Marketing Week
24 January 2008
-
Sky ordered to reduce ITV stake
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
BSkyB must reduce its 17.9% stake in ITV, the Government announced this morning. The ruling says that the broadcaster must reduce its holding to less than 7.5% and must not take a seat on the ITV board.
-
... And unwraps 'first' fully advertiser-funded TV show
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
ITV is continuing to diversify away from traditional spot advertising with the launch of Sunday teatime show paid for by petfood brand Pedigree.
-
AAR handles 1m Nando's review
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
High street restaurant chain Nando’s is reviewing its 1m advertising business through the AAR.
-
Adam & Eve bags Cadbury Biscuits as first client
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Adam & Eve, the start-up agency launched last week, has won the advertising business for Cadbury Biscuits. The biscuit range, which is made under licence by Burton's Foods, is the agency's first client.
-
Ad-funded peer-to-peer download service launches
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
The world's first legal peer-to-peer download service has launched with the backing of the four major record labels, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, EMI and Warner Music Group. Qtrax launched in nine countries, including the UK, yesterday.
-
Amanda Walsh departs Lowe London
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
Lowe London chief executive Amanda Walsh is leaving the agency after less than two years in the job. Her departure will not send shock waves through the industry, which has been speculating on her departure since she joined in October 2006.
-
Bank of America to ditch its MBNA brand in Europe
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Bank of America is scrapping the MBNA brand in Europe as it gears up for the launch of a second card in the market. It is understood that the MBNA card will be relaunched under the Bank of America.
-
Bank of America to ditch its MBNA brand in Europe
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Bank of America is scrapping the MBNA brand in Europe as it gears up for the launch of a second card in the market. It is understood that the MBNA card will be relaunched under the Bank of America.
-
BBC Worldwide programmes available on MySpace
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
BBC Worldwide has signed a deal with MySpace to make its programmes available to the social networking site's users. Under the agreement a dedicated BBC Worldwide channel on MySpace's video service, MySpace TV, will show 150 clips of BBC programming.
-
BBH to repitch for 40m Baileys global ad account
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Diageo is reviewing the 40m Baileys global advertising business, which is handled by Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH).
-
Biggins quits DLKW Dialogue to join Momentum
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Momentum, the integrated agency, has appointed DLKW Dialogue chief Paul Biggins to the new role of London chief executive. Biggins, who is also a former chief executive of Tequila London, joins Momentum after three-and-a-half years with DLKW Dialogue, Delaney Lund Knox Warren's below-the-line arm.
-
Britvic names ex-EMAP man as marketing director
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Britvic has appointed former EMAP chief marketing officer Simon Stewart as its marketing director. Stewart replaces Andrew Marsden (pictured) who left in July after more than 10 years in the role.
-
Call for action over music copyright theft
Fri, 25 Jan 2008
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has called for "urgent action" on co-operation between internet service providers and governments to stop music copyright theft.
-
Capital Radio promotes Vaughan and Van Outens reunion
Fri, 25 Jan 2008
Capital Radio is launching a new campaign to support the reunion of presenting duo Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen on February 4. The poster campaign will break on January 28.
-
Coke supports Fanta Still launch
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
Coca-Cola GB is launching a 3.75m advertising campaign to support the launch of its new juice brand, Fanta Still. The new range is due to hit shelves at the end of next month
-
Cussons buys The Sanctuary for 75m
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
PZ Cussons has acquired luxury beauty company Sanctuary Spa for 75m in cash. The company revealed the deal has it announced an 8% increase in pre-tax profits for the half-year to November 30 last year.
-
Dave secures major role in rebranding Five channels
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Five has appointed Dave, the Engine Group-owned branding agency, to spearhead a complete rebrand of the broadcaster's portfolio of channels and properties.
-
DDB WWAV Rapp Collins rebrands as Touch DDB
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
DDB London has disbanded its joint venture with WWAV Rapp Collins and is relaunching the agency as Touch DDB. The integrated agency will be run by managing director Jonathan Goulding, planning director Richard Hill and executive creative director Guy Bradbury.
-
Diageo hands drink portfolio to O'Bric
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Diageo has appointed Mother's head of business development Garbhan O'Bric to a senior marketing role working across its portfolio of brands. A key part of his remit will be to look at new ways of promoting the Diageo brand - beyond advertising - in ...
-
EBay and Insurancewide.com team up for car price comparison service
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
EBay is partnering with Insurancewide.com to provide a price comparison service on the online auction house's eBayMotors.co.uk pages. The eBayMotors community, the UK's busiest online showroom, will have access to Insurancewide.com's service, which offers a "comprehensive" choice of car insurance options.
-
EMI explores sponsorship opportunities
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
When EMI owner Guy Hands announced what he called a "revolutionary structure" at the music company, including swingeing cuts across its marketing departments (MW last week), he also said he was planning to introduce corporate sponsorship of albums and ...
-
Environmental groups find 'fundamental problems' in Palm Oil sustainability plans
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Environmental groups have criticised a plan by Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Nestl?nd Heinz to certify palm oil as sustainable for not going far enough and having "fundamental problems".
-
Eos wants 'lifestyle' branding to take flight
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Luxury airline Eos is hoping to establish itself as a 'lifestyle brand' by creating partnerships with other premium products as the upmarket airline sector experiences turbulence.
-
European energy drink sets sights on Red Bull in UK
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
An energy drink popular in Western Europe will compete head on with Red Bull when it launches in the UK later this year.
-
Feref wins launch task for TV show BingoLotto
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Feref has won a brief to create the launch campaign for BingoLotto, a national lottery-style TV game that will premiere at the end of February.
-
FirstGroup 10m media planning and buying account up for grabs
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
FirstGroup, the bus and rail operator, has put its 10m UK media planning and buying business up for pitch as part of a statutory review. It is currently handled by Edinburgh-based agency Feather Brooksbank.
-
Fish4jobs to sponsor E4 TV comedy Scrubs
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Fish4jobs, the recruitment website, has signed a 2m deal to sponsor hospital comedy Scrubs on E4.
-
Getting fresh down the aisles
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Consumers’ choice of supermarket for their weekly grocery shop is now driven by value for money and freshness of produce, not ethical, social or environmental issues or proximity to home
-
Google and Dell tipped to reveal iPhone rival plans
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Speculation is mounting that Google is plotting the launch of a mobile phone in partnership with computer giant Dell.
-
Google gives Tesco clubcard information technology lesson
24 January 2008
Loyalty card king Tesco is set to snatch Wal-Mart’s crown in the US, but the days of its Clubcard data collection model appear numbered
-
Havas adds BLM to its underweight UK media presence
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
It comes as no shock that, so early in 2008, the founders of BLM Media have decided to sell the agency. For much of 2007 Steve Booth, Nick Lockett and Charlie Makin found themselves at the centre of frenzied ...
-
Heineken to take control of S&N brands in the UK
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
Heineken will take over the Foster's, Strongbow cider and Newcastle Brown Ale brands from Scottish & Newcastle, as the battle to acquire the British brewer finally comes to an end.
-
Inbev chief marketer faces Stella struggle
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Inbev, the Belgian brewer, has moved Andreas Hilger, marketing director of its German division, to the same role in the UK. He replaces Devin Kelly, who left the company to return to his native US last year.
-
ITV set to relaunch interactive service...
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
ITV is plotting a relaunch of its interactive TV services including video-on-demand and advertiser hubs. It is understood that the broadcaster has provisionally named the service ITV24/7.
-
ITV set to relaunch interactive service...
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
ITV is plotting a relaunch of its interactive TV services including video-on-demand and advertiser hubs. It is understood that the broadcaster has provisionally named the service ITV24/7.
-
Land Rover pushes green credentials in press ads
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
Land Rover has run a series of full-page press ads outlining its green credentials. It comes just months after it revealed it would make sustainability a cornerstone of its marketing plans.
-
Let's beat these olympic spivs at their own disingenuous games
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
If performance-enhancing drugs are found to taint the 2012 Olympics, we should be entitled to our money back - every last taxpayers' penny of it
-
London borough steps up anti-gun crime campaign
Fri, 25 Jan 2008
The London Borough of Brent has launched a new burst of advertising under its anti-gun and knife crime initiative, Not Another Drop, after a violent start to the year across other parts of the capital.
-
Lucozade to give gym-goers a boost
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
Lucozade Hydro Active is launching an exercise program aimed at encouraging people to stay active during the winter months. The campaign aims to target gym-goers who take up exercise in the New Year, but lose motivation once the initial enthusiasm wears off.
-
Maximum impact lifts sales
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Brands must measure the impact that point of purchase drives are having with consumers, and examine whether having a memorable display will result in a sales uplift. Daney Parker reports
-
MCCA reveals shortlist for MW-backed Best Awards
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
The MCCA has announced the shortlist for the Best Awards 2008 - backed by Marketing Week - which recognise breakthrough marketing achievement.
-
Met amnesty aims to pull guns off streets
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
The Metropolitan Police has launched a campaign to raise awareness of its "gun surrender" initiative, which will offer people the chance to anonymously hand in their guns. The amnesty will run from January 21 to February 17.
-
MTV Networks revamps website after strong performance
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
MTV Networks UK and Ireland is repositioning its website as a general music and entertainment portal for 16-34 year olds. It is revamping its site in the wake of a recent strong online performance.
-
MTV pulls plug on user-generated channel after poor viewing figures
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
MTV Networks UK & Ireland is scrapping its user-generated content channel MTV Flux after just 16 months having failed to attract viewers.
-
New campaign - Virgin
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Virgin blasts off
-
Nitro London names Gala marketing head as director
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Nitro London has appointed Gala Coral Group marketing director Kate Howe as managing director. The move comes as part of a drive to beef up the senior management team at the agency’s London office.
-
P&G launches home hair colouring breakthrough
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is launching a home hair colouring product that it claims will be a major breakthrough for the category.
-
Pearl & Dean wins Curzon Cinemas ad contract
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
Curzon Cinemas, the independent cinema operator, has appointed Pearl & Dean to handle its advertising contract for the next three years. The account was previously handled by Carlton Screen Advertising.
-
Peter Rabbit Organics names ex-Tesco marketer as chief
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Peter Rabbit Organics, the organic food company, has appointed former Tesco marketer Ben Ford as its chief executive. He will be responsible for growing the business around the world.
-
Poison chalice for the drink of the Gods
Fri, 25 Jan 2008
Reward scheme Nectar is the latest in a long procession of brands that has promised more than it could deliver.
-
RAB picks Hooper Galton for profile-raising drive
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) is understood to have appointed Hooper Galton to handle its advertising after a pitch against undisclosed agencies.
-
Record labels deny Qtrax deals
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
The high-profile launch of an ad-funded music website that claimed it could offer millions of free downloads has been blown off course after it emerged that it had not agreed deals with major record labels.
-
Renault promotes ex-UK head to Euro chief
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Renault has promoted former UK managing director Christian Est? to run its Euro-Mediterranean region. Est?, who will report directly to Renault president and chief executive Carlos Ghosn, will be responsible for the marque in Western Europe, Russia and Turkey.
-
Scalextric backs the "next Lewis Hamilton"
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Toy brand Scalextric has signed a deal to sponsor a young racing driver dubbed the "next Lewis Hamilton". The Hornby-owned racing game is backing Henry Surtees, the 16-year-old son of former F1 and motorcycle Grand Prix world champion John Surtees, as he competes in the Formula Renault UK (FRUK) championships.
-
Scalextric unveils BBC Top Gear and Bond tie-ups
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Toy brand Scalextric has signed a licensing deal with BBC motoring show Top Gear that will see a branded game released in March.
-
Skoda chief returns to VW as UK managing director
Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Volkswagen has promoted Skoda UK chief Chris Craft to run the VW brand in the UK following Paul Willis’ move to Kia.
-
SsangYong appoints Kia marketer to head UK relaunch
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
SsangYong has appointed Kia marketer Nigel Unwin as marketing director to work on the relaunch of the brand in the UK. In his new role, Unwin reports to his former boss at Kia Paul Williams, who joined SsangYong as managing director earlier this month.
-
Sugar Magazine launches online voucher
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
-
Taking the guesswork out of restaurant search
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Finding the right restaurant can be stressful - especially if a certain someone needs impressing. Patrons either rely on magazine/newspaper reviews, local hype, recommendations or simply choose one and hope for the best. Toptable (www.toptable.co.uk) ...
-
TBWA names ex-Publicis man as TBWA and Tequila manager
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
TBWA Group has appointed former Publicis general manager Mark Cramphorn to the new role of TBWA and Tequila general manager. The move reunites him with TBWA's UK president Tim Lindsay, with whom he worked at Publicis.
-
TBWA poised to pick up 5m Blu-ray business
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
TBWA/London is tipped to win the 5m advertising account for Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), the consortium recently declared the winner in the battle between rival high-definition DVD formats.
-
Telegraph loses 2.25 million users in seasonal news websites slump
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Telegraph Media Group was the biggest loser as all the national newspaper websites suffered a seasonal hit in December. Telegraph.co.uk lost more than 2.25 million unique users on the previous month, recording a figure of 10.5 million, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation Electronic ...
-
Telegraph Media Group names AOL's Flanigan as marketing head
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
The Telegraph Media Group has appointed AOL marketing chief Barry Flanigan to the role of marketing director. The role has been vacant since Kate Vanneck left to join Time Media last July.
-
The method behind Morrisons' miracle
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Here’s a bit of a shocker. The UK is reeling, economically speaking, from a burnt-out financial sector, the Northern Rock fiasco and a share sell-off apparently signalling the worst recession since the early 1990s. Meanwhile, retailers have been feeding the gloom with less than lustrous results. Even the mighty Tesco slightly undershot expectations a few days ago, and was punished ...
-
Titan wins East Thames contract
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
Titan Outdoor has won a five-year contract with East Thames Buses following a tender process. The account was previously handled by CBS Outdoor.
-
TUI repositions First Choice and Thomson away from package holidays
Tue, 29 Jan 2008
TUI, the travel company, is repositioning its First Choice and Thomson holiday brands in a bid to target different segments of the travel market. The plans aim to shift the company away from selling “commodity” packaged holidays.
-
TV programme challenges fashion brands to use 'real women' in ads
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Hosiery brand Pretty Polly and cosmetics range Avon are among the companies to be featured in a television series fronted by Coleen McLoughlin.
-
Watchdog slams McCain chip ad
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
McCain has come under fire for promoting its Home Fries as "greens" as part of the £2m relaunch of the oven chips range.
-
Why quality content is king
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Relevance is paramount when it comes to search marketing because delivering landing pages that fail to meet users' expectations can do serious damage to a brand. Martin Croft reports
-
Wickes hands MWO 10m brief
Mon, 28 Jan 2008
Wickes Building Supplies has appointed Mortimer Whittaker O'Sullivan to handle its £10m advertising account. It is not clear if there was a pitch and incumbent BDH/TBWA will continue as the retailer's below-the-line agency.
-
Will Suso inject sparkle into carbonated drinks?
Thu, 24 Jan 2008
With a growing number of retailers bemoaning the lack of new product development in the soft drinks market, it is little wonder that all eyes are on Suso, a new carbonated drink made with 100% fruit juice being launched by former Red Bull managing director Harry Drnec.
-
Xbox sales lift Microsoft revenues
Fri, 25 Jan 2008
Microsoft has reported "strong" growth in the last quarter of 2007, with Xbox 360 sales up 70% on the previous year. The company says its positive results were additionally boosted by demand for its Windows Vista software.
