In-depth features, interviews and insights into marketing’s biggest issues.
Waitrose managing director Steven Esom has left the supermarket group to take up the role of director of food at high street rival Marks & Spencer. The position is thought to be board level with Esom working closely with chief executive Stuart Rose. Esom’s position at Waitrose equated to chief executive and placed him on […]
The advertising and marketing industry has a major part to play in the fight against climate change, according to some of the country’s most senior business leaders at the launch of a Government-led green campaign. The three-year campaign aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 25 million tonnes by 2010. Eight of the UK’s […]
Iconic “retro” video games brand Commodore is phasing in a series of retail outlets in the UK and Ireland as part of a dramatic return to the games arena. A Commodore spokesman says the first stores will open in the UK and Ireland with further outlets to follow in France, Germany and the Benelux region. He says this is the first stage of a global roll-out of the retail store concept, which forms part of the brand’s re-entry into PC gaming.
Virgin Money is upping the ante in the eco-friendly financial services stakes with the promise of a biodegradable credit card. Barclaycard last week revealed it would be the first “leading” bank to launch a “green” credit card, named Breathe (MW last week). Virgin Money says it is working with eco-designer Robert Holdway at Giraffe Innovation […]
The Communications Agency (TCA) has signed partnership deals with two agencies to bolster its design and content. The integrated agency has teamed up with designers February and content and podcasting company Brand Spanking. TCA chief executive Adam Leigh says/ “We have enjoyed significant growth in the last year and we are confident that we are […]
Expedia.co.uk, the UK’s largest online travel agent, has appointed public relations agency Cake to manage its experiential account for 2007. The appointment follows the recent acquisition of Expedia’s agency of record, DFGW by PR agency Freud Communications earlier this year (MW April 5). It is not clear how the appointment will affect Expedia’s business relationship […]
Innocent is scrapping its free annual Fruitstock music festival after four years and replacing it with a “summer of village fêtes”. The move comes after last year’s free festival attracted more than 120,000 people to Regent’s Park in London. Innocent says it is expecting no more than 60,000 to attend its flagship village fête, which, […]
British Gas’s woes continue as it suffers further customer condemnation in the Marketing Week BrandIndex Best Brand Performers 2007 survey – coming bottom of 697 brands in four out of seven criteria. Google is the best brand performer overall – for the second year. The search behemoth appears to be enjoying a golden age. Its […]
Smyths, the Irish retail giant, is plotting its first foray into England with the launch of a chain of superstores by the end of the year. The 24-strong store empire is eyeing locations around the country with the intention of creating a retail base from an assortment of city-centre and out-of-town stores. Smyths is looking […]
The Number 118 118 has strengthened its senior management line up with the appointment of former Premier Foods marketer Martin Hall as commercial director. In the newly created role Hall will report directly to chief executive Mark Horgan. Hall, who was general manager for convenience business at Premier Foods, will have overall responsibility for the […]
The sale of 49.9% of Clemmow Hornby Inge & Partners to WPP Group last week has helped European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson pocket over 1m.
Troubled retailer Woolworths has signed Kelly Osbourne, Rolf Harris and Darth Vader to front a major campaign for its “Worth It” range in an attempt to turnaround its lacklustre performance. The high street retailer is losing market share to the supermarket groups and launched the low-cost range to take on rival brands such as Tesco’s […]
Sony’s decision to cut almost 10% of staff across its Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) division, as revealed on marketingweek.co.uk last week, has led some to suggest its PlayStation 3 console is not the breakthrough product the electronics manufacturer had hoped for. Up to 160 staff – or 8.9% of the workforce – will be […]
Asda is launching a major schools initiative to teach children about food, health and the environment. The Kids Checkout Challenge, which starts next week, will be the retailer’s flagship community programme. The retailer is inviting 700 primary schools to visit one of its 350 stores or depots to take part in activities and quizzes on […]
City Gateway Media, operator of the largest commercial LED screen in Europe, in conjunction with outdoor company Posterscope, is advertising Spiderman 3 on its Manchester screen from Friday April 27. The campaign has been planned by Manning Gottlieb OMD invENTS. Dominic Milan, digital insight and development manager at Posterscope says/ “Spiderman on the City Gateway […]