Month: December 2005

MP blasts ‘distorting’ anti-knife police DVD

Marketing Week

The Metropolitan Police’s launch of a spoof video game as part of its effort to stem the tide of rising knife crime in London has been attacked by Labour MP Keith Vaz for being inappropriate and “distorting the message” it intends to convey. Vaz, the Labour MP for Leicester East and a vociferous critic of […]

School’s ‘Nike only’ PE kit policy sparks parental ire

Marketing Week

A secondary school has been accused by parents of creating a culture of materialism and bullying after it introduced a Nike-only rule for pupils’ sports kits. Parents and marketing experts have lashed out at the governors of Shevington High School, Wigan, after children were informed they could only buy Nike-branded sportswear as new clothing for […]

New Campaign – World Development Movement

Marketing Week

The World Development Movement (WDM) charity has updated one of the UK’s most famous election ads as part of its anti-globalisation campaign. Campaigners have reworked the iconic 1979 Conservative Party ad, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, into a montage of people from different African countries queuing outside an unemployment office. The original “Labour isn’t working” […]

PepsiCo overtakes Coca-Cola

Marketing Week

PepsiCo has overtaken Coca-Cola in market capitalisation for the first time in 112 years. Pepsi reached a record Wall Street high of $98.4bn (&£55.7bn) on Monday, eclipsing Coke’s $97.9bn (&£55.4bn).

Lewis Booth dismisses speculation

Marketing Week

Ford Europe head Lewis Booth has dismissed speculation that the company is planning to sell Jaguar to Renault as part of its turnaround plans. He says: “There is no truth in those persistent rumours.”

Public health campaigns face an uncertain future

Marketing Week

Public health campaigns are facing an uncertain future after the Department of Health (DoH) announced it is reviewing its 2006 spending plans. The DoH says it ‘intends’ to meet ‘existing commitments’. The COI says pitches for briefs are continuing.

Goodfella’s appoints Fiona O’Keeffe

Marketing Week

Goodfella’s, the Northern Foods-owned frozen pizza brand, has appointed Fiona O’Keeffe as senior brand manager to head new Solos range and premium brand Le Bottega. She joins from Glanbia Consumer Foods in Ireland.

Graham Thomas joins Dunnhumby

Marketing Week

Former Saatchi & Saatchi vice-chairman and chief executive Graham Thomas has joined Dunnhumby as head of communications and media, to spearhead its multimedia and creative capabilities.

Kia Motors restructures its sales operations

Marketing Week

Kia Motors is restructuring its sales operations following the departure of sales director Howard Slade, who has been at the car company for more than four years. The restructured department will be headed by Alex Smith, who has been promoted to the role of commercial director.

BT appoints David Still

Marketing Week

BT has appointed Centura Foods marketer David Still as senior marketing manager with responsibility for retention. Still, formerly marketing controller for Bisto, reports to BT head of retention Katie Bosdet.

Cheapflights promotes Shahin Fard

Marketing Week

Cheapflights, the travel price comparison website, has promoted online marketing manager Shahin Fard to the role of head of online marketing and global search engine optimisation. He will report to commercial director Rob Passmore.