Renaissance for French papers

Coca-Cola has been fined ptas 500,000 (2,000) by Spain’s Superior Court for running advertising which the court decided could encourage drivers to exceed the speed limit.

Young & Rubicam has appointed Thomas Brockmann and Christoph Herold as joint managing directors of its German operations, effective from July 1.

AEAP, the Spanish advertising agency association, has named Francisco Gonzalez as chairman for the next four years. Gonzalez is head of Grey’s Spanish operations.

Sitia Yomo, the Italian yogurt brand, is to move its advertising account into Armando Testa, after 28 years at J Walter Thompson. The decision was taken without a pitch.

French publisher Mille et Une Nuits is to launch the first range of books to be priced in euros. The company, which specialises in budget-priced paperbacks, will offer six titles at prices ranging from one to 3.5 euros.

Leroy Merlin has opened Spain’s biggest DIY store, an 8,500 square-metre outlet in Sant Boi, a suburb of Barcelona. It is the company’s thirteenth opening in the country.

Procter & Gamble is planning a meal for 15,000 people on the Ponte Vasco de Gama, Europe’s largest bridge, which is scheduled to open in March in Portugal. The event will be used to promote Fairy washing-up liquid.

Migros, the Swiss retailer, is shortly to introduce an online shopping service. Under the scheme, which has been on trial among the company’s employees, goods ordered can be picked up from the store or delivered by post.

Creative Labs, the computer graphics and sound card manufacturer, has named Murat Unol as head of its operations in Central Europe, with marketing responsibility for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Cecoma, which represents the interests of Spain’s smaller retailers, is threatening action following approval of plans for a Leclerc hypermarket at Aranjuez, near Madrid, and further projects involving Ikea and Continente.

Danone is facing criticism in Germany, where it recently launched a ‘biodegradable’ yogurt pot. Critics say the pot needs special treatment not catered for within the country’s ‘Duales System’ recycling scheme.

Rewe is rationalising its German network, closing 100 stores while opening a further 370 outlets.

Pernod Ricard has announced plans to expand distribution of the Larios gin brand outside its home base of Spain – first into France and Italy, then Belgium, Germany and possibly the UK.