The Metro in London is asking readers to vote for the most influential woman of the past 100 years. We can choose from a selection of nominees featured in an exhibition at City Hall to celebrate the centenary of International Women's Day.
It's so hard though. Should we go with Margaret Thatcher - first ever PM and giant of the 20th-century political stage - or Justine Roberts, the founder of mumsnet? I am so tempted by leading judge Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, yet keep getting distracted by X-Factor winner, Leona Lewis.
Let's call it a draw. We'll share the prize between Barbara Windsor and singer-songwriter MIA. That way, everybody will be happy. And intellectual life in the UK will have advanced a few paces.
This ephemera should reach you in perfect condition. In the unlikely event that you find one of these blog entries to be damaged in any way - or past its sell-by date - please don't hesitate to contact @philwoodford on Twitter.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tough choices
Labels:
Barbara Windsor,
City Hall,
International Women's Day,
Justine Roberts,
Leona Lewis,
Margaret Thatcher,
Metro,
MIA,
Mumsnet,
X Factor
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Electronic fix

A ciggie you charge on a USB? Ain't technology a wonderful thing? But how can they be sure the smoking ban doesn't apply to e-cigarettes? I can't wait for the test case.
Helpful

This map is a great way to introduce tourists to the complexities of the London Underground, isn't it? I am waiting for the conversation with the next coachload of middle-aged Americans.
"Jiminy Cricket, sir, we're looking for Truth but sure are having a time findin' it. We think it's somewhere between your St Paul's Cathedral and your Notting Hill."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Are you going to the ballet, Viscondessa?
Visiting the Royal Opera House website, I was required to register in order to access the booking system.
In the field that asks for your title, they're not content with the regular Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr/Prof choices. This, after all, is a world-renowned centre for dance and operatic performance. I am given the opportunity to register as a Dowager Marchioness, Ambassador, Brigadier or Rabbi among numerous other options. But that's just the start of it. Some of the menu selections are a lot more specific and bizarre.
George Osborne and Angela Merkel will find the website a breeze, as they click on the 'Chancellor' tab, for example. No worries for Camilla Parker Bowles, as she calmly selects 'HRH the Duchess of' and finds herself a seat in the Gods. All kinds of foreign honourables and potentates are catered for too. If you're an HRH Sultan Shah, you'll feel right at home.
Things take a rather extreme turn, however, with 'HRH The Prince', 'HRH The Princess' and 'Queen'. I wonder if the Royals are online right now?
"This website is most irritating, Philip. It requires one to register before purchasing one's tickets. Do you have your Mastercard handy?"
In the field that asks for your title, they're not content with the regular Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr/Prof choices. This, after all, is a world-renowned centre for dance and operatic performance. I am given the opportunity to register as a Dowager Marchioness, Ambassador, Brigadier or Rabbi among numerous other options. But that's just the start of it. Some of the menu selections are a lot more specific and bizarre.
George Osborne and Angela Merkel will find the website a breeze, as they click on the 'Chancellor' tab, for example. No worries for Camilla Parker Bowles, as she calmly selects 'HRH the Duchess of' and finds herself a seat in the Gods. All kinds of foreign honourables and potentates are catered for too. If you're an HRH Sultan Shah, you'll feel right at home.
Things take a rather extreme turn, however, with 'HRH The Prince', 'HRH The Princess' and 'Queen'. I wonder if the Royals are online right now?
"This website is most irritating, Philip. It requires one to register before purchasing one's tickets. Do you have your Mastercard handy?"
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I like the idea of a 'retro' prawn very much, but isn't there a danger it's a little past its sell-by date?
Labels:
Artisan,
Prawn,
Pret,
Pret a Manger,
Retro Prawn
Will this advertising gamble pay off?
There is so much I could say about this extraordinary ad. But then there's my sanity to consider. I think it's best I let WARTE readers draw their own conclusions.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Someone's taking the mick
Do you think the guys responsible for the iPad advertising are trying to poke just a little bit of fun at Twitter users in this poster? Come on, dudes. My tweets are topical, discerning, incisive and witty. And you can read them by following me at @philwoodford.
Labels:
iPad,
iPad ad,
iPad ads,
iPad advertising,
iPad poster,
philwoodford,
Twitter
Now's my time
Do they still do those strongmen competitions where people rip up phone directories? If so, I think I may now enter. The new design is so dinky, it sits in the palm of my hand.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Sounds like a plan
I am sitting across from a guy who has a branded jacket promoting 'Plan B Fitness Camps'. Presumably the original fitness camps didn't work out.
How not to write a poster headline
On the 'neighbourhood' board of a local Starbucks branch, there's a landscape A4 notice from the NHS. Headline: 'Does physical activity affect the risk of vertebral fractures in older adults with osteoporosis?'
What happens when the world of advertising collides with a paper presented to a medical symposium.
What happens when the world of advertising collides with a paper presented to a medical symposium.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Me old china
It's the little newspaper stories that are often the true subbing gems. Forget The Sun's take on Mubarak's exit speech yesterday ('They sphinx it's all over') and turn instead to page 24 of today's London Evening Standard. We discover that former football legend Jimmy Greaves, who later became partner in punditry of Ian Saint John, is selling his £40k collection of Clarice Cliff porcelain.
The headline? Quaint and Greavsie.
The headline? Quaint and Greavsie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)