Public services marketing

Brands offered exclusive sponsorship rights for Whitehall campaigns

Brands will be offered the chance to exclusively sponsor government campaigns following a relaxation of the rules that govern how Whitehall funds its marketing efforts.

VisitBritain boss says Government would be 'mad' to abandon Great funding

Sandie Dawe, chief executive at Visit Britain, has urged the Government to continue financially supporting its 'Great' campaign and said it would be "completely mad to walk away".

Manning Gottlieb retains DWP enrolment brief

Manning Gottlieb OMD has retained the media planning contract for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) automatic enrolment campaign, after a three-way pitch.

London Fire Brigade credits social media with cutting fires

Young professionals are having two fewer fires a week on the back of the social media efforts of the London Fire Brigade, according to new figures.

Europe upholds UK ban on political advertising

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has upheld the UK's ban of political advertising in broadcast media, after an eight-year appeal from the campaign group Animal Defenders International (ADI).

EU postpones crucial vote on European-wide data regulation law

The EU has delayed the vote on a controversial reform of data protection laws, which seek to implement a single law across all 27 member states.

Under the spotlight: Sheila Mitchell, marketing director, Public Health England

Public Health England, the newly-created executive body of the Department of Health (DH), has released its first marketing strategy.

Burnt hair straighteners give London Fire Brigade a viral hit on Facebook

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has scored a social media success after an image of a pair of burnt hair straighteners posted on its Facebook wall was seen by more than four million people.

Advertising Association calls for adspend increase in Budget

The Advertising Association (AA) is urging the government to spend more money on advertising its economic growth policies or run the risk of those initiatives "dying of ignorance".

Advertising Association boss hits out at 'reckless' attacks from health lobby

Tim Lefroy, the Advertising Association chief executive, has slammed health lobby groups' recent attacks on advertising as "reckless" and has called for their claims to come under closer scrutiny.

Procurement accused of 'rupturing' Whitehall marketing departments

The Government Procurement Service (GPS) has allegedly created 'ruptures' within Whitehall's marketing departments over the creation of the government's advertising roster.

A military campaign that's well worth embarking on

Ploughing through agency submissions for the Campaign School Reports (out next month), the issue of trust is played out in its own little way.

Olympic sponsors abandon London Mayor's sports legacy projects

London 2012 sponsors have been accused of abandoning their commitment to the Olympic legacy, with the Greater London Authority (GLA) struggling to raise funds for sports-participation projects.

Culture Secretary promises to be 'cheerleader' for marketing industry

Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has promised to be a "cheerleader" for the advertising industry, following the revelation that marketing generates £100bn of the UK's GDP.

Bailey Review to praise brands' steps to shield children

The government's 'stocktake' of industry efforts to combat childhood sexualisation and commercialisation as part of the Bailey Review is set to applaud several of the steps taken by marketers.

London & Partners hires Oxfam marketer to lead post-Olympic strategy

London & Partners, the promotional body for the capital, has hired Chris Gottlieb, Oxfam's communications director, to the newly-created role of director of strategy, brand and communications.

Sun and Telegraph among papers warning of a 'shackled' press

A series of ads warning that state-imposed regulation of the press would mark an end to the freedom of the press has the backing of the press ahead of Lord Justice Leveson's anticipated recommendations on Thursday (29 November).

Government 'Midata' plan comes under fire

The government has unveiled its 'Midata' plan, which aims to revolutionise how consumers access personal information on them held by brands, amid concerns that the initiative is too narrow in its scope.

Transport for London ads warn against taking illegal minicabs

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a campaign to highlight the dangers of using illegal minicabs in the capital.

Brands commit to latest Responsibility Deal pledges

The government is gearing up for the next phase of its 'Responsibility Deal' programme, partnering brands to encourage consumers to eat fruit and vegetables and discourage retailers from displaying confectionery at checkouts.