Planning a holiday is set to get even more exciting this spring, with the launch of new social media site www.hangoutonholiday.com.

Hang out on Holiday promises to revolutionise the way people prepare for their holiday.

The new site has been created to allow those going on holiday to search for and interact with others going to the same place at the same time, before they travel.

Founder, Paul Stanyer, said: “People of the 18-35 age group tend to go on holiday for three main reasons: to get a sun tan, to drink and to meet and have fun with people of the same or opposite sex. Up until now you have to wait until you get to resort to start the process of meeting new people. As a former holiday rep these were the first three things I was most often asked.

“Hang out on Holiday allows you to see who is going, get a brief profile and then choose to interact where the communication stays only between the individuals. You don’t have to respond to a request to hook up with or hang out with anyone who you don’t like the look of. Put simply, the new site allows you to check out your fellow travellers, before you check in for your holiday.”

‘Hang Out’ allows the process of ‘hooking’ up with people prior to travel thus starting the holiday fun and banter the moment you have booked. There is also an alert system that advises when new members have registered and are going to the same place as you.

Those that haven’t yet decided where to travel can still register on the site and are placed in the Departure Lounge with others in the same boat. Once they have booked it takes seconds to update their details.

An online diary system allows members to see what is happening in their resort at the time they are staying as well as providing access to a range of benefits including discounted club tickets and the latest resort news.

The site currently features 40 resorts and is updated regularly with new additions. The site will be tailored for user groups such as skiers, festival goers and surfers, to enable easy access to like-minded travellers.

Stanyer added: “This is not trying to copy Facebook, that’s impossible, but it remains the case that Facebook is for those you already know, ‘Hang Out’ is for those you ought to know.

“It’s free to register and anyone doing so before the end of April will automatically be entered into a draw to win a holiday for two to Greece.”

Visit Hang out on Holiday.

Students at Westminster defend 'Mickey Mouse' degrees

While education cuts may appear to threaten drastic consequences for so-called ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees, employers in the creative services industries say that the performance of these graduates are top-notch.

“Employers recognise that the employability of graduates is not solely dependent on vocational training, but is equally dependent on training graduates to think critically about the industries in which they will be working,” says the higher education think-tank Million+.

Meanwhile Trevor Morris, former CEO of Chime Communications Public Relations Group, the UK’s largest PR group, says: “If, for example, you study a PR degree, you prove you are serious about it, you know what it is about and you show commitment to the industry. Given the impact of the creative industries on society it would be extraordinary not to study them at university.”

According to Sally Feldman, head of University of Westminster School of Media Arts and Design, it’s no accident that the media studies graduates progress to relevant jobs. They are acquiring skills and experience as well as academic education. “While their chums that are doing science related subjects are still stuck with lectures, seminars and tutorials,” he says, “they are making films, designing fashion, creating music, negotiating, pitching ideas and selling their work.”

Third year media student at Westminster, Diana Paroiu, says: “Throughout my degree, I studied theory modules, which helped me understand the media industry and practical modules that improved my critical thinking and writing skills. I now feel confident to apply for any job in the media industry.”

According to Million+ the UK has the largest creative sector in the EU and “relative to GDP, probably the largest in the world”. It says the creative industries account for 7.3% of the economy – comparable in size to the financial services industry.

This article was written by Westminster PR, a group of final year PR students who raise awareness and campaign on socially important issues while also promoting study at Westminster University.

Greg Davies, actor in the the popular TV comedy The Inbetweeners, stars in a new video promoting gas safety.

The video is part of a campaign from electricity and gas company National Grid aimed at UK students. Research indicates that awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning in particular is low among students.

Three-quarters of UK students (74%) don’t have an audible CO alarm in their current or most recent rented property.  And over 43% fail to recognise light headedness, nausea, dizziness, headaches and shortness of breath as the symptoms of CO poisoning.

National Grid wants to make sure that while students have fun at university, they are also staying safe. Former drama teacher turned TV funnyman Greg Davies – aka Mr Gilbert in The Inbetweeners – has been recruited to help provide advice on staying safe from gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Greg recently spent a day in a student house – and features in a number of comedy videos on the National Grid Student Union page on Facebook – which also includes key safety messaging about CO poisoning.

To see Greg Davies go back to uni, visit National Grid Student Union on Facebook or http://www.nationalgrid.com/studentsafety

The production, dubbed ‘Skins on stage’, captured the imagination of British youth when it opened earlier this year, and earned high praise from critics.

A cursory glance at the 3,000-strong Facebook fan group and enthusiastic reviews from The Telegraph, Time Out and others would have suggested the show had a bright future in the West End.

However the racy story of sexual discovery and rebellion failed to engage the necessary numbers of mainstream theatre-goers, leading to its early closure at the end of this month.

Now producers are issuing a final call to the youth audience that has taken Spring Awakening to its heart: come and see it now, while you have a chance.

They are offering a cut-price £20 ticket to all UK students, and making available seats that might otherwise cost more than twice that.

The access this discount, click this unique booking link.

The find out more about the show, visit springawakening.co.uk

Mellow Bird’s, a mild instant coffee, was one of the UK’s favourite coffee drinks for two decades.

Now owners Kraft are looking to inspire a new generation of drinkers, with a campaign on university campuses and the motto ‘Born to be Mild’.

An advert being shown in cinemas and on the student TV service Freewire, plays on that awkward moment at the end of a night, when inviting someone in “for a coffee” is only the tip of the euphemistic iceberg.

It’s being supported by sampling activity in Bristol and Birmingham to start. Euphemistic door hangers and beer mats will be seen, whilst motion-triggered posters in popular student bars will greet those using washrooms.

If all goes well, the brand will roll out activity across the UK.

Mellow Bird’s have set up on Facebook and Twitter, as well creating their own Ebay Store, where students can stock up on everything needed for when they’ve invited someone special back “for a coffee”.

All items are £1.89 – the cost of a jar of Mellow Bird’s.