Wednesday 18 July 2012

NEWS FROM OCADO




Window Shopping...
Ocado brings its pioneering on-the-go shopping experience to Birmingham

July 16, 2012 FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL stints in London and Bristol, Ocado, the UK’s biggest online grocer has brought its revolutionary virtual shopping wall to Birmingham’s Bullring.

Live for one month from today, Monday July 16, Ocado’s easy-to-use window display will allow local residents to order their weekly shop without setting foot in a supermarket, as its  great value, great quality delivery service does all the hard work. Using its popular Ocado on the Go app, customers can purchase any of the items on display in the virtual window simply by scanning them with their smartphone.

From baked beans to bananas, washing up liquid to wine, Ocado’s virtual shopping wall will be a one-stop-shop for not just household essentials but life’s little extravagances too. With a nod to local culinary classics and Brummie food institutions too; balti, HP Sauce and even pork faggots can be ‘scanned and shopped’. Finally, for anyone who has yet to experience the literary phenomenon that is 50 Shades of Grey, they now have no excuse, as the best-seller can be added to your basket too via the pioneering shopping experience.

The Ocado virtual store can be found at Unit SU708 opposite the Apple® store, and will be accessible during the Bullring’s opening hours. Taking advantage of the service couldn’t be simpler, with any customers who have access to an iOS, Android or Windows 7-enabled smartphone able to point and shop:

  1. If you don’t have it already, download the Ocado on the Go app from your app store
  2. Open the app and go straight to the barcode scanner
  3. Hold the camera screen over the barcode of a product until it recognises it
  4. When the product appears on your screen, press ‘add’ to put it in your basket
  5. Keep on shopping and then check out!

Ocado first hit the high street last August at the One New Change shopping centre in central London, followed by a similar installation at Bristol’s Cabot Circus in November 2011. It was the first time that Ocado, a strictly online business, had migrated from the internet to bricks and mortar. However, being a leader in online grocery retail – introducing the world’s first supermarket shopping mobile application on iPhone in 2009 and Blackberry and Windows Phone 7 handsets in 2011 - the company stuck to its digital technology roots with a distinctive spin on the future of high street shopping. 

As of June 2012, mobile devices were used in a staggering 24% of Ocado checkouts; an ever-increasing number of customers now regularly shop via the award-winning Ocado on the Go app.

Jason Gissing, Ocado Co-Founder, said: “We could not be more excited about bringing our virtual window shopping experience to the Bullring. Birmingham has long been Britain’s Second City, and with so many of our dedicated customers living in the area it makes perfect sense to take our virtual store to their doorstep. The Bullring shopping centre is such an iconic location, and we can’t wait to see how much easier this will make the lives of both our existing fans and new customers alike, as they use our innovative service to take away the hassle of the weekly shop – no crowds, no long checkout queues, no heavy bags; this is the future of retail in the UK, and it’s here right now.” 

To check out Ocado’s virtual shopping wall for yourself, head down to the Bullring shopping centre, Birmingham, from July 16, just don’t forget your smartphone!

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For further information contact:

Estelle Boon, Frank PR                                   Tel: 020 7693 6959         Email: estelleboon@frankpr.it 
Rochelle Collison, Frank PR                          Tel: 020 7693 7496            Email: rochellecollison@frankpr.it
Candida Lathbridge, Frank PR                     Tel: 020 7693 7498            Email: candidalathbridge@frankpr.it 

Notes to Editors:
About Ocado:
Ocado (www.ocado.com) was established in 2000, started trading in 2002 and is now one of Britain’s leading online supermarkets. Ocado operates a centralised distribution model which means that it does not rely upon a network of stores from which to service customers – orders are fulfilled at a unique, high-automated Customer Fulfilment Centre in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, before being loaded onto delivery vans making local routes, or transported by HGV to vans stationed at a network of regional UK distribution spokes. Ocado delivers over 21,000 product lines including Waitrose goods and a growing Ocado own-label range. Last October it was named World E-tailer of the Year at the prestigious World Retail Awards and, earlier this year, won Consumer Initiative of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards for its popular mobile commerce platform.

NEWS FROM BROADGATE




Surfs up at Broadgate!
Broadgate presents ‘Surf in the City’

Monday 9 July – Friday 13 July 2012
Broadgate Circle, Broadgate, London


Broadgate is tempting Londoners away from their desks and onto the waves this summer with its very own Flowrider surf machine.

Surf in the City arrives at Broadgate for one week from 9 July absolutely free.  The internet isn’t the only thing that workers will be surfing this July!

Broadgate is challenging workers to raise the stakes on their ordinary week, and to pit their athletic ability against the power of the ocean waves, on a FlowRider Mobile that pumps over a trampoline-like surface at over 30 miles per hour.  Teams are invited to compete for a £500 cash prize, based on surfing ability and the number of tricks they can do.

With hour-long slots available from 11am-7pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 6pm on Friday, teams are urged to reserve their place online now at http://www.broadgate.co.uk/. Each slot is for two groups of four and each session will include a safety video and a demonstration by the instructor.  Wetsuits, changing rooms and locker facilities will be provided.

Mark Evans, Estate Director at Broadgate says “We wanted the opportunity to revolutionise the typical working day and offer something fun, free and adventurous this summer. Flowrider was the perfect fit.  After all, how many people can say they’ve surfed in the Square Mile?!”



Broadgate hosting Flowrider surf machine
WHEN: Wednesday 9 July – Friday 13 July 2012
WHERE: Broadgate Circle, London, EC2M 2QS
PARTICIPATION: Free


Broadgate
Situated in the heart of the City of London's Square Mile, Broadgate is much more than a geographical area.  It’s a dynamic, thriving business community, home to some of the world’s biggest corporations and top professional practices where over 30,000 people work each day. There are five distinct areas that make up Broadgate; Broadgate Circle, Exchange Square, Broadgate Plaza, Finsbury Avenue Square and Bishopsgate.  The squares, terraces, colonnades and piazzas provide a perfect setting for people to meet, eat, talk, shop, enjoy the entertainment on offer or merely watch the world go by.

Wave Loch
A California-based company with over 150 global installations founded by human generated surf pioneer Thomas J Lochtefeld.  Wave Loch are the world leaders in surf technology.  The FlowBoarding is a skill based activity that is a hybrid of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding.  The FlowRider is specially designed to provide a safe, fun, thrilling experience for the user and pumps water over a trampoline-like surface at over 30 MPH.

NEWS FROM BURN STUDIOS






WINNERS OF BURN STUDIOS RESIDENCY ANNOUNCED

Three winning DJs to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey in Ibiza this season    


IBIZA, Spain - Monday, 16th July – The three winners of the burn studios Residency programme have been announced in a dramatic final at the legendary Sonic Vista studios in Ibiza. Each scoring a residency spot in some of Ibiza’s best clubs, the aspiring DJs have been granted a hallowed place on the global stage of electronic music. 

Having contended with eight other skilled DJs to grasp the exclusive opportunity, the latest additions to the Ibiza nightlife are:

-          Urban Jeram a 27 year old DJ from Slovenia, will be taking control of the turntables at the world’s biggest club, Privilege, to play in front of thousands of revelers

-          Adam Zasada, an 18 year old turntablist from Poland, will descend on the decks at the legendary Café Mambo to finesse his skills at one of Ibiza’s most popular nightspots

-          Manu Vulcano, a 27 year old DJ from Spain, will take his talents to Sankeys, one of the White Island’s newest and hottest nightclubs

Earlier in the week eleven gifted finalists participated in a gruelling but rewarding bootcamp, held at the island’s legendary Sonic Vista studios where they were mentored by some of the biggest names in clubbing history including Jamie Jones, 2ManyDJs, Sasha, Luciano, Carl Craig, Richie Hawtin and chart-topping titan David Guetta. 
 “It was an absolute pleasure working with the guys this past week,” said Arthur Velasquez, agent and manager of Cassius and chief mentor to the Residency contestants. “They could not have been more excited by the opportunity and were eager to learn as much as they could. I’d like to congratulate all of the finalists for getting this far and Urban Jeram, Adam Zasada and Manu Vulcano on winning. I’ve got no doubt they’ll use this platform to launch their careers into the stratosphere.”

Erik Hofstaedter – Burn marketing manager, Europe added: “The burn studios Residency programme set out to discover and elevate the most exciting young global DJ talent and while all our eleven finalists undoubtedly have bright futures ahead, I’d like to join Arthur in congratulating our three winners. Their passion, musical knowledge and dedication all shone through this past week, and I can’t wait to see what they do next; we’re looking forward to continuing our support for them through burn studios.”

Committed to championing emerging electronic music talent, burn studios has united the industry’s finest and partnered with a series of esteemed authorities, including music retailer Beatport, electronic music’s largest magazine Mixmag and global music education leader SAE institute.


To follow how Urban Jeram, Adam Zasada and Manu Vulcano get on this season and for more information on burn studios Residency, please visit www.burn-studios.com  

-ENDS-

About Burn
Burn is a category leader in the global energy drink explosion. Burn provides drinkers the energy needed to leave their original vision on the world. Dismantling category norms, consumers embody a live-out-loud mentality, without fear of boundaries created by society. Burn is a brand of The Coca-Cola Company. Burn is available in over 80 countries worldwide.

NEWS FROM BURN STUDIOS




DAVID GUETTA APPEARS AS SURPRISE MENTOR TO UPCOMING DJS AT THE BURN STUDIOS RESIDENCY BOOTCAMP

Superstar DJ and Producer David Guetta passes on valuable advice to the next generation


IBIZA, Spain - Thursday, 12th July - World renowned DJ and producer David Guetta shared his expertise when he surprised eleven upcoming DJs yesterday in an intimate workshop as part of the burn studios Residency bootcamp.

Launched earlier this year, burn studios Residency is a global initiative that has seen thousands of DJs enter for the chance to win the prize of a lifetime for any passionate DJ: one of three residencies at legendary Ibizan nightspots Privilege, Café Mambo and Sankeys. This week, eleven finalists have been sweating it out at a bootcamp where they’ve been tutored by the likes of Jamie Jones, 2Many DJs, Luciano, Richie Hawtin, Sasha and David Guetta.

David Guetta surprised the eleven finalists as they were practicing their craft at Café Mambo’s brand new, state of the art studio supported by Burn. In a detailed and inspiring session, he revealed some of the secrets behind his success, and gave the hopefuls an exclusive insight into how he composes some of his signature tracks.

In the evening, one of the contestants had a taste of what could await them after being invited to play to a captive audience at a special party thrown at Cafe Mambo by Burn and hosted by Cathy Guetta. Earlier in the day, each of the budding hopefuls was asked by the team behind Residency to pick their ultimate Mambo sunset track. David announced the winning track Dirty Doering – “Ete Pluvieux” (Sascha Cawa ft Yukazu Remix), selected by Minor Lag aka Mario Nagl from Austria, and the aspiring turntablist took control of the decks just before the sun went down. 

 “Meeting the guys today and seeing their passion and excitement to learn was incredible. For me, working with fresh and new talent is inspiring and with Ibiza in my blood, I hope that they will grab this opportunity and go on to great things. It’s a pleasure to have been involved in the burn studios Residency programme, along with the other mentors and I look forward to finding out which three contestants win” said David Guetta.

Erik Hofstaedter – Burn marketing manager, Europe added: “The burn studios Residency programme is all about giving a new generation of talented DJs the opportunity to learn, develop and take their passions to the next stage. David Guetta is one of the most esteemed artists on the planet and to have him involved as a mentor alongside our other remarkable ambassadors, further underlines our dedication to nurturing bright DJ talent from around the world.”

burn studios Residency comes to a close today, where three victors will be selected by a panel of expert judges and go from being relative unknowns to an integral part of the White Island’s nightlife. While three will remain in Ibiza to embark on their residencies, the others will return home with a wealth of new experience and the knowledge that they’re now that bit closer to achieving their dreams.

For full information on burn studios Residency, please visit www.burn-studios.com  

For more information on David Guetta, please visit:

-ENDS-

About Burn
Burn is a category leader in the global energy drink explosion. The red formula is a symbol of active fire, that provides David Guetta and other drinkers the energy needed to leave their original vision on the world. Dismantling category norms, consumers embody a live-out-loud mentality, without fear of boundaries created by society. Burn is a brand of The Coca-Cola Company. Burn is available in over 80 countries worldwide.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.