Marketing Week articles from August 2003

Marketing Week archives from August 2003

Penny wise, but pound foolish?(This Week; marketing U.K.)
August 7, 2003... To the bombast of ad agency nomenclature, a new (well, newish) term has been added: commercial director. What does it actually mean as a job title? The glib answer is 'paper clips--the purchasing thereof'. This, however, cannot possibly...

Howell tipped for top McCann post: HHCL founder bounces back from failure of start-up to succeed controversial ex-boss Ben Langdon.(News; Rupert Howell, McCann-Erickson-London)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Rupert Howell, the founder of advertising agency HHCL & Partners and former president of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, is poised to take the reins at advertising agency McCann-Erickson. Howell--who has not yet signed his...

Virgin Atlantic trumps BA's strike compensation offer.(News; British Airways PLC goodwill)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Virgin Atlantic is ambushing British Airways' goodwill compensation offer to passengers who had their journeys disrupted by the recent strike action at Heathrow Airport. BA is offering an 80 [pounds sterling] voucher as a "goodwill...

Barclaycard zero-rate offer blasted for encouraging debt.(News; marketing U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Barclaycard has come under fire for irresponsibly promoting debt only weeks after Barclays Bank consumer finance director Frederic Nze attacked the rest of the industry for irresponsibly marketing credit (MW July 3). Consumers' Association...

Second chief to leave Wm Grant & Sons.(News)(Tim Dewey)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... William Grant & Sons international marketing director Tim Dewey is leaving the company without a job to go to. His exit follows a recent board-level shake-up which led to the departure of group managing director Patrick Thomas (M W May 22). The...

Gillette to unleash blitz against Wilkinson Sword.(News; shaving products launch)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Gillette has unveiled a raft of shaving products to be launched in the first quarter of next year to counter increased competition from revitalised rival Wilkinson Sword. In the female razor market, Gillette will launch Venus Divine, an...

Philip Morris sticks with Marlboro.(News; marketing U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Tobacco company Philip Morris has taken the unusual step of not rebranding its Marlboro cigarette packs under a new name in the UK, following new legislative requirements. Instead it will drop the descriptive terminology from packs to comply...

Wrigley to launch Orbit 'tooth-cleaning' gum.(News)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Wrigley Company is reinforcing its grip on the dental chewing gum market with the launch of tooth-cleaning gum, Orbit Professional. It will be in stores this September. Orbit Professional contains blue-coloured microgranules to help...

B&B unveils credit card search service.(News; Bradford & Bingley)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Bradford & Bingley (B&B) is launching an online credit card-broking service through its Charcol and MarketPlace brands. Consumers can enter their criteria to see which card on the market is most suitable for them. They can also search by...

Nestle launches rival to Cadbury's Creme Egg.(News)(Nestle Rowntree will introduce the Double Cream Egg)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Nestle Rowntree is planning a head-on battle with Cadbury and Masterfoods with the launch of Double Cream Egg to be sold during the Easter period. It is the brand's first extension since it launched last autumn. The egg has a whipped,...

Cosmo forced to scrap branded cafe project.(News; National Magazine Co. discontinuing Cosmo Spirit cafe chain)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The National Magazine Company (NatMags) is ditching its Cosmo cafe chain project, a decision that is understood to have been triggered by low consumer interest. Cosmopolitan's extension into leisure was called Cosmo Spirit cafe. It was a...

Jim Henson chief axed after family buy-back.(News)(Matthew Webb, European marketing and brand manager, made redundant)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Jim Henson Company's top marketer from its UK operations is leaving following the re-acquisition of the company by the Henson family in May. Matthew Webb, European marketing and brand manager, has been made redundant. Webb joined The...

Cadbury Trebor Bassett is launching the first wave of advertising to support the renaming of its range of chocolate bars with the Dairy Milk umbrella brand (MW May 8).(News)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Cadbury Trebor Bassett is launching the first wave of advertising to support the renaming of its range of chocolate bars with the Dairy Milk umbrella brand (MW May 8). The 1m [pounds sterling] campaign breaks today (August 7) and unveils the...

Microsoft UK marketer given Xbox Euro post.(News; Richard Teversham)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Microsoft head of UK marketing Richard Teversham has been promoted to a newly created European role and will head a renewed marketing push for online gaming platform Xbox Live. Teversham is now head of product and platform marketing for...

Adria appoints brand chief to take charge of Charnos range expansion.(News)(Nigel Nelms appointed head of brands)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Hosiery company Adria has appointed Nigel Nelms to the newly created role of head of brands. Nelms, a former Johnson & Johnson marketing director, joins from personal-care products and fashion supplier Peter Black. Nelms will handle all...

Imperial to roll out 'youth' Rizla in UK.(News)(Imperial Tobacco to introduce a premium-priced "youth" rolling paper called Rizla Silver)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Imperial Tobacco is to launch a premium-priced "youth" rolling paper called Rizla Silver next month. Rizla Silver will be the first major addition to the brand in over three years. Already available in Europe, the papers will be thinner and...

FCUK rapped over condom e-campaign.(News; French Connection Group PLC investigated by Advertising Standards Authority U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... French Connection has had its knuckles rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) yet again over the use of its FCUK trademark in an advertising campaign. An e-mail ad for FCUK condoms, entitled "FCUK safely", used the strapline:...

Scouts hunt for marketing chief.(News; Scout Association recruiting marketing director)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Scout Association is looking for its first marketing and communications director. It is also seeking a marketing supremo for its World Jamboree in 2007 to celebrate the movement's centenary. The charity has revamped its corporate...

Accantia trims Simple range in preparation for relaunch.(News; Accantia Health & Beauty)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Accantia Health & Beauty has pared down its Simple range of toiletries to core products ahead of a full-range relaunch later this month. Accantia has axed non-performing lines, such as the homeopathic Simple Equilibrium, in order to...

Ann Summers.(Digests)(seeking talks with third parties about licensing its brand name)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Ann Summers is seeking talks with third parties about licensing its brand name to products such as soft drinks, magazines, luggage, homeware and food.

Unilever.(Digests; Domestos and Cif cleaning brands)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Unilever has put Cleaning brands Domestos and Cif 'on-watch' after blaming their non-performance for part of a seven per cent drop in first-half pre-tax profits.

The Co-operative Group.(Digests; appoints Helen Bridgett)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Co-operative Group has appointed Helen Bridgett as head of advertising and promotions for retail. Her past roles have included head of marketing at Tesco.com.

Marks & Spencer.(Digests)(appointed Anthony Thompson as director of childrenswear)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Marks & Spencer has appointed Anthony Thompson as director of childrenswear. Thompson joins from Gap Stores, where he was senior vice-president for Europe.

Mini.(Digests; joint venture with Puma)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Mini, owned by BMW, has linked up with trainer brand Puma to launch a limited-edition shoe. A special concept Mini has also been created using materials and design cues from Puma trainers, to coincide with September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Lee.(Digests)(is opening its first branded retail outlet on London's Carnaby Street)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Lee, the denim brand, is opening its first branded retail Outlet--on London's Carnaby Street--this November.

Staples.(Digests; Staples U.K. Ltd. appoints Andy Randall)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Staples has appointed Andy Randall as managing director. Randall joins from Virgin Retail, where he was managing director for four years.

Masterfoods.(Digests)(investing 3.4m pounds sterling to support the relaunch of its Starburst range)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Masterfoods is investing 3.4m [pounds sterling] to support the relaunch of its Starburst range. The campaign will include TV, press and sampling to support the brand and the launch of Starburst Sour Chews.

Walkers Snacks.(Digests)(has launched limited edition Walkers Leicesters Cheese & Chive crisps)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Walkers Snacks has launched limited edition Walkers Leicesters Cheese & Chive crisps to celebrate the football team returning to the Premiership.

Quaker.(Digests)(launching a Snack-a-Jacks sub-brand called Spudz)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Quaker is launching a Snack-a-Jacks sub-brand called Spudz. The rice and potato product will be positioned as a healthy snack. A 3m [pounds sterling] marketing campaign will coincide with the launch in September.

Camelot.(Digests)(denies reports that it plans to raise price of its main Lotto game to 2 pounds sterling)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Camelot, the National Lottery operator, has denied reports that it plans to raise the price of its main Lotto game to 2 [pounds sterling]....

... Camelot.(Digests)(lost latest stage of its court battle with Inter Lotto)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... ... Camelot has lost the latest stage of its court battle with rival Inter Lotto, which alleges that Camelot has infringed its Hotpicks trademark.

Paul Newman.(Digests; appointed Manchester City Football Club U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Paul Newman, who left his role as FA director of communications in April, has been linked with the newly created position of director of communications at Manchester City Football Club.

The Campaign for Real Ale.(Digests; encourages marketing to women)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Campaign for Real Ale has produced research urging manufacturers to create real ale brands aimed at women.

Boots move casts doubt on 80m [pounds sterling] WPP business.(Agencies; reviewing marketing retainer with WPP Group)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Boots has confirmed that it is reviewing its media planning and buying account as well as its advertising business, in a move that puts WPP Group's 80m [pounds sterling] global marketing services agreement with the retailer under threat. ...

TBWA/London holds on to 3 task.(Agencies; marketing U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Third-generation mobile phone company 3 has retained TBWA/London to handle its 30m [pounds sterling] advertising business. The agency pitched against WCRS, Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, M&C Saatchi and Battle Bogle Hegarty. The...

Co-operative's Funeralcare brand picks Farm and Oliis for nationwide campaign.(Agencies; marketing U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Co-operative Group's funeral services brand Funeralcare has appointed Farm to handle strategy and Oliis to handle creative advertising for what it claims is the first national integrated marketing campaign from a funeral services supplier....

Lloyds TSB to review 3.9m [pounds sterling] Goldfish brief.(Agencies; marketing U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Financial services brand Goldfish is set to review its 3.9m [pounds sterling] advertising and media business, after being bought by Lloyds TSB from Centrica for 112.5m [pounds sterling] last week. In January, lead agency TBWA/ London...

Partners in limbo over McD's win ...(Agencies; McDonald's Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... McDonald's has put the brakes on plans to appoint Partners BDDH to its 6m [pounds sterling] children's advertising business (MW June 26), following an internal review. It is understood that incumbent Leo Burnett, which handles all of the...

... But takes 7m [pounds sterling] BHF anti-smoking account.(Agencies; British Heart Foundation retains Partners BDDH)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The British Heart Foundation has appointed roster agency Partners BDDH to handle its 7m [pounds sterling] anti-smoking campaign, which is funded by the Government. The agency pitched against Mother to win the business. The brief for the...

Springer & Jacoby UK.(Digests; Paul Slaymaker denies remours regarding agency relaunch)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Springer & Jacoby UK chairman Paul Slaymaker has denied speculation that the relaunch of the agency as Boymeetsgirl in September, in partnership with St Luke's founder Andy Law, has run into difficulties.

Batchelors.(Digests)(has shortlisted a number of ad agencies to handle its business)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Batchelors has shortlisted Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO, Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper, Grey London and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R to handle its 7m [pounds sterling] business. The review is being handled by Agency...

Interbrew.(Digests)(widened its agency review to include global advertising)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Interbrew has widened its agency review to include global advertising. In the UK, the account is worth 15m [pounds sterling] and is split between Battle Bogle Hegarty and Mother. The review will not affect Stella Artois' global advertising...

141.(Digests)(has created a campaign for the National Canine Defence League's national neutering campaign)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... 141, the direct marketing agency has created a campaign for the National Canine Defence League's national neutering campaign. The charity plans to distribute 2 million flyers in the shape of OAP bus passes to low income homes.

Spirit Advertising.(Digests)(created an outdoor campaign for financial advice website Motley Fool)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Spirit Advertising has created an outdoor campaign for financial advice website Motley Fool. The posters feature a promotion offering consumers the chance to win 2,500 [pounds sterling] off their credit card bill.

Designate.(Digests; marketing retainer for Isle of Wight Tourism)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Designate, based in Brighton, has been reappointed as the advertising agency for Isle of Wight Tourism's 500,000 [pounds sterling] account. A new Isle of Wight brand campaign launches in early 2004.

RPM3.(Digests)(has created sponsorship idents for Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... RPM3 has created sponsorship idents for Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale, owned by Kent brewer Shepherd Neame. The beer is to be the sole sponsor for the Sky Sports Test match series between England and South Africa.

Procter & Gamble.(Digests; reviewing Wella's marketing team)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Procter & Gamble is to review haircare brand Wella's agency roster after its takeover bid was approved by the European authorities last week. Wella has previously worked with Bates for its advertising and its roster also includes Grey...

TBWA/GGT.(Digests)(won the direct marketing business of Abbey National)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... TBWA/GGT has won the 11m [pounds sterling] direct marketing business for Abbey National, replacing Iceberg and TDA.

Iris.(Digests)(has launched a field marketing campaign for Sony Ericsson's T610 handset)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Iris has launched a field marketing campaign for Sony Ericsson's T610 handset, to run across the UK's most popular seaside resorts this summer. The campaign will involve developing T610 ice lollies with bespoke packaging aimed at 18- to...

AND Partners.(Digests)(has developed a television and London Underground campaign for MyTravelLite)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... AND Partners has developed a television and London Underground campaign for MyTravelLite. The TV ads will run in the Central South area in association with Birmingham Airport while the LU activity promotes the new Tenerife and Murcia daily...

Telewest Broadband axes former marketing chief.(Media)(David Hobday)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Telewest Broadband has axed its former marketing chief David Hobday as part of an ongoing restructuring and cost-cutting exercise. Hobday was promoted to the role of deputy managing director of the consumer division from sales and marketing...

New look and size for men's mag Jack.(Media; following Dennis Publishing acquisition)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Men's magazine Jack, the handbag-sized title launched last year by Loaded founder James Brown, is increasing its size following the acquisition of the magazine by Dennis Publishing earlier this year (MW April 17). The announcement comes a week...

SP Active buys promotion company Chris Reed Marketing.(Media)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Sponsorship agency SP Active, which is headed by Matthew Patten, has acquired promotional marketing firm Chris Reed Marketing (CRM) in an effort to expand outside entertainment sponsorship. Founder Chris Reed left his previous post of...

Man City signs 2m [pounds sterling] kit deal with Thomas Cook.(Media; Manchester City Football Club marketing retainer)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Manchester City Football Club has signed up travel company Thomas Cook as its official sponsor in a three-year deal thought to be worth about 2m [pounds sterling]. The deal comes less than two weeks before the Premiership football season...

Virgin Radio fills marketing post.(Media)(David Andrews appointed station's most senior marketer)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Virgin Radio has appointed David Andrews, the former Capital Radio Group marketing director, as its most senior marketer. It is the station's first dedicated marketing position in seven years. Andrews, who will have the title of marketing...

BBC Magazines launches title aimed at pre-school children.(Media)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... BBC Magazines is launching a new title for pre-school children, My First Magazine, in a bid to encourage two- to five-year-olds to start reading. The magazine, launched in association with publisher Dorling Kindersley, will appear on...

Music Choice.(Digests)(promoted Simon George to director of music and marketing)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Music Choice, the Sky Digital music channel, has promoted Simon George to director of music and marketing. He replaces Simon Bell, who has left to join Hachette Filipacchi as marketing director (MW last week).

Toyota Avensis.(Digests; to sponsor Smooth Classics on Classic FM)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Toyota Avensis will sponsor Smooth Classics at 7 on Classic FM for six months. The deal was brokered by Opus and Zenith Optimedia.

ESPN Classic Sport.(Digests)(appointed Mike McKibbin as director of promotions and marketing for Europe)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... ESPN Classic Sport, a European sports channel, has appointed Mike McKibbin as director of promotions and marketing for Europe. He was previously marketing director for The Weather Channel in Australia.

European pay-TV revenues.(Digests; International Marketing Reports)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... European pay-TV revenues are set to more than triple in the next five years, from [??]22bn (16bn [pounds sterling]) to [??]77bn (54bn [pounds sterling]), according to a report called European Pay-TV Forecasts, published by International...

The Observer.(Digests; to publish guide to sherry by the Sherry Institute of Spain)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Observer is publishing an A4, 24-page guide to sherry, sponsored by the Sherry institute of Spain, to accompany the next issue of Observer Food Monthly. The magazine appears on Sunday (August 10).

The Business.(Digests)
August 7, 2003... The Business will not be renewing the contract for its ad sales to be handled by the Telegraph Group. It has appointed former Financial Times worldwide advertising director David Walsh to head an in-house sales team.

Channel 4.(Digests)(to screen more factual and history programming on Saturday nights)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Channel 4 is expected to take a new direction on Saturday nights this autumn. The channel intends to screen more factual and history programming, reducing its emphasis on entertainment.

TalkSport.(Digests)(ranked the number one commercial station in the U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... TalkSport, owned by The Wireless Group, is the UK's number one commercial station, according to the Gfk Media Survey. The survey, which is backed by The Wireless Group, claims TalkSport has 7.2 million listeners. The data covers the 13 weeks...

Virgin Mobile.(Digests)(to withdraw all advertising from News International newspapers)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Virgin Mobile has said it will withdraw all advertising from News International newspapers following The Times' decision not to run a 'contentious' ad. The ad was booked for Saturday, after The Times carried sponsorship from rival mobile...

Ladybird Books.(Digests; and The Redan Co. to launch Learn Ladybird Magazine)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Ladybird Books and publishing company The Redan Company are to launch a monthly title for three- to five-year-olds. Fun to Learn Ladybird Magazine will retail at 1.99 [pounds sterling], and launches on September 25.

Is Tarrant toast in breakfast battle? Capital FM is struggling in the breakfast ratings, seen as a key barometer of a radio station's health. Caroline Parry taps the glass and sees 'changeable'.(Media Analysis; Chris Tarrant, Capital Radio)
August 7, 2003... The radio industry, more than most, knows the importance of a good breakfast. The hours when the nation is getting ready fur work or school are the peak listening time, and as such the breakfast show is considered the cornerstone of a station's...

Advertisers set their sites on old 'holding' strategy: the practice, once espoused by tobacco advertisers, of booking specific poster sites on a long-term basis is experiencing a revival. Robyn Adams isn't surprised.(Media Analysis)
August 7, 2003... There has been a lot of attention in recent years on new advertising opportunities in the outdoor sector and, in general, the focus has been on those that offer greater flexibility or better targeting and those termed "ambient". This is not...

MFI searches for an interior motive: having lost its market leadership to Ikea, MFI is sprucing up its stores and diversifying its range. In a sector where margins are always under pressure, it will have its work cut out attracting customers.(News Analysis)
August 7, 2003... Furniture has been dubbed the "last frontier" of UK retailing, ripe for consolidation and under attack from newcomers. Although a mature category with players catering for all price points, no single brand dominates the fragmented market,...

Procurement joins the agency frontline: Grey says 'rip-off' accusations are behind its decision to hire a purchasing specialist, but many fear the move is a cover for cost-cutting.(News Analysis)
August 7, 2003... Unless you happen to work in the purchasing department, procurement is not the most engaging of subjects, but it is one that most advertisers and their agencies are having to get to grips with. According to recent research from the...

Celebrity scares: the cult of celebrity is ubiquitous, not least in sport where professional athletes endorse products. Such associations are valuable to brands, but when stars stop performing, the negative publicity can be far-reaching--as Nike has discovered after poor performances from Tiger Woods.
August 7, 2003... Tiger Woods, one of the world's greatest golfers, has been off form lately. But he's hoping that by switching from the Nike golf club he uses to tee off to his old favourite, a Titleist 975D, he will improve his driving accuracy and increase...

DM should beware being re-enthroned.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 7, 2003... Lucy Barrett's article (MW July 24) on the corrosive effects of badly executed direct mail drives home some serious concerns which the DM industry must tackle without delay. While the industry may have lost its "king of complaints" crown...

... The dead hand of dirty lists ...(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 7, 2003... I was interested to read your feature on direct marketing (MW July 24). It has prompted me to relay a recent anecdote from the financial services sector. A well-known bank had apparently stopped checking its outbound mailings against an...

... A refusal to accept refuse ...(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 7, 2003... As a direct marketer I found Lucy Barrett's DM article (MW July 24) both depressing and infuriating. So, most industry leaders object to the tag of "junk mail". Frankly, what DM practitioner wouldn't? We, as an industry, believe (apparently)...

... DM--making some of us smile.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 7, 2003... I read with great interest your report on direct marketing (MW July 24) and was frankly stunned by the context in which some of the comments were placed. Within any industry, there is always a degree of "the misdemeanours of the few taint...

Ads becoming sex offenders.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 7, 2003... As a consumer, I would like to let the advertising industry know just how thoroughly tired and insulted I feel being the butt of its infatuation with portraying women as bronzed accomplished superbeings, and men as little more than a bunch of...

Outdoor ads are a Clear winner.(Letters; Stevie Spring, Clear Channel U.K.)(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
August 7, 2003... Sorry To nit-pick, but your digest piece about Clear Channel's quarterly results was wrong (MW last week). Revenues in the UK outdoor business were in fact up on the previous year--both pro forma and actual (not surprisingly, given our...

No need to get so fired up about it.(diary; 141 Worldwide marketing news U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... The Diary hears that staff at 141 have been going to extraordinary lengths to familiarise themselves with the work of potential clients. 'Last Tuesday night, the agency team working on a pitch for the Fire Service account got rather too close...

A clean sweep if ever there was.(diary)
August 7, 2003... Oh, the housework. Never a pleasure, always a chore and the bane of many a living arrangement. The Diary has certainly had its share of arguments over the lack of effort on the part of housemates when it comes to cleaning the living room, the...

Here's an ad that brings a whole new meaning to "direct marketing": Passion for Life Healthcare has decided to stop fannying about and get straight to the point.(Brief Article)
August 7, 2003... Here's an ad that brings a whole new meaning to "direct marketing": Passion for Life Healthcare has decided to stop fannying about and get straight to the point. Its ad for Bio-Fem Actigel, an "intimate female care brand", carries the graphic...

Antics which reveal the City at its most childish: the recession has hit most in the City hard, so what better way to boost your earnings than a spot of employment litigation? George Pitcher wouldn't blame you.(Business)
August 7, 2003... One swallow won't make this summer, but the financial markets leapt upon news from the US last week that its economy was growing faster than expected, and the kind of fervour with which Incas used to greet the sun god, or England cricket fans...

A fleet of finance Titanics head for their icebergs: consumer confusion and its resultant apathy and inertia has allowed financial services companies to become complacent. Alan Mitchell issues a warning.(Marketing)
August 7, 2003... Pensions mis-selling, endowment mortgages, with-profits, annuities, "loan shark" credit card interest rates, extended warranties, hidden fees and charges--the list of scandals, controversies and regulatory interventions into financial services...

Banks get a run for their money: high street banks still hold sway with the mature and well-off, but internet and supermarket versions are winning over consumers with trust and convenience.(Factfile)
August 7, 2003... The traditional high street banks' dominance of the finance market is under attack from new entrants that, through the use of new technology, are offering accessibility, competitive rates and customer service to win over consumers. ...

Earning their wings: the travel and tourism industry has been blighted by one crisis after another since September 11. Do promotions and incentive schemes offer a way of luring back the tourists?(Special report: promotions & incentives)
August 7, 2003... The travel and tourism industry is falling over itself to encourage both business and leisure travellers back to a market that has been hit by one crisis after another during the past two years. So, if you still haven't booked your summer...