For the second consecutive year Z-CARD^®s have been produced for the Gumball 3000 Rally which roared off across Europe from Londons Pall Mall this weekend. Celebrities such as Jay Kay from Jamiroquai, Caprice, Xzibit and Danny Dyer are all taking part in the event which will take in 17 countries in 7 days this week before ending up back in Londons Parliament Square on 5th May.

Z-CARD^® produced 40,000 Z-CARD^®s which were given out at the event and showed the route of the Gumball along with a handy map of Londons West End. Here's Z-CARD^® sales manager Iain Thurgar with Max Cooper the founder of Gumball 3000 Rally.

Click for more photo's of the day

Z-CARD^® has extended and enhanced its international presence through the launch of its new sales and production operation in China. The official opening ceremony took place at the end of January in the Grand Hotel, Beijing and was marked by a press conference, formal banquet for over 100 invitees, and presentations.

Z-CARD^® are the worldwide specialists in the growth marketing sector of PocketMedia^®. This sector is effectively the analogue sister industry of mobile media, providing cost effective, targeted and user-friendly print communications designed to be portable, concise and impactful. As the PocketMedia^® pioneers they are present in 65 countries worldwide and work with the top world brands and companies.

The launch was opened by George McDonald, the inventor of the Z-CARD^® and pioneer of the PocketMedia^® concept as well as being the founder of the company, he spoke passionately of the opportunities for Z-CARD^® in China, particularly in light of the upcoming Olympic Games. He was joined by the Managing Directors of Asia Pacific and Europe who spoke of the importance of the Z-CARD^® as an environmentally friendly marketing company who specialise in reducing carbon footprints by ensuring paper-based communication is as concise and relevant as possible ensuring it is kept and used by the receiver.

The new company is based in Beijing, operating in close conjunction with their new production business partners, the China Youth Press. Early predictions are for an opening year of many millions of units.

Attendees included representatives of: Beijing Olympic Committee, Kodak, Red Bull, Shell and Cathay Pacific as well as many members of the press and agencies.

George McDonald said "I have never been more excited than I am now looking at the incredible changes in the Chinese market place of recent years. Since the invention of the credit card back in the 1950s, the average American has 8 credit cards and in China it is already an average of 1 to 2 per head of population. In recent years Z-CARD^® has benefited from the universal acceptance and perceived value of the credit card format. I am confident that now we have the right team driving our business in China, it will speedily become one of our top performing markets"

Thanks to everyone who entered our Christmas competition to win a Ski and Spa break, courtesy of our friends at the Ski club of Great Britain. We're delighted to announce the winner is Julian Murphy from iTunes Europe, who will be heading off to Switzerland for a luxury break.

Julian said, "I was forwarded this prize by Robert Hatta who is leaving iTunes to travel and do volunteer work in South Africa. He kindly nominated me to take his place as I had produced all the Z-Festival iTunes Web Drivers last year, and I must say I'm more than pleased - it's fantastic! Thanks Guys!"