The week in brief
Advertisers welcome chancellor’s SME Budget help
The chancellor’s decision to double the Annual Investment Allowance to £500,000 could spark an increase in ad spend by smaller firms, according to the trade body ISBA. Its director of public affairs Ian Twinn said, “this revision will free up cash and encourage smaller businesses to invest more money in advertising and pursue greater growth.”
BBC in talks with creative agencies
The BBC is meeting with creative agencies in preparation for a review of its advertising account. A spokesperson said: “The BBC is starting to have conversations with the industry to inform thinking about its future marketing requirements. This is not part of a formal procurement process.”
OMD overtakes Carat in new agency rankings
GroupM agency MediaCom retained the top spot in new media agency rankings compiled by Nielsen for Campaign. With billings of over £865m in 2013, OMD overtook Carat to finish in second place. MEC, meanwhile, saw one of the sharpest increases in billings of the top 10 agencies, with a 7.5 per cent increase from £656m to £705m, rising from sixth to fourth place.
Calls for junk food ad bans rebuffed
A report calling for junk food ads to be banned before 9pm was labelled as “lobbying dressed up as science” by the Advertising Association. Action on Junk Food Marketing found that unhealthy food accounted for around half of all food adverts.
Paddy Power withdraws controversial ad
A controversial betting advert offering “money back” if South African athlete Oscar Pistorius goes free was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority last week for bringing advertising “into disrepute.” The ad was made in-house.
Ad of the week
Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand has been encouraging Kiwis to hang on to “that summer feeling” as the sunny season draws to an end. The new TV/outdoor campaign for the drink L&P showed people finding flip-flops and beach towels in various urban locations. The campaign will last for around six weeks on adsheets and posters.