Marketing Week
25 September 2008

  • ...Tesco posts 10% profit rise

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    Tesco has posted a steady 10% rise in pre-tax profits, netting almost 1.5bn for the 26 weeks to August 23. The uplift has come despite increasing pressures on the retail sector.

  • A quantum leap in product placement

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    If there was an awards category for the best use of advertising in a feature-length film, the forthcoming James Bond movie Quantum of Solace would be a shoo-in.

  • ASA censors Barclaycard 'motel' TV ad for theft cover

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The Advertising Standards Authority has banned a Barclaycard TV ad promoting gadget insurance because it implies that it covers all gadgets rather than being limited to three.

  • Aston Martin still the coolest brand

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Aston Martin has retained its title as the UK's coolest brand for the third year running. The luxury car marque beat off competition from brands such as iPhone and Bang & Olufsen to top the 2008 CoolBrands list.

  • Back to the glamorous days

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Demand for branded content is rising steeply because there are projects to suit brands large or small - from film financing such as Eurostar's Somers Town, to pop star tie-ups. Catherine Turner reports

  • Banking on the future

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Lloyds TSB's takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland may mean a new super bank dominating the high street and reducing competition. Some are sceptical about the future of the brands involved, but all agree that last week's events will have a powerful long-term effect, says David Benady

  • Bebo signs iTunes and Pot Noodle student-show deal

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Bebo, the global social network, has signed up Apple iTunes and Pot Noodle as the first in a series of brand partnerships for its new documentary, Meet the Freshers.

  • Bradford & Bingley to be nationalised

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    The Government has confirmed that mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley will follow Northern Rock into nationalisation, with shares in the company suspended this morning (September 29). Under the arrangement, the government will take control of the bank's 50bn in mortgages and loans.

  • Brands make a play for women

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Targeting women can be a minefield for marketers. While some campaigns and products are proven in their success, others run the risk of being labelled patronising and old-fashioned. They also deliberately cold-shoulder half the population.

  • C4 could takeover BBC commercial arm, says Ofcom

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The BBC could be asked to transfer its commercial arm to Channel 4 in a bid to plug the £235m gap in funding for public service broadcasting, according to proposals by Ofcom.

  • Camden Town campaign to stake claim as creative hub

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Camden is launching an advertising drive in a bid to develop and establish the district as the heart of London's creative business sector.

  • Can Phorm conquer data protection concerns?

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Amid concerns about privacy, breaches of data protection legislation and another leap towards an Orwellian "surveillance society", the British Government last week quietly declared the controversial Phorm ad targeting technology legal.

  • Championing women's sites

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Women make up nearly half of all internet users, and they rate online as the most important medium because it makes their lives easier. But there is a clear generation gap in relation to social networking

  • Chief marketer to leave Pizza Hut

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Hugh Wood, chief marketing officer at Pizza Hut UK, is leaving the company. It is not clear if he has a job to go to.

  • Clouds gather over VisitLondon

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    VisitLondon, the body charged with attracting tourists to the city, faces the biggest shake-up in its five-year history. Just weeks after the capital became the official Olympic city, VisitLondon has lost its high-profile chief executive and, say observers, faces becoming a victim of credit crunch ...

  • Diageo names Fennell as chief marketing officer

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Diageo has promoted Andy Fennell, marketing and innovation director for Europe, as chief marketing officer following the departure of Rob Malcolm, global marketing, sales and innovation. He will retire from the business in Decemeber.

  • EasyJet promotes Berks to top marketing services position

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Budget airline easyJet has promoted brand communications manager Andrew Berks to the new role of head of marketing services.

  • Ebay introduces mobile application in UK

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Ebay is rolling out a new mobile application in the UK and Europe for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It will allow Apple users to bid, buy and pay for items directly from their mobile devices.

  • England 2018 seeks marketing and commercial chief

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    England 2018, the subsidiary company recently set up by the Football Association (FA) to bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2018, is seeking a heavyweight marketer to lead its marketing and commercial strategy.

  • Europcar appoints Ogilvy to spearhead relaunch

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Europcar UK Group has awarded Ogilvy Advertising its advertising business without a pitch. The appointment comes ahead of the brand's multi-million pound relaunch into the UK leisure market.

  • Eurostar set to lose top marketer

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    Greg Nugent, Eurostar head of marketing UK, is stepping down after five years in the role. He will continue his association with the rail service in a scaled down capacity working on "special projects".

  • Ex-Britvic director attacks new media

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Andrew Marsden, the former Britvic marketing director, has delivered a stinging attack on "so-called new media", urging marketers to question its commercial relevance. He also said that brands were still using the same "new" tricks, such as branded websites, 15 years on.

  • Ferrero to sponsor Desperate Housewives

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Ferrero is to sponsor the forthcoming series of US drama Desperate Housewives. The confectioner says it will use the Channel 4 series to promote both its boxed chocolate range and snack bar, Kinder Bueno.

  • Global Radio unveils new Capital FM logo

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Global Radio has launched a new logo for its London flagship station 95.8 Capital FM. It will be rolled out across its website, merchandising and internal branding from this week.

  • Global Radio's Thomson takes over GCap brands

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Nicola Thomson, marketing director at Global Radio, has scooped the top marketing job at the radio operator ahead of its merger with GCap Media. It follows the restructure of its sales and commercial team last week.

  • GMG Radio calls in advisers over DAB

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    The Guardian Media Group has called in consultants to help look at the future and growth of digital audio broadcasting (DAB). GMG Radio, which includes the Smooth Radio network, has appointed Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates to offer strategic advice on the matter.

  • GSK picks oral care marketing director

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    GlaxoSmithKline has promoted Carol-Ann Stewart to the role of oral care marketing director in its UK consumer healthcare division. Stewart is currently the over-the-counter marketing and business development director for GSK in Japan.

  • H&M reports weakest profit growth since 2003

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has reported its weakest profit growth since 2003. The retailer is blaming spiralling production and transportation costs for the dip.

  • HSBC announces 1,100 job cuts

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    HSBC has become the latest financial services giant to announce job cuts due to the ongoing crisis in global investment banking. The banking group says it will axe 1,100 worldwide in the next few months.

  • HSBC launches DM campaign to promote loans

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    HSBC is launching a direct marketing campaign this week to promote its personal loan service to existing customers. The ads take on a fairy tale theme as part of its push to convince people of its product's benefits.

  • I-Level and iCrossing aid Absolute Radio's launch

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Absolute Radio, the new name for Virgin Radio, has appointed i-Level to its digital advertising account and iCrossing to handle its natural search.

  • Inter Parfums signs tennis ace Nadal

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Tennis world number one Rafael Nadal has signed a deal with Inter Parfums to be global ambassador for its Lanvin line of fragrances. The star will help develop a new Lanvin fragrance which is set for a summer 2009 launch.

  • ISP pushes for barcode system to combat fraud

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The Institute of Sales Promotion is urging brand owners and retailers to push the introduction of new barcode technology to eliminate the industry-wide problem of coupon misredemption.

  • It might be recession, but not as we know it

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    There is something very odd about the recession that is now supposedly enveloping us. For once, it is not being led by that sure-fire traditional indicator - a rapid decline in marketing spend. Nor, outside the significant exceptions of financial services and the building industry, ...

  • ITV backs tween drama with largest campaign

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    ITV is gearing up for its biggest marketing campaign of 2008 to support its new High School Musical-meets-Fame "tween" drama, Britannia High. It is worth an estimated £2m.

  • ITV Global Entertainment expands brand division

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    ITV Global Entertainment has created four new roles in its commercial brand division. The move is part of its push to increase the size of the business in the UK and around the world.

  • ITV viewer marketing team faces job cuts

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    ITV is restructuring its viewer marketing department in a move that will see up to a fifth of the team made redundant. The move is part of a review by Boston Consulting Group, which has already led to a restructure of ITV's sales operation.

  • JJB Sports blames losses on worst recession

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    JJB Sports has reported pre-tax first-half losses of almost 10m, despite having closed 96 stores this year. The struggling sports retailer blamed the "worst retail recession" for its weak performance.

  • Jordans relaunches muesli range

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Natural food company Jordans is relaunching its muesli range, focusing on taste and the sustainable sourcing of its ingredients. The relaunch is being supported by an ad campaign created by VCCP.

  • Lastminute.com appoints Karmarama to 4m ad account

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Lastminute.com has appointed Karmarama to handle its 4m advertising account, following a five-way pitch against undisclosed agencies. It was previously handled by Farm, although it is not thought to have repitched.

  • Macmillan campaign to raise awareness of support services

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Macmillan, the cancer support charity, is launching a campaign to raise awareness of its services and how to access them. The two-month campaign launches on October 1.

  • Management buyout saves MFI

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    A management buyout of MFI is due to be completed today (September 29). The move follows negotiations between the furniture retailer's management team and its owner Merchant Equity Partners (MEP).

  • Millie & More set to launch premium feminine range

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Australian feminine hygiene company Millie & More is launching its range of premium products in the UK next month. The Moxiebrand will be launched in Superdrug.

  • Moira Stuart to front tax return ads

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The Government has drafted in former BBC newsreader Moira Stuart as the new face of the HM Revenue and Customs self-assessment advertising campaign. She replaces historian and BBC presenter Adam Hart-Davis, who fronted the campaign for six years.

  • National Rail Enquiries launches first ad campaign

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    National Rail Enquiries (NRE) has launched a press and digital ad campaign to promote its online services. It will mark the first time NRE has undertaken any advertising activity since it launched six years ago.

  • NHS Choices to distribute six million branded pharmacy bags

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    The national NHS website, NHS Choices, is distributing six million branded pharmacy bags to independent pharmacies in key cities throughout England and hospital pharmacies. The initiative will aim to raise awareness of the site.

  • Nike reports decline in profits

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Nike Inc has reported a 10% decline in first-quarter profits to $510.5m (277.9m) despite a 17% increase in revenue. It has attributed the decline to exchange rates and a one-off tax benefit in the same period last year.

  • Northern Ireland Tourist Board appoints AV Browne

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has appointed Belfast-based AV Browne to handle its £3m advertising business following a statutory review. The agency has been briefed to develop seasonal campaigns for the province.

  • OMD tipped to pick up 56m Boots task from MediaCom

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Boots is tipped to appoint OMD to its 56m media planning and buying business, following a pitch against the incumbent MediaCom and Starcom.

  • Omnicom in talks to buy BMB

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Omnicom is in advanced talks to buy Beattie McGuinness Bungay, with a view to folding the TBWA/London breakaway back into its office. It is thought that TBWA-owned Omnicom has been talking to the agency for several months.

  • Qype appoints ex-Lastminute marketer to head UK launch

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Qype UK, the consumer review and social networking site, has appointed former Lastminute.com marketer Sophie MacLaren as its first marketing director. The move comes as the site prepares for its full launch in the UK.

  • Reputation management is now key to a brand's success

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    With the modern media environment dominated by the internet, a brand can, in real time, stand or fall on its public reputation with consumers

  • Resilient B&Q beats the gloom for now

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Kingfisher, the parent company of home-improvements chain B&Q, defied expectations last week to deliver a rise in first-half profits - a welcome contrast to the long line of dismal retail performers this year in what is being dubbed the "brutal season".

  • Rising sales of cask ale could help save the British pubs

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    Pubs serving "good" cask ale have experienced a year-on-year trade growth of 14% compared to a fall of 2.5% for pubs not serving cask ale, according to a new Intelligent Choice Report.

  • RSPCA takes a fresh look at agency roster

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The RSPCA is undergoing an "informal" review of its advertising agency roster.

  • Ruth Mortimer: The power of brand association

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Its human nature to want to be associated with certain things and to want those associations to rub off on us and affect how others perceive us. If I started wearing the right designer labels and hanging out at the right nightclubs with a group of celebrity friends, for example, Id be sending a pretty clear message to the world about how Id like to be perceived.

  • Ryvita launches new ads featuring Fern Britton

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Ryvita is launching a 2m TV campaign featuring Fern Britton, to promote its new product Ryvita Limbos. The company will aim to take on Walkers Crisps by showcasing Ryvita Limbos' nutritional benefits.

  • Sainsburys website helps customers beat the credit crunch

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Sainsbury's has launched a new website aimed at helping its customers save money during the credit-crunch period. The "Ways to Save" website, created by digital agency AKQA, is aimed at helping customers plan their shopping with a reduced budget.

  • Scrap this state-sponsored licence to demand money with menaces

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    In an age of round-the-clock, multichannel television, the 139.50 a year BBC licence fee is not only an anomaly, it is no longer sustainable

  • Seven Seas holds talks with agencies over 4m ad brief

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Seven Seas, the health supplements business, is understood to have put its 4m advertising business up for pitch. It is not known if the Leeds-based incumbent Principles Communications is repitching for the business.

  • Sky ordered to cut ITV stake

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    BSkyB has been ordered to sell the majority of its 17.9% stake in rival ITV. The long-awaited ruling which stipulates that the shareholding must be reduced to under 7.5%, was made today (September 29) by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

  • Social networking site expands UK presence

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Stardoll, a social networking site aimed at young girls, is focusing on growing its European presence with the opening of a UK office. It has so far signed up DKNY and T-Mobile as its first advertising partners.

  • Sony Ericsson to close UK store to focus on Asia

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Sony Ericsson is closing its only UK high street store after failing to make a profit. The handset maker is now expected to focus its retail activity in Asia.

  • Sponsors support MySpace Music relaunch

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    MySpace has relaunched its music section and will include integrated sponsor advertising for the first time. McDonald's, Sony Pictures and Toyota are among the first sponsors to sign deals with the social networking site.

  • Start Creative and Trinity to help relaunch Figleaves.com

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Figleaves.com, the online lingerie retailer, has appointed new advertising and media agencies ahead of a major relaunch of the brand.

  • TBWA secures 4m Sony Centre account

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Sony Centre, the branded retail chain, has appointed TBWA/London to handle its 4m advertising business, following a four-way pitch.

  • Tesco loses brand chief ...

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    Tesco brand chief James Condon, the former head of global marketing for George at Asda, is leaving the retailer after less than two years in the job. It is not known if Condon has a job to go to.

  • This is absolute reality

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    When Absolute Radio brand director Chris Lawson took on the mission of turning the station into a national media brand - not just the new name for Virgin Radio - he started with a blank canvas. Caroline Parry discovers live music and digital technologies are central planks of his strategy

  • Thisislondon.co.uk relaunches as Standard.co.uk

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Associated Newspapers is relaunching Thisislondon.co.uk, the site for the London Evening Standard and London Lite, as Standard.co.uk next week. It will have an increased focus on news.

  • Thomas Cook Group marketing head quits

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Simon Carter, executive director of marketing at Thomas Cook Group, has left the travel operator. It is not known if he has a new job to go to.

  • Thomson and First Choice campaign aims to reassure consumers

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Thomson and First Choice, the TUI-owned holiday brands, have launched a co-branded TV campaign in a bid to reassure consumers as the industry goes through a "time of change".

  • Time is on its side

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Time Out has refused to stand still over the past 40 years. It has diversified into new markets and moved online. Will this strategy see it through the challenging time ahead? asks Archana Venkatraman

  • Times Online posts biggest rise in August

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Times Online has posted the biggest increase during the month of August, while Telegraph.co.uk has seen the biggest leap year on year, according to the latest ABCe figures. However, Guardian.co.uk has strengthen its lead for the third month in a row.

  • Times to work with Wall Street Journal

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    Times Media is understood to be planning to win advertising revenue from the Financial Times, by working with News Corporation sister title The Wall Street Journal to offer global advertising opportunities.

  • Tory Party reviews 4.4m direct marketing account

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The Conservative Party has begun a review of its direct marketing, which is worth an estimated £4.4m. It is understood the party is seeking to raise money and build public support.

  • Unilever plots foray into haircare for Lynx brand

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Unilever is launching a range of haircare products under its flagship male grooming brand Lynx. The range for Lynx, which is marketed in other parts of the world as Axe, will launch initially in the US ahead of a possible roll-out in the UK.

  • VCCP loses 12m Hyundai account

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    VCCP has been dumped from Hyundai's 12m UK advertising business after four years. The South Korean car manufacturer will now move the function to its in-house advertising division.

  • Virgin Media hands Stockwell new role

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Virgin Media has appointed Ashley Stockwell to replace James Kydd as managing director of brand and marketing. Stockwell joined Virgin Media as managing director of brand at launch, but was later promoted to head Virgin Group's brand globally.

  • Virgin Media launches mobile broadband service

    Wed, 1 Oct 2008

    Virgin Media has launched a mobile broadband service for laptop users, in a move that is set to rival operators 3, Vodafone, O2 and Orange. Its first deal will offer users a free USB modem and 3GB of data every month for £15.

  • Virgin Media reports surge in on-demand

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Virgin Media has revealed it saw a "massive" increase in on-demand viewing over the first eight months of the year. It claims half of its 3.5 million viewers are now using the service.

  • Vodafone makes further management changes

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    Vodafone UK chief executive Nick Read is to leave his role to take charge of the telecom business in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region. Guy Laurence, currently chief executive of Vodafone Netherlands, will replace him.

  • What will marketing look like in the post-free market economy?

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

    Marketing is about to undergo some fundamental changes.

  • What's on TV launches online singing competition

    Fri, 26 Sep 2008

  • Woolies launches concession stores with Store 21

    Tue, 30 Sep 2008

    Troubled retailer Woolworths has teamed up with value fashion retailer Store 21 to launch concessions in 16 of its large high street stores. The first concession stores will open on October 9 in Swindon, Harrow, Clydebank, Slough and Wrexham.

  • WPP to quit UK over tax changes

    Mon, 29 Sep 2008

    WPP is planning to move its tax domicile to Ireland in retaliation to expected changes to the UK tax regime. The group's chief executive, Sir Martin Sorrell, is due to make the announcement this week.

  • WWF highlights adoption schemes

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

    The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is launching an integrated autumn campaign to raise awareness of the charity's wild-animal adoption programmes.

  • Yahoo! plots social-networking application for mobile phones

    Thu, 25 Sep 2008

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