Northern Rock has announced plans to cut around 1,300 jobs. The redundancies will form part of its plan to restructure the embattled mortgage lender. The bank, which was nationalised in February this year, is also estimating that it will have 4,000 staff left, with a total of 2,000 jobs axed by 2011. It is hoping […]
Ofcom has fined the BBC 400,000 for breaches of the Broadcasting Code in regard to conducting competitions fairly.
Lloyds TSB has seen profits plunge by 70% over the first half of the year due to the credit crunch and woes in its insurance business. It comes despite the rest of its business, including retail banking, “performing well”. The financial services group reported a pre-tax profit of £599m for the first six months of […]
One of the questions Im most often asked is whats the most exciting work Ive seen recently. For most of this year, this has been a hard question to answer. Theres clearly some good stuff being done in the world of interactive marketing and advertising, but there isnt much that makes your jaw drop. And its clear that one of the reasons people ask the question in the first place is that they havent seen much that fires them up either.
Many brands claim to be global, but while numerous are certainly international few truly span the globe. Unilever’s Persil, marketed in other parts of the world as Omo, is one that can justifiably claim to do so.
Andria Vidler believes she has silenced many of her critics over the past three years. When she first joined 105.4 Magic as managing director in 2005, following a difficult stint at 95.8 Capital in the same role, many took the opportunity to question if she had the commercial nous to meet EMAP’s ambition of making […]
Utility giant British Gas has announced a fresh round of price hikes, which will see the average dual fuel bill increase by 25%. The hikes, which will see gas prices rise by 35% and electricity by 9%, were announced today (July 30). The company blames the move on soaring wholesale energy prices, increasing transportation and […]
Domino’s Pizza is introducing a new look across its stores in the UK and Ireland to include a “pizza theatre” that aims to highlight the company’s handmade pizza production process. The design will be rolled out across its 526 stores over the next two years. The theatre or glass-viewing pane will be the centre point […]
A Chicago businessman has accused the Coca Cola Company of stealing the “Zero” brand name. Mirza Baig has filed a lawsuit against the soft drinks company in a bid to stop it from using the name. Baig, owner of Blue Springs Water Co, claims he launched a no calorie water brand called Naturally Zero in […]
The Number 118 118 is mooting the launch of a mobile phone directory service. It is expected to be unveiled next year. It is understood that the service will supply mobile phone numbers for consumers and businesses. It will ask permission from the recipient before connecting the call and will also give the opportunity for […]
Diageo is being forced to distance itself from a suggestive spoof Guinness ad that has received several hundred hits on YouTube. The ad features a bottle on the lower back of a woman rocking back and forth. Hands reach from all around her to grab the drink. The video seems to suggest an orgy and […]
The Financial Services Authority is planning to appoint a communications planning agency to be the driving force behind its marketing strategy, as the body seeks to make itself a place consumers can get money-related advice. It is understood the FSA is looking for an agency to handle the broadening of its marketing remit, after it […]
Andria Vidler, the chief marketing officer at Bauer Media, is talking to advertising agencies about working with its business development and creative solutions teams as part of a move to “re-energise” creativity at the magazine and radio company. Speaking exclusively to Marketing Week, Vidler says she is keen to reignite the creativity that “EMAP was […]
Cadbury, the world’s largest confectioner, has reported a 46% profit surge, due to higher pricing and stronger sales of Trident sugarless gum in the US. It reported its results for the six months ending June 30 today (July 30). The London-based group, which makes Trident Gum and Dairy Milk chocolate, reported that profits had risen […]
Arena BLM and its digital division BLM Quantum have won the integrated media planning and buying account for internet-only channel Comedy Demon. The activity breaks this week and will run across TV, radio, online and outdoor until the end of the year. Comedy Demon, which is owned by RDF Media Group and launched earlier this […]