In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
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 […]
High street food retailer the Co-op is ditching its range of own-label mineral waters and launching a new ethical range to tap into growing consumer demand for such products. It claims to be the first UK supermarket to launch an ethical water brand. The retailer will donate between 5p and 20p from each bottle of […]
Hard-hitting ads highlighting the plight of missing Madeleine McCann and for children’s charity Barnardo’s have escaped censure by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The ASA said a cinema ad featuring four-year-old Madeleine, who went missing in Portugal in May, could be broadcast after investigating complaints from parents that the ad was distressing for children and […]
Land Rover has handed product marketing director Colin Green overall control of global marketing as part of a restructure aimed at pushing the Ford-owned marque’s green credentials. The reshuffle follows brand communications director Julian Whitehead’s appointment as director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (MW last week). Land Rover split its top marketing role between […]
US toy brand Mattel is under fire for its “inconsistent” reaction to its toy recall crisis. The criticism comes as the toy company launches a major PR campaign in the US to reinforce its commitment to child safety, yet the brand has failed to act in the UK. Mattel faces its first lawsuits in the […]
The Geek Squad, the technology troubleshooting service backed by the Carphone Warehouse, has appointed Will Lever as its first UK marketing director. Lever, who was head of marketing and communications for Apple UK and Ireland, will be responsible for brand positioning, strategy development and cross-group marketing across retail, PR and direct channels. Prior to joining […]
Land Rover changes gear for climate challenge
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. […]
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 […]
£35m gamble pays marketing dividend for Camelot
The Children’s Society is offering gig-goers the chance to meet the “godfather of punk” Iggy Pop as part of a fundraising initiative at Rock the House in Leeds next week. The campaign, created by mobile marketing agency Incentivated, will encourage thousands of music fans to donate to the charity by texting in to win the […]
Saatchi & Saatchi has been appointed to handle the 7m advertising account for Amplifon, one of the world’s largest distributors of hearing aids.