Analysis

In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.

Icstis plans clamp down on anonymous texting

Marketing Week

Icstis is planning to clamp down on anonymous text messaging services that encourage the bullying, grooming or stalking of children because it believes abuse of such services pose a “high risk” to public trust in phone paid services. The premium rate services industry has come under criticism from Icstis, Ofcom and the Government following complaints […]

BSkyB buys Amstrad for £125m

Marketing Week

Sir Alan Sugar has agreed to sell his once iconic electronics business Amstrad to BSkyB in a deal understood to be worth £125m. Sugar says he “cannot imagine a better home” for the business. The deal, which has yet to be agreed by shareholders, will net Sugar about £35m. BSkyB says the acquisition will improve […]

Emap drops traditional ads from Heat Radio

Marketing Week

Emap is dropping traditional spot advertising from Heat Radio in favour of bespoke sponsorships, promotions and advertising-funded programmes. The move aims to reposition the digital-only station as a lifestyle radio brand. The station will offer an “exclusive club” of five clients a variety of opportunities on the station in a bid to shift its advertising […]

Setanta launches broadband services

Marketing Week

Setanta, the pay-TV sports provider, is launching a broadband service, which it claims is the only way to watch Barclays Premier League football action live online. Setanta by Broadband is one of a number of new products from the Irish broadcaster ahead of the start of the new season.

Honda F1 team appoints marketing chief

Marketing Week

The Honda Racing F1 Team has appointed David Butler as marketing director. He replaces Alistair Watkins to join the Alinghi America’s Cup sailing team earlier this year. Butler joins from Laureus, a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler and Richemont that promotes sporting excellent, where he was marketing director for the group’s, sports awards, sports academy and […]

Leagas Delaney wins 3m FilmOn Web brief

Marketing Week

Leagas Delaney London has scooped the 3m integrated brief to launch film content website FilmOn.The brand will launch first in the UK, followed by Germany and America. The website houses an extensive range of film content, from feature films to documentaries and short-form content.

OMG business director for md role

Marketing Week

Omnicom Media Group’s (OMG) EMEA business development director Nikki Mendonca has emerged as one of the front-runners to take over from Simon Francis, OMD Europe’s managing director, who is thought to be leaving to join Saatchi & Saatchi as EMEA chief executive. Mendonca, who was recently moved into the OMG role, having previously been marketing […]

Sugar-free Coke sales rocket as UK adopts a healthier lifestyle

Marketing Week

Sales of Coke’s sugar-free colas are set to eclipse those of regular Coke across the UK, underscoring the country’s increasing commitment to less sugary drinks. The UK will become the first country in the world where sales of Coke’s sugar-free drinks – Diet Coke and male-oriented Coke Zero – are higher than regular Coke. Latest […]

Domino’s Pizza TV ad drive targets male Rugby fans

Marketing Week

Domino’s Pizza UK and Ireland is gearing up for a multi-million pound advertising blitz in the second half of 2007, in a bid to push sales in the final quarter of the year. It will kick off with the launch of the “Scrummy” pizza, which has a topping that includes six different types of meat. […]

Lastminute.com to raise UK ad budget

Marketing Week

Lastminute.com is to increase its UK advertising budget and bolster its pan-European marketing department, following the recent departure of managing director Mark Jones after three years. It is understood the company is looking to bring the French marketing director Laurent Dupé to the UK. It is not known whether he will take the UK marketing […]

Vivid to plug Bratz gap with Sweet Secrets dolls

Marketing Week

Vivid Imaginations is bringing back its 1990s hit collectible dolls Sweet Secrets next January – the time its licence with Bratz dolls-owner MGA Entertainment ends. Sweet Secrets will be relaunched with the backing of a major national TV campaign in a bid to affirm Vivid’s position in the toy market “post Bratz”. The dolls will […]

McCain roasts ready for Xmas

Marketing Week

McCain Foods is launching frozen roast potatoes basted in goose fat, in a bid to tap into the Christmas market. The roasts will be positioned as a premium product that is better value than similar chilled products. The new product, which will be launched in September, comes in a silver foil tray that can be […]

New Walkers chief to push health food

Marketing Week

Walkers Snacks has created a new marketing role for its healthy snacking portfolio, in a further attempt to flag up its commitment to well-being. The appointment of Sean Summers as the first marketing director for healthier snacks comes ahead of a major new launch in the category later this year. Summers, who takes over the […]

Goldfish hunts marketing director ahead of relaunch

Marketing Week

Goldfish is looking for a marketing director to spearhead the long delayed relaunch of the credit card brand following Patrick Muir’s departure. Before quitting the company, Muir was Morgan Stanley Consumer Banking UK marketing director. It is not known if he has a job to go to. Muir’s move follows a decision earlier this year […]