Month: October 2007

Google launches carbon calculator in the UK

Marketing Week

Google has launched a new green initiative that aims to help people calculate, track and reduce their carbon footprint and compare it to other parts of the country. The Google Carbon Calculator launches today. The service aims to help people to develop a personalised action plan to reduce their carbon footprint, which will be recorded […]

Woolworths remains bullish despite drop in like-for-like sales

Marketing Week

Woolworths Group has reported a dip in like-for-like sales for the 38 weeks to the end of October but the high street retailer remains confident that it is in a strong position for the critical Christmas period. The retailer saw total group sales increase by 16.6% over the period due to acquisitions and new contract […]

Selling saving to the people

Marketing Week

The key to success for the Government’s GFA service will be to raise awareness and provide impartial advice without recommending particular products, say Robert Lester and Matthew Gorman. But can advertising really convince UK consumers to be more careful with their cash?

Umbro, you will go to the ball

Marketing Week

For 285m Nike has in Umbro a direct line to the coveted England team and a wealth of football credentials. For Umbro, this is the leg up to the premier league of sports brands – that is if, once it has given up its booty, it isn’t booted out of the limelight by the swoosh. Catherine Turner reports

ASA probes acts of violence to stave off further ad bans

Marketing Week

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is launching a report into the use of violence in advertising in a pre-emptive move aimed at stopping further ad bans or restrictions. The move has been triggered by the recent inquiry launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown into protecting children from violent video games and inappropriate internet content. An […]

Shock victory for car ad safety warning architect

Marketing Week

The man behind proposals to introduce tobacco-style safety warnings on car ads has admitted that even he was surprised at the level of support his plans received from the European Parliament (EP) last week. The EP voted in favour of a report by Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies that calls for 20% of advertising space […]

Grocery market needs more competition, says report

Marketing Week

Tesco, the UK’s leading supermarket chain, does not stifle its rivals but more competition is needed in some areas, according to a report by the Competition Commission published today (Wednesday). It may force chains to sell off land in a bid to increase competition in local markets. The preliminary findings, which follow an 18-month inquiry […]

Trade body chief alleges tourism funding is wasted

Marketing Week

The Government has squandered millions of pounds that should have been spent on tourism and promoting the country, according to trade body UKinbound chief executive Stephen Dowd. Dowd has called for re-gional development agencies (RDAs) to be more “transparent” about the way they spend the money allocated to them by the Government for tourism initiatives. […]

Research claims supermarket monopolies are virtually impossible

Marketing Week

It is “virtually impossible” for one supermarket chain to form a monopoly, according to new research by Verdict Consulting. It comes the day before the Competition Commission is expected to announce plans that could restrict further expansion of major supermarkets. The research found that Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda and Morrisons share over eight out of ten […]

Car industry body appoints new chief executive

Marketing Week

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has appointed Paul Everitt as its new chief executive. He replaces Christopher Macgowan, who is leaving the body. Everitt (pictured), who is director of civil air transport and communications at the Society of British Areospace Companies (SBAC), will take up his position on January 2. He is […]