Marketing Week articles from January 2008

Marketing Week archives from January 2008

Is the Olympic pitch worth winning for kudos alone?(London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games)
January 3, 2008... The agency that wins the London 2012 pitch could be asked to become a low-level Olympic sponsor instead of taking a fee. It's an idea which has caused consternation among those being asked to pitch. Several agencies have slammed the Games...

IN BRIEF: BBC introduces cap on premium phone lines.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
January 3, 2008... The BBC has introduced a 15p cap on the cost of calling premium phone lines ahead of reintroducing two of its most popular competitions this month - Goal of the Month on BBC1's Match of the Day and Pop Master on the Ken Bruce show on Radio...

IN BRIEF: Waitrose expanding overseas.(Brief article)
January 3, 2008... Waitrose is expanding overseas for the first time following a deal with Dubai-based supermarket operator Spinneys. It plans to open its first store in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April 2009. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

IN BRIEF: A&L holds talks with Grupo Santander.(Alliance and Leicester PLC)(Brief article)
January 3, 2008... Alliance & Leicester has held talks with Spanish financial services company Grupo Santander. It is understood the discussions are no longer active but Santander, which already owns Abbey, has not ruled out another approach on the mortgage...

IN BRIEF: Open letter to supermarkets.(Brief article)
January 3, 2008... The RSPCA has written an open letter to Britain's supermarkets calling for them to improve conditions for chickens reared for meat, and asks them to pledge to phase out the sale of all other chicken by 2010. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Provocative letter to Virgin Atlantic staff.(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(Brief article)
January 3, 2008... Sir Richard Branson has written a provocative letter to Virgin Atlantic staff telling them to 'consider working elsewhere' after they threatened to go on strike. The letter said Virgin will not meet the 4,800 cabin crew's pay demands. ...

India's jewel could put the glint back into UK marques.(Tata Group)(BL PLC. Land Rover)(Jaguar Cars Ltd.)
January 3, 2008... Tata, the Indian conglomerate, has moved into pole position in the #1bn race to buy Jaguar and Land Rover and, despite the company's low UK profile, experts believe it could be the marques' much-needed white knight. Ford is thought to...

LETTER: Belts must tighten before recession starts.(Letter to the editor)
January 3, 2008... It is true in the marketing world that we are "braced for belt- tightening" (MW December 13, 2007), with an uncertain and decidedly gloomy economic outlook predicted for 2008. But "smarter" marketing practices, with intelligent campaigns...

LETTER: Build a relationship with your consumer.(Letter to the editor)
January 3, 2008... Perhaps the saviour of the great British pint rests with a simple solution that revolves around building a relationship with your drinkers. The problem with much of today's beer sponsorship is its tactical support around a weekend or one-off...

Looking for new ways to make money in the age of free media.
January 3, 2008... If it costs nothing to promote a brand on social networking sites, how can advertising agencies make a living from free media? One of the most dramatic effects of interactive media has been the degree of control it has given people over...

EXPERT OPINION: Looking back, forging forward.
January 3, 2008... As we sweat it out to keep our resolutions, whether that be tackling the gym or trying to resist chocolate, we'll be reflecting on the reasons why we made the commitments in the first place and what we hope to achieve. But what about the...

BEST AND WORSE OF 2007: From Net gain to cold turkey.
January 3, 2008... Social networking website Bebo has enjoyed a remarkably successful 12 months, but the opposite is the case for troubled turkey brand Bernard Matthews. John Reynolds and Louise Jack report The past 12 months have seen social networking...

FOOD: In the best possible taste.
January 3, 2008... Despite an emphasis on health, flavour is the most important factor in consumers' food choices. Brands need to experiment with increasingly exotic tastes to ensure they don't slip from the menu The growing influence of convenience and...

MARKET RESEARCH: An open door policy.
January 3, 2008... Innovation was once confined to the R&D room, but easy access to 'creative consumers' eager to get involved, and new methods from research and insight agencies, is changing that. By Alicia Clegg Societies that are open to the world are...

Erratic weather, Olympian-sized budgets and Al Gore bears.
January 3, 2008... If the weather and looming recession have you yearning for the duvet to hide under, feel free: here's the highlights of 2008 so you can stay safe in your bed Old Murray's Almanack - Being Sound and Dependable Prognostications for the...

Lowe poised to win #150m Walls business from McCann.(McCann-Erickson Inc.)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Win marks a lifeline for Lowe after Tesco loss, but a blow for McCann, Walls' agency since mid-80s Lowe London is tipped to win the #150m Unilever-owned Walls ice cream global business from incumbent McCann Erickson. It is understood...

Coral chief threatens to close down Bingo outlets.(Gala Bingo)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Gala Bingo may be forced to close a number of its bingo halls, according to Gala Coral chief executive Neil Goulden. The admission comes despite repeated claims by Goulden that it had "no plans" to close any outlets. Speaking exclusively...

London Eye hunts partner after 7-year BA deal ends.(British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The London Eye Company (TLEC) and British Airways are scrapping their partnership after seven years. The pair will part company in February after deciding to end the sponsorship. TLEC is seeking a new title sponsor for the tourist draw,...

Former Kia chief to relaunch Ssang Yong.(appointment of Paul Williams )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Former Kia UK chief Paul Williams has been appointed to spearhead a relaunch of SsangYong, the Korean car marque that went into administration in the UK at the end of last year. Williams, who stepped down as Kia UK managing director in 2006...

New campaign: Assembly targets bad backs.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Welsh Assembly is launching a new campaign to encourage back pain sufferers to stay active in a bid to reduce the number of lost work days, and burden to the health service, caused by people resting bad backs. The campaign, which...

Kenya Tourist Board seeks funding boost after violence.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Kenya Tourist Board says it has no plans to run down its UK marketing programme in the wake of the violence that has swept the nation. The body also says it is hoping for additional funding to help stimulate tourism following the...

Purnell plays down threat of watershed ban on ads.(James Purnell)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Minister for Culture, James Purnell, appears to have ruled out a 9pm watershed on food and alcohol advertising on television in favour of focusing on "personal responsibility". In an interview with a news channel, Purnell said that he...

Waitrose to spend #50m on expanding its brand.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Waitrose is doubling its advertising spend this year to more than #50m as it aims to make the brand accessible to more consumers. The plans are part of a move by Waitrose to expand the brand's reach both in the UK and abroad. Last week,...

Toyota plans hybrid versions of every model within car range.(Toyota Motor Corp.)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Toyota is planning to offer a hybrid version of every model in its car range to help it achieve its goal of selling 1 million hybrid cars a year. The company's chief executive Katsuaki Watanabe is understood to have made the commitment...

IN BRIEF: Samsung to compete with Nokia.(Samsung Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Samsung is planning to enter the lower end of the mobile phone market in a bid to compete more effectively with market leader Nokia. The company, which overtook Motorola last year to become the world's second- largest handset maker, will sell...

IN BRIEF: Recyling service.(Matsushita Electric Corporation of America)(Sharp Corp.)(Toshiba Corp.)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have formed an alliance that will provide a recycling service to electronics manufacturers and local governments. The Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company will initially launch in the US this...

IN BRIEF: Tug of war over Myleen Klaas.(O2 Ltd.)(Vodafone Group PLC)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Vodafone and O2 are understood to be in a tug of war over singer and TV presenter Myleene Klass. Both mobile operators want Klass to front their brands. She has also appeared in Marks & Spencer's advertising. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Iceland deny rumours.(Iceland Foods PLC's marketing contract with Kerry Katona )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Iceland has denied rumours that Kerry Katona has been axed as the face of the brand. Marketing director Nick Canning says the supermarket chain is "in negotiations" with Katona over her contract. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Board to oversee Government marketing budgets.(United Kingdom. Cabinet Office)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Cabinet Office has created a board to oversee Government marketing budgets with a view to ensuring that taxpayers are getting value for money. The Government Strategic Marketing Advisory Board will be chaired by former Argos marketing...

PEOPLE: News Group.(Robbie McIntosh is leaving from News Group Newspapers Ltd.)(appointment of Terrence Cassano )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... News Group development director Robbie McIntosh is leaving the media company after almost six years to pursue freelance projects. Terrence Cassano is to take on McIntosh's strategy and planning responsibilities. Copyright: Centaur...

PEOPLE: Bounty.(promotion of Ian Beswetherick )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Bounty, the parenting website, has promoted Ian Beswetherick to the role of managing director. He was previously business development director and replaces Simon Williamson, who is stepping down after five years. Copyright: Centaur...

PEOPLE: Draft FCB.
January 10, 2008... Draft FCB has appointed Stephanie Tuesley as planning director. She joins from Ogilvy and will report to executive strategy director Simon Calvert. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: Ofcom.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Ofcom has appointed Colette Bowe and Tim Gardam as non-executive directors for three-year terms. Bowe has been chairman of the regulator's media panel since its launch in 2003. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: Liberal Democrats.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has appointed former Saatchi & Saatchi managing director and Bainsfair Sharkey Trott co-founder John Sharkey to advise him on strategic communications. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors...

PEOPLE: Stephen Carter.(Brunswick)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Brunswick chief executive Stephen Carter is leaving the public relations company to take the new role of chief of strategy and principal adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Monarch bids to distance itself from low-cost rivals.(Monarch Airlines Ltd's advertising contract with Milton Bayer)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Monarch, the low-cost airline, is repositioning as the "low fare airline that cares" in a bid to distance itself from rivals easyJet and Ryanair. The changes follow the interim appointment of Milton Bayer to the airline's #5m advertising...

ASA condemns Littlewoods ads.(Advertising Standards Authority)(Littlewoods Organisation PLC)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has condemned retailer Littlewoods for sending out a mailer encouraging young women to get into debt. The mailer, which portrayed a young woman living a glamorous lifestyle on credit, was sent out...

Ex-First Choice marketer to spearhead VisitLondon drive.(appointment of Sonia Oliver )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... VisitLondon, the tourist body that promotes the capital, has appointed former First Choice marketer Sonia Oliver to the role of marketing manager for the domestic market. She will act as senior manager responsible for selling the capital...

Thomas Cook takes on new Club 18-30 boss in office move.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Thomas Cook has appointed a new general manager for its youth holiday brand Club 18-30 as it moves to Peterborough. Company stalwart Stephen Vaughan, who has worked for the brand for 14 years, will lead the business following the...

Analysis: Is slump in Christmas retail sales due to online growth?
January 10, 2008... Many of the high street's leading names have reported disappointing Christmas trading, leading to suggestions that the growth of online retailers is one of the primary reasons behind the lull. Marks & Spencer is expected to unveil its...

Barclays to launch #5m loan campaign.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Barclays is attempting to overcome the "stigma" and controversy surrounding secured loans with the launch of a new product aimed at the mainstream market. The Fair & Square secured loan aims to have a more mainstream appeal by targeting...

Macdonald Hotels raises focus on DM in overhaul.(Wand)(direct marketing)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Macdonald Hotels and Resorts is increasing its focus on direct marketing and consolidating its below-the-line budget into a single agency as part of an overhaul of its marketing strategy. The company, which owns 40 hotels across the UK, has...

Britvic faces supermarket delisting threat despite #2.4m Drench revamp.(Drench)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Drench, the Britvic-owned water brand, is struggling to get listings in supermarkets, despite a #2.4m overhaul. It is understood that the revamp of its packaging has failed to make an impact on retailers and has done little to make it...

Analysis: Is the plug being pulled on the bottled water industry?(Sustain)
January 10, 2008... The news that campaign group Sustain is calling for all government departments to ban staff from drinking bottled water on its premises comes at a vulnerable time for the bottled water industry, which has been hit by a welter of adverse...

IN BRIEF: Peekaboo advertising.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Propaganda has been appointed to handle the advertising for fashion brand Peekaboo. The brand, which launched in the US last year, has a clothing range and also sells dancing poles. Advertising was previously handled in-house. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Crown Paints website.(Code Computerlove)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Code Computerlove, the Manchester-based digital agency, has been appointed by Crown Paints to create a new website and overhaul the brand's digital marketing, following a three-way pitch. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors...

IN BRIEF: Hillarys ad account.
January 10, 2008... TBWA\Manchester has won the estimated #3m advertising account for Hillarys Blinds following a pitch. The company previously worked with a number of different agencies, including The Union. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Carbon Trust denies holding an off-rosters ad review.(off-roster advertising )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Carbon Trust has denied it is holding an off-roster advertising review. The state-funded body says it is holding a scheduled pitch between lead agency VCCP and roster agencies RKCR/Y&R and WCRS - all of which were appointed in January last...

IN BRIEF: Mercedes Car Group moves ad account.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Mercedes Car Group has moved its #16m UK advertising account from Shop to Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO, as predicted in Marketing Week last year (MW August 30, 2007). The move consolidates the company's #100m pan- European ad account in the BBDO...

McCann Erickson takes on Hovis and Quorn business.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... McCann Erickson has won the Hovis and Quorn accounts after retaining its place on the #26m Premier Foods roster. It will also retain Mr Kipling, Cadbury Cakes, Sharwoods and Bisto. The food company has split its brands between McCann...

Whyte plans own business venture.(Stephen Whyte )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Departing McCann Erickson chief executive Stephen Whyte has ruled out another job in advertising, and says he is planning to launch a business start-up. Whyte, whose departure was exclusively revealed on marketingweek.co.uk this week,...

Landwind set to appoint Spirit to handle #20m ad account.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Landwind, the Chinese car brand launching in Europe this year, is poised to appoint Spirit Advertising to handle its #20m advertising account after a protracted pitch. Media Planning Group, which pitched with Spirit, is thought to be in...

CHI loosens M&C grip after #15m RBS retail triumph.
January 10, 2008... CHI & Partners has picked up Royal Bank of Scotland's #15m retail advertising account from M&C Saatchi without a pitch. The financial services company's ad business is split between the two agencies, with CHI handling the Mint credit card,...

National Schools Partnership wins milk for teenagers task.(Milk Development Council )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Milk Development Council has appointed the National Schools Partnership, after a five-way pitch against four undisclosed agencies, to create a campaign targeting teenagers. The NSP, a specialist schools marketing agency, is now working...

Analysis: Predictable but polished succession plan from BBH.(Simon Sherwood of Bartle Bogle Hegarty Ltd.)
January 10, 2008... Advertising agencies are not known for showering one another with praise, but if there is one agency that is almost universally revered it is Bartle Bogle Hegarty. And, after 25 years, it is not just BBH's "wow factor" work that has won it so...

Advertising Association prepares for self-regulatory digital review.(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Advertising Association (AA) is preparing to launch a review of digital media in an attempt to future-proof self-regulation of the medium. It will launch a consultation with members and other stakeholders at the end of this month and...

Titan promotes UK head of marketing to global role.(Titan Worldwide promoted David Etherington )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Titan Worldwide, the outdoor company, has promoted UK marketing director David Etherington to senior vice-president and worldwide marketing director. Etherington will lead Titan's worldwide marketing and advertising strategy and will...

4th Screen signs WAP ad deals with Teletext and ANG.(Associated Newspaper Group )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Mobile advertising agency 4th Screen Advertising has signed deals with Associated Newspaper Group (ANG) and Teletext. Under the agreements, 4th Screen will manage mobile advertising for the WAP portals of both Teletext and ANG-owned...

Universal McCann gains #1m Brazilian tourism brief.(Brazilian Tourist Board)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Universal McCann has been awarded the #1m media planning and buying account for the Brazilian Tourist Board. The agency won the business without a pitch. The account was handled in house, although Universal McCann has previously worked...

Red Bee brings in former Carlton chief.(Red Bee Media appoints Adam Poulter )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Red Bee Media has appointed former Carlton Screen Advertising chief executive Adam Poulter to executive commercial director. Poulter, who will also join the executive management team at the agency, will oversee strategy, sales and...

Getmemedia aids Football League hunt for partners.(Sports clubs)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Football League has signed up to Getmemedia.com, the online marketing and media ideas directory, to find three official partners for the 2008/09 season. The League is offering potential partners a variety of opportunities including...

CORRECTION: Pearl & Dean.(Correction notice)
January 10, 2008... Pearl & Dean has asked us to point out that its branded ice cream will be available on Virgin Atlantic flights for the foreseeable future and not just for a month as reported in Marketing Week (MW December 20, 2007). Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: FHM launch travel-size edition of magazine.(FHM Corp.)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... FHM is launching a travel-size edition of the magazine in the spring, which will be sold exclusively through WH Smith Travel outlets and Alpha Retail shops. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Price cut fails to improve circulation.(The Sun)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... The Sun's price cut to 20p in London and the South-east is understood to have failed to keep the paper's circulation above 3 million copies in December. The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABCs) is due to release data for the month this week....

IN BRIEF: AA's online ad account.(Automobile Association Ltd.)(Carat Business)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Carat has won the AA's #22m online advertising account from digital media agency i-Level without a pitch. It follows the merger of the AA with Saga and comes ahead of an expected consolidation pitch for both brands. The Aegis-owned agency...

IN BRIEF: Global Radio confirm approach to GCap.(GCap Media PLC)(Fru Hazlitt)(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Global Radio has confirmed that it approached GCap Media about a potential takeover in mid-December. The offer, which valued the radio operator at more than #300m, was rejected by the GCap board. Global is expected to make a second offer but...

Virgin Radio expands into branded content creation.
January 10, 2008... Virgin Radio is to compete directly with both radio production companies and advertising agencies with the launch of a division that will make branded content for clients. Virgin Radio Audio Business, which it claims is a first among UK...

Analysis: EMAP springs final surprise with B2B sale.(Emap Consumer Media)
January 10, 2008... The break-up of EMAP, one of the UK's foremost media players, has been a drawn-out affair but few expected the development we got. Just as the media world was heading off for its Christmas break, the final piece of the EMAP empire, the...

Ad-Air names TBWA's Ward as first chief.(Andrew Ward )(Brief article)
January 10, 2008... Ad-Air Group, the outdoor company, has appointed TBWA Worldwide executive vice-president Andrew Ward as its first chief executive. Ward, who has already taken over the role, will be responsible for leading company strategy and raising...

The play within the play's the thing - and brands should recognise it.
January 10, 2008... With consumers wanting to know more than ever about what's happening behind the scenes, marketers can learn a lot from ITV soap Echo Beach The new soap opera from ITV, Echo Beach, has more to interest viewers than ex-Neighbours...

LETTER: Marketers twist the truth as much as the media.(Letter to the editor)
January 10, 2008... Jonathan Durden's article on the loss of trust in the media is interesting in that he practises some of the bad habits he accuses the media of possessing (MW December 20). Both the media and big corporates are desperate for eyeballs and...

LETTER: Do ideas have value in the age of free media?(Letter to the editor)
January 10, 2008... Thank you for Michael Nutley's report on making money in the age of free media (MW January 3). It is logical for companies to look to their clients, users and customers for new product developments and to work with customers to promote...

LETTER: Over-optimistic claims curb digital outdoor.(Letter to the editor)
January 10, 2008... Alex Johns is right to say that digital will take over the outdoor world, but only at a gradual pace (MW December 20). I'm not sure that the problem is trying to "do too much too soon." The technology allows us to do much more than most...

LETTER: Retailers must learn from Christmas trends.(Letter to the editor)
January 10, 2008... E-commerce was the big winner this Christmas, with shoppers hunting out bargains before, after and even on the big day. This comes as no surprise - scenes of packed streets and stressed-out shoppers would push the biggest technophobes towards...

LETTER: Ads alone will never reduce violent crime.(Letter to the editor)
January 10, 2008... As much as I would like to see ads in the media as a welcome and workable step towards the fight against violent gun and knife crime, my honest opinion is that it wouldn't make a difference. What would the ads actually tell young people...

LETTER: Technology should be used to improve POP.(Letter to the editor)
January 10, 2008... Sarah Rayner's special report raised some interesting points relating to in-store point-of-purchase (MW November 29 2007). Our experience at Pierhouse, when speaking to retailers at store level, indicates that between 40 to 80% too much...

VIEWPOINT: What lies ahead for Bogle's successors?(Bartle Bogle Hegarty Ltd.)(Viewpoint essay)
January 10, 2008... It's a tribute to the creative energy and international importance of so small a company as Bartle Bogle Hegarty that the appointment of a new group chief executive should make a major splash in the Financial Times this week. After all, the...

WAITROSE: The global (super)market.
January 10, 2008... While the other supermarket giants are locked in competition for the domestic market, John Lewis Partnership is taking Waitrose global with a branch launch and deal in Dubai. But will international expansion compromise its enviable position...

TURF TV: The race to win the turf war.
January 10, 2008... The big four bookmakers' boycott of Turf TV is on its last legs, as the resolve of the remaining bookies crumbles. But the war between racing and the bookies is far from over, for breaking SIS's monopoly of broadcasting has served to stoke...

OUTLOOK FOR 2008: The tempting industry.
January 10, 2008... Marketers' salaries rose by 6.7% in 2007, taking their average income to #48,627. But the temptation to progress a career by moving up and out remains very strong and employers must offer additional benefits that will increase staff loyalty....

How the lowly iphone will call an end to our seller-centric ways.(impact of iphone on marketing industry)
January 10, 2008... This Christmas's must-have item, and its me-too copycats, will usher in mobile, real-time marketing, but not in the way we're expecting... In his Northern Lights fantasy, Philip Pullman invents a new type of creature: a daemon...

ALLIANCE & LEICESTER: Ready for takeover?
January 10, 2008... Santander's courting of Alliance & Leicester shows recognition of the former building society's significant market share, despite its recent lack of investment in branding, says Catherine Turner While Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Money...

PROPRIETARY TOOLS: So what's the Big Idea?(manageemnt of advertising campaigns )(Column)
January 10, 2008... In the digital world - where brands and targets interact without ads - much-lauded proprietary tools face an uphill challenge, says David Wethey I wrote about agency proprietary tools in this column a year ago. There's been some activity...

DIGITAL INSIGHT: Online: where context is king.
January 10, 2008... As the world goes online, advertising budget allocations are reflecting the trend. However, the massive scale and shifting user patterns make the internet a challenging medium for marketers Around the world an ever greater percentage of...