The BBC has sacked direct marketing agency Proximity for sending out inaccurate statistical information in letters relating to TV licensing. The public broadcaster is now re-tendering the business. Proximity was stood down following an investigation by The Sunday Telegraph, which followed a viewer complained that he had received two letters on the same date from […]
888 Holdings is a planning a major expansion of its bingo operation. The group has signed three agreements to launch bingo networks, with two planned for the UK. The new bingo networks, due to launch next year, will be launched on behalf of third party companies and will significantly increase 888 Holdings’ business-to-business presence. It […]
Suzuki has pulled its team out of the World Rally Championship today (December 15). The news comes a fortnight after Honda announced it will withdraw from Formula One unless a buyer can be found for its team in the next three months. The Suzuki team, which had sponsorship deals with Shell, Pirelli and Japan Airlines, […]
Premier Foods, the owner of Hovis and Mr Kipling, has confirmed that it is in talks with City investors and private equity companies with a view to raising cash. The cash will be used to cut its £1.7bn debt. The confirmation came amid speculation that a private equity company was poised to make a bid […]
Kenya Airways is launching a TV ad campaign on BBC World News for the first time. The ads aim to promote “modern Kenya” to international travellers. The campaign, which has been created by the in-house team at BBC Worldwide, will break on Christmas Eve. It will also show the airline’s fleet and cabin crew in […]
Electrolux is cutting more than 3,000 jobs from its global workforce as it battles against falling sales in Europe and the US. The world’s second biggest home appliances company has also warned that it will miss its full year profit targets. The manufacturer, which also makes the AEG and Zanussi brands, employs 57,000 staff around […]
RTL, the owner of five, is understood to be readying a bid for rival broadcaster Channel 4. According to reports, the German-owned media conglomerate has asked investment bank JP Morgan to investigate a possible takeover of Channel 4. The bid comes after warning that state-owned Channel 4 will run out of money 2012 if a […]
The Competition Commission is expected to force BAA to sell a second of its London airports and either Glasgow or Edinburgh airports. It comes despite lobbying from the airport operator that the sale of Gatwick would end its monopoly. The Commission is expected to reiterate its criticism of the operator and its dominant position in […]
Time Warner chief executive Jeffrey Bewkes is expanding his role within the media group to take on the additional responsibility of chairman. He will take over from Richard Parsons who will step down at the end of the month. Bewkes became chief executive in January under the contractual understanding that he could retire if he […]
Innocent Drinks has appointed Thomas Delabriere, currently marketing director of Doritos, Sensations and Sunbites brands at Walkers Snacks, as its new marketing chief. Delabriere, who has been with PepsiCo-owned company for just 13 months, replaces Gareth Helm, who left at the start of the year. The appointment follows news that Innocent managing director Jamie Mitchell, […]
Advertising is about to experience the same rule-changing devastation that is sweeping across other areas of the economy. Deep restructuring will rumble through all media, leaving the advertising sector smaller by maybe a quarter and operating under radically altered structures. Ad agencies are attempting to portray themselves as well-prepared for a future where their traditional […]
Santander, the financial services giant, is cutting 1,900 jobs in its UK businesses which consists of Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley. The jobs are expected to go next year as part of a programme to save £180m by the end of 2011. The cuts will represent 8% of its UK workforce and […]
Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) shareholders have overwhelmingly agreed a 12.2bn takeover deal with rival Lloyds TSB. It follows a legal challenge to the takeover, which was rejected earlier this week.
BJL, a regional advertising agency, has been appointed by the Department of Health to develop three pilot health campaigns targeting women of child-bearing age in North Kirklees. The agency was appointed following a pitch against three undisclosed agencies managed by the COI. BJL will develop a print and outdoor campaign which will feature across North […]
Charities must mimic US President-elect Barak Obama and sell a message of hope and change to successfully fundraise during the recession. The call has been made by Alan Clayton, director of charity specialist agency, The Good Agency. Speaking at a forum held by the agency in London today (December 12), and attended by charity groups […]