PR & Marketing
My Claire & The City blog delves into the modern world in order to inspire debate about our culture. You’ll find topical features and interviews with those making waves in the industry plus my personal how-to guides and London tips and career advice.
100 Years – First World War Centenary Events
It has been 100 years since the end of the First World War and it is important that we take time out to reflect and remember all of the fallen. It is often a difficult task to market a historical event and I’d like to do my little bit to share the ways you can join in to commemorate this day. You...
Interview with Visit Parliament’s Ian Lacey
I met Ian via good old Instagram when I posted a picture at one of my favourite spots in front of the Houses of Parliament. If you look closely, a cyclist is practising some kind of acrobatics by walking along the top of the barrier onto the Thames, which Ian commented, there are many ways to...
Halloween Marketing Ideas – PR, Retail, Digital and Social Media Tips
Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cash tills bubble. When did Halloween become such a marketing winner? All Hallows’ Eve has transformed from a celebration of a Western Christian feast into a month long, supermarket filled, if-you-like-it-then-you-shoulda-put-a-pumpkin-on-it, plastic...
Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships by Eric Berne
Review: How can we gain a greater understanding of our fellow humans? Why do people do what they do, say what they say, think what they think? This book is a blast from the past - the original version being a best seller in the mid 60s. The Games People Play was hot on the heels of Dr Berne’s...
Interview Paula Fry CityFashGal
I first met Paula Fry through her digital persona, @CityFashGal and thought she was hilariously funny. Fast forward six months and I was sat with her discussing a shopping event in the veryyyyy plush offices of the financial company she works for. CityFashGirl does exactly what she says on the...
Black Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth About Success by Matthew Syed
REVIEW: How can we learn from our mistakes? Why do some people do this and others don’t? Matthew looks at the power of a positive attitude towards failure and it’s profound impact on success in any field. The book grabs you right from the offset and comparisons between the NHS and the Aviation...
Naked Review – Bounce – How Champions Are Made by Matthew Syed
Review: How can you find the hidden secrets to success - in sports, business, music and just about anything you want to turn your hand to? Search no more as this book will show you some interesting and helpful insights. The book has three main sections - The Talent Myth, Paradoxes of the Mind and...
Review – The Chimp Paradox by Dr Steve Peters
Review: How can you manage your mind so that you can conquer your fears, operate with greater control, focus and confidence? Prof Peters has some great ideas and systems to enable us to learn how do just that. “If you measure success in life by effort and doing your best, then it is always in your...
Naked Review – The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Review: As an enormous fan of the TV programme, you know that so-bad-its-good game-show-with-Ben-Shepherd, I was pretty surprised to find a book of the same name which looked, well quite a bit more serious than ‘popping a counter into the machine.’...
Guide to Sardinia in Italy
You’d be forgiven for thinking my experience in Sardinia was based entirely on Aperol Spritz. But you’d be wrong. There’s also the lesser known Campari Spritz and the even better tasting Hugo Spritz with Sambuca and Elderflower which is simply delicious. Here’s my little guide to this stunning...
Interview with brain training expert Jim Kwik
Celebrity brain coach Jim Kwik is world famous for his incredible techniques which help his army of fans to improve their reading speeds and learn faster. As a freelancer and entrepreneur, I’ve been listening to his Kwik Learning Podcasts, following along with his Facebook group and reading his...
Naked Review David Meerman Scott New Rules of PR & Marketing
David the Self Help for PRs I got introduced to David Meerman Scott’s excellent book through a friend of mine, Helen who I worked with at Mamas & Papas, for she was doing a snazzy digital marketing course, and Dave (as we like to call him) is the holy grail of online with his book the New...
Guide to Royal Ascot – Royal Enclosure
I would be very happy if it was Royal Ascot every single day. I love the elegance, I like the rush of excitement when I see the races, I love the outfits, I love the names of the horses, the colours the jockeys wear, I love the fact that men have top hats and I even like the slightly crazy dress...
Frida Kahlo’s Making Her Self Up Exhibition At The V&A
I’m going to come clean and admit that the first time I heard of world famous Frida Kahlo was when I went to a briefing at Grosvenor’s swanky Mayfair offices as they talked through plans for the year. I’m not sure HOW exactly I managed to avoid it - is this the Love Island equivalent in the art...
Interview with Journalist and Author Caroline Corcoran
I met Caroline Corcoran through my dear friend Rachel Tompkins (who I interviewed here) and got to know her by drinking copious amounts of wine on Rachel’s hen do and wedding. Caroline’s a Freelance Editor and Writer, who has been the editor of 3am online (the Mirror’s Showbiz section), Features...
Book Review – Start With Why by Simon Sinek
There’s a good reason why Simon Sinek’s ‘Start With Why’comes highly recommended by brain training expert Jim Kwik, and that’s because it’s frigging awesome and will revolutionise the way you approach your working life. The important thing Sinek teaches us in this groundbreaking book is to find...
Chelsea in Bloom Summer of Love & Frida’s Belgravia in Bloom 2018
Chelsea in Bloom and Belgravia in Bloom for Chelsea Flower Show have been growing in popularity over the years with big brands and small boutiques alike taking part each May to capitalise on increased footfall from the event. The great thing is, it looks like a multi coloured flower explosion...
Guided Tour & Afternoon Tea at UK Parliament
I am not exaggerating when I say visiting Parliament was like Christmas for me. I studied UK Government & Politics at A Level and was just fascinated by our brilliant but bonkers system. Like, we have a Head of State, the Queen, but with such limited powers…but we just like it… We STILL a few...
Travel Guide to Sintra in Portugal
Sintra is a sparkling jewel in Portugal’s crown; a place of history, mystery and vibrant colour. It has the ability to make modern, white washed, marbled life look rubbish, and instead it has made me yearn for pattern, detail and rainbow hues. Here’s my guide to a long weekend in Sintra. Quick...
Interview with Hair & Makeup Artist Erika Swinn
If you look up ‘happy’ in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure you’ll find a picture of the bubbly and vivacious Erika Swinn smiling out from the pages. I met Erika circa 2010 (give or take) when we were both working at Mamas & Papas and she was a confident, lovely girl working in the marketing...
Interview With Stylist SulkyDoll Donna Taylor
Donna Taylor is better known to her followers as stylist SulkyDoll who shares her daily fashion choices, London events and styling updates on Instagram. Life is glossy on the outside with stints at Fashion Week, press days and parties, but don’t mistake that for an easy life. Donna is a hard...
Interview with Carl Thompson
I first met Carl Thompson when I was at one of my client's showroom in Astwood Mews where I taken it as my personal mission to sell him the virtues of the super sleek and shiny Morgan Plus 4. Well, to be honest, the car kinda sells itself, so it wasn't long before Carl was driving the...
Interview with Ghostwriter Shannon Kyle
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of ghostwriting; it holds a kind of mysterious glamour that I find intoxicating. How it works and what it REALLY means is often the source of discussion in the media so I am thrilled that a real life ghost has agreed to be pinned down to reveal all in my...
How to go freelance in 10 easy steps
Almost three years ago I went freelance in the most haphazard clumsy way imaginable. I have made all the mistakes, fallen spectacularly into all the pitfalls and (so far) have survived to tell the tale because I am working and living in London with lots of lovely clients (yaasssss!). Friends and...
Interview With Blogger & Influencer Maja Malnar
Slovenian born Maja Malnar is breath of fresh air as she is always happy, smiling and oozing confidence. I met Maja through her partner in Instagram crime, Lorna Luxe who simply says that Maja represents genuine ‘goals’ with her mix of wanderlust, fashion and a touch of mystery. Maja is also a...
Interview with Kelly Eastwood The London Chatter
Meeting Kelly Eastwood, a.k.a ‘The London Chatter,’ at Mr Foggs Gin Parlour for her DONNA IDA Style Insider, you can tell instantly why she has been so successful in creating her blog and business. She oozes humour and charisma which an easy breezy, down to earth nature which makes you instantly...
Event tips – How to throw a spooky Halloween Party
When I was growing up, Halloween was one night a year, you’d carve a pumpkin or a turnip and wear a makeshift witches outfit and off you trotted trick or treating. Now we’ve gone ALL American about it and it practically lasts a whole month with decorations and fancy dress taking more preparation...
Interview with Journalist and Author Luke Chilton
I first met Luke Chilton at a party approximately a hundred years ago where there was a free bar (standard) and if memory serves me correctly, an up-and-coming singer called Emeli Sandé was providing the entertainment. At the time Luke was writing for a magazine but little did I know that he would...
Interview with Journalist and PR Consultant Rachel Tompkins
When I first met Rachel Tompkins, it was in the dusty office of the The Ripple Student Newspaper at Leicester University and I was so in awe of her I was completely mute (not the best first impression huh?). She was the Deputy Editor, I was the new Features Editor, she was totally ice cool and I...
Top Festivals on Instagram
The humble festival has exploded over recent years into a colourful Catherine Wheel combining music, food, yoga, face paint (AND glitter bras?), we've moved from wellies to high end Hunters and from day festivals to VIP experiences. In the world of marketing, where the VIP pass can be exploited by...
Guide to Italy – Sorrento, Amalfi Coast & Capri
Italy is colourful and passionate and wonderful. It has fresh sharp lemons and the juiciest oranges and brightest flowers. It has narrow coastal roads that have been nicknamed Mamma Mia from the shock visitors express on their first experience as they overlook sharp drops from the cliff tops to...
Guide to Kew Gardens in London
Kew Gardens has such a special place in my heart - I mean flowers and gardens - what is not to love? It is in Richmond and has it's own picturesque train station with a delightful looking pub right next to it. Kew Gardens itself, or Royal Botanic Gardens if you are being posh is a place of many...
NAKED STYLE – THE KIMONO
It was in April 2011 when Vogue hailed the Kimono the new Spring Jacket as they fell for the kimono’s liquid-silk allure. This might have been, erm, years ago but sometimes things bob around being micro-trends, before, well Zara makes an epic one and BOOM - everywhere! And as we know from the...
Notting Hill – A Londoner’s Guide
You'll have seen Notting Hill a thousand times. On TV and film and most of all, on social media, ESPECIALLY the image friendly platforms of Instagram and Pinterest (hello pastel houses).. I've been living in Notting Hill for around five months now and still have a lot to learn, however one thing...
How to Network Matthew Hussey Style
My Claire & The City blog and business is all about honesty and going behind the smoke and mirrors of the PR & Marketing industry…but today I find myself in unfamiliar territory and am looking to a relationship guru to share his secrets instead. Let me introduce you to Matthew Hussey, he’s a...
LornaLuxe & Claire & The City – How To Speak To Influencers
How to Influence an Influencer Spilling secrets is fast becoming something that LornaLuxe and I excel at. Especially if it is combined with an audience, an agenda about digital and each other (and possibly a bottle of Champagne if it is after 5pm soz 7pm - tee hee). Anyway, Cision invited us to...
Interview Nicola de Burlet The PR Studio
Nicola de Burlet is a chic, classy, stylish PR...and there's no need to take my word for it, let's listen to what Trish Halpin, editor of Marie Claire had to say. “Nicola has always been a figurehead of the fragrance PR industry. Her experience is second to none and she has an innate understanding...
5 Things Gleaned from Michael Sheen
The thing is…I’m not a film expert which, when you’re in a cinema full of movie fans at the BIFA Central Picturehouse watching Michael Sheen being interviewed for Time Out London can be a bit of a daunting realisation. BUT I have seen five Michael Sheen films, oh yes. Well, to be honest I’ve seen...
Review – Open House London
Sometimes in London, it feels like you know ALL KINDS of things you really don't need to. Like when a new hotdog joint is opening, how Pret Sandwiches are ranked from 1 to 50, or how big the waiting list is at a swanky restaurant you're never likely to grace. And in contrast there's LOADS of...
Naked Review – St Paul’s Cathedral London
St Paul's Cathedral, where I'm sitting right now, is literally blowing my mind. The very famous London landmark was built by Christopher Wren and accessoried (shall we say) with intricate mosaics after Queen Victoria called it 'dull, cold, dingy and dreary,' crikey! Inside it is utterly...
Interview with Fashion Editor & Stylist Nini Khatiblou
Fashion Editor & Stylist Nini Khatiblou has an infectious character, ten minutes in her presence and you'll be smiling - promise! I've been working with Nini for, like, for-EVER, since she was at Good Housekeeping and I would send her jeans to shoot for her pages. For a while, it was an email...
The Unconventional World of Henry Holland
If you had to pick one fashion designer for a cracking night out, I would suggest Henry Holland. Firstly, from what I have gleaned, from last Friday evening while he was in conversation with Kinvara Balfour, he is exceedingly charismatic, funny, honest and I'm absolutely positive you'd be dancing...
Zac Posen – Lighting Up Fashion
All I could think about on my way to see Kinvara Balfour interview Zac Posen was Claire Danes' stunning light up dress on the red carpet at the 2016 Met Gala. The theme for this year was Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology in association with Vogue and the standout (by miles and...
Guide to The Chelsea Flower Show by a First Timer
What's a flipping silver gilt when it's at home? Why does a show garden differ from a artisan garden? Do I have to wear white linen trousers to get in? Will they know the only flower I've successfully kept alive is a flaming Katie from Tesco? These are the questions you will face if it is your...
Chelsea Flower Show 2016 – Top Retail Shop Fronts
RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a huge event in London with thousands of people descending on the capital each May to see the fabulous blooms on display. This year is no exception and the surrounding retailers take part in 'Chelsea in Bloom' which this year has a carnival theme. This years standout for...
Beyoncé The Queen of Marketing
Beyoncé is a Lycra and Swarovski crystal covered marketing dream, a sparking stick of dynamite with so much business sense I think she could actually run the world - B for president? Anyway, Queen Bey has been busy in April. First she LANDED her Athleisure range Ivy Park utilising social media,...
Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos Interviewed by Kinvara Balfour
I like design duo Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos from the very start of their interview with Kinvara Balfour at the V&A because they're thinkers; they exude a quiet confidence and talk carefully and honestly about their luxury fashion label. So, there'll be no crazy, flash in the pan...
V&A Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear
In PR and marketing terms, underwear is dynamite. It can make you thin, get you laid, define your abs, give you a bigger butt, enhance your cleavage, say 'hello boys', impress the girls, you know the drill. As I talked about in my blog 'Who Sells You Your Pants' the dream is never far away when it...
Super Injunction A Modern PR Disaster
I admit it took me ten minutes to google and unearth the shamed married celebrity who like Voldemort in Harry Potter, shall not be named, and has taken out a super injunction to prevent their identity being revealed after a threesome. In all honesty, in PR terms, it is now to become a circus;...
TimeOut Tastemaker Reviews London
I am a Time Out Tastemaker. Intrigued? This doesn't (sadly) mean that I work for Time Out writing witty and entertaining copy about London every day, nor does it mean (even more sadly)that I am wafting around Poppy Delevingne style and party-hopping on a sea of champagne and canapés. It does mean...
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