This week: Marketing news from the national press

Marketing, Wednesday, 17 November 2004, 12:00am,

The Portman Group, the drinks industry-funded body, has set up a website at www.drinkaware.co.uk to give consumers a better idea of whether their drinking habits fit with healthy norms. Financial Times

Disney is close to selling its chain of 60 UK and 46 European Disney stores to management following a year-long sales process. Peter Morris, ex-chief executive of Coffee Republic, and PY Gerbeau, the former Millennium Dome boss, were fronting consortia that had been linked to the business. The Mail on Sunday

Tio Pepe sherry has experienced sales growth of 40% in Tesco and 25% in Sainsbury's since its £1m sponsorship of reality TV show Hell's Kitchen, which starred celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The Times

Tesco is close to securing a deal to sell a cheaper rival to Apple's iPod that is being created by German manufacturer Medion. The digital music player will carry the super-market's branding and will launch in time for Christmas. The Business

Richard Branson has revealed that Virgin is looking to introduce a chain of branded casinos across Britain, with the first earmarked to open its doors in 18 months. It already has an online presence through its Virgin Games venture. The Observer

Red Bull is poised to finalise a deal to acquire Jaguar Racing following Ford's decision to exit Formula One and put the team up for sale. The takeover would secure the future of the 300-strong team, which is based in Milton Keynes. Financial Times

Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed is eyeing China as he considers his next international move. He is looking at opening concessions there following the success the business has experienced in Japan. The Sunday Express.

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