‘Bond market tantrum risks’: Gilt traders brace for Labour leftward pivot as Starmer future uncertain
London investor in Peloton and Goop raises third fund at $300m January 15, 2020 Venture capital firm Felix Capital has today revealed its third fund at $300m (£230.3m), targeting startups at both early and growth stages across London and beyond. The firm has previously invested in the likes of Deliveroo, Peloton and Mejuri, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop. The new fund is double that of its [...]
British tech startups beat £10bn funding to top global growth January 15, 2020 Investment into the UK’s burgeoning scene of tech startups grew more than anywhere else in the world last year, leaving previous records in the dust as investors sought private markets. Venture capital funding for UK tech firms reached £10.1bn in 2019, rising 44 per cent year on year and breaking the all-time high set two [...]
Fitness startup Classpass becomes a unicorn with $285m funding round January 8, 2020 Fitness startup Classpass today announced the close of a $285m funding round, pushing its total value past $1bn. The round, which was led by L Catterton and Apax Digital, means that the American company has joined the ranks of the so-called unicorns, startups which have raised more than $1bn in funding. Read more: Puregym expands [...]
The top tech predictions for 2020 January 6, 2020 Welcome to 2020. After a week or more of festive cheer and turkey-induced fatigue, it’s time to get back to work. But don’t despair. The year — and decade — ahead is set to be an exciting one, especially in the world of technology. To find out what changes may lie ahead, City A.M. asked [...]
Watchdog puts BAT in its sights as it clamps down on Instagram vaping ads December 18, 2019 The advertising watchdog has banned British American Tobacco (BAT) from promoting e-cigarettes on public Instagram pages, including through the use of influencer marketing. In a landmark ruling, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) stated that the tobacco giant had breached regulations on promoting unlicensed, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. Read more: Peloton’s ‘sexist’ advert was so bad it sent [...]
The best and worst ads of 2019 December 16, 2019 It has been a year of highs and lows for adland. PRs, creative agencies, and brands will be examining their advertising efforts this month, and while some will be pleased with their work, others will be looking to improve next year. To help with this process, I asked members of the marketing industry and other [...]
How Iceland found the perfect Christmas campaign formula December 11, 2019 Twas the month before Christmas (in 2018), and the festive cheer was seemingly “cancelled” for British frozen food giant Iceland. “We’re absolutely gutted,” a defeated Richard Walker, Iceland’s managing director, told the BBC. “We wanted to share this message far and wide.” Well, for Richard, Christmas miracles are very much real. This particular miracle began when [...]
Pub chain censured after ads implied booze could boost confidence December 11, 2019 The advertising watchdog has taken aim at a UK pub chain over adverts deemed to encourage excessive drinking and imply alcohol could cure shyness. Read more: Peloton’s ‘sexist’ advert was so bad it sent shares crashing Blackrose, which operates roughly 40 boozers across the country, posted adverts on Facebook about three of its pubs. In [...]
Peloton’s ‘sexist’ advert was so bad it sent shares crashing December 4, 2019 Exercise bike firm Peloton is facing a fierce backlash over a Christmas advert that has been widely mocked as “sexist” and “dystopian”. The 30-second campaign shows a woman receiving a Peloton bike – which costs roughly £2,000 – from her husband. Read more: What the cluck? Watchdog bans offensive KFC advert over swear word reference [...]
London gym 1Rebel unveils at-home Peloton competitor November 11, 2019 City gym studio 1Rebel has revealed a collaboration with equipment provider Technogym to take its rivalry with US fitness giant Peloton to the next level. 1Rebel is expanding into the at-home gym market, partnering with Technogym to develop an exercise bike and a wealth of both live and pre-recorded spin classes for fitness enthusiasts. Since [...]