Giggs is another star that has allegedly succumbed to temptation. A man famous for his “clean” image touted as a role model for the young and once even asked to keep an eye on Wayne Rooney after he strayed from the straight and narrow. The Media has jumped on this and is seems that there may be more to come.

Now the reason I am interested in this (other than gossip) is the concern of Sponsorship deals and how brands have to deal with the fall-out. Stars are big money for Brands. Looking at Giggs again, it is being suggested that he may lose his £20 million sponsorship deal with Reebok. (Marketing, June 2011)

The Daily Mail claims the brand would not comment when asked whether they would stand by him. Nigel Currie, Director of sports marketing firm Brand Rapport told the paper: “What he had going for him from a marketing perspective was his seemingly clean-cut personal image.”

He continued: “A little like Tiger Woods, he had this untouchable air about him, almost Mr Perfect – he was seen as a model professional and a really good guy…Once that image goes, he’s likely to find his whole unique selling point has gone, too.” (The Drum, June 2011)

Should Reebok drop him? They Sponsor him for being a brilliant Footballer/Athlete, someone kids want to be. Should they be concerned by his private life? Well it comes down to Morals and Values. Does Reebok want to be associated with someone that the Nation value as Immoral?

Bloomsbury Bowls was the venue and competition was definitely the name of the game. Despite my best efforts (god loves a trier right?) nothing went my way. Desperation tactics to distract my colleagues with booze even failed and I was left languishing at the gutter end of the points table.

I couldn’t have asked for a better start, maybe it’s because I didn’t care or that I had an inkling at the misery that lay ahead but to my surprise the first bowl was a strike! I won’t bore you with the rest of my attempts (largely because they were rubbish) but needless to say my downward spiral was a stark contrast to everyone else who seemed to get better and better. Someone won, I forget who, and we all left with varying degrees of dis/satisfaction with our attempts. Honourable mentions go to Sophie “bowls like a dude” Jammes, Seb “showboat” Haire & Lucie “bouncing bomb” Emma.

It was great to get the troops out of the office, the standard has been set and we’re all eagerly awaiting details of our next day out, which will be when the Social Sec has found a medium he can excel……pub?