In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Warburtons, the Lancashire-based baker, is one of an increasing number of regional “superbrands” looking to move beyond their heartland into new territories. Warburtons has put its £5m media account up for pitch and is seeking to develop a nat
Ford’s decision to poach Mazda’s European marketing chief Steve Cootes to run Land Rover in Europe (MW last week) is further evidence of the respect the car giant has for the management team that has masterminded the turnaround of its Japanese
Media Steps, an outdoor media specialist set up to sell ad space on stairways in train stations and sports stadia around the UK, has sold its business for £1 this week after putting up the “for sale” sign (MW last week). It listed on the stock
Farm Communications and Cello-owned Leith London announced a merger last week, with both advertising agencies stating the deal would allow them to achieve “critical mass”. They agreed that they were too small individually to make certain pitch
With one in five people skipping breakfast every day, cereal manufacturers are looking at ways to boost product sales. As part of this trend, Kellogg UK has shifted the £4m ad account for Rice Krispies out of JWT into Leo Burnett without a pit
Two of the UK’s best-known brands, Cadbury and British Airways, have come under the microscope in the same week, revealing two very different approaches to crisis management.
When ITV held a series of presentations for analysts and the media last week, an uncharacteristic display of contrition was as much on the menu as its bold vision of the future. The broadcaster was capitalising on what it sees to be a shift in sympathy regarding contracts rights renewal (CRR), the mechanism that prevents […]
The withdrawal of incumbent Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners (DLKW) from Pearson’s global creative review of its Financial Times account (MW last week) came as a surprise to many industry observers. The agency has held the business for 16 y
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) head of marketing Sara Acworth’s departure (MW last week) is the latest in a string of resignations and firings since chief executive Roger Draper took the reins earlier this year. Draper is tasked with turnin
Nestlé has become the latest multinational to take a bite out of the diet food market by acquiring US brand Jenny Craig for $600m (£324m). Meanwhile, WeightWatchers is preparing a marketing blitz after handing its £2m advertising account to Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest (VCCP) (MW last week). Established brands such as Slim Fast and WeightWatchers, […]
Telegraph Group executives continue to dismiss speculation that they are about to add a compact edition of their daily newspaper to the market. Though no official public statement has followed a report in the Observer that The Daily Telegraph would soon be available in both its familiar broadsheet format and a new tabloid edition, chief […]
Isobel, the advertising agency set up two years ago by a management team from Banks Hoggins O’Shea/ FCB, has unveiled an investment fund to buy into digital and direct agencies as it seeks to expand (MW last week). The company’s strategy highlights how an uncertain economic climate is leading investors to snub risky marketing services […]
Nintendo is planning to step up its assault on new and emerging markets when it launches the Wii console this year, and wants advertising that will create maximum impact. The Japanese company has invited creative agencies, including incumbent Leo Burnett, to develop ideas for the launch campaign, and is also reviewing its media, currently with […]
With Bill Gates announcing that he is to leave his job at Microsoft, there will soon be an opening for the title of the world’s leading technology entrepreneur. One person who isn’t expecting any Briton to gain that honour, however, is shadow chancellor George Osborne. During a tour of Silicon Valley last week, Osborne (pictured) asked: […]
Mike Soutar, who left his post as IPC group editorial director last week, would prefer to be remembered as the stuff that legends are made of, say his friends and critics. After savouring the huge success of driving through high-profile launch