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Nobody ever moved forward standing still

Lucozade Sport is supporting B Active, a joint initiative with Active Communities Network (ACN).

To support the strategy, the brand owner Suntory has commissioned a docu-ad called ‘Made to Move,’ featuring heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua and 19 year-old Michael Kuku, a volunteer coach with ACN who has ambitions to be a professional coach.

Lucozade Sport head of marketing Lucy Grogut says: “Anthony Joshua truly embodies the essence of our Made to Move campaign and has become a driving force in helping us to inspire people to move more. We hope that this film will help illustrate the many benefits of taking part in sport and physical activity, as we aim to exceed our target of getting one million people moving more.”

Joshua’s next outing is against Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on September 22.

You Can with Canderel launches across UK

UK low-calorie sugar alternative brand Canderel is rolling out a brand-new campaign - You ‘CAN’ with Canderel.

Designed to emphasise the brand benefits: all the sweetness, less of the calories, the new campaign aims to highlight the brand’s versatility and encourage consumers to see Canderel as the difference between CAN and CAN’T.

According to Canderel, consumers are constantly being bombarded with restrictions and diets, and as such wants to highlight the easy swap that can be made by replacing sugar with Canderel. The campaign aims to help liberate consumers from sugar pressures and provide them with a lower calorie choice and little frustration.

To support the campaign, Canderel is teaming up with a variety of health and lifestyle influencers such as Nichola Ludlam-Raine (nicsnutrition) and Amy Treasure (amytreasureblog), to help bring the brand’s great taste credentials and low-calorie messaging to life and position Canderel as UK’s number 1 lower calorie sugar alternative and simple swap, to still enjoy life’s sweet moments with.

Simona Mantovani, Marketing Manager at Canderel, says, “As consumers constantly look for alternatives to sugar, we want to educate them on the simple swaps that can be made by switching to Canderel, the trusted sugar alternative. With the sugar tax still generating media coverage, shoppers are becoming more aware of the benefits of table top sweeteners and their low-calorie offering. This campaign will communicate to consumers that you ‘CAN’ enjoy life’s sweet moments with Canderel.”

In addition to the influencer activity, the campaign will also be supported an on-pack promotion, which will be rolled out in stores later in the year.

TravelGay unites with Agoda for Asian expansion

Fast-growing Asian online booking platform Agoda has forged a partnership with LGBT travel guide TravelGay.

The deal follows Thailand pledging support for an increased focus on LGBT travellers and the Tourism Authority of Thailand hosting the first symposium for the sector in Bangkok.

TravelGay and Agoda are to work to provide the LGBT travel content to their users.

The partnership will provide better access to the latest up-to-date information for the most safe, welcoming and LGBT-friendly places to stay and visit.

TravelGay managing director Darren Burn said: “We’re hugely excited to be working more closely with Agoda as we grow and develop our business further.

“We have expanded our site rapidly since acquiring the business just a few months ago and intend to work together with our accommodation partners in the coming months and years to further assist the LGBT community on their travels.

Together with our sister brand OutofOffice.com we are the largest LGBT travel business in the world.

“By working with a company as well-known as Agoda, we hope to further enhance our offering to the millions of visitors a year who visit our websites.”

Aaron Moy, head of Agoda’s LGBT employee-resource group, said: “Central to everything we do is the belief that we can help everyone to travel anywhere, so we are thrilled to partner with a company dedicated to ensuring that millions of LGBT travellers each year experience the same warm welcome and level of respect as all other travellers do.”

Brewdog to drop shock strategy and review agency roster

Craft beer brand BrewDog has signalled a shift in its marketing tactics. It plans to ditch the 'shock tactics' that has brought it much attention, fanfare and, on occasions, controversy for more "responsible" tactics.

The brand still wants to use parody, but rather than tackle social issues, it wants to focus its "irreverent" marketing campaigns on what it does best – beer.

The brewer has admitted that recent campaigns have been "ill advised" and "inappropriate", prompting the change in direction.

In a private blog to BrewDog’s investors – known as the Equity for Punks Forum – managing director James Watts admitted it had got PR launches wrong this year and would be reviewing how it works with agencies.

BrewDog signals shift in 'shock' marketing tactics to focus more on beer

The brand still wants to use parody, but rather than tackle social issues, it wants to focus its "irreverent" marketing campaigns on what it does best – beer.

The brewer has admitted that recent campaigns have been "ill advised" and "inappropriate", prompting the change in direction.

BrewDog campaigns that have caused controversy include a launching parody porn website called BeerPorn to deliver video content, and its attempts to satirise gender stereotypes by launching a Pink IPA, 'Because women only like pink and glitter'.

"As a company we have not been quick to realise that we have now built the platform we need to engage and excite people about craft beer and that we no longer need to try and wrap things up in crazy, overly provocative stunts to make our voice heard," Watts said.

"This year especially we have had a few PR launches that in hindsight were ill-advised, unnecessary and were wrapped up in shock tactics when shock tactics were completely not appropriate.

"We are now a bigger employer and a bigger community that we used to be, and with that comes an increased responsibility."

BrewDog has been working with PR firm Manifest – taking over from The Romans in early 2017 – in the UK, and a host of creative agencies on a project basis. Recently this has included Robot Food and B&B, for design and packaging, Isobel, for out of home advertising, and Amplify for brand experience.

In his blog Watts said "there have been too many agencies and people involved" in recent launches and it is "going to review with a view to making some changes in the creative agencies" the company works with.

Simpson Millar’s growth strategy triggers acquisition

Law firm Simpson Millar has expanded into the North West with its first acquisition as part of its £50m investment growth strategy.

The company has acquired Liverpool-based counterpart EAD Solicitors. The deal will bring more than 70 staff into the group, including 11 partners, with the combined firm comprising about 470 employees and with a fee income of £30m.

It will enable Simpson Millar to extend its geographical footprint into the North West, adding to its network of eight offices across the UK.

Ian Cohen, national head of personal injury and medical negligence and a member of Simpson Millar’s senior management team, will be based out of the new office in Liverpool.

Greg Cox, chief executive of Simpson Millar, said: "EAD Solicitors is an excellent fit with Simpson Millar. Both Firms share a similarly rich heritage of supporting trade unions and the trade union movement. We believe that the combined firm can better service its existing clients.

"After securing significant investment in the business from its owners, we are very excited about the future and the potential opportunities that lie ahead for the combined business."

Cathy Fielding, a partner at EAD who will join the Simpson Millar team, added: "This is a deal that works for both businesses, reflecting our shared values of putting our clients first. This acquisition strengthens the legal offer to clients across the region and we are delighted to be joining Simpson Millar."

The acquisition follows a strategic review of Simpson Millar by the management team after Doorway, an independent and specialist provider of capital to law firms, became the firm’s new owner in January 2018.

Following the review, the firm has put in place a new senior management team, reduced its operational cost base by more than 20% and re-structured its internal legal teams into three practice groups.

Financial backing was also agreed in the form of a five-year strategic investment plan from its new owner.

Milwaukee comes to Screwfix

Screwfix has secured a distribution deal with the legendary Milwaukee brand tool maker.

The building trade supplier can now offer a full range of Milwaukee’s heavy duty products that are perfect for both tradespeople and the serious DIY enthusiast and are recognised for their durability and performance.

Rhian Bartlett, trading director at Screwfix, says: “We know this is a brand that tradespeople want to get their hands on and we are really proud to welcome Milwaukee to Screwfix. Milwaukee is an industry-leading manufacturer and it is fantastic to be able to offer our customers exclusive products alongside the extensive product range.“

“Tradespeople can now get their hands on Milwaukee exclusives at our events and in-store, including via our Click & Collect service. Not only is the new Milwaukee range the highlight of our latest catalogue, it will also be a key feature at Screwfix Live in Farnborough at the end of September, so register now and keep an eye on regular updates’’.

Any customers purchasing a Milwaukee Combi Drill from Screwfix this Autumn will be entered into a prize draw to win a custom motorbike worth £15,000.

Overall, the new range will feature more than 81 products compatible with Milwaukee’s market-leading lithium-ion M12 and M18 battery systems, plus an extensive range of hand tools and compatible accessories.

Center Parcs nudging £500m revenue but profits slide

Revenue at holiday village operator Center Parcs has edged closer to the £500m mark but profits have slipped, new accounts have revealed.

The documents for the company, which operates self-catering lodges in forest settings at five locations in England, have also revealed that heavy snowfall in March 2018 hit its profits and EBITDA as well as a series of administrative expenses.

Accounts for Center Parcs (Holdings 1) show the company achieved a revenue of £469m for the year to 26 April 2018, up from £440.3m in the prior 12 months.

However, its pre-tax profits fell during the same period from £70.5m to £58.3m.

The company is headquartered in Newark, Nottinghamshire, and opened its first village at Sherwood Forest in July 1987. It has since opened four more at Elveden Forest in Suffolk; Longleat Forest in Wiltshire; Whinfell Forest in Cumbria and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire.

Heavy snowfall in March 2018 caused the temporary closure of Longleat Forest and restricted guest arrivals and activities at all other villages.

The directors have estimated the loss of revenue totalled £1.6m and an overall reduction in EBITDA was £1.5m.

During the period the company, which was founded in 1968 in The Netherlands, incurred a finance cost of £26.9m through refinancing the group's debt.

It also incurred administrative expenses of £2.3m made up of £1.6m of legal claims costs and settlements and £700,000 of one-off restructuring and reorganisation costs.

A statement signed off by the board said: "With recent trends showing an increase in family short breaks, particularly in the UK, the Center Parcs concept is more relevant today than any point in its history in the UK market."

In August 2015, Center Parcs UK was acquired by Brookfield Property Partners, one of the world's largest commercial real estate companies.

Co-op’s £5bn revenue will do very nicely

Half-year sales at the Co-operative Group have increased by almost £500m towards the £5bn mark, while profits are also on the rise. As part of plans to build on its strong performance, the company has announced an acquisition which marks its return to the healthcare sector.

The Co-op operates 2,600 food stores, more than 1,000 funeral homes and provides products to more than 5,100 other stores, including those run by independent societies and through its wholesale business Nisa Retail. It has more than 63,000 staff.

For the 26 weeks to 7 July 2018, revenues were up from £4.54bn to £4.99bn on the back of solid results from its food business and the acquisition of Nisa's wholesaling operations.

Pre-tax profits increased from £14m to £26m, which includes a number of one-off and non-trading items. The underlying figure was £10m, up £7m.

Elsewhere, the company has bought technology platform Dimec which marks its return to the healthcare sector, providing the "building blocks for a future digitally enabled healthcare service for our members and customers". The company – which was founded by two pharmacists – specialises in making repeat prescriptions easier.

Chairman Allan Leighton noted that there is "little doubt that we're living through an interesting and volatile period".

"At a national level, the political and economic future of the UK remains uncertain until the precise arrangements for Brexit are known," he added. "Meanwhile, the markets in which we trade, in particular food retail, are changing, with new initiatives in the sector driving increased competitive pressure.

"Against this backdrop, it's important that we remain focused and agile, concentrating solely on those activities which will create genuine and long-term value for our Co-op. In the first six months we're pleased by what's been achieved and we know there is more to come. We're excited about our future, despite the uncertainty elsewhere."

Chief executive Steve Murrells said: "We are also back to responding quickly and decisively to the issues which affect our members and customers. Funeral affordability is clearly an issue affecting many and our guarantee not to be beaten on price re-affirms our commitment, as market-leader, to also lead the market.

"Furthermore, our acquisition of Dimec allows us to accelerate the development of our healthcare proposition, and provides the digital platform required to help customers in the future conveniently access and link their healthcare needs, including interacting with their NHS GP."

Strutt & Parker plans to sell off farms division

Multi-asset rural property company Strutt & Parker (Farms) has been brought to the open market for the first time in its 100-year history.

Based across Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, the company is one of the largest agricultural businesses in the UK, and has diversified into a mixed property portfolio comprising rural, residential and commercial property including the Whitbreads Business Centres brand.

The farming operation is one of the largest in the UK incorporating more than 30,000 sq ft of land.

In addition, investment has been made into a number of renewable energy operations, a natural burial business and a portfolio of smaller commercial lets.

The portfolio currently generates revenue which will be in the region £21m for the 2018 financial year.

The intention of the shareholders is to sell Strutt & Parker (Farms) Ltd as a single share transaction. The sale of the company is being managed by Savills and Deloitte.

Aston University proposes a new road building material

Aston University is claiming that roads of the future will be rubbish, literally.

Scientists at the university have released findings of a new ‘bio-bitumen’ product made from general household waste.

The scientists experimented with heating rubbish – including plastic, organic materials, paper and textiles – at around 500°C in the absence of oxygen, in a process called pyrolysis. The result? A gloopy black substance which looks like – and shares many properties of – bitumen.

While the bio-bitumen hasn’t yet been used in definitive trials, Birmingham Council and Highways England have expressed an interest in testing the product. To begin with, it would still need to be mixed with bitumen – yet the team behind the discovery are confident that their product could eventually replace bitumen altogether.

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