YORK TO BECOME PALL MALL, RONHILL – DUNHILL
Although committing to keep production in Kanfanar for five years after takeover, with a guarantee of 50 million euros in the case of early closure of the company, British American Tobacco (BAT) is clearly not obliged to keep the traditional brands of Rovinj Tobacco Factory – TDR, which they took over last year for half a billion euros.
The second largest cigarette manufacturer in the world already “scraped” Benston brand, offering Rothmans instead, and if allegations prove right that the same destiny awaits TDR’s best-selling brands York and Ronhill, while others will be fully discontinued, it will mean a confirmation that BAT fulfilled its main goal – to buy TDR’s markets in which BAT and other manufacturers for many years criticized TDR of holding a monopoly. The BAT claims that production of Benston has not stopped. The brand whose popularity is declining was, according to them, moved to a successful international brand which is produced in Kanfanar and has the same blend of tobacco.
According to sources cited by Poslovni.hr, in the same way York will become Pall Mall, and Ronhill will become Dunhill. More resistance is expected with Walter Wolf which should be replaced by Lucky Strike. That’s why its price was reduced in three months from HRK 24 to HRK 22. “We are confident that our global brands can co-exist with local ones in order to cover all price categories and consumer preferences. In addition, only two months after the takeover BAT began to export its own brand from Kanfanar factory to Greece, a market in which TDR had not previously exported,” BAT said. (Poslovni.hr)
LAVAZZA TO REMAIN IN CROATIA, STRENGTHEN MARKET PRESENCE
Lavazza continues its business in Croatia in all three business areas: retail, HORECA (hotels, restaurants and cafes) and capsules for office use.
In Croatia there is currently a change of distributors for the retail and HORECA fields, while distributor of capsules for office use remain companies Drinkomatic, and Trivending. During the transitional period, distribution for retail and HORECA will be taken over by the company My Coffee Ltd. and distribution in all areas will continue unimpeded.
Details of the agreement on the new market approach with a new distributor are in the final stage. Together with their new market and business approach, Lavazza will increase investment in the development of the brand on the Croatian market and will strengthen the product portfolio and marketing presence on the Croatian market.
Lavazza, one of the world’s most famous producers of coffee, has been operating in Croatia for more than 20 years and holds the leading position in the market: Lavazza is number 1 in the market of capsules for office use, which covers 5,000 offices, and is the third best-selling coffee in the HORECA segment. (Impresum Communications)
AMAZON CREATING A GLOBAL DELIVERY SERVICE – THROWS THE GAUNTLET FOR ALIBABA
In recent weeks, speculation has mounted that Amazon.com might be planning to launch a global shipping and logistics operation that will compete with FedEx and United Parcel Service.
Amazon’s Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky claims however that their ambitions do not threaten their delivery partners, but should supplement the existing service during peak periods such as the Christmas shopping season.
The ambitious strategy could entice rivalry with FedEx and UPS, but what is certain is that it will certainly make problems for the Chinese Alibaba Holding. Both companies are fighting for dominance over the growing e-commerce market, for which it is assumed that by 2020 it could serve 900 million customers.
Amazon’s plan could culminate with the launch of a new program called Global Supply Chain by Amazon, already this year. The new direction could set Amazon in the center of logistics industry. The company seeks to bypass intermediaries by leasing space in trucks, planes and ships, and thus more safely and quickly service its customers.
Sellers will therefore no longer need to book transport with DHL, UPS or FedEx, but will be able to ship directly through Amazon, according to a report from 2013.
If the logistics business takes swing, it would be followed by the financial part whereby Amazon would mediate in international payments and consultations about taxes.
PUBLICIS REVENUES UP DESPITE A DIFFICULT YEAR
Publicis Groupe’s organic revenue was up 1.5 per cent for 2015, beating analysts’ expectations, as a strong performance in the fourth quarter rounded off a challenging year. However, the French advertising group warned to expect “modest” growth in 2016 as it continues to restructure and “transition into digital” following the acquisition of SapientNitro last year. Its biggest driver of revenue growth across the group came from digital activities, making up 52 per cent of revenue in 2015.
INTERPUBLIC’S PHILIPPE KRAKOWSKY NAMED CHAIRMAN OF MEDIABRANDS
Interpublic Group of Companies has named company veteran Philippe Krakowsky chairman of its IPG Mediabrands division in an effort to improve collaboration between the media agency network and other firms within the holding. Mr. Krakowsky, who played a part in the creation of Mediabrands within IPG, is also known for facilitating integration across agencies, which will be one of his duties as Mediabrands chairman.
GOOGLE FILES PATENT FOR AN AI COURIER
Google has filed a patent for an “autonomous courier”, hinting that it’s AI cars could see wider applications than merely the transportation of passengers. The automated Google delivery van, according to the filing, will serve as an “autonomous road vehicle” that hosts “securable compartments” for each package. With the correct delivery locations coded in, consumers will be able to pick up their specific package by inputting a speciially generated access code into their compartment.
YOUTUBE DEBUTS FIRST ORIGINAL CONTENT
Although YouTube Red launched last October, this paid version of the popular video platform presented its original content only this week. YouTube thus presented original content which feature famous YouTube users. Four original content that YouTube presented were: Scare PewDiePie – this reality-adventure series from Skybound Entertainment (The Walking Dead) puts PewDiePie, the most popular YouTube creator, through terrifying experiences inspired by video games; A Trip to Unicorn Island – this feature-length movie follows Lilly Singh as she embarks on a 26-city global tour during which she has to remember to practice what she preaches: Happiness is the only thing worth fighting for; Lazer Team – from Rooster Teeth and Fullscreen Films, four small-town losers stumble upon an alien ship carrying mysterious cargo, leading to a battle to save Earth from an all-powerful enemy; Dance Camp – this film from AwesomenessTV weaves an amazing story of unlikely friendships, unleashing passions and discovering yourself through the power of dance.
