Facebook launches cryptocurrency with backing of Uber, Visa and Spotify June 18, 2019 Facebook has today published the white paper for its widely anticipated cryptocurrency initiative, with the founding support of several major businesses across multiple sectors. Named libra after the Roman unit of measure once used to mint coins, the cryptocurrency will be managed by an independent eponymous association consisting of 28 initial founding companies. Alongside Facebook [...]
Beware the rising threat of ‘onlyness’ in the office June 18, 2019 Countless times at work, I’ve thought to myself “is it just me?”, “am I invisible?”, or “surely that’s not right?”. And I’m not the only one who has wanted to raise a concern in the office but didn’t – in fact, there are millions of us in the same boat. Rungway’s market research recently found [...]
Chuka failed – but the centre ground isn’t as empty as you’d think June 18, 2019 It’s been a sad, strange journey for Chuka Umunna. Only a few short years ago, he was being touted as Britain’s Barack Obama, the telegenic answer to Labour’s prayers – at a time when their then leader couldn’t even eat a bacon sandwich without looking like his face was pulling in three different directions. But [...]
Experience success: what’s the value of experiential advertising? June 17, 2019 A few weeks ago, commuters passing through Waterloo train station were greeted with the site of a miniature Garden of Eden, where they could stop to chat with angels and demons, pick up a toffee apple, and take a picture with a live snake. This event was designed by marketing agency Experience12 to promote the [...]
At a time of political flux, UK-US links have never been more important June 17, 2019 It was no surprise to see so much media scrutiny around President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Britain, and there is no doubt that the special relationship between the UK and the US will remain in sharp focus over the coming years. Whatever form that relationship takes in the future, it’s impossible to ignore a [...]
We must rediscover our pride in our shared European heritage June 17, 2019 With the insult of coming third in the Peterborough by-election, adding to the injury of fifth place in the European elections, the Conservative party needs to coalesce quickly around a new leader – one who can heal the party’s historic divisions and set out a distinctive agenda on Europe. Whether the UK leaves the EU [...]
UBS economist must ‘pay the price’ over Chinese pigs comment, state media says June 15, 2019 Chinese state media has warned UBS economist Paul Donovan must “pay the price” over remarks he made referencing Chinese pigs. The Swiss banking giant apologised earlier this week after its global chief economist’s comments sparked outrage in China. Read more: UBS apologises after economist’s ‘Chinese pigs’ comment sparks public outrage Donovan made the comments in [...]
Love him or hate him, Boris is nicking the Marmite strategy June 14, 2019 Is there any brand in the history of advertising that has come up with a slogan as ingenious as Marmite’s “You Either Love It Or Hate It”? I say this as someone who despises Marmite. To quote the singer Amanda Palmer lamenting her partner’s love of this inexplicable condiment, “it tastes like sadness, it tastes [...]
Eddie Jones to stay on as England head coach until 2021 as RFU backtrack on succession plans June 13, 2019 Since taking over in May, the Rugby Football Union’s new chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has been busy. With a World Cup just four months away, he has also had to contend with proposals for the Six Nations, a potential World Rugby Nations Championship, and the future of England’s coaching team. Here are five key insights [...]
Diego Maradona biopic a strikingly candid antidote to airbrushed world of modern football June 13, 2019 “Peace,” says a young Diego Maradona when asked, five minutes into Asif Kapadia’s candid new film about the troubled Argentinian genius, what he is hoping for from his impending transfer from Barcelona to Napoli. There is precious little of that in his seven tumultuous years in the fervent southern Italian city, which form the basis [...]