Branding news & analysis

Tesco gives ready meals multimillion-pound revamp

Tesco is giving its ready meals a multimillion-pound relaunch supported by a national advertising campaign, with the slogan '20% more at no extra cost'.

New look for Marketing Design Awards

The Marketing Design Awards 2012, which launch today, have been refreshed, with new categories introduced and a judging panel of key industry figures drawn from the marketing, design and branding sectors.

M&S profits drop for first time in three years

Marks & Spencer has posted its first underlying pre-tax profits drop in three years and has revised its predicted growth in revenues down by around £500m across the next three years.

Apple cements most valuable brand status as UK's giants slide

Apple has extended its lead at the top of Millward Brown's annual ranking of the top 100 most valuable global brands, while UK brands including Tesco and O2 have slipped down the table.

Noelle McElhatton: Forget austerity. 'Agile' is the new 'a' word for marketers

The 'a' word much in evidence amongst marketers these days, is not austerity, but 'agility' - as in yesterday's packed Agile Government Communications Strategy Conference, attended by more than 400 agency chiefs.

Virgin Media marketing chief: 'Facebook will be a powerful player for some time to come'

As marketing director of Virgin Media, Nigel Gilbert has one of the biggest budgets in the UK. Marketing magazine caught up with Gilbert at Media360 to gauge his reaction to Facebook's historic IPO

John Lewis partners Kuoni for first 'shop within a shop'

John Lewis is opening its first "shop within a shop" after partnering with luxury travel company Kuoni to offer travel shop concessions in its department stores.

Think BR: In whom we trust

How can brands earn trust and create a proposition that lives up to consumer expectation, asks Jo Boyd, managing director, Anthem Worldwide UK.

Clinton-owned Birthdays brand to disappear from high street

Greetings card retailer Birthdays will disappear from the high street amid 350 store closures orchestrated by the administrators of parent company Clinton Cards.

Industry view: Does M&S's new value food range hit the spot?

Marks & Spencer's introduction of a value-focused range, Simply M&S, is dividing opinion. Many observers see it as a 'solid strategy' to cater to the 'squeezed middle' but there is criticism of a 'me-too' move into already occupied territory.

CREATIVE STRATEGY: National Trust rediscovers the joys of childhood

I've always had a love/hate relationship with the National Trust. This is based on extensive experience. Since I could walk, perhaps even before then, I was taken round every stately home, castle and ruin in north-west England and beyond.

Toyota brings 'Always a Better Way' global positioning to UK

Toyota is set to bring its UK marketing into line with its 'Always a Better Way' global corporate vision, as it looks to move on from its 2010 vehicle-recall crisis.

Marketing's top five Jubilee initiatives

As the Queen's Diamond Jubilee approaches, brands are trying to outdo each other by celebrating the occasion with tailored brands to mark the occasion. Here Marketing looks at five of the best.

Boots revamps pharmacies to reflect specialities

Boots is introducing a new look and feel to all of its pharmacies after a reappraisal of the business following changes to NHS service provision in the UK.

Branson-shaped ice cubes take off on selected Virgin flights

Virgin Atlantic is treating its upper class travellers to Richard Branson-shaped ice cubes.

Manchester City kicks off kid-friendly overhaul

Manchester City is launching a major initiative that will develop its junior membership scheme, content and strategy, to boost the club's appeal to children.

Unilever tops 2012 Marketing Society Awards nominations

Unilever, ASOS, British Gas, McDonald's and John Lewis top the nominations shortlist for the 2012 Marketing Society Awards for excellence

River wins brief to publish Co-op event magazine

River Publishing has won the contract to publish a 32-page A5 magazine that will accompany The Co-operative Village, an event launched by the Co-op in a move to extend its brand.

LG seeks 3D TV boost with strategy shift

LG is switching the focus of its home entertainment division away from families towards an early adopter audience to reflect a change in the design of its 3D televisions.