mad.co.uk : Today's Breaking News

Ad agencies vie for sexual health brief

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:00 GMT

The Department of Health (DH) and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has shortlisted four agencies to handle the advertising for a new sexual health campaign.

Ryanair agrees voluntary actions with OFT

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Ryanair has reached agreement with the Office of Fair Trading to increase the clarity and transparency of its website and other advertising.

Simmer works on Claire’s Handmade preserves

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Simmer is designing a new identity, packaging, website and marketing materials for artisan preserve-maker Claire’s Handmade.

Barraclough works on vegetarian brands

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:15:00 GMT

Cheshire-based Barraclough Associates is working on a project to refine and develop the Vegetarian Society’s brands.

Volkswagen ad looks on the bright side of life

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Volkswagen is launching a summer campaign for its Passat model, telling consumers to think positive despite the doom and gloom of the recession.

Rajars show continued growth of digital radio

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Internet radio is continuing to boom, according to the latest Rajar findings, with 16.9m UK adults tuning in online.

Samsung launches Jet with integrated campaign

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics is today (July 3) unveiling a £5m marketing campaign to support the launch of its latest smartphone, Jet.

Alibaba.com in EMEA brand push

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:15:00 GMT

E-commerce company Alibaba.com has appointed Truly London to spearhead a major campaign across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in a bid to boost its brand awareness.

Thomas Cook agency pitch nears decision

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Thomas Cook is thought to have narrowed the agency shortlist for its advertising business down to a shoot out between Euro RSCG and start up Campbell Lace Beta.

Ramsay stars in Gordon’s ad

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:45:00 GMT

Diageo is to launch a new marketing campaign for Gordon’s Gin featuring brand ambassador and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

Johnson & Johnson takes stake in Irish drug firm

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:45:00 GMT

Johnson & Johnson has shelled out $1bn (£610m) to take an 18.4% stake in Irish drugmaker Elan Corp.

ECJ clears Dutch brewer over use of Bavaria name

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:15:00 GMT

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has cleared Dutch brewer Bavaria to continue to produce and market 'Bavaria' beer following complaints from brewers from the German region that their beer is geographically protected.

Drinkaware anxious about funding

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Drinkaware is in talks with the alcoholic drinks industry over its future funding after revealing it faces a £2m shortfall this year.

DMG eyes extending ASA’s digital remit

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:30:00 GMT

The Digital Media Group (DMG) is in advanced discussions with a number of industry sectors that could lead to the Advertising Standards Authority assuming regulation of marketing communications on companies’ own websites.

AA reviews direct marketing account

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

The AA, a leader in the roadside assistance market, is reviewing its DM account and is believed to be considering a boost in its advertising activity.

Unilever reviews global media agencies

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Unilever is reviewing its media agency relationships in the UK, North America, France, Germany, Spain and several other “key” markets.

Vodafone awards LBi global digital brief

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Vodafone, the UK’s second largest mobile operator, is understood to have appointed LBi to handle its global digital strategy.

Associated Northcliffe Digital launches hyperlocal social sites

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Associated Northcliffe Digital (AND) has launched the first phase of its hyperlocal sites, rolling out 23 local community sites in South West England.

Former Landor designers move on with Family and Friends

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Ex-Landor creative director Derek Johnston has set up a new consultancy, Family and Friends, with Alex Durbridge, and has contracts in place with several blue-chip companies.

Gladman & Norman designs Elizabeth Cross

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Birmingham-based group Gladman & Norman has designed the new Elizabeth Cross, an award which will be given to the families of British armed forces personnel killed in action or by terrorist attacks since 1945.

Sir Keith launches new anti-Coutts campaign

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:15:00 GMT

Sir Keith Mills, Air Miles and Nectar founder and a key figure of the London 2012 Olympics, has launched another press ad campaign against Coutts, the subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Bing indexes Twitter updates

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:15:00 GMT

Microsoft has begun including Twitter updates in its Bing results as the race to provide real-time search results hots up.

O2 to launch interactive 3D game

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Mobile operator O2 is launching what it claims will be the UK’s first interactive 3D game.

TalkTalk launches “brighter” brand positioning

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Carphone Warehouse’s broadband business TalkTalk is launching a new ad campaign devised to position it as Britain’s “brighter” phone and broadband company.

IPC promotes Pick Me Up to boost sales

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:45:00 GMT

Weekly magazine Pick Me Up is to sponsor Jerry Springer and Maury Povich on Virgin Media TV’s Living 1 and Living 2 as part of a new marketing burst to boost the revamped title.