Marketing Week articles from April 2007

Marketing Week archives from April 2007

M&S to go national with 'Kitchen' standalone cafes.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... M&S 'Kitchen' cafe pilot in Canterbury greatly exceeds expectations - 40 more outlets planned Marks & Spencer, the high street retailer, is believed to be planning a national rollout of its standalone M&S Kitchen cafe concept. The...

Citigroup poaches Pru chief Wright to run Egg marketing.(Alison Wright appointed)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Prudential chief marketing officer Alison Wright is leaving to join rival Citigroup, which is buying the insurance giant's online arm, Egg. Wright will become Egg marketing officer for Citigroup after it completes the #575m acquisition,...

Nissan Euro brand chief to head Infiniti marketing.(appointment of Bastien Schupp at Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. Infiniti Div.)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Nissan is moving its European brand chief Bastien Schupp to the new role of European marketing director for its Infiniti marque, as it gets ready for a European launch next year. The luxury Infiniti brand has been hugely successful in the...

Zurich names global group chief marketing officer.(appointment of Arun Sinha at Zurich Financial Services)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Zurich Financial Services, the global insurance giant, has appointed former Philip Morris and Young & Rubicam executive Arun Sinha as global group chief marketing officer. He replaces E. Randall Clouser, who has taken another position in...

Online campaign launches to encourage young Scots to vote.(Scottish Executive and the Electoral Commission)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Scottish voters are to be given the opportunity to create a Scotland 'super pop group' as part of an online marketing campaign to raise awareness of forthcoming elections north of the border. The online marketing campaign, which also...

Adnams hires M&S chief Sharp to boost sales.(Marks and Spencer chief Steven Sharp appointed at Adnams and Company PLC)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Adnams Brewery has appointed Marks & Spencer marketing chief Steven Sharp as a non-executive director on its board, to ramp up its effort to attract new drinkers to the flat beer category. Sharp, credited with turning around the fortunes...

K-C set to review global agency mix.
April 5, 2007... Kimberly-Clark is to review its global agency arrangements, following a review of its marketing structure. The move comes as the packaged goods giant shifts away from traditional advertising spend into digital media and in-store media. It...

GE names marketing officer for #10m corporate finance unit.(appointment of Glenn Thomas at GE Commercial Finance)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... General Electric Commercial Finance has appointed Glenn Thomas as chief marketing officer for its corporate financial services, a GE unit with more than #10m in assets and 2,000 employees. Thomas will be responsible for strategic...

IN BRIEF: Pavers to open Staccato stores.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Pavers, the footwear company, is opening 20 Staccato footwear stores across the UK and Ireland over the next two years. The company has already successfully trialed outlets in York, Ashford, Kent and Braintree in Essex. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Pudliszki range for Polish.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Heinz is launching the first range of food products aimed at the Polish community in the UK. The Pudliszki range, which is available in Poland, includes traditional Polish recipes such as stuffed cabbage in tomato sauce. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Improved takeover for Alliance Boots.(contracts with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts and Co.)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Alliance Boots, the high street chemist, has received an improved takeover offer of #10.2bn from US-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). Boots has opened its books to KKR, which it says has a "limited period to undertake...

IN BRIEF: Carphone Warehouse still considering bid.(Carphone Warehouse Group PLC contracts with Pipex Internet)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Carphone Warehouse says it is still considering a bid for Pipex, the #350m internet business, despite rivals BSkyB and Virgin Media reportedly pulling out of the race. Carphone chief executive Charles Dunstone says the company "would be silly...

IN BRIEF: Problems with TalkTalk.(Carphone Warehouse Group PLC)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Carphone Warehouse has admitted that the problems with its "free" TalkTalk broadband service could cost the company an additional #10m- 15m this financial year. Carphone has been overwhelmed by demand for "free" high-speed internet since its...

PEOPLE: Citroen UK.(appointment of Stuart Hodge)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Citroen UK has appointed Stuart Hodge as after-sales director. Hodge joins Citroen from Volkswagen UK. He replaces Jose Antonio Lopez, who is returning to Citroen Spain. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: Rapier.(appointment of Andrew Fraser)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... DraftFCB executive creative director Andrew Fraser is leaving the agency to join integrated agency Rapier. Fraser joined in 2006 from DDB London. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: Pitch Entertainment Group.(Martin Bowley, promoted)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Martin Bowley, the former chief executive of Carlton Media Group, has been promoted to chief executive of Pitch Entertainment Group, the mobile entertainment company. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: Chrysalis Radio.(appointment of Mike Albert)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Chrysalis Radio, the owner of Heart, Galaxy and LBC Radio brands, is boosting its sales team with the appointment of Mike Albert as the first of two brand development managers and it is also recruiting for the new role of brand controller for...

PEOPLE: National Express.(appointment of Dave Watkin at National Express Holdings Ltd.)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... National Express, the coach company, has appointed Dave Watkin to the new role of sales and marketing director, following a restructure. Watkin joins from sister company Central Trains, where he was commercial director. Copyright: Centaur...

PEOPLE: Setanta Sports.(appointment of Timothy Ryan)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Setanta Sports has appointed AOL UK brand marketing director Timothy Ryan as its UK marketing director. It is not clear what has happened to his predecessor Robert Robinson. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Lexus lures Toyota chief in marketing men swap.(Dirk De Man appointed at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. Lexus Div.)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Lexus has appointed Toyota marketer Dirk De Man as its European marketing chief, to replace Paul van der Burgh, who moved in the opposite direction last month. De Man, who worked under Toyota's former European marketing director Jon...

JJB Sports launches digital TV channel.(JJB Sports Television)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... JJB Sports, the high street sports retailer, is understood to be launching a digital TV channel later this year. JJB Sports TV is likely to show a mix of editorial sports programming and advertising, as well as offering viewers the chance...

Otto targets affluent youth fashion market.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Otto, the catalogue giant, is launching a new fashion branded catalogue named Oli later in the summer. The catalogue is aimed at a more affluent, youthful market and will offer high-street fashion as well as a host of accessories for the...

Weetabix launches wholegrain oat cereal.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Weetabix is boosting its health credentials with the launch of a new wholegrain oat-flakes cereal. It follows last year's launch of Oatibix, which was also aimed at health-conscious consumers. The cereal manufacturer claims that...

Ex-Abbey boss joins Jenks for relaunch.(Ambrose McGinn)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Former Abbey marketing director Ambrose McGinn has resurfaced at specialist sales marketing agency Jenks, where he has been appointed joint marketing director. McGinn has been brought in to relaunch the agency, which provides sales...

Analysis: A chapter closes for Borders.(Financial report)
April 5, 2007... Matthew Gorman Last week's announcement that Borders, the US bookstore group, is pulling the plug on its UK operations, once again casts doubt on the future of high-street bookstores facing a blizzard of competition from online retailers...

'Bloke coke' takes its toll on Pepsi Max.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... PepsiCo's sugar-free cola drinks have suffered a downturn in sales in the take-home market since the launch of Coca-Cola's rival offering, Coke Zero, according to industry data exclusively revealed to Marketing Week. Volume sales of...

Analysis: "Modern" rebranding of MG misses the marque.(Nanjing Automobile Group Company Ltd.)
April 5, 2007... Robert Lester The latest chapter in the chequered history of MG, one of Britain's best-loved car marques, is sure to be a defining one. The 83-year-old brand was relaunched once again last week, this time in China. New owner Nanjing...

XBox TV ad banned for reckless driving.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... The advertising watchdog has banned a TV ad for the XBox 360 console featuring a car chase, following complaints that it encouraged dangerous driving. The ad, created by McCann Erickson, shows a balaclava-clad man being chased across a...

IN BRIEF: iD campaign for Nestle.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... iD has created an experiential campaign for Nestle's new premium chocolate range Heaven. More than 200,000 samples of the luxury Swiss chocolate will be distributed at 60 supermarkets around the country. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

IN BRIEF: EMAP appoint Cocktail Marketing.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Cocktail Marketing has been appointed to handle the partnership marketing for EMAP's Magic 105.4. It will help the station create partnerships with high-profile brands. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: RPM appointed by Tiger Beer UK.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... RPM has been appointed by Tiger Beer UK to work on experiential projects to highlight the brand's commitment to Asian film. The events form part of a wider campaign by Tiger that aims to communicate its links to modern Asian culture. ...

IN BRIEF: SFW appointed by Aviva.(Stephens Francis Whitson)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Stephens Francis Whitson (SFW) has been appointed by Aviva asset management brand Morley as its lead marketing communications agency. The appointment comes as part of a wider review of Morley's agency roster. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Chick Smith Trott NSI campaign.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Chick Smith Trott has created an advertising campaign for National Savings & Investments to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Premium Bond prize draw. The TV campaign breaks next week. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Euro RSCG lose Volvo.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Euro RSCG has lost Volvo's $150m (#76m) global advertising account after failing to make it through to the final stage of the car manufacturer's review. The Havas-owned agency has been eliminated from the pitch along with 180 Amsterdam. ...

PR company Freud poised to buy ad agency DFGW.
April 5, 2007... Public relations company Freud Communications is buying independent advertising agency DFGW. The Publicis Groupe-owned PR outfit has confirmed it is in talks to acquire DFGW, with a completed deal expected later this week. It is not known...

Publicis wins #50m Oral-B account.
April 5, 2007... Procter & Gamble has hired Publicis Groupe to handle global marketing communications for its dental care brand Oral-B, following a final two- way pitch against Omnicom Group. The "Team Oral-B" global appointment, worth about #50m,...

WPP calls time on United London.(WPP Group PLC)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... WPP has folded United London after merger talks with sister agency Grey London collapsed. The beleaguered agency, which was formerly known as HHCL/Red Cell, has been under increasing pressure since losing its two biggest clients, BSkyB and...

CHI lands #7m National Express Group brief.(contracts)(lemmow Hornby Inge)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... National Express Group, the transport company, has appointed Clemmow Hornby Inge to its advertising roster to help develop a national brand strategy encompassing coaches, trains and buses. The business is worth an estimated #7m. Hooper...

Goodyear Dunlop hands digital brief to McCann-i.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... McCann-i, the interactive division of McCann Erickson, has won the digital advertising account for Goodyear Dunlop after a three-way pitch. McCann-i won the #1m business following a pitch against incumbent Carlson Marketing and one other...

Analysis: John Lewis leaves Lowe out in the cold.(John Lewis Partnership PLC has selected Circus for its new campaign)(Lowe Worldwide)
April 5, 2007... Caroline Parry John Lewis's decision to scrap its planned brand advertising campaign earlier this year and bring in brand consultancy Circus to develop its marketing strategy has raised questions about Lowe's future on the retailer's...

E.ON leads race to sponsor ITV FA Cup.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Energy company E.ON is frontrunner to be the first UK broadcast sponsor of the FA Cup when TV rights transfer to ITV from the BBC next year. E.ON, which is rebranding in the UK from Powergen, currently sponsors the FA Cup and will get...

Media buyers call for ABC figures overhaul.(Audit Bureau of Circulations)(Douglas McArthur to inspect circulation figures of newspapers and consumer magazines)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Media buyers are urging Douglas McArthur to radically overhaul the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) reporting frequencies across national newspapers and consumer magazines. The call comes as the ABC announces that McArthur, the former...

EGS and Deeks join up to launch brand strategy service.(EdwardsGroomSaunders)(Deeks Consulting)(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Communication planning agency EdwardsGroomSaunders (EGS) is launching an alliance with brand consultancy Deeks Consulting to develop clients' brand strategy and positioning. The partnership aims to work with clients ahead of them briefing...

Guardian Unlimited toughens its stance towards advertisers.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Guardian Unlimited is to ditch conventional advertising slots on its homepage as part of a radical overhaul of the website. The relaunched homepage will instead offer advertisers the opportunity to buy banner and other advertising slots...

IN BRIEF: Virgin Media deadline.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Virgin Media's "deadline" for resolution talks with rival BSkyB over the carriage of three Sky channels expires this (Wednesday) evening. The cable group says it will take Sky to court if the deadline is breached. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Hallmark Channel reviews contract.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... The Hallmark Channel has called a review of its sales contract with Sky Media following BSkyB's negotiations to cut the price it pays to broadcast the channel. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: New daily sports tabloid.(Sport First newspaper)(Chris Macintosh)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Chris Macintosh, a former global sales and marketing director at Sport First newspaper, is teaming up with an undisclosed national publisher to launch a new daily sports tabloid in London. It plans to launch at the start of the new football...

IN BRIEF: Johnson & Johnson global pitch.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Johnson & Johnson has called a global pitch for its $3.3bn (#1.67bn) media planning and buying account following its recent acquisition of Pfizer. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Carat retains Philips.(contracts)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Carat has retained the #303m ($600m) global Philips media planning and buying account following a final pitch against Mediaedge:cia. ZenithOptimedia and Omnicom Group were eliminated from the pitch earlier in the year. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: National Grid Wireless acquires Macquarie Bank.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... National Grid Wireless, one of two bidders for the UK's second digital- radio multiplex, has been acquired by Macquarie Bank for #2.5bn. The Australian bank already owns NGW rival Arqiva, which operates ITV transmitters, and runs the existing...

Government set to launch interactive TV job service.(Department for Work and Pensions)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is launching an interactive TV service that will allow the unemployed to search for jobs from home. The initiative is part of a strategy to promote Jobcentre Plus (JCP) as a professional and...

Microsoft: social sites overlooked.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Microsoft is urging marketers to take social networking more seriously after a report by research company Jupiter revealed that 70% of consumers are willing to accept ads on personal web pages. The computer giant says advertisers should...

Lonely Planet sets up online channel for travellers' videos.(Lonely Planet Publications)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... Lonely Planet, the travel information company, is launching a new online channel to show the best travel videos around the world, this week. The site, lonelyplanet.tv, will operate as a platform for travellers to upload and watch their...

Cycling body seeks funds.(British Cycling)(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... British Cycling, UK cycling's governing body, is seeking a sponsor for the first time for its Olympic-hopeful Team GB cycling team. The body has signed Sponsorship Media - the sponsorship agency recently taken over by Havas Sports -...

Analysis: Capital idea, so what went wrong?(marketing of "So London")
April 5, 2007... Sonoo Singh So London, the weekly lifestyle magazine aimed at the capital's millionaires, backed by IT tycoon Sir Peter Rigby's son Steve Rigby, has been axed after only three issues - the latest casualty of one of the most competitive...

Domino label hands #1m media brief to The7stars.(Brief article)
April 5, 2007... The7stars has won the #1m media planning and buying account for Domino Records, the independent record label behind Franz Ferdinand and the Arctic Monkeys. It is understood that the agency won a pitch against incumbent agency DPM and...

Customer experience is the marketing tool that counts.
April 5, 2007... As more media become interactive and audiences have more control over advertising, marketers must strive to create brand loyalty It's become commonplace to hear doom and gloom stories about the collapse of traditional media, but in recent...

LETTER: Figures fail to support digital outdoor hype.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... It is interesting to note that despite all the excitable rhetoric surrounding digital outdoor advertising nobody advocating it in your article provided any sales results or research to show that it worked (MW March 22). Could it be that it is...

LETTER: Innovation does not rely on digitalisation.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... The article "Take it outside" (MW March 22) made interesting reading. The digitalisation of outdoor will gather pace over the next 12 months, but we shouldn't forget the core benefits of a medium that still delivers a truly broadcast...

LETTER: Contrasting images of technology in future.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... Market research practitioners could be headed for "famine" if the vision of a starving horse described at my MRS expert briefing "Visioning the future of the market research industry" is any indication. Those who read your review of the...

LETTER: Secrets behind real customer satisfaction.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... Attention to detail and brand advocates who represent the value of a brand are the essential tools to any company (Brand Ambassadors, MW March 8). Our latest research shows that there is still disparity between different sectors in delivering...

LETTER: PoP designs must work on the shopfloor.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... It should hardly come as a shock that PoP does not always work, always get used or excite store managers into using it (MW March 15). As a specialist on-trade agency we can instantly identify what will work in a pub or bar environment, but...

LETTER: PoP's focus should be return on investment.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... Following your special report on Point of Purchase, it is really the return on investment (ROI) that should be the main focus of any PoP campaign. Above the line activity is scrutinised to the very last penny in terms of the extra value it has...

LETTER: Processes do not turn leads into sales.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... Trevor Cole is correct to question how many organisations have integrated and automated processes in place to manage website generated leads (MW March 8). However, I would go further and argue that some organisations often do not have...

LETTER: Marketers must gain consent for logo use.(Letter to the editor)
April 5, 2007... Marketers and promoters should take more care to gain approval well in advance when using product images for promotions and incentives. There are well known instances where images, logos and trademarks have been used without consent and...

VIEWPOINT: The not-so-United States of Europe.(Viewpoint essay)
April 5, 2007... US companies attempting to peddle their wares in Europe are frequently accused of misreading the market. When mistakes occur, they are often wilful ones - say critics - brought on by an unedifying mixture of financial arrogance and cultural...

CADBURY: An unexpected bitter taste.
April 5, 2007... What has happened to Cadbury? The home-grown confectionery and soft drinks company seems to be going from one embarrassing public mishap to another. Is this because the company is inept or because its cultural outlook is woefully behind the...

EUROPEAN MARKETS: Crossing the divide.(United States corporations fail to market in Europe)
April 5, 2007... Many US service providers have failed in the European market, due to over-confidence, unrealistic claims and a reluctance to adapt to the different cultures. Yet some US products are massive successes. It just takes patience, understanding and...

Brand metrics fail to count true cost to the consumer.
April 5, 2007... Modern metrics myopia tends to miss two critical dimensions of consumer value, which suggests the bandwagon is off course They tell me The Queen is a good movie, so how much will it cost me to buy the DVD? The list price is #19.99, but I...

ELECTRONIC ARTS: Staying ahead of the game.(Company overview)
April 5, 2007... Strong licensing deals, shrewd advertising and a willingness to broaden its remit have given EA brand-visibility in a games market dominated by a trio of consoles. Nathalie Kilby reports Electronic Arts (EA) is launching a music label...

AUTHENTICITY: Honesty is the best policy.
April 5, 2007... The internet has brought an end to the days when brands could give off the appearance of authenticity without being genuine, says Chris Ingram Much is made of "transparency" these days. There is a drive to introduce increasingly tough...

SEARCH ADVERTISING: Searching for more sales.(Survey)
April 5, 2007... Paid-for search may be a success story, but consumers have far more trust in natural search results, suggesting a need for a more joined-up approach to search engine and online sales strategies Last week's figures from the Internet...

MARKET RESEARCH: In touch with consumers.
April 5, 2007... Online technological advances are being used by marketers to conduct an ever-increasing amount of research. Alicia Clegg discovers whether the internet can replace traditional focus groups The word "revolution" conjures up an image of...

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: Demand for supply.
April 5, 2007... It is no good spending millions on a marketing campaign if retailers then run out of the product you are promoting. Ensuring the supply chain is efficient is critical to success. By Richard West Supply chain management may lack the cool...

How to get to know what you didn't know you didn't know.
April 5, 2007... Market research is an evolving beast. And now researchers sit alongside Big Brother watching for clues to our buying habits on flickering screens Market researchers perform much the same function as the seers of ancient Rome. They are...

Bernard Matthews plans organic, free-range meats.
April 12, 2007... 'Processed poultry' brand to launch ethical meat ranges in an effort to win back public confidence Bernard Matthews, the poultry brand hit by avian flu earlier this year, is planning to launch free-range and organic meat in a desperate...

Lexus to launch 'a hybrid for every range' in two years.(Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. Lexus Div.)(Brief article)
April 12, 2007... Lexus is planning to launch a hybrid version of every model in its range within two years in a move that experts say could revolutionise the car industry. The Toyota-owned marque sells two hybrid models at present - the RX and the GS. It...

Guardian moots cheap sister title to fend off freesheets.(Brief article)
April 12, 2007... The Guardian is considering launching a cheaper sister title in a bid to boost sales in metropolitan areas and counter the rise of rival publishers' free newspapers. The newspaper is testing two tabloid-sized titles across a series of...

Oyster-style payment card to launch in McDonald's.
April 12, 2007... Fast-food brand McDonald's is launching Europe's first retail "wave and pay" system with Mastercard. The "contactless" PayPass system will allow customers to pay for their goods without the need to swipe a card or sign a receipt, in a...

One in 12 UK alcohol ads 'non compliant' with EFRD guidelines.(European Forum for Responsible Drinking)
April 12, 2007... Almost one in 12 alcohol ads shown in the UK last year infringed guidelines, according to industry body the European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD). The body reveals that 7.4% of the 1,483 alcohol ads shown in the UK in 2006 were...

O2 launches #4m brand advertising campaign.(Brief article)
April 12, 2007... O2 is launching a #4m brand advertising campaign focusing on customer experience that it says will set the tone of its marketing for the rest of the year. The campaign, which breaks next week, introduces colour into the telecoms...

COI in search for a non-exec director.(COI Communications )(Brief article)
April 12, 2007... COI Communications is hunting for a non-executive director to sit on its management board to advise Whitehall on delivering effective communications. The role, which will pay #15,000 to #20,000, will involve adding value to government...

Trinny and Susannah to front Littlewoods TV ads.(Littlewoods Direct)(television advertising)
April 12, 2007... Littlewoods Direct, the online and catalogue shopping company, is screening its first television ads featuring fashion gurus' Trinny and Susannah on Friday. The ads have been created by WCRS and will be screened on terrestrial and...

IN BRIEF: Bid to buy Chrysler.(Brief article)
April 12, 2007... Kirk Kerkorian, the billionaire investor, has made a $4.5bn (#2.3bn) bid to buy Chrysler, the carmaker he first tried to acquire in a hostile takeover over ten years ago. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors