STOP PRESS

Orange has refused to comment on reports that it is about to move

its pounds 32m advertising account out of WCRS, the agency which helped

build the brand, and into Lowe Lintas. Earlier this week, Orange dropped

TBWA GGT Simons Palmer from the shortlist, prompting speculation that

the business might be split between Lowe and WCRS.

Iceland’s recently departed marketing director, Alan Shepherd, has

re-emerged working for Phil Smith, his former boss at Somerfield-Kwik

Save. Shepherd has joined Smith working on the launch of online casino

brand Kismet, which Smith joined in February as international marketing

director.

Nicole Farhi, the luxury fashion brand, has appointed TBWA GGT Simons

Palmer to its pounds 1.5m ad account without a pitch. The first campaign

will break later this year and will feature the autumn/winter

collection. Media will be handled by Manning Gottlieb Media.

Young’s Seafood has appointed Doner Cardwell Hawkins to handle its

pounds 3m advertising account following a review prompted by the

previous incumbent, Grey Advertising, winning the rival Findus

business.

Attic Futura, publisher of Sugar and Inside Soap, has become an equity

partner in Frontline, the magazine sales and trade marketing company

owned by Emap, BBC and Haymarket.

Videonet has announced it is to pioneer timeshift television through its

Homechoice entertainment service, which allows viewers to stop, start,

rewind or fast forward whenever they want. Sporting events due to be

timeshifted include Euro 2000, Royal Ascot and Wimbledon.

Jeff Henry, chief executive at Granada Sky Broadcasting, is to be the

new managing director of Hallmark Entertainment Network UK, the channel

launched last month by Crown Media Holdings. Henry will also assume

responsibility for Crown’s digital strategy and the creation of Crown

Digital Worldwide.

Customer magazine house Mediamark has won the advertisement

representation contract for the new Heathrow Express magazine, Heathrow

Expressions. The quarterly has a 100,000 print run.

Eidos, the computer games publisher famed for creating Lara Croft, has

confirmed it is in early talks that could lead to an offer for the

company. French group Infogames and Microsoft have both been named as

possible buyers of the firm, which has recently issued a series of

profit warnings.

Clothing brand Diesel has filled its vacant marketing communications

manager position by re-appointing Dan Barton. Barton worked at Diesel

for four years before spending six months with Boxfresh as marketing

communications manager. He replaces Paul Poole, who left the firm in

March.

First-E, the European internet bank, is seeking a new ad agency

following J Walter Thompson’s decision not to re-pitch for the account.

First-E has also made two senior marketing appointments: Graeme Collier

as head of marketing and Neil Copland as head of customer services

development.

ContentGenerators, an internet start-up providing marketing services to

the hotel industry, has appointed Stuart Honey as business development

director. Honey was most recently interim director for sales and

marketing for Choice Hotels Europe.

The Central Office of Information has appointed Oxygen marketing to

co-ordinate sponsorship and promotion for the DTI’s 2000 National

Fireworks Safety Campaign. The campaign will use a range of media,

including a web site to which sponsors’ sites can be linked.

Yellow Door, the retail communications agency, has expanded into

advertising in a bid to strengthen its service package. The group has

won ad contracts for Dannimac, Scotch House and Links of London.

Ralston Purina, makers of pet food Baker’s Complete, has appointed

Rebecca Barnett as marketing director. She replaces Gordon Smith who has

left to continue his studies.

This article was first published on Marketing