In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Jaguar’s S-Type replacement, the XF, poses a serious threat to rival marques BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, according to motoring experts. The new premium saloon will be unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show next month and goes on sale in the UK next year.
Mercedes Car Group is set to consolidate its 100m pan-European advertising account into BBDO, ending months of speculation about its relationship with UK independent Shop.
Fashion footwear brand Crocs is launching a line of clothing for men and children in October. The clothes will be made from a form of the resin material used in its brightly coloured clogs. The clothing, which will include shorts and shirts, will be made from Croslite, a lightweight material that is versatile, breathable and […]
Habitat, the high street furnishing retailer, is telling the stories behind its products in a series of “vodcasts” to support its autumn/winter collection. The five videos will feature the designers, their inspiration and the process that made the product. The strategy, which has been devised by Manning Gottlieb OMD, will be supported by a press […]
Virgin Media is continuing its assault against BSkyB by offering its TV customers free access to the Setanta Sports channels over the weekend. The cable company believes the clash between Manchester United and Sunderland will be a draw for customers. The match sees former United player Roy Keane return with Sunderland to face Alex Ferguson […]
Nokia is taking on Apple’s iTunes with the launch of its own online music store. The Finnish handset giant has also unveiled a new handset to rival the forthcoming iPhone. The Nokia Music Store is expected to launch in the UK this autumn as part of the company’s new Ovi internet service. Ovi, which means […]
Freeview is understood to be in final negotiations with Mediaedge:cia over its media planning and buying account. The agency is believed to have beat Aegis-owned Carat in a final round of pitches. Incumbent M2M and Zenith-Optimedia were also involved in the pitch but are thought to have been knocked out at an earlier stage. The […]
It is said that four out of five mergers do not work out and that the bigger the deal the more likely it is to fail. But Gillette’s $54bn (£27bn) sale to Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 2005 might just be the deal to disprove that theory. It is the largest consumer products takeover to […]
Independent micro-network Nitro has beaten McCann Erickson to win the pan-European launch business for Unilever’s “healthy” ice cream brand Frusi (MW last week). It is not the first time the London arm of Nitro, owned by “maverick” Australian Chris Clarke, has claimed a prized scalp. The industry was unanimous in its surprise when the agency […]
Tesco and Coca-Cola have signed a promotional deal with Saturday night talent show, The X Factor. A competition will offer Tesco customers the chance to win VIP trips to the live shows and finale and tickets to the live tour in 2008. The on-pack competition will run across Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero sold […]
Ford’s sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover marques looks to have been delayed by the ongoing stock market troubles. The US car giant says no announcement will be made about the brands until the end of the year or early 2008. Ford chief executive Alan Mulally admits the global financial position is “absolutely an […]
Intel has ditched its “Multiply” advertising strategy just a year after it was launched in favour of a return to its Intel Inside strapline. The new “Chips” positioning is a return to the company’s strategy of focusing on Intel chips as an integral component of a product rather than the benefits of the chips on […]
Danone Waters will target white-collar workers with a poster, radio and underground campaign as part of a £1.5m push for Evian. The detox campaign will be focused around the key January 2 date when workers return to work after the New Year. The aim is to target affluent London office workers who over-indulged over Christmas. […]
Optimising a marketing team’s performance can be the difference between an organisation’s success or failure. Ian Whiteling explores the training and development opportunities on offer
Asda is gearing up to take on the major brands in laundry with the launch of an eco-friendly concentrated detergent called Tiny But Tough. The range will be introduced in store on August 27. The detergent is being positioned to compete with Persil Small & Mighty, which was launched by Unilever in 2006, and sister […]