While it is encouraging to see the debate rumble on regarding the contribution of sports sponsorship to the marketing mix (MW last week), it is sad to read some of the rather blinkered views being expressed in relation to Nationwide’s decision to adjust its marketing mix towards additional television advertising. Our agency has worked extensively […]
Your feature “It helps to know the score” (MW January 5) points out that as consumers become increasingly demanding, staff product knowledge and service levels are failing to keep up. Of greater concern is that poor customer service is having a negative impact on companies’ bottom lines. For example, bar staff can influence customers’ purchasing […]
Head & Shoulders, originally a functional problem-solving brand, is set for a £15m relaunch, including a range of conditioners. By Barny Stokes
Having spent billions upgrading to 3G networks, mobile operators are pinning their hopes on rising demand for mobile TV. But consumer demand so far has been lukewarm, and questions remain over how much advertising the new medium will be able to carry. By Catherine Turner If mobile phone companies have their way, a few years […]
Salary growth and career optimism were at a low ebb in 2005 as restructuring took its toll on marketers. But with companies beginning to hire again, 2006 looks hopeful – and the sky is the limit for the ambitious, as pay soars within the top-most ranks. By Roy Hoolahan and David Reed
Anti-smoking pressure group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has condemned a new sponsorship deal between tobacco brand Camel and the Yamaha MotoGP racing team. ASH says the deal undermines “the spirit of the law” and could cause legal problems elsewhere in the world. The sponsorship deal, which was announced earlier this week, comes six […]
Plans drawn up by the Government and the alcohol industry to create a new national sensible drinking education programme have come under fire from health groups, which say the new body will be underfunded and too much under the influence of drinks companies. The Portman Group, which has been driving the plans forward, has categorically […]
Jaguar is poised to axe its mass-market X-Type model in the US, throwing the much-criticised car’s UK future into doubt. Sources close to the company say the decision has already been taken to discontinue the X-Type in the US from the end of this year. Ford-owned Jaguar, which is hundreds of millions of pounds in […]
The marketing chief of one of the UK’s leading Child Trust Fund investment companies is calling on the Government to compel parents to use vouchers more quickly following a late rush of applications ahead of the scheme’s first deadline. According to Family Investments marketing director Miles Bingham, people have been scrambling to open accounts days […]
BT has appointed former GCap Media marketer Suzi Williams as its new brand chief. Williams, who was market development director at the radio group, replaces Simon Ingman, who left the company in September after 15 years (MW September 1, 2005). She has been brought in to “rejuvenate the brand across the entire BT group”, according […]
Dunlop Tyres is launching a clothing and merchandise range in an attempt to increase the brand’s appeal to young people. The decision is part of an image revamp by design agency Fitch, which will be unveiled this evening (Wednesday) in Birmingham. The merchandise range includes branded gloves and Wellington boots, as well as a rebranded […]
Golden Wonder’s marketing team is facing an uncertain future after the company was placed in administration earlier this week. The team, which is headed by marketing controller Loretta MacFarlane, is waiting to hear its fate as the administrators attempt to sell off the company or its brands. MacFarlane, its fourth top marketer in as many […]
Nestlé Rowntree is understood to be relaunching its premium Kit Kat extension, Kit Kat Editions, just 18 months after its launch, after disappointing sales. The revamp, which is due for the first quarter of 2006, will include scaling back the range to just two flavours – golden caramel and tiramisu – from four and revamping […]
Former Nestlé Rowntree marketer Liam Newton has left his role as brand controller at InBev UK following a restructure of the brewer’s marketing department. It is not known if he has a job to go to. Newton joined Interbrew UK, as the company was then known, in May 2004 as the drinks company’s first brand […]
The car industry is bracing itself for another tough year after the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported a five per cent fall in 2005 sales to 2.4 million cars.