Downton Abbey and Strictly Come Dancing beaten by Queen’s message to top of Christmas TV ratings December 26, 2015 Downton Abbey pipped Strictly Come Dancing to the title of most watched Christmas Day TV show this year – although neither programme could match the audience for the Queen's speech. The final of hit ITV period show Downton Abbey received an audience of 6.6m from its 8.45pm showing, beating competition from the hour-long EastEnders Christmas special which was [...]
Which actor is the best investment? Marvel Avengers stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth provide biggest bang for their buck December 21, 2015 If actors were stocks, investors would have landed their biggest returns from Captain America. Chris Evans, the actor who plays the marvel hero in the Avengers and the namesake films, gives the most bang for their buck of any actor, returning $214.20 for every $1 he's paid. Captain America isn't the only bankable Marvel star either. Scarlett [...]
ITV share price jumps on report of Comcast’s NBCUniversal bidding to takeover home of Downton Abbey December 21, 2015 The prospect of a takeover of the maker of Downtown Abbey has re-emerged with a fresh report that ITV is considering a sale to the US giant NBCUniversal, owned by Comcast, following meetings between the two broadcasters' bosses. Speculation that the British broadcaster is ripe for takeover has been rife for years, becoming a lucrative target since transforming under the stewardship [...]
Seizing the Moment: Why Antoine de Kermel thinks 2016 is the year of “moment marketing” December 21, 2015 In digital marketing, time is precious. And as brands vie to be noticed in the digital space, many are recognising the impact that offline events can have on online activity. “Moment marketing” may be the shot in the arm their campaigns need. Named as one of the six major marketing trends in Warc and Deloitte’s [...]
Star Wars Episode 7 The Force Awakens smashes box office records with $517m opening weekend worldwide December 20, 2015 Star Wars has lived up to the fever pitch hype breaking box office records over the weekend. The hugely anticipated seventh Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, raked in $517m (£347m) across the globe, and grossed a record $238m in the US and Canada alone, making it the biggest ever opening weekend in history ahead of dinosaur [...]
Star Wars 7 The Force Awakens spoilers: Chrome extension Force Block is the only alert tool you need to stop them December 15, 2015 It's finally here. After years of waiting, the biggest ever movie franchise follow up, Star Wars VII The Force Awakens, is hitting cinema screens. But with such hype comes one great risk to film-lovers – the spoiler, or the chance of someone letting slip the plot details. "Spoilers are the path to the dark side. Spoilers lead to anger. [...]
Move over Mog and Man of the Moon: Science says we loved Harvey Nichols’ “gift face” more than the Sainsburys and John Lewis Christmas adverts in 2015 December 15, 2015 Move over Mog and Man on the Moon, it's Harvey Nichols' "gift face" Christmas advert which really connected with us and made us feel something this festive season. If you haven't seen it, the ad features a recreation of the day itself and the less than inspired gift giving which takes place on it, urging us [...]
Five of the most ridiculous Star Wars Force Awakens merchandising and products : From Lightsaber chopsticks to Darth Vader showerheads December 14, 2015 As the world awaits Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens to hit cinemas, there's one thing that might just be even bigger than the biggest flm of the year – the merchandise. The Disney machine is already churning out everything from bed covers to waffle makers and products associated with the biggest film of the [...]
That bizarre Robert Dyas Christmas ad: What were they thinking? December 14, 2015 As we inch ever closer to Christmas Day, it seemed for a moment that the snow may have settled on this year’s seasonal advertising dust-up. However, Robert Dyas’ new festive spot just dropped, proving that it’s never too late to be the centre of attention – though not necessarily for the right reasons. Roundly ridiculed [...]
The science of branding: Neuro-Insight CEO Heather Andrew on brands and brains December 14, 2015 Emotion is not enough, says Heather Andrew When Cadbury’s drumming gorilla was unleashed in 2007, its soundtrack and surrealism allowed the confectioner to draw a line under its salmonella scare, and boosted sales by 9 per cent. But an entertaining advert is not enough. The role which branding plays within the advert is crucial, [...]