Marketing Week articles from April 2005

Marketing Week archives from April 2005

Oliver's brand of revitalisation.(Jamie Oliver)
April 7, 2005... Andy Warhol was wrong. You can be famous for a lot longer than 15 minutes, if you're clever enough. Judicious self-immersion in reality television seems to do the trick where fading business charisma is concerned. It's a pleasure to see...

COI boss given new media powers ahead of election.(Central Office of Information)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Bishop's expanded aegis to cover Government News Network and emergency briefing role The Government is beefing up the role of COI Communications chief executive Alan Bishop in time for the General Election, with new powers to gather...

The Home Office looks set to go it alone.(might create its own advertising roster)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Home Office is expected to rebel against COI Communications as it seeks "better value" for its advertising budget. The move comes amid a #157.6m re-tendering process for the Government's advertising and media arrangements. Insiders...

Sainsbury's likely to stick with Jamie Oliver.(J Sainsbury PLC)
April 7, 2005... Jamie Oliver has been used in agency pitch presentations for the #47m Sainsbury's advertising account, suggesting that the supermarket may not ditch the celebrity chef from its advertising. Both shortlisted agencies, JWT and incumbent...

Rover crisis hangs over marketers.(MG Rover Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The future of MG Rover's 150-strong marketing department is in doubt following claims the struggling car marque is just days away from going bust. Its top marketers include John Edwards, one of the four businessmen who bought MG Rover...

McDonald's back-pedals over Sudan 1 apology.
April 7, 2005... McDonald's has decided against issuing an apology to customers over the Sudan 1 contamination scare after it decided that the public was "reassured and satisfied by the swift action" that the fast-food chain took to withdraw a salad dressing...

Jamie Oliver to star in 3G 'television' series.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Jamie Oliver could soon be appearing in sponsored television-style cookery programmes shown on mobile phones. The programmes are being marketed to potential sponsors under the title Jamie Oliver's Three Minute Recipes. It has not been...

Medicines' marketing practices under fire.
April 7, 2005... The marketing practices of UK pharmaceuticals companies have been criticised in a parliamentary health select committee report published yesterday (Tuesday). The report raises concerns over the promotion of drugs that may not be...

Proposed ban declared invalid.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... A proposed ban on vitamins and food supplements has been declared invalid by the European Court of Justice, after an appeal led by the British health food industry. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Animated caricatures.
April 7, 2005... Animated caricatures of leading BBC presenters will be used to trail the corporation's news coverage of the General Election. Line drawings of John Humphrys, Huw Edwards, Peter Snow, Fiona Bruce, David Dimbleby and Andrew Marr will feature...

Companies urged to learn from politicians' mistakes.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Companies and brands must take an avid interest in the behaviour of political parties in this year's General Election to gain a better understanding of consumer opinion, according to new research commissioned by below-the-line agency Tequila...

Diageo hopes tropical variant launch will boost flagging Archers brand.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Diageo is hoping to revive its struggling Archers brand with a new tropical flavoured variant, Archers Vea, which will be launched this summer. It is believed that the launch will be supported by a significant marketing push. The drinks...

TVR picks first full-time marketing chief.(TVR Engineering Ltd.)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... TVR, the Lancashire-based sports car manufacturer, has appointed marketing consultant Phil James as its first full-time marketer to help spearhead its international expansion plans. The company launched a strategic review after it was...

Gossard head gets Sara Lee US lingerie job.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Gossard Berlei marketing director Stephen Holbrook has been seconded by owner Sara Lee to handle the marketing for its lingerie brands in the US. His new role follows a reorganisation of Sara Lee's business divisions that will see it move...

AirMiles raids Telewest for marketing director.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The AirMiles Travel Company has ended its hunt for a marketing director with the appointment of Telewest Broadband marketer Sarah Wood. She takes up the position left vacant by Robert Pepper (MW August 5, 2004). Laura Scarlett, seconded...

Paddy Power creates 'novelty bets' post.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Bookmaker Paddy Power has created a "novelties trader" post as the popularity of unusual wagers takes off, appointing Sharon McHugh to the position. The company has a reputation for offering wagers on unusual events, and has this week...

Tourism Ireland picks ex-bmi chief as head of Great Britain.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Tourism Ireland, the body tasked with marketing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as a single destination, has appointed former bmi marketing director Simon Gregory as head of Great Britain. Gregory takes up the London-based...

Twinings to relaunch 'all new' Iced Tea.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Twinings is relaunching its Iced Tea range following a significant overhaul. Twining claims the revamped Iced Tea range is so different from the previous one that it is treating the product as a new launch. The new range launches on...

Coke plans 5 Alive rival to Fruit Shoot.(Coca-Cola Co.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Coca-Cola is launching a juice drink called 5 Alive Whirl, to take on Robinson's Fruit Shoot range in the children's lunchbox drinks market. 5 Alive Whirl, which sits under the 5 Alive umbrella brand, will be available in two flavours,...

PC World promotes trading boss to top marketing post.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... PC World has promoted trading director Neil Old to the role of commercial director with responsibility for marketing. Old replaces previous commercial director Stephen Campbell, who has been made managing director of PC City Europe. ...

Energy Saving Trust appointment.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Energy Saving Trust has appointed former Unilever and Pitney Bowes marketer Matthew Wright as director of marketing. Wright will take over from Janet Morris at the start of May. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

VFB Group appointment.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Former TUI UK managing director Chris Mottershead, who left the company following a restructure last year, has been appointed group chief executive at VFB Group, a holding company looking to buy specialist travel operators. Copyright:...

Charities Bill.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Charities Bill, which will have benefits for charities also registered as limited companies and will regulate face-to-face street marketing practices by charities, may be one of the casualties of the May 5 election. Copyright: Centaur...

Gambling Bill.(Gambling industry)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The gambling industry is hoping politicians can salvage the controversial Gambling Bill before Parliament is dissolved on Monday. Although some operators are unhappy with the current proposed legislation, industry sources believe that most...

Weight Watchers launch ice cream desserts.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Weight Watchers is launching a range of chocolate-covered ice-cream desserts on sticks for the convenience market. They will be available from April. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Tetley expands role.(Nigel Holland and Ray Duffin of Tetley Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Tetley Group has expanded the role of UK commercial director Nigel Holland to include responsibility for western Europe. It has also moved Ray Duffin from a planning position to marketing controller in the UK. Copyright: Centaur...

Revamp of Oxford Street store.(Debenhams PLC)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Debenhams is to spend #8m on a revamp of its Oxford Street store, with plans to convert the fifth floor, currently its offices, to retail space. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Uncertain future.
April 7, 2005... Smart Car's UK management team faces an uncertain future after parent company DaimlerChrysler unveiled a radical restructuring programme that includes cutting its model range and axing 700 jobs. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

OFT study.(Office of Fair Trading)
April 7, 2005... The Office of Fair Trading has referred the directories industry to the Competition Commission. The OFT's study said that the market, dominated by Yellow Pages and Thomson Local, was not working effectively and there was limited competitive...

Lowe hold on #50m Egypt global account in balance.(Egyptian State Tourist Office business up for pitch)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Egyptian State Tourist Office has put its #50m global advertising business, held by Lowe, up for pitch. The decision comes as the organisation prepares to woo back tourists deterred by recent violence at Egypt's Red Sea resorts. The...

Maher Bird bags Malaysia Airlines UK business.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Malaysia Airlines, one of South-East Asia's biggest airlines, is poised to appoint Maher Bird Associates (MBA) to handle its #1m UK advertising account. A lengthy pitch for the business, held by DDA, began last July (MW July 1, 2004)....

TV ad for Foster's Super Chilled.(M&C Saatchi)(Foster's Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... M&C Saatchi has created a television ad for Foster's Super Chilled, which will hit screens North of the border next week. The Scottish campaign, planned by Starcom MediaVest, is designed to increase Foster's market share in a region where it...

Lucozade ads banned for 'water' line.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... An M&C Saatchi ad for Lucozade has been banned by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) for likening the product to water. The television and poster campaign featuring the tagline "The Fitness Water", triggered a complaint from rival...

HHCL relinquishes #10m Iceland task.(HHCL Red Cell)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... HHCL/Red Cell has stepped down from the #10m Iceland account after the retailer called a review of the business amid speculation that the supermarket will take the advertising in house. However, marketing director Nick Canning...

Doner Cardwell wins building society brief.(Coventry Building Society)(Doner Cardwell Hawkins)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Coventry Building Society, the UK's fifth-largest building society, has awarded its advertising brief, estimated to be worth #1m, to Doner Cardwell Hawkins. The agency, which won the brief following a five-way pitch overseen by the AAR,...

Agency Inc appointed.(Rugby Football Union)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Rugby Football Union has appointed Agency Inc to promote the Powergen Cup Final between Leeds Tykes and Bath. The agency has created press ads and posters featuring the strapline 'Get off your behind and back your side'. Copyright:...

Campaign for Friends Reunited.(Kitcatt, Nohr, Alexander and Shaw)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw has created an online customer acquisition campaign for website Friends Reunited featuring straplines including 'Does he still fancy your mum?' and 'Does she still stuff tissue down her top?'. Copyright:...

180 Amsterdam appointed.(Advertising agencies)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... 180 Amsterdam has been appointed to handle an undisclosed brand assignment for Motorola, prompting speculation that the world's second- biggest mobile phone manufacturer is about to launch a review of its $100m (#53m) global advertising...

20/20 redesigns Victor Chandler's website.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... 20/20, the London-based design, strategy and branding consultancy, is behind the redesign of bookmakers Victor Chandler's website. The redesign is supported by a marketing campaign fronted by comedian Roland Rivron. Copyright: Centaur...

BLAC to create direct marketing.(Exeter Friendly)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... BLAC, the recently formed integrated agency, has been appointed to create a direct marketing and direct response TV campaign for private medical insurance company Exeter Friendly. The campaign, using two corporate figures from Exeter Friendly's...

Campaign for Vimto.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Cheetham Bell JWT has developed a television advertising campaign for soft drink Vimto that introduces the catchphrase 'Shlurple the purple'. Long-standing licensed brand icon Purple Ronnie is being axed. Copyright: Centaur...

McCann Erickson to handle Jaffa brand.(Jaffa Orange Company )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... McCann Erickson has been appointed to handle the #1m relaunch of the Jaffa orange brand in the UK. The agency won the business following a three-way pitch. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Euro RSCG advertising campaign.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Euro RSCG has created a #1m press, radio and outdoor advertising campaign for Travelodge. The campaign introduces the new strapline 'Be sleepwise' in support of the low-cost hotel chain's new brand identity. Copyright: Centaur...

M and C Saatchi to handle account for GSK.(GlaxoSmithKline PLC)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... M&C Saatchi has been appointed to handle the advertising account for GlaxoSmithKline's Ribena brand. The agency beat incumbent Grey Worldwide for the business. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO advertisement.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO has created an advertisement for Walkers featuring Gary Lineker dressed as a giant sunflower. The ad highlights the fact that Walkers crisps are now cooked in a blend of cooking oil containing vegetable and sunflower...

Saga calls review of #34m combined media account.(SAGA Group PLC)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Saga Group is reviewing its media planning and buying account - estimated to be worth #34m this year - which is held by Mediaedge:CIA. The company started talks with agencies last week, throwing Mediaedge:CIA's 13-year relationship with...

GMG names chief radio marketer.(Guardian Media Group PLC)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Guardian Media Group (GMG) Radio has promoted Real Radio network marketing manager Helen Dickinson to chief marketer for its entire portfolio. She will be responsible for Smooth FM and soon-to-be relaunched London station Jazz FM. GMG...

Starcom launches '+' division to promote use of unusual media.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Starcom is launching a division to specialise in engaging consumers with brands through non-traditional media channels. Called Starcom +, the unit will offer broadcast sponsorship, product placement and advertiser-funded programming....

Daily Mail to test-run style supplement in September.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Daily Mail is preparing to run a one-off glossy lifestyle supplement, to be carried by the newspaper in September. The Daily Mail Lifestyle magazine will be polythene-bagged with the main newspaper on a yet-to-be-scheduled Monday. A...

Lloyds TSB in #12.5m rethink.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Lloyds TSB has launched a #12.5m group media planning review. The account is held by Zenith Optimedia. Head of marketing Alan Gilmour confirms that the AAR will oversee the review. Zenith Optimedia UK handles all Lloyds TSB's media planning...

HSE seeks media agency for #6m workplace project.(Health and Safety Executive)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is looking for a media agency to handle a #6m project aimed at changing people's behaviour in the workplace. The pitch, for a three-year contract, is being run by COI Communications and is thought to...

IPC Media appointment.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... IPC Media has appointed former BARB chief executive Caroline McDevitt to the new position of director of group advertising. She takes on some of the responsibilities of former managing director of advertising Georgina Crace. Copyright:...

Radio Advertising Bureau hits out.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Radio Advertising Bureau has hit out at claims that advertising spend on the internet is higher than that for radio. The Interactive Advertising Bureau claims in its annual report that online advertising has a market share of 3.9 per cent,...

Panasonic deal.(Panasonic)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Panasonic has signed a #1.3m sponsorship deal with Sky Movies for all films screened on Friday and Saturday evenings across the Sky Movies channels. The contract was negotiated by Vizeum and Sky Media. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

The Independent redesign.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Independent will introduce a redesign on April 12, which sees the review section folded in to the main paper and a seven-column layout introduced. The new look will be supported by a #1.2m advertising campaign featuring the strapline...

Smarter Communications appointed.(Lastminute.com)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Lastminute.com has appointed Smarter Communications to its #1.7m media planning and buying account on a project basis, with a view to a 'long- term relationship'. The incumbent was BLM. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Starcom UK appointed.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... LG Mobile has appointed Starcom UK to handle its #50m European media account, following a four-way pitch. It is understood that although Starcom will initially work on LG's mobile business, the agency will eventually be responsible for the...

COI shortlist.(Central Office of Information)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... COI Communications has shortlisted Carat and incumbent Starcom MediaVest in the final stage of a pitch to handle its #75m TV media planning and buying business, after ruling out MediaCom and Zenith Optimedia. Copyright: Centaur...

Meadows-Klue rejoins IAB Europe as chief executive.(Interactive Advertising Bureau)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Danny Meadows-Klue, co-founder and former chairman of the Interactive Advertising Bureau in the UK, is to attempt to reproduce the IAB UK's success in driving the growth of UK online advertising across Europe in a new role at the IAB Europe....

Online advertising figures.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The news of Meadows-Klue's new role comes as the IAB UK releases figures for the growth of online advertising in the second half of 2004. According to the the IAB, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the World Advertising Research Centre (WARC),...

Innocent launches children's website.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Innocent Drinks has launched a website to promote its range of children's smoothies. The site, created for the drinks company by digital agency Albion, carries ideas for fruit recipes, animated games, "fruit facts" and other fruit-related...

Dog secures Tennent's task.(Dog Digital)(Tennents Lager)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Tennent's, the Interbrew-owned Scottish lager brand, has appointed newly formed Glasgow-based agency Dog Digital to develop a website and online marketing campaign for the launch of Brazilian football game Futsal. The #1.5m campaign,...

ONLINE: B2B sector told to up Web spend.
April 7, 2005... Business-to-business marketers must increase their spend on their company websites, as decision-makers in UK companies are increasingly looking online for product and service information, according to new research. But B2B marketers may be...

Outdoor is on a roll thanks to digital ads.(Outdoor Advertising Association of America)
April 7, 2005... If Viacom's trial of an animated ad system alongside Tube station escalators is successful, it will be a major boost for digital outdoor, a niche but fast-growing sector. Caroline Thain reports Outdoor media is on the verge of a digital...

Radio's star shines brighter than ever thanks to the digital revolution.
April 7, 2005... The UK is taking to digital radio in increasing numbers, which is good news for advertisers wanting to reach a specific target group, says Karen Stacey There's a well-known Chinese proverb: "may you live in interesting times"; we are...

One man's meat could be another man's poison.
April 7, 2005... Jamie's School Dinners has been a huge success, championing healthier food in schools. But has it set a dangerous political precedent? asks Torin Douglas Well done Jamie Oliver and Channel 4. As we move from the "phoney election" to the...

Tobacco giants are still sending smoke signals.(firms find way to get around advertising ban)
April 7, 2005... Since the introduction of the blanket ban on tobacco advertising, companies have been forced to take a lower profile. But they are finding ways to get their message across, says Jonathan Harwood It has been an uphill struggle for tobacco...

Branded bakeries aim to rise to the occasion.
April 7, 2005... The big bread brands, fighting the effects of dietary fads, are reformulating their products to appeal to consumers' desire for healthier foods, and are reaping the rewards. By Caroline Parry Bread has long been a staple of the British...

Following the leaders.
April 7, 2005... Boardroom upheaval at global giants such as McDonald's and Unilever shows how perilous the route to the top job at many companies can be. The old system of working through a company to take the top spot when you hit your mid-50s is no longer...

ONLINE: When the dollars are in the detail, analysis pays.(Interview)
April 7, 2005... Despite having swapped 'log file analysis' for a snappier name, Web analytics is still low profile. Robert Dwek meets the founder of its new trade association Web analytics is a boring-sounding phrase, something you imagine the IT...

FACTFILE: No-frills carriers continue to climb.
April 7, 2005... Demand for low-cost flying has rocketed since it first emerged, and the trend towards taking more breaks and buying holiday homes abroad will keep the market in ascent The low-cost airlines may no longer be a new concept in Europe but...

Letter: If you have to pay the piper - learn the tune.(Letter to the Editor)
April 7, 2005... Your report and leader on the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation into supermarket practices (MW last week) made one thing very clear: trade investments in one form or another are here to stay. Suppliers are reconciled to this fact; the...

Letter: No mercy for ruthless grocers.(Letter to the Editor)
April 7, 2005... It seems to me that the big supermarkets are now firmly into dangerous territory. As George Pitcher rightly points out, we should be asking ourselves where we want to shop (MW March 24). But the double headlock of convenience and lack of...

Letter: Both sides must back sponsorship.(Letter to the Editor)
April 7, 2005... David Benady is absolutely right in saying that sponsorship is not "simply sticking a brand on a few banners at an event and hoping the audience notices" (MW March 24). While making resources available to promote a sponsorship in an...

Special report - direct marketing: A plum posting overseas.(marketing over borders)
April 7, 2005... Direct marketers are increasingly trying to run global campaigns, but legal and cultural barriers remain - even in this globalised age, says David Reed There was a time when toilet rolls were only sold in two-packs in the UK. Italian...

SPECIAL REPORT - DESIGN: A design of the times.
April 7, 2005... Packaging is the last piece of marketing consumers see before purchase, so it has to stand out in a crowded retail environment and engender that vital desire to buy, says Richenda Wilson It is often said that change is the only constant...

Thank West for girls who daily cloud our judgement.
April 7, 2005... After an obituary fails to mention the weather map symbol inventor's finest hour, Iain Murray puts the record straight. All hail the brains behind the weather girl The task of the newspaper obituarist is not an easy one. To encapsulate...

Radio scalp is just the start for online.(Editorial)
April 14, 2005... The recent spat between the RAB and IAB over which medium now has the biggest share of advertising revenue, though amusing, had an uncomfortably medieval feel about it. Like theologians pedantically counting angels on a pinhead, it missed the...

Tories plan #200m cut in COI spending.(Conservative Party cuts spending in advertising, COI Communications gets reduced finance from the party)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2005... Shadow Chancellor vows to slash the amount government departments spend on advertising The Conservative Party is proposing to cut COI Communications' #307.5m advertising and marketing budget by more than half and plans to spend the...

Coke hopes for boost from coffee variant.(Coca-Cola Co. to launch coffee-flavoured Coke )(Brief Article)
April 14, 2005... Coca-Cola is plotting the launch of a coffee-flavoured Coke variant in an effort to broaden the appeal of the drink brand. The company is considering the names Coca-Cola Blak, Makkio or Maqio for the variant. It has registered all three...

Cadillac picks marketer to steer UK push.(Cadillac and Corvette Europe appointed Malcolm Wade as managing director)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2005... Cadillac & Corvette Europe has appointed former Volvo marketer Malcolm Wade as managing director to lead its newly established UK office. Wade and public relations manager Andrew Andersz will oversee marketing activity from the company's...

Acquisition to trigger #330m Fiat review.(Fiat Auto S.p.A to divest media center to advertising agencies)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2005... Speculation is growing about a #330m European-wide media review at Fiat Auto as agencies close in on a stake in the struggling Italian car marque's media centre. The three agencies involved are believed to be independent agency Armando...

Rover future looks bleak as only MG attracts buyers.(MG Rover's future looks bleak)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2005... Industry sources are claiming that the MG brand is the only part of the Rover operation attracting any interest from potential buyers. Despite claims that the deal with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) can still be...

Takeover talks put future of Allied Domecq marketing team in doubt.(Allied Domecq PLC's takeover talks with Pernod Ricard S.A.)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2005... The future of the Allied Domecq marketing team has been put in doubt following the drinks giant's takeover talks with Pernod Ricard. In the event of a takeover, it is thought that Allied's entire centralised marketing team would be...