Month: January 2009

Mini business up for grabs

Marketing Week

BMW is seeking to appointed an international ad agency to work on the Mini brand as part of a review of its strategy. It claims the move will not affect its local relationships, which includes WCRS in the UK. The pitch, which is being handled by The Observatory, is understood to be in its early […]

Ex-TBWA chief oversees Iris expansion plans

Marketing Week

Iris, the integrated agency network, has appointed former TBWA chief Paul Bainsfair (pictured), to the new role of European chief executive. He will be charged with leading the network’s aggressive expansion plans in the region. Bainsfair, previously TBWAEurope president, has been working as a non-executive director with Iris since October but will join full-time from […]

Currys and Argos owners see sales fall

Marketing Week

Sales at two major retail chains have fallen despite record number of shoppers during the post-Christmas sales season. DSG International, which owns Currys and PC World, and Home Retail Group, which owns Argos and Homebase, both reported falls in sales for the three months to January 10. DSG has reported a 10% fall in like-for-like […]

Keeping mum

Marketing Week

As major influencers over which household brands are purchased, mums are a vital target consumer group for marketers. However, they are more likely to listen to their peers than marketing campaigns

Mars is set to launch the Maltesers Bunny

Marketing Week

Mars is launching a limited edition “rabbit-shaped Malteser” for Easter. It is understood to be the first time it has extended beyond the brand’s core bite-sized range. The Maltesers Bunny, which sources say is about three inches high, will be filled with honeycombe pieces and cream. It will be a single-serve treat, positioned against the […]

Car marques to unite under green banner at US motor show in Detroit

Marketing Week

Car manufacturers are planning to put on a “united front” at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which launches later this week. It is thought there will be a big “green” focus to deflect attention from the industry’s wider troubles. The show, which has been surrounded by controversy due to numerous car marques […]

BMI campaign to restore its position as a business brand

Marketing Week

BMI is seeking to restore its position as a business airline over the next year. The move is supported by the launch of a business class lounge at London Heathrow in June, which will be backed by a major ad campaign. The airline will launch a series of marketing initiatives using the strapline, “Better for […]

Will P&G’s streamlining move give consumers what they want?

Marketing Week

The hyper-competitive laundry detergent market is set to see a major shake-up during the recession, spearheaded by a rationalisation in products by Procter & Gamble. The company is planning to scrap several of its format lines across its laundry brands, Ariel, Bold, Fairy and Daz (MW last week). The strategy begins this summer when P&G […]