Three advertising campaigns trying to convey the essence of the Spice Girls’ “Girl Power” philosophy have sparked a flood of complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority. In this month’s ASA report, the watchdog warns of the risks of causing offence by showing men being demeaned by women, or women playing on their power over men. […]
Peter Roach, the managing director at loss-making DIY chains Homestyle and Fads, has quit to become director of marketing and international development at Boots. Roach will head marketing for the team, which is taking Boots health and beauty products outside the British Isles. It has already set up three stores in Holland and five in […]
Formula One’s governing body seems to have outmanoeuvred the anti-smoking lobby and persuaded the Government to perform a U-turn on tobacco sponsorship. Roger Baird looks at how they achieved their aim.
In the battle of the breakfast airwaves new research shows Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans will attract two listeners for every one that tunes into his BBC breakfast radio rival ZoëBall. The latest CIA MediaLab’s Sensor survey shows 38 per cent of 15 to 34-year-olds said they were likely to tune into Virgin Radio DJ Evans. […]
Computers may have made presentations easier, but the success of the event still depends on the performance of the speaker, says Neil J Willetts. Neil J Willetts is a freelance marketing consultant
Cider maker Matthew Clark is launching a 3m national TV ad campaign for its flagship brand, Blackthorn, in the run-up to Christmas. The campaign, through Grey Advertising, features two aliens coming to earth searching for a ‘flavour stimulation’, which they find in two pints of Blackthorn. Robert MacNevin, marketing director, says: ‘The ads combine the […]
Regional brewer Fuller Smith & Turner is launching a new advertising campaign, through Doner Cardwell Hawkins, for its award-winning London Pride ale.
Britain’s first Website featuring competing quotes for motor insurance is unveiled this weekend, offering motorists the chance to compare quotes across a panel of major insurers online. Screentrade (available on www.screentrade.com), operated by Shaw Insurance Brokers, is expected to extend its services to include home and contents cover early next year. Consumers using the site […]
The size of the call centre market in Europe is likely to double in the next five years. But the stress levels involved in doing the job are also soaring and the industry should be concerned about an imminent and serious skills shortage.
Guinness Brewing GB has put its 12m advertising account under review for the first time in 12 years, but insists the move is not related to incumbent agency Ogilvy & Mather’s recent series of ad gaffes. O&M’s Black & White campaign has boosted sales, but it has also created controversy after a series of ill-judged […]
Multinational giant likely to become first tobacco company to buy a Formula One racing team.
Optimedia has snatched the 4m media planning and buying account for Allied Bakeries from Zenith. The company, best known for its Kingsmill, Allinson, Mighty White and Sunblest brands, began the media review after the appointment of Frances Brindle as marketing director. Brindle, who previously worked as new product development manager at brewer Courage, joined Allied […]
Burberry’s Worldwide, the luxury goods subsidiary of Great Universal Stores (GUS), has appointed a new senior vice-president. Michele Smith will become vice-president, women’s ready-to-wear worldwide – a newly-created post – for the fashion company’s retail, wholesale and licensing divisions from next month. For the past four years, Smith has been senior vice-president and general merchandise […]
Cost and time savings are driving growth in business conducted over the phone, with DRTV ads at the forefront. But there are still an alarming number of calls going unanswered.
Launching a travel magazine can be as precarious as holidaying in an area which the Foreign Office has decreed a no-go zone. It is a risk which Gregor Rankin, publisher of Food & Travel – a monthly title from Fox Publishing which goes on sale from December 4 – understands. He was also launch publisher […]