Mercury One-2-One’s acting director of marketing has quit to join rival Vodafone as a board director. Alan Harper has been business strategy director for the mobile phone service provider since its launch in 1992. He has also run marketing and product development since the resignation of sales and marketing director Steve Dunn in March. Harper […]
JA Sharwood’s has ended weeks of speculation by handing its 2.5m Sharwood’s food account to Walsh Trott Chick Smith. The move continues Sharwood’s 12-year relationship with Walsh Trott managing partner Amanda Walsh. Walsh was appointed to handle the Sharwood’s food account in 1983 when she joined WCRS. WCRS lost the Sharwood’s account in May, just […]
Abbey National is appointing Duckworth Finn Grubb Waters to handle an advertising blitz for its new general insurance arm. The account, believed to be worth 5m, is expected to increase substantially next year. A spokesman for Abbey National General Insurance (ANGI) says the new agency’s role will be to make the Abbey’s “bancassurance” services more […]
Advertisers and ad agencies are voicing their fears about the increasing concentration of commercial radio airtime sales following EMAP’s acquisition of Metro Radio Group and GWR’s purchase of Chiltern Radio. Agencies are briefing their clients about the possibility of Capital Radio controlling 65 per cent of local radio airtime sales through its sales house, Media […]
Arc Advertising has won the 3m account for home decorating chains Homestyle and Fads, owned by Boots subsidiary AG Stanley. Arc’s brief is to develop an integrated brand-building campaign for the chains. Both have seen their sales slide in the depressed home-decorating market. The marketing budget will be increased from last year’s 500,000. Television advertising […]
The final word on Maurice Saatchi, his links with higher beings – most notably the Gods who inspired the Saatchi name – and what that name really stands for. For anybody who is confused at this point, please consult MW Diary July 21 and 28. Duncan Willoughby at Thomas Kean Advertising has blown any chance […]
Wired Ventures and The Guardian have settled their dispute over the UK version of Wired magazine. Wired Ventures – the US founder publisher – has taken on editorial control of the UK edition and the two companies have formed a joint venture to produce European editions. The Government has decided to support a European Commission […]
Swedish home-furnishings chain Ikea has lost its head of marketing as it launches its first national brand-building TV campaign. Ikea is seeking a new head of UK marketing to replace marketing manager Herman Gewert who leaves the chain this month for “family reasons”. Gewert quits the post after ten months. He will take up the […]
When Nintendo Company’s managing director Howard Lincoln flew into London from Seattle ten days ago, few people knew the purpose of his visit. By the time he stepped back on the plane two days later it was clear he was not making a social call. Lincoln told startled staff that Nintendo UK was effectively closing. […]
After tests on mice, researchers say they can now reduce body fat through injections. But, whatever the moral implications, no amount of jabs will stop us from ageing
Despite reports of its imminent demise, “flexible friend” Access is back on TV this Friday with a new 2m advertising campaign. The ads, through Publicis, continue with the familiar Access and Money characters that have featured for the past 18 years. The commercials will run until October. They promote Access’ international use and feature Access […]
Crookes Healthcare has applied to the Medicines Control Agency for a licence to market its ibuprofen-based painkiller Nurofen in newsagents and supermarkets. The application comes three weeks after drug rival Galpharm International was awarded a licence to market the first over-the-counter ibuprofen-based analgesic, called Ibuprofen, outside pharmacies. Galpharm sales and marketing director Tim Michael says […]
Whitbread is repositioning premium lager brand Heineken Export in a major advertising campaign that breaks this Friday. The new television and cinema campaign is the first since it dropped Stephen Fry’s “smooth talking bar steward” ads for Heineken Export (MW March 10). It is part of a 10m push to make Heineken Export into an […]
When Nintendo Company’s managing director Howard Lincoln flew into London from Seattle ten days ago, few people knew the purpose of his visit. By the time he stepped back on the plane two days later it was clear he was not making a social call. Lincoln told startled staff that Nintendo UK was effectively closing. […]
As an increasing number of satellite television homes opt for cable, a rush of cable-only channels is beginning to affect viewing loyalty