Osborne hits back at Labour in Pfizer row May 6, 2014 CHANCELLOR George Osborne yesterday launched a scathing attack on Labour’s track record, in an increasingly bitter political row over the proposed takeover of UK drugs giant Astrazeneca. Using language that flirted closely with protectionism, which he has so far avoided, Osborne attacked Labour’s free trade approach to foreign takeovers during its 13 years in office. When [...]
Osborne hits back at Labour in Pfizer row May 6, 2014 CHANCELLOR George Osborne yesterday launched a scathing attack on Labour’s track record, in an increasingly bitter political row over the proposed takeover of UK drugs giant Astrazeneca. Using language that flirted closely with protectionism, which he has so far avoided, Osborne attacked Labour’s free trade approach to foreign takeovers during its 13 years in office. When [...]
City scores drug deal fee bonanza April 28, 2014 CITY investment banks could be in line for a $240m (£143m) jackpot after America’s biggest drug company confirmed it had reignited bid talks with its UK rival, opening the door for the largest ever foreign takeover of a British company. Pfizer, which makes drugs like Viagra and Centrum, unveiled an audacious bid to buy AstraZeneca, [...]
The week in brief March 2, 2014 Cadbury in £7.5m communication campaigns launch The confectionery company has invested £7.5m in a campaign for its new Dairy Milk Ritz and Lu products. A 30-second TV ad, created by Fallon and directed by David Wilson, premiered on British TV on Saturday. Cadbury hopes this will help position the brand in the afternoon tea break [...]
Clifford Chance partners choose Guy Norman as corporate head February 25, 2014 THE LAWYER who advised Kraft on its bid for Cadbury and Barclays on its acquisition of Lehman Brothers’ North American investment bank was yesterday named head of Clifford Chance’s global corporate practice, after an uncontested election. Guy Norman will take over from outgoing corporate head Matthew Layton on 1 May, taking the reins from the man [...]
CNBC Comment: It’s vive la difference for European M&A April 28, 2014 CAN THERE be a clearer illustration of the difference between French and British attitudes to business than this week’s M&A headlines? Once again, the French have been accused of erecting the barricades to repel an Anglo-Saxon corporate takeover, while there is a deafening silence in Westminster about a jewel in British pharma potentially being gobbled [...]
The week in brief February 2, 2014 Jamie Oliver launches ad production business Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is launching a production house that will specialise in the creation of commercials, Campaign reported last week. The business, Fat Lemon Productions, will be led by executive producer Jane Bolton, formerly at Picasso Pictures and Nexus Network, and producer Cabell Hopkins, previously a producer M&C [...]
The week in brief February 23, 2014 Coca-Cola to reinvest $1bn in marketing after fall in sales The soft drinks company – one of many struggling to deal with declining demand – plans to make an extra $1bn (£600m) in productivity savings by 2016, most of which will then be reinvested back into marketing. Earlier this month, it announced a drop in [...]
Pop-ups are coming to the Tube: Three ideas for how startups can hop onto the trend successfully March 16, 2014 POP-UP shops could soon be appearing at a Tube station near you. On top of reports that Transport for London is exploring turning obsolete ticket offices into online delivery collection hubs, it signed a deal last week to make its retail property empire available for temporary occupation. Its estate amounts to 1,000 retail premises within [...]
Premier Foods appoints former finance director of Cathedral City and Clover producer September 24, 2013 Finance director of Cathedral City and Clover producer Dairy Crest moves on to Ambrosia and Mr Kipling. (Release) Premier Foods, who own a number of household food brands, have today announced the appointment of Alastair Murray as executive director and chief financial officer from the end of September. Premier Foods brands include Hovis, Bisto, Lloyd [...]