M&S marketing goes digital first
Sarah VizardMarks and Spencer is shifting its marketing approach to digital first, launching campaigns online before they appear on TV or in print as it looks to better engage with its customers.
Month: November 2013
Disruptor brand Kazam unveils smartphones
Lara O'ReillyKazam, the startup smartphone manufacturer started up by two former HTC executives, has launched its first range of smartphones that it hopes will disrupt the sector and make consumers feel they “don’t have to default to Apple or Samsung”.
Do Tesco’s face scanning plans reveal the future of personalisation?
Ruth MortimerEye-scanning technology is not the end of privacy, just a good way to sell more chewing gum and soft drinks.
Payday loan ads on kids TV should be banned, claim campaign groups
Seb JosephPayday loan advertisers are “grooming” young viewers to be the next generation of borrowers through their advertising and should be banned from children’s TV channels, according to campaign groups, who along with MPs have rejected claims the embattled sector is doing all it can to market responsibly to consumers.
‘Leading Ladies’ campaign helps M&S post slight improvement in clothing sales
Sarah VizardMarks & Spencer’s clothing sales decline slowed in the second quarter, boosted by its new womenswear range and ‘Leading Ladies’ ad campaign, but analysts warn retailer faces a challenge in rebuilding the brand.
Brands set to ‘stay classy’ with Anchorman 2
Lara O'ReillyWe don’t know how to put this, but he’s kind of a big deal. That’s why a whole host of brands from Tango to Huawei to STA Travel to iTunes to Jameson’s Irish Whiskey are set to partner legendary news reader Ron Burgundy when he returns to UK cinemas this December in Anchorman 2. That escalated quickly.
Wonga unveils ’12 portraits’ film clips in PR drive to counter critics
Russell ParsonsWonga has launched a PR offensive in an attempt to offset the deluge of negative headlines that will follow the grilling it and its peers will receive when they appear in front of MPs this morning (5 November).
Guardian poaches David Magliano as first membership strategies MD
Sarah VizardGuardian News & Media (GNM) has appointed Co-op brand director David Magliano to the newly created role of managing director for membership strategies as the newspaper group explores new revenue streams.
Paddy Power switches to brand-led app marketing
Ronan ShieldsPaddy Power is to transition how it markets its mobile gaming apps within Apple’s App Store to a more brand-led approach in order to improve conversion rates in the ultra-competitive marketplace.
McDonald’s elevates UK boss Jill McDonald to top European role
Seb JosephMcDonald’s has promoted UK chief executive and former marketer Jill McDonald to head up its new North West European division as part of a wider operational shake-up to spur sales.
BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins out as it abandons sale plan
Lara O'ReillyStruggling smartphone maker BlackBerry has abandoned plans to sell its business and has instead opted to replace its chief executive and raise a $1bn round of financing in order to secure its future.
Samsung calls on Franz Beckenbauer to save world from alien domination
Lara O'ReillySamsung is hoping the formation of a world class, Franz Beckenbauer-managed football team so skillful they can ward of the threat of a (staged) alien invasion will sell more products across its Galaxy range in the crucial run up to Christmas.
Is Facebook failing marketers or are marketers failing Facebook?
Lara O'ReillyFacebook has long been a divisive advertising medium and the blue touchpaper was lit once again last week after Forrester released a report which didn’t mince its words in claiming Facebook was “failing marketers” by “abandoning social marketing”.
Lynx preps £9m ‘Peace’ sub-brand unveil to kickstart sales
Seb JosephUnilever is pouring £9m into the marketing for its latest Lynx Peace variant to make it the focal point for the brand in 2014 in an attempt to breathe life into flagging sales.
Co-op insists it is still ‘UK’s leading ethical bank’
Russell ParsonsThe Co-operative has launched a campaign insisting it is still the “UK’s leading ethical bank” despite it being 70 per cent owned by a group of private investors.