The New Pompidou

Paris's centre Georges Pompidou has gone into the franchising business recently and opened its first spin off museum, which is situated in the North-eastern French city of Metz.

The gallery opened its doors to the public in May and was designed by Japanese/French architect duo Shigeru Ban and Jean De Gastines, who also delivered on a budget (10 million euros) and in a record time of 3 years after construction began.

I have previously visited the original Pompidou centre in Paris which looks slightly like a fun house from the outside but this new franchise appears to have a minimalist and European feel to the design.

The beauty of window shopping

Each year I am just as excited to go window shopping in the city than buy presents for my loved ones. And London, along with cities like Manchester and Birmingham, is no exception being the centre of extravagance in the window dressing department for Christmas 2010.

-Georgina Goodman chose golden cats for her window display on Old Bond Street.

-Ralph Lauren decided on traditional colours and pieces for their window displays. Green foliage and twinkly lights played home to a perfect Christmas scene.

-Selfridges always go a bit wacky and this year have gone for a theme loosely based around a dolls house, there was also felt creatures looking out in some windows whilst doing their Christmas shopping at Selfridges.

-Harrods decided on a fantasy Christmas, using the Peter Pan fairytale due to supporting Great Ormand Street Hospital Childrens Charity in the process.

Add some festive cheer to your post

Its that time of the year again which some people dread, but personally I love, to sit down and take some time writing your Christmas cards to the special people in your life.

And this year The Royal Mail are getting in to the spirit by collaborating with the nations favourite animated characters, Wallace and Gromit, producing a small collection of stamps for the Christmas season.

Royal Mail designers worked closely with Wallace and Gromit creator, Nick Park and an animations company for the scenes of the stamps. The scenes include usual festive acts like posting cards, putting up the tree and carol singing.

Royal Mail spokesman, Philip Parker explained that the festive stamps are one of the finest sets ever produced. The stamps which went on sale from November 2nd 2010 range from £60p for second class to £1.64 for first.

Mango Appoint Mindshare

Mango have appointed the marketing group Mindshare to its estimated £1m media planning and buying account. This is after M2M have held the business previously since 2006.


Mindshare will no be responsible for managing all media for the fashion chain with significant focus on social, events and content development.
Betsaida Fernandez Gomez, head of area media planning at Mango said "they have the ability to deliver creative, grounded in insight and have shown they have a strong focus on client service and team work".

Jo Lyall, Mindshare partner, explained "Mango is a fantastic client addition, we have the opportunity to do some really innovative work together".
Mango currently employs Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson as its face for campaigns, has nearly 1,500 stores in 92 countries, with around 20 based in the UK.