In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Mars UK is extending its Starburst sweets brand into fruit smoothies. It is understood that the new range is set to launch with a significant marketing spend, early next year. The new product is thought to be a 100% pure fruit smoothie that will target young adults and children, with similar flavours to the fruit […]
Nokia has completed the sweeping restructure of its marketing department with the appointment of Chris Leong, the former Nokia marketing chief in China, to run its new marketing services division. Leong, who is also a former president of Grey Singapore, will report to Nokia’s new top global marketer, senior vice-president of marketing operations Pekka Rantala. […]
Fiat Group has appointed chief marketing officer Luca De Meo to run the Alfa Romeo marque just three months after promoting him to the top group marketing role. De Meo will retain his marketing role, but will also become global chief executive of Alfa Romeo, with a brief to spearhead the brand’s return to the […]
Alcohol industry group The Portman Group is challenging attempts to force alcohol manufacturers to use responsible drinking messages on packaging, with new research that claims that self-regulation is working. A survey, which is due to be published on Thursday, says that messages such as “drink responsibly” and the Drinkaware website address have appeared on 3 […]
National Express Group, the travel operator, is restructuring its marketing operations following its acquisition of the East Coast Mainline rail franchise relinquished by GNER last week. National Express East Coast, which is now operating the London to Edinburgh train route, is splitting the marketing team from its customer operations. Michelle Drage, the commercial director with […]
A television ad for bookmaker Ladbrokes has been cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after complaints from viewers in what is the first test of tough controls on gambling advertising. The new rules, introduced in September as part of the Gambling Act, allow betting and gambling firms to advertise on TV with restrictions. The […]
McCain is planning a major relaunch of its Home Fries range backed by a 2m ad campaign. It is understood the changes aim to position it as a premium product.
Allergan, the manufacturer of anti-aging treatment Botox and contact lens products, is understood to be planning a “major” overhaul of its brands and corporate image. The drive is expected following the appointment of McCann Erickson to its multimillion pound advertising account. Prior to the three-way pitch, involving McCann and two undisclosed agencies, Grey handled the […]
The news that Virgin is plotting a hotel brand has led to speculation about not only where the company would pitch such an offering, but also the brand’s future direction. As Sir Richard Branson’s bid for beleaguered bank Northern Rock loses momentum and Virgin Media fails to make the impact he had hoped for, observers […]
Lexus GB director Steve Settle has moved to the new role of director of customer services at parent company Toyota GB as part of a wider restructure at the Japanese marque’s UK business. Settle, who has run Lexus GB for almost three years, will lead a new aftersales division within Toyota’s marketing department from the […]
Stella Artois is giving away its branded chalice lager glasses to consumers in its latest promotion running across UK supermarkets. The lager brand claims the promotion will help combat the “theft” of the chalice glasses from pubs across the country. The stolen glasses are being sold for as much as 10 on eBay. The promotion […]
Richard Branson is to unveil the official branding and marketing plans of his space-travel project Virgin Galactic, next month in New York. The event, taking place on January 23 at the American Museum of Natural History, will see designs for the spacecraft White Knight II and SpaceShip Two revealed, along with a new logo. Will […]
Taking a cursory look at the latest performance data for national newspapers and their websites, David Greene’s decision to call time on his role as marketing and circulation director at Independent Newspapers might appear prudent. Greene, who is leaving in May next year, as revealed on Marketingweek.co.uk, may be a rarity among newspaper marketing chiefs: […]
Westfield London, the 1.6bn shopping centre opening in White City next year, is seeking an agency for its 3m launch campaign.
Dye Holloway Murray, the start-up agency, has scooped the 3m advertising account for property company Land Securities.