Our own Nick E went down to Downing St. and captured the scene as the three famous figures demonstrated their support to saving 5 million lives over the next decade.

This spike in media attention is attributable to a report commissioned by the UK Government and written by a committee led by Lord Davies of Abersoch. We were happy to help this worthwhile cause by designing the report, which you can find on the Department for Business Innovation and Skills website.

Interesting highlights for me in the report are that the UK trails South Africa and Israel in the proportion of women to men on corporate boards, that the top reason cited for this effect is boardroom attitudes (‘bias, prejudice and stereotypical behaviour’), and that at the present rate of change it will take 70 years for the UK to achieve gender-equality on boards.

You can read the report (and enjoy the lovely information graphics) here.

On Thursday night at the Natural History Museum the world was introduced to a little yellow tag that will come to symbolise the struggle of millions to make the world’s roads a safer place.

Back in May we were part of a WPP competition to design a logo for the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, the most ambitious campaign ever to reduce deaths on the world’s roads. The statistics make for horrifying reading, particularly in the developing world, ranking with TB and malaria in its impact, and growing fast every year. The Decade of Action aims to halt this, and with a concerted effort reverse the trend.

This will take the support of millions of people. And we didn’t think a logo would do it. We needed a physical symbol of support. Something you could own, could hold in your hand, could wear to show you were part of the fight. The AIDS ribbon, the poverty wristband and the remembrance poppy have become enduring symbols of their causes, and many imitators have taken advantage of the power of those symbols. We created something new that people could use just how they wanted: a metal tag that can be a badge, a necklace, a key fob, on a coat, a bag, even a pet.

Under the strapline ‘Wear. Believe. Act’ (a very smart idea courtesy of our friends at the FIA Foundation, the people behind the Decade of Action) the Tag was presented to the great and the good in the safety world as preparations begin for the global launch of the Decade in May next year.

Etienne Krug

It’s a little late for the great dinosaur in the main hall who oversaw proceedings, but we hope the rest of us will start wearing our support for the Decade – however we want to do that.

Melinda and TEDx Host

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited along to the latest TEDx event in London. As we’re arranging our own TEDx event in October – TEDxNewSt – I was interested to see, first hand and up close, how they are run.

The event was held at the Science Museum in London and was the first event, of its kind, ever. The first session (95 mins) was broadcast live from New York. 82 events took place in 40 countries, simultaneously, around the world, all live-streaming the NY feed. Once NY had wrapped up the first session, each individual event got on with hosting their events independently with their local speakers live in the room. There was a group in Auckland (NZ) who were hosting their event at 03:30am in order to take part and as we live-streamed them in to say hello, we were told how their adverts for the event read “Pyjamas are optional, progress is not”. Nice. What was even nicer however was the fact that there were indeed people in their pyjamas in the room too.

The overarching theme of the event was about the future and how we can positively effect global issues such as eliminating polio, fighting malaria, reducing child mortality rates and empowering women.

The speakers on the live feed from NY were really engaging and inspiring. As the event was co-conceived by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda was one of the key speakers. Her talk was very insightful as she spoke about how development agencies and NGOs could learn a few tricks from Coca-Cola in how to reach the far corners of the earth and inspire people to want to purchase their products/lifestyles. Hans Rosling was also on stage with some very encouraging stats on child mortality rates, delivered in his own highly inimitable style.

Hans Rosling

Also Mechai Viravaidya (or Mr.Condom as he was fondly referred to) showed a presentation on his foundation’s innovative and, frankly, awe-inspiring methods of introducing condoms into the Thai communities. He is responsible for this post’s title as that was one of the first things he said in his talk and it’s really stuck in my mind.

Mechai Viravaidya

There were many, many other speakers involved in the entire event, all of which were rich with content and inspiration. I would urge you to watch the recording of the NY live-stream available on the website as it’s really compelling.

And if that whets your appetite for being inspired and wanting to do things better/differently then be sure to find out more about our upcoming TEDxNewSt event on October 15th.

This week Creative Review have launched their 2010 annual.

Showcasing the “finest creative work produced worldwide during 2009″ the annual is jam-packed full of the best examples of visual communication.

If you should happen to stumble upon page 86 of this fine publication then you’ll be sure to find a example of The Partners work there.

Our Five-A-Side poster to promote the football fundraising event for the children’s hospice Richard House Hospice has made it into this year’s annual.

Congratulations to the team!

Last night my husband and I attended the Fine Cell Work launch of the new major exhibition of quilts at the V&A Museum. This was a massive fund raising event, attended by hundreds of patrons and friends of the charity. Chief Inspector of prisons, Lord Ramsbottom was in attendance, and gave a glowing speech about the work Fine Cell Work is doing. A small red quilt made by prisoners (shown behind Lord Ramsbottom in the photo) was auctioned for more than £5500, and the Fine Cell Work cushions were selling like hot-cakes. Overall it looked like a resounding success.

The quilt exhibition was worth a visit, it featured a quilt stitched by the prisoners of Fine Cell Work, as well as a quilt made by convicts on their way to Australia, creating a strange feeling of synchronicity through the ages.

I’m shown here with the Executive Director of Fine Cell Work, Dr Katy Emck, who is thrilled to be working with The Partners and keen to continue to build the relationship with us.

The joy we felt at crossing the finish line was only surpassed by the realisation that we have (so far) managed to raise a whopping £1,235.00 for Kidney Research.

On behalf of all ‘Team TP’ (Miranda, Kev, Sam, Claire, Alison, Jack, Paul (despite his unfortunate absence with actual swine flu) and me – Helen) we would like to say a massive thank you to all of you who have supported and encouraged us and helped us to raise such a fantastic amount for charity. Thanks again everyone, your contributions are greatly appreciated! If you’d like to donate some more dosh, click here to visit our Just Giving page.