Jim Wallace, the director of marketing at Direct Line who oversaw the direct insurer’s recent &£35m creative review, is to retire in April. It is understood that Wallace, who is believed to be in his late 50s, has been away from the office for some time. Last year, Wallace ran the pitch that saw the […]
Those damned French, with their sultry accents, romantic culture and sexual freedom. They’re just constantly at it, aren’t they? Take a look at this ad from France (right), for example, featuring a couple about to have sex. Even on the other side of the Channel you’d imagine that this must have some vague connection with […]
The Evening Standard and EDF Energy are teaming up to offer £1m-worth of sports equipment to schools in London through a token-collect scheme. Both the Evening Standard and EDF Energy are leading partners in the 2012 London Olympic bid and are keen to show their support in encouraging sport among youngsters. The Sport for Schools […]
Scottish soft drinks company AG Barr has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for showing a group of streakers in a television ad for Irn Bru during a Saturday morning children’s programme. The advertisement, which features a policeman invading a football pitch being pursued by a group of streakers before being wrestled to […]
Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw has created a campaign for The Times Educational Supplement to promote a new programme of revision features for secondary school teachers ahead of this year’s GSCE exams.
Interest in all things South American has combined with issues of supply-chain management to bring about a spate of alcoholic drinks launches from the continent. Branwell Johnson explains
WCRS has lost the £3.9m advertising business for HSBC-owned First Direct. The brief has been handed to J Walter Thompson without a pitch. The move out of WCRS had been expected since May, when WPP Group won the £350m global account for all of HSBC’s marketing services except public relations (MW May 13, 2004). Creative […]
Christmas may have proved lucrative for online retailers, but the delivery service of goods purchased still leaves a lot to be desired, says Robert Dwek
Food brand Ginsters has struck a £2m deal to sponsor Five’s new Comedy Zone, which includes US sitcom Joey starring Matt Le Blanc in a reprise of his role in Friends. Five says it is one of its biggest sponsorship deals and reflects the emphasis it is putting on its new comedy line-up, which begins […]
Are marketers being stifled by uninspiring surroundings and work practices? An increasing number of employers are trying to inject some fun into their companies in an attempt to get creative juices flowing, says Alicia Clegg
Woburn Enterprises, holding company for Woburn Safari Park, Woburn Abbey and Woburn Golf & Country Club, has handed its advertising to Emberton Dale. A TV and radio campaign is being readied for Easter.
Too often, product claims are not borne out by consumers’ experience. Is a lack of communication between designers and marketers to blame? asks Ian Whiteling
The Leith Advertising Agency has created a TV campaign for Coors Fine Light beer. The ad depicts an overheating New York and the effect the beer has in spreading ice throughout the city.
Canada: home to Niagara Falls, the Rockies and, apparently, the occasional handsome Mounty. It’s a land full of natural beauty, so the Diary’s idealised vision was somewhat dented by the news that Canadians are fast catching up with their North American neighbours in the fat stakes. A report late last year stated that obesity rates […]
The European Commission has given the food industry a year to curb its marketing of high fat and sugar products to children or face an advertising ban and changes to labelling laws. The statement was made by European health commissioner Markos Kyprianou.