idea. By the end of Twinkle’s speech and Q&A session, the audience were asked to raise sanitary pads aloft for a photo opportunity, to which nearly the entire audience duly obliged.

    In the lead up to the speech, Twinkle met with Nobel Peace prize laureate Malala Yousafzai.  Speaking at the meeting, Malala mentioned to Twinkle: “I’m really excited to see the film Pad Man, and am looking forward to seeing the trailer shortly because the message behind the film is truly inspiring.”

    On Friday 19th January, Twinkle took to the airwaves to spread Pad Man’s message across television, appearing on BBC News’s Victoria Derbyshire programme, ITV News, BBC News, Al Jazeera and Channel 4 News.

    On BBC 2’s Victoria Derbyshire show Twinkle’s trademark wit and passion for the project shone through as she discussed the importance of issues around menstrual hygiene. Answering a question on the why menstrual products incur taxes worldwide, Twinkle said “There’s a GST tax of 12% in India and even that’s something I’ve been talking about repeatedly, because brooms don’t have tax, so apparently in India it’s more important to keep your house clean than your body – I don’t understand that.”

     “But again I want to reiterate it’s not just India, there have been many states across America where Viagra is tax free but tampons are taxed because policies are made by 65 year old men with erectile dysfunction.”

     UK viewers were impressed by the project and Twinkle’s passion for the subject. One viewer tweeted “Fantastic interview with @mrsfunnybones on #VictoriaLIVE can’t wait to see #padman. Fascinating story of determination and public awareness around issues women face.” Another tweeted “@mrsfunnybones is ace! Can’t wait to watch Pad Man!”

    Both ITV and BBC devoted special attention within their news reports to the film, which aired during the highly watched midday and 6pm broadcasts, highlighting the urgency and global nature of period taboo and period poverty. In an interview on ITV News, Twinkle described the progress the film has already made, “One of the things that motivated me to make this movie, it’s already begun this conversation about menstruation.”

    Twinkle also took part in an ITV News Facebook Live Q&A with host Nina Nannar, preceded only by UK Prime Minister Theresa May during last year’s general election campaign. The Q&A covered some of the taboos that exist around periods, deeply entrenched in cultures around the world, and how the film Pad Man hopes to tackle them. Twinkle said “To me the most important thing about Pad Man is the fact that in India, already the conversation has started. Something that people do not address, and it is not something I have heard men talking about, is suddenly talked about all the time and even if they are talking about whether or not to see Pad Man, they are addressing something they have not.”

    Twinkle was joined on the Q&A by period campaigner Manjit Gill, founder of the charity Binti International, who have been raising similar issues in the UK. Twinkle visited Binti International following her TV appearances to learn more about their work, and saw first-hand their excitement for the release of film like Pad Man.

    Twinkle on Channel 4 News

    Channel 4 News also compiled a report on the film and an interview with Twinkle on their evening weekend broadcast. Speaking to Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman about the significance of a film like Pad Man for the fact that it deals with women’s issues traditionally seen as taboo, Twinkle said “We’re in a very interesting time in history, where for the first time you have women whose voices are being heard, strident women…it’s a very good time to be a woman.”

    Twinkle’s mission to open up the topic of menstruation for discussion has been a success, and with the UK public now aware of Pad Man, excitement is growing for the film.

    Dubbed ‘Superhero hai yeh Pagla’, Pad Man is the world’s first feature film on menstrual hygiene inspired by the story of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential entrants Arunachalam Muruganantham, a rural welder from India with a unique, eccentrically mad edge who turned incredible inventor by providing women with access to high-quality and affordable sanitary pads 20 years ago.

    Produced by Mrs Funnybones Movies, SPE FIlms India, Kriarj Entertainment, Cape of Good Films and Hope Productions, Pad Man is written and directed by ad-man turned film-man R Balki (Paa). It is billed as the most progressive family entertainer yet, starring international megastar Akshay Kumar (Toilet: Ek Prem Katha) who assumes the titular role of Arunachalam Muruganantham to once again showcase his commitment to social entertainers. He is joined by critically acclaimed actresses Sonam Kapoor (Neerja) and Radhika Apte (Kabali).

    One for the mad ones, the ones who are crazy enough to change the world, Pad Man is the one-of-a-kind feature film, tackling the taboo and stigmas attached to menstrual hygiene through the art of entertainment.

     Pad Man releases in cinemas worldwide on the 9th February to inspire all the cape-less heroes amongst us, through SPE Films, India.

  • Not Your Avenger Superhero Film – “Pad Man” A Man, A Mission, A Movie.

    Not Your Avenger Superhero Film – “Pad Man” A Man, A Mission, A Movie.

    A superhero is a heroic stock character, who is dedicated to protecting their public and fighting evil and oppression at all costs, often single handily. However, contrary to popular folklore, not all superheroes wear capes and can sometimes blend in with the conventional public.

    Here’s introducing the inspiring story of one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential entrants Arunachalam Muruganantham, a rural welder from India turned incredible innovator and inventor, who certainly wasn’t wearing a cape when he was moved to provide women with access to high-quality and affordable sanitary pads 20 years ago. His story has been fictionalised for its silver screen debut with Pad Man, releasing in cinemas around the world on 9th February 2018.

    PadMan Movie Poster

     

    Produced by Mrs Funnybones Movies, Sony Pictures Entertainment, India, Kriarj Entertainment, Cape of Good Films and Hope Productions, Pad Man is written and directed by ad-man turned film-man R Balki (Paa). It is billed as the most progressive family entertainer yet, starring international megastar Akshay Kumar (Toilet: Ek Prem Katha) who assumes the titular role of Arunachalam Muruganantham to once again showcase his commitment to social entertainers. He is joined by critically acclaimed actresses Sonam Kapoor (Neerja) and Radhika Apte (Kabali).

    The story of Arunachalam Muruganantham was first fictionalised in the Founder of Mrs Funnybones Movies, Twinkle Khanna’s award-winning book of short-stories, The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad. A renowned vocal women empowerment champion, interior design entrepreneur, best-selling author, newspaper columnist and producer, Twinkle Khanna then felt compelled to project Arunachalam Muruganantham’s story to a wider audience by co-producing Pad Man under her banner Mrs Funnybones Movies.

    Pad Man traces Arunachalam Muruganantham’s international journey from an outcast exiled from society for his endeavours to delve into such a taboo subject, to becoming a super-hero of India’s modern history, as he followed his dream to bring a revolution to menstrual hygiene in India. Akin to the tagline of the film Superhero Hai Yeh Pagla (He’s a Crazy Superhero), Pad Man is nothing short of an impulsive, flamboyant and driven entrepreneur extraordinaire, who refused to give up in the wake of scrutiny and ridicule, using his resilience and initiative to invent India’s low-cost sanitary napkin making machine. An extreme enigma in his home town, Arunachalam Muruganantham’s super-heroic efforts led to a business that today employs hundreds of women across India.

    Issues relating to menstrual hygiene are a global phenomenon. Whether this is a result of the stigma and taboo resulting in the marginalisation and disempowerment of women in societies, the economic and social impact of “period poverty”, to the consequences on women’s health, there is a need to educate both men and women on the impact and to ensuring all women have menstrual dignity. Committed to the cause of women empowerment, Arunachalam Muruganantham faced the risk of isolation and marginalisation as he challenged the stigma and stereotypes associated with menstrual hygiene head-on in order to improve the lives of thousands of women. As is the case with many superheroes, it’s the element of social segregation that makes Arunachalam Muruganantham’s story so special. He is challenged by the extreme backlash of a bigoted society stuck in its ways, to liberate and empower women across the country – just like a superhero.

    Whilst his exterior may resemble that of a regular man, Arunachalam Muruganantham is the paradigm to the theory that not all heroes wear capes! Pad Man is a tribute to every ordinary and simple man and woman, who dare to dream and impact the lives of millions of others. Pad Man releases in cinemas worldwide on the 9th February 2018 to inspire all the cape-less heroes amongst us, through Sony Pictures Entertainment, India.

     

  • STERLING MEDIA: YEAR IN REVIEW 2016

    STERLING MEDIA: YEAR IN REVIEW 2016

    2016 will go down in history for many things but an uneventful year will not be one of them! For brand strategy and business consultant Sterling Media it has been a year of impactful events that have seen the global communications company go from strength to strength. Here are some of our highlights from the last year:

    JAMIE OLIVER’s FOOD REVOLUTION DAY LAUNCH IN AFRICA & INDIA

    In May, Sterling Media teamed up with Jamie Oliver’s Food Foundation to bring Food Revolution Day to a global audience. Sterling CEO and brand strategy specialist Natasha Mudhar was appointed India and Africa director for the campaign and so Sterling Media set out to find the right faces to launch the campaign in India, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya.

    Through working with local household names such as Jacqueline Fernandez and Chef Kunal Kapur in India, Waje and Chef Eros in Nigeria, Juliani and Chef Ali in Kenya, and Alikiba and Marion Elias in Tanzania, Sterling Media was able to help India and African nations play their part in Food Revolution Day, participating in the global Facebook streaming event that took place on the day, with over 115,296,411 million people taking part.

    #WHATIREALLYREALLYWANT CAMPAIGN

     Girl power went global in July as Sterling Media in partnership with Project Everyone, SAWA and Getty Images launched the #WhatIReallyReallyWant campaign. Inspired by the 20th anniversary of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe, the new film payed homage to the original music video and raised awareness of the UN’s Global Goals and Gender equality.

     

    Directed by MJ Delaney of Moxie Pictures, #WhatIReallyReallyWant featured artists from around the world including Gigi Lamayne and Moneoa from South Africa, Seyi Shay from Nigeria, Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez from Sri Lanka, M.0 from the UK, Taylor Hatala from Canada and Larsen Thompson from the USA.

    Making its exclusive debut at the Cannes Lions Festival in May, the film became an internet phenomenon upon release, receiving over 1,377,958 on Youtube, 106 million views on Facebook, and over 38 million impressions. Sterling was also able to gain support on the campaign from celebrities including three of the original Spice Girls. Sterling Media spearheaded the global communications for the campaign, securing coverage on both UK and US television as well as print coverage around the world.

    GODAN

    September saw business consultant Sterling Media become the official media partner for the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition, and handle global communications for the GODAN Summit 2016. Sterling Media used a variety of methods to raise awareness for the GODAN summit and associated petition, including encouraging university students in both the US and UK to sign the petition, the creation of infographics to be shared on social media, blog posts for partners of GODAN, outreach to social media influencers and vloggers and more.

    Members of the Sterling Media team also travelled to New York to manage communications at the GODAN Summit, where they were able to arrange high level media opportunities with figures such as the US Secretary of Agriculture.  The summit was a success and gained interest from the BBC and Fox News.

    STERLING AWARDS

    It has proven an award-winning year for Sterling Media as we have won a number of awards for our work! The Asian Media Awards awarded the Creative Media Award to Sterling for the #WhatIReallyReallyWant campaign!

    LEADERS OF BOLLYWOOD BUSINESS:

    This year Sterling Media continued to lead the way in UK Bollywood film promotion, handling the UK releases of hit films including Airlift, Kapoor and Sons and Baar Baar Dekho. Some of our highlights from this year included:

    AKIRA: This martial arts action film starring Sonakshi Sinha kicked her way into the UK cinema in early September. To launch the film, Sterling Media created partnerships with local martial arts clubs across the UK that would see anyone with tickets for the film receive special offers on martial arts training sessions.

    AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL – the eagerly awaited Karen Johar film starring Aishwarya Rai and Ranbir Kapoor was the must-see release of Diwali 2016. To launch the film in the UK, Sterling Media worked with the biggest Diwali events in London, Birmingham and Leicester as well as local club nights to display a personalised message from one of the film stars, Ranbir Kapoor. In addition, promotional materials included flyers and standees were distributed to the events to raise awareness.

    CLIENT COVERAGE

    It has also been a good year for many of our long-standing clients, who have received great media coverage thanks to Sterling Media’s brand strategy efforts. Here are some of our client highlights from the year:

    Whilst the results of the Brexit vote may have sent shockwaves through the business world, it has provided many opportunities for our corporate clients including Rational FX and Sun Global Investments, whose expert commentary on current economic affairs have been covered across UK and international media.

    We have also secured extraordinary coverage opportunities for clients such as Sister Sledge’s barnstorming performance on ITV’s The X Factor, and Nosh Detox founder Geeta Sidhu Robb’s participation in the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire Show EU Referendum debate special.

    LOOKING AHEAD TO 2017

    As we reach the end of 2016, Sterling Media is already looking ahead to 2017! We have a range of exciting campaigns and projects that we can’t wait to share with you! We look forward to working further with our current clients and the ones we haven’t met yet! In the meantime, everyone at Sterling Media would like to wish you a Happy New Year!

  • THE GLOBAL OPEN DATA FOR AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION (GODAN) INITIATIVE TO CONVENE A SUMMIT OF LEADERS, HEADS OF STATE, CAMPAIGNERS AND OTHER INFLUENCERS.

    THE GLOBAL OPEN DATA FOR AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION (GODAN) INITIATIVE TO CONVENE A SUMMIT OF LEADERS, HEADS OF STATE, CAMPAIGNERS AND OTHER INFLUENCERS.

    AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE OPENING OF DATA IN AGRICULTURE & NUTRITION TO END WORLD HUNGER.

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    LONDON & NEW YORK, 15th August, 2016: Worldwide, nearly 800 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition – that’s one in every nine people – with the majority being women and children. GODAN, or the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition initiative, was formed to support and encourage the proactive sharing of open data to make information about agriculture and nutrition available, accessible and usable for unrestricted use worldwide, to deal with the urgent challenge of ensuring world food security.

    The largest-ever event dedicated to open data in agriculture and nutrition, GODAN Summit 2016 will take place on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Natasha Mudhar, Media Spokesperson for GODAN, said: “Open data is key to innovation in agriculture and nutrition – and hence, in promoting food security – by improving farming methods, enhancing food production and providing better information and advice on nutritional methods.

    “GODAN’s powerful and pivotal public summit event will advance the agenda for open data in agriculture and nutrition.” GODAN Summit 2016 will invite the public to attend the event and join over 330 GODAN partners, including the Governments of the United States, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, ONE campaign, and Presidents United to Solve Hunger (PUSH). Some of the exciting features of GODAN Summit 2016, include:

    GAME-CHANGING SPEECHES: The two-day summit will see high-octane speeches by world leaders and innovators who will share their thoughts on how to end world hunger through open data. A number of high profile, active campaigners will also join the discussion.

    GODAN HACKATHON: A radical hackathon will bring together software and agricultural innovators to create the beginning of the end of world hunger. Aimed at next generation innovators, university students and young entrepreneurs, the hackathon will generate ideas on how to better utilize and collect data to improve our global food system.

    OPEN-DATA ONLINE REVOLUTION: Along with partner Global Citizen, GODAN has set up an online petition with the aim of garnering 1 million signatures. The petition calls on international governments, the private sector and civil society to provide open data on agriculture and nutrition and end world hunger. The petition will be handed over at a meeting at the United Nations in New York, in September. People can extend their support by signing the petition today: http://summit.godan.info/petition/

    EXHIBITS: GODAN Summit 2016 will include exhibits to showcase agriculture and nutritional data, with participants illustrating the use of open data sources, and the importance of open data. Participants interested in announcing the release of newly opened data sets will be welcome as well.

    A rapidly growing initiative, GODAN focuses on building high-level policy, and encourages collaboration and cooperation among existing agriculture and open data activities by bringing together stakeholders to solve long-standing global challenges in food and nutritional security. Over 330 partners, including national governments and non-governmental, international and private sector organisations, have committed to a joint statement of purpose to promote the proactive sharing of open data to make information about agriculture and nutrition available to all.

    The GODAN Summit 2016 takes place on 15th and 16th September in Hilton Midtown Hotel, New York. To register, click here: http://summit.godan.info/

    To sign the petition to help end world hunger now, visit: http://summit.godan.info/petition/

    To become a GODAN partner, click here: www.godan.info/becomeagodanpartner

  • THE GLOBAL OPEN DATA FOR AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION (GODAN) INITIATIVE LAUNCHES ONLINE PETITION WITH GLOBAL CITIZEN

    THE GLOBAL OPEN DATA FOR AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION (GODAN) INITIATIVE LAUNCHES ONLINE PETITION WITH GLOBAL CITIZEN

    IN ORDER TO MEET THE UNITED NATION’S GLOBAL GOAL 2 – ZERO HUNGER – BY 2030

    FRD-save-the-date-4

     

    LONDON & NEW YORK, 12th August, 2016: Worldwide, nearly 800 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. For the first time in human history, we have the knowledge and the tools to put an end to it. Open data makes that knowledge available to everyone.

    GODAN, the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition initiative, has launched an Open Data Online Revolution in partnership with Global Citizen. The GODAN Open Data Online Revolution empowers stakeholders and world leaders to unlock the data necessary to solve the challenge of global food insecurity.

    FRD-save-the-date-1e

    Members of civil society, end hunger campaigners, high profile personalities, the media and other supporters will sign an online petition to drive the importance of open data. The petition will be handed over at a meeting at the United Nations in New York, in September. Each signature is a step closer to achieving the UN’s Global Goal 2 – Zero Hunger. Results from the petition will be unveiled at GODAN’s ground-breaking, annual summit in New York on 15th and 16th September, where world leaders, researchers, farmers, students and public, private and non-profit organisations will convene to showcase the impact of open data around the world.

    “We must make the world’s accumulated agriculture and nutritional information available to everyone. This information is often locked away and unseen in government, private sector and civil society datasets. It needs to be identified and set free,” says Natasha Mudhar, Media Spokesperson for GODAN.
    With open data, a mother in Malawi can choose the best seeds to sow in order to achieve a plentiful harvest to feed her hungry family; a commercial farmer in the United States has the right data to enrich his soil to produce more bountiful crops; the smallholder farmer in Tanzania will better understand and anticipate adverse weather conditions; the food manufacturer can produce healthier products; the nutritionist is able to offer better advice.

    FRD-save-the-date-12

    Farmers, agricultural organizations, researchers, policy makers, governments, and other private sector and civil society stakeholders should all be involved in building a food secure world. By signing the online petition, the public can also play a key part in achieving this.

    The GODAN Summit 2016 takes place on 15th and 16th September in Hilton Midtown Hotel, New York. To register, click here: http://summit.godan.info/

    To sign the petition to help end world hunger now, visit: http://summit.godan.info/petition/

    To become a GODAN partner, click here: www.godan.info/becomeagodanpartner

  • SUN GLOBAL AND ZYFIN LIST WORLD’S FIRST INDIAN FIXED INCOME ETF ON LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE

    SUN GLOBAL AND ZYFIN LIST WORLD’S FIRST INDIAN FIXED INCOME ETF ON LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE

    Sun Global Investments Limited and ZyFin Holdings Pte. Limited (ZyFin) today confirm the listing of the world’s first Indian fixed income ETF, the LAM Sun Global ZyFin India Sovereign Enterprise Bond UCITS ETF, on the London Stock Exchange.

    The LAM Sun Global ZyFin India Sovereign Enterprise Bond UCITS ETF (the Fund) offers British and international investors exposure to a basket of Indian public sector corporate bonds. The fixed income ETF will be Europe’s first physically replicating Indian ETF backed by real underlying securities as opposed to notional securities or derivatives.

    The Fund tracks the performance of the ZyFin India Sovereign Owned Enterprise Bond Index based on cutting edge research and contains bonds from companies of national interest that are majority-owned by the Government of India, so-called Sovereign Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The corporate bonds are denominated in Indian rupees, have an AAA rating and a residual maturity between 4 to 20 years with current average maturity of 8.97 years. Although partly state owned, the average yield of the portfolio is close to 8.23% (in INR) which is higher than the yield of Indian sovereign bonds. All the bonds in the Index are equally weighted, and no more than one bond from a company is included.

    While ‘Masala Bonds’ provide exposure to a single corporate issuer, the Fund will offer exposure to a basket of securities with the highest credit rating through a SOEs only portfolio. In addition, investors will benefit from a larger market size and enhanced liquidity through listing on the London Stock Exchange.

    Sanjay Sachdev, Executive Chairman at ZyFin, commented:

    “We are excited to be launching the world’s first Indian fixed income ETF today as part of our product line of innovative ETFs intended to give investors cost-effective and transparent access to investment opportunities in emerging markets. The launch of the Fund will give international investors the ability to invest in these difficult to access but well researched AAA rated Indian Sovereign Owned Enterprises. Building on our many years of macro analytical research expertise in this field, we see our task as offering investors around the world attractive investment opportunities.”

    Mihir Kapadia CEO of Sun Global Investments Limited said:

    “We’re pleased to be able to provide global investors access to high quality bonds via this new, innovative ETF at attractive yields at a time when developed bond market yields are at very low levels and in fact negative in Germany or Switzerland. The listing reflects our view that Indian nominal yields are among the highest in the world and the macroeconomic fundamentals for India remain very attractive with India expected to overtake China next year as the world’s fastest economy”.

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

    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.

    Walk-in-Her-Shoes---Annie-Lennox-&-Sister-Sledge-1

    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.

    Sister-Sledge---Walk-in-her-Shoes---performance

    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.

    WOW---Gemma-Cairney

    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

  • WORLDS FIRST FREE MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY XENDPAY GROWS TENFOLD IN TEN MONTHS

    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.

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  • Harrods Unveils Superbrands

    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.

  • END7’S HOW TO SHOCK A CELEBRITY VIDEO RECEIVES OVER 7 MILLION VIEWS!

    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.

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    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.

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  • INTRODUCING THE EXHIBITIONIST HOTEL – LONDON’S BEST KEPT SECRET

    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

  • UN GLOBAL GOALS REACH ALMOST 3 BILLION PEOPLE IN JUST 7 DAYS AFTER 193 WORLD LEADERS UNITE IN NYC

    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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.”

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    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