Penny the Penguin talks to TV stars about Liverpool

Penny the Penguin, an interactive penguin created by local marketing & design agency ICE as part of the Go Penguins project, met two TV stars this weekend to get their thoughts on what they like about Liverpool.

Currently nesting in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, so far several hundred people from all across Liverpool have visited Penny and recorded message to tell her what’s important to them, and over 300 people have already become her friend on facebook and Twitter.

Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck recounted his memories to Penny the Penguin of the ‘vibrant buzz’ in the city during the sixties as he worked with Cilla Black and followed the Beatles’ rise to fame. He told Penny the best thing about living in Liverpool was “Scousers’ sense of humour, their warmth and generosity – if you ask anyone to help they will always go out of their way to do anything they can.”

Suzanne Collins, former Brooksider and director of High Horizons theatre school, told Penny that young people in Liverpool had a lot to look forward to and what made the city beautiful. She said “I love the old buildings and how the Liverpool skyline has changed, but most of all the young people here have everything to hope for. They can achieve their dreams for the future.”

You can view films of Jimmy Tarbuck in full on www.penny4athought.com where he joins lots of other locals who are having their say about the big issues in their communities.

ICE Chief Executive, Stuart Jackson hopes lots more people will come to visit Penny over the festive season: “At ICE, we have a strong emphasis on community engagement and social marketing - listening to people, in order to understand their needs and bring about real and lasting change. Part of the idea behind this was that we wanted to get people talking!

“Our interactive penguin is a fun way of encouraging people of all ages – and from all sections of the community - to think about the important issues affecting the areas where they live. It’s easy to use and open to everyone.

Importantly, Penny the Penguin is also raising money for Liverpool Unites, a charity which is making a real difference in local communities by positively engaging with children and young people by inspiring them to break cycles of crime and poverty.

People can visit Penny the Penguin at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral from Sunday 22 - November 2009 to Sunday 10 January 2010.