North East England eNewsletter - Spring 2008
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Welcome to the latest update from the ‘Passionate people. Passionate places’ Regional Image campaign. As the campaign continues to go from strength to strength and celebrates its 1000th supporter, we celebrate how passionate people around the region are doing their bit to raise the profile of North East England. Find out all the latest news below…
1000th supporter
One of the UK’s largest pensions administrators has become the 1000th supporter of the ‘Passionate people. Passionate places’ campaign.
Darlington based rpmi have joined 999 other businesses, organisations and volunteers helping promote North East England across the UK and abroad.
rpmi who are ‘Passionate about pensions’, started life administrating British Rail’s pension fund. The campaigns 1000th supporter now employs 150 staff and looks after the interests of over half a million people and recently won the contract to provide MPs pension service, as part of the businesses successful diversification away from rail pension funds.
Other businesses have adopted the brand in a variety of ways which has now appeared everywhere from the Yellow pages to Corus TCP’s steel which leaves the Tees carrying a ‘Passionate about steel’ logo thanks to the commitment of the campaign’s supporters.
Stacy Hall, Director of Communications and Tourism at One NorthEast said: “It’s great to have rpmi onboard, not only are they fantastic ambassadors for the region but a great example of a North East business who are leaders in their field.”
North East England website
www.northeastengland.co.uk has recently undergone a major facelift. The revamped site features cutting-edge web TV technology, showing all North East England has to offer in the key areas of ‘Business’ and ‘Leisure & Tourism’. Also included is full details on how you can ‘Support the Region’ by becoming involved in the ‘Passionate people. Passionate places’ campaign. Visit the site now at www.northeastengland.co.uk
Passionate about our supporters
Organisations across the region are continuing to show their pride and passion for our part of the world by displaying the North East England and ‘passionate about’ branding in an array of eye-catching ways!
The Action Packed Futures Festival will this year again be showing they are ‘Passionate about sustainability’. This free family events aims to deliver key messages and actions on adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, and take places on Sunday 6th July at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park. For more info please call 0191 370 9559.
Wear Valley District Council are ‘Passionate about Durham Dales’, using the regional branding throughout their marketing, including their Visitor Guide as well as stunning lamppost banners adorning Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street.
The North East Home Insulation Partnership (NEHIP) has joined the ‘Passionate people. Passionate places’ campaign and intends to include the branding on all future marketing and advertising materials. The Partnership aims to insulate every home in the North East in a bid to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
We Do (formerly Love Marketing) have been doing their bit generate support for the Regional Image campaign, by including a ‘Get involved’ feature in the Middlesbrough Business Forum magazine, which reaches over 4,000 businesses in Tees Valley. Many thanks to them! To find out more visit www.love-marketing.co.uk.
Property developers The Adderstone Group have been showing they’re ‘Passionate about development’ by using window stickers in their Newcastle office. Visit their website at www.adderstonegroup.com.
Many thanks to everyone everywhere who is helping to raise the profile of North East England – keep up the good work!
Calling all food lovers…
NECTA, the organisers of the North East England Chef of The Year, are looking to discover the next Gordon Ramsay or Gary Rhodes in their ‘Chef Factor’ competition. NECTA are looking for talented amateur cooks from all over the region who are passionate about food and would like to showcase their talent in a Masterchef-style ‘cook-off’ on May 22nd at The Gosforth Marriott, Newcastle. Anyone can enter – please visit www.nectachef.org/annualcompetition/cheffactor to apply.
We are always delighted to hear our supporters’ latest news – please email us at northeastengland@onenortheast.co.uk
Student Challenge 2008
The Student Challenge 2008, devised as part of our ‘Passionate people. Passionate places’ campaign saw more than 100 students submit their photographs, films and artwork to demonstrate why they are passionate about North East England. The competition showcases the fantastic talent that exists in the region's colleges and universities. We were thrilled by the standard of entries and now there are only a few weeks left in which the public can decide the winner.
The entries were whittled down by a panel of judges, including Stacy Hall, director of communications and tourism at One NorthEast, to make a final shortlist for the public to vote from. Ms Hall said: “The quality of entries was fantastic and it is really refreshing to see that so many young people are truly passionate about our region.”
“It was a difficult task to pick the finalists as all of the entries were excellent, but all of the judges felt that the short listed entries demonstrate real creativity and flare.”
Public voting has been underway since April 1, and only XX days remain to choose your favourite of the seven finalists. The winning student, who will be unveiled in the summer, will be rewarded with week-long placements at four of the region’s top media and creative organisations and a state-of-the-art laptop.
Members of the public who register their vote online will also be in with the chance of winning a prize – a day at The Alnwick Garden, including 3-course Sunday lunch with wine at the acclaimed Treehouse restaurant. Voting ends on April 30. To see the finalists’ entries and register your vote visit www.northeastengland.co.uk/studentchallenge.
Passionate about shopping…
Royal Quays, North Shields, is showing its support for the region by using the 'Passionate about shopping' brand on all of its latest TV adverts. The outlet centre is also offering fellow supporters of the Regional Image campaign up to 60% off high street names including Marks & Spencer, Next, Nike, & Nike. To see the ads and take advantage of the offer visit www.royalquaysoutletcentre.co.uk.
Passionate about running…
Sports enthusiasts are being invited to take part in the 26th Tees Valley Leisure Redcar Half Marathon which takes place on Sunday 20th April 2008. The 13.1 mile half marathon is one of the longest established and most popular in the running calendar and attracts over one 1500 entries every year. To find out more please visit www.teesvalleyleisure.co.uk
Passionate about health…
Campaign supporters NHS North East are aiming to transform the region's health with the first ever health and well-being strategy. The Better Health, Fairer Health strategy aims to make people living here the healthiest in the country within a generation, and has been developed following a three-month consultation involving NHS and other key partners. For more information please visit www.northeast.nhs.uk.
Top success Down Under
A campaign to promote North East England “Down Under” is proving a success with more than 17,000 visitors, in just one day, to two new websites targeted at people in Australia and New Zealand.
The specially designed websites www.northeastengland.com.au and www.northeastengland.co.nz have information on what to see in the region and how to plan your stay.
The campaign, led by One NorthEast and VisitBritain, has also seen 60,000 unique visitors to the websites with half of those requesting further information on North East England, such as the holiday guide. The high number of hits to the website occurred in December and followed a direct mail campaign to potential visitors in Australasia.
Australia and New Zealand have been identified as key international market for North East England following the launch of the Emirates daily route from Dubai to Newcastle International Airport, last September.
What’s On
Wear Valley Food Festival, 12th April 2008
www.bishopaucklandtown.org
North East England Chef of The Year, 21st & 22nd May 2008
The Marriott Hotel, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne
www.nectachef.org
Lambing Time at Hall Hill, Spring 2008
Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester Durham
www.hallhillfarm.co.uk
National Portrait Gallery - Bob Mortimer & Vic Reeves, until 26th May 2008
Dorman Museum
www.dormanmuseum.co.uk
Hidden gems
We are always on the look-out for new places, events and experiences within NorthEast England to recommend to others. Perhaps you might know where to get the best fish and chips, or where to see the biggest waves or even the biggest hill for kids to roll down – we want to know!
Share your secrets and tell us what’s up your sleeves by emailing northeastengland@onenortheast.co.uk The best five suggestions will win exclusive ‘Passionate people. Passionate places’ high quality prints!
Get involved!
Over 1000 organisations are now showing they’re passionate about the region by using the North East England and ‘passionate’ branding.
Any organisation, however big or small, can get involved in the campaign and play a valuable part in raising awareness of our wonderful region. Visit www.northeastengland.co.uk/page/support/index.cfm or call 0191 229 6924 to get involved.
The Regional Image team
Aoife Forbes 0191 229 6719 aoife.forbes@onenortheast.co.uk
Stuart Boyd 0191 229 6485 stuart.boyd@onenortheast.co.uk
Hayley Beattie 0191 229 6852 hayley.beattie@onenortheast.co.uk
Iain Ramsay 0191 229 6861 iain.ramsay@onenortheast.co.uk
Julie Pickering 0191 229 6305 julie.pickering@onenortheast.co.uk
Abby Goode 0191 229 6924 abby.goode@onenortheast.co.uk