Ambition Arts Exchange - July 2024

We might be half way through the summer in the UK, but the weather is showing very little sign of that. Never fear, though, as the Ambition PR team is back with a fantastic list of recommendations to get you through even the dreariest rainy days.?

Enjoy the sun while it lasts, but at the first sign of a grey sky head inside to enjoy one of the teams’ picks for July.?

Rebecca Austin , Account Executive

Louise Thompson: This was the Best and Worst Day of my Life, Great Company with Jamie Laing

Great Company with Jamie Laing is a new addition to my podcast library this month, and it has quickly become a firm favourite. Each week features a different guest, and I was particularly moved by the episode with author and TV personality, Louise Thompson. Describing the birth of her son, Leo, as the best and worst day of her life, Louise candidly shares the traumatic experience and the heartfelt physical and emotional challenges that followed. As old friends, the conversation is raw and emotional, leaving you as a listener to truly feel the strength and resilience Louise has gained from her trauma.

Jayden Gould , Intern

Dexter by James Manos Jr.

Dexter is a critically acclaimed American television series that aired from 2006 to 2013, developed by James Manos Jr. and based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. The show follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer. Dexter, portrayed by Michael C. Hall, targets other murderers who have evaded justice, guided by a strict moral code instilled by his adoptive father. The series explores complex themes of morality, identity, and justice, blending dark humour with intense drama. Dexter garnered a devoted fanbase and numerous awards, significantly influencing the landscape of crime dramas with its unique perspective on the anti-hero archetype. I’ve enjoyed watching it recently, and I love the dynamic of a double life and how everything so perfect can go so wrong with one subtle mistake and the mindset Dexter takes on to assure his double life can continue.

Millie Norton-Tinmouth , Account Manager

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady?

Fern Brady’s bold memoir recounts her experience of growing up and living most of her adult life with undiagnosed autism. It’s a compelling page turner that blends humour and heartbreak,? with more than a few “WTF?” moments. Raising some worrying questions about how society, the medical profession and the school system treats people who aren’t neurotypical, this is a story about how being female can get in the way of an autism diagnosis, and how an autism diagnosis can get in the way of being what society deems the “right sort” of woman.?

Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder?

This joyful picture book is a judgement-free celebration of body diversity for preschoolers. I initially picked it up as there was an illustration of a person wearing an insulin pump on the back cover and, as I so rarely see my own disability represented in the media, I just had to get it to read with my 20-month old daughter. This book has become a new favourite - she enjoys it so much she says “again, again!” as soon as we reach the last page, so we get to enjoy the vibrant images and uplifting message several times before bed. As the final page declares: “My body, your body, every different kind of body! All of them are good bodies! BODIES ARE COOL!”

Angelika Szpregiel , Senior Account Executive

Slow Horses by Will Smith

It so happens that I've been watching a lot of spy films and series lately, and Slow Horses definitely ranks among my favourites. Based on Mick Herron’s novels, it follows the crew at Slough House, a branch of MI5 that serves as a dumping ground for agents who have screwed things up, but not enough to get them fired. Leading this group of outcasts is Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, whose brilliant performance alone makes it worth watching. With its sharp writing, dark humour, and a compelling mix of suspense and character-driven storytelling, the show is a refreshing take on the spy genre and a?truly entertaining watch.?

Grace Edwards-Massie , Senior Account Executive

brat by Charli XCX

All hail Charli XCX! Her new album, brat, has immediately been met with critical acclaim and widespread fan support. Pitchfork gave it an 8.6 out of 10 - cementing its place in the coveted 8.0+ list, alongside the likes of Lou Reed, Brittany Howard and Beyoncé. brat is undoubtedly my album of the summer, it’s packed with fun party anthems like 360 and Club classics alongside vulnerable tracks like So I which explores Charli’s friendship with the late queen of hyperpop Sophie, and Sympathy is a knife in which Charli perfectly summarises female insecurity. I am a little bit devastated that this album wasn’t released in my student days when I could actually enjoy it in a club, but it’s worked well so far as the soundtrack to Sunday mornings spent at the allotment and a few road trips with my husband (who is also a big Charli fan).??

Hannah Cary , Head of PR (non-fiction and professional services)

Longlegs by Oz Perkins

I am a lover of horror movies so I was very excited to see all of the buzz around the new horror/thriller Longlegs starring Nicolas Cage in the title role. The trailer was deliberately vague around Cage’s appearance to increase the intrigue, and it was reported that Marika Monroe’s heart rate climbed to a huge 170 bpm when she first saw Cage in character. The film follows Monore’s FBI Agent character Lee Harker, who is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case which takes many unexpected turns throughout the film. Having watched a considerable number of horrors over the years, it takes quite a lot to scare me, however I can truly say I was on the edge of my seat right from the opening scene. Cage’s character was truly terrifying!?

Liam Gallagher’s Definitely Maybe 30 Years Tour

It’s well-known at Ambition PR that a considerable amount of my spare time is spent at gigs, so with being an Oasis fan a huge part of being an adopted Mancuian, I was lucky enough to see Liam Gallagher perform at the new Co-Op Live arena at the end of June. It was such a fantastic show and I loved hearing him play some of the less well-known Oasis tracks as he played Definitely Maybe in full to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album. Highlights were definitely hearing Liam’s home crowd belt Live Forever and him closing out the show with a cover of Beatles classic I Am the Walrus.