DEBATE: Is Valentine’s Day just a commercial gimmick? February 14, 2019 Is Valentine’s Day just a commercial gimmick? Beatrice Timpson, a political communications consultant, says YES. Frankly, if he turns up on Valentine’s Day without a Cards Galore “Be mine forever” teddy, a bunch of garage-forecourt-fresh coronations, and a candle reeking of potpourri, ditch him. He’s clearly not serious. He’ll run off with Audrey the au pair before [...]
It’s Valentine’s Day – here’s what to do when your romantic and professional lives collide February 14, 2019 If you date anyone in your industry, make sure you’re prepared to marry them. The stakes are just naturally so much higher when you decide to work with your partner – or date your colleague. In one fell swoop, you can tear up your relationship and professional status, divide a workplace into rival factions, and have [...]
Revolut’s Valentine’s Day advert caused a social media storm – and shows the pitfalls of using comedy in marketing February 11, 2019 Roses are red, violets are blue, there’s a company in hot water and it’s called Revolut. The fintech challenger bank, which offers a mobile-based banking service, recently launched a new ad campaign of Tube posters that joked about the spending habits of its customers. One of the four adverts read: “To the 11,867 people who [...]
May softens up to Corbyn talks as she pleads with MPs on Irish backstop February 10, 2019 Theresa May has moved to break the Brexit deadlock by inviting Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for fresh talks on the UK's membership of a customs union with the European Union. In a letter to the Labour leader, published late last night, May said she was prepared to hold further talks on a permanent customs union [...]
Fintech startup Revolut’s controversial Valentine’s Day advert faces financial watchdog scrutiny February 8, 2019 A fintech startup under fire for a Valentine’s Day ad that has been accused of mocking single people is now facing a potential probe from the UK’s financial watchdog. Revolut’s Tube advert led to complaints online after the ad addressed people who had apparently ordered a takeaway for one last Valentine’s Day. Read more: It's about time: [...]
DEBATE: Can we expect the Chinese celebration of Singles’ Day to make it over to Britain? November 13, 2018 Can we expect the Chinese celebration of Singles’ Day to make it over to Britain? Abbie Llewelyn, a writer and commentator, says YES. If you think that Valentine’s Day is a commercialised hallmark holiday, just wait until UK companies catch onto Singles’ Day. Originating at Chinese universities in the 90s, Alibaba made it what it [...]
Scratch that: John Lewis throws DVD players on the scrapheap as Netflix takes over October 23, 2018 John Lewis has pulled the plug on DVD players as competition from online streaming has decimated demand for physical films. The disk, which became popular in the last decade, fell out of fashion as Netflix invaded British homes. Read more: Why John Lewis' price promise won't deliver profits But those with a broken reader and [...]
German digital bank N26 backed by Tencent and Peter Thiel launches in the UK October 4, 2018 A German digital bank backed by Tencent, Li Ka-shing and Peter Thiel will launch in the UK today with the aim of taking on the big high street banks and adding to the fierce competition among British app-only banks. N26, which already counts 1.5m customers across 17 European countries, has started rolling out its banking [...]
Profit on the cards: Card Factory sees profits rise despite fall in like-for-like sales September 25, 2018 Card Factory hailed a double digit rise in profit today as it was boosted by record sales for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Read more: Heatwave hit retail footfall figures in August The figures The high street retailer saw pre-tax profit grow 17.2 per cent year on year to £27.2m for the [...]
Princesses, stamp duty and the rising tide of indoor swimming pools: The Billionaires’ Row estate agent talks to City A.M. about the changing times on London’s priciest street September 13, 2018 If anywhere is on the front line in the current struggle to sell London’s high-end property, it is The Bishops Avenue, the fabled Billionaires’ Row just north of Hampstead Heath; and if anyone is leading the fight, it is Trevor Abrahmsohn, the area’s legendary estate agent. Through his Glentree agency, Abrahmsohn has over the years [...]