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{{short description|British price comparison business}}
{{short description|British price comparison business}}
{{Copy edit|date=August 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC
| name = Moneysupermarket.com Group plc
| owner =
| owner =
| logo = File:MoneySuperMarket 2019 logo.svg
| logo = Msm-aug-21-logo.png
| logo_size = 170px
| logo_size = 170px
| former_name = Moneysupermarket.com Group Limited (June{{endash}}July 2007)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=2007-03-14 |title=Moneysupermarket.com Group plc overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06160943 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref>
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{LSE|MONY}}
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{LSE|MONY}}|[[FTSE 250 Index|FTSE 250]] component}}
| foundation = 1993
| foundation = 1993
| founder = [[Simon Nixon]]
| founder = [[Simon Nixon]]
| location_city = [[Ewloe]]
| location_city = [[Ewloe]]
| location_country = [[Wales]]
| location_country = [[UK]]
| key_people = {{Ubl
| key_people = Robin Freestone <small>([[chairman (official)|Chairman]] of the [[board of directors|board]])</small><br><small>Peter Duffy [[Chief executive officer|CEO]]</small>
| Robin Freestone ([[chairman (official)|Chairman]] of the [[board of directors|board]])
| Peter Duffy ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
}}
| caption =
| caption =
| website = [http://www.moneysupermarket.com/ Moneysupermarket.com]
| website = {{URL|https://moneysupermarket.com}}
| revenue = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]344.9 million (2020)<ref name=results>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.moneysupermarket.com/~/media/Files/M/Moneysupermarket-V3/press-release/preliminary-results-2020-press-release.pdf|title=Annual Results 2020|publisher=Moneysupermarket.com Group |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]432.1 million (2023)<ref name=results>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.moneysupermarket.com/~/media/Files/M/Moneysupermarket-V3/press-release/preliminary-results-2023.pdf|title=Annual Results 2023|publisher=Moneysupermarket.com Group |access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref>
| operating_income ={{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]87.0 million (2020)<ref name=results/>
| operating_income = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]97.3 million (2023)<ref name=results/>
| net_income ={{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]69.3 million (2020)<ref name=results/>
| net_income = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]72.2 million (2023)<ref name=results/>
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
}}
}}


'''Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC''' ({{lse|MONY}}) is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[price comparison]] website-based business specialising in financial services. The website enables consumers to compare prices on a range of products, including energy [[car insurance]], [[home insurance]], [[travel insurance]], [[mortgages]], [[credit cards]] and [[loans]]. The company's 2016 advert was one of the four adverts that caused the most complaints from the public in that year. Moneysupermarket is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].
'''Moneysupermarket.com Group plc''' is a British [[Comparison shopping website|price comparison]] website-based business specialising in financial services. The website enables consumers to compare prices on a range of products, including energy, [[car insurance]], [[home insurance]], [[travel insurance]], [[mortgages]], [[credit cards]] and [[loans]]. The company's subsidiaries include the Travel Supermarket and [[MoneySavingExpert.com|Moneysavingexpert]] websites. Moneysupermarket Group is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].


==History==
==History==
The company was founded by [[Simon Nixon]] and Duncan Cameron as a mortgage subscription business in 1987.<ref name="moneyweek">{{cite web|last1=Hohler|first1=Emily|title=My first million: Simon Nixon of Moneysupermarket|url=https://moneyweek.com/my-first-million-simon-nixon-of-moneysupermarket/|publisher=[[MoneyWeek]]|date=8 July 2007}}</ref> It expanded rapidly during the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Higgins|first1=Ria|title=A Life in the Day: Simon Nixon, internet entrepreneur|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-life-in-the-day-simon-nixon-internet-entrepreneur-93krfxzbt5w|work=[[The Times]]|date=11 November 2007}}</ref> In the late 1990s, Nixon realised that the introduction of easy access to the internet would create opportunities for web-based businesses. He launched a website which facilitated price comparison for personal loans and [[credit cards]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thelwell|first1=Emma|title=Simon Nixon: UK's richest young entrepreneur|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2954737/Simon-Nixon-UKs-richest-young-entrepreneur.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=21 February 2008}}</ref> which was marketed as a business to consumer business.<ref name=moneyweek />
The company was founded by [[Simon Nixon]] and Duncan Cameron as a mortgage subscription business in 1987.<ref name="moneyweek">{{cite web|last1=Hohler|first1=Emily|title=My first million: Simon Nixon of Moneysupermarket|url=https://moneyweek.com/31394/my-first-million-simon-nixon-of-moneysupermarket|publisher=[[MoneyWeek]]|date=8 July 2007}}</ref> It expanded rapidly during the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Higgins|first1=Ria|title=A Life in the Day: Simon Nixon, internet entrepreneur|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-life-in-the-day-simon-nixon-internet-entrepreneur-93krfxzbt5w|work=[[The Times]]|date=11 November 2007}}</ref> In the late 1990s, Nixon realised that the introduction of easy access to the internet would create opportunities for web-based businesses. He launched a website which facilitated price comparison for personal loans and [[credit card]]s<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thelwell|first1=Emma|title=Simon Nixon: UK's richest young entrepreneur|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2954737/Simon-Nixon-UKs-richest-young-entrepreneur.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=21 February 2008}}</ref> which was marketed as a business to consumer business.<ref name=moneyweek />


As the web-based business expanded to offer mortgage comparisons, Nixon decided to close the traditional mortgage subscription business which at the time was known as Mortgage 2000.<ref name=moneyweek /> As Cameron had been recruited to run the IT side of Mortgage 2000, there was no longer a full-time role for him and, from 2002, he simply became a [[wikt:silent partner|silent partner]] in the business.<ref name="independent2">{{cite web|last1=Prosser|first1=David|title=Simon Nixon: Checkout tills ringing for internet guru|url=https://www.independent.co.uk:80/news/business/analysis-and-features/simon-nixon-checkout-tills-ringing-for-internet-guru-452422.html|publisher=[[The Independent]]|archive-date=7 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507003614/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/simon-nixon-checkout-tills-ringing-for-internet-guru-452422.html|date=9 June 2007|access-date=7 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=guardian>{{cite web|last1=Connon|first1=Heather|title=The man who made the tills ring at Moneysupermarket|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/22/business.newmedia|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 July 2007}}</ref>
As the web-based business expanded to offer mortgage comparisons, Nixon decided to close the traditional mortgage subscription business which at the time was known as Mortgage 2000.<ref name=moneyweek /> As Cameron had been recruited to run the IT side of Mortgage 2000, there was no longer a full-time role for him and, from 2002, he simply became a [[wikt:silent partner|silent partner]] in the business.<ref name="independent2">{{cite web|last1=Prosser|first1=David|title=Simon Nixon: Checkout tills ringing for internet guru|url=https://www.independent.co.uk:80/news/business/analysis-and-features/simon-nixon-checkout-tills-ringing-for-internet-guru-452422.html|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-date=7 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507003614/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/simon-nixon-checkout-tills-ringing-for-internet-guru-452422.html|date=9 June 2007|access-date=7 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=guardian>{{cite web|last1=Connon|first1=Heather|title=The man who made the tills ring at Moneysupermarket|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/22/business.newmedia|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 July 2007}}</ref>


In 2000, Moneysupermarket announced the launch of [[Travelsupermarket.com]]. The website operated in the same way as Moneysupermarket, but compared prices for the travel market. The goal of Travelsupermarket was to provide transparent pricing, describing the exact differences between the different price structures being offered.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Berman|first1=Chloe|title=Interview: Travelsupermarket.com commercial director Chris Nixon|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/25916/interview-travelsupermarketcom-commercial-director-chris-nixon|publisher=Travel Weekly|date=16 November 2007}}</ref>
In 2000, Moneysupermarket announced the launch of [[Travelsupermarket.com]]. The website operated in the same way as Moneysupermarket, but compared prices for the travel market. The goal of Travelsupermarket was to provide transparent pricing, describing the exact differences between the different price structures being offered.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Berman|first1=Chloe|title=Interview: Travelsupermarket.com commercial director Chris Nixon|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/25916/interview-travelsupermarketcom-commercial-director-chris-nixon|publisher=Travel Weekly|date=16 November 2007}}</ref>
In 2002, the company appeared in the [[The Sunday Times]] Fast Track 100, and it was also the 80th fastest growing tech business in the [[United Kingdom]] in the period from 2000 to 2002.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/moneysupermarket-com-4/|title=Moneysupermarket.com - Fast Track|last=TWK|work=Fast Track|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2003, Nixon was declared Entrepreneur of the Year at the National Business Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/moneysupermarket-founder-named-entrepreneur-of-the-year/|title=Moneysupermarket founder named Entrepreneur of the Year|date=14 November 2003|publisher=Mortgage Strategy|access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref>


In 2002, the company appeared in ''[[The Sunday Times]]''{{'}} Fast Track 100, and it was also the 80th fastest growing tech business in the [[United Kingdom]] in the period from 2000 to 2002.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/moneysupermarket-com-4/|title=Moneysupermarket.com - Fast Track|last=TWK|work=Fast Track|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2003, Nixon was declared Entrepreneur of the Year at the National Business Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/moneysupermarket-founder-named-entrepreneur-of-the-year/|title=Moneysupermarket founder named Entrepreneur of the Year|date=14 November 2003|publisher=Mortgage Strategy|access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref>
In June 2007, [[The Guardian]] reported that the Moneysupermmarket was processing 52% of all the price comparisons in the UK.<ref name="guardian"/> However, the reporter also pointed out that, in the case of household and car insurance, price comparison websites such as Moneysupermarket rarely include all products on the market and that price comparisons are consequently incomplete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2007/jun/22/insurance|title=Take care when using price comparison websites|date=2007-06-21|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref> Also, in June 2007, Nixon acquired Cameron’s 47% stake in the business for £162 million.<ref name="independent2"/>


In June 2007, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that Moneysupermarket was processing 52% of all the price comparisons in the UK.<ref name="guardian"/> However, the reporter also pointed out that, in the case of household and car insurance, price comparison websites such as Moneysupermarket rarely include all products on the market and that price comparisons are consequently incomplete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2007/jun/22/insurance|title=Take care when using price comparison websites|date=2007-06-21|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref> Also, in June 2007, Nixon acquired Cameron’s 47% stake in the business for £162 million.<ref name="independent2"/>
Later that month, the company was the subject of an [[initial public offering]] on the [[London Stock Exchange]] at a price that valued the business at circa £1 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812909/Moneysupermarket.com-IPO-disappoints.html|title=Moneysupermarket.com IPO disappoints|last=Bland|first=Ben|journal=Daily Telegraph|date=26 July 2007|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/5f7f208c-2f76-11dc-a68f-0000779fd2ac|title=IPO values Moneysupermarket at £1bn|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jun/29/citynews.newmedia|title=Moneysupermarket.com to go public|last=Wearden|first=Graeme|date=29 June 2007|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/comparison-sites-do-they-find-you-the-best-deals-1029634.html|title=Comparison sites: do they find you the best deals?|work=The Independent|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> It was one of the largest tech flotations in the [[United Kingdom]] to have taken place for many years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://citywire.co.uk/money/moneysupermarket-com-to-float-as-largest-lse-tech-stock-in-years/a284597|title=Moneysupermarket.com to float as largest LSE tech stock in years|work=Citywire Money|access-date=2018-09-07|language=en}}</ref>


Later that month, the company was the subject of an [[initial public offering]] on the [[London Stock Exchange]] at a price that valued the business at circa £1 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812909/Moneysupermarket.com-IPO-disappoints.html|title=Moneysupermarket.com IPO disappoints|last=Bland|first=Ben|journal=Daily Telegraph|date=26 July 2007|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/5f7f208c-2f76-11dc-a68f-0000779fd2ac|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211221209/https://www.ft.com/content/5f7f208c-2f76-11dc-a68f-0000779fd2ac|archive-date=11 December 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=IPO values Moneysupermarket at £1bn|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jun/29/citynews.newmedia|title=Moneysupermarket.com to go public|last=Wearden|first=Graeme|date=29 June 2007|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/comparison-sites-do-they-find-you-the-best-deals-1029634.html|title=Comparison sites: do they find you the best deals?|work=The Independent|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> It was one of the largest tech flotations in the [[United Kingdom]] to have taken place for many years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://citywire.co.uk/money/moneysupermarket-com-to-float-as-largest-lse-tech-stock-in-years/a284597|title=Moneysupermarket.com to float as largest LSE tech stock in years|work=Citywire Money|access-date=2018-09-07|language=en}}</ref>
In 2012, Moneysupermarket announced the acquisition of [[MoneySavingExpert.com]] for £87 million. Following the acquisition, MoneySavingExpert remained editorially independent<ref>{{cite web|last1=Osborne|first1=Hilary|title=Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert for £87m|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/01/martin-lewis-sells-moneysavingexpert|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=1 June 2012}}</ref> and its founder, [[Martin Lewis (financial journalist)|Martin Lewis]], remained as the chief editor of the platform.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert.com for £87m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18295587|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=1 June 2012}}</ref> The company announced in 2015 that Lewis would be reducing his overall holding in the Moneysupermarket to 1.5%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Lewis nets £25m after selling Moneysupermarket.com shares|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/31/saving-expert-martin-lewis-sells-25m-moneysupermarket-shares|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Cunningham|first1=Tara|title=Martin Lewis makes £25m from MoneySuperMarket share sale|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11775753/Martin-Lewis-makes-25m-from-MoneySuperMarket-share-sale.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=31 July 2015}}</ref>


In 2012, Moneysupermarket announced the acquisition of [[MoneySavingExpert.com]] for £87 million. Following the acquisition, MoneySavingExpert remained editorially independent<ref>{{cite web|last1=Osborne|first1=Hilary|title=Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert for £87m|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/01/martin-lewis-sells-moneysavingexpert|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=1 June 2012}}</ref> and its founder, [[Martin Lewis (financial journalist)|Martin Lewis]], remained as the chief editor of the platform.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert.com for £87m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18295587|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=1 June 2012}}</ref> The company announced in 2015 that Lewis would be reducing his overall holding in Moneysupermarket.com to 1.5%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Lewis nets £25m after selling Moneysupermarket.com shares|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/31/saving-expert-martin-lewis-sells-25m-moneysupermarket-shares|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Cunningham|first1=Tara|title=Martin Lewis makes £25m from MoneySuperMarket share sale|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11775753/Martin-Lewis-makes-25m-from-MoneySuperMarket-share-sale.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=31 July 2015}}</ref>
In October 2016, the company announced that Mark Lewis, a former retail director at [[John Lewis (department store)|John Lewis]], would take over as CEO from Peter Plumb in May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McClean|first1=Paul|title=Moneysupermarket names John Lewis retail director as chief|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1bf0a4ac-9c55-11e6-a6e4-8b8e77dd083a|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=27 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kollewe|first1=Julia|title=Moneysupermarket appoints Mark Lewis as chief executive|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/oct/27/moneysupermarket-appoints-mark-lewis-as-chief-executive|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 October 2016}}</ref>
In September 2020, in another change in management, Peter Duffy took over as CEO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ralph |first1=Oliver |title=Just Eat’s Peter Duffy takes top job at Moneysupermarket |url=https://www.ft.com/content/732f07b7-7fd0-4944-ac92-965c42bb5d88 |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Financial Times |date=15 May 2020}}</ref>


In October 2016, the company announced that Mark Lewis, a former retail director at [[John Lewis (department store)|John Lewis]], would take over as CEO from Peter Plumb in May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McClean|first1=Paul|title=Moneysupermarket names John Lewis retail director as chief|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1bf0a4ac-9c55-11e6-a6e4-8b8e77dd083a|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211221225/https://www.ft.com/content/1bf0a4ac-9c55-11e6-a6e4-8b8e77dd083a|archive-date=11 December 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=27 October 2016|access-date=7 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kollewe|first1=Julia|title=Moneysupermarket appoints Mark Lewis as chief executive|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/oct/27/moneysupermarket-appoints-mark-lewis-as-chief-executive|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 October 2016}}</ref>
==Operations==
In September 2020, in another change in management, Peter Duffy took over as CEO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ralph |first1=Oliver |title=Just Eat's Peter Duffy takes top job at Moneysupermarket |url=https://www.ft.com/content/732f07b7-7fd0-4944-ac92-965c42bb5d88 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211221243/https://www.ft.com/content/732f07b7-7fd0-4944-ac92-965c42bb5d88 |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Financial Times |date=15 May 2020 }}</ref>


On 19 October 2021, Moneysupermarket announced it was acquiring Maple Syrup Media, the owners of the UK cashback website, Quidco.com. The sale amount is reported to be £87 million in cash, plus an additional £14 million as a deferred payment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hawkins |first1=Emily |title= Moneysupermarket acquires cashback platform Quidco |url= https://www.cityam.com/moneysupermarket-acquires-cashback-platform-quidco/ |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=CityAM |date=19 October 2021}}</ref>
===Moneysupermarket===

Moneysupermarket, which specialises in financial services, is the largest [[Comparison shopping website|comparison website]] in the UK by revenue.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ralph|first1=Oliver|title=Going gets tough for GoCompare the SuperMeerkat|url=https://www.ft.com/content/8997ec7a-2f01-11e6-bf8d-26294ad519fc|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=June 13, 2016}}</ref>
==Operations==


===Travelsupermarket===
===MoneySuperMarket===
MoneySuperMarket, which specialises in financial services, was in 2016 the largest [[Comparison shopping website|comparison website]] in the UK by revenue.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ralph|first1=Oliver|title=Going gets tough for GoCompare the SuperMeerkat|url=https://www.ft.com/content/8997ec7a-2f01-11e6-bf8d-26294ad519fc|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211221257/https://www.ft.com/content/8997ec7a-2f01-11e6-bf8d-26294ad519fc|archive-date=11 December 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=June 13, 2016|access-date=7 March 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Travel Supermarket Logo (Reception).jpg|alt=|thumb|Travel Supermarket Logo]]
[[File:Travel Supermarket Logo (Reception).jpg|alt=|thumb|Travel Supermarket logo]]
The travelsupermarket.com website, a [[price comparison website]]-based business specialising in [[Package tour|package holidays]], was established in 2004 as a sister site to the Moneysupermarket.com.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.moneysupermarket.com/about-us/our-history|title=Our History|website=corporate.moneysupermarket.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-16}}</ref>
===TravelSupermarket===


The TravelSupermarket.com website, specialising in price comparison for [[Package tour|package holidays]], was established in 2004 as a sister site to Moneysupermarket.com.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.moneysupermarket.com/about-us/our-history|title=Our History|website=corporate.moneysupermarket.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-16}}</ref>
Like Moneysupermarket, TravelSupermarket's television advertisements have become known for their humour and use of celebrities. Previous ads featured comedian [[Omid Djalili]], former Labour MP [[John Prescott]] and X factor stars, [[Jedward]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jedward-travel-advert-is-misleading-njwqmp6kfl0|title=Jedward travel advert is 'misleading'|last=Atherton|first=Mark|date=2011-04-27|work=The Times|access-date=2019-02-12|language=en|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
[[File:Money Saving Expert Logo.jpg|thumb|Money Saving Expert Logo]]
[[File:Money Saving Expert Logo.jpg|thumb|Money Saving Expert logo]]
Like Moneysupermarket, TravelSupermarket's television advertisements have become known for their humour and use of celebrities. Previous ads featured comedian [[Omid Djalili]], former Labour MP [[John Prescott]] and ''[[The X Factor|X Factor]]'' stars [[Jedward]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jedward-travel-advert-is-misleading-njwqmp6kfl0|title=Jedward travel advert is 'misleading'|last=Atherton|first=Mark|date=2011-04-27|work=The Times|access-date=2019-02-12|language=en|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>


===MoneySavingExpert===
===MoneySavingExpert===
[[MoneySavingExpert.com]] operates a subsidiary of the Moneysupermarket group and provide basic financial advice.<ref name=MSEabout>MoneySavingExpert.com, [http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/about-the-site About]</ref> MoneySavingExpert.com also operates a Cheap Energy Club which monitors users' energy tariffs to ensure users are on the cheapest available.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gammell|first1=Kara|title=Moneysavingexpert.com launches 'Cheap Energy Club'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/household-bills/9847889/Moneysavingexpert.com-launches-Cheap-Energy-Club.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=February 4, 2013}}</ref>
[[MoneySavingExpert.com]], established by financial journalist [[Martin Lewis (financial journalist)|Martin Lewis]] in 2003 to provide financial information to consumers, was bought by Moneysupermarket in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-06-01 |title=Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert.com for £87m |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-18295587 |access-date=2022-07-15}}</ref> The subsidiary also operates a Cheap Energy Club which monitors users' energy tariffs to help them find the cheapest available.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gammell|first1=Kara|title=Moneysavingexpert.com launches 'Cheap Energy Club'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/household-bills/9847889/Moneysavingexpert.com-launches-Cheap-Energy-Club.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=February 4, 2013}}</ref>


== Research ==
== Research ==
Moneysupermarket has a [[research]] arm: it has released statistics suggesting that the UK wastes £1.6 billion on energy bills each year from leaving devices such as televisions on standby.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-much-money-you-waste-11669591|title=This is how much money you waste each year by leaving devices on standby|last=Robson|first=Steve|date=2017-12-10|work=mirror|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> It has also found that the cost of TV subscriptions can be be reduced dramatically through [[Streaming media|streaming services]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/tv-prices-rising-cut-the-cost-with-streaming-deals/|title=TV prices rising? Cut the cost with streaming deals|last=Gammell|first=Kara|date=2016-09-20|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In February 2018, the group's research found that 20 percent of people in [[Scotland]] had never switched energy provider.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/nearly-a-fifth-of-scottish-households-have-never-switched-energy-provider/|title=Nearly a fifth of Scottish households have never switched energy provider - Sunday Post|work=Sunday Post|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
Moneysupermarket has a research arm: it has released statistics suggesting that the UK wastes £1.6 billion on energy bills each year from leaving devices such as televisions on standby.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-much-money-you-waste-11669591|title=This is how much money you waste each year by leaving devices on standby|last=Robson|first=Steve|date=2017-12-10|work=mirror|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> It has also found that the cost of TV subscriptions can be reduced dramatically through [[Streaming media|streaming services]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/tv-prices-rising-cut-the-cost-with-streaming-deals/|title=TV prices rising? Cut the cost with streaming deals|last=Gammell|first=Kara|date=2016-09-20|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In February 2018, the group's research found that 20 per cent of people in [[Scotland]] had never switched energy provider.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/nearly-a-fifth-of-scottish-households-have-never-switched-energy-provider/|title=Nearly a fifth of Scottish households have never switched energy provider - Sunday Post|work=Sunday Post|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Advertisements==
==Advertisements==
[[File:Dave Moneysupermarket.jpg|thumb|right|A 2015 advert featuring a male character named Dave strutting in high heels garnered controversy]]
In 2010, adverts featured comedian [[Omid Djalili]] as the character of "HaggleHero".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2009/dec/30/omid-djalili-moneysupermarket|title=Watch Omid Djalili in Moneysupermarket.com ad|date=30 December 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> From 2011 to 2013 the company's adverts included a man surfing on an inflatable crocodile, a man in a jungle with gorillas and a man going into space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-surf-mother/1078211|title=Moneysupermarket 'surf' by Mother|date=4 July 2011|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In August 2013 a new advert was launched, featuring "Bill" with an army of cats whilst a spokesman, played by [[James Lance]], referred to Bill as "so Moneysupermarket".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-running-cats-mother/1194703|title=Moneysupermarket.com "running with cats" by Mother|date=12 August 2013|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
In 2010, adverts featured comedian [[Omid Djalili]] as the character of "HaggleHero".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2009/dec/30/omid-djalili-moneysupermarket|title=Watch Omid Djalili in Moneysupermarket.com ad|date=30 December 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> From 2011 to 2013 the company's adverts included a man surfing on an inflatable crocodile, a man in a jungle with gorillas and a man going into space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-surf-mother/1078211|title=Moneysupermarket 'surf' by Mother|date=4 July 2011|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In August 2013 a new advert was launched, featuring "Bill" with an army of cats whilst a spokesman, played by [[James Lance]], referred to Bill as "so Moneysupermarket".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-running-cats-mother/1194703|title=Moneysupermarket.com "running with cats" by Mother|date=12 August 2013|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>


In January 2014, [[Snoop Dogg]] and his song "[[What's My Name? (Snoop Doggy Dogg song)|Who Am I (What's My Name)]]" were featured in a new ad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCd_J-4BauA|title=MoneySuperMarket Ad Featuring Snoop Dogg|date=3 March 2014|publisher=You Tube|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In August of the same year, the "Epic Elephunk" walked around [[Manhattan]] with "Graeme" riding on its back; again he was described as "so Money Supermarket"; the soundtrack was "[[Word Up! (song)|Word Up!]]" by [[Cameo (band)|Cameo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-elephunk-mother/1307234|title=Moneysupermarket.com "epic elephunk" by Mother|date=4 August 2014|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref>
In January 2014, [[Snoop Dogg]] and his song "[[What's My Name? (Snoop Doggy Dogg song)|Who Am I (What's My Name)]]" were featured in a new ad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCd_J-4BauA|title=MoneySuperMarket Ad Featuring Snoop Dogg|date=3 March 2014|publisher=You Tube|access-date=10 April 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> In August of the same year, the "Epic Elephunk" walked around [[Manhattan]] with "Graeme" riding on its back; again he was described as "so Money Supermarket"; the soundtrack was "[[Word Up! (song)|Word Up!]]" by [[Cameo (band)|Cameo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-elephunk-mother/1307234|title=Moneysupermarket.com "epic elephunk" by Mother|date=4 August 2014|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref>


In January 2015, another advertising campaign was launched featuring a man named Dave (played by Michael Van Schoik), walking down a street in L.A, dressed in a shirt, suit jacket, denim hot pants and high heels. He alongside two other people, struts confidently to the song "[[Don't Cha]]" by the [[Pussycat Dolls]], while showing off his prominent rear to stunned onlookers, including [[Sharon Osbourne]]. It was later revealed by the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK to be the most complained about advert in 2015 with 1,513 complaints. In their ruling, the ASA found that whilst it may be distasteful to some, it did not judge the ad was offensive and the complaint was not upheld.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/News-resources/Media-Centre/2016/2015-most-complained-about-ads.aspx#.VxDHCpN94_U|title=2015's most complained about ads|date=23 February 2016|publisher=ASA|access-date=15 April 2016}}</ref>
In January 2015, another advertising campaign was launched featuring a man named Dave (played by Michael Van Schoik), walking down a street in L.A, dressed in a shirt, suit jacket, denim hot pants and high heels. He alongside two other people, struts confidently to the song "[[Don't Cha]]" by the [[Pussycat Dolls]], while showing off his prominent rear to stunned onlookers, including [[Sharon Osbourne]]. It was later revealed by the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]] in the UK to be the most complained about advert in 2015 with 1,513 complaints. In their ruling, the ASA found that whilst it may be distasteful to some, it did not judge the advert was offensive and the complaint was not upheld.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/News-resources/Media-Centre/2016/2015-most-complained-about-ads.aspx#.VxDHCpN94_U|title=2015's most complained about ads|date=23 February 2016|publisher=ASA|access-date=15 April 2016}}</ref>


In July 2015, another advert was launched. It shows a chubby construction worker named Colin (played by Kyle McIntire). He dances, gyrates, does a worm dance and a split in front of his co-workers and the bemused office staff at the other building. The song featured in this ad is "[[Just a Little (Liberty X song)|Just a Little]]" by British pop group [[Liberty X]]. At the end of the advert, he also swings on a wrecking ball (a reference to the video of Miley Cyrus' [[Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song)|Wrecking Ball]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-follows-epic-strut-pole-dancing-builder/1357516|title=MoneySupermarket follows 'epic strut' with pole-dancing builder|date=24 July 2015|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
In July 2015, another advert was launched. It shows a chubby construction worker named Colin (played by Kyle McIntire). He dances, gyrates, does a worm dance and a split in front of his co-workers and the bemused office staff at the other building. The song featured in this advert is "[[Just a Little (Liberty X song)|Just a Little]]" by British pop group [[Liberty X]]. At the end of the advert, he also swings on a wrecking ball (a reference to the video of Miley Cyrus' [[Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song)|Wrecking Ball]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-follows-epic-strut-pole-dancing-builder/1357516|title=MoneySupermarket follows 'epic strut' with pole-dancing builder|date=24 July 2015|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>


In January 2016, another TV campaign by agency [[Mother (advertising agency)|Mother]] was launched featuring a bodyguard named Gary. The song featured in the ad is "[[Big Bad Wolf (Duck Sauce song)|Big Bad Wolf]]" by [[Duck Sauce]], an American-Canadian DJ duo.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-wolf-mother/1378494 | title = Moneysupermarket.com "epic wolf" by Mother | date = 2016-07-01 | website = [[Campaign (magazine)|Campaign]] | publisher = [[Haymarket Media Group]] | access-date = 2016-03-02 | quote = Moneysupermarket.com's follow-up to last year's popular "epic strut" and "Colin" ads features a presidential bodyguard popping and locking to Duck Sauce's Big Bad Wolf.}}</ref>
In January 2016, another TV campaign by agency [[Mother (advertising agency)|Mother]] was launched featuring a bodyguard named Gary. The song featured in the advert is "[[Big Bad Wolf (Duck Sauce song)|Big Bad Wolf]]" by [[Duck Sauce]], an American-Canadian DJ duo.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-wolf-mother/1378494 | title = Moneysupermarket.com "epic wolf" by Mother | date = 2016-07-01 | website = [[Campaign (magazine)|Campaign]] | publisher = [[Haymarket Media Group]] | access-date = 2016-03-02 | quote = Moneysupermarket.com's follow-up to last year's popular "epic strut" and "Colin" ads features a presidential bodyguard popping and locking to Duck Sauce's Big Bad Wolf.}}</ref>


In April 2016, another advert was released. It showed all three of the 'epic' people having a dance off in a car park. The song featured in the advert is "[[Worth It (Fifth Harmony song)|Worth It]]" by [[Fifth Harmony]] featuring [[Kid Ink]]. The ad premiered during the first break of ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/09/the-new-money-supermarket-ad-has-debuted-and-it-features-a-bit-of-an-epic-dance-off-5806344/|title=The new Money Supermarket ad has debuted – and it features a bit of an epic dance off|date=9 April 2016|work=Metro|publisher=[[DMG Media]]|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> <sup>]</sup> It was revealed in an article by [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] that in 2016 three of Moneysupermarket's adverts made the top 10 list of most complained about commercials in the United Kingdom, a list produced by the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/moneysupermarket-wins-big-annoying-ads-a7534961.html|title=MoneySuperMarket wins big with annoying ads|website=The Independent|date= 19 January 2017|author=James Moore|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref> Despite the potential negativity, the company's new Chief Executive stated that he believed the 2,500 complaints showed their adverts had people talking about the brand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/08/moneysupermarket-ceo-pleased-twerking-adverts-talked-about/|title=Moneysupermarket CEO: I'm pleased our twerking adverts were talked about|last=Burton|first=Lucy|date=2017-10-08|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
In April 2016, another advert was released. It showed all three of the 'epic' people having a dance off in a car park. The song featured in the advert is "[[Worth It (Fifth Harmony song)|Worth It]]" by [[Fifth Harmony]] featuring [[Kid Ink]]. The ad premiered during the first break of ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/09/the-new-money-supermarket-ad-has-debuted-and-it-features-a-bit-of-an-epic-dance-off-5806344/|title=The new Money Supermarket ad has debuted – and it features a bit of an epic dance off|date=9 April 2016|work=Metro|publisher=[[DMG Media]]|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> <sup>]</sup> It was revealed in an article by [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] that in 2016 three of Moneysupermarket's adverts made the top 10 list of most complained about commercials in the United Kingdom, a list produced by the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/moneysupermarket-wins-big-annoying-ads-a7534961.html|title=MoneySuperMarket wins big with annoying ads|website=The Independent|date= 19 January 2017|author=James Moore|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref> Despite the potential negativity, the company's new Chief Executive stated that he believed the 2,500 complaints showed their adverts had people talking about the brand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/08/moneysupermarket-ceo-pleased-twerking-adverts-talked-about/|title=Moneysupermarket CEO: I'm pleased our twerking adverts were talked about|last=Burton|first=Lucy|date=2017-10-08|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>


In September 2016, an advert featuring the hashtag 'epicsquads' was released. This time featuring strutting businessman Dave, his builder rival Colin, and gangs of each of their similarly-attired friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-squads-mother/1407675|title=Moneysupermarket.com "Epic squads" by Mother|publisher=Campaign|date=2 September 2016}}</ref>
In September 2016, an advert featuring the hashtag 'epicsquads' was released. This time featuring strutting businessman "Dave", his builder rival "Colin", and gangs of each of their similarly-attired friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-squads-mother/1407675|title=Moneysupermarket.com "Epic squads" by Mother|publisher=Campaign|date=2 September 2016}}</ref>


In March 2017, another advert featuring [[Skeletor]] dancing to the song "[[Fame (Irene Cara song)|Fame]]" by [[Irene Cara]] and also featuring [[He-Man]] was released, the advert returned yet again in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://creativity-online.com/work/moneysupermarketcom-epic-skeletor/51334|title=Skeletor Boogies to 'Fame' in Moneysupermarket's Latest 'Epic' Spot|last=Jardine|first=Alexandra|work=Creativity Online|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> Later, in August 2017, the brand released another advert, this time featuring [[Skeletor]] and [[He-Man]] dancing to the song "[[(I've Had) The Time of My Life|Time of My Life]]" from the film "[[Dirty Dancing]]" with He-Man.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/he-man-and-skeletor-have-the-time-of-their-lives-in-ridiculous-dirty-dancing-ad-spoof/|title=He-Man and Skeletor Have the Time of Their Lives in Ridiculous Dirty Dancing Ad Spoof|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2017, another advert featuring [[Skeletor]] dancing to the song "[[Fame (Irene Cara song)|Fame]]" by [[Irene Cara]] and also featuring [[He-Man]] was released, the advert returned yet again in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://creativity-online.com/work/moneysupermarketcom-epic-skeletor/51334|title=Skeletor Boogies to 'Fame' in Moneysupermarket's Latest 'Epic' Spot|last=Jardine|first=Alexandra|work=Creativity Online|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> Later, in August 2017, the brand released another advert, this time featuring [[Skeletor]] and [[He-Man]] dancing to the song "[[(I've Had) The Time of My Life|Time of My Life]]" from the film "[[Dirty Dancing]]" with He-Man.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/he-man-and-skeletor-have-the-time-of-their-lives-in-ridiculous-dirty-dancing-ad-spoof/|title=He-Man and Skeletor Have the Time of Their Lives in Ridiculous Dirty Dancing Ad Spoof|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
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In March 2018, an advert featuring [[Action Man]] dancing to the song "[[Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally]]" by [[CeCe Peniston]] was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-action-man-mother/1459068|title=Moneysupermarket.com "Epic Action Man" by Mother|date=9 March 2018|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref>
In March 2018, an advert featuring [[Action Man]] dancing to the song "[[Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally]]" by [[CeCe Peniston]] was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarketcom-epic-action-man-mother/1459068|title=Moneysupermarket.com "Epic Action Man" by Mother|date=9 March 2018|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref>


In March 2019, a new campaign, in tandem with a new logo, was launched featuring a parachuting cat and was narrated by comedian and voice over artist [[Matt Berry]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-promises-help-people-get-money-calm-brand-relaunch/1578248?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social|title=Moneysupermarket promises to help people 'Get money calm' in brand relaunch|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref>
In March 2019, a new campaign, in tandem with a new logo, was launched featuring a parachuting cat and was narrated by comedian and voice over artist [[Matt Berry]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-promises-help-people-get-money-calm-brand-relaunch/1578248|title=Moneysupermarket promises to help people 'Get money calm' in brand relaunch|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref>


In June 2020, a new campaign was released, still featuring Berry on narration duties, but this time, focusing on a [[bull]] who's "calmer than a [[banana]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-rewrites-bull-china-shop-narrative/1686811|title=Moneysupermarket rewrites 'bull in a china shop' narrative|date=19 June 2020|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
In June 2020, a new campaign was released, still featuring Berry on narration duties, but this time, focusing on a “money calm” [[bull]] who remains calm even in chaotic situations, a play on the idiom "bull in a [[Chinese ceramics|China]] shop".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/moneysupermarket-rewrites-bull-china-shop-narrative/1686811|title=Moneysupermarket rewrites 'bull in a china shop' narrative|date=19 June 2020|publisher=Campaign Live|access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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=========================({{NoMoreLinks}})=============================-->
=========================({{NoMoreLinks}})=============================-->
* [http://corporate.moneysupermarket.com/ Corporate website]
* [http://corporate.moneysupermarket.com/ Corporate website]
* [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/main?q=&url=moneysupermarket.com moneysupermarket.com] on [[Alexa Internet|Alexa]]
* [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/main?q=&url=moneysupermarket.com moneysupermarket.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031020045131/http://www.alexa.com/data/details/main?q=&url=moneysupermarket.com |date=20 October 2003 }} on [[Alexa Internet|Alexa]]


{{FTSE 250 Index constituents}}
{{FTSE 250 Index constituents}}
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[[Category:Financial services companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:Financial services companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies in the FTSE 250 Index]]

Latest revision as of 18:38, 20 February 2024

Moneysupermarket.com Group plc
FormerlyMoneysupermarket.com Group Limited (June–July 2007)[1]
Company typePublic
ISINGB00B1ZBKY84 Edit this on Wikidata
Founded1993
FounderSimon Nixon
Headquarters,
Key people
RevenueIncrease £432.1 million (2023)[2]
Increase £97.3 million (2023)[2]
Increase £72.2 million (2023)[2]
Websitemoneysupermarket.com

Moneysupermarket.com Group plc is a British price comparison website-based business specialising in financial services. The website enables consumers to compare prices on a range of products, including energy, car insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, mortgages, credit cards and loans. The company's subsidiaries include the Travel Supermarket and Moneysavingexpert websites. Moneysupermarket Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

History[edit]

The company was founded by Simon Nixon and Duncan Cameron as a mortgage subscription business in 1987.[3] It expanded rapidly during the mid-1990s.[4] In the late 1990s, Nixon realised that the introduction of easy access to the internet would create opportunities for web-based businesses. He launched a website which facilitated price comparison for personal loans and credit cards[5] which was marketed as a business to consumer business.[3]

As the web-based business expanded to offer mortgage comparisons, Nixon decided to close the traditional mortgage subscription business which at the time was known as Mortgage 2000.[3] As Cameron had been recruited to run the IT side of Mortgage 2000, there was no longer a full-time role for him and, from 2002, he simply became a silent partner in the business.[6][7]

In 2000, Moneysupermarket announced the launch of Travelsupermarket.com. The website operated in the same way as Moneysupermarket, but compared prices for the travel market. The goal of Travelsupermarket was to provide transparent pricing, describing the exact differences between the different price structures being offered.[8]

In 2002, the company appeared in The Sunday Times' Fast Track 100, and it was also the 80th fastest growing tech business in the United Kingdom in the period from 2000 to 2002.[9] In 2003, Nixon was declared Entrepreneur of the Year at the National Business Awards.[10]

In June 2007, The Guardian reported that Moneysupermarket was processing 52% of all the price comparisons in the UK.[7] However, the reporter also pointed out that, in the case of household and car insurance, price comparison websites such as Moneysupermarket rarely include all products on the market and that price comparisons are consequently incomplete.[11] Also, in June 2007, Nixon acquired Cameron’s 47% stake in the business for £162 million.[6]

Later that month, the company was the subject of an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange at a price that valued the business at circa £1 billion.[12][13][14][15] It was one of the largest tech flotations in the United Kingdom to have taken place for many years.[16]

In 2012, Moneysupermarket announced the acquisition of MoneySavingExpert.com for £87 million. Following the acquisition, MoneySavingExpert remained editorially independent[17] and its founder, Martin Lewis, remained as the chief editor of the platform.[18] The company announced in 2015 that Lewis would be reducing his overall holding in Moneysupermarket.com to 1.5%.[19][20]

In October 2016, the company announced that Mark Lewis, a former retail director at John Lewis, would take over as CEO from Peter Plumb in May 2017.[21][22] In September 2020, in another change in management, Peter Duffy took over as CEO.[23]

On 19 October 2021, Moneysupermarket announced it was acquiring Maple Syrup Media, the owners of the UK cashback website, Quidco.com. The sale amount is reported to be £87 million in cash, plus an additional £14 million as a deferred payment.[24]

Operations[edit]

MoneySuperMarket[edit]

MoneySuperMarket, which specialises in financial services, was in 2016 the largest comparison website in the UK by revenue.[25]

Travel Supermarket logo

TravelSupermarket[edit]

The TravelSupermarket.com website, specialising in price comparison for package holidays, was established in 2004 as a sister site to Moneysupermarket.com.[26]

Money Saving Expert logo

Like Moneysupermarket, TravelSupermarket's television advertisements have become known for their humour and use of celebrities. Previous ads featured comedian Omid Djalili, former Labour MP John Prescott and X Factor stars Jedward.[27]

MoneySavingExpert[edit]

MoneySavingExpert.com, established by financial journalist Martin Lewis in 2003 to provide financial information to consumers, was bought by Moneysupermarket in 2012.[28] The subsidiary also operates a Cheap Energy Club which monitors users' energy tariffs to help them find the cheapest available.[29]

Research[edit]

Moneysupermarket has a research arm: it has released statistics suggesting that the UK wastes £1.6 billion on energy bills each year from leaving devices such as televisions on standby.[30] It has also found that the cost of TV subscriptions can be reduced dramatically through streaming services.[31] In February 2018, the group's research found that 20 per cent of people in Scotland had never switched energy provider.[32]

Advertisements[edit]

A 2015 advert featuring a male character named Dave strutting in high heels garnered controversy

In 2010, adverts featured comedian Omid Djalili as the character of "HaggleHero".[33] From 2011 to 2013 the company's adverts included a man surfing on an inflatable crocodile, a man in a jungle with gorillas and a man going into space.[34] In August 2013 a new advert was launched, featuring "Bill" with an army of cats whilst a spokesman, played by James Lance, referred to Bill as "so Moneysupermarket".[35]

In January 2014, Snoop Dogg and his song "Who Am I (What's My Name)" were featured in a new ad.[36] In August of the same year, the "Epic Elephunk" walked around Manhattan with "Graeme" riding on its back; again he was described as "so Money Supermarket"; the soundtrack was "Word Up!" by Cameo.[37]

In January 2015, another advertising campaign was launched featuring a man named Dave (played by Michael Van Schoik), walking down a street in L.A, dressed in a shirt, suit jacket, denim hot pants and high heels. He alongside two other people, struts confidently to the song "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls, while showing off his prominent rear to stunned onlookers, including Sharon Osbourne. It was later revealed by the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK to be the most complained about advert in 2015 with 1,513 complaints. In their ruling, the ASA found that whilst it may be distasteful to some, it did not judge the advert was offensive and the complaint was not upheld.[38]

In July 2015, another advert was launched. It shows a chubby construction worker named Colin (played by Kyle McIntire). He dances, gyrates, does a worm dance and a split in front of his co-workers and the bemused office staff at the other building. The song featured in this advert is "Just a Little" by British pop group Liberty X. At the end of the advert, he also swings on a wrecking ball (a reference to the video of Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball).[39]

In January 2016, another TV campaign by agency Mother was launched featuring a bodyguard named Gary. The song featured in the advert is "Big Bad Wolf" by Duck Sauce, an American-Canadian DJ duo.[40]

In April 2016, another advert was released. It showed all three of the 'epic' people having a dance off in a car park. The song featured in the advert is "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony featuring Kid Ink. The ad premiered during the first break of Britain's Got Talent.[41] ] It was revealed in an article by The Telegraph that in 2016 three of Moneysupermarket's adverts made the top 10 list of most complained about commercials in the United Kingdom, a list produced by the Advertising Standards Authority.[42] Despite the potential negativity, the company's new Chief Executive stated that he believed the 2,500 complaints showed their adverts had people talking about the brand.[43]

In September 2016, an advert featuring the hashtag 'epicsquads' was released. This time featuring strutting businessman "Dave", his builder rival "Colin", and gangs of each of their similarly-attired friends.[44]

In March 2017, another advert featuring Skeletor dancing to the song "Fame" by Irene Cara and also featuring He-Man was released, the advert returned yet again in October 2018.[45] Later, in August 2017, the brand released another advert, this time featuring Skeletor and He-Man dancing to the song "Time of My Life" from the film "Dirty Dancing" with He-Man.[46]

In March 2018, an advert featuring Action Man dancing to the song "Finally" by CeCe Peniston was released.[47]

In March 2019, a new campaign, in tandem with a new logo, was launched featuring a parachuting cat and was narrated by comedian and voice over artist Matt Berry.[48]

In June 2020, a new campaign was released, still featuring Berry on narration duties, but this time, focusing on a “money calm” bull who remains calm even in chaotic situations, a play on the idiom "bull in a China shop".[49]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Moneysupermarket.com Group plc overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Annual Results 2023" (PDF). Moneysupermarket.com Group. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Hohler, Emily (8 July 2007). "My first million: Simon Nixon of Moneysupermarket". MoneyWeek.
  4. ^ Higgins, Ria (11 November 2007). "A Life in the Day: Simon Nixon, internet entrepreneur". The Times.
  5. ^ Thelwell, Emma (21 February 2008). "Simon Nixon: UK's richest young entrepreneur". The Telegraph.
  6. ^ a b Prosser, David (9 June 2007). "Simon Nixon: Checkout tills ringing for internet guru". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  7. ^ a b Connon, Heather (22 July 2007). "The man who made the tills ring at Moneysupermarket". The Guardian.
  8. ^ Berman, Chloe (16 November 2007). "Interview: Travelsupermarket.com commercial director Chris Nixon". Travel Weekly.
  9. ^ TWK. "Moneysupermarket.com - Fast Track". Fast Track. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Moneysupermarket founder named Entrepreneur of the Year". Mortgage Strategy. 14 November 2003. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Take care when using price comparison websites". The Guardian. 21 June 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  12. ^ Bland, Ben (26 July 2007). "Moneysupermarket.com IPO disappoints". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  13. ^ "IPO values Moneysupermarket at £1bn". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  14. ^ Wearden, Graeme (29 June 2007). "Moneysupermarket.com to go public". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Comparison sites: do they find you the best deals?". The Independent. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Moneysupermarket.com to float as largest LSE tech stock in years". Citywire Money. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  17. ^ Osborne, Hilary (1 June 2012). "Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert for £87m". The Guardian.
  18. ^ "Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert.com for £87m". BBC. 1 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Martin Lewis nets £25m after selling Moneysupermarket.com shares". The Guardian. 31 July 2015.
  20. ^ Cunningham, Tara (31 July 2015). "Martin Lewis makes £25m from MoneySuperMarket share sale". The Telegraph.
  21. ^ McClean, Paul (27 October 2016). "Moneysupermarket names John Lewis retail director as chief". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  22. ^ Kollewe, Julia (27 October 2016). "Moneysupermarket appoints Mark Lewis as chief executive". The Guardian.
  23. ^ Ralph, Oliver (15 May 2020). "Just Eat's Peter Duffy takes top job at Moneysupermarket". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  24. ^ Hawkins, Emily (19 October 2021). "Moneysupermarket acquires cashback platform Quidco". CityAM. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  25. ^ Ralph, Oliver (13 June 2016). "Going gets tough for GoCompare the SuperMeerkat". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Our History". corporate.moneysupermarket.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  27. ^ Atherton, Mark (27 April 2011). "Jedward travel advert is 'misleading'". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  28. ^ "Martin Lewis sells MoneySavingExpert.com for £87m". BBC News. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  29. ^ Gammell, Kara (4 February 2013). "Moneysavingexpert.com launches 'Cheap Energy Club'". The Telegraph.
  30. ^ Robson, Steve (10 December 2017). "This is how much money you waste each year by leaving devices on standby". mirror. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  31. ^ Gammell, Kara (20 September 2016). "TV prices rising? Cut the cost with streaming deals". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  32. ^ "Nearly a fifth of Scottish households have never switched energy provider - Sunday Post". Sunday Post. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  33. ^ "Watch Omid Djalili in Moneysupermarket.com ad". The Guardian. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  34. ^ "Moneysupermarket 'surf' by Mother". Campaign Live. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  35. ^ "Moneysupermarket.com "running with cats" by Mother". Campaign Live. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  36. ^ "MoneySuperMarket Ad Featuring Snoop Dogg". You Tube. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2016.[dead YouTube link]
  37. ^ "Moneysupermarket.com "epic elephunk" by Mother". Campaign Live. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  38. ^ "2015's most complained about ads". ASA. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  39. ^ "MoneySupermarket follows 'epic strut' with pole-dancing builder". Campaign Live. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  40. ^ "Moneysupermarket.com "epic wolf" by Mother". Campaign. Haymarket Media Group. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016. Moneysupermarket.com's follow-up to last year's popular "epic strut" and "Colin" ads features a presidential bodyguard popping and locking to Duck Sauce's Big Bad Wolf.
  41. ^ "The new Money Supermarket ad has debuted – and it features a bit of an epic dance off". Metro. DMG Media. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  42. ^ James Moore (19 January 2017). "MoneySuperMarket wins big with annoying ads". The Independent. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  43. ^ Burton, Lucy (8 October 2017). "Moneysupermarket CEO: I'm pleased our twerking adverts were talked about". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
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  45. ^ Jardine, Alexandra. "Skeletor Boogies to 'Fame' in Moneysupermarket's Latest 'Epic' Spot". Creativity Online. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  46. ^ "He-Man and Skeletor Have the Time of Their Lives in Ridiculous Dirty Dancing Ad Spoof". Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  47. ^ "Moneysupermarket.com "Epic Action Man" by Mother". Campaign Live. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  48. ^ "Moneysupermarket promises to help people 'Get money calm' in brand relaunch". www.campaignlive.co.uk.
  49. ^ "Moneysupermarket rewrites 'bull in a china shop' narrative". Campaign Live. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.

External links[edit]