Analysis

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

Cadbury revamps Snaps after pack problems

Marketing Week

Cadbury Snaps, the major “sharing” brand launched two years ago, will undergo a major revamp later this month after complaints from retailers that the product is difficult to merchandise. Cadbury is completely overhauling the packaging to make the product smaller, so it will fit on shelves more easily.

Carter to face premium gin challenge

Marketing Week

Andrew Carter’s switch from UK marketing director for Bacardi Brown-Foreman (BBF) to global brand director for premium gin label Bombay Sapphire highlights the company’s ambition for global expansion. Managing partner of business relationship consultancy Aprais, Libby Child, who has worked closely with Carter since he joined BBF late last year, says the company is undergoing […]

Sites for more eyes

Marketing Week

If you surf the Web you need a search engine, but it doesn’t have to be Google or Yahoo! Niche operators utilise custom software, and individual users can even ‘roll their own’.

Door shuts on euro brands

Marketing Week

After Ford’s Premier Automotive Group announced pre-tax losses of 316m for the third quarter of 2006 and chief executive Alan Mulally declared poorly performing brands will not be supported, the future looks uncertain for Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover. Robert Lester reports.

AOL Europe chief leaves as restructure looms

Marketing Week

President of AOL Europe and former marketer Karen Thomson is leaving the company following AOL UK’s sale to Carphone Warehouse. Thomson, formerly AOL’s chief executive and chairman in the UK, will be replaced by Carlo d’Asaro Biondo, currently chief executive of AOL France. Thomson has worked at AOL for 11 years, joining as UK marketing […]

Virgin Mobile launches Q Jump mobile ticketing

Marketing Week

Virgin Mobile is launching a year-long mobile marketing campaign to link its brand to music. The Q Jump campaign will allow its customers to jump to the front of the queue at music gigs around the country using mobile ticketing. Advertising at participating venues will encourage Virgin Mobile customers to text the word Qjump to […]

WPP and IPG back campaign platform Spot Runner

Marketing Week

WPP and Interpublic Group have both invested in Spot Runner, the online platform for television ad campaigns. US TV network CBS and a number of other companies and individuals were also involved in the $40m (£21m) funding round, including Lachlan Murdoch, a former senior executive at News Corp. Spot Runner lets companies create, plan and buy […]

Administrator moves into BenQ UK

Marketing Week

BenQ Mobile UK has gone into administration just weeks after the company pulled the plug on its German operation. Managing director Philip Rambech (pictured), head of marketing Louise Forbes and 12 other staff are expected to be made redundant in the coming weeks. Administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has already axed 16 positions. In a statement, PWC […]

Heineken prepares for UK relaunch

Marketing Week

Heineken, the global lager brand, is understood to be gearing up for a major relaunch in the UK next year. It is expected to take place in the first half of the year. It is thought to be at an early stage in the rebranding process, with no definitive strategy agreed as yet. The move […]

Mercedes picks UK marketing director

Marketing Week

Mercedes Car Group has promoted long-serving marketer Ian Dutfield to marketing director to replace Nick Ratcliffe. It is thought Dutfield, who has been with the company for 21 years, starts his new role later this month. Dutfield was previously service support director in the customer services group and before that spent four years as product […]

Sony Ericsson appoints top marketer in reshuffle

Marketing Week

Sony Ericsson has handed overall control of marketing to Dee Dutta, the global head of marketing, in a restructure following the departure of Jan Wareby. Dutta previously reported to Wareby, who was executive vice-president and head of sales and marketing. Wareby is moving to Sony Ericsson’s co-parent Ericsson as senior vice-president and head of the […]