Its raining men...

ZPR's theme over the past seven days has been 'semi-clad men', which has posed somewhat less of a challenge for the ladies amongst us, as I suspect it might have done for our male colleague Daniel.

Fashion legend, Tom Ford kicked off the proceedings with the launch of his latest Private Blend fragrance, Bois Marocain at Selfridges on Wednesday evening. The following morning, Katie, Hayley and myself travelled (ok, we ran) down Oxford Street to feast our eyes on our idol and sudo God, David Beckham, who unveiled a building sized image of his magnificent body (and Emporio Armani undies) to a sea of screaming fans and the world's media. Monday morning arrived, along with an almost naked Piers Morgan who was launching the UK's first flame grilled bur - sorry I mean to say scent - aptly titled 'Flame', to a 'pond' of screaming fans (and Hayley) in Selfridges' atrium.

We're pleased to welcome our new recruit to the B&Q team, Carrie, who first walked through ZPR's doors just over a week ago and has wasted no time in diving into the multi-seasonal world of barbeques, outdoor furniture and Christmas in July...

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So long, farewell...

Well what an eventful week so far...

Last night (Weds) we went to Gilgamesh to welcome (relatively) new arrival, Dan and (very) new arrival, Leanne and say Au Revoir to myself! In true ZPR style (after 5.30pm) we managed to get through a jug of Pimms and a couple of bottles of champagne which just about lined the stomach for the feast of Thai cuisine which similarly to the alcohol went down very well.

So ZPR bloggers this will be the second and final time that I write to you as a fellow ZPR-ian. As the phrase suggests " Time flies when your having fun" I cannot believe how quickly this placement year has gone! I have had an invaluable experience for my first year in the working world and I know all the opportunities I have been given and situations I have been thrown into (sometimes at the deep end) will stand me in great stead on the beginning of my career ladder!

Finally, all that's left to say is -There's no I in team and I will miss you all!

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Tales from the veg patch…

After working on B&Q for only a few months, and with a good bout of sunshine recently, it was only a matter of time before one of the team ventured outside and got busy with a spade. Not that we encourage taking your work home with you at ZPR, but I’ve been busy ‘giving it a grow’ down the garden and started a little veg patch of my very own. If I’ve followed the advice from our team, I’m hoping to be able to bring home-made potato salad into the Monday meeting in the not too distant future – watch this space!

We had a very big birthday for Selfridges, which is celebrating its 100th year this month, so we kicked off in style with a celebrity party attended by the likes of Lilly Allen, Henry Holland, and Joan Collins! If you’re staying in to save the pennies, Peacocks has just the thing to add a touch of spice to everyday life with the launch of its new ‘Bed-It Crunch’ lingerie collection and Santa’s little helpers at Lakeland have been busy already packing products up for the Christmas shoot and getting ready for their first festive press event in July.

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ZPR girls and BOY!

Yes I am male and I’ve been catapulted into the female-dominated world of ZPR. But fear not readers, the life-size David Beckham poster is still in place (soon to be joined by a life-size Jennifer Anniston poster?) and topics of conversation still include all things beauty, fashion and eligible men.

I may have been thrown in at the deep end, but the good news is I’m learning fast. Sunin was a hair dye from the 1980s and it’s back at Superdrug, nudes are in (it’s a clothing colour!) and House of Holland is not in Amsterdam, it’s a design house which has just lent its touch to a new range of tights from Pretty Polly.

On the client front, it’s also been in at the deep end. Easter for new client B&Q is like Christmas was for my old employer (very busy!!) and in the three weeks I’ve been here we’ve issued, on behalf of B&Q, three national news stories, there’s been two store openings, a product release every day and I’ve become an expert on peat, apprentices and green energy.

And we’re not expecting any let-up in pace. Two busy DIY bank holiday weekends are on the way and the onset of summer means Britain gets busy in its garden – not surprisingly a key time for the UK’s biggest garden retailer.

So business as usual at Z PR, there’s just a man about the place.

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Every young girls dream...

Us ZPR girls do like to work in style and recently we were involved in what you could call "every young girls dream". Our client Superdrug was involved in the TV show, Coleen's Real Women - as the Liverpool lass trawled the streets to find a new face for Superdrug, finally picking the gorgeous looking Liz. Zaria, Jenny and Lucy made their claim to fame with helping Coleen to pick the new face! Once again this week we were mixing it up with the celebs- as the Superdrug team met with the lovely Girls Aloud in the Westfield store as they brought out a range of luscious lashes and did a signing in store which was very successful and mobbed full of Girls Aloud worshippers!

Also on the beauty front Selfridges had lifestyle editor of The Metro Bel Jacobs experience working behind the counters of Illamasqua, Creed, Trish McEvoy and Kiehls and said she was inspired by the girls who worked there!

On Monday, we launched the 'Investment Easter Egg' at Selfridges - a luxurious chocolate egg complete with a one ounce gold bullion coin. The delicious handmade chocolate egg by chocolate makers Melt, priced £1000, actually makes for a wise investment with the value of gold set to rise during 2009, despite the current economic climate. The egg really is worth its weight in gold!

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A celebration of celebrations...

Last week ended on a high (with the exception of price) as Peacocks' £8 chain bag moved into half a page in Friday's edition of the Daily Mail after being heralded this season's IT accessory, with over 10,000 sold since the start of the year.

We wished a joyeaux anniversaire to Selfridges who turned 100 on Sunday, with not a wrinkle or grey hair in sight. Congratulations arrived in the form of fabulous coverage generated in key media including ITV, Evening Standard, Independent, Daily Express and Londonpaper. Celebrations kick off in May with Selfridges' Oxford Street hosting a 'yellow festival' and a series of exclusive product collaborations with the world's leading designers.

This week our hearts turn to the great outdoors. As the sun came out to play, Brits decided to treat their back gardens to a makeover as sales of greenhouses and Grow Your Own seeds rocketed by 150 per cent and 27 per cent respectively at B&Q . ZPR's all set for a home spun summer, either that or a great excuse for a diet as Lucy lays her fifth tomato plant of the season to rest.

Yoga fanatics Zaria and Niravta floated their way through Friday following their pre-work yoga work out. Never been one to do things by halves, Zaria then spent most of Saturday locked in a head stand in pursuit of the yoga higher ground (either that or Warrior 5)

Namaste.

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Spanking Success

Men's six packs were at the forefront of the consumer news agenda last week following the launch of male control wear at Selfridges - promising to do for men's torsos what Spanx have done for flabby female thighs. We generated fantastic coverage in most of the dailies, broadcast and even Chris Evans couldn't resist the urge to trial the six pack enhancing body suit on his radio show.

The beauty team had a great success last week following Superdrug's in-store shopping day for beauty journalists at their Westfield store. Thirty nine key journalists were dazzled over Superdrug's latest summer beauty essentials - every girl's dream.

Staying on the subject of every girl's dream, this week we shifted from beauty to chocolate, celebrating delicious coverage for Selfridges' Easter story. Sales of Easter chocolate have increased by a massive 80 per cent compared to last year, and to celebrate this, Artisian du Chocolat launched a lifesize Easter bunny girl in Selfridges' Oxford Street store complete with edible chocolate bathing suit, collar and cuffs! Hugh Heffner definitely missed out on this one...

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Spanking Success

Men's six packs were at the forefront of the consumer news agenda last week following the launch of male control wear at Selfridges - promising to do for men's torsos what Spanx have done for flabby female thighs. We generated fantastic coverage in most of the dailies, broadcast and even Chris Evans couldn't resist the urge to trial the six pack enhancing body suit on his radio show.

The beauty team had a great success last week following Superdrug's in-store shopping day for beauty journalists at their Westfield store. Thirty nine key journalists were dazzled over Superdrug's latest summer beauty essentials - every girl's dream.

Staying on the subject of every girl's dream, this week we shifted from beauty to chocolate, celebrating delicious coverage for Selfridges' Easter story. Sales of Easter chocolate have increased by a massive 80 per cent compared to last year, and to celebrate this, Artisian du Chocolat launched a lifesize Easter bunny girl in Selfridges' Oxford Street store complete with edible chocolate bathing suit, collar and cuffs! Hugh Heffner definitely missed out on this one...

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