Marketing Week
6 November 2008

  • Abbey Well to join Coca-Cola portfolio

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Coca-Cola Great Britain has acquired Waters & Robson, the owner of the Abbey Well water brand. It will join premium water brand, Malvern, in the Coke portfolio.

  • Airmiles top marketer leaves to join Waitrose

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Airmiles chief marketer Sarah Wood is leaving to join Waitrose as head of marketing. She will leave the loyalty scheme operator in December.

  • Albion nets Famous Grouse digital brief

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    The Famous Grouse, the blended Scottish whisky brand, has appointed Albion to handle its global digital advertising account following a five-way pitch against undisclosed agencies.

  • Andy Burnham urges marketers to ensure web safety

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has called on marketers to ensure the internet is safe for children. He says the net is "ungovernable" and web designers and advertisers have a responsibility to the public when creating online campaigns.

  • BA reports massive dive in pre-tax profits

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    British Airways has reported a 91.6% dive in pre-tax profits for the first half of the year. Willie Walsh, the airline's chief executive, says the period "will be remembered as the bleakest on record".

  • BAA launches airport Christmas shopping site

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    BAA, the airport operator, is launching a Christmas ecommerce site featuring celebrities in a bid to cash in on seasonal shopping. The gift wish list portal is designed to help passengers "on the move" with their Christmas gift purchases.

  • BBH picks up 40m Heineken account

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Heineken has appointed Bartle Bogle Hegarty to its 40m global advertising brief following a pitch against incumbent Red Brick Road.

  • BRC reports worst retail sales figures for three years

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    The total value of retail sales In UK has fallen for the first time in three years. The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium reflect the difficult trading conditions and fall in consumer confidence.

  • BUCS seeks partner for 2009 student sport championships

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    British Universities & Colleges Sport, the new collective organisation for uni-versity sport in the UK, is seeking commercial partners for a slew of assets. Its top priority is to find a title partner for the BUC Championships, which take place from...

  • Cadbury retains Exposure for Maynards campaign

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Exposure has been retained by Cadbury to work on its Maynards Wine Gums brand following a pitch with two undisclosed agencies. The integrated agency has been charged with creating new marketing activity for the New Year.

  • Caroline McDevitt to leave IPC Media

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    IPC Media managing director of advertising Caroline McDevitt is leaving the company at the end of the year. IPC Connect managing director Evelyn Webster will add her responsibilities to her current role from January 1.

  • Chewing gum sector's bubble shows no sign of bursting

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    There has been plenty to chew over in the gum market in the past 18 months following the introduction of Cadbury's Trident brand and market leader Wrigley's subsequent retaliation.

  • Chief executive quits VisitBritain

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright has quit the tourism body after seven years at the helm. Wright will join the new charity to be formed from the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged in 2009 as chief executive.

  • Clear Channel hunts for Euro boss

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Clear Channel is seeking a European chief after scrapping the role of international president.

  • Coca-Cola Enterprises to streamline agency roster

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Coca-Cola Enterprises, the largest bottler of Coke's products, is understood to be reviewing its below-the-line agency roster in the UK. A formal pitch is expected to begin imminently.

  • CSR website launches to restore trust in Cadbury

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Cadbury is launching a corporate social responsibility brand and website that aims to engage consumers, in an attempt to recover its reputation as a trusted British brand.

  • DCMS appoints panel for The Digital Britain Report

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has appointed a panel of industry experts to advise on The Digital Britain Report. It will also help to develop a plan to further the UK digital economy.

  • Dell global marketing VP steps down

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Dell vice-president global marketing Casey Jones has stepped down from the role after two years. Jones, who will stay on as marketing advisor to the company, was the driving force behind Dell's recent move to set up a standalone agency with WPP Group.

  • Discover secrets of real creativity

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Magazines are the true bastion of creativity

  • DoH unveils its 'official' obesity strategy

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    The Department of Health has officially launched its obesity strategy, Change4Life, today (November 11). It has also confirmed an industry consortium, led by the Advertising Association, as a Government partner.

  • Est裠Lauder to launch anti-ageing innovation

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Est?Lauder is introducing a range of anti-ageing moisturisers which the cosmetics company claims "breaks new ground" and "reinvents the anti-wrinkle moisturiser".

  • Every little helps, but it wont save Initiative

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Heres a bit of a shock: Initiative Media, once one of the UKs biggest buying shops, has managed against all odds to retain the 80m Tesco account.

  • Ex-British Gas director linked to JWT chief role

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Former British Gas marketing director Nick Smith has been linked to the JWT London chief executive role.

  • Fortune favours the brave when times are hard

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    It has become a commonplace that digital marketing will suffer less in a downturn than other, more conventional, forms.

  • FT relaunches website

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    The Financial Times has redesigned its website as part of a strategy that aims to bring it digital and print properties closer together. The new look site, which launches tomorrow (November 11), will include a number of changes including less advertising space.

  • Fujitsu hands Scholz & Friends Euro ad business

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Fujitsu Siemens Computers has appointed Scholz & Friends to run its pan-European advertising account. The account is worth an estimated 1m.

  • General Motors warns it could run out of cash

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    General Motors has reported a third quarter operating loss of $4.2bn (2.66bn) and has warned that it will run out of cash in the first half of 2009 if economic and market conditions do not improve.

  • Getting ahead: Tom Thirwall

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    There I met a creative director (Mick Leighton) who was sporting a fresh-from-Cannes-Lions tan he gave me the wrong impression that it was going to be all sun and awards shows.

  • Global appoints Smooths Brown as top Heart and Capital marketer

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Global Radio has appointed Susan Brown as head of marketing for the Heart Network and 95.8 Capital FM. She joins as it prepares a major roll-out of the Heart brand, due to begin on January 5.

  • GM freezes media spend as swingeing job cuts loom

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    General Motors, the troubled US carmaker, is understood to have frozen its $2.1bn (£1.36bn) global media spend and has not ruled out cutting marketing jobs, as it desperately seeks to save money across its business.

  • Google tops employer survey

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Search giant Google has snatched the top slot from Virgin in the league table of companies where marketers most aspire to work. This is the stunning result of Marketing Week’s latest inquiry into marketers’ ideal career paths, the MW Top Employers’ Survey. For three years, ...

  • Guardian to build revenue via online dating strand

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Guardian News & Media is planning to build on its online dating and travel strands and develop its ecommerce offering as part of a strategy to increase digital revenue.

  • Hamilton's success is in stark contrast to the BBC's Brand value

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    It came down to the final corners of the final lap in the final Grand Prix of the Formula One season. In a few heart-stopping seconds, Lewis Hamilton realised his dream and became the sport's youngest world champion.

  • Havas unites UK agencies into media group

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Havas is launching Havas Media in the UK, in a move that will unite acquisitions including Arena BLM and experiential agency Cake with its existing agency brands. Media Planning Group managing partner Mark Craze will become chief executive of Havas Media UK.

  • Holiday Extras adopts new brand identity

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Leisure group Holiday Extras is repositioning itself as a "full-service" business to differentiate itself from rivals such as Airparks and BCP. It will launch a digital promotional campaign to support its new brand identity before Christmas.

  • Iris wins child safety in the home brief

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Iris London has won a campaign brief for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) specifically targeting disadvantaged parents. Iris won the account after a pitch against two other agencies.

  • Kangaroo chief exec jumps ship

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Project Kangaroo chief executive Ashley Highfield is leaving the on-demand broadcaster to join Microsoft as managing director and vice-president. Highfield will leave the venture, a tie-up between BBC, ITV and Channel 4, before it launches.

  • Lloyds TSB marketing chief likely to take on HBOS brands

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Nigel Gilbert, Lloyds TSB group marketing director, is understood to be in line for the top marketing role if the bank’s merger with HBOS goes ahead.

  • Mates marks brand overhaul with Pleasureland campaign

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Mates Condoms has undergone a major overhaul in a bid to take market share from rival Durex. It will be supported by a £1m campaign, which launches today (Wednesday).

  • Microsoft refutes Yahoo! takeover claims

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer has refuted claims that the internet company would consider another takeover bid for Yahoo!. The two companies were in talks earlier this year for a £30m takeover by Microsoft that Yahoo! executives failed to back.

  • Ministers call for an end to cheap booze

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Ministers have called for supermarket drinks promotions and pub happy hours to be banned. The plans are revealed in a Home Affairs select committee report published today (November 10).

  • Mller reviews 5m account

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Mller is understood to be reviewing its 5m advertising account for its Mller Corner brands, and has approached a number of agencies to pitch. Incumbent TBWA/London will defend the account.

  • MySpace chief hints at iPod rival

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    MySpace chief executive Chris DeWolfe has hinted that the social networking site will launch a MP3 music player device to rival the Apple iPod.

  • Naked moves swiftly to fill md vacancy

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Naked Communications has appointed freelance advertising executive Jane Geraghty as its UK managing director. Geraghty will replace Chris Green (pictured), who stepped down from the role two weeks ago, although he remains at the agency.

  • Nationwide reports 18% profits dip

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Nationwide Building Society has unveiled an 18% slip in half year pre-tax profits and an increase in bad debt. It says its has suffered from the "challenging economic environment", which it predicts will last well into next year.

  • Nestlé names Tinella as UK marketing chief

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Nestlé has appointed Terri Tinella as UK marketing director for its confectionery division. It follows the promotion of David Rennie earlier this year.

  • Nicola Thomsons Global Radio challenge

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Nicola Thomson, the newly appointed group director of marketing at Global Radio, is in an enviable position. She has bagged the top marketing job at the UK’s biggest commercial radio company and now has a portfolio of some of radio’s most high-profile brands.

  • Nuts TVs failure to deliver on Freeview signals its end

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    At launch, Nuts TV was lauded as an ambitious attempt to capture a hard to-reach young male audience using the considerable brand power of IPC Ignite’s Nuts magazine. Yet, just over a year later, the channel is being axed amid claims it was failing to deliver the ...

  • O2 may drop sponsorship deal with Wireless Festival

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    02 is considering scrapping its deal with the Wireless Festival in London. The move comes just days after the mobile operator replaced Carling as the headline sponsor of the 11 Academy Music Group venues.

  • O2 pushes its ticketing service

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest has created a 6m campaign to promote 02's priority ticketing service for gigs and events at entertainment venue The O2.

  • O2 replaces Carling as Academy venues sponsor

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Mobile operator O2 will be the new sponsor of the Academy Music Group venues across the UK, ending its five-year relationship with Carling. The AMG venues will be renamed O2 Academy from January 1 2009 in a five-year 22.5m deal.

  • O2s dodgy rights deal may backfire.

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    The meteoric rise of sponsorship over the past twenty years has created some unlikely partnerships. Brands have slapped their names on just about any sporting or entertainment property irrespective of the associations in the rush to get their names heard.

  • Online advertising must adapt, says Yang

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Online advertising can survive the recession but says it has to be come more adaptable and efficient, according to Yahoo! founder and chief executive, Jerry Yang. He adds that consumers are using the Web more selectively, and internet providers must respond the to change.

  • Own-label brands could benefit from smoothie slow-down

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    The effects of the slowing economy on the smoothie sector could boost sales for cheaper own-label and ambient brands, according to a new Mintel report. The research company says that the sector will continue to grow until 2010 when it may shrink.

  • P&G laundry brands go for compact versions

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Procter & Gamble is poised to introduce compact versions of its laundry detergent formats across all brands. The decision means fillers will be removed from powders, tablets and liquitabs, reducing their size by up to a quarter, by February 2009.

  • Phones4U breaches consumer protection rules

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Phones4U has breached consumer protection laws according to a six-month joint investigation into its practices by Ofcom and Staffordshire Trading Standards. The retailer will now be forced to put forward legally binding standards to the regulator.

  • Portman Group campaign champions self-regulation

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    The Portman Group is launching a campaign to encourage consumers to complain about social responsibility issues surrounding alcohol. The move aims to champion the alcohol industry's self-regulation credentials. The press campaign, which launches ear...

  • Rangers signs partnership deals

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Rangers Football Club has signed a long-term deal with Swiss watch brand Ebel. The Glasgow club has also renewed its long-standing partnership with Coca-Cola.

  • Ready meals and newspapers drive growth at Sainsbury's

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Sainsbury's has reported a 13.3% rise in pre-tax profits for the first half of its financial year despite the economic slowdown. The supermarket chain says growth has been driven by sales of ready meals, computer games, books and newspapers.

  • Role models help the Met fight gun crime

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    The Metropolitan Police is working with youth media brands including MTV, MySpace, Choice FM and Kiss FM to tackle gun crime in the capital. The latest execution of the Trident anti-gun initiative tells young people: "You don't need a gun to get respect."

  • Sainsbury's in talks over Olympic funding

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Sainsbury's is in talks with the Government about helping to plug the 79m funding gap for athletes hoping to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games. It is thought the supermarket chain will support the Medal Hopes scheme due to be revealed later this month.

  • Shepherd Neame appoints RPM3 Beechwood

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Shepherd Neame has moved a majority of its advertising into RPM3 Beechwood. The Kent-based brewer has parted company with Hooper Galton as a result of the move but will retain JWT.

  • Sky introduces internet-only package

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    BSkyB is launching an online-only subscription service to Sky channels and on-demand content. The Sky Player is already available to Sky TV subscribers but this is the first time the satellite operator has launched a standalone internet service.

  • Social media needs to prove effectiveness, says Bebo chief

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Social media needs to do more prove it can offer return on investment, says Bebo sales and marketing chief Mark Charkin. He says brands are increasingly keen to get involved but more must be done to demonstrate return on investment.

  • Sony and Exposure create SBX agency

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Sony Music and marketing communications agency Exposure are launching an advertising agency that aims to create commercial partnerships between artists and brands.

  • Starbucks sees 97% drop in pre-tax profit

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Starbucks has reported that pre-tax profits have plummeted by 97% over its fourth quarter due to the consumer slowdown. The coffee shop chain also predicts that the first quarter of its financial year will be the "toughest".

  • Tesco safeguards expansion plans

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    Tesco has appealed against the introduction of a competition test that could halt its expansion plans. The move could delay the introduction of regulations until 2010.

  • TfL reviews integrated ad account

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Transport for London is reviewing its integrated advertising account. The brief includes strategic planning, press, outdoor, email marketing, direct marketing and design projects across all TfL brands.

  • The bbc's problem is its need to keep all licence fee payers smiling

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    The BBC's desire to 'connect' with all segments of its audience has caused it to slip into the gutter to find the material that passes for modern comedy

  • The confidence crunch

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    With the global economic downturn still looming large in the media, consumer confidence has taken a turn for the worse and this quarter it is down over all age groups and regions of the UK

  • Tiscali signs distribution deal with DSG International

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    Tiscali has signed a deal with DSG International, owner of Currys and PC World, to sell its broadband, TV and phone packages. It is the company's biggest retail distribution deal to date.

  • Travel campaign promotes the Midlands to US tourists

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    East Midlands Tourism, part of East Midlands Development Agency, and Advantage West Midlands, a regional development agency, are launching a three-year campaign to promote the area to US tourists.

  • Travelodge slashes room rates

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    Travelodge, the budget hotel chain, is introducing a 5m package of price cuts across its hotels for the rest of the year. The price cuts are part of an "aggressive price war" against its competitors.

  • Turning green into gold

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Brands must offer value-for-money green products because, although consumers pay lip service to ‘doing their bit’ for the environment, they are unwilling to spend any extra on them. By Louise Jack

  • Two Travelodge marketing positions hang in balance

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Travelodge, the budget hotel chain, is understood to be considering cutting a number of jobs, including members of its marketing team. It is hoped the cuts will save £2m that could support the brand's expansion plans.

  • UK consumers to spend 7% less this Christmas

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Consumers are planning to spend 7% less this Christmas compared to last year, according to a survey by Deloitte. The consultancy warns that retailers are facing one of the "toughest" festive periods for years.

  • Upmarketing to the masses

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Can Olay convince women to choose its high-priced mass-market offering against established premium products at a time when money is becoming tighter? asks Archana Venkatraman

  • US election fails to boost newspaper sales

    Fri, 7 Nov 2008

    The newspaper sector failed to see circulation figures rise in October, despite widespread coverage of the global economic crisis and the US election.

  • Virgin Media axes 15% of staff

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Virgin Media is to cut around 15% of its UK workforce as part of a cost-cutting drive. The cable operator is the latest broadcaster to make redundancies in the face of an advertising downturn.

  • Virgin Media focuses on customer retention

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Cable operator Virgin Media says it has added 8,300 customers in the third quarter and is showing "resilience" during the economic slowdown. The group, which this week settled its 20-month channel dispute with rival BSkyB, says its focus is on cutting churn.

  • Vizeum wins 12m cruise brands account

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Vizeum has won the 12m media planning account for Carnival Group Cruises, parent company of P&O Cruises. The appointment follows a pitch against incumbent Starcom, Carat, MindShare and Rocket.

  • VMTV restructures as marketing chief quits

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Virgin Media Television, the content arm of the cable company, is restructure its marketing division. The move comes as marketing director Jon King leaves the company.

  • Vodafone announces 1bn cost cutting plan

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone company, is planning to reduce costs by £1bn after being forced to cut its revenue forecast for next year. The plan is expected to lead to job cuts across the mobile operator.

  • WACL Anniversary: Brown joins 85th celebration

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Sonoo Singh, Marketing Week deputy editor, did not hang back when offered the chance to meet the Prime Minister at a recent WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications London) lunch.

  • Wieden & Kennedy wins 100m Nokia Nseries ad account

    Wed, 12 Nov 2008

    Nokia has appointed Wieden & Kennedy to its 100m Nseries advertising account, after a pitch against beleagured incumbent Lowe London. Lowe was put on alert in October (MW October 23).

  • William Hill Bingo sponsors ITV game show

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    William Hill Bingo is sponsoring ITV's new daily game show Spin Star. It is the bingo site's first sponsorship deal and aims to promote the recently rebranded site.

  • Wrigley cuts gum to get 'back to basics'

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    The Wrigley Company is understood to be scaling back the number of variants in its chewing gum range in a bid to "get back to basics". The move comes as rival brand Cadbury-owned Trident also looks to consolidate its portfolio of products.

  • Yahoo! chases Direct Response advertisers

    Thu, 6 Nov 2008

    Yahoo! is launching an "aggressive" campaign to encourage more advertisers to sign up to its Direct Response ads system.

  • Yell announces job cuts

    Tue, 11 Nov 2008

    Yell, the directories company, is cutting jobs to maintain flat earnings for the whole year, after poor half-year results. It reported a 2.7% fall in pre-tax profits to £118.3m in the six months ended September 30 today (November 11).

  • YouTube to show full-length MGM movies

    Mon, 10 Nov 2008

    YouTube and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios have signed a deal to show full-length TV shows and films on the site for free. The video-sharing website will sell ad space on either side of the video screen, and share the revenues with MGM.

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