DS Smith forecasts growth will beat targets after in-line results March 6, 2014 RECYCLED packaging supplier DS Smith yesterday reported in-line results for the third quarter and said growth remains ahead of its medium-term financial targets. The FTSE 250 firm said that like-for-like corrugated box volume growth has remained good, with a particularly strong performance from Germany and central and eastern Europe. The company, which packages McVities Hobnobs [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 04 March 2014 March 3, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Nine private equity heads share $2.5bn The nine founders of the four big listed US private equity companies took home more than $2.5bn between them last year, with Apollo Global Management’s Leon Black alone receiving $546m. The dividend income, investment profits and other compensation shared by the founders of Apollo, Blackstone, Carlyle and [...]
Blurred lines: What the rise of branded content means for marketers March 2, 2014 @LiamWardProud WHEN is an ad not an ad? Last year, Channel 4 aired a daytime cookery show called What’s Cooking? It featured celebrity chefs including Jean-Christophe Novelli, and often drew an audience in excess of 200,000 according to Kantar Media. But there was something different about this programme: the food featured was mostly Sainsbury’s own-label [...]
Derwent assets soar in value February 27, 2014 Derwent London said its net asset value leapt by almost a quarter last year after agreeing a record £21.8m of lettings as companies flocked to take up space in its buildings. Net asset value soared by 23.6 per cent to £2.37bn in 2013. The developer said its office scheme the Buckley Building in Farringdon are [...]
City Moves for 28 February 2014 | Who’s switching jobs February 27, 2014 Standard Chartered The bank has announced the appointment of Sanjeeb Chaudhuri as group head of brand and chief marketing officer. He joined in 2011 from Citicorp, where he was chief executive for retail and commercial banking for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Chaudhuri has also held senior marketing and general management positions at [...]
The Digital Effect February 16, 2014 Annabel Palmer discusses trends with Gwyn Jones, BBH’s group chief executive BRITISH advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) has been Agency of the Year twice at the Cannes Lions Festival, and has created notable campaigns including “Vorsprung durch Technik” for Audi and “The Lynx Effect” for Unilever. Group chief executive Gwyn Jones tells City A.M. [...]
PwC wins £9m audit contract for Vodafone February 13, 2014 VODAFONE will replace auditor Deloitte after 26 years with rival PwC from April. The FTSE 100 telecoms giant made the announcement following a tender process first announced in November 2013. “We thank Deloitte for their significant contribution as Vodafone’s auditors and we look forward to working with PwC going forward,” said Vodafone audit and risk [...]
Creston sees advertising growth February 3, 2014 Communications group Creston reported increases in revenue and headline profit during the three months to 31 December yesterday. “We remain cautious with regard to the ongoing impact of the volatility in some of our clients’ marketing budgets but are reassured by the successful pitching for new business in the period,” said Creston in a management [...]
Dassault Systemes snaps up US software company in $750m deal January 30, 2014 San Diego-based software provider Accelrys, whose clients include AstraZeneca, Du Pont and Unilever, is set to be bought by France's Dassault Systemes for $750m (£452) in an attempt to expand its product range. The Accelrys board has unanimously approved the deal which is expected to be concluded in the second quarter of 2014. Dassault is [...]
Bottom Line: An orderly handover but uneasy lies any head wearing this crown January 29, 2014 LONG live the new king. Sainsbury’s emphasis is firmly on continuity as it announces its new boss. The choice of commercial director Mike Coupe is the antithesis of a palace coup – every inch a loyal insider, Coupe is closely tied to King’s strategic vision, as demonstrated by his involvement in recent successes like Brand [...]