Royal London boss calls on FCA chief to look at pension rules May 13, 2014 THE BOSS of mutual Royal London has called on the financial regulator to tighten up the rules on advice offered to people on their retirement, specifically around pensions. Announcing the group’s first quarter results, Phil Loney said the government’s guarantee of guidance, outlined in the Budget in March, does not go far enough. “There is [...]
Driving change May 11, 2014 Annabel Palmer talks to Engine Group’s UK CEO Debbie Klein UNDER Debbie Klein’s leadership in the mid-2000s, WCRS became a Top 10 Advertising Agency for the first time in its 30-year history. Later, as UK-joint chief executive, Klein doubled revenue at the Engine Group (the UK’s largest independent communications company). Today, she is steering that [...]
The week in brief May 11, 2014 Publicis Group and Omnicom merger falls apart Publicis and Omicom, two of the world’s biggest advertising firms, have called off ther proposed merger. The $35bn (£22.8bn) deal would have formed the world’s largest ad agency. It was claimed last July that the merger would enable the two giants to compete more effectively in the digital [...]
New airline turns to crowdfunding to launch business class-only flights April 30, 2014 A new airline set up by a Goldman Sachs alumnus, which hopes to bring back business class-only flights to the States, is raising up to £5m through crowd-funding. Odyssey Airlines was founded by Adam Scott, a former banker who has assembled a team of start-up veterans including some of the founders of Silverjet, whose [...]
Ahead of the curve April 27, 2014 Annabel Palmer talks data with Tash Whitmey, UK chief executive at Havas EHS CREATIVE agency Havas EHS aims to be a market leader in delivering ideas, powered by data, for a digital world. At its helm sits Tash Whitmey, long-time champion of data’s potential. She tells City PM how she is driving relevant targeted communication. [...]
The week in brief April 27, 2014 Sony in Made in Chelsea stint Sony will become the first product placement partner for E4’s reality TV show. The deal, brokered by Mediacom and Channel 4, will see six cast members using the Xperia Z1 Compact phone. Channel 4’s Rob Ramsey said: “Xperia Z1 Compact is a perfect PP partner.. The cast are socially [...]
Opportunity knocks April 14, 2014 Annabel Palmer talks to Dan Clays, the man who gave OMD new direction WHEN Dan Clays joined OMD UK as managing director in 2012, he was on a mission. There was, he says, huge opportunity to “bring the agency back into the spotlight”. It was good timing – Clays had been in his previous role [...]
Generation Wealth: Brands are overlooking the most lucrative demographic April 14, 2014 @LiamWardProud COURTING millennials is something of an obsession among media types. With brands chasing the digital trendsetters born between 1980 and 2000, marketing campaigns seem increasingly driven by Twitter hashtags, Facebook follows and all manner of social media buzzwords. This could be a huge mistake. The UK’s population is ageing – quickly. In 2015, over-40s [...]
The week in brief April 14, 2014 OMD awarded £21m UK Disney media account OMD has won Disney’s £21m UK media planning and buying account (part of a wider review into Disney’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Havas Media will be responsible for local markets in Benelux, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Disney’s EMEA incumbent agency Carat is contracted [...]
Jupiter Fund Management beats expectations April 11, 2014 Jupiter Fund Management has seen assets under its management increase to £32.2bn in the three months to 31 March. The figure beat stockbroker Numis' estimate of £32.1bn by 0.3 per cent. The company also saw net mutual fund inflows of £465m for the same period and enjoyed £0.5bn of net inflows in the first quarter. It continued [...]
