China is proving a tough market for western brands – here’s the common mistakes that companies keep making April 12, 2019 Last week, the International Monetary Fund upgraded its 2019 growth forecast for the Chinese economy to 6.3 per cent, up from 6.2 per cent. For comparison, the UK economy is only expected to grow 1.2 per cent this year. It’s worth noting these figures, because they highlight why many brands in the UK and elsewhere [...]
Carlsberg sparks speculation of new product launch with Twitter marketing campaign April 11, 2019 Carlsberg has quietly launched a tongue-in-cheek marketing campaign on Twitter, sparking speculation the brewer may be gearing up to launch a new product. The Danish firm has begun promoting tweets in which disgruntled customers complain about the quality of Carlsberg’s beer. Read more: Carlsberg cheers hot summer and Chinese sales despite lower growth outlook Comments [...]
Theresa May told to resign over ‘abject surrender’ of Halloween Brexit delay April 11, 2019 Theresa May was accused of an “abject surrender” and told to resign by a furious veteran Conservative MP today after she agreed to another delay to Brexit. Read more: May vows to seek 'orderly' Brexit after Halloween extension Sir Bill Cash, one of parliament’s most long-standing anti-EU MPs, urged the PM to quit as she [...]
HMV Westfield reopens as new owner continues rental negotiations April 11, 2019 HMV’s Westfield store in Shepherd's Bush has reopened today, as new owner Doug Putman continues his efforts to negotiate with landlords in a bid to bring back stores that have been earmarked for closure. The Canadian entrepreneur has been striking deals with property groups to reopen closed outlets that were shut down as a result of [...]
Sports Direct takes another swipe at Debenhams in share buyback April 11, 2019 Sports Direct took a further swipe at Debenhams this morning amid growing speculation that Mike Ashley is mulling legal action to remove the retailer’s current administrators. Read more: Mike Ashley considers legal action against Debenhams In a note to the London Stock Exchange the sportswear group announced a new share buyback programme, which it said was [...]
Warner Bros files copyright complaint against Trump’s Dark Knight Rises re-election tweet April 10, 2019 Warner Brothers is taking legal action against US President Donald Trump after he posted a video on Twitter that used music from The Dark Knight Rises. Read more: Mueller report to be released 'within a week' Trump yesterday posted the two-minute promotional video, seemingly as part of his 2020 re-election campaign, accompanied by the caption “MAKE [...]
Lush ditches social media amid switch to influencer marketing April 9, 2019 Cosmetics retailer Lush is cutting down its social media presence in a bid to encourage one-to-one contact with its customers. The soap specialist has revealed its plan to “switch up social”, saying from next week it will interact with punters over live chat on or its website, or by email or phone. Read more: Social [...]
Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey receives annual salary of $1.40 for 2018 April 9, 2019 Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey was paid a salary last year for the first time since he was appointed as chief executive of the social media giant in 2015. Dorsey was paid $1.40 in 2018, likely alluding to Twitter’s former 140 character limit, joining the ranks of other tech billionaires such as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg [...]
Alec Baldwin says beating Trump in 2020 presidential race would be ‘so easy’ April 9, 2019 Actor Alec Baldwin has tweeted that he could easily beat President Donald Trump in the 2020 race for the White House. Read more: Trump says economy would 'rocket' if Fed cut rates Baldwin, who has impersonated Trump multiple times on Saturday Night Live since the 2016 election, told his 1.11m followers the victory would be [...]
Anti-social media: Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark on social media harm after the Christchurch terror attacks April 8, 2019 I Interrupt the former leader of my native New Zealand, Helen Clark, in the middle of a Twitter and Facebook purge. “Social media management” she says, dictating a response to one of the provocateurs or well-wishers. It’s all part of overseeing a social media following of more than 200,000, I’m sure, but especially fitting since [...]