http://smartypantsmarketing.co.ukindex.php en kerry@smartypantsmarketing.co.uk Copyright 2010 2010-04-07T19:16:39+00:00 http://smartypantsmarketing.co.uk/index.php/latest/entry/the_power_of_the_games/ http://smartypantsmarketing.co.uk/index.php/latest/entry/the_power_of_the_games/#When:19:16:39Z Last week I was fortunate enough to experience first hand the increasing excitement and power of the 2012 Games when Seb Coe came to visit (the region, not me!).I’m currently working for Advantage West Midlands and the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games delivering communications which inspire, inform and engage people across the West Midlands with London 2012.    Part of my remit is organising the logistics of VIP visits and last week was the crème da la crème of those visits, when Sebastian Coe (or as Nick Hancock affectionately called him, some runner) visited Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.During the day Seb meet dozens of young sportspeople, potential Paralympic athletes and scores of young canoeists and rowers who were all inspired and uplifted by his visit.   It might have been the exhaustion of planning such a major event but I got a bit teary at several points through the day.  One such occasion was when I saw a boat carrying Seb and an entourage of media, flanked on every side by canoeists and rowers of all ages and abilities on the gorgeous lake at Trentham Gardens.So you might wonder, how did this communications expert articulate to the man who bought the Olympics back to the UK after 64 years how inspired she was by his visit?   I did of course ask him the question that is on everyone’s mind at the moment - how did he keep straight face during the “Smithy” Sport Relief sketch!  What can I say, I was star struck. 2010-04-07T19:16:39+00:00 http://smartypantsmarketing.co.uk/index.php/latest/entry/dance_is_the_word/ http://smartypantsmarketing.co.uk/index.php/latest/entry/dance_is_the_word/#When:13:14:09Z Is it just me or is dance everywhere at the moment?  It seems like the Strictly glitter ball has barely stopped spinning before a further two dance talent reality shows hit our screens.The first, Got to Dance, is judged by a Pussycat Doll, a tap supreme (who I actually remember from the film Coyote Ugly!) and newly discovered Britain’s Got Talent, talent, Ashley Banjo.The second, So You Think You Can Dance, has come over from the US and features judges Nigel Lythogoe (last seen judging popstars) Louise Redknapp and dance yoda Arlene Phillips.That’s in addition to Dancing on Ice and dance professional Camilla Dallerup gracing our TV screens every morning on GMTV to get the nation fit through dance.Whilst some may think this is over the top and “dumbing down” of what is one of the most beautiful artforms, I personally think its great news for the arts.  Dance, which for so long has been perceived as an elitist artform, is now being viewed as prime time entertainment by millions of people.  If this interest and focus on dance creates new audiences, or inspires people to participate in dance, then I’m all for it.Someone in the dance world once told me that everyone has the ability to dance; you just have to find the dance that suits you.  I’m now eagerly watching these shows to see if a new dance style emerges which will suit someone with two left feet, no musicality and timing issues – fingers crossed! 2010-01-11T13:14:09+00:00