The UK’s most prestigious rugby union competition, the Five Nations Rugby Championships, is looking for a sponsor. The Five Nations committee, based in Dublin, has contacted a number of companies in search of sponsors for the competition between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. It will be the first time the competition, which has been […]
Forget Wimbledon and Ascot, the festival season is upon us once more, with 16 weeks of events attracting over a million young people. No surprise then that brand owners are rushing to sponsor or even create their own concerts, to tap this capt
It may have won the McLibel trial but the case has exposed an arrogance which threatens to shake McDonald’s from its pole position. With rival chains eating into its market share and a poor new product development record, can it get back on co
Cadbury is pitting itself against Nestlé Rowntree’s Smarties and Mars’ M&Ms with a new product called Astros. The launch is understood to be backed by a 6m marketing budget and is planned for September.
Sainsbury’s is testing Early Learning Centre toys in some stores as part of the chain’s strategy to attract families. If successful, it could roll-out, but the seasonal nature of the market makes it a risky sector.
Action Man and Sindy could soon be sold wearing branded clothing, such as Levi’s, Caterpillar and Joe Bloggs, if a fashion publicity stunt involving the dolls proves successful. Over 300 leading brands are designing clothes for the dolls as part of the activities at the 40 Degrees casual wear fashion show being held at Olympia […]
McDonald’s chairman and chief executive Mike Quinlan may feel the company scored an historic victory last week when it successfully prosecuted two anarchists for libel. Though Goliath beat David, public sympathy will always be with the guy with the sling. McDonald’s won the libel action in a country where people still believe that the Germans […]
The aggressive stance of data giant Reuters is putting competition in the provision of information in jeopardy. Is this really wise, asks George Pitcher. George Pitcher is chief executive of issue management consultancy Luther Pendragon
Holland & Barrett, the biggest health food retailer in the country, is looking for an agency for its 750,000 advertising account.
Laser Sales is in talks with a number of brand owners to secure product placement deals for the second Coronation Street video, to be released later this year. Commercial director Martin Lowde says he is close to signing deals with at least two companies. There are six spots up for grabs in the feature-length video […]
Leading skincare brand Oil of Ulay is moving into the cosmetics market this autumn with a make-up range. Manufacturer of the product range, Procter & Gamble, is pricing the Oil of Ulay Colour Collection to match mid-market brands such as Boots No7 and Revlon. The collection, including 38 lipsticks, nail polish, eye and face make-up, […]
Computer games software company Eidos has won the licence to devise games associated with Premier League football. The games will be the first to feature Premiership sides such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liver- pool. Eidos also plans to construct replicas of all 22 stadiums the teams play in. The three-year contract is understood to […]
The Media Centre (TMC) has lost the 2.5m buying account for Pedigree’s dogfood brand Pal to Zenith Media in a rejig of Mars Petfood’s buying business. It is understood that Mars regularly juggles business between roster agencies to ensure spend is evenly spread. A Mars spokesman says: “It’s a balancing act between the brands. It’s […]
Glamorously themed restaurants are opening all over the world and their popularity means the trend is likely to continue.
Guinness Brewing Worldwide is seeking a senior strategist to take control of its customer management team, on a salary of more than 100,000 a year. The brewing giant wants a replacement for Phil Crenigan, former director of the strategic management team, who has recently been promoted to managing director of Guinness’ Australian operation. GBW describes […]