News

Tesco magazine Mum of the Year 2011 highlights

By Spark and Fuse on February 28, 2011

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house at Tesco Mum of the Year awards this weekend. Even the burly James Haskell was visibly moved by the winning mums’ stories of courage, achievement and heartache. The awards which we spent more than six months meticulously planning were held at the magnificent Waldorf Hilton in Central London and were attended by the eight winning mums, their families and a host of celebrities, including Sara Cox, Matt Dawson, Linda Robson, Emilia Fox and Hustle star Kelly Adams. Sally Dynevor, who attended to receive her Mum of the Year award with her husband and three children, described it as better than winning a BAFTA. Beverley Knight closed the ceremony with an extraordinary rendition of Keep the Fire burning. It was an amazing day of celebration, hosted by the lovely Fiona Phillips, and luckily Tesco magazine’s film crew sat up all night editing the highlights so you could watch them today…

Countdown to Tesco Magazine Mum of the Year

By Spark and Fuse on February 23, 2011

Not long to go now until the big day! We’re really busy with preparations for the awards ceremony – finalising requirements for all the acts that will be performing on the day, deciding on stings for celebrity presenters, choosing gifts for all our young guests, booking cars for absolutely everyone that’s attending – everyone in the Spark & Fuse office has a very long to do list. Meanwhile, the winning mums have already generated stacks of publicity both online and in print. Here’s just some of the coverage that’s out there… read more about winning mum Julie Chambers here

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Sally Dynevor wins Tesco Magazine celebrity mum of the year!

By Spark and Fuse on February 22, 2011

Sally Dynevor wins Tesco Magazine celebrity mum of the year

Sally Dynevor has been named Tesco Magazine celebrity mum of the year. Sally who plays Sally Webster in Coronation Street has recently battled with breast cancer both on screen and in real life. She’ll be collecting her award at the glittering ceremony this weekend and we can’t wait to meet her! See her interview in the Mirror here

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Tesco Mum of the Year 2011

By Spark and Fuse on February 18, 2011

Tesco Magazine Mum of the Year 2011 is just a week away – after months of planning, we’re now busy putting together the final pieces that will make this year’s event an amazing experience for all the winning mums, their guests and our celebrity presenters. Of course, we can’t possibly reveal any of the finer details, it would spoil the surprises we have planned, so here’s a taster from last year’s event. Enjoy!

Tesco Mum of the Year 2010 from Tesco Magazine on Vimeo.

Prize promotions in breach of law

By Sarah Burns on February 10, 2011

Last week five large-scale prize draws were found to be in breach of the law by a High Court judge. In one case, over one million people were sent letters telling them they had won one of a list of prizes, including £25,000 in cash. In actual fact 99% of these recipients were allocated cheap electrical goods and encouraged to call a premium rate line to claim their prize and they also had to pay £8.50 for insurance and delivery. Often the value of the prize was less than the fee charged.

The fair trading watchdog said this was the first “substantive” case before the High Court under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, which came into force in 2008. Jason Freeman, legal director of the Office of Fair Trading’s consumer group said “This judgement has helped to clarify how the law applies to prize promotions, and vindicates our position that it is not acceptable to tell consumers they have won a prize, when in fact they are simply being given the chance to buy it.”

We’re really pleased that this case was brought to the High Court and that the companies involved all face enforcement orders. We work hard to ensure that prize promotions are carried out in fair and compliant manner and it’s good to see that companies who take advantage of consumers are now being penalised. Remember legitimate prize promotions will never ask a winner for a financial contribution to claim their prize.

People’s Choice Award Winner Announced!

By Spark and Fuse on February 7, 2011

Karen Upton

Karen Upton

Karen Upton has been voted as winner of the Tesco magazine Mum of the Year People’s Choice Award. Karen’s husband was killed on duty in Afghanistan and since then she has worked tirelessly to raise money for the Forces. Championed by TV favourite, Lorraine Kelly, Karen will be joining the other Tesco Magazine Mum of the Year category winners at the gala award ceremony later this month. Congratulations to Karen and also to Michelle King and AnneMarie Coulter, two very worthy runners-up.  Read more about Karen, and watch the 2010 highlights film at www.facebook.com/mumoftheyear