The takeover of UK confectioner Cadbury by Kraft may pose new challenges writes Oliver Pauley, Public Affairs
UK takeover policy has traditionally been regarded as more relaxed than in other major economies. Previous major reviews to the Code have been infrequent – occurring once in the late Eighties following Nestle’s bid for Rowntree and then in 2005 concerning the use of derivatives during takeovers.
However the recent announcement by the Takeover Panel in February 2010 that it will soon publish a consultation for changes to the rules that govern hostile takeovers indicates r…
[Read more →]
For the first time, Fleishman-Hillard International Communications has been named European Consultancy of the Year by The Holmes Report. The public relations industry newsletter based its decision on the firm’s 2009 performance, citing growth in clients, capabilities, geographic footprint, staff and leadership as just a few of the factors that helped put the agency in first place. In discussing the firm’s European presence in his annual Agency Report Card, Paul Holmes, founder of The Holmes Report said, “No firm has improved its capabilities as dramatically as Fleishman-Hillard.”…
[Read more →]
By Richard Marsh, Healthcare Public Affairs
For that small bandana-wearing group of NHS independence fighters, the Autumn of 2006 was something of a high-water mark. David Cameron told an audience in London that the Conservatives would publish an “NHS Independence Bill” to create an independent board responsible for allocating resources and commissioning services. Such a Bill, he said, would, if agreed across the parties and enacted by 2008, give the NHS its “best-possible 60th birthday present”. Andy Burnham, a health minister then but not yet Secretary of State, talked about cr…
[Read more →]
Consumer
The rise of mummy bloggers and social parenting is a recent phenomenon. Tapping into their network and influence can achieve remarkable results – but you need to ensure you do it on their terms.
There are 1,000+ UK parenting blogs, each with its own following and authority. Their voices are increasingly superseding those of traditional media in shaping the opinions and purchase decisions of a nation of mums; often the prime target for brands wanting to engage “household main shoppers”, “housewives with children”, or whatever marketing term has been coined to include this group t…
[Read more →]
The news that James Purnell MP is to stand down from his seat of Stalybridge and Hyde (majority 8,348) is sweeping the Westminster village and is interesting for what it shows about the post-election mindset of New Labour. Purnell had been thought of as a front runner for a Leadership challenge; young, articulate and ambitious. Clearly, he feels his ambitions no longer rest in leading the Party which has been in power for the last thirteen years. Perhaps he has had a better offer.
Purnell’s last big political moment came in the summer, playing a key role in the penultimate and high…
[Read more →]
