Branding news & analysis

Skyn condom brand takes testimonial approach

Skyn, the Ansell Healthcare-owned condom brand, is focusing on product testimonials from women in a global marketing campaign kicking off in the UK this week.

Google to launch 'own-brand entertainment hardware' 1

Google is developing an own-brand, home-entertainment system that streams music wirelessly through the home, according to reports.

Absolut partners Gorillaz artist Hewlett for 'Bloody London' push

Absolut has teamed up with Jamie Hewlett, the co-founder and illustrator of band Gorillaz, to create a limited edition London-themed bottle.

RBS Insurance division to rebrand as Direct Line Group

RBS Insurance Group, the insurance division which owns the Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege and Green Flag brands, is set to rebrand as Direct Line Insurance Group.

Coca-Cola to boost brand spend by up to $400m

Coca-Cola has outlined a plan to re-invest up to $400m (£253m) of operational cost savings into brand-building initiatives over a period of four years.

Branding 'police' mask non-sponsor logos at Olympic venues 6

Kimberly-Clark is one of several companies that will find its brand logos at sporting venues being covered with masking tape ahead of the Olympics.

Unilever personal care brands sponsor British Lotus F1 Team

Rexona (Sure in the UK) and Clear, the deodorant and anti-dandruff brands owned by Unilever, are to sponsor British Formula 1 team Lotus in a multi-year deal.

VCCP launches branded content division

VCCP Partnership is launching a branded content division called VCCP Content.

Bmibaby sold to mystery buyer

Lufthansa-owned BMI has signed a deal to offload its no-frills regional airline bmibaby to an unnamed UK-based company.

Innocent smoothies encourages consumers to unleash their inner Casanova

Innocent smoothies has launched an alternative idea for a Valentine's gift this year, by encouraging consumers to personalise a label on their favourite smoothie and give it to someone special.

Pampering brands Nivea and Maybelline score well in brand survey

Pampering brands Nivea and Maybelline are among those brands that have increased their brand allure, while Apple dominates at the top of the UK and international list of most desirable brands, according to new research.

Specsavers claims victory after two-year battle with Asda

Specsavers is claiming victory in a legal wrangle with Asda over an ad campaign the supermarket giant ran for its opticians using a "spec savings at Asda" strapline.

Argos looks to US for new managing director

Argos, the Home Retail Group-owned high-street business, has appointed US retail executive John Walden as managing director, effective this month.

Dixons loses chief executive to Apple 1

Apple has hired John Browett , Dixons Retail chief executive and the former Tesco.com chief, to lead its retail strategy and the expansion of Apple stores around the world.

Sky to launch pay-as-you-go content for non-subscribers 1

Sky is taking on LoveFilm and Netflix by launching its own pay-as-you-go internet TV service, which will allow consumers to watch some of its movie and TV content whether they are Sky subscribers or not.

Starbucks to open in India

Starbucks is to open its first outlets in India this year, as part of an agreement between the Seattle-based coffee chain and the Tata conglomerate.

Breast Cancer Care trials 'hard-hitting' ad approach

Breast Cancer Care is to swap its pink-themed messaging for a more hard-hitting positioning, including the potential rebranding of its Pink Ribbonwalk fundraiser.

T-Mobile rolls out 'Full Monty' unlimited deal

T-Mobile is launching a proposition called 'The Full Monty' this week, which will offer customers unlimited calls, texts and data, with a major campaign coinciding with new activity from sister brand Orange.

Ecover readies 'feel good' festival push

Ecover, the eco-friendly cleaning brand, is to embark on live marketing activity at UK festivals during the summer as part of its "feel good cleaning" marketing activity.

Olympic hopefuls join Pantene campaign 1

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has signed up several female athletes, including British cyclist Victoria Pendleton, as brand ambassadors for hair brand Pantene, ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.