Gazprom accused of branding fail over Nigerian joint venture 'Nigaz'

Brandrepublic reports on that Russian gas giant Gazprom's new joint venture with Nigerian firm NNPC is to be called Nigaz. While the origin of the name is easily explained -- a conjunction of the words "Nigeria" and "gaz" -- English-speakers seeing the word written down find the brand name has rather different connotations.

BBC send over 400 people to 'cover' Glastonbury

The BBC seem determined to become the next expenses scandal. According to The Sunday Times the BBC has sent 407 people to cover this weekend’s Glastonbury festival, almost as many as it flew out to film last year’s Beijing Olympics.

They don't brand 'em like they used to...

Marvel at this vintage attempt to crack the perennial problem of how to get people to remember not just your ad, but who it was for...

Unmissably weird Red House ad from the U S of A...

"I like pumping iron and pumping furniture"..."I like deer hunting, bass fishing, and extending credit to all people"..."look at this sofa, it's perfect for a black person, or a white person". These and other utterly freaky lines can be enjoyed in this very bizarre ad for Red House Furniture...

Watch the brand new drench advert

An ad featuring a 20ft pheasant is bizarre enough to make it onto this blog! Plus, there's some shameless self promotion going on as this is a brand I work on. Hope you enjoy my agency's efforts and try new juicy drench!

Intel ready for massive wrist slap

Intel, the world’s biggest chipmaker, is bracing itself this week for one of the heaviest penalties ever levied in Europe for anti-competitive behaviour. The FT reports that the European Union is expected to decide to take action against Intel at a weekly meeting of commissioners on Wednesday - the climax of a decade-long investigation into the company’s marketing practices. Some lawyers suggest that the record penalties heaped on Microsoft, which combined have topped the €1bn mark during the course of its long battle with Brussels, could be approached or even exceeded.

Obama brand takes a hit after flyby farce

An Obama publicity stunt terrified many New Yorkers and cost as much as $357,000 in taxpayer funds. The flyby by a plane used as Air Force One and two other Air Force craft shocked commuters in Manhattan and New Jersey. In a letter released on Friday Defense Secretary Robert Gates apologized for the incident. Gates in his letter said the cost of a jumbo jet that is used as the president's plane was estimated between $300,658 and $328,835. The cost of two accompanying F-16 jets was $28,177 for a maximum total of $357,012. Not Obama's finest hour.

Disney caught cheating

According to this video, Disney only ever made one movie, and they've been tracing it ever since...

WHSmith let charity collectors into store - beware!

It seems that WHSmith is going to allow so-called 'chuggers' - charity collectors who accost shoppers on high streets - into its stores. Accoring BrandRepublic WHSmith's chief executive Kate Swann said that she endorsed the practice in stores where there was enough space. However she said that she would not allow practices that proved unpopular with customers.

Erm, are chartity muggers popular with anyone? Prepare for a retraction from WHSmith's within days...

Apple wrong-footed by 'Baby Shaker' App

Apple have had to pull an iPhone application after parenting groups objected to the "Baby Shaker" which features a loud, crying baby that would stop only when the iPhone user vigorously shook the phone. Hmm, not Apple's finest hour.