In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
It is unlikely that many in the direct marketing industry will look back fondly on 2007. As the growth of digital continued to grab the headlines, direct mail volumes fell and new business pitches dried up. And on top of that, one of DM’s most celebrated and popular agencies had a year to rival that […]
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade is likely to face some tough questions when he unveils his second set of annual results today. The man expected to “save” the broadcaster has endured a rollercoaster ride since arriving at Grays Inn Road in January last year. The latest twist in an ever-convoluting plot, that would not look […]
Morrisons, the supermarket chain, is continuing to gain ground on its rivals, growing its market share for the second sucessive quarter while Tesco’s share dips, according to figures published by TNS Worldpanel. Morrisons has reported an 11% increase in market share for the 12 weeks to the end of February. It has grown from 11.1% […]
The Government has repeated its calls to the drinks industry to advertise the dangers of alcohol or face further restrictions. The warning comes in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s report on the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 published today (March 4). Culture secretary Andy Burnham (pictured) says it would “welcome industry consideration […]
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is launching a 2m advertising campaign in a bid to help homeowners worried about meeting their mortgage repayments. It comes as the FSA publishes figures showing that one in five mortgage holders are concerned with meeting their repayments in the next year.
Premier Foods, owner of Branston Pickle, Hovis and Mr Kipling, will scale back promotional activity over the first half of 2008 as it introduces new IT and software systems across its three new divisions and continues integrate its businesses.
Virgin Media is understood to be carrying out out a review of its TV channels that could lead to a sale of some or all of the division. It has been reported that the cable company has appointed Goldman Sachs to review the portfolio of channels including Trouble, Bravo and Living and a 50% share […]
Simon Cowell has turned down a 1m deal to become the face of impotence drug Viagra. The X Factor judge, known for his cutting comments, described the offer as an insult.
Microsoft chief Bill Gates has set up a profile on business-focused social network LinkedIn, in a bid to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology. The move comes as LinkedIn launches a tool that will allow its 19 million members to broadcast their daily activities to their connections, similar to the “status […]
HSBC, the UK’s largest bank, says it has made a $17.2bn (8.7bn) loss on investments linked to the credit crisis. The higher than expected loss comes despite a 10% increase in profit to $24.2bn (12.2bn) for 2007, driven by strong growth in Asia.
The Isle of Wight Festival has signed up BT as its headline sponsor. The telecoms giant will use the deal to promote its range of voice, broadband and TV-on-demand product, BT Vision. The deal with festival organisers SOLO is the first time BT has sponsored a music event. It will be promoting the partnership with […]
MTV Two and download service MySpace Music are launching a new weekly chart show that will be driven by audience votes. Viewers will be able to vote for their favourite tracks through the MTV website or a dedicated MySpace page from March 10. The show, which will also include comments from viewers, video directors and […]
Orange, the mobile phone operator, is updating its animal monthly tariffs to reflect new trends such as social networking. The France Telecom-owned company will introduce the changes tomorrow (March 1). The Dolphin, Raccoon, Panther and Canary packages, which were launched two years ago, will be extended to include new elements. The Dolphin 40 deal will […]
Lord Bell has branded the Government the ’enemy state’ and urged the industry to stop caving into its demands. The Chime Communications chairman made the comments in a spirited attack on the Government at the annual Incorporated Society British Advertisers conference.
Manchester Evening News and Belfast Telegraph were the hardest hit by ongoing circulation drops endemic of the regional newspaper market. The latest results from the Audit Bureau of Circulations saw the ten biggest papers all return sales losses. In the six months to December last year Manchester Evening News’ Monday to Saturday paid-for editions fell […]