Marketing news

• Currys ‘upgrades’ Victorian Christmas with modern tech

  01-11-2018 20:30
  Currys PC World wants to show the “transformative power” of technology in its 2018 Christmas campaign, which features Victorians using a selection of gizmos and gadgets to give their festive frolics a modern-day twist.
  From carol singers using tablets in place of hymn books, to a woman using a voice assistant to play Christmas tunes to her house guest, various scenes of festive traditions have been created to show how technology can “upgrade” Christmas.
  Created by creati
  
  Read more

• Facebook taps Rapha Vasconcellos to lead its Global Creative Shop

  01-11-2018 20:05
  A new leader for Facebook's Global Creative Shop has been named in Rapha Vasconcellos. He has been with Facebook for six years, heading up the company’s Creative Shop in two of its fastest growing regions, Latin America and most recently, Asia Pacific. 
  Vasconcellos will bring his exceptional storytelling and brand building expertise into this expanded leadership role. As head of Creative Shop, he'll work closely with Facebook's chief creative officer, Mark D'Arcy, who leads creative
  
  Read more

• Periscope adds ECDs from Fallon, Deutsch LA as agency garners 'historic' interest

  01-11-2018 19:37
  Independent agency Periscope has announced the hire of two executive creative directors: Heath Pochucha and Jason Bottenus, from Deutsch LA and Fallon, respectively.
  Pochucha was most recently group creative director of Deutsch’s Los Angeles office on the Volkswagen account. He’d previously held roles at BSSP, Fallon and Carmichael Lynch, on brands such as Harley-Davidson, Mini and Jack Link’s.
  Bottenus last held a creative director role at Fallon, and also worked at Mothe
  
  Read more

• Creative Director’s Choice: Desmond LaVelle of Peter Mayer on Amazon Prime’s ‘Great Stories’ campaign

  01-11-2018 19:26
  Creative Director’s Choice gives creative directors a chance to highlight the work they think is the best out in the ad world — the ads and campaigns they believe are making a difference.
  This week, Desmond LaVelle, vice president, executive creative director, at New Orleans agency Peter Mayer, states how the ‘Great Shows Stay With You for Amazon Prime Video,’ by Droga5 London creates personal connections.
  Show me entity :: 23667
  When I was seven
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Poundland's naughty elf campaign returns: 'it will be the ASA’s worst nightmare’

  01-11-2018 18:44
  Discount retailer Poundland has teased the return of its controversial X-rated elf campaign that irked the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Twinings, the Elf on the Shelf company and Twitter users who accused it of "misogynistic" and "sexist" behaviour.
  Last year, the inflammatory 'Elf Behaving Badly' social media campaign cost the retailer just £25. Each day of December, the advent calendar-style drive positioned naughty elves in compromising positions to promote Poundland 
  
  Read more

• Two more Cannes Lions awards announced for 2019 while one scheme closes

  01-11-2018 18:19 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Ascential, the company behind the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, has announced the launch of two new Lions awards and the closure of one other.
  
  Read more

• eBay holiday creative highlights hot deals and trending items

  01-11-2018 18:05
  Online marketplace eBay has launched a new series of deals for the holidays, and to help promote the latest and hottest deals and items, it has developed new holiday advertising to make shopping easier.
  The new campaign, developed in collaboration with 72andSunny, will debut this week on digital channels and television. The new ads were designed to reflect the vibrant personality of eBay’s marketplace, as well as eBay’s ability to offer shoppers everything that's red-hot, t
  
  Read more

• It’s survival of the fittest in the burgeoning wellness sector

  01-11-2018 17:38
  In an industry reported to be worth over $4.2trn and growing exponentially, better informed, better educated and more empowered consumers are making their physical and mental health a priority. This has transformed the way they engage with brands and businesses.
  It’s a trend that’s set to continue: 74% of consumers aged 18 to 34 say it’s important for brands to embrace wellness as part of their core mission, with 62% believing that all brands will need a wellness component to s
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Channel 4 signs Hillarys as Homes on 4 sponsor in 'eight-figure' deal

  01-11-2018 17:11 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The blinds and curtains brand will place content such as idents alongside shows including Grand Designs and Location, Location, Location.
  
  Read more

• Ads We Like: Wealthsimple and Skylar Diggins-Smith call for fair pay

  01-11-2018 17:01
  Imagine you’re one of the best college basketball players in the country. You set school records left and right, and you’re about to be a top-three pick in the WNBA draft. You’re on top of the world until you see your rookie deal is $40,000 — 100-times less than your NBA counterpart.
  Wealthsimple and Skylar Diggins-Smith of the WNBA's Dallas Wings partnered on a campaign to highlight this massive pay gap between men and wo
  
  Read more

• The connected customer in the land of plenty

  01-11-2018 16:45
  The connected customer has been a key theme of many marketing campaign, eco-system redevelopment and digital product strategy for some time now. A connected customer is the idea that your customers are now ‘connected’.
  They are cross-device operating, intelligent shoppers who browse, consider, purchase and shop in non-traditional ways.
  They have the power to disrupt your shopping flow.
  To survive in the age of the connected customer, its imperative that brands and companies offer a c
  
  Read more

• ISBA and IPA form working group to improve advertiser/media agency relations

  01-11-2018 16:44 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The move is an effort to rebuild trust.
  
  Read more

• Recommended reading: Brands in a post-truth world and developing a ‘digital spine’

  01-11-2018 16:29
  The Post-Truth Business: How to rebuild brand authenticity in a distrusting world
  By Sean Pillot de CheneceyIn a post-truth world defined by mistrust, the connections between brands and consumers are increasing becoming severed. Now insights and brand strategy expert Sean Pillot de Chenecey argues that to strengthen engagement in a fractured world brands need to close the credibility gap if they want to play an authentic role in consumers’ lives. Covering everything from conscious capital
  
  Read more

• Digital publishers Recode and Vox merge

  01-11-2018 16:19
  Digital media company Vox Media has merged Recode and sister title Vox in a move the group believes will extend the reach, audience, and value of each title.
  Vox Media was founded in 2011 and has since accumulated numerous brands including The Verge, Vox, SB Nation, Eater, Polygon, Curbed and Recode.
  Now Recode has been folded into Vox.
  But, Vox Media stressed the tech-focused title it will retain its brand, its Code conference events, and podcasts. Kara Swisher, co-exec
  
  Read more

• Why Campbell’s Soup’s snowman spot retains a unique magic decades later

  01-11-2018 16:17
  When the temperatures drop in the U.S., you can't always count on snowfall. But you can count on the reappearance of Campbell’s Snowman, who has endured since 1993 as a reminder of a cozy option to the winter's frost.
  The :30 spot, produced by the soup company and longtime agency partner BBDO New York, features quirky but convincing animation: A snowman chills outside in a snowfall until it just can't stand the cold anymore. It enters its house, shivers gruffly, and slides o
  
  Read more

• Adwatch: John Lewis and Waitrose miss the spot

  01-11-2018 16:08 via campaignlive.co.uk
  John Lewis and Waitrose are let down by this predictable ad from Adam & Eve/DDB.
  
  Read more

• Adwatch: John Lewis and Waitrose ad is strategically spot-on but let down creatively

  01-11-2018 16:08 via campaignlive.co.uk
  John Lewis and Waitrose spot is popular because it tugs at familiar cues but it lacks emotional power, says Gyro UK's chief strategy officer Ian Bell
  
  Read more

• Kind Snacks UK appoints Media Bounty to launch new protein bars

  01-11-2018 16:03
  Food company Kind Snacks UK has joined forces with creative social media agency Media Bounty, to launch its new protein range.
  The agency  produced a social audit for the protein bar followed by  a paid media strategy, driving awareness of the range across relevant audiences on Facebook and Instagram.
  The Kind protein bars are available from Amazon, Whole Foods Market and select Sainsbury’s Locals.
  Media Bounty’s account director, Charlie Bennett said: “Our initial st
  
  Read more

• AARP and the Ad Council highlight unpaid Latino family caregivers

  01-11-2018 15:54
  Nearly seven million Latinos in the US provide unpaid care to an aging or older loved one. To assist those people, AARP and the Ad Council have introduced a PSA campaign, encouraging Latino caregivers nationwide to access free care guides, self-care tips, planning resources, legal and financial guidance, and more.
  Many Latino family caregivers see caregiving responsibilities simply as something family members do for one another, and do not seek outside help, which is why these resources are
  
  Read more

• Facebook signs Coffee & TV as official production partner to help brands improve video content

  01-11-2018 15:47 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The Soho production company will help brands advertising on the social network to produce high-quality content.
  
  Read more

• Facebook taps Rapha Vasconcellos for global Creative Shop role

  01-11-2018 15:46 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Vasconcellos currently leads Facebook's in-house agency in Asia-Pacific.
  
  Read more

• York Press launches York-E digital learning platform with MMT Digital

  01-11-2018 15:10
  York Press, one of the UK’s leading independent publishers, has launched a brand new innovative digital platform, York-E, which aims to bring digital to the forefront of the education sector.
  Built by specialist design and build agency MMT Digital, the platform enables teachers and students to manage and access learning resources online, from any device, at any time. The project’s developers believe that this is the first time a digital-first platform has been created at this scale o
  
  Read more

• How is market research evolving in a digital, AI-led marketing world?

  01-11-2018 15:06
  The world today is exceedingly digital, especially with the internet, smartphones, the internet of things and machine learning playing a major role in connecting people and brands alike. Global smartphone penetration is expected to reach 40% by 2020 – a truly staggering figure in terms of a sheer number of people with smartphones.
  According to Smart Insights, every 60 seconds we make 3.8 million Google searches, send almost 30 million WhatsApp messages, post 448,800 tweets, upload 65,
  
  Read more

• Argos introduces 'Christmas Fool' in campaign featuring litany of festive mishaps

  01-11-2018 15:04 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Argos has introduced a new mischievous imp-like character, the Christmas Fool, in a campaign that flags up the retailer's ability to help customers solve last-minute Christmas disasters.
  
  Read more

• The Drum's Biz Dev 100: Anastasia Innes, business development director worldwide, OMD

  01-11-2018 15:00
  Welcome to The Drum’s Biz Dev 100, powered by The BD 100, which aims to recognize and celebrate important role played in the media and marketing industry by those who source and bring in new customers and keep the fortunes of businesses on track.
  Below is Anastasia Innes, one of those at the top of their field who work in the UK biz dev sector.
   
  Name: Anastasia Innes
  Job Title: business development director, worldwide
  Agency: OMD
  What were your highlights of last year?
  
  Read more

• As Coors Light creative account switches hands, bosses blast poor ad performance

  01-11-2018 14:52
  Senior executives at Molson Coors have expressed their unhappiness with the advertising for Coors Light, saying the long-running Jean Claud van Damme-fronted work has focused too much on the "Rocky Mountain lifestyle” and not enough on selling the beer.
  Speaking on a third-quarter earnings update, Molson Coors chief executive Mark Hunter said sales over the past year have been disappointing and though steps have been taken to improve the marketing, the “good” creative work
  
  Read more

• How Nicole and Papa's adventures had the public hooked on a Renault wedding

  01-11-2018 14:39
  The Drum has joined forces with leading industry legends and The Financial Times to recognize some of the most enduring campaigns of all-time. Up next is Renault’s ‘Nicole and Papa’ series of ads.
  Between 1991 and 1998, Renault had the nation glued to the screen as it charted the adventures of Nicole and her papa.
  Often seen gliding about the French countryside in the titular Clio hatchback, Nicole’s story offered a perfect slice of escapism. Starring Estelle Skornik and
  
  Read more

• WPP's Mark Read on gender equality and a generational shift in business culture

  01-11-2018 14:22 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Wacl event also tackled the pay gap and the broad range of initiatives launched by companies.
  
  Read more

• The Drum's Biz Dev 100: Lydia Smith, new business director, M&C Saatchi London

  01-11-2018 14:17
  Welcome to The Drum’s Biz Dev 100, powered by The BD 100, which aims to recognize and celebrate important role played in the media and marketing industry by those who source and bring in new customers and keep the fortunes of businesses on track.
  Below is Lydia Smith, one of those at the top of their field who work in the UK biz dev sector.
   
  Name: Lydia Smith
  Job Title: new business director
  Agency: M&C Saatchi London
  What were your highlights of last year?I was promote
  
  Read more

• Burger King spotlights delivery app by sharing the dangers of drive-through

  01-11-2018 13:51
  Burger King is promoting its home delivery service by showing instances of drive-through patrons who weren’t so lucky in their ordering efforts.
  The burger chain’s latest campaign for its home delivery service shows photos of real car crashes at Burger King restaurants in Massachusetts, Alabama and Illinois. No one was seriously injured in any of the incidents, but the message is clear – not everyone is cut out for the drive-through window and they might be better off getting t
  
  Read more

• Sorrell: 'Revenge? That'd be building the new-era, new-approach agency'

  01-11-2018 12:58 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The S4 Capital founder spoke at Campaign's Breakfast Briefing this morning.
  
  Read more

• Campaign Big Awards: In pictures

  01-11-2018 12:47 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Last night, the great and good of adland gathered for the annual Big Awards. Here's a gallery of the guests and winners.
  
  Read more

• How Nescafé's Tony and Sharon ads brewed the UK's lasting romance with instant coffee

  01-11-2018 12:25
  The Drum has joined forces with leading industry legends and The Financial Times to recognize some of the most enduring campaigns of all-time. We start by looking at Nescafé’s hugely successful 'Gold Blend' series…
  Few advertising campaigns have captured the UK public’s imagination quite like Nestlé’s long-running 'Gold Blend' series.
  The serialized tale of Tony and Sharon, two characters who bond over their mutual love for Nescafé instant coffe
  
  Read more

• Dentsu Aegis Network poaches EE's Maddie Armitage to be data chief

  01-11-2018 12:23 via campaignlive.co.uk
  She will play a key role in the roll-out of Merkle's M1 platform.
  
  Read more

• The Drum's Biz Dev 100: Gareth Evans, head of growth, Cogent

  01-11-2018 12:00
  Welcome to The Drum’s Biz Dev 100, powered by The BD 100, which aims to recognize and celebrate important role played in the media and marketing industry by those who source and bring in new customers and keep the fortunes of businesses on track.
  Below is Gareth Evans, one of those at the top of their field who work in the UK biz dev sector.
   
  Name: Gareth Evans
  Job Title: head of growth
  Agency: Cogent
  What were your highlights of last year?It has to be our 82% pitch win rat
  
  Read more

• Business on the Move: Dr Martens, Lotus, Coty, and more

  01-11-2018 12:00
  Welcome to The Drum's Business on the Move column, where we collate agency account news, reviews, agency launches, rebrands and acquisitions.
  Global wins
  Puma has made Havas Media its agency-of-record following a review led by ID Comms. The agency will start work in January next year.
  Americas wins
  Unison Home Ownership Investors has selected Cutwater as its creative agency-of-record. The selection follows a competitive pitch process.
  The JM Smucker Company has consolidated its creative, data, m
  
  Read more

• Facebook rolls out 'Breaking News' label globally and says it's driving publisher traffic

  01-11-2018 11:57
  Facebook has expanded its 'Breaking News' label as it looks to help users identify the timeliest stories circulating its network. As well as boosting its own news credentials among readers, the social network is pitching the move as a way for publishers to boost their traffic.
  The social network has been testing the feature with prominent publishers in North America since 2017 and has introduced more than 100 titles from across the world to tag their stories as 'breaking news'. These labels
  
  Read more

• Adidas and Very stage fitness day to showcase collection launch

  01-11-2018 11:39 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The event will feature fitness sessions and special DJ sets.
  
  Read more

• SpotX appoints new demand facilitation director in Indonesia

  01-11-2018 11:21
  Global video advertising and monetisation platform SpotX has appointed Tri Meyliana Sadewi (Dewi) as director of demand facilitation for Indonesia, as the company aims to expand its reach within Indonesia.
  Sadewi joins SpotX after working with other ad market leaders including AdColony, Big Mobile and Vserv and will help helping brands connect with Indonesia premium video audiences
  SpotX Asia’s managing director, Gavin Buxton, said: “Dewi has a wealth of experience and relationships
  
  Read more

• BBC Sounds takes over London Eye

  01-11-2018 11:21 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The location will become the 'London Ear' for the day, with BBC shows being broadcast live and podcasts recorded in the capsules.
  
  Read more

• Google staff walk out to protest treatment of women

  01-11-2018 11:18 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Thousands of employees from around the world are expected to take part.
  
  Read more

• JBL and Google Assistant create a fright night like no other

  01-11-2018 11:07 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The activation on Halloween showcased JBL's voice-activated product range.
  
  Read more

• Departing ITN chief John Hardie: 'Macho media culture has got to go'

  01-11-2018 11:06
  The departing chief of ITN, John Hardie, is demanding that the “macho” passport-at-the-ready culture in television news has “got to go”, claiming it damages the career prospects of women and undermines the family lives of parents working in the sector.
  Pledging ITN’s commitment to a series of radical parenting policies, Hardie calls for a cultural shift in newsrooms to give women a better chance of reaching the top jobs.
  “The macho days of job first, family s
  
  Read more

• Engine enters consultation period in midst of restructure

  01-11-2018 10:58 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Company says the move will affect a 'small number' of people.
  
  Read more

• Patrón to host 'Day of the Dead' celebration

  01-11-2018 10:57 via campaignlive.co.uk
  The tequila brand is showcasing Mexican heritage with art installations and music.
  
  Read more

• Ex Topshop brand director accuses Sir Philip Green of bullying

  01-11-2018 10:57
  Former Topshop brand director Jane Shepherdson has weighed into allegations of impropriety leveled against Sir Phillip Green, by accusing the retail tycoon of being a ‘bully’.
  Pulling no punches, Shepherdson claimed that bullying remained a live issue at the retailer, labeling Green’s behavior as being ‘worse than most’. She said: “There’s no question he was a bully, everyone knows he was a bully.”
  The intervention follows revelations that sev
  
  Read more

• Grey Goose partners Everyman cinema for event series

  01-11-2018 10:47 via campaignlive.co.uk
  Events will be staged to tie in with specific occasions.
  
  Read more

• Video: telling more than just a story on mobile

  01-11-2018 10:37
  Video harnesses the power of storytelling in ways that audio and written content cannot. The visual element adds a whole new dimension of storytelling that pulls audiences into a whole new world of discovery.
  As many of you know, over half the content we consume on our mobiles is in video format, and now we have been creating them so they can be consumed on the move on the small rectangular screens we carry around in our pockets.
  In this webinar we talk to speakers from Lego, Just Eat and Facebo
  
  Read more

• Rakuten data claims 74% of UK marketers are missing out on global opportunities

  01-11-2018 10:29
  New research has highlighted the scale of squandered opportunity for UK marketers with figures showing that 74% are missing out on global opportunities owing to a lack of regional focus.
  Rakuten Marketing found that despite the blown opportunities two-thirds of UK marketers believed that overseas customers were both wealthier (62%), younger (64%) and digitally savvy (71%).
  Such sentiments are particularly pronounced in the Asia-pacific area where 82% believing the regions customer base to be &ls
  
  Read more

• Th_nk acquired by Epam: why agency bosses sold up when it wasn't in the plan

  01-11-2018 10:00
  It’s been 14 years since digital agency Th_nk was founded, then run, from a bedroom in Newcastle by Tarek Nseir and business partner Gary Glozier – a pair of university students. In the subsequent years it went on to win a huge contract for now-defunct Northern Rock and service the likes of Pottermore, Vue, and Liverpool FC, now it's being bought by engineering software firm Epam.
  Following Th_nk's expansion into London, and earlier this year Liverpool, the acquisition will
  
  Read more

Follow @marketing_UKnws on Twitter!