United Distillers & Vintners has appointed John Philips, managing director of UDV’s Northern Cone region of South America, to the new position of president of the UDV Wine Group.

Sony Europe has appointed Leo Burnett board account director Tim Kaner senior European advertising manager.

Carpetright managing director John Kitching has taken on responsibility for marketing following the surprise departure of marketing director Martin Harris, son of Carpetright chairman Lord Harris. He is expected to return in six months.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing has appointed John Edmund as chairman for 1999. He was senior vice-chairman of the CIM in 1998.

BA launches a campaign for its World Offers cheap fares scheme this week, created by M&C Saatchi with the strapline ‘The next millennium is coming. Take a last look at this one.’

The Financial Services Authority has launched a 10m campaign to alert the public to their entitlement for compensation if they were mis-sold pensions. The campaign was created by Lowe Howard-Spink.

Wales Tourist Board has promoted director of communications and corporate affairs Jonathan Jones to the position of chief executive. His predecessor John French retired on October 30.

Royal Mail has appointed Isabel Wade head of strategic development for the insurance and investment sectors.

The Premier League tested on-pitch virtual advertising during last week’s Chelsea v Manchester United game at Stamford Bridge. Logos were not on view in the UK but they could be seen in the 150 other countries. Advertisers will use this new medium on a rota basis during the next two months.

Elida Fabergé is to launch a 5.5m advertising campaign for a new Impulse body spray variant Ico. TV advertising, direct marketing, sponsorship of women snowboarders and sampling will begin mid-February.

Nokia is to sponsor a year-long series of programmes on CNN International called ‘Voices of the Millennium’.

Berghaus has promoted Janet Hardman to international marketing manager. Previously she was marketing services manager.

Rizla is giving away a VW Beetle car through an on-pack offer on its regular and king size cigarette papers in a promotion running from mid-January.