LONDON - Apple’s iconic Orwellian TV ad has been parodied in a new online campaign which takes a pop at Steve Jobs and Apple’s reputation for making its products difficult to use with software made by rival companies.

LONDON - Robert Webb, former general counsel at British Airways, has been appointed non-executive chairman of BBC Worldwide, replacing Etienne de Villiers who steps down this month.

LONDON - Bassetts is launching an experiential drive and sampling giveaway to promote the launch of its new vitamin product.

LONDON - Global ad spend declined 6.8% in the first half of 2009, according to The Nielsen Company, with ad spend in Europe down 9.1%.

LONDON - John Lewis is opening two contact centres next year in order to improve customer service.

IAB online ad spend figures, upheaval at ITV, people moves in outdoor and the latest at Independent News 8 Media are up for discussion in the Media Week podcast with Media Week’s Steve Barrett, Tristan O’Carroll and Arif Durrani.

LONDON - Astrologer Russell Grant is to launch an ad-funded iPhone app for horoscope junkies, that claims to be able to read people’s palms.

NEW YORK - WPP has suffered a setback in a lawsuit it brought against Spot Runner, a digital ad technology company in which it owns a 3% stake, but will still pursue its case.

LONDON - Bookmaker Coral is targeting football fans with a promotion offering a free scratchcard to punters who place four £10 bets.

LONDON - Design Bridge, has appointed Peter Droy and Rudolf Rodenburg to the roles of client business directors, based at its London office.