It’s not often a property deal is a central plot point in a superhero film – and even less often that it’s a part of the marketing.
But that makes Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* all the more special. The latest promo for the film takes the form of a spoof commercial offering an inside look at Earth’s “mightiest… real estate sale”, namely that of the former Avengers Tower, site of several cataclysmic battles over the years that might put buyers off.
But as the fake ad puts it, “Where others see liability, we see opportunity.” At the risk of spoilers (though really, you should have seen it by now), the Marvel Cinematic Universe landmark, once owned by genius, billionaire, philanthropist playboy Tony Stark (rest in peace) is acquired by the scheming Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. As Val puts it, “The place wasn’t cheap, but it’s got good optics.”
They’re bringin’ sexy back
Diary loves it when companies get creative with their announcements. This week, not only did Compton tell us of its plans to make business rates “sexy” (see p14 for details), the team released a whole video backing it up, complete with candlelight, soft focus and smoking jackets. Phwoar! Set your pulses racing at www.compton.london/business-rates – but fear not, it is very much SFW.
Night mayors ready to raise the roof
Last month, Diary brought you word of the Regeneration Brainery DJ Battle taking place during UKREiiF in Leeds on 21 May. Now we are delighted to share the line-up of UK metro mayor headliners who will be going deck-to-deck at the event at the O2 Academy.
The mouth-watering clashes will see Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham in a cross-Pennines clash with West Yorkshire’s Tracy Brabin, North East England’s Kim McGuiness taking on South Yorkshire’s Oliver Coppard, and East Midlands mayor Claire Ward tackling David Skaith of York and North Yorkshire.
And once regional rivalries have been tested, each mayor will return to deliver the most crucial performance of their life: a final track followed by a crowd-powered vote to decide which of them is worthy of following in the footsteps of The Stone Roses, The Killers and Robbie Williams in taking to the O2 Academy stage.
Tickets cost £20 and all proceeds go towards Regeneration Brainery’s continued support of more than 6,000 young people from under-represented backgrounds to gain hands-on experience in the property and regeneration industry.
Meet the team: Rebecca Levett, commercial director
You have been with Estates Gazette for 12 years, your whole professional life! What made you fall in love with the place?
Good question! I just really liked it from the get-go. I found the industry interesting, I loved the people, it all just felt very “buzzy”. I started in a team that was really competitive, which brought out that side of me even more (who knew) and I just kept striving for that next step, that next goal, that next promotion. Coupled with the overall team ethos and fantastic customers who I would consider friends, it’s all just worked, and I love it.
If you meet someone at a dinner party, how do you explain your job?
The running joke with all my friends is no one knows what I do for a living. I’m like Chandler Bing in Friends. I oversee all our sales revenue lines and manage the sales team. I then look after a small customer base, who I work closely with on their annual strategy, which I bring to life with a curated programme of activity. I work closely with our events team, editorial, marketing and design, all while keeping an eye on the horizon, new things we should be doing, strategic vision – every day is non-stop.
Post-pandemic, you relocated up North – has that posed any challenges?
I live in York and love it, it’s near to where I grew up and fantastically connected to London. Working from York is easy: I’m “type A” super organised, I travel a lot and I have no sense of work/life boundaries. The challenge is looking after my two girls, being a present mother, partner, friend, exercising, drinking two litres of water a day, keeping my house clean… the list goes on. A lot of my clients are in the “millennial, corporate, working mum” crew so I’m not alone, but we need to be open and honest about the challenges women face.
Absolutely. For any Londoners tempted, how would you sum up the appeal of Yorkshire?
People say hello to you when you walk down the street… it was unnerving at first, but I now enjoy it. Even though I live in the city centre, we can be out in the countryside easily and all I want to do on a weekend is go on walks with my family and for pub lunches. I don’t know when I became this person.
Tell us something the world doesn’t know about Becki Levett
Hmmm, I have a masters in Women’s Studies, but some people probably know that. I don’t big myself up a lot, but I am ace at body combat… it’s my weekend gym class. I’m really good.
When you’re not working, working out, or on a train, how do you wind down?
If I’ve closed the laptop at a decent hour, kids are asleep, I’ve eaten something… Married at First Sight Australia is my go-to. Don’t judge.
Images © Disney/Marvel Studios; Jamie Hodgkinson
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