TALKIN' LIKE PIRATES. ARR!

With gaming on the Internet becoming increasingly popular, pirate adventurer, Captain Cloogo hit the streets of Cardiff to celebrate ‘National Talk like a Pirate Day’. At random he selected a number of individuals and asked them pledge to speak like a pirate for the rest of the day. Happily some agreed to do so.

Jon Frey, owner of Cloogo, the Internet treasure hunt where you click on a link to win a prize, said: “I guess it could be very difficult to go back to the office speaking like a pirate all day. Saying that, it would definitely be interesting to be a fly on the wall where this does happen.”

Speaking in character, Matt said: “I’d be teachin' they land lubbers how t' talk like a buccaneer. Arrr, and they’ve done they's self proud. What's more I’d be tellin' them about Cloogo, t’ brand new website on t' internet. I’m told ye can win booty, send gifts t' yer hearties, share pictures and join gangs. I dunno wha' most o' that means, but shiver me timbers it seems astonishing”.

Jon Frey is pleased by the public’s reaction to Captain Cloogo and is hopeful that the public will get behind the website when it launches. He said. “Cloogo will certainly be an antidote to the credit crunch. As a free Internet treasure hunt we hope it will attract lots of users. Our ambition is to put Cardiff and South East Wales on the map as a major hotbed of games development.”

To view the Cloogo pirate video please click below.

The Adventures of Captain Cloogo from Hubbub Productions on Vimeo.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

Hubbub has produced a second video for TracingDirect.

Taking the decision to find birth parents is not one most people take lightly and can be a very emotional experience. This video illustrates the ups and downs of such a process.

To watch click below.

MAKE A WILL SAYS HEIR HUNTER

Hubbub press coverage as featured in the South Wales Echo

Client: TracingDirect

Service: Press Release

A VALE of Glamorgan company is encouraging people to make a will in order to save loved ones from further heartache after their deaths.

TracingDirect, which makes money from finding unknown beneficiaries, is casting aside its own interests and supporting the National Make a Will Month campaign.

Director Jamie Aherne said: "Often when a family member dies, with no indication of their wishes, family chaos can ensue. This can be easily avoided by putting aside some time to fill in the paperwork.

"If you die without making a will, this can cause anxiety and bitterness within the family."

Mr Aherne also said that unclaimed estates end up in the Treasury's coffers, to the tune of £25m every year.

Visit http://www.tracingdirect.co.uk/ for information.

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS

Hubbub press coverage as featured in the South Wales Argus

Client: Harper's Luxury Gifts

Service: Press Release

TWO Cwmbran sister-in-laws took their love of all things chocolate and have turned it into an award winning business venture. Chocoholics Bernie Harper, 37, and Dawn Harper, 36, of Llanfrechfa, only started running their online company, Harper's Luxury Gifts, in January.

But the pair are already popping open the champagne bottles as their chocolate bouquets won second place and received a highly commended gift accolade at the Gift of the Year competition.

As part of their prize, the women will now have their company brochures made and delivered to suppliers across Europe and will also have free entry to display their work at gift fairs.

The sister-in-laws first started thinking about their business venture about a year ago after Bernie was inspired by a candy stall at a funfair. She said: "It was so colourful and beautiful. I couldn't stop thinking about the stand all day and I started thinking about creating my own luxury arty sweets."

Bernie, who runs the administration side of the business soon got her creative sister-in-law Dawn on-board to design the chocolate bouquets.
At the moment they run the business from their homes but are looking into getting a business property.

Both women are full-time mums and Dawn also cares for her partner's mother.
At the moment they buy in their chocolate from elsewhere, which they wrap and put together into arty presentations.

But their dream is to make their own chocolate in the future too. Bernie told the Argus: "I've always had a sweet tooth. We are both chocoholics but Dawn has a greater temptation than me because she does the wrapping!

To see some of the gifts on offer visit http://www.harpersluxurygifts.co.uk/

Harper's Luxury Gifts was also featured in the Pontypool Free Press and on Radio Wales' Jamie Owen show.

FUNKY BUDDHA LAYS DOWN GAUNTLET

Hubbub press coverage as featured in the South Wales Echo

Client: The Funky Buddha Lounge

Service: Press Release

MUSICIANS are being urged to step up to microphone at a city entertainment spot. The Funky Buddha Lounge, Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, is awash with singers at the weekly event and bosses want a greater balance in the acts it puts on stage.

Owner, Juliet Johnson-Bagshaw said: "The more Cardiff musicians that come along, the better. Any instrument is fine, as long as you've got talent."

The next Open Mic Night is on Sunday at 7pm. Call 029 2066 5353.

AUTHOR HOPS ALONG TO LAUNCH

Hubbub press coverage as featured in the South Wales Echo

Client: Terry Cooper

Service: Press Release

A SOUTH Wales rapper-turned-writer went hopping mad to celebrate the launch of his first book.

Terry Cooper, 38, from Pontypridd bounced into Cardiff on a space hopper to mark the publication of science fiction comedy Kangazang! – featuring warrior space hoppers.

Terry was a founding member of the 1990s' Cardiff-based rap group, Best Shot Posse, which split in 1995 after touring the UK and playing at Wembley Arena.

The launch party was held at Tiger, Tiger, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff last night.

Kangazang! is due to hit the shelves on June 21. To reserve your copy go to http://www.kangazang.com/

This story has also been featured in the Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer. Terry is also writing a regular column for the newspaper.

KANGAZANG! PARTY

The KANGAZANG! pre-launch party was held in Tiger Tiger, one of the coolest bars in Cardiff City Centre. The venue was a sophisticated blend of style and sci-fi, with its totally round room and illuminated bar and tables, like an outer-space cantina.

Terry Cooper treated the assembled crowd to a hilarious reading of Chapter Five: Ruling With An Ironic Fist from the book, while standing on the bar! Partygoers posed for photos with a unit of Imperial Stormtroopers from Star Wars!

Guests were treated to a free 'goodie bag' at the end of the night - with all sorts of freebies, such as badges, comic books, CD's, Poppets Chocolates and key rings. Special thanks to Forbidden Planet International, The Comic Guru, Fox’s, and Waterstones for their help and support.

Stormtroopers were provided by the UK Garrison, a division of the legendary 501st Legion, who are a non-profit organisation, donating their time and resources completely free of charge, in return for a donation to charity.

Thanks to everyone who took part and especially those who placed orders and bought raffle tickets.

If you haven't ordered your copy of Kangazang! yet, why not? Go to http://www.kangazang.com/ and do it now!