John Lewis Christmas Advert 2011

Coca-Cola: Getting rid of the CMO role has 'broadened' marketing Coca-Cola’s decision to get rid of its chief marketing officer role in favour of a chief growth officer has “broadened” the company’s approach to marketing, according to one of the drink giant’s top marketers. Coca-Cola scrapped the CMO position in March last year, appointing Francisco Crespo as chief growth officer instead. And that move has helped change the outlook of the marketing department and “broadened its approach”, says Coca-Cola’s global vice-president of creative, Rodolfo Echeverria. Johnson & Johnson sacrifices 'sacred cows' as it preps rebrand As the number one baby care brand in the world, Johnson & Johnson had grown accustomed to using concrete scientific research to back up the global appeal of its products. From its iconic gold baby shampoo to its pink lotion, the scientific benefits of its products have always been at the heart of its messaging. That is until now. Market leaders like Johnson & Johnson are being questioned like never before thanks to the rise of social media, with parents sharing concerns about dyes and fragrances in baby care products and some moving towards of all-natural alternatives.

Pernod Ricard on why the days of the 'pure marketer are gone' The days of theoretical marketing are “long gone”, according to Patrick Venning, global marketing director at Pernod Ricard, who instead thinks marketers should always be looking through a commercial lens. “The days of the purest marketer are long gone. You now need a pragmatic commercial marketing lens on everything,” he says. M&S marketing boss departs as retailer shakes up marketing structure Marks & Spencer‘s marketing boss Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne is to step down as part of a restructure of the retailer’s marketing team that will see it move away from a central function and towards separate marketing teams for its clothing and home, and food businesses. Bousquet-Chavanne will step down from the board today (18 April) and leave M&S at the end of May. It means marketing will no longer be represented at board level, with the CEO and CFO now the only members of the executive board. Rob Weston, currently M&S’s marketing director for consumer and brand, is also leaving the business. An M&S spokeswoman says there are no current plans for other members of the team to leave, although it will continue to look at its structure to ensure it is fit for purpose.

Marketers must stay in sync with the C-suite or life can be very difficult Which is your favourite Marks & Spencer shirt? Perhaps you don’t know because you don’t own one. Retail is detail, and the retail landscape is changing dramatically. Marks & Spencer (M&S), like many peers, is feeling the squeeze from both fast-fashion chains like Zara and online shops.

Revealed: The world's most valuable brands Brands that are using technology to make people’s lives easier in new and innovative ways are winning in 2018, according to Kantar Millward Brown’s latest BrandZ report of the world’s top 100 brands, with technology and tech-related names accounting for 92% of the overall ranking. Tech behemoths Google and Apple lead the way, both of which break the $300bn brand value threshold for the first time – the only brands in the ranking to do so. Google again takes first place with a brand value of $302bn following a 23% rise, while Apple is just behind at $301bn after seeing a 28% boost. 'Fake news' law raises fresh questions over Singapore's status as tech and media hub Under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, it will be illegal to spread "false statements of fact" in Singapore, where that information is "prejudicial" to Singapore's security, public safety, "public tranquility," or to the "friendly relations of Singapore with other countries," among numerous other topics. Individuals found guilty of contravening the act can face fines of up to 50,000 SGD (over $36,000) and, or, up to five years in prison. If the "fake news" is posted using "an inauthentic online account or controlled by a bot," the total potential fine rises to 100,000 SGD (around $73,000), and, or, up to 10 years in prison. Companies such as Facebook, if found guilty of spreading "fake news," can face fines of up to 1 million SGD (around $735,000).

Domain scraps CMO role with new executive appointment Domain has elected not to replace the company's vacant chief marketing officer position, revealing it has hired LJ Hooker's Jason Chuck to take on the role of chief consumer officer. The real estate platform said the appointment had been made after a "comprehensive internal and external" recruitment search. The move will see the CMO role absorbed into Chuck's remit. Most recently he has been heading up real estate agency LJ Hooker's full-service real estate platform Avnu. Chuck's appointment follows the news late last year that former Domain CMO and content officer Melina Cruickshank would be jumping ship to rival REA Group to take on a similar role. Cruickshank replaced Kieren Cooney who took on the CMO role at Foxtel following the departure of Andy Lark in October.

Marketoonist on marketing with virtual assistants Our award winning editorial team (PPA Digital Brand of the Year) ask the big questions about the biggest issues on everything from strategy through to execution to help you navigate the fast moving modern marketing landscape. From the opportunities and challenges of emerging technology to the need for greater effectiveness, from the challenge of measurement to building a marketing team fit for the future, we are your guide. Information, inspiration and advice from the marketing world and beyond that will help you develop as a marketer and as a leader.