WPP overtakes Omnicom as top marketing group
Sir Martin Sorrell led WPP last year had the largest revenue for a global publicly listed marketing services company, pushing Omnicom out of the top spot. The acquisition of top tier market research company TNS in October 2008 led to a 13% increase in WPP?s calendar year revenue ? from $10.7 billion in 2008 to $12.1 billion in 2009. In contrast, US-based Omnicom suffered a 12% fall in revenue from $13.4 billion in 2008 to $11.7 billion in 2009. However, Omnicom was the most profitable companyat $793 million in the rankings, which were compiled by Marketing Services Financial Intelligence. Publicis Groupe was at third place.
ASA campaign on website, social media content
The Advertising Standards Authority of UK has launched a media campaign to ensure businesses know it will be regulating website and social media content of their websites from March 1. Press, radio, online and outdoor executions have been created by AMV BBDO, with media planning by OMD UK; both have worked pro bono.
The message to businesses is to ensure their websites comply with the ASA?s ?legal, decent, honest and truthful? rules by seeking help and advice. It is the ASA?s first advertising activity for five years. Esra Erkal-Paler, director of communications, marketing and policy at the ASA, said: ?The collaborative approach to the ad campaign shows advertising self-regulation at its best.?
Currently, the ASA?s online checks include only ads in paid-for space and sales promotions, and it is unable to act on thousands of complaints it has received since 2008.
Twitter ad revenue to grow to $150 mn in 2011
Twitter?s first ad product? ?promoted tweets? has netted $45 million in ad dollars, according to eMarketer analyst Debra Aho Williamson. That was mainly due to enthusiasm among brands like Virgin America, Coke, Ford and Verizon to give the untried format a whirl. Williamson forecast growth for the company to $150 million in 2011 and $250 million in 2012, but said the forecast is dependent on Twitter growing its user base substantially.
Wieden + Kennedy wins top Ad Age honours
The agency that gave the Isaiah Mustafa led Old Spice commercial last year spinning off a series of response video ads on YouTube has been honoured by ad magazine Advertising Age. Advertising Age magazine has named Wieden + Kennedy its Agency of the Year for its work with Old Spice, Chrysler, Delta, and, Nike.
Advertising Age says the Old Spice campiagn alone is one of the most successful ever across the Internet.
Lexus secures Kylie Minogue advertising deal
Pop star Kylie Minogue will be the face of Japanese car brand Lexus in its latest ad campaign. The Toyota marque brand has also signed a deal with the Australian singer to be headline sponsor of her world tour. Minogue will appear in TV and print ads of Lexus? CT 200h model. The ad campaign, created by CHI & Partners, will roll out in February under the strapline ?Join the quiet revolution.?
Lexus director Belinda Poole has said Minogue would enable the marque to reach out to the ?new customers we believe will form the core market for the CT 200h?. Billington Cartmell, which brought the two together, is also creating a series of online films featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Minogue?s tour. The launch of the CT 200h, a hybrid hatchback that will be available from 11 March, marks Lexus? debut in the luxury compact vehicle category.