BlackRock in rebranding push!

Investment management firm BlackRock is set to launch an extensive multimedia marketing campaign in the UK and around the world to accompany the rebranding of its retail business.

Outdoor, print and online activity in the UK will be rolled out throughout the year following the April name change which will see BlackRock Merrill Lynch Investment Managers become simply BlackRock in Europe and Asia, excluding Japan.

Nuala Walsh, managing director, international marketing at BlackRock, told mad.co.uk: "2008 will see accelerated marketing and advertising activity, investing significantly in the brand."

Planning and buying will be handled in the UK by Ptarmigan Media with Ogilvy & Mather its creative agency.

Separately, BlackRock will also sponsor senior tennis tournament “Tour Of Champions” this year through to its conclusion in December.

Can BlackRock reinstate itself as one of the world's leading banks or has it gone too far? Will their new marketing campaign help get them on the correct path again? Have your say!

Nutella under fire over health claims!

An advertising campaign for Nutella hazelnut chocolate spread has come under fire from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following complaints that the ad’s health claims were misleading.

The advertising watchdog has launched an investigation into a Nutella commercial which claims the chocolate and nut spread is part of a balanced breakfast for children, but neglects to mention its high sugar and fat content.

The Advertising Standards Authority said it has received about 20 objections to the advert, which was also branded "misleading" by the consumer group Which?

Although the advertisement says each jar of Nutella contains 52 hazelnuts, the equivalent of a glass of skimmed milk and some cocoa, it does not make any reference to the amount of sugar and fat. According to Which? the spread is 55% sugar and 31% fat.

"We think it is misleading to tell people about the hazelnuts, skimmed milk and cocoa, but not mention that it's over half sugar," said Sue Davies, chief policy adviser for Which? "You would have to eat a whole jar of Nutella just to get the claimed 'equivalent of a glass of skimmed milk'. That would also mean consuming over 100g of sugar."

The ASA said complaints focused on the fact that hazelnuts and milk are not the main ingredients in Nutella.

But Ferrero, which makes the spread, denied the commercial was meant to misinform. "We do not believe the Nutella ad is misleading as eaten in the recommended portion size Nutella, which is a hazelnut rather than chocolate spread, can be a good component of a balanced breakfast," it said in a statement.

Are there any Nutella fans out there! If so then please reply to my blog and let me know your feelings!