Japan is understood to be considering an appeal to the World Trade Organisation over European Union proposals to ban the use of terms such as “light” and “mild” for cigarettes. Japan Tobacco International (JTI), the world’s third-biggest tobacco company, has so far failed to derail a planned EU directive on the labelling of tobacco products, […]
Leonardo has been appointed to handle the £1m launch of a new satellite channel devoted to American and Canadian sports. The North American Sports Network (NASN) launches on December 1 on Sky Digital. The channel is a joint venture developed by investment vehicle Vulcan European Media (VEM) and Setanta Sport. Leonardo won the business after […]
Camelot hopes to reverse falling ticket sales by launching a European “super lottery” by spring 2004, with jackpots of between &£20m and &£100m. Despite the relaunch of the main game as Lotto (MW April 11) and a high-profile advertising campaign starring Billy Connolly, Camelot has seen ticket sales crash. It has signed letters of intent […]
The London Electricity (LE) brand name, owned by EDF, is under threat following the utility group’s decision to look at a new brand identity. LE Group, which itself owns the LE, SWEB, Virgin Energy and the newly acquired Seeboard brands, has put together a team of people to look at consolidating all the brands under […]
MyTravel is not alone in its much-publicised fight for survival. The whole package holiday industry is struggling to navigate turbulent seas caused by recession and shifting consumer demands. Branwell Johnson reports
Energywatch, the utility watchdog, has slammed energy suppliers “trying to poach” TXU Energi’s customers through mis-selling. The TXU Energi brand is due to be axed imminently, after it was bought last week by Eon-owned Powergen (MW October 24). A spokesman for Energywatch says: “A glut of predatory mis-selling has been initiated by companies whose sales […]
HFC Bank is reviewing its marketing structure, creating three senior marketing positions for each of its business units, in an attempt to become more product focused. The bank, which is behind the credit card brands Marbles and GM Card, plans to appoint a marketing director for each business division: credit cards, personal banking and direct […]
Babycham, the 50-year-old sparkling pear juice that has been nostalgically rediscovered, is being given yet another makeover by its owner, drinks company Matthew Clark. A Babycham website, featuring a selection of vintage advertising for the brand, goes online next Monday, while packaging has been redesigned to play up the product’s heritage. According to press reports, […]
Tetley’s plans to revive its fortunes and those of the tea industry as a whole appear to be in tatters after last week’s devastating rulings by advertising watchdogs against health claims made by the brand (MW last week). In a bitter twist for the tea manufacturer, it has emerged that a medical expert who advised […]
The Blue Cross, the animal welfare charity, has appointed Tony Samuel, the deputy director of fundraising at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), as marketing and fundraising director. Samuel has worked for the RNID for more than two years and prior to that spent a similar time at Oxfam as donor recruitment manager. […]
The latest television advertising for Procter & Gamble Beauté’s Lacoste Homme toiletries range is being investigated by the Independent Television Commission (ITC), after more than 30 complaints about male nudity.
Alldays marketing director Sally Nichols’ position is under review, after the convenience chain was acquired from the receivers by the Co-operative Group, in a £131m deal. It is likely that many of the 600 Alldays shops will be rebranded under the Co-op Welcome convenience store brand. A spokeswoman for the Co-op Group says: “At the […]
The Diary would like its readers to put their hands together for TalkSport, the UK’s only national commercial sports radio station, which – according to a statement released to the International Stock Exchange’s Regulatory News Service, quoting the latest Rajar figures – has just overtaken Virgin AM in terms of weekly reach, hours listened and […]
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has been forced to drop its claim: “Pantene Pro-V is the world’s best haircare system”, following a new haircare row with rival Unilever.
Heinz has been forced to delay its debut in the convenience sector after its Heinz Microwaveable Soup Cups product experienced “unforeseen production” problems. It has also had to pull advertising and promotions scheduled to run from this month. The delay is a blow for Heinz, which would have wanted to have the soup in shops […]