A heavyweight consortium of brands and organisations believed to include Saga and Lastminute.com has met to challenge Google’s new keywords policy, which allows companies to bid on rivals trademarks and brand names. The Association of British Travel Agents has confirmed it took part in the meeting. It is understood that legal representatives from the undisclosed […]
Apple is understood to be mooting the launch of a solar-powered iPod. A US patent application details an iPod with a solar panel behind the screen, which could be used to provide extra power. It is thought that because the surface of the iPod screen is so small, any solar technology would be unlikely to […]
Budget airline Monarch and Hed Kandi, the music brand, have extended their flyKandi partnership by unveiling a fully branded Boeing 757. The aircraft will take to the skies for the first time this weekend. The aircraft’s livery has been designed by illustrator and Hed Kandi cover artist Jason Brooks and features a retro designed tail […]
Travelodge has launched what it claims it the UK’s first one-step hotel website after £1m overhaul of the travelodge.co.uk. The new look site has a new booking system and Google Maps. The budget hotel chain says it has simplified the booking mechanism with fewer steps and developed an enhanced search facility. It has added Google […]
Mars has pulled its only major new product development for 2008, Mars Fling, over concerns that it could not produce enough stock for the launch. The launch of Mars Fling, which has already been test marketed in Australia, was originally planned for the first quarter of this year (MW November 29) but was put back […]
Npower, the utility giant, is seeking a sales and marketing director after a restructure of its top-level staff. It follows the promotion of Giuseppe Di Vita to managing director of its residential division earlier in the year. It is not clear how the new role will affect Kevin Peake (pictured), head of customer residential marketing. […]
The Metropolitan Police Authority has called a statutory review of its advertising account. The account has been handled by Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy since 2004. It is understood that MCBD will repitch for the account, which will cover advertising and below-the-line activity over the next five years. A tender has been issued for the review, […]
Initiative is understood to have won Hertzs 10m pan-European media planning and buying account. It is thought to have beaten Phd in a final pitch after MindShare was knocked out at an earlier stage.
Commercial TV impacts for April are up 13.5% on last year, and by 20% over the same period five years ago, according Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) figures. Thinkbox, the commercial TV marketing body, says the figures show a “flourishing” industry, with all key audiences for advertising showing “major increases” for the month. The BARB […]
British Airways has handed its global direct and loyalty marketing account to OgilvyOne. The agency beat Carlson Marketing and WWAV Rapp Collins to win the account after a four-month pitch. OgilvyOne, which is already the airline’s direct and digital agency for Asia Pacific, will manage below-the-line and loyalty marketing communications to all customers worldwide, including […]
Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin is stepping down in July after five years. The news comes as the mobile operator reports strong revenues for the year to March 31. Vittorio Colao, currently deputy chief executive, will replace Sarin when he retires at the end of July. Sarin is credited with successfully leading the company through […]
Fox’s Biscuits is launching a new campaign starring an Italian American brand icon called Vinnie. The fast-talking “wise guy” will enthuse about his favourite biscuits from England. The ad, which breaks on May 28, is part of a £5m investment in the Fox’s brand over this year and aims to reposition the brand as a […]
Newspapers grew their share of display advertising revenue to 14% last year despite circulation declines, according to the latest research from the Newspaper Marketing Agency. The figure is up from 13.7% in 2006. The year-on-year increase keeps the sector ahead of outdoor (7.4%), radio (5.7%) the internet (5.3%) and cinema (1.5%). The figures, compiled by […]
Karen Earl Sponsorship is relaunching as Synergy as part a move to broaden its offer. The consultancy will now also offer branded content, digital, employee engagement and sales promotions services alongside its sponsorship services. The relaunch co…
Sony Ericsson has extended its sponsorship of the MTV Europe Music Awards with a new two year deal. This year’s ceremony takes place on November 6 in Liverpool. The deal will include TV, online and mobile content for the awards and Sony Ericsson will seek mobile network operators, retail and service provider partners across the […]