The European Sports Consultants’ Association (ESCA) has accused the UK’s major political parties of lacking a “concrete commitment” to sport. The body, which regulates the sports sponsorship industry, believes New Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are merely paying lip-service to sport in their General Election manifestos. Nigel Curry, director of ESCA, says: “What […]
The UK’s banks and building societies are world leaders in financial services marketing, according to a survey by marketing consultants I&B Group. The analysis – of 33,000 financial products worldwide – found that UK companies are experts in developing successful financial products and communicating with customers. They also excelled in retail banking, although their European […]
The Diary hears that PR agency Red Rooster has been appointed to handle the UK and European launch of a “revolutionary” new product called Ultrabite. However, for the benefit of our undead readership, this is not a product developed for the pan-European vampire population. In fact, as Red Rooster explains, Ultrabite is actually a new […]
An EU ruling is threatening to overturn Volkswagen’s historic protection from takeover, shunting chief executive Ferdinand Piech’s plans for the marque. What are VW’s options for maintaining independence?
Charles Schwab Europe’s senior vice-president and head of commercial development Russ Shaw is leaving the company to join NTL in a senior management role. Shaw is understood to have taken voluntary redundancy as a result of cost cutting across Charles Schwab’s divisions, which has resulted in about 160 redundancies since April. As head of commercial […]
Flight loyalty scheme Air Miles is teaming up with Orange to offer miles to the mobile phone operator’s customers. The move brings to a conclusion Air Miles’ six-month search for a new mobile phone operator partner, after market leader Vodafone pulled out of a similar joint venture last November. The promotion will only be extended […]
I have noticed over the past year the amount of discussion CRM has provoked in the media. I believe it will continue to do so for a while longer, as providing better customer service will continue to drive companies in the 21st century. CRM will remain a buzzword in the IT press, and companies will […]
It was interesting to read the special report by Richenda Wilson (MW May 17), and particularly the thoughts of several contributors on the data that organisations capture on their customers. I’d agree that there are still many firms that don’t collect the right data to understand customers, and consequently do not drive better contact strategies. […]
I do not believe for a moment that Nigel Mansell (MW last week) could not remember the name of the “Sophie Dahl” fragrance. Amnesia was self-induced for the sake of a good headline, “What was it that naked model was selling again?”, and a good sign-off, “Sophie Dahl has a fantastic figure, but I cannot […]
P&G has put Big Brother-style cameras in homes to carry out consumer research, but will it ever replace traditional methods?
The press release sent out by our PR company announcing our appointment as a principal media agency for SWK & Partners stated the appointment was made as a result of a competitive pitch against the incumbent agencies MBS and Expert Media. This was incorrect. There was no competitive pitch; MBS having resigned a number of […]
Express Newspapers is facing a legal battle with its former commercial director Paul Woolfenden, who is threatening to sue the company over his severance pay. Woolfenden says has not received a penny from the group since he left in February and the case is now in the hands of his lawyers. It is understood that […]
British Airways has created a marketing team solely for Concorde, in a bid to ensure the plane has a smooth return to service later this summer. The team will be headed by brand manager Wendy Turpin, who already oversees BA’s First Class marketing. Turpin will report to senior manager of long-haul flights Chris Janson. BA […]
A landmark scheme, which aims to raise cash for schools through brand sponsorship, has reopened the ethical debate over marketing to children. Similar schemes in the US have met with harsh criticism. The question is, should the UK follow suit
Central Trains, the Birmingham-based train operating company, is seeking an agency to handle its &£1m advertising account. The company, which operates its service in the Midlands, is believed to be looking for a full service agency. Central Trains does not have a contract with an existing agency, but is looking for one that has previous […]