AB Inbev cuts marketing spend after sales slump

Budweiser owner revises marketing budget down following sales drop but says innovation pipeline remains “healthy”.

Budweiser angered by role in Hollywood film

Paramount Pictures faces a backlash from alcohol brands unhappy with their portrayal in the latest Denzel Washington film.

Sponsors bungle Lance Armstrong scandal

Lance Armstrong’s sponsors bungle their handling of the scandal surrounding the former cyclist champion but are strong enough to handle the negative headlines.

Ab InBev global CMO Burggraeve departs

Top marketer for the world’s biggest brewer resigns from post to explore ‘entrepreneurial opportunities’.

Mourinho's return will 'heighten' personal brand value

Manager’s return to Chelsea is a “massive opportunity” for both to score sponsors, experts say.

Adidas to maximise real-time marketing opportunities

Business puts in place a team dedicated to creating real-time marketing in response to breaking news.

Adidas slams Suarez for biting opponent

Sportswear business puts brand ambassador and Liverpool FC striker on notice over “unacceptable” actions.

Adidas and Chelsea tease fans with slow kit reveal

Sports brand creates multi-channel campaign for Chelsea kit launch.

AOL bids to 'regain marketing mojo'

Internet company to be ‘bigger’ and ‘bolder’ with its marketing in a bid to arrest decline.

AOL names Thomson Reuters brand chief as CMO

Jolie Hunt joins AOL in newly created role of chief marketing and communications officer.

AOL Europe loses top marketer Sarah Gavin amid restructure

Sarah Gavin is stepping down from her role as vice president of marketing and communications at AOL Europe, a move that comes as the company looks to cut roles across the business.

AOL to “rethink core purpose” of its site

AOL to overhaul its homepage after admitting it has not focused enough on consumer needs.

The top 100 most valuable global brands 2013

This year’s BrandZ ranking of the top 100 valuable global brands sees Apple maintain its reign at number one and the value of the top brands grow by 7 per cent to $2.6 trillion

Apple's brand mission signified it is a company 'Built to Last'

The media is peeling Apple alive. Its share of the global smartphone market has dropped from 23 per cent…

'Apple should reinvent its marketing like it transformed tech'

Experts say slight adjustments to marketing could boost the firm back to heady profits.

Apple posts first profit dip in ten years

US giant beats expectations but puts ‘frustrating’ slowdown down to thinner margins, hails ‘record quarter’.

Asda credits 'gimmick' free price cuts for improved performance

Supermarket says strategy of passing on operational savings to customers has accelerated growth.

P&G and Asda join forces for safe drinking water campaign

Asda dials up its sustainability agenda while P&G aims to raise awareness of safe water scheme.

Asda launches Budget day low prices ads

Big four supermarkets turn to stronger narrative style in price promotion messaging.

Asda plots international growth for George

Supermarket outlines international expansion of clothing brand as it reports a slow down in sales.

Ocado loses marketing chief to Asos

Matthew Knight takes on top CRM role at online fashion retailer.

Asos steps up US efforts

Asos is hunting for its first marketing director outside of the UK to head up its US operations.

'Forget F-commerce, make your site social'

Retailers should include more social elements on their own websites rather than trying to pursue Facebook shops, research suggests.

French Connection launches ad campaign as sales plummet

Fashion retailer trials ad campaign tailored to specific stores in a bid to revive falling sales.

‘Brands need to earn right to sell on social’

Marketers share insights on trusting online communities and using them as customer support tools.    

Barclays' branding is déjà vu once more

‘The key to Barclays’ salvation is not to be found in something new but rather something old’

Morrisons and Barclaycard ads spark 'sexist' complaints

Brands join Asda in being accused of sexism in their Christmas ads.

'Barclays boss must rebuild customer relationships'

Barclays’ new chief executive Antony Jenkins must make repairing “frayed and challenged” relationships a priority, says former CMO Libby Chambers.

BBC World News changes positioning to boost preference

‘Live the Story’ positioning and campaign aim to build international brand advocacy.

BBC puts Purnell in overall charge of marketing

BBC DG names senior team including James Purnell as director of strategy and digital.

Burberry bolsters media expertise with COO hire

Fashion brand appoints former BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith as COO.

BBC appoints Tony Hall as director general

Royal Opera House CEO and former BBC director of news to lead the scandal-hit public service broadcaster.

Flying the brand flag for British Airways

Frank van der Post has been credited with turning around British Airways’ fortunes since he joined the national flag carrier as managing director of brands and customer experience in 2011. He talks to Jonathan Bacon about the brand’s ongoing strategy.

BA brand comes through industry turbulence

‘To Fly. To Serve’ brand campaign and widely praised London 2012 activity help BA brand fly.

British Airways: the brand that knew too much?

British Airways has launched Know Me, a new approach to customer service that gives flight and airport staff immediate…

BA champions cabin crew in new film

British Airways is focusing on a cabin crew member in its latest film for the airline’s To Fly. To Serve marketing campaign.

British Gas launches billing for ‘dummies’

Energy supplier to introduce billing system for ‘dummies’ as part of its ongoing efforts to regain the trust of UK households.

British Gas launches Marketing Academy

Energy supplier introduces marketing ‘master classes’ in drive to become more customer focused.

British Gas exec berates energy industry’s “lack of innovation”

Head of connected homes calls on mobile industry to help drive innovation in the utilities sector

British Gas profits down despite tariff increases

British Gas sees profit slide due to warmer than expected weather in 2011.

2012: The year in food and drink

Marketing Week takes a look at the biggest stories in the food and drinks industry in 2012.

Tango extends into shower gels

Licensing agreement sees fizzy drink extended into shower gel range to be sold at supermarkets.

Barr Britvic merger gets board go-ahead

Plans for Britvic and AG Barr merger take a leap forward with recommendation by boards.

'Rubicon to be winner of AG Barr/Britvic merger'

Drinks industry insiders say Rubicon is likely to emerge as the winning brand if proposed £1.3bn merger goes ahead.

BT Sport and Comic Relief launch joint CSR initiative

‘The Supporters Club’ initiative aims to support grass roots sport for young people in the UK, similar to Sky Sports Living for Sport scheme

'BT to return to mobile market'

BT reported to be plotting a return to consumer mobile market after 11 years of absence, following 4G spectrum acquisition.

BT Sport digital exclusives could help it boot Sky out the park

If it gets the digital and mobile offer right, BT Sport could transform sports broadcasting into a whole different ball game.

BT Sport push aims to recruit broadband users

Ads will show viewers ‘Willy Wonka world’ of BT Sport’s content as channel launch aims to accelerate broadband subscriptions and boost loyalty.

Burger King to overhaul customer experience

Burger King beefs-up consumer insight offering with feedback programme for the UK.

Burger King drops The King character in the US

Burger King has ditched its brand mascot “The King” in the US in favour of a greater focus on its food credentials.

Burger King firms up top marketing team

Burger King is thought to be lining up a former InBev and Unilever marketer to be its new global chief marketing officer.

Burger King appoints former McDonald’s marketing chief

Burger King has appointed former McDonald’s marketing director Jo Blundell to the same role as it looks to close the gap on its market-leading rival.

Brand audit: Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola’s biggest ever summer marketing push - ’Share a Coke’ - is turning all the brand perception dials in the right direction.

Coke creates shareable two-part can

Standard can twists and splits into two mini cans to encourage sharing.

The top 100 most valuable global brands 2013

This year’s BrandZ ranking of the top 100 valuable global brands sees Apple maintain its reign at number one and the value of the top brands grow by 7 per cent to $2.6 trillion

Playing it safe

Is fear of a social media scandal driving marketers to play it safe and revive old campaigns?

Diageo's Matthew Barwell to leave after 15 years

Marketing and innovation director for Western Europe to ‘pursue other interests’.

Q&A with Diageo's global CMO Andy Fennell

The Smirnoff maker’s top marketer on the future of brand building, the changing nature of marketing, social media ROI, growing the influence of marketing in the boardroom and countering calls for restrictions on alcohol advertising.

Diageo plots to uncork wine sales

Drinks maker makes senior appointment to propel the wine category forward.

Diageo launches its first ever UK e-commerce portal

Site will sell premium brands such as Johnnie Walker and Ciroq.

DMGT sells off regional arm

Northcliffe Media and Iliffe News and Media titles combined to form new regional media company, Local World.

Metro mulls evening edition

Urban freesheet investigating ‘PM’ tablet edition as it counts Olympics digital demand.

Mail launches mobile commerce app

Mobile app will let readers buy products directly from newspaper by pointing phone at print ads.

June newspaper market a damp squib

Majority of papers reported declines in circulation in June, despite reporting on major events such as the Jubilee and Euro 2012.

Sainsbury’s offers Nectar points rebate

Sainsbury’s is to give customers a rebate on Nectar points spent booking with EasyJet.

Airline spreads wings on back of business travel

Board-level marketing director Peter Duffy talks to MaryLou Costa about his role in easyJet’s strategy to attract more business passengers, the use of customer data and spoofing BA advertising

EasyJet profits defy economic squeeze

Low cost airline’s cost cutting and strategy of targeting business flyers pays off.

Case study: Europe by easyJet

Digital marketing is about people, not devices, it’s an adage that’s often forgotten

Techno-philes shouldn’t mistake the means for the ends.

eBay eyes mobile as route to the high street

Auction site, Morrisons and Google share their thoughts on mobile’s future at IAB event.

PayPal launches mobile payments service

Launch allows for peer-to-peer payments via chip & PIN smartphone service.

Open all hours: the future of the high street

The current gloom on the high street would have us believe that the future is bleak for physical stores, but retailers are using lateral thinking and innovative digital ideas to create shopping outlets fit for the 21st century.

EDF unveils ‘Feel Better Energy’ positioning

EDF Energy joins marketing battle over transparency with ad campaign to promote its commitments on fair value, better service and simplicity.

EDF ‘fined’ for breaking marketing rules

Energy supplier to pay for price cuts for ‘fuel poverty’ customers.

EDF Energy joins marketing battle over price cuts

EDF Energy is claiming to be the “cheapest major supplier” among the big six energy companies in a press campaign to trumpet its recent price cuts.

EDF Energy fined for spying on Greenpeace

The Olympic sponsor must pay damages to Greenpeace for hacking into its computers for information.

O2 takes centre stage in EE Glasto competition upset

O2 takes advantage of EE competition blunder.

EE bids to turn volume down on rivals' 4G launches with Glasto sponsorship

EE’s major festival marketing activity to coincide with launch of rivals’ 4G networks.

EE to switch to more ‘inspiring’ social message

4G operators’ head of digital speaks of intention to step up its online communities drive.

EE lands 318,000 4G customers

Multi-million pound ad campaign helps EE acquire users at a quicker pace than 4G schemes elsewhere in the world.

Facebook introduces hashtags

Introduction aids content discovery and easier integration into wider social marketing.

Facebook UK reshuffles leadership team

Facebook UK commercial director Stephen Haines promoted to global role while UK and pan-European director Christian Hernandez to leave.

NSA Prism claims could set online commerce back years

Consumers and businesses will need convincing all over again of the security of online communications.

Facebook streamlines ad options

Social network to halve the number of ad formats it offers in a bid to better align with marketers’ business goals.

Google and Zenith launch global mobile drive

Consultancy service to offer brands insights into mobile usage habits.

Burberry and Google launch 'Kisses' initiative

Partnership aims to ‘personalise digital’ by letting users share kisses with loved ones across the world.

NSA Prism claims could set online commerce back years

Consumers and businesses will need convincing all over again of the security of online communications.

YouTube refresh should remind brands people are watching their ads on the go 

If brands are now publishers, then they must think of their viewers’ habits, as well as customers’ purchase patterns.

KGB Deals overhauls compliance to avoid sanction

Daily deals service overhauls advertising compliance processes following almost 100 complaints about the company’s ads in the past six months.

Groupon shares tumble as revenue disappoints

Shares in the daily deals site plummet by as much as 20 per cent after second quarter revenues fail to meet investors’ expectations.

OFT steps up clampdown on daily deals sites

Watchdog urges companies to follow Groupon’s lead and review their marketing practices.

Groupon complaints fall as OFT preps update

Complaints received by the ad watchdog fall as daily deals site awaits sign-off from consumer protection regulator.

HMV marketing director to exit

Further round of redundancies sees CEO and marketing director leave entertainment retailer.

HMV Twitter fail offers lessons in corporate comms

HMV’s Twitter crisis that saw employees take to the official account to post unauthorised details…

Every retailer has a silver lining in its brand equity

In a changing retail world, brands have to learn to adapt if they don’t want to fall into the administration black hole.

The secret to brands living forever

‘Any company still associated with an old dog listening to a gramophone should have been expecting the worse’

Mainstream brands make a play for the super rich list

Recession? What recession? A new set of brands is muscling in on territory that until recently was occupied exclusively by luxury goods and services providers by targeting the wealthy but time poor community.

Honda ventures into the unknown with latest Civic ad

See the campaign here.

Honda partners with Love Hearts for tailor made ad

The car marque is offering drivers the opportunity to create a bespoke package of offers and has teamed up with sweets maker Swizzels Matlow for a Love Heart themed campaign.

Engagement strategy aims to take long-term interest rates higher

When Honda launched the UK’s first TV ad that links to an iPhone app, the car maker sent a clear signal that the focus of its marketing strategy has moved from driving sales to increasing engagement.

ITV launches online planning tool

ITV shares insight on how audiences interact with ads as it looks to boost effectiveness of advertising across its portfolio.

DFS signs This Morning product placement deal

DFS sofas to appear on ITV1’s flagship daytime programme throughout 2013.

ITV readies major rebrand

ITV to refresh logos and idents for all its channel brands and drop the numerical ‘1’ from its flagship channel.

ITV ad revenue rocked by Olympics

Ad revenue dropped 6 per cent in ITV’s third quarter as brands reined in spend, but broadcaster expects to outperform TV ad market for the full year.

Waitrose turns to storytelling in Heston ads

Supermarket aims to tell the story behind TV chef’s recipes in Easter campaign.

John Lewis cites marketing and brand for sales boost

Sales and profit soars at John Lewis and Waitrose chains.

John Lewis drafts in Collect+ boss for e-commerce push

Mark Lewis takes board level position to head up development of its online business.

John Lewis expected to outshine high street

John Lewis festive figures shine but retailers expected to report ‘minimal’ uplift over Christmas and face further tough times ahead, say observers.

Kellogg's launches virtual store for Special K

Cereal maker launches virtual store for its Special K brand in partnership with major supermarkets as it looks boost on and offline sales.

Kellogg's readies Special K crisps launch

Cereal maker extends Special K brand into the snack category.

Kellogg buys Pringles in $2.7bn deal

Kellogg looks to match success of its cereals business with £1.7bn acquisition of the Pringles brand.

Special K to reposition as long-term weight management brand

Kellogg’s wants to move away from short term dieting messages to long-term weight management to encourage body confidence.

5 politically insensitive marketing mishaps

In the week Kia came under fire from Northern Irish Unionists over its ‘Provo’ car, we revisit other recent politically insensitive marketing gaffes.

Cadbury returns to Joyville in £7m TV push

Advertising drive aims to highlight the taste behind the Dairy Milk chocolate brand.

Brands placing greater faith in the crowd

Brands are stepping up consumer participation to optimise their strategies.

Mondelez combines Oreo and Cadbury Dairy Milk

Newly formed snack business combines core brands Oreo and Cadbury Dairy Milk for new chocolate bar.

Liverpool FC sponsor 'very disappointed' with Luis Suarez

Standard Chartered “disappointed” with the player’s behaviour.

Liverpool leads big club charge for more TV money

Liverpool wants the freedom to exploit brand internationally by club-by-club TV deals.

Liverpool FC revamps online video offering

Liverpool FC is overhauling its online video offering to allow clips to be watched across multiple devices.

Carlsberg stresses Liverpool FC links with stadium experience

Carlsberg has overhauled its “brand experience” at Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield stadium to reinforce its long-standing association with the club.

Sponsors mark Paralympic Opening

Sponsors step up their marketing activity ahead of tonight’s Opening Ceremony for the Paralympic Games.

Sponsors plan major ad drive for ‘challenger’ Paralympics

Sponsors look to profile of the Paralympic Games and Team GB Paralympians.

Co-op to buy 632 Lloyds branches

Member-owned bank says deal will create an ‘ethically-led’ rival that will ‘restore trust’ in sector.

Lloyds overhauls service after topping complaints poll

Banking group introduces new complaints handling system in bid to become more ‘customer-centric’.

Man U brand valued at $2.3bn

Premier League club debuts on the New York Stock Exchange $6 (£4) per share lower than originally marketed to investors.

Pressure on Chevrolet to fulfil global dreams

Tie-ups with Manchester Utd and Liverpool give Chevrolet the global staging platform to extend the brand beyond North America…

Manchester Utd unites with Chevrolet

GM-owned automotive brand replaces Audi as Manchester United’s automotive sponsor in five-year deal.

Brands boost Manchester United’s profit

Manchester United hails commercial and media brand partnerships as annual revenue increases.

M&S digital lab brings nimble startup approach

Marks & Spencer has created its own in-house “digital lab” division to keep apace of developments that will make sure its…

Celebrities back M&S Oxfam pop up

Items donated by celebrities including Pixie Lott, Alexa Chung and Gary Barlow will go on sale as part of Shwopping pop up in partnership with Oxfam.

M&S CEO outlines marketing plans to boost sales

M&S extols better links between buyers and marketing and says it will still use celebs in ads.

M&S performance improves but profits still down

Marks & Spencer has reported a fall in profits despite an improvement in sales performance in its second quarter results.

McDonald’s preps first app marketing for smoothie launch

In app game offers chance to win free voucher to trial iced fruit smoothies.

McDonald's highlights similarities between young and old men

McDonald’s latest ad aims to show the similarities between an old man and a group of young people living in a London estate as part of its ongoing “We all have McDonald’s in common” campaign.

The top 100 most valuable global brands 2013

This year’s BrandZ ranking of the top 100 valuable global brands sees Apple maintain its reign at number one and the value of the top brands grow by 7 per cent to $2.6 trillion

Youtility: Helping others to help yourself

A ‘help-not-hype’ mode of marketing is being championed in a new book and by brands such as Nivea and Hilton. Does it really work?

NSA Prism claims could set online commerce back years

Consumers and businesses will need convincing all over again of the security of online communications.

IAB seeks unified metrics to bolster brand spend on tablets

Pan-European bid underway to woo traditional ad spend from TV budgets.

Sony turns up PS4 marketing to counter Xbox One

Online executions come as Microsoft unveils Xbox One, ‘teases’ over PS4.

Microsoft's Xbox One sets sights on connected TV

Analysts say the company’s first console in eight years is set to mark the beginning of a “new generation of games, TV and entertainment”.

Morrisons hits out at Tesco's 'misleading' Price Promise

Supermarket considers official complaint to ASA over price comparison claims.

Morrisons' efforts to rise above horse meat scandal fail to boost market share

Supermarket’s growth and market share continue to slide.

Asda launches Budget day low prices ads

Big four supermarkets turn to stronger narrative style in price promotion messaging.

Morrisons is late to the online party but could reap mobile rewards

It’s crunch time for Morrisons. The supermarket is late to the party in launching an online…

Nectar to switch focus to redeeming rewards

Strategy designed to build a stronger emotional connection with consumers.

Sainsbury's sweetens credit cards with Nectar

Sainsbury’s Bank is taking aim at disgruntled high street bank customers by launching a credit card with an inbuilt loyalty incentive offering customers double Nectar points for every transaction made in store.

Nectar celebrates 10 years

Dom Joly fronts 10th anniversary campaign asking people to suggest ways the loyalty scheme can thank its customers.

'Future of loyalty is the value of interaction'

MWL 2012: Nectar owner Aimia believes the future of loyalty is not in points and rewards, but in the value of interaction.

The Sun announces paywall plans

Online content to go behind a £2-a-week paywall from 1 August.

News Int launches ad innovation unit

Digital commercial products division latest in publisher’s attempts to be an online leader and boost non-print revenue.

Sun and Telegraph paywalls 'milestones'

But industry experts warn more work is required to convince advertisers and readers of the value of paying for audiences.

No More Page Three targets Co-op

Group will not pull advertising in The Sun despite claims advertising in the paper is at odds with its ethical business stance.

Tiger Woods' No.1 status will help 'humanise' his brand

Golfer’s comeback moves up a gear but sponsorship experts say no 1 status is not enough alone to spark new deals.

Sports brands to go beyond pink to woo women

Adidas, Under Armour and Nike aim to grow women’s apparel share without destroying their core propositions.

5 politically insensitive marketing mishaps

In the week Kia came under fire from Northern Irish Unionists over its ‘Provo’ car, we revisit other recent politically insensitive marketing gaffes.

Nike targeting trendy mums to bring 'real life energy' to brand

Business is working with parenting network to promote the Nike brand to mums working in the creative industries.

Nokia names new UK marketing head

Adam Johnson appointed amid reshuffle following Steve Overman exit.

Nokia confirms launch of flagship Lumia 925 device

O2 and Vodafone confirmed as early backers of Windows Phone device.

Microsoft, Nokia slam 'inadequate' Google search concessions

EC invites feedback as part of its ongoing antitrust investigation into Google’s dominance of the European search market.

Nokia looks to boost advocacy with new role

Phone maker promotes social media editor Thomas Messett to new role of head of digital marketing and advocacy.

Npower slapped with £2m fine for mishandling complaints

Energy regulator Ofgem levies the second large fine on a "big six" firm in four months.

Npower promises not to upsell when installing smart meters

Npower has become the first of the "big six" energy suppliers to promise not to use smart meters as a surreptitious sales tool.

Npower restructure means marketer Kevin Peake is out

Npower has restructured its operations into three new divisions, resulting in the departure of the energy provider’s marketing director Kevin Peake.

Npower readies Foursquare-like Football League push

Npower is activating its sponsorship of the English Football League this year with a Foursquare-esque social media game for fans to “show their loyalty” to their clubs.

Telefonica partners with banks to further 'digital wallet' mobile service

Proposed JV with CaixaBank and Santander aim to offer retailers with big data insights. 

O2 names Nina Bibby as top marketer

Barclaycard’s CMO to take top marketing job in November 2013.

Telefonica mulls outdoor insight offering

O2-owner eyes further revenue streams powered by ‘big data’. 

'BT to return to mobile market'

BT reported to be plotting a return to consumer mobile market after 11 years of absence, following 4G spectrum acquisition.

Playing it safe

Is fear of a social media scandal driving marketers to play it safe and revive old campaigns?

Mountain Dew drops Lil Wayne for 'offensive' lyrics

Move to sever ties with rapper comes days after brand dropped ad by Tyler the Creator for portraying racial stereotypes and violence towards women.

Beyonce returns to previous looks in new Pepsi Max ad

Global ad features singer’s new track Grown Woman and a dance-off between her various stage personalities.

Pepsi outperforms Coke

Pepsi outperforms market leader’s growth despite heavy investment in marketing around the Olympics, says annual drinks report.

CEO supremo Lafley is back, P&G will be too

Lafley liberated the act of innovation from the isolation of P&G’s Cincinnati labs and put it into the world of the consumer.

P&G rumoured to be restructuring around four categories

New CEO AG Lafley thought to be leading a restructure of the business around four divisions.

P&G's new, old boss has the skills P&G needs to face its demons

A.G. Lafley has a reputation for focusing on innovation and putting the consumer first.

P&G CEO McDonald exits

Bob McDonald replaced by his predecessor and former marketer ‘A.G.’ Lafley as firm looks to kick-start growth.

Reckitt Benckiser lends marketing clout to Save the Children health schemes

FMCG firm invests $35.5m to provide product innovation, technology and marketing expertise global health programmes.

Barry Bang's 'misleading' ad banned

Cillit Bang ad banned for making exaggerated efficacy claims.

Nurofen positions as lifestyle brand

Brand to talk about positive lifestyle benefits rather than pain.

Nielsen introduces 'most accurate' online analytics tool

Nielsen vows to boost campaign efficiency by 14 per cent with new online analytics tool for brands.

Royal Mail’s ambitions need a reality check

Royal Mail hopes by offering brands enhanced planning, creative and data solutions they will be reminded of the “power of physical”, an…

Royal Mail to include ‘delivered by..’ mark from June

Controversial mark to be phased in over next six months to increase visibility of Royal Mail brand.

Q&A: Ben Rhodes, Royal Mail

Ruth Mortimer talks to Royal Mail’s head of marketing and commercial strategy Ben Rhodes about his strategy for the deregulated delivery brand.

Royal Mail needs to vary DM message

A joint effort between all interested parties promoting the many benefits of direct mail is required.

Art of brewing extends beyond beer

Eye-catching labels and bottle designs that capture the ethos of craft beer brands are helping to drive growth in this niche market. Michael Barnett goes on a brewery tour.

SABMiller plans to share global digital best practice

SABMiller seeks to bolster global coordination of digital marketing activity.

SABMiller looks to boost global integration

SABMiller drafts in WPP man to lead global marketing integration.

SAB Miller steps up Foster’s bid

SAB Miller has turned hostile in its £6bn bid to acquire Foster’s lager brand owner Foster’s Group.

Corporate social responsibility: Power to the people

Corporate citizens: An effective corporate social responsibility policy will build a strong brand and customer trust, and can be used to motivate employees.

Sainsbury's deserves brand of the year but must keep its foot on the gas

Sainsbury’s was named Marketing Week’s Brand of the Year 2013 at our Engage Awards earlier this week, but what is it that sets the supermarket apart from its rivals?

Asda launches Budget day low prices ads

Big four supermarkets turn to stronger narrative style in price promotion messaging.

'Sainsbury's marketing helps it outperform rivals'

Sales boosted by non-food as analysts hail ‘astute’ promotions and ‘creative’ marketing.

Samsung backs AOL video ad unit launch

AOL’s Be On division eyes TV budgets as new devices spur appetite for online video.

Samsung launches 'epic' £14m Smart TV campaign

Samsung shows off its Smart TV Interaction and S Recommendation features with ‘Charge’ campaign.

Samsung preps 'even bigger' campaign for Galaxy S4

Mobile phone leader says activity will boost brand metrics beyond Galaxy S3 levels.

It's not the Galaxy S4 rivals are scared of, it's the marketing budget

As predicted the internet went wild as Samsung unveiled its latest flagship handset, the Galaxy S4…

Santander ready to meet the challenges ahead

Santander’s efforts to launch the brand in the UK earned the bank the Financial category trophy at the Marketing Week Engage Awards 2011. Lead marketer Keith Moor explains how the brand has forged forward this year.

Celebrate the success of internal marketing

Keith Moor, director of brand and communications at Santander, spends a whopping 40% of his time on internal marketing. At Marketing ...

Call centres should play a key role in the marketing mix

Santander’s decision to bring their call centres back to the UK is aimed at improving its own poor customer service record but it is also an indication of a renewed focus by brands on an often over looked direct marketing channel - contact centres.

Santander call centres return to UK

Santander is returning all its Indian call centres back to the UK following complaints from customers, the bank's latest move to improve what it has itself admitted is its "poor" customer service record.

Starbucks serves up reusable cups

Coffee chain targets 5 per cent of its drinks to be served in reusable cups by 2015.

Brand audit: Starbucks

Starbucks’ brand reputation is taking longer to recover than it did to decline after tax scandal.

Starbucks joins homeless charity initiative

Suspended coffee movement allows customers to pay for coffees that can later be claimed by homeless people.

Starbucks launches campaign to promote new espresso

Coffee chain introduces single source espresso and opens innovation store.

Tesco promotes Blinkbox founder to strengthen digital offer

Michael Comish will lead a new team tasked with developing a more ‘customer-led’ approach to Tesco’s online services.

Tesco sales back in decline but marketing lifting perception, claims CEO

– – -- Initiatives such as Price Promise helping, Philip Clarke says but sales dip.

Live in the moment

Brands need to make their marketing topical and reactive - known as ‘moment marketing’ - in today’s digital world where consumers are calling the shots.

Blinkbox ad warns 'it's safer to stay in'

Latest tongue in cheek campaign from streaming service highlights the dangers of venturing outside.

Disney to launch online safety campaign

Disney hopes to safeguard kids online following rival Habbo Hotel’s recent controversy.

'Don't tackle mobile without the budget'

Disney’s EMEA commercial director for games Matt Carroll says great brands don’t always translate well on mobile, especially if apps are under-resourced.

Q&A: Bobi Carley, Disneymedia+ commercial director on brand partnerships

As Disney’s Marvel Avengers Assemble movie smashes box office records, Bobi Carley, commercial director at Disneymedia+ talks to Marketing Week about progress the brand partnership division has made in its first year.

Sainsbury’s and Disney to host Queen’s Jubilee festival

Sainsbury’s will host a two-day festival including a Disney concert to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June.

Losses increase for Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook posts losses but believes on track to recover with strategy developed by new group CEO

Thomas Cook recruits Confused.com marketer

Tour operator thought to have named confused.com’s Mike Hoban as lead marketer.

Thomas Cook names CEO

Tour operator looks beyond travel industry for boss to drive turnaround strategy.

Thomas Cook cites marketing for gains

The holiday company hails its recently launched marketing campaign an early success after online uplift.

Xbox launches gesture controlled ads

Lynx, Toyota and Samsung are the first brands to adopt the interactive NUads platform on Microsoft Xbox.

Toyota targets youth with personalised content

The next phase of the Toyota Yaris Outsmart Life campaign lets young fans create personalised pop videos via social media.

Toyota and Ford collaborate to build hybrid cars

Ford and Toyota, the world’s biggest seller of hybrid vehicles, are set to join forces to create a fuel-efficient system for pickup trucks and SUVs (sports utility vehicles).

The sky’s the limit for cloud consumption

With more and more consumers seeking less responsibility and greater flexibility, brands are taking the concept of cloud technology from the virtual world to the real worlds of fashion and motoring.

Thomson focuses on modernisation

Thomson’s new £5.5m campaign mixes holiday nostalgia and state of the art aircraft.

Thomson in digital hospitality revamp

Tour operator trials Google+ and Twitter initiatives in an effort to modernise its resort and advice service.

Irish company appoints former TUI marketer

Irish travel company appoints former marketer as CEO to lead digital development and build international business.

Thomson Holidays ad track released as single

Thomson Holidays to release Pixies cover by Sunday Girl from its branding campaign via iTunes.

Facebook introduces hashtags

Introduction aids content discovery and easier integration into wider social marketing.

WPP to offer brands real-time insights from Twitter

Strategic data and analytics partnership formed with Twitter to tap into growing media ad spend on the micro-blogging site. 

Celebs back missing children's outdoor Twitter campaign

Stephen Fry and Sir Alan Sugar back interactive campaign to support International Missing Children’s Day.

Twitter ramps up dual screening opportunities

‘Interest network’ offers brands the opportunity to ‘amplify’ their TV messaging.

Keith Weed: 'Social media the answer to changing consumer behaviour'

Unilever CMO says driving behaviour change through small individual actions will make a big collective impact on improving sustainability.

Live in the moment

Brands need to make their marketing topical and reactive - known as ‘moment marketing’ - in today’s digital world where consumers are calling the shots.

Unilever named as top advertiser for Sainsbury's Games

FMCG business to promote Flora, Magnum and Persil through athletics tie-up.

Ben & Jerry’s launches social media hub

Unilever looks to attract more brand advocates for its ice-cream brand.

Virgin reduces broadband speed curbs

Virgin reduces the amount by which it docks speeds of customers that breach its data thresholds by 20 per cent.

Virgin hands Nigel Gilbert cross-brand role

Former Virgin Media CMO to develop initiatives that link all Virgin brands through marketing.

Virgin Atlantic reveals Little Red sub brand

Airline bids to take on BA and bring Virgin’s ‘rock and roll spirit’ to domestic flights from Heathrow.

Virgin Media: A history in ads

As Liberty dealis announced, Marketing Week looks at the pick of Virgin Media’s advertising.

Vodafone eyes greater use of social media

New social media chief handed brief to move channel use beyond customer service.

Operators' marketing messages to vary in 4G battle

O2, Voda, Three and EE seek differentiation in 4G marketing.

EE readies marketing drive ahead of regional 4G roll out

4G operator attempts to maximise market lead as rivals prepare bids on spectrum.

'Vodafone UK best at Twitter customer service'

Report finds Vodafone UK has the best Twitter response rate of all global brands on the site.

Costa names marketing boss for Express business

Costa has promoted former head of insight Caroline Harris to lead the marketing strategy for its recently created Enterprises division.

Costa Coffee marks lukewarm sales growth

Coffee brand still star performer for parent company Whitbread, which reported a third quarter slowdown in sales growth across all its brands.

Costa marketing chief promoted in restructure

Costa Coffee has split its business into four divisions and has promoted marketing director Jim Slater to oversee the new unit responsible for the recently launched Costa Express brand and partnerships.

Can you follow Costa in winning Brand of the Year?

Want to win Brand of the Year at the Marketing Week Engage Awards 2012? Then study the form shown by Costa, the company that walked away with the highest accolade of the night last year.

Channel 4 contacts marketers over WPP row

C4 appeals for brands’ support over contract dispute with WPP, which has pulled its media buying clients’ ads from the channel.

WPP trims revenue forecast

World’s largest marketing services group cuts annual revenue forecast by 0.5 percentage points, blaming the ongoing Eurozone crisis and a US ad slowdown.

WPP revenue tops £10bn for the first time

Chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell is optimistic on 2012 after record year for the marketing services company.

News Int to launch Sunday Sun this weekend

Sun to go seven days a week seven months after NOTW closure.

NSA Prism claims could set online commerce back years

Consumers and businesses will need convincing all over again of the security of online communications.

IAB seeks unified metrics to bolster brand spend on tablets

Pan-European bid underway to woo traditional ad spend from TV budgets.

Yahoo 'Media Senses' leads online giant's charm offensive

Dual-screeners identified as a lucrative audience.

UPDATE: Yahoo confirms Tumblr purchase

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer vows ‘not to screw it up’ after $1.1bn purchase of Tumblr.