News that Bass may sell its brewing arm due to underperformance does not bode well for the UK industry. If Bass, one of the three major brewers and the one with the product development record, is bailing out, what chance do the others have of making it to the end of the next decade? The […]
Virgin is to extend its brand into utilities. Former British Gas Trading and Camelot marketer Jon Kinsey, who will head the Virgin outfit, claims there are considerable opportunities, despite market turbulence.
Struggling supermarket chain Somerfield is looking for a marketing director just five months after dismantling its entire group marketing structure. Somerfield is to replace Richard Smith, former marketing director of the main Somerfield stores division, following his move to the group’s change management team, which is overseeing the sale of a 50 per cent share […]
Virgin is to extend its brand into utilities. Former British Gas Trading and Camelot marketer Jon Kinsey, who will head the Virgin outfit, claims there are considerable opportunities, despite market turbulence.
EMAP has its work cut out to prove its cross-media strategy will benefit clients. Critics warn consolidation of sectors will weaken specialist skills.
Abbey National has extended Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper’s brief to include the £10m advertising launch of its new Internet bank, codenamed Aquarius.
Children’s charities face a far from rosy future. Advertising may have raised awareness, but it has also led to misconceptions about ‘cash-rich’ causes. Corporate aid has never been so in need.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
As Alan Mitchell writes in his article “Giving customer-driven marketing new meaning” (MW November 25), we still find it hard to involve customers in the communication process even after all these years. I see research companies “listening” to customers, and marketing communications companies “informing” customers, but the two processes still seem woefully disconnected. The benefits […]
I was very interested in Tom O’Sullivan’s “Christmas E-ve” article (MW November 11), which spoke about the anticipated explosion in online Christmas shopping and raised concerns over e-retailers’ ability to meet consumer demand. While this must be a valid concern for all e-traders, surely it relates to the entire year, and not just peak seasonal […]
Banks Hoggins O’Shea FCB parent True North Communications is attempting to expand FCB’s European services by buying interests in design, direct marketing, corporate communications, new media and media companies. John Banks, chairman of Banks Hoggins O’Shea FCB, and FCB Worldwide international president Harry Reid have drawn up a shopping list of services to develop a […]
More than 60 per cent of the country’s 16- to 21-year-olds expect to have sex at a Millennium Eve party, according to those shagadelic marketers at Durex manufacturers London International Group. A third of the young revellers expect to get jiggy with someone new, according to the saucy survey. How things have changed since the […]