Teletext, the TV text news and advertising service, has appointed veteran marketer Simon Curry as marketing director. Curry, a senior brand manager at Mars, takes up the post in January. He will report to commercial director Lawrence Lawson and be responsible for developing Teletext’s analogue, digital TV and Internet strategy. A spokeswoman says: “Teletext is […]
Back in October, when it emerged that Richard Branson was likely to be not only in competition, but the only competition, to Camelot’s tenure of the National Lottery, his chances of success looked pretty slim. Since then, two events have occurred which have made the decision next June as to who runs the Lottery from […]
The Sales Promotion Consultants Association (SPCA) has opened talks with the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) with a view to a merger. It would fulfil the IPA’s long-term plan to bring more below-the-line agencies into the fold. IPA director general Nick Phillips comments: “The market for marketing communications is changing extremely fast and there […]
Bank of Scotland has appointed Feather Brooksbank to its £10m media buying and planning account. The agency was appointed after a four-way pitch involving MediaVest Manchester, CIA Medianetwork Scotland and Universal McCann Manchester. Bank of Scotland media buying and planning has previously been divided between Conquest’s media division and Feather Brooksbank. The appointment follows the […]
Gillette is lining up agencies to pitch for its £10m pan-European below-the-line business. The company is talking to direct marketing, sales promotion and point of sale agencies for all Gillette’s brands. The brands are Braun, Duracell, Oral B, Waterman, Parker, Papermate, and Gillette. The company is understood to be putting together a roster, to replace […]
Agencies which fail to recognise the value of sponsorship specialists may think twice given an effective measurement system.
US venture capitalist Hicks Muse Tate & Furst is restructuring Hillsdown Holdings and bidding to acquire its second UK company, United Biscuits (UB).
Capital Radio’s alternative London rock station Xfm faces having its licence revoked by the Radio Authority if it commits another serious breach of the broadcasting code. This follows the imposition of a maximum &£50,000 fine this week. The fine coincides with the authority’s decision to consult the radio industry on “laddishness”, the denigration of women, […]
The media revolution of the past 1,000 years has been machine-driven – never more so than today. Torin Douglas considers what lessons have been learned
Honda has reshuffled its management team, promoting its chief marketer for cars to head its lawnmowers and outboard motors division. The move marks Honda’s decision to consolidate its separate brands. Martin Sanders, who was responsible for the controversial “Swindon” advertising campaign, is to become general manager of Honda’s power product division. Honda’s corporate sales manager […]
When Internet players run out of margins to cut, high-street retailers will be strong rivals on a battlefield where quality of service is what counts, says George Pitcher
Ginger Media has launched a contract broadcasting division and signed up clothing company Levi’s as its first customer. As a result of a partnership between Virgin Radio and G1, both owned by Ginger, Levi’s has its own radio station: Global Sound Kitchen. The station, which has a dance format, is broadcast globally through the Internet, […]
Capital Radio’s London station 95.8 Capital FM is to rebrand next year in an effort to modernise its image. Capital Radio head of marketing Vijay Solanki says: “We are aspiring to a cool, mainstream image and all forms of communication will change over the next three months to reflect this.” The station’s smiling sun logo […]
TGI Friday’s parent Carlson Restaurants Worldwide is seeking a deal with a major brewery or leisure company in order to roll out its restaurant franchise Italianni’s across the UK next year. Dallas-based CRW has signed up franchise consultancies BDO Franchising and Brand Development to open 20 to 30 of the US/Italian restaurants in the UK […]
The Media Edge and sister advertising agency Y&R/Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe have scooped the &£5m-plus UK launch account for Rupert Murdoch-backed online mortgage venture E-loan. The expansion of the US-based mortgage service is being backed by eVentures – the Internet investor owned by News Corporation and Japanese Net investment bank Softbank. The development follows the […]