Marketing Week articles from December 2003

Marketing Week archives from December 2003

Keep on pushing and we won't give.(This Week)
December 4, 2003... Chugging--a portmanteau of charity and mugging--is an unpleasant word for an increasingly unpleasant phenomenon. Understandably, charities themselves violently dislike the term, preferring the more anodyne 'face-to-face fundraising'. They...

GSK restructures global marketing ... European marketing chief takes charge of global 'futures' team for consumer health products.(News)(GlaxoSmithKline)
December 4, 2003... GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has promoted its European marketing chief to head its global consumer healthcare operation, as part of a worldwide restructure of the company. John Clarke, president of GSK's European consumer healthcare business,...

... And relaunches Horlicks--for kids.(News)
December 4, 2003... GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is planning to extend its Horlicks brand into the children's market, in an attempt to take on the main drinking-chocolate brands. Three new flavours, including chocolate and strawberry, in single-sachet packs are...

Wembley Stadium director takes up FA marketing reins.(News)(Football Association)
December 4, 2003... The Football Association has appointed Wembley National Stadium marketing director Jonathan Hill to head its marketing team. Hill replaces director of marketing and communications Paul Barber, who was ousted by chief executive Mark Palios...

Mobile giants remain muted about car ban.(News)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Leading mobile phone companies have decided not to develop public-service campaigns to promote awareness of the law regarding the use of mobile telephones while at the wheel, which came into force on December 1. O2 is understood to have...

Ex-Seeboard boss to head PowerHouse marketing.(News)
December 4, 2003... New PowerHouse, the electrical retailer brought out of receivership, has appointed former Seeboard Energy marketing and sales director Nigel Samuels to its board and given him overall responsibility for marketing. Samuels left the utility...

FSA chief blasts banks' 'irresponsible behaviour'.(News)(Financial Services Authority)
December 4, 2003... Financial Services Authority chairman Callum McCarthy has attacked the banking industry, claiming there is evidence of irresponsible behaviour towards customers. The FSA, he says, has dished out fines and compensation requests of more than...

Toyota is launching the new Prius petrol/electric hybrid family car in the UK with a 2.7m [pounds sterling] press and outdoor advertising campaign created by Saatchi & Saatchi.(News)
December 4, 2003... Toyota is launching the new Prius petrol/electric hybrid family car in the UK with a 2.7m [pounds sterling] press and outdoor advertising campaign created by Saatchi & Saatchi. The car operates on its electrical motor in slow traffic, cutting...

Meat & Livestock to hand over marketing to the regions.(News)
December 4, 2003... The Meat & Livestock Commission (MLC) will next year devolve its marketing responsibilities to the federal bodies on whose behalf it works. The aim is to enable the Scottish, Welsh and English meat promotion bodies to compete more effectively...

Unilever divests raft of non-core brands to Ceuta.(News)
December 4, 2003... Unilever has effectively ditched a raft of brands in the UK, including Mentadent toothpaste and Brut cologne, transferring marketing, sales and distribution to the broker Ceuta Healthcare, in order to focus on its core products. Ceuta will...

Barnardo's campaign tops 2003 ASA table with 437 complaints.(News)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The Barnardo's campaign featuring babies with cockroaches and syringes in their mouths is this year's most complained about ad, according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The campaign has attracted 437 complaints so far. The...

Capital Gold Network seeks new marketing chief as Williams-Orme moves to Camelot.(News)(Jo Williams-Orme)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The Capital Gold Network, the classic hits stations owned by Capital Radio Group, is seeking a new top marketer following the departure of Jo Williams-Orme. Williams-Orme has left to join the games development division at National Lottery...

Ford supplies Thunderbirds film vehicles.(News)(Ford of Europe Inc.)(Universal Studios Inc.)
December 4, 2003... Ford of Europe is supplying cars for a big-budget remake of Thunderbirds, which will see Lady Penelope driving a Ford rather than her trade mark pink Rolls-Royce. Ford has supplied a variety of cars for the film, including concept cars and...

Sport England in ad blitz to encourage UK fitness.(News)
December 4, 2003... Sport England is to launch a multimillion pound advertising campaign to promote sports and physical activity next year, in the wake of recent government anti-obesity initiatives. The organisation, which distributes lottery funding to...

P&G plans European coup in dental whitening sector.(News)(Procter & Gamble Co.)
December 4, 2003... Procter & Gamble (P&G) is hoping to beat rival Colgate-Palmolive to the European market with peroxide based whitening products next year. Called Whitestrips, the P&G range will be launched under the Crest brand. Industry sources say P&G is...

Oneworld air alliance picks global marketer.(News)
December 4, 2003... Airline alliance Oneworld, which includes American Airlines and British Airways among its members, has appointed former United Airlines marketer Nicolas Ferri to head its global marketing. He will be responsible for building revenue for the...

New Balance launches first range of running accessories.(News)
December 4, 2003... Athletics brand New Balance has stepped up its assault against Nike and Adidas with the launch of its first range of running accessories. The 900 series builds on the brand's core sports shoe offering. The launch of the performance...

Which? questions Comfort 'claims'.(News)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Lever Faberge has been criticised for "questionable" marketing by the Consumer Association (CA) following research which concluded that Comfort Fast Dry fails to meet its brand promise. The CA tested Lever Faberge's claim that Comfort Fast...

Fashion website on hunt for its first dedicated marketer.(News)(Net-a-Porter.com)
December 4, 2003... Upmarket fashion website Net-a-Porter.com is searching for a marketing chief to spearhead plans to build the brand and its profile in the UK. It will be the first time the site has had a dedicated marketer. Since the launch of the website...

Disney.(Digests)(Walt Disney Co.)
December 4, 2003... Disney vice-chairman Roy Disney has resigned following an attack on the entertainment giant for building amusement parks cheaply.

Unilever-backed.(Digests)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Unilever-backed meal kits company Rocket has started a trial with Boots at its Holborn store.

Tessa Jowell.(Digests)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has called on media and telecoms regulator Ofcom to draw up a new code for advertisers that will include tighter restrictions on advertising to children on television (see Torin...

The Financial Services Authority.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... The Financial Services Authority is close to launching action against financial services companies that have failed to deal effectively with endowment mortgage mis-selling cases.

Scottish & Newcastle.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Scottish & Newcastle has unveiled a 14 per cent rise in operating profit, to 411m [pounds sterling], for the 26 weeks to October 26, and a 17 per cent increase in turnover to 3.03bn [pounds sterling].

The Co-operative Group.(Digests)(BSM Group PLC)(British Telecommunications PLC)(RAC PLC)
December 4, 2003... The Co-operative Group has teamed up with BT, RAC and BSM to offer its Co-op Dividend cardholders special deals.

Unwins.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Unwins chairman Mark Wellesley-Wood is stepping down. Michael Lunn is to replace him in the role of non-executive chairman.

Marks & Spencer.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Marks & Spencer is launching Blue Harbour Vintage a sub-brand to its Blue Harbour range.

Teltey.(Digests)(World Cup (Rugby football))
December 4, 2003... Teltey's, the official beer of the England rugby team; is preparing to launch special ale to celebrate the team's World Cup victory.

Coors Brewers.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Coors Brewers is to trial a new Screamers vodka shot variant, called Screamers Black, this Christmas.

Merloni Elettrodomestici.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Merloni Elettrodomestici, the white goods manufacturer, has promoted Stefan Kaczmarczyk to category manager for built-in products. He will handle Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda products. Kaczmarczyk was previously marketing manager for Ariston and...

Ebookers.com.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Ebookers.com has launched an online advent calendar, offering consumers the chance to win a travel prize every day until Christmas.

Swedish Match.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Swedish Match is to launch a sampling campaign to promote its filter tip variants, Swan Extra Slim and Swan Menthol Filter tips.

Owing.(Digests)(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
December 4, 2003... Owing to a production error in last week's Marketing Week the News Analysis feature on page 23 incorrectly stated that 'SeaFrance has decided to shut shop altogether in January and February'. The sentence should have read 'Hoverspeed' rather...

Unilever moves 20m [pounds sterling] Surf task from Lowe to BBH.(Agencies)(Unilever Group)(Bartle Bogle Hegarty Ltd.)
December 4, 2003... Unilever has moved its estimated 20m [pounds sterling] Surf advertising business out of Lowe in the UK and certain European markers. Roster agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) has scooped the account. It is the second time this year that the...

Parcelforce Worldwide in hunt for agency to handle 5m [pounds sterling] business.(Agencies)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Parcelforce Worldwide is understood to be talking to agencies about its 5m [pounds sterling] advertising and direct marketing business. The account is held by the integrated response agency Ladders, which changed its name from Soup earlier...

BMP DDB account in balance as the Dairy Council changes its marketing strategy.(Agencies)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The Dairy Council is looking for agencies to work on a project basis as part of a shift in its remit towards promoting the health and nutritional benefits that are provided by dairy products. The move means the council has axed its The...

Ladbrokes project brief up for pitch.(Agencies)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Ladbrokes is talking to advertising agencies about a special branding project to help it to exploit the forthcoming gambling deregulation. The betting company has short-listed roster agency Banks Hoggins O'Shea/FCB (BHO) to pitch for the...

3m [pounds sterling] Ebay UK brief up for grabs.(Agencies)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Ebay, the online auction site, is searching for a UK advertising agency to handle its estimated 3m [pounds sterling] account. It is understood the decision is part of a drive to attract new customers. The site does not have a local creative...

TBWA faces review of 2m [pounds sterling] npower business.(Agencies)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Energy retailer npower is understood to be reviewing its 2m [pounds sterling] advertising at TBW A/London, following a management restructure earlier this year. The reorganisation resulted in the departure of marketing director David...

Boots has drawn up.(Digests)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Boots has drawn up a final shortlist of J Walter Thompson and Mother for its advertising account. Publicis has been dropped from the list.

Grey London.(Digests)(created campaign for Remington)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Grey London has created a festive campaign to drive sales of the Remington Bikini Trim and Shape. The off-air campaign sees the Remington silhouette holding a piece of mistletoe with the message: 'Have a very merry Christmas'.

Isobel.(Digests)(is going to advertising Anita Roddick)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Isobel has won the advertising account for the Anita Roddick-backed company responsibletravel.com, a site which offers holidays for those wanting to 'discover and explore' the world's natural and cultural heritage.

Lowe.(Digests)(is launching advertising campaign for Bass Ale)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Lowe is launching an advertising campaign for Bass Ale this week. The campaign marks the first time that Bass has been advertised in more than seven years. Starcom Media handles planning and buying.

Saatchi & Saatchi.(Digests)(ad campaign received more a lot complaints from viewers)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Saatchi & Saatchi's television ad campaign for Mr Kipling Cakes, which features a woman giving birth live on stage during a nativity play, has received more than 100 complaints from viewers.

TBWA\London.(Digests)(signed with McCain)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... TBWA\London has created a 1.5m [pounds sterling] campaign to support McCain's Home Roasts during the Christmas period. The national campaign will include TV, in-store and sampling and will continue the 'Chin-up' theme that is used in McCain's...

Leith Advertising Agency.(Digests)(created a TV campaign for Carling Extra Cold)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Leith Advertising Agency has created a TV campaign for Carling Extra Cold, which will hit the screens on December 5. This will be the first TV ad for the brand.

Blueberry Frog.(Digests)(signed contract with Asics Tiger Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Blueberry Frog, the Amsterdam-based agency, is launching a pan-European guerilla and buzz marketing campaign to support the Asics Onituka Tiger's Tokyo 64 trainer collection. The range will launch in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands...

Baby.(Digests)(has been appointed by Aquashoe)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Baby, the Soho and Amsterdam-based creative agency, has been appointed to handle the advertising for new waterproof shoe brand Aquashoe without a pitch. The campaign will include TV, press, outdoor and live events.

The Depot.(Digests)(has been appointed by the FX Channel)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The Depot advertising agency has been appointed by the FX Channel, which launches on January 12, 2004. Walker Media has been appointed to handle buying and planning.

Edge Ideas.(Digests)(signed contract with car superstore Autolink)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Edge Ideas has been awarded the 3m [pounds sterling] account for the advertising, design and media for car superstore Autolink. It will also develop a corporate identity for the retailer.

Senior King Communications.(Digests)(is going to create the advertising for India Tourism)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Senior King Communications is to create the advertising for India Tourism following a competitive pitch. Its first work, a print and poster campaign, will break early next year.

Carlton boss lands top sales job at merged ITV.(Media)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Carlton Media Sales director Gary Digby has been given the top sales job at Carlton and Granada's merged sales operation, ITV Sales. Digby, who will report to ITV Sales managing director Graham Dull, competed against his opposite number at...

Blow to ISBA as Ofcom approves joint sales.(Media)(Incorporated Society of British Advertisers)(Office of Communications)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) has expressed "disappointment" with Ofcom's decision to axe roles banning the joint selling of airtime. The move paves the way for Channel 4, BSkyB and Five to sell their airtime...

Mars bar to sponsor Blind Date substitute.(Media)(programme called Love on a Saturday Night)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Mars bar is to sponsor ITV1's new prime-time Saturday night dating show, which replaces Cilia Black's Blind Date. The Masterfoods brand is understood to have paid about 700,000 [pounds sterling] to sponsor the programme, called Love on a...

Billetts: TV set for 2004 boost, but press a fall.(Media)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Television advertising revenue is set to grow in 2004 while press advertising volumes and revenue will be down, according to media forecasts from Billetts Media Consulting. The company estimates that TV revenue will increase three per cent...

Zenith picks up 29m [pounds sterling] UIP task.(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Film distributor United International Pictures (UIP) has appointed Zenith Optimedia to handle its 29.3m [pounds sterling] planning and buying account. The agency pitched against Mediacom and incumbent Media edge:CIA. The pitch was...

Viacom Outdoor takes 5m [pounds sterling] GNER business from Maiden.(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Viacom Outdoor has won the Great North Eastern Railway's (GNER) 5m [pounds sterling] business. Maiden Outdoor was the incumbent. The win marks Viacom's first success in breaking into the mainline railway sector. It won the in-carriage...

Trinity Newspapers.(Digests)(Trinity Newspapers )(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Trinity Newspapers has sold its regional newspaper business in Ireland to private equity group 3i for 46m [pounds sterling]. The deal, which has to be approved by the Competition Commission, will include the News Letter in Belfast.

Classic FM.(Digests)(AirMiles Travel Company)
December 4, 2003... Classic FM is working with The AirMiles Travel Company to create a series of weekly featurers called Travellers Tales, during which listeners will be offered the opportunity to win holidays from the travel company.

News International.(Digests)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... News International is switching to a fully electronic copy delivery system from April 5 next year and is dropping its controversial gatekeeper fees, which cover the costs of ensuring ads are ready for publication. The group angered advertisers...

Disney.(Digests)(Paul Robinson resigned )(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Disney's managing director of television channels in the UK. Paul Robinson, has resigned after five years with the company.

The BBC.(Digests)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The BBC is at the centre of a row over the promotion of junk food after Coca-Cola's sponsorship deal with the Official UK Charts Company gave it automatic mentions on Radio 1 's chart show and BBC1.

Getronics.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Getronics, the communications firm, has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the International Tennis Federation's Davis Cup competition. The deal was negotiated by sponsorship consultancy Redmandarin.

ITV.(Digests)(Independent Television)
December 4, 2003... ITV's Christmas line-up will include World Idol presented by Ant and Dec and a documentary about David Beckham's move to Real Madrid.

Vodafone.(Digests)(Manchester United Football Club)
December 4, 2003... Vodafone has extended its sponsorship of Manchester United Football Club in a four-year, 36m [pounds sterling] deal. The deal will also include a Vodafone-sponsored 'champions' tournament every two years, featuring Manchester United and a...

Bill Watson.(Digests)(Scottish Rugby Union)
December 4, 2003... Bill Watson has been sacked as chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union as part of a restructure of the governing body.

Ofcom.(Digests)(United Kingdom. Office of Communications)
December 4, 2003... Ofcom has launched a tender process for a roster of agencies with expertise in strategy and market analysis, audience and consumer research and media consultants.

Wanadoo, Freeserve, Web.de and Libero.(Digests)
December 4, 2003... Wanadoo, Freeserve, Web.de and Libero, the internet portal sites, have launched a pan-European advertising network. It will run across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy and will offer advertisers access to a claimed 30...

The Financial Times.(Digests)(Vodafone Live!)
December 4, 2003... The Financial Times has reamed up with Vodafone Live!, the mobile operator's entertainment brand, to provide a news service.

McDonald's shakes up its media world: the centralisation of McDonald's global media account may lead to other companies following the example of the fast-food chain.
December 4, 2003... McDonald's centralisation its $1.2bn (700m [pounds sterling]) world, wide media planning at buying busi0ness into OMD (MW last week) has left some people wondering how long it will take for the deal to unravel. Global centralisation of...

A happier marriage of creativity and media: in the old days, creatives looked down on media types, so the latter set up on their own. Now they are back together--on equal terms.(Comment)
December 4, 2003... It's been one hell of a time to be in a media agency. First there's been the emergence of the "new brush" agencies such as Naked, strutting their way into the market and luring clients with their creativity and zeal. Then mare recently there...

Essential's answer to every radio promoter's prayer.(diary)(The Radio Essentials 2004 directory)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Wondering how to promote your product to a bunch of squddies without flyposting round Aldershot on a Saturday night? What about targeting the older community without having to advertise in breaks between whatever ITV1 broadcasts from 8pm to 9pm...

A KCUF link, but not as we know it.(diary)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... One of them has the name of a Seventies footballer (and the hair to match), while the other could have taken his monicker straight from a Mills & Boon novel. But he, too, has the hair of a Seventies footballer, and they both have the face of...

Fun-raising antics thwart government's charity bill.(diary)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... Wednesday November 26: The Queen's Speech to the House of Commons includes a draft Charities Bill, which will streamline charity laws and improve the regulation of charities, bringing into question the behaviour of street collectors and how...

Cadbury bar is root of all evil.(diary)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2003... The Diary noticed a neat use of semantics from Cadbury Schweppes managing director Andrew Cosslett last week. Cosslett was quoted as telling the Commons Health Select Committee that "there is nothing dangerous about a Curly Wurly". As it...

All aboard for easyGroup's funnel vision.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 4, 2003... As easyGroup will shortly be entering the cruise marker I would like to make an addition to your analysis of its current state (MW November 13). To my mind, the way to build this market is by unbundling the package and using demand-based...

Tired of that old 'young' chestnut.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 4, 2003... So, TalkSport is now running a trade ad in Marketing Week in which it ridicules Classic FM for having a listenership of whom 78 per cent are aged 50 and over. Kelvin McKenzie's station highlights the proud boast that it has captured the young...

Stop shooting down the horses.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 4, 2003... Your piece on sponsorship in horseracing (MW November 13) incorrectly implies that the horseracing industry is falling short in attracting sponsorship support. The article is alarmist and misguided and makes assumptions which are far wide of...

Tessa Jowell gives Ofcom a diet of junk food ads: the question of 'junk food' advertising is guaranteed to upset someone. Luckily for Tessa Jowell, there's a shiny new Ofcom ready to take the flak.(Media)
December 4, 2003... Ofcom's bulging in tray just got bigger: culture secretary Tessa Jowell has asked the communications regulator to tighten the rules on so-called junk food and drink advertising, in the hope of avoiding the "obesity" bandwagon that was...

Cynical tactics or a necessary evil? Charities have been condemned for shock tactics in advertising and using 'chuggers' to recruit donors. But as these approaches have a proven track-record, organisations face a real dilemma. Or do they?(News Analysis)
December 4, 2003... Desperate times call for desperate measures. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the charity sector, where organisations are adopting an increasingly strident and intrusive rune in their marketing and fundraising campaigns. But as the...

Should comparing be left to the consumer? Comparative advertising is becoming commonplace in the UK, but does this 'bullying' tactic impress would-be consumers?(News Analysis)
December 4, 2003... Knocking the competition is one of the oldest tricks in the advertising rulebook, but it is still a surprise to see Procter & Gamble (P&G) stoop to the sort of aggressive comparative advertising that could land it in legal hot water. ...

Resurrection man: Will Harris's efforts in rebranding BT Cellnet as [O.sub.2] were praised by many. But turning around a widely derided political party led by a former Home Secretary closely associated with the poll tax is an altogether more difficult matter. Sonoo Singh assesses whether Her Majesty's Opposition can step out of the shadows.(Cover Story)
December 4, 2003... The Conservative Party, long consigned by many to the political graveyard, has been buoyed by the feeling that its appointment of Michael Howard as leader sent a wave of unease through the corridors of Number 10. With only 18 months until...

Storm clouds ahead for buoyant housing market: the housing market is widely predicted to be on the verge of collapse, yet many businesses relying on the sector are in a foolishly bullish mood.(Business)
December 4, 2003... As the most famous story of homelessness in the history of the world starts to be retold again--the one involving a pregnant woman in Bethlehem--perhaps it's more than a little appropriate that a good deal of attention is turning to the...

Supermarkets sweeping clean: the days when supermarkets would sell nothing but groceries are long gone, with many outlets increasingly depending on the sale of non-food products.(Factfile)
December 4, 2003... The supermarket experience has changed significantly in recent years due to aggressive expansion, increased financial backing and the trend towards bigger floor areas. Influenced by the success of hypermarkets in Europe, supermarkets in the UK...