The Carphone Warehouse has appointed Wendy Becker to run its fixed-line business TalkTalk. Becker, who joins from management consultancy McKinsey, replaces David Thatcher, who is leaving the company after two years. Becker has been a partner at McKinsey for 10 years and has also previously worked at Procter & Gamble. She will lead all of […]
The Tote is to be auctioned on the open market, the Government has announced. Gala Coral are being tipped as favourites to buy the business. Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has today (Wednesday) formally rejected a bid of £320m from a racing industry consortium. Sutcliffe will now appoint advisers to look at strategic options for the […]
Virgin Trains is reviewing its advertising, digital and direct marketing accounts following a restructure of its marketing department. RKCR/Y&R has held the advertising account for more than a decade, while Craik Jones and Glue London are incumbent on the direct and digital business. A tender notice will be posted through ths Official Journal of the […]
Sports and lifestyle brand Fila has agreed a management buy-out of its Europe, Middle East, Africa and Indian sub continent division for an undisclosed sum. Chief executive Stefano di Martino has led the MBO and will continue in the same role. Former Adidas global marketing director Jan Valdmaa is joining the company as chairman and […]
Everyone knows that if youre marketing a funky new pair of trainers, the best thing to do is get a small group of trendsetters wearing them. You dont need expensive celebrities, just the right people who have enough influential connections to other people to spread the word.
It is unlikely that many in the direct marketing industry will look back fondly on 2007. As the growth of digital continued to grab the headlines, direct mail volumes fell and new business pitches dried up. And on top of that, one of DM’s most celebrated and popular agencies had a year to rival that […]
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade is likely to face some tough questions when he unveils his second set of annual results today. The man expected to “save” the broadcaster has endured a rollercoaster ride since arriving at Grays Inn Road in January last year. The latest twist in an ever-convoluting plot, that would not look […]
Lloyds TSB has appointed RKCR/Y&R breakaway Adam & Eve to handle a 10m sports sponsorship brief. The agency will work on projects around the banks 80m tie-up with the London 2012 Olympics.
The Advertising Association (AA) is to question the validity of the legal powers of lobby group Which?, in an attempt to probe into any possible link between its commercial and public policy activities. AA chief executive Peta Buscombe will be putting the question to the regulator Office of Fair Trading this week. Which? has a […]
Ladbrokes is launching two television campaigns in March and April. The company says the move follows the success of its inaugural television drive last year. The gambling company will air a £2m campaign for the Labrokesbingo.com website later this month and in April a further £2 million will be spent on television ads for Ladbrokescasino.com, […]
Actor Neil Morrissey is launching his own brand of beer as part of a new Channel 4 series. The show will see him set up a microbrewery as he searches for the perfect pint. The actor is working with friend Richard Fox and advertising and brand agency Antidote to launch the brand. It is understood […]
ITV has seen its annual profits for 2007 plummet by 35% to £188m, but insists its turnaround plan is “on track”. Unveiling the results today (Wednesday) executive chairman Michael Grade says now is “the beginning of a revival” in the broadcaster’s fortunes.
Westfield, the Australian shopping centre company behind the 1.6bn White City complex opening this year, has appointed Adam & Eve to its 5m advertising account. A consumer launch campaign, including press, outdoor and TV spots, will break later this year.
The Government should use popular soap operas such as Coronation Street and EastEnders to educate consumers about financial services, according to a new Treasury-backed report. The Thoresen Review of Generic Financial Advice, written by Otto Thoresen, the chief executive financial services group of Aegon UK, also suggests the financial services industry could save £57m in […]
Jersey Tourism, the island’s official tourist organisation, has suspended its advertising during the investigation into abuse at a former children’s home. The body says it felt it was ‘inappropriate’ to continue with its campaigns in the UK, France and Germany in light of the discovery of human remains Haut de la Garenne. It says it […]