In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Fast-food brand McDonald’s is launching Europe’s first retail “wave and pay” system with Mastercard. The “contactless” PayPass system will allow customers to pay for their goods without the need to swipe a card or sign a receipt, in a way similar to the Oyster card system operated by Transport for London (TfL).
Almost one in 12 alcohol ads shown in the UK last year infringed guidelines, according to industry body the European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD). The body reveals that 7.4% of the 1,483 alcohol ads shown in the UK in 2006 were “non-compliant”, a figure broadly in line with a year earlier. EFRD, however, believes […]
O2 is launching a 4m brand advertising campaign focusing on customer experience that it says will set the tone of its marketing for the rest of the year. The campaign, which breaks next week, introduces colour into the telecoms operators’ familiar blue advertising. The famous O2 bubbles and the “See what you can do” strapline remain but marketing director Sally Cowdry says the new work “evolves” the O2 brand.
COI Communications is hunting for a non-executive director to sit on its management board to advise Whitehall on delivering effective communications. The role, which will pay £15,000 to £20,000, will involve adding value to government publicity programmes. The COI is one of the highest spenders on advertising in the UK, and last year spent more […]
Littlewoods Direct, the online and catalogue shopping company, is screening its first television ads featuring fashion gurus’ Trinny and Susannah on Friday. The ads have been created by WCRS and will be screened on terrestrial and satellite channels and form part of a £12m media campaign fronted by the pair who recently signed a three-year […]
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has appointed Profero as its retained digital agency to create a campaign to promote the importance of skills training in the UK. It will work with Leo Burnett which was last month appointed by COI Communications to lead the project. Leo Burnett beat DDB London in a contest, which […]
Publishing company The John Brown Group has acquired integrated creative communications agency Fingal, as a standalone business. Fingal managing director Francis Jago will continue to head the agency, and will also assume the lead role in developing the John Brown digital offering on a group basis. Jago says: “We’ve been courted many times but valued […]
The National Youth Orchestra (NYO) is joining forces with Clear Channel Outdoor for a recruitment drive featuring posters of Sir Simon Rattle, the chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Between April and June Clear Channel will supply several hundred bus shelter sites near schools and in other target areas. The campaign has been created free […]
Large-format posters always have a high impact, but while the use of novel effects can create stand-out, its crucial that the creative is carefully thought out and well executed. By Victoria Furness
It was not so much the news that DFGW was being sold that surprised the advertising industry but rather the identity of the buyer. PR company Freud Communications’ admission it is in talks to acquire the ailing agency (MW last week) has divided opinion. Some claim it is a “ridiculous” decision with little rationale to […]
The brewer Adnams’ appointment of M&S’s marketing chief as a non-executive director has spotlighted the number of marketers holding such advisory positions. Is there still an old-boys’ club and are marketers suitably qualified to take on the responsibility? asks Sonoo Singh
The decision to open up transatlantic routes to unlimited competition will cause severe consolidation and drive down airfares. David Benady and Rupi Gohlar look at the problems besetting the four airlines that currently hold exclusive rights to these profitable routes
Lexus is planning to launch a hybrid version of every model in its range within two years in a move that experts say could revolutionise the car industry. The Toyota-owned marque sells two hybrid models at present – the RX and the GS. It is launching a hybrid version of the LS later this year, […]
Zurich Financial Services, the global insurance giant, has appointed former Philip Morris and Young & Rubicam executive Arun Sinha as global group chief marketing officer. He replaces E. Randall Clouser, who has taken another position in the group. Sinha is expected to spearhead a continued focus on Zurich’s global advertising and marketing strategy. He joins […]
Scottish voters are to be given the opportunity to create a Scotland ‘super pop group’ as part of an online marketing campaign to raise awareness of forthcoming elections north of the border. The online marketing campaign, which also offers people a chance to create their ideal football five-a-side team, is aimed at helping lure young […]