Marketing Week
18 September 2008

  • Retail sales outlook for October remains bleak

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Retail sales have seen a slight improvement this month, compared to August. But the outlook for October remains bleak, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

  • 4Music flounders after strong start for TV channel

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Viewing figures for 4Music, the music channel launched by Channel 4 and Bauer Media, have plummeted since its relaunch in the summer, despite a major marketing campaign.

  • A silver lining for the major tour operators

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Let the bad times roll. With these words the travel industry has been beckoning all those feeling the pinch of the economic storm, telling us there is no better time to enjoy that well-earned break to Ibiza or Lithuania than at a time when utility and household bills are continuing to climb, and when ...

  • Absolute Radio signs exclusive Sony Ericsson ad deal

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Sony Ericsson has signed a landmark deal to advertise exclusively on Absolute Radio the day it rebrands from Virgin Radio. The station will officially relaunch on September 29.

  • Adam and Eve win USwitch 6m advertising account

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Price comparison site USwitch has appointed Adam & Eve to handle its 6m advertising account after a pitch against undisclosed agencies. Incumbent agency Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy resigned the account earlier this year.

  • Aegon's marketing spend to hit 10m

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Life insurance and pensions company Aegon is planning to more than double its UK marketing spend to top £10m, in a bid to raise its brand profile among consumers.

  • Andrew Harrison on the rise of reputation management

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    For most of us, the past few weeks have been the most turbulent environment of our careers. While the news stories have highlighted how the financial crises at Lehman Brothers or HBOS are changing the world of financial services forever, the marketing stories have equally highlighted how reputation ...

  • Archant appoints new chief executive

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Archant has appointed Adrian Jeakings chief executive to replace John Fry, who is defecting to rival regional publisher, Johnston Press. Jeakings, currently group finance director at Archant, will take up his new role on November 1.

  • ASA bans 'eco-town' government campaign

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    The Advertising Standards Authority has banned a press campaign for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation because it is misleading.

  • Avis picks European boss to lead UK growth

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Avis UK, the car hire company, has appointed Josi Kytle as head of marketing. She replaces Xavier Vallee who has left to take up a role as head of direct marketing for Avis Europe.

  • Aviva plots star-filled ads for Norwich Union rebrand

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Aviva is supporting the rebrand of Norwich Union with a major celebrity-fronted campaign starring Bruce Willis, Elle McPherson and actress Michelle Yeoh.

  • B&Q owner warns of tough times despite profit boost

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    B&Q owner Kingfisher has warned of "very tough times ahead" as consumers come under pressure from rising bills and a slowing economy, despite reporting forecast-beating first-half profits. The retail group has posted pre-tax profits of 214m for the first half of the year, up 23% on the same period last year.

  • Bauer Media appoints ADGent 007 to handle international ad sales

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Bauer Media has appointed AdGent 007 to handle the international ad sales across its portfolio of lifestyle websites. It will work with both with agencies and directly with brands.

  • BBC iPlayer marketer leaves for MCBD

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    David Bainbridge, BBC Future Media marketing director, is leaving the broadcaster to join Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy in the new role of vice-chairman. Bainbridge, who oversaw the launch of the BBC iPlayer, has been with the corporation for two years.

  • BBC Trust launches review of corporation's services for teenagers

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    The BBC Trust has launched a review of the corporation's services for teenagers, focusing on BBC Three, Radio 1 and 1Xtra. The Trust, the BBC's governing body, is required to review every BBC service at least once every five years.

  • BRC disputes ONS retail sales figures for second time

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    The British Retail Consortium is at odds with the Office for National Statistics figures again for showing "unexpected" resilient retail sales figures. This is the second time in weeks that BRC has disputed the National Statistics figures.

  • C4 cuts 15% of staff in 100m savings drive

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Channel 4 is making 15% of its workforce redundant and cutting costs by a total of £100m by the end of 2009 in response to a fall in advertising revenues. It is expected to see a 5% decline - or £50m loss - in advertising revenue this year.

  • Change on the cards

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Barclaycard, the UK's oldest credit card brand, is investing a large amount of money in its nine offerings to give them a modern image and maximum consumer appeal. Catherine Turner reports

  • CHI to launch conflict agency for Carphone Warehouse

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    CHI & Partners is understood to be launching a conflict agency to handle the advertising and media for The Carphone Warehouse. It comes just months after the agency launched a media planning and buying business to handle the mobile phone retailer's account (MW January 16).

  • Chief executive stakes reputation on French Connection recovery

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    While it has become fashionable to blame the "economic downturn" for disappointing company results, fashion brand French Connection Group claims its business is suffering due to the rising cost of utility bills and food.

  • Children's charity NCH runs ads to push rebrand

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    National Children's Home is rebranding as Action for Children and is launching its first advertising campaign for 140 years.

  • Cigarette packet branding could be banned

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    The Government is considering plans to force tobacco companies to sell cigarettes in unbranded packets. The move would aim to strip smoking of its glamorous image and reduce the number of smokers.

  • CNN promotes Wrenn to digital vice-president

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    CNN International has appointed Nick Wrenn to be its first vice president of CNN International Digital Services. Wrenn was formerly CNN International's managing editor for Europe, Middle East & Africa.

  • Coca-Cola retains most valuable global brand title

    Fri, 19 Sep 2008

    Google, Apple and Nintendo are among this year's highest gainers in the Interbrand annual Best Global Brands report, while financial services brands Merrill Lynch, Citi and Morgan Stanley have fallen sharply down the list.

  • COI creates regional agency framework

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    COI is creating a dedicated regional agency roster under a new framework intended to make access to regional marketing specialists easier. The regional integrated agencies framework will span advertising, direct marketing, design and branding, digital and PR.

  • Craik Jones and Proximity heads leave ahead of merger

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Voelkel chief executive Mike Welsh is leaving the agency ahead of its merger into Proximity to take the same role at Publicis Dialog. Proximity chief executive Amanda Phillips (pictured) has also resigned without a ...

  • Credit crunch thwarts Pickfords ad pitch

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Pickfords, the moving and storage company, has called off its advertising pitch as a result of the worsening economic climate.

  • Dennis set to turn The Week into global brand

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Dennis Publishing is launching its news magazine The Week in Australia at the end of next month, a move that has surprised few in the industry.

  • Diageo takes responsible drinking online

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Diageo is launching a website designed to promote responsible drinking called DRINKiQ.com. It is the company latest move to be seen as a responsible drinking company.

  • Digitas wins 10m Nissan Euro digital ad account

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Nissan has appointed Digitas to handle its 10m pan-European digital advert-ising business. The Publicis Groupe-owned agency won the account following a three-way pitch against Tequila and incumbent Joshua G2.

  • DMGT in management restructure

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    The Daily Mail and General Trust is planning to merge the management teams of its national and regional newspaper businesses under a new unit known as A & N Media. The changes will see group managing director of Associated Newspapers Kevin Beatty, move into a wider role.

  • Dodds leaves OgilvyOne for Proximity London

    Fri, 19 Sep 2008

    Proximity London has poached OglivyOne chief executive Mike Dodds to head the agency following the departure of Amanda Philips. She resigned from the agency without a job to go.

  • EDF secures 12.5bn deal to acquire British Energy

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    EDF, the French utility giant, has secured a 12.5bn bid to acquire British Energy. Centrica, the owner of British Gas, is also in talks to take a 25% stake in the nuclear power generator.

  • Energywatch fears EDF deal will reduce competition

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Energywatch has called on regulators to protect consumer interests over fears that EDF's planned takeover of nuclear power company British Energy will reduce competition.

  • Facebook launches "anti-social networking" application

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    A new "anti-social networking" application has been launched on Facebook that will allow users to cheat at Scrabble and insult friends. It has been launched to promote the film, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.

  • Falling ad sales will harm Daily Mail results

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Daily Mail & General Trust has warned that its full year results will suffer from falling ad revenue at its national and regional newspapers. The news comes despite a 2% rise in underlying revenue for the 11 months to the end of August.

  • Global Radio announces new management line-up

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Global Radio has announced its management line-up and sales structure ahead of its integration with GCap Media on November 1. It comes ahead of the arrival of Stephen Miron as chief executive of its radio business early next year.

  • Google to launch iPhone rival

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Google is gearing up to rival the iPhone with the first mobile device to use its Android operating system. It is thought the G1 device, which will only be available on the T-Mobile network, will launch tomorrow.

  • Google's impact so far is only the tip of an immense iceberg

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Having turned the marketing world around, the knock-on effects of Google's explosion continue, and static brands could face extinction

  • GPS technology company appoints UK launch senior

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Zoombak, a company manufacturing GPS technology, has appointed Dawn Stockell as senior marketing manager ahead of its official UK launch next month.

  • Growth in online ad spend to slow

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Online ad spend is expected to experience a downturn this year as a result of weakening economic conditions. According to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers report total UK online ad spend growth will slow by 18% to 20% in 2008.

  • Hamleys appoints marketing head after exit of director

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Hamleys, the toy retailer, has appointed Matt Webb as its head of marketing, following the departure of its marketing director Stella Hartley after two years.

  • Heinz launches huge competition promotion campaign

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Heinz is launching its biggest-ever promotional marketing campaign to support its “Dreamz Meanz Heinz” instant-win competition. The autumn campaign, created by Billington Cartmell, will run across 168 million packs and tins of Heinz beans, soups, pasta and sauces.

  • House of Fraser to open discount stores

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    House of Fraser is trialling an outlet store that will sell only discount lines. The first outlet will open in November in Swindon.

  • Humour shines in VO5 Hot Oil ads

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Alberto Culver is launching a press campaign for its VO5 Hot Oil brand that aims to position it as a "one-minute wonder".

  • I don't believe it! staggering brits want to venture further afield

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    A survey that 'reveals' Britons want to visit previously uncharted territory in an easyCar rental vehicle is based on the word of self-confessed liars

  • IAB joins forces with mobile operators to promote mobile marketing

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    The "big five" mobile phone operators have joined forces with the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) to sell the benefits of mobile advertising to marketers. The move aims to promote mobile advertising as a rival to traditional media.

  • Inbev opens Beck's Vier bars at the 02

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    InBev has created Beck's Vier branded bars at The O2 as part of its push to promote its association with music.

  • Independent research chief leaves

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Dominic Bean, head of commercial marketing and research at Independent News & Media, is leaving to take on a new role at online survey company, eDigitalResearch. He is expected to leave the publisher next month.

  • Indigo O2 rises to the challenge

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Archibald Ingall Stretton London has won the August Creative Showcase Award for its Fill The Indigo campaign for 02.

  • Johnston Press to name Archant head as chief executive

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Johnston Press, owner of The Scotsman and Yorkshire Post, is expected to appoint John Fry, currently chief executive at Archant, to replace Tim Bowdler in the same role. Bowdler announced plans to step down from his role earlier this year.

  • Junk food ads beat Ofcom ban

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    TV ads for "junk food" products are still being shown during programmes most watched by children, according to consumer watchdog Which?. It claims research shows that current ad restrictions do not cover the top five shows with the most child viewers.

  • Kuoni in talks to offer luxury experiences to beat crunch

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Kuoni, the upmarket travel operator, is planning to strengthen its luxury offering with a series of new collaborations and services.

  • Lawson builds Absolute Radio brand

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    The opportunity to launch a new national brand is not one that comes around often, particularly in the radio market. With just three national commercial stations, the rebrand of Virgin Radio as Absolute Radio is a rare prospect for any marketer.

  • Leagas Delaney wins law firm task

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Mishcon de Reya, the law firm whose former clients include Heather Mills McCartney and Princess Diana, has appointed Leagas Delaney to work on a brand repositioning project.

  • Leighton quits Royal Mail

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Allan Leighton, chairman of the Royal Mail, will step down next March after seven years. The Government has already begun the search for a replacement.

  • Lloyds TSB Group appoints non-executive director

    Fri, 19 Sep 2008

    Lloyds TSB Group, the UK bank that has just taken over HBOS, has appointed Carolyn McCall (pictured), chief executive of Guardian Media Group, as non-executive director. Her role covers both the group and Lloyds TSB Bank.

  • Lloyds TSB to extend 2012 sponsorship across HBOS

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Lloyds TSB is expected to extend its sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic Games to HBOS brands Halifax and Bank of Scotland once the “superbank’s” merger is complete.

  • Lloyds TSB to retain 'trusted' HBOS brands

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Lloyds TSB has indicated it will keep the Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands under its £12.2bn takeover of rival HBOS. The bank says the combined group will benefit from a portfolio of "strong and trusted brands".

  • LTA pledges 'to put racquet in every schoolchild's hand'

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    The Lawn Tennis Association is aiming to provide every British primary school pupil with a tennis racquet to use by 2012 under its flagship British Tennis programme.

  • Mediaedge:cia wins 75m Orange media account

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Orange has appointed Mediaedge:cia to handle its 75m media planning and buying account and has retained i-Level the majority of its digital business. The appointments follow a final pitch against Vizeum.

  • Mother wins Coke Euro summer ad account

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Coca-cola has appointed Mother to handle its 2009 pan-European summer advertising business. The agency won the £30m account after a two-way pitch against incumbent Senora Rushmore Madrid.

  • Motorola targets women with Jewel handset launch

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Motorola is to increase its focus on the female market with the launch of a handset aimed at women. The Moto Jewel will be Motorola’s biggest launch since the Razr.

  • New age brings fresh demands

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Brands must learn to engage with the Millennials - the 14- to 31-year-olds reshaping society - if they are to get their message across, says Marian Salzman

  • Nokia launches dedicated TV channel for N96

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Nokia is launching what it claims it the first TV channel dedicated to providing mobile content. Capsule N96 launches today (September 22) and will offer a range of programming from culture to motoring shows.

  • NY stock exchange hunts agency for global business

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    The New York Stock Exchange is reviewing its global advertising account and is understood to have contacted several agencies and networks in London and New York.

  • Ofcom launches consultation into super-fast broadband market

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, has today (September 23) launched a consultation into the roll-out of the super-fast broadband market. It is hoped the proposals will encourage new investment and competition in the sector.

  • Ogilvy wins 10m Lycamobile global campaign

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Lycamobile, the Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), has appointed Ogilvy Group to handle a £10m marketing campaign as it launches in the UK. The operator will work in with primarily with Ogilvy Primary Contact and Ogilvy PR.

  • One message, many media

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    As media fragmentation gathers pace and the economic climate turns decidedly chilly, more brand owners are looking towards integrated marketing campaigns. Tim Weissberg examines the options

  • PartyGaming names marketing head

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    PartyGaming, the online gaming group, has appointed Jon Salmon as chief marketing officer. Salmon will join from Ads Dot Com next month. He replaces Sabic Brooks, who is leaving the company after three and a half years. It is not known if Brooks has a role to go to.

  • Peroni launches global ad campaign

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    SABMiller international premium beer brand Peroni Nastro Azzuro is launching a global advertising campaign based around the concept of a blue ribbon - the English translation for Nastro Azzurro. The campaign will launch in cinemas later this week.

  • Phones4U enters agency talks over 7m ad account

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Retailer Phones4U is talk-ing to agencies about its 7m advertising business. It is understood the retailer is considering a pitch following the recent departure of marketing director, Jim Slater.

  • RAB invests 3m in ad drive initiative

    Fri, 19 Sep 2008

    The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) is investing 3m in a new initiative that aims to provide advertisers and agencies with support and insight into how best to use the medium. The announcement was made at a commercial radio forum held by RadioCentre yesterday (September 18).

  • Rapp Collins Worldwide rebrands as Rapp

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Omnicom has rebranded its direct marketing agency network Rapp Collins Worldwide as Rapp. It will see the loss of the WWAV Rapp Collins name in the UK.

  • Rolls Royce appoints Engine group to launch "baby" model

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Rolls-Royce has appointed the Engine group, led by Partners Andrews Aldridge, to handle the launch of its new "baby" Rolls Royce model, RR4. The group won the business following a pitch against Gyro, IS and Rapier.

  • Setanta in last-minute FA cup sponsorship meetings

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Setanta Sports is in last-minute talks to find a sponsor for its coverage of the FA Cup after energy company e.on pulled out.

  • Souk retains Flybe advertising brief

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Flybe has reappointed Souk Communications to its advertising account after a six-way pitch, which included M&C Saatchi. It comes as the short-haul airline boosts its advertising spend from £7m to £10m for the next year.

  • Space wins Devon tourism brief

    Fri, 19 Sep 2008

    Destination Devon, the tourism body for the seaside county, has appointed integrated marketing agency Space to create a campaign to encourage more people to visit the region.

  • Telegraph Media Group relaunches finance channel

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    The Telegraph Media Group has unveiled the next stage of its website redesign with the relaunch of its finance channel. The development is being supported by an ad campaign created by Adam & Eve and Amp. The finance section will now integrate business and personal finance into ...

  • The Environment Agency launches flood awareness campaign

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    The Environment Agency is launching a campaign to warn people who live in northern towns and cities, such as Manchester and Blackpool, about the dangers of flooding. The campaign will launch tomorrow (September 25).

  • The Week plans website overhaul

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Dennis Publishing is planning a major relaunch of its website for news digest The Week, as part of its wider investment into the UK publication's digital strategy.

  • Uncertain future for bank brands

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Lloyds TSBs emergency takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland last week dramatically transforms the landscape of UK financial services marketing.

  • Update: Lloyds confirms 12.2bn HBOS merger

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Lloyds TSB has confirmed it is taking over beleaguered rival HBOS in a deal worth £12.2bn. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is understood to have played a role in negotiations.

  • Visa brand management head quits company

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    Joe Clift, Visa Europe head of brand management, has left the payments company after four years. It is not known if Clift, also a senior vice-president, has a job to go to.

  • VisitLondon CEO to step down

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    VisitLondon chief executive James Bidwell is leaving the tourism body after three years, putting a question mark over the future of the organisation. His departure comes after Bidwell axed London Unlimited in July - the body responsible for building London as a global brand.

  • WCRS wins final pitch for 10m rail campaign

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is thought to have appointed WCRS to its £10m advertising business to encourage off-peak travel in London and the South-east.

  • What will become of the Halifax brand?

    Fri, 19 Sep 2008

  • Will the consumer pattern of buying value groceries be short-lived?

    Thu, 18 Sep 2008

    If more proof were needed that UK shoppers are becoming frugal, then last week's announcement from Morrisons that sales increased 7.6% in the first half of the year following a 7% increase in the first quarter just about validates reports of changing consumer patterns, with more people turning ...

  • Woolies to sell chart DVDs for less than 10

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Woolworths is set to become the first high street retailer to sell chart DVDs for less than £10. Starting from tomorrow, it will sell all chart single DVDs for £9.90.

  • Woolworths stages Wispa launch publicity stunt

    Mon, 22 Sep 2008

    Woolworths has tightened security at its Peckham branch as it takes delivery of the first Wispa bars. The move, a rare publicity stunt, aims to cash in on the hype around the revival of the Cadbury-owned chocolate bar.

  • Yahoo! and AOL re-enter merger talks

    Wed, 24 Sep 2008

    Yahoo! has re-entered into discussions with AOL and its US owner Time Warner about a possible merger between the two companies. The development follows Microsoft's failed attempt to acquire Yahoo! earlier this year.

  • Zitter adds digital responsibilities to commercial director role

    Tue, 23 Sep 2008

    Guy Zitter, Daily Mail managing director and Associated Newspapers commercial director, is understood to be moving into an expanded role that will now include digital responsibilities. The change is part of a wider restructure at Daily Mail and General Trust.

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