Catch up on a selection of the latest interesting developments in the world of marketing here in myregular news feature.

MET TO USE ROLE MODELS TO FIGHT GUN CRIME, with a strapline that tells young people: "You don't need a gun to get respect." The Metropolitan Police will work with a variety of youth media brands, such as MySpace, MTV, Choice FM and Kiss FM in this latest initiative which forms part of the Trident anti-gun campaign. Role models will include Olympic gold medallist boxer James DeGale, winner of The Apprentice Tim Campbell and musician Estelle.

MINISTERS CALL FOR CHEAP ALCOHOL BAN, as a Home Affairs select committee report published on November 10 revealed plans to stop drinks promotions in supermarket and pub "happy hours". It is also understood that the plans include setting a minimum price on alcohol. Alcohol today is 69% more affordable than it was in 1980.

MIDLANDS PROMOTED TO US TOURISTS IN NEW CAMPAIGN, with the launch by East Midlands Tourism and Advantage West Midlands of a three-year initiative which will promote iconic sights such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Althorp, the Spencer family home and and where Princess Diana is buried.

FULL-LENGTH MGM MOVIES COMING TO YOUTUBE, in a deal between the video-sharing website and and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios which will show TV shows and films for free, with YouTube selling advertising space on either side of the video screen and sharing the revenues with MGM.

ROOM RATES SLASHED BY TRAVELODGE, with the budget chain introducing price cuts worth £5m across its hotels for the rest of 2008. In the move, which is designed to combat its competitors, average room rates will drop from £50 a night to £29 a night. Travelodge has 350 hotels in the UK, 11 overseas and is planning to open 22 new ones before Christmas.

Last updated on 12 November 2008

Back to our Marketing homepage
See our Marketing services