Month: October 1998

Condé Nast is withdrawing GQ Active as a standalone title on the newsstand following disappointing sales.

Is Omnicom about to make another acquisition? On the face of it, the appointment of new finance boss Randy Weisenburger (MW October 1) was simply a means of replacing the retiring Fred Meyer. But a closer look at Weisenburger’s CV reveals a buyout specialist with more than ten years experience in identifying and carrying out […]

BT has lost the head of advertising for its business division, Adrian Fedyk, following a company-wide restructure. Patrick Collins, head of direct marketing for the business division, also quit at the end of last week. Both Fedyk and Collins – believed to be on three months’ gardening leave – reported to business division head of […]

Promotional clothing is going upmarket. Although thousands of brands are now being emblazoned on garments, consumers are no longer likely to buy branded goods which are linked to inferior clothing. So not only is the promotional clothing industry becoming more competitive, it is now also aiming to provide quality alongside the name of its brand. […]

Grey Advertising has won the 8m advertising account for Allergan contact lens solutions across Europe. The win follows a two-way pitch, which also involved Saatchi & Saatchi’s healthcare division. The incumbent, London-based Innovation Advertising, had held the account for over two years. Grey chief executive Steve Blamer says: “I can confirm that we are in […]

Julian Spooner, Guinness Brewing’s marketing director for Great Brit-ain, is leaving to take up a new management role with Guinness Africa. Spooner will become operations director on the board of Guinness Africa, a region which includes its third largest global market, Nigeria. So far, a replacement has not been found, says a Guinness spokeswoman. He […]

Almost 1,000 delegates from client companies and marketing and advertising suppliers packed the cruise ship The Oriana to capacity for this year’s Marketing Forum. The three-day event last week gave advertisers the chance to meet advertising agencies, design companies, direct marketing companies and consultancies as the ship sailed to the Channel Islands. There was also […]

There is only so much that can be said about marketing, advertising and related services. So after beavering away all day on the good ship Oriana, the 800 delegates at this year’s Marketing Forum turned their attentions to other matters. Sex was naturally at the top of the agenda, and wedding rings were discreetly slipped […]

Mercury Asset Management, the investment company, is searching for a marketing director to head its marketing department, which is soon to be reorganised. The department will be restructured in the wake of two senior departures. Existing marketing director Richard Clarke is quitting to set up his own marketing consultancy and the company is searching for […]

Chris Boyd, managing director of the SouthBank Publishing Group, has resigned from IPC. He is the latest to join the exodus of top level executives who have left since the 860m management buyout by Cinven in January this year. His departure follows disappointing January to June Audit Bureau of Circulations figures for the Group, which […]

Despite the best efforts of the British Tourist Authority and the Department of Culture Media & Sport, those little devils at Thomson Holidays seem to be thwarting all efforts to push a new glitzy image for Britain. One of the winners at the recent International Tourism, Travel & Leisure Advertising awards in Valencia was a […]

The ITC has upheld 88 viewer complaints about a Heineken ad which shows a series of workmen working in the same hole in the ground. Viewers have been offended by the arrival of an undertaker towards the end of the ad and the implication that he may use the hole for a burial. Heineken parent […]

The advent of digital TV, which it is claimed will offer more choice, better quality pictures, and interactive television programmes, is a terrifying prospect for your average viewer. And there’s good reason to be nervous, at least judging by Torin Douglas’ article, not to mention the media analysis (MW September 24). If people within the […]

Ten years ago “television” and “marketing” were concepts that collided only accidentally. In a world of just four channels broadcasters competed vigorously with one another and energetically promoted their programmes to viewers – but the relationship between producer and consumer was exceedingly simple. Things are different now. More channels means more choice means more marketing: […]

Golden Wonder is testing a new brand of spicy crisps, called Quite Hot, and has launched an Irish-themed thick-cut crinkle called Murphy’s. The Quite Hot range comes in three flavours – mustard, chilli, and curry – and is aimed at young men. The brand, to be sold in purple packs covered with flames, will be […]