In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Supermarket brands looking to get closer to consumers by using celebrities suffered at the hands of their chosen stars last week. Speculation began to mount that Iceland would be dropping former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona from its advertising after she was criticised for allegedly smoking and drinking while pregnant (although the company maintains it […]
There will be a lot more than gold medals at stake when Beijing hosts the Olympic Games later this year. For 16 days in August, the eyes of the world will be focused on the Far East, presenting Chinese brands with the ultimate shop window in which to kick-start the process of becoming global players. […]
As the Chinese say: “May you live in interesting times.” Well, with the Beijing Olympics less than eight months away, it promises to be an “interesting” year in UK media.
Coca-Cola has rubbished claims it is planning to drop the Diet Coke “hunk” from its advertising. It was reported earlier this week that Coca-Cola Great Britain would ditch the brand icon as part of a move to realign its marketing strategy with the US. It was suggested that the current “hunk” ads would be the […]
EMI, the ailing record company, is planning to offer brands the chance to sponsor its artists for the first time. The plan aims to boost flagging revenue at the company, which is owned by private equity company Terra Firma. Guy Hands, the chief executive of Terra Firma (pictured), will reveal plans today (January 15) as […]
Retail giant Tesco has reported a 3.1% rise in the Christmas trading period, falling short of City expectations. The lower-than-expected sales, in the six weeks to January 5 period, shows a slower sales growth than rival Sainsbury.
Guardian Media Group Radio (GMG) has poached OMD UK head of radio John Walker to lead a newly launched in-house sponsorship and promotions (S&P) team. He will join the company in early spring. GMG Solutions, which will have an eight strong team, will focus on developing new S&P opportunities across the group’s 13 stations, which […]
Marketing budgets were hit by growing concerns about the economy in the last quarter of 2007, according to the latest Bellwether report. The report, which is published today (January 14), saw the steepest fall in budgets in two years due to weak sales revenues, disappointing profits and the credit squeeze. The report, which is published […]
Disney Channel UK managing director Rob Gilby has been promoted to head the broadcaster’s operations across Asia-Pacific. Gilby takes the new role of senior vice president and managing director for the region for Disney-ABC International Television as part of a restructure. Gilby will be responsible for growing the distribution and revenue of all television and […]
British Airways has unveiled a new green initiative, backed by environment secretary Hilary Benn, designed to reduce the impact of aviation on climate change. The scheme allows customers to offset carbon emissions on flights and protects rainforest in Brazil. The airline is also backing research into the effects of aircraft’s non-carbon emissions. The initiative uses […]
Havas, the sixth largest marketing services company, has acquired independent media agency BLM for an undisclosed amount. The French company will rename the agency Arena BLM as part of the deal, which aims to increase its UK footprint. The agency will be run separately from Havas’ existing media network, Media Planning Group, and will form […]
Zavvi, the music retailer, is restructuring its board in a moved aimed increasing its focus on online sales. Marketing director Steve Kincaid will now become e-commerce director and trading director, Mark Noonan, will become commercial director with responsibility for marketing. The changes come as the chain reports 70% growth in online sales over the festive […]
Former Kia UK chief Paul Williams has been appointed to spearhead a relaunch of SsangYong, the Korean car marque that went into administration in the UK at the end of last year. Williams, who stepped down as Kia UK managing director in 2006 (MW August 31, 2006), joins Koelliker UK, the new importers and distributors […]
The Welsh Assembly is launching a new campaign to encourage back pain sufferers to stay active in a bid to reduce the number of lost work days, and burden to the health service, caused by people resting bad backs. The campaign, which will break on January 14, has been created by Chick Smith Trott and […]
The Kenya Tourist Board says it has no plans to run down its UK marketing programme in the wake of the violence that has swept the nation. The body also says it is hoping for additional funding to help stimulate tourism following the political unrest, and is seeking partners among airlines and tour operators. The […]