The week in brief
Samsung launches brand marketing platform
The electronics company has launched a brand marketing platform, “Launching People”, that will create a TV series where stars (including Idris Elba, Paloma Faith, Gizzi Erskine, and Rankin), will mentor undiscovered talent. Samsung hopes it will help the brand become the “most loved” in Britain.
Mini seeks new creative agency
Mini has launched a review of its global creative agency requirements, and is seeking a new agency to handle its accounts. The car brand, which recently appointed BMW’s Uwe Drewer as its marketing director, has not had an international lead creative agency for two years. Before that, it used BSUR in Amsterdam.
Omnicom/Publicis Groupe merger pushed back
Omnicom has said its merger with Publicis Groupe, which would create the largest advertising and communications company in the world by revenues, might not take place until the third quarter of 2014. Delays in obtaining antitrust clearance from China for the $35bn merger, among other complications (Omnicom reported its pre-tax income increased by less than 1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014), has delayed the expected completion date by around nine months.
Britvic on digital agency hunt
Britvic, the drinks manufacturer, is pitching for a digital agency to work across its brands. It currently works with BBH (on Robinsons, J2O and Tango); and CHI & Partners, which holds the Drench business.
“Big Six” contender launches new campaign
Electricity and gas company Ovo Energy launched a new campaign on Valentine’s Day to challenge the dominance of the “Big Six”. It marks the company’s debut TV ad, directed by Andrew Gaynord through Mindseye. “The ad aims to encourage people to break up with their energy supplier and feel loved again,” marketing director Charlie Smith told City PM Fabula created the spot.
Ads of the week
■ Coca-Cola has released a new Olympics-themed ad, which shows a US astronaut and Russian cosmonaut watching a hockey game from the International Space Station. The ad, directed by Adam Hashemi, is from Wieden + Kennedy.
■ Volkswagen has launched a new ad for the Golf, Campaign reported last week. Adam & Eve/DDB created the ad, which aims to show that the car may cost more than its rivals, but you get what you pay for. It was directed by James Rouse.