In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Chrysler’s UK managing director Peter Lambert is stepping down following the marque’s takeover by private equity company Cerberus Capital Management. It is not known whether Lambert, who was promoted to managing director from a marketing role last year (MW June 8, 2006), has a job to go to. He will be replaced in the interim […]
The financial services sector has been urged to win back consumer trust before their brands are eroded by customers taking action into their own hands. Financial brands are being harmed by “quick” customer action prompted by lobby groups, online social networking activity and the media, according to Clive Briault, Financial Services Authority (FSA) managing director […]
Halewood International is launching a pre-packaged shot range called Splitz this month to target the Christmas party season market. The variant of shot brand Sidekick, to be made available in 30ml pots containing two separate flavours in bright colours, is expected to stir controversy at a time when the industry is trying to fend off […]
Brand owners have added to the chorus of outrage and disbelief that greeted last week’s Competition Commission report which largely cleared the big four supermarkets of anti-competitive practices. The commission’s provisional report claims that the UK grocery market, 75% controlled by Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons, offers a “good deal” to consumers, delivering “value, choice, […]
Videogames publisher THQ has beefed up its marketing department with two appointments as it seeks to intensify its efforts in the battle against rival publishers Activision, Electronic Arts and Ubisoft. It has appointed Paul Marcantonio as head of sales for the UK and Ireland and Mike Eglington as marketing manager for the UK. Marcantonio moves […]
Saab is launching an in-car warning system that detects when drivers are tired and which advises them to stop for a rest. The General Motors-owned marque is test-marketing the Driver Attention Warning System (DAWS) on its 9-3 Sport Wagon in Sweden for eight months. If successful, it could be introduced in Saab models across Europe […]
GlaxoSmithKline has hired former Smirnoff marketer Suzy Smith as the top marketer for Lucozade Energy. Smith will be responsible for the Lucozade Energy brand, which includes its core drinks range, and will head a team of five people. She takes over the role later this month, and will report to Lucozade category marketing director Simon […]
ITV’s decision to pull the plug on the subscription charge for Friends Reunited (MW last week) comes as no surprise to observers, who argue the media owner faced little alternative in the battle with free social networking sites such as Bebo, Facebook and MySpace. One observer says the move “is too little, too late”. When […]
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Transport for London (TfL) have been censured by the advertising regulator for making misleading claims about bus fares. The press ad, created by M&C Saatchi, claimed: “The Big Freeze. Single Bus Fares stay at 2000 prices with Oyster.” However, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the ad […]
US brands gearing up for marketing assaults on the UK’s fast-growing energy and sports drinks market may find themselves “too American-sounding” and lose their fizz when confronted with established domestic players. DD Beverage Company is being forced to change the name of its Canadian energy drink Beaver Buzz for fear of offending UK consumers (MW […]
Eat Natural, the fruit and nut bar brand, has developed a new variant exclusively for Selfridges Food Halls. Eat Natural Just for You… with blueberries, macadamia nuts and cocoa nibs will launch this week. The 50g bar will be a permanent line for Selfridges and will sit alongside its core snack bar lines and children’s […]
The Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts, is planning a strategic overhaul of the organisation following a £50m cash injection, promised recently by Secretary of State for Culture James Purnell. The Council is seeking an advertising agency as part of the revamp. It will have a brief to increase awareness of […]
Isklar, the Norwegian water brand, is poised to appoint creative agency Shop to handle the £2m advertising launch of its premium water brand. The agency is understood to have beaten a number of undisclosed agencies following a competitive pitch. The company is also reviewing its media ahead of its UK launch next year. Isklar claims […]
Karmarama has won a place on Coca-Cola’s advertising roster after scooping the 5m brief to promote energy drink brand Burn across Europe and Russia.
WFCA, the Tunbridge Wells-based agency, has won the 3m integrated advertising business for Multiyork without a pitch.