Month: August 2007

BA chief exec takes swipe at Heathrow operator

Marketing Week

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh has called on BAA to recruit more staff at Heathrow after admitting that operational problems at Britain’s biggest airport have impacted on the airline’s business. Walsh (pictured) says BA has been “struggling to cope” with baggage and security restrictions imposed by the Government, adding: “In order for the Government […]

Poulters takes £3m Miele account

Marketing Week

German domestic appliance maker Miele has handed its £3m UK advertising account to Poulters after a six-way pitch. The Leeds-based agency will develop a new brand building campaign for 2008 that will include television and print advertising.

Ex-3 marketing head takes Virgin Mobile reins

Marketing Week

Virgin Media has appointed former 3 marketing director Graeme Oxby as managing director of Virgin Mobile. Oxby left phone operator 3 after five years and was replaced by director of customer marketing John Penberthy-Smith. Oxby joined 3 in November 2001 as director of consumer marketing, and was promoted to the top brand role in 2003 […]

Former BA commercial director facing criminal charges

Marketing Week

Former British Airways commercial director Martin George is facing criminal charges and up to four years in prison for his part in the price-fixing scandal that has led to a £270m fine. George is being investigated alongside former BA head of communications Iain Burns. They left the carrier last October, and are believed to be […]

Disney buys Club Penguin social networking site

Marketing Week

The Walt Disney Company has bought children’s social networking site Club Penguin as it attempts to ramp up its digital presence and utilise the internet as a communications and marketing tool. The US-based site will be rebranded Disney Club Penguin and rolled out internationally

Mattel recalls lead-contaminated toys

Marketing Week

Mattel is recalling nearly 1 million toys because the products are covered in lead paint. According to Mattel, whose brands include Barbie and Hot Wheels cars, all toys were made by a contract manufacturer in China. The recall covers 83 products sold in the US. About 300,000 of the toys are understood to have been […]

ASA clears Quaker Oats health claims

Marketing Week

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has cleared Quaker Oats of making misleading claims about the health benefits of oats. The investigation followed a complaint from a consumer over whether oats can lower cholesterol. The ASA has ruled that there is sufficient evidence from scientific research undertaken in the UK, US and Sweden to prove that […]

Penguin enters partnership with networking site Piczo

Marketing Week

Penguin hopes to attract more teenage readers in a partnership with social networking site Piczo, which allows them to design their own book front covers. Readers will be able to personalise the books using digital tools provided by Piczo. Six books, including Alice and Wonderland and Dracula, have been chosen by bands popular with teens, […]

Ministry of Sound enters fragrance market

Marketing Week

Club brand Ministry of Sound is launching a range of fragrance and toiletry products to tap into target a “stylish” young dance music-loving audience. The range will hit the UK market in early 2008. The music and lifestyle brand has signed a deal with International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) to produce the scent and says […]

Marketing jobs facing the axe in Red Bull restructure

Marketing Week

Red Bull has embarked on a massive restructuring of the business, which is expected to include marketing redundancies, following the arrival of managing director Nigel Trood to replace Harry Drnec in May. The company is understood to be consulting with its marketing team about their future. It is understood that Red Bull is keen to […]

Amstrad brand will live on at BSkyB…

Marketing Week

The Amstrad brand will continue under BSkyB after it agreed to buy the business from media tycoon Sir Alan Sugar for £125m. Amstrad group yesterday (Tuesday) accepted the terms of the Sky takeover bid in a deal that will see the star of The Apprentice collect £34.5m. A Sky spokesman says the brand name will […]