Ibiza Rocks

As exclusively revealed in my I'm with the b(r)and article for Media Week, Sony Ericsson is bringing the Balearics back to the UK this summer with four Ibiza Rocks parties. Now, here's the detail:

Agency Iris Experience has developed what I believe to be a unique advocacy driven ambassador programme. A competition has been launched via online music community Xtaster to invite budding promoters to submit their ideas on how they would host the ultimate Ibiza Rocks party. The winners will receive full support to bring alive their very own random rock-fest. Sony Ericsson will also challenge each winning host to capture the action on Sony Ericsson handsets.

Highlights from the parties will be seeded through a network of more than one million youngsters via mobile and online social networking sites, where the best party and content will be voted on. The party hostess with the most-ess will be rewarded with a trip to the Ibiza Rocks closing party with five mates.

Also, starting on 21 July, Channel 4 and its digital offering 4music will run weekly half hour long shows broadcasting footage of the gigs, behind the scenes interviews and action from the island. Iris Experience has also created a social network style microsite off-shoot and online seeding programme as part of the campaign's digital strategy. A digital input has seen the four-year-old Ibiza Rocks event brand come of age.

Word of mouth: Boy A A book worth talking about

A good friend and novelist, Jonathan Trigell has achieved much acclaim for his debut novel Boy A. In 2004, it won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for the most promising literary work of the previous year for authors aged under 35. Sarah Waters, Chair of the Judges for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, described Boy A as: “A compelling narrative, a beautifully structured piece of writing, and a thought-provoking novel of ideas.”

Last year, Boy A was turned into a Channel 4 drama starring Andrew Garfield (Lions for Lambs). It's the story of one man's struggle to adapt to normal life after being released back into society following imprisonment throughout his childhood years for the gruesome murder of a young girl.

On Monday, Boy A topped a shortlist of Britain's most discussion worthy books. More than 3,000 readers were polled by the organisers of World Book Day and asked to vote on a selectition of 100 titles. Now that the list has been whittled down to the ten most popular choices, a second round of voting begins. The winning author will be announced on World Book Day (6 March) with a £5,000 prize at stake.

Boy A's subject matter - whether the rehabilitation of children who commit crime is the right thing for society, or even possible. And whether such children deserve our sympathy or our scorn – has already stimulated much debate. Garfield's powerful portrayal of protagonist Jack provoked an emotional response from many who saw it. And the spectra of James Bulger's 'where are they now?' killers just adds to the dialogue. In all, Boy A deserves its recognition as a discussion worthy read.

If you would like to vote for Boy A in the World Book Day's Books to Talk About 2008, Click here. If you'd like to read this gripping debut from a talented friend, you can order it via Amazon here.