Andy was born in London just in time to see England win the World Cup, and much later began his career in academia, gaining a PhD in American Literature and lecturing at several universities, including Maryland and Gothenburg in Sweden, and pursuing a sideline in sheep-farming before moving back to London and becoming a literary agent and TV documentary-maker (working for various broadcasters and making series such as the BBC’s Monsoon Railway, set in Bengal).
He has written several biographies, including the Second World War story American Pimpernel, and became the official biographer of India’s Prime Minister (then Chief Minister of Gujarat) publishing Narendra Modi, a Political Biography (Harper Collins).
Andy joined Asian Media Group in 2018, his first “proper” job, and has been there ever since, believing that, while trade journalism might not save the world, it might just save journalism.
Olbas has launched a new campaign exploring "Cold Culture" in the UK and how ithas changed since the start of the Covid pandemic.
The survey of 100 people from each of the 20 biggest UK cities, found those in Sheffield take the fewest sick days when they’re struck down with a cold – averaging half a day out of the workplace. They were followed by those in Liverpool, Glasgow and Oxford as cities which also perform well when feeling under the weather.
However, it was Londoners who are most likely to struggle to perform when suffering from a cold according to the new research. And those in the capital are also catching the most colds – averaging five a year, compared to 167 miles up the M1 in Sheffield where they are only catching two.
“We are all used to having an occasional cold – in fact on average we will catch at least two each year - and we expect to get better quite quickly from them," said Dr Roger Henderson, leading GP and spokesperson for Olbas. "The Covid pandemic however has changed our behaviour in many ways including our attitudes towards health hygiene and how we work when we are feeling unwell.
“It is really fascinating to learn about the different types of attitudes each part of the country has when it comes to dealing with colds. And it certainly seems there’s somewhat of a north south divide in terms of the amount they are catching and how they continue with their business – or not as the case may be. But at the end of the day, we are all different and have our unique ways of how we cope and treat the common cold.”
The survey went on to reveal that, overall, 30 per cent of those polled would just work from home if they were suffering from a cold, while 41 per cent would struggle into their place of work. And more than half (51 per cent) say their employer has not encouraged them to stay away at the first sign of a cold since it reopened following the easing of coronavirus restrictions. But 54 per cent recognise colleagues are now more likely to steer clear of the office if they have caught a sniffle.
When talking about the symptoms of a cold, blocked and runny noses are the most difficult ones to deal with. In fact, 63 per cent say they struggle with embarrassment in public because of the symptoms they suffer from, with coughing the one most likely to make them feel uneasy when out and about. However, this wasn’t always the case, before the start of the pandemic, people were more self-conscious about a runny nose in public than they were of a chesty cough.
And also, as a result of the pandemic, more than two in three (68 per cent) take more measures to avoid coming down with a cold. These include avoiding crowded places, keeping your hands clean and away from eyes, nose, or mouths and avoiding touching handrails, with the commute being pinpointed as the most common place to pick up a sniffle.
But when all else fails, the research conducted via OnePoll found those polled are reaching for the vitamin C and decongestants like Olbas Oil to beat the symptoms. While 28 per cent will just try to sleep it off and 14 per cent crack open a tin of chicken soup.
Claire Campbell, Brand Manager at Olbas, added: “It is clear from these results there has been a shift in attitudes when it comes to the common cold because of the pandemic. And as a result, many are being much more vigilant and proactive with their actions.
“But ultimately there is an air of inevitability surrounding catching a cold, and when it strikes it is often the home comforts people rely on to make themselves feel better.”
US snack brand Cheetos is gearing up for a major relaunch in the UK this year. With plans to scale the brand to new heights, Cheetos will capture the attention of Gen Z shoppers and please existing lovers of the brand. The relaunch will kick off with the introduction of a brand-new flavour, Fiery Jalapeño and Cheese, which will be available from March 17 in a 105g sharing bag (£2 RRP), and two price marked packs (PMPs) – 70g (£1.49 RRP) and 27g (49p RRP). Cheetos will also be updating its packaging across its existing Twisted Sweet & Spicy range, which is growing +31.1 per cent, bringing a bold, eye-catching design that resonates with Gen Z and emphasises its American heritage.
Cheetos is worth $2.9 billion in the US and holds the title of the number one Puffed Snack and number-two Gen Z Snack brand. At a time where Gen Z over-index with loving spice, it is looking to expand its UK fanbase by leveraging its bold American heritage and innovative flavours. The growing popularity of the brand will not only attract new shoppers but also reignite excitement among those familiar with Cheetos from the US, helping to drive footfall and increase basket spend as consumers seek out the iconic US brand in store.
Cheetos will also be optimising its existing Twisted Sweet & Spicy PMP range by upweighting its packs from 65g to 85g – a 30 per cent increase. The move comes as younger shoppers are becoming more conscious about getting the best value for their money, with 74 per cent of Gen Z comparing products to find the best deal.
“Cheetos is an iconic brand in the US, and we see a huge opportunity to bring the same level of energy, innovation, and cultural relevance to the UK market,” said Phoebe Chapman, Senior Brand Manager at Cheetos. “This re-launch marks the start of a new and exciting journey for Cheetos in the UK.
“We’re confident it will be a hit with shoppers and the available formats will play a strong role across all channels. Retailers who stock Cheetos can expect a high-energy, trend-driven brand that resonates with the Gen Z audience. This is about more than just snacking occasions; it's about making Cheetos an integral part of daily life and connecting with the next wave of snackers who want to connect with brand culture.”
The relaunch will be amplified with a significant media spend in 2025, spanning in-store shopper support, as well as a new campaign which will include content on TikTok, which will see the brand partner with Gen Z influencers to drive awareness and excitement of Cheetos. The media burst will be live from late April, with additional support appearing later in the year.
Cheetos Fiery Jalapeño and Cheese flavours will be available across grocery, convenience and wholesale in multiple pack formats from 17 March. From April, the new Sweet & Spicy packs will also be available across grocery, convenience and wholesale in a 120g sharing bag at £2 RRP (£1.50 RRP when on promotion), an 85g price- marked-pack at £1.49 RRP and a 30g price-marked-pack bag priced at 49p RRP.
Cheetos Sweet & Spicy 85g [£1.49] RRP is 30 per cent bigger compared to the 65g £1.25 RRP price-marked pack which was in market up to May 2025
KP Snacks today announces that Butterkist, the UK’s number one popcorn brand, has launched an exciting series of new video-on-demand tie-ups to drive the brand’s association with movies and encourage consumers to grab their favourite bag of Butterkist.
In a new £1M media investment running until 19 July, Butterkist will appear across movie content on major video-on-demand services: ITVX, Sky Cinema, and Disney+ with a series of fun and playful adverts. Featuring the tagline, “For every movie moment, Go Grab The Butterkist”, the campaign creative includes a series of 20 and 10 -second indents to draw the viewer into a film opening in the style of either a horror or romance, before being comically interrupted by characters commenting on the movie from a red sofa while sharing Butterkist popcorn.
The campaign will also run across social media and capitalises on the increasing popularity of Big Night In occasions, with Butterkist representing the perfect snack to make every movie feel like a fun, shared experience.
“We are delighted to announce that Butterkist is featuring prominently across ITVX, Sky Cinema, and Disney+ through a series of engaging, movie-inspired adverts," said Rachael Rayner, Brand Manager, KP Snacks. "We know that Butterkist is the nation’s favourite popcorn brand, and we are keen to reinforce the brand's position as the must-have snack for movie nights in with family and friends. With the brand continuing to grow and prove its popularity, this investment will further drive brand awareness and consumer engagement.”
Toffifee is on a mission to bring families together with its latest on-pack promotion. Starting from 1 May to 30 June, Toffifee is giving shoppers a thousand chances every week to download the latest films with a £5.50 voucher on Rakuten – creating the ultimate movie night.
With at-home socialising still an important part of family life, watching movies at home has become the UK’s #1 popular social activity, enjoyed regularly by a massive 87 per cent of people. This promotion supercharges confectionery purchases, adding extra value while driving in-store excitement by tapping into these unmissable moments.
Toffifee is supporting retailers in growing sales of boxed chocolate, which are the perfect accompaniment to a movie night at home. Toffifee’s brand momentum is stronger than ever, now valued at £14.5 million, up +7.5 per cent from last year, with volume growth of +4.3 per cent – outpacing the category. With 83 per cent of Big Night In purchases pre-planned, retailers can maximise sales by stocking up ahead of peak weekend demand.
“Toffifee and movies go hand in hand, as both have the power to bring families together for special shared moments together, with 64 per cent of consumers snacking to connect with others,” said Rebecca Robert, Marketing Director at Storck. “We’re excited to partner with Rakuten to make at-home movie nights even more special with the delicious taste of Toffifee.
“We know shoppers are being more cautious with their spending, but value-added initiatives like these, that extend beyond price promotions, are key to driving shopper interest. We’re confident that this, paired with POS that we are providing to drive awareness of the campaign, will help encourage more footfall to the confectionery aisle and help retailers drive more sales.”
The on-pack promotion, launching on 1 May, will be available across grocery, impulse and wholesale channels. To enter, shoppers simply need to purchase a 125g promotional pack of Toffifee and scan the QR code, and enter the unique code found inside. Winners will be chosen through weekly prize draws, giving them the chance to plan the ultimate movie night with Toffifee. For full T&Cs, please visit: www.toffifeeprizes.com
PWR-BRU, from IRN-BRU, the No. 1 Scottish grocery brand, is introducing its first new flavour innovation since launching in 2023. Dynamo Fruit Punch will be hitting shelves from April 2025 in a 500ml big can format.
“PWR-BRU has been packing a powerful flavour punch in the fast growing Scottish energy market since launch," said Kenny Nicholson, Head of IRN-BRU Brand. "The range, with its distinctive can design and real IRN-BRU essence, provides something unique and individual. This latest flavour innovation is arriving with retailers just in time to maximise profit opportunities in the summer sales peak.”
Scotland’s energy drinks market is the nation’s fastest growing category, adding the most value for retailers and selling an additional five million units per month during summer. Flavours are still driving these sales, as data shows flavoured SKUs are 60 per cent incremental to the market.
“We have been driving trial and frequency, achieving 35 per cent increase in penetration last year, thanks to our unbeatable flavours and unmistakable branding.
“Just two years after launch, PWR-BRU already has the third highest repeat purchase in stimulant energy, and we’re attracting three times the amount of ‘young shoppers’ vs. the rest of the category,” added Kenny.
Dynamo Fruit Punch performed incredibly well in consumer research with 93 per cent saying they would buy it and 81 per cent of shoppers who loved the taste. A full range of impactful and eye-catching PoS will be available for retailers to drive sales around launch and throughout summer.
Carlsberg Britvic has announced that 1664 Bière 0.0%, expertly brewed to contain no alcohol, will launch in the Off Trade this April, following a successful launch in the On Trade at the beginning of 2025.
Delivering the rich and balanced taste that 1664 is known for, the new product ensures that the 1664 range can be enjoyed on every occasion. 1664 Bière 0.0% will be available in 6x330ml sleek cans.
Joining Carlsberg Britvic’s roster of Low & No alcohol beers, ranging from Carlsberg 0.0 to Erdinger Alkoholfrei, 1664 Bière 0.0% draught has gained positive traction in the On Trade, with nearly 500 outlets already pouring. This will be further supported with a standalone branded fount launching in April for the On Trade channel across both 1664 Bière and 1664 Bière 0.0%.
1664 Bière 0.0% has performed strongly in consumer research ahead of the beer’s launch. Amongst consumers, 1664 Bière 0.0% was particularly recognised for its excellent taste, with consumer testing showing the brand’s favourability for taste was on par with the UK’s market leading alcohol-free beer*.
Carlsberg Britvic will support 1664 Bière 0.0% with a multimillion-pound marketing campaign launching from April across TV, Out of Home, social & digital display. The campaign will lead into the busy summer period when shoppers are hoping to enjoy the sun and a refreshing beer with family and friends, whether out at a picnic or at home with a barbeque.
The Low & No alcohol category has continued to attract new drinkers, with figures showing that 42.8 per cent of drinkers (21.2m) have said they are moderating their alcohol consumption in the past 12 months, an increase of 2.2m drinkers compared to 2016. The alcohol-free category is also the fastest growing (CAGR 14.6 per cent) with an over index with Gen Z and millennials.
“1664 has gone from strength to strength since we relaunched the brand last year. As the alcohol-free beer category continues to grow, we are thrilled to continue driving the 1664 brand to new heights with the launch of 1664 Bière 0.0% in the UK," said Dharmesh Rana, Director of Marketing for Premium Brands at Carlsberg Britvic.
“As consumers look to moderate their drinking across different occasions, whether that’s out with friends or at home with family, it’s essential that brands provide great-tasting options that don’t compromise on flavour or sophistication. 1664 Bière 0.0% is a perfectly balanced, flavourful and eminently sippable beer and we’re confident that this brand can go head-to-head with the market leader.”