Hotel chain Westin has launched a Sudoku-themed experiential campaign and has signed deals with two food companies to promote the concept of personal renewal at its hotels. The company, owned by Starwood Hotels, is running “Sudoku Sanctuaries” in London, Paris, Milan and Madrid from next week until the end of June. The Sudoku-themed garden, a […]
Asda is launching a 2m initiative to promote grass roots sport to young people. The Sporting Chance scheme will give 500,000 young people access to free sports sessions during school holidays.
Estee Lauder has split its $400m (202.4m) global media planning and buying business between Omnicom’s M2M and WPP’s MindShare following an eight-month review.
Thomson Local is extending its partnership with Nectar to include its online directory and has signed two sponsorship deals with UKTV to promote the tie-up. Customers will now receive Nectar points for using ThomsonLocal.com, as well as the Thomson Local print directory. To mark the extension of the Nectar partnership, Thomson Local will sponsor Home […]
Those of us involved in marketing and communications often speak of regaining our place at the head table of brand management, of re-establishing ourselves at the top of the big-business food chain. We’ve heared the tales from the Eighties, when advertising agencies enjoyed access to and influence over captains of industry, international corporations and occasionally […]
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) exists to make sure ads meet the high standards laid down in the advertising codes. So why, some wonder, was Chris Smith, Lord Smith of Finsbury, almost apologetic about referring the errant advertiser Ryanair to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), whose job it is to ensure consumer interests? “The […]
Growing older is getting cooler, according to the ad industry. As those who (mis)spent their youths in the late Seventies hit the “big five-oh”, marketers are wondering how brands can target this new wave of oldies. Ten years ago it was the Sixties generation which attracted the attentions of brands. Sales of Harley-Davidsons soared as […]
RBS Insurance has drafted in former Norwich Union marketer Crawford Davidson to replace marketing chief Roger Ramsden, who has left to join Saga. Davidson, who is also a former Boots marketer, will join RBS Insurance, which includes Churchill, Direct Line and Green Flag, in July. He was most recently marketing director at Norwich Union Life, […]
The Sun is plotting a foray into the alcoholic drinks business with the launch of two branded beers. It is understood that the newspaper is in discussions with a brewer whose identity is unknown. It is thought that The Sun will launch a real ale under The Sun brand name, with a lager expected to […]
Procter & Gamble is understood to be plotting a major overhaul of its Daz detergent brand, believed to include the introduction of fragranced variants, in an effort to fight off Unilever-owned Surf, whose market share surged last year.
JWT has been put on alert after Kraft Foods invited Euro RSCG and Beattie McGuinness Bungay to pitch against the incumbent for its estimated £7m Kenco coffee brand. The move will put JWT in a last chance saloon as the brief will be to review whether or not to continue the use of the Mr […]
ITV is extending its online retail presence by launching a store on its website. ITV Shop goes live today (April 30) and launches with a range of goods for pre-school children. The store, on ITV.com, will stock a range of Pocoyo toys and games. It is being launched in conjunction with Digital Stores and Granada […]
PepsiCo has acquired V Water, an independent UK vitamin water brand. The move will expand the drinks giant’s portfolio in the growing functional drinks category. V Water was launched in 2005. Its spring water products contain a number of added vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts, including vitamin C, zinc, selenium and ginseng. General manager of […]
Consumer confidence is at its lowest level for more than 15 years, according to a new report from GfK NOP. The research also reveals that most consumers think the economic situation will get worse before it gets better. GfK has been conducting its Consumer Confidence Survey since 1973 but April’s figures were the worst since […]
Virgin Atlantic is considering asking for compensation following the botched opening of British Airways’ Terminal 5 (T5). The airline took out extensive advertising in and around T5 but says that BA’s decision to delay moving long-haul flights to the terminal means that footfall has been much lower than promised. BA was expected to switch its […]