Take That to Shine for Marks & Spencer
Story by Jack Foley
TAKE That are to follow in the footsteps of model Myleene Klass and Twiggy by becoming the new face of Marks & Spencer this autumn (2007).
Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, Jason Orange and Howard Donald have been signed to promote the high street chain’s menswear collection as part of a multi-million pound campaign to be launched early next month (October).
A statement issued by the group said that it was “brilliant” to be working with such “a strong British brand as M&S” and to be the faces for the new Autumn Autograph campaign.
Take That enjoyed a successful comeback last year when they returned with a new album, Beautiful World and an equally successful tour.
M&S Boss Sir Stuart Rose hopes to cash in on this success by ensuring that Take That raise the profile of the menswear range in the same way that Twiggy, Myleene and Erin O’Connor have done for the women’s collection.
Whether men will be the ones reaching into their pockets to emulate the pop stars remains to be seen – but some experts have predicted that women will fork out for the range in order that their loved ones can emulate the look of the clean-cut pop stars.
Steve Sharp, the marketing executive director who has widely been credited with turning around Marks and Spencer’s fortunes around, commented: “Take That have had a phenomenal 12 months and it’s great to see them doing so well – long may it continue.”