I couldn’t help but be amused by the BMA’s opposition to pharmaceutical companies trying to generate demand for their products among actual consumers. Funnily enough they do not appear to object to doctor friends of mine being flown out to “conferences” in expensive ski resorts and Caribbean Islands by these same companies (18.00-20.00 lectures, of […]
Although the season is young, ITV’s Premiership highlights package is looking ill-planned and dangerous, both for the network and the sport, says Torin Douglas
Online exhibitions are a nascent but growing marketing tool. Are they a threat to the traditional ‘real’ event, or a useful adjunct bringing a wider audience extra advantages?
Tobacco manufacturer Gallaher has clashed with rivals British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Tobacco over the two companies’ reasons for mounting a legal challenge against the European Directive on Tobacco Control. Gallaher says it supports the proposed 10mg per cigarette limit on tar in cigarettes sold in the EU. The other two companies oppose the […]
After a long silence, Shell and BP are returning to TV screens in a bid to boost customer loyalty. Will they get a run for their money?
Contract publisher Redwood is launching a magazine called Wish, and has appointed Deborah Bee, the launch editor of IPC Media’s failed title Nova, as editor. Wish is being launched in the late autumn and will carry features on entertainment and the arts, travel, and health. According to insiders, it will aim to cover a “positive […]
RFU has failed to secure a title sponsor for the coming season after hiking its asking price by £3m
Arla Foods, which owns the Lurpak butter brand, has promoted Hanne Sondergaard to the post of UK marketing director. Sondergaard will start her new job immediately. She replaces Frede Juulsen, who is returning to work for the company in Denmark. Sondergaard will be responsible for the company’s range of dairy products, which includes the Rosenborg […]
The Government is to launch an interactive television channel that will provide information on pensions and tax issues. A tender to create and run the channel has been issued by the Department of Work and Pensions, which is working in partnership with the Inland Revenue. A decision on the outcome of the tender is expected […]
The advertising watchdog has upheld a raft of complaints about an insert for Virgin Mobile in the form of an “aggressive” handwritten letter. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) agreed with 125 complainants, many of them from trading standards departments, that the insert was likely to cause fear and distress because of its aggressive tone and […]
Scottish Courage is dropping the “pilsner” from its Miller Pilsner brand in an attempt to Americanise the lager as part of an £8m relaunch. The brewer is also introducing a new dispenser, which promises to reduce wastage and provide customers with an “enhanced pint”. Kerr Arthur, marketing manager for Miller brands at Scottish Courage, says […]
Few things can be more satisfying for a brand owner than the clever sales promotion that stealthily captures its customers’ imagination. At a minimum of cost, compared with above-the-line advertising, and with a maximum of leverage – not to mention some useful accountability – it brings punters flocking again and again to the retail counters. […]
Dennis Publishing, the publisher of Maxim, is considering launching an A5, handbag-size magazine format, following the success of Condé Nast’s Glamour. Condé Nast’s men’s title GQ, a rival to Dennis’ Maxim, is already experimenting with the handbag size format, in a bid to turn around its fortunes. GQ posted a drop in circulation of 7.7 […]
Although the season is young, ITV’s Premiership highlights package is looking ill-planned and dangerous, both for the network and the sport, says Torin Douglas
In the cooling economic climate, big magazine publishers are drawing in their horns and turning to spin-off titles to sustain growth