The Damned United – another good character role for Michael Sheen

With the new movie about Brian Clough ‘The Damned United’ coming out this weekend I thought I’d write a few words on the actor Michael Sheen who stars as Cloughy! He’s now played some of the most impersonated and well known characters in British sport, TV and politics. Ranging from his well known portrayal of Tony Blair in ‘The Queen’ and as David Frost in ‘Frost/Nixon’ (where was his Oscar?) on the big screen. Michael also had a fantastic part portraying the tragic and complicated life of the loved ‘Carry On’ legend Kenneth Williams in the BBC 4 television drama Fantabulosa!

He seems to have a talent for playing these type of characters without falling into the trap of slipping into a ‘Spitting Image’ style impersonation.

What’s next for Michael, well if there’s ever a film about the life of Simon Pegg he’d be a dead ringer!

March/April Newsletter

For the latest new and views from the world of creative & marketing recruitment check out the Steve Cooper Recruitment Newsletter.

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Surviving Recession Guides by the BBC

Just catching up with the news on this rainy lunch time when I came across a couple of great article on the BBC news website.


Firstly there is one for companies, including; general advice, delaying tax payments, how to handle redundancy, securing a bank loan, winning contracts and securing payments from other firms How firms can cope with recession.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7842650.stm

Secondly a guide to the help you can get if lose your job. It gives sound practical and guidance about action you can take should if you are made redundant. The articles covers saving, mortgage, redundancy, debt, pensions as well as job hunting. Full guide to where to get help if you lose your job.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7886759.stm

Design Week’s 2008 Salary Survey now available

It’s an interesting read and looks like the Regions are fairing better than London. We were asked to submit figures along with other recruiters about 6 weeks ago. You can see by the article that the emphasis for all recruiters is not to look to the past but to the future and how clients and candidates can get the best out of the economic downturn.

Here are a few brief comments on current times.

- It is more of a client lead market place – we are aiming for a fair salary for skills

- There is increase in both quantity and quality of candidates – ideal time to recruit high quality candidates.

- Candidates should take time to prepare CV’s & portfolios – first impressions count

- Digital is in demand as ever increasing business is moved online.

- Freelance – we’ve not seen a turn around yet but believe it will, to counteract consolidation.

To read the full article and see the salary survey for 2008

Ann Downs

ann@stevecooper-crs.co.uk

Hot Wyred!

Well here I am (that’s me on the left), aching, but happy after my 5k run on Sunday through the Wyre Forest nr. Kidderminster in a not too disgraceful time of 32mins 14secs. The run was organised on behalf of the British Heart Foundation www.bhf.org.uk. I’m glad to report that I made it without the aid of oxygen or resuscitation, although I have to admit that with the last third of the run being all uphill (which no-one told me about beforehand) I did start to hallucinate to the point that everything seemed to be in slow motion and I swear I could hear the theme from ‘Chariots of Fire’ as I crossed the finishing line. I must say, thanks to my running mate Simon, we made a fine sight as we cut through the swathe of runners at the beginning - only for the swathe to cut back about ten minutes later. Seriously it was a good morning’s run and heroically (or stupidly) we’ve vowed to do it again very soon, so watch this space. I’m sure you’ll agree the photo portrays our lion-hearted ‘cry God for Harry’ determination to finish – before we collapsed exhausted over the line minutes later.

Carl Whitehouse

carl@stevecooper-crs.co.uk

Remember your job isn't that bad!

Alfa 8c

I know I bang on about how unreliable my GT is (it's in the shop as write this) but you just have to listen to the sound that the Alfa 8c makes!!

As Jezza said on Top Gear - this car is a piece of art!!