A challenge never knowingly underestimated
Mark ChouekeIt’s a big job Mr Bolland. You come with a big reputation. But there is a lot of hard work ahead if you’re going to restore the jewel of the British high street to its former glory.
Sponsorship can be as nail-biting as the game
Mark ChouekeAs I write, the opening match of the Fifa 2010 World Cup is 45 days away. Most of you will have had any brand plans associating you with this magical event in place long ago.
Brace yourselves for this climate of change
Mark ChouekeEverywhere we look we are being battered with messages about change. Each of the three main political parties is telling us we are “desperate for change” and is trying to convince us that it is the one best placed to manage that change.
Time to raise interest rates among voters
Mark ChouekeAnd they’re off. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown triggered the 6 May election we all knew was coming. To mark the beginning of the campaign, we’ve brought you something of an Election Special.
Heroin turns Peaches from bad to rotten
Mark Choueke“We’ve given this a lot of thought, but there’s a point where a business must stick to its principles and as a brand that targets young women, we feel it is impossible for Peaches Geldof to continue to work with us as the face of Miss Ultimo lingerie.”
Start of a recovery born of innovation
Mark ChouekeAs we climb inch by inch out of the recession, shards of light and positivity continue to filter through. But only for those brands that have placed innovation and consistent brand management at the heart of their recession strategies.
Spicer leaves EHS 4D Group
Mark ChouekeMike Spicer, group managing director at agency EHS 4D Group, has left his role with immediate effect.
Credit Suisse urges investment in brand building companies
Mark ChouekeCredit Suisse is the latest global financial services provider advising investors to build their portfolios around stocks or companies that focus heavily on marketing strategy and brand-building.
Marketing moves up the financial agenda
Mark ChouekeMarketing investment was always seen by those on the finance side of business as a cost – and not one that could be measured easily enough.
Tools of engagement in hands of customer
Mark ChouekeDomino’s Pizza is about to test a new tool that will give its customers the opportunity to become media owners and earn themselves some revenue from the brand’s marketing.
Sustainability is pr power behind M&S
Mark ChouekeMarks & Spencer’s impressive announcement regarding the expansion of the original Plan A – the 100 internal commitments the business is making by 2012 have been joined by an additional 80 targets to be hit before 2015 – was a fantastic PR coup for the business.
First connections of two contrary cultures
Mark ChouekeThe results of a survey, published in the national press this week, had me gaping in disbelief. Almost half of UK board directors – 44% – predict their companies will return to “pre-recession normality” and that their businesses will not fundamentally change in the next five years. For board members not to recognise the need to reinvent their business models in order to adapt and grow is at blinkered at best.
Academy to coach a new generation of market leaders
Mark ChouekeThe industry’s big names have put their weight behind a scheme to collectively solve the problem of succession planning by developing the 25 best young marketers
COI speaks louder than any politician
Mark ChouekeThe Conservative Party has said it will slash COI’s marketing spend if it forms our next Government. This, I believe, is nothing more than inexperienced politicians grandstanding. It is an attempt to curry favour with voters who, quite reasonably, don’t have a clue how best to reduce the national deficit.
Strong argument for a line of succession
Mark ChouekeThis was one of those rare press days when potential Leader columns were in abundance. I already had this column written several times before news events repeatedly forced me to start again. Subsequently I’m writing this one very much on the fly.