In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
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 […]
The Minister for Culture, James Purnell, appears to have ruled out a 9pm watershed on food and alcohol advertising on television in favour of focusing on “personal responsibility”. In an interview with a news channel, Purnell said that he needs to look at the Ofcom review of the impact of the new rules on the […]
Waitrose is doubling its ad-vertising spend this year to more than 50m as it aims to make the brand accessible to more consumers.
Toyota is planning to offer a hybrid version of every model in its car range to help it achieve its goal of selling 1 million hybrid cars a year. The company’s chief executive Katsuaki Watanabe is understood to have made the commitment in a speech in Japan over the New Year. A Toyota GB spokesman […]
VisitLondon, the tourist body that promotes the capital, has appointed former First Choice marketer Sonia Oliver to the role of marketing manager for the domestic market. She will act as senior manager responsible for selling the capital across the UK and to Londoners, with a budget of £2.5m. Oliver will oversee a small team of […]
Thomas Cook has appointed a new general manager for its youth holiday brand Club 18-30 as it moves to Peterborough. Company stalwart Stephen Vaughan, who has worked for the brand for 14 years, will lead the business following the departure of Paul Little. Vaughan’s previous role was head of sales and distribution. He will report […]
Barclays is attempting to overcome the “stigma” and controversy surrounding secured loans with the launch of a new product aimed at the mainstream market. The Fair & Square secured loan aims to have a more mainstream appeal by targeting the B to C demographic. Barclays will keep Fair & Square “entirely separate” from its existing […]
Macdonald Hotels and Resorts is increasing its focus on direct marketing and consolidating its below-the-line budget into a single agency as part of an overhaul of its marketing strategy. The company, which owns 40 hotels across the UK, has appointed London-based agency Wand to handle its direct response, direct marketing and door-to-door marketing. The agency […]
Drench, the Britvic-owned water brand, is struggling to get listings in supermarkets, despite a £2.4m overhaul. It is understood that the revamp of its packaging has failed to make an impact on retailers and has done little to make it distinct from rival brands. Sources say it is “just another bottled water”. Britvic is keen […]