Ali and Bernie
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Middlesbrough's favourite football commentary duo Alastair Brownlee and Bernie Slaven visited Hillstreet on 7th June along with fellow author Gordon Cox to sign copies of their ever popular books and DVDs.
Bernie as usual entertained the crowd with his unique style of Glaswegian charm and humour whilst Ali and Gordon chatted quietly with customers about the highs and lows of the past football season. Underneath his cool and calm exterior Ali was really excited at the prospect of once again being behind the microphone and commentating on all of Boro's games home and away next season with BBC Tees. Hillstreet wish Ali 'All the best' and I am sure you will agree that Alastair Brownlee is 'The Voice of the Boro'.
Titles currently available from Linthorpe Publishing are - Legend, The Class of 86 and The Voice of the Boro. Later in 2008, the latest title will be available. 'The Ayresome Angels' looks back at Boro's promotion winning side of 1966/67 and is a must read for Boro fans young and old. Details on all available books and DVD's can be found at www.linthorpepublishing.co.uk
Hillstreet wins prestigious marketing award at Wembley Stadium
May 2008 saw Hillstreet pick up a "Purple Apple" Merit Award at a glittering British Council of Shopping Centre's awards ceremony at the new Wembley Stadium. Hillstreet was commended for "High quality marketing performance that clearly exceeds expectation"
Hillstreet's "Essential Shopping" campaign has been running for just over 18 months and the centre celebrated it's 25th birthday last December. The marketing campaign used a wide mix of advertising, 
digital and PR/community techniques and during very difficult trading conditions managed to consistently beat its Key Performance Indicators. Footfall has been consistently higher than the national average and campaign recall was 48% at the last survey; around 30% higher than centres operating on a similar budget. The Johnny Vegas radio advertisements and press activity showed up well too.
Hillstreet centre manager Peter Drabble said:" This is fantastic news for Hillstreet, it's retailers and most of all our customers. We are delighted that we have been recognised for outstanding marketing and this is down to working as a team with good retailer relations"
Jon Walton, Head of Commercialisation for managing agents DTZ said:" Working with the centre team as a marketing advisor has been an absolute pleasure. This is a well earned and hard to win award"
X Factor visits Hillstreet
October 2007 saw former ‘X Factor’ finalists and local singing sensations Journey South visit Hillstreet to celebrate the launch of their new single ‘What I Love about Home’.
Carl and Andy Pemberton took time out from their normally hectic routine to visit Hillstreet and chat to adoring fans who queued for photos, autographs and signed copies of their CD single which was exclusively available at Woolworth’s.
Hillstreet are proud sponsors of Kader FC
Youngsters from Kader FC rubbed shoulders with England boss Steve McClaren and 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst at the inaugural McDonald's Football Festival at the new Wembley Stadium. Kader received expert tuition from McDonald's head coach Eric Harrison, the former Manchester United youth team boss who nurtured the talents of David Beckham and Gary Neville and took part in mini-tournaments under the watchful gaze of McClaren and Sir Geoff.
The Under-10 team earned their place at the Wembley showpiece alongside 44 teams from around the UK after taking part in a local tournament held in the North Riding earlier this summer. Manager Steve Taylor was thrilled to see his side playing at the "home of football".
He said: "I think the parents were more excited than the children when they found out. We had to travel a long way on the coach but it was all worthwhile, we've now got some amazing memories. "To see my team play at Wembley made me immensely proud. It has been an unbelievable experience for the lads and one I'm sure they will remember for the rest of their lives.