Culture Minister James Purnell’s decision to re-examine whether the 16 councils awarded the right to open new casinos actually want them has upset the bewildered councils. Great Yarmouth is among the towns recommended for one of the eight large casinos. Councillor Graham Plant of Great Yarmouth Borough Council says: “It’s very frustrating. We have been […]
Actor Ewan McGregor will be the face of a new Davidoff fragrance for men, due to launch early next year. The move will be a first in the fragrance market for McGregor. The actor has signed up to do a television commercial and print ads in a worldwide campaign for the new fragrance. Davidoff fragrance […]
The COI has more than doubled its digital spend this year, but cut almost 10% – or £15m – from its £154.7m advertising spend, according to sources. In the year 2005 to 2006 it had an overall marketing and communications budget of £321m, which has risen slightly this year. Much of the increase is due […]
Marketers in bullish mood over financial prospects
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) is on the hunt for partners to help further develop its PS3 Home concept and is considering using the virtual world to sell non-Sony products. SCE is gearing up for the global release of PS3 Home – a rival to Second Life – in October, and has already revealed plans to […]
General Motors (GM) has taken direct control of the sales and marketing for Cadillac and Corvette in a last ditch attempt to boost the popularity of the brands in Europe. Saab GB chief Jonathan Nash has been handed responsibility for the two marques, as well as the controversial soon-to-be-launched Hummer brand. GM says the decision […]
The Body Shop has promoted Melanie Taylor, formerly the retailer’s buying director, to its top marketing role in the UK. Taylor has been at the beauty retailer for a number of years and has taken over the marketing director role from Joe Irons, who left to become marketing director of the company’s US operations. Irons, […]
Sony Ericsson has promoted its Latin American marketing chief Helen矂arnekow to its top global product marketing role as part of a shake-up of its global marketing team.
Peroni Nastro Azzuro has appointed Elvis to handle below-the-line work for the premium Italian beer owned by Miller Brands, following a four-way pitch. The first activity from the agency launches this week with a brand experience campaign in five cities new to Peroni – Leeds, Cardiff, Brighton, Bristol and Birmingham – and five cities where […]
Leagas Delaney has won the 5m global brief to reposition and relaunch cult Australian clothing and accessories brand Driza-Bone.
M&C Saatchi is tipped to win Porsche’s 1m integrated advertising account, following a four-way pitch. The agency is thought to have beaten incumbent CMW to win the business.
McDonald’s is launching an advertising push to back its limited edition summer barbecue menu. Television advertising airs this week, backed by press, outdoor and online executions. The campaign has been created by roster agency Leo Burnett and attempts to show that barbecues have been “set free” now that the fast food giant is offering its […]
The board of Dow Jones, the owner of The Wall Street Journal has agreed to recommend an offer to sell the company to News Corporation for $5bn (£2.4bn). The agreement brings to an end months of negotiations between the two companies. The 16-strong Dow Jones board, though, was not unanimous in support of the News […]
Media regulator Ofcom has published a damning report into the “systematic failure” by broadcasters using premium rate telecoms services (PRS) in television programmes. Richard Ayre, a non-executive member of the Ofcom Content Board, led the inquiry following a raft of complaints, mistakes and cover-ups in TV quizzes and phone-ins. Ayre says: “Phoning a TV […]
Oxfam has appointed Leo Burnett London to handle the advertising account for its retail charity gift operation Oxfam Unwrapped. The agency won the business following a pitch against a number of undisclosed agencies and will develop an integrated campaign for the Winter 2007 season. It has been tasked with creating direct work including leaflets and […]