Working on a Sunday can be risky Business

Agency boss Paul Simons received a call from Tom Rubython, editor of soon-to-be launched Sunday paper, Sunday Business.

Ruby asked if Simons would contribute a monthly column on the advertising industry to the paper. Simons gave the offer some thought, but turned it down – after all, his agency handles advertising for News International newspapers News of the World and The Sun. This, he reasoned, would constitute a conflict of interest, since NI also publishes The Sunday Times.

But when NI head honchos heard that Simons had been approached they were reportedly livid, even though the offer had been flatly turned down.

Simons adds modestly that the problem for newspapers looking for columnists from the ad world is that there are so few ad bosses who actually know how to write.

The Diary believes Simons should be compensated with the offer of a column in NI’s Sunday Times. Perhaps he could take over as restaurant critic from film director and our old sparring partner Michael Winner.

Recommended

Top Comet exit sparks

Marketing Week

Electrical retailer Comet has undergone its second board reorganisation in eight months, following the departure of commercial director Brent Wilkinson to parent company Kingfisher last month. Chris Rogers, formerly finance director, has been made product marketing director with responsibility for white goods. Product marketing director for brown and white goods Leigh Martin will be responsible […]

Premium lagers firm goes into receivership

Marketing Week

The company which markets the lagers Sol, Dos Equís, Steinlager and Tiger in the UK has gone into receivership. Dolomore, formed last September from the merger of beer distributor Maison Caurette and wine company Latchford Wine Holdings, calle

Eurotunnel moots action against Brittany Ferries

Marketing Week

Eurotunnel is threatening legal action against Brittany Ferries after the French government agreed to grant it a 40m subsidy. The Anglo-French cross-channel train carrier says the move is illegal. Eurotunnel Communications Director Dominic Fry said: “We think this stinks. This goes against established rules of European competition. We have lodged complaints with the French as […]