Marketing Week articles from May 2008

Marketing Week archives from May 2008

RBS Insurance hands reins to ex-Norwich Union boss.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Struggling insurance brand appoints successor to Roger Ramsden as it faces threat of a sell-off RBS Insurance has drafted in former Norwich Union marketer Crawford Davidson to replace marketing chief Roger Ramsden, who has left to join...

P&G plots major boost for Daz in bid to beat back Surf.(Procter & Gamble)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Procter & Gamble is understood to be plotting a major overhaul of its Daz detergent brand, believed to include the introduction of fragranced variants, in an effort to fight off Unilever-owned Surf, whose market share surged last year. ...

NI to launch Sun and Page 3-branded beers.(News International)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Sun is plotting a foray into the alcoholic drinks business with the launch of two branded beers. It is understood that the newspaper is in discussions with a brewer whose identity is unknown. It is thought that The Sun will launch a...

US BMW boss moves over to Rolls-Royce.
May 1, 2008... BMW's US boss Tom Purves has been appointed chief executive of Rolls- Royce as part of a major shake-up at the German automotive group. Purves, who takes up his new role on July 1, replaces Ian Robertson, who has been handed the top sales...

New campaign: Feel Good Drinks takes on TV.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Feel Good Drinks Company is launching its first TV ad to build awareness of the brand with a young and upmarket audience. The animated ad will run on Channel 4's E4, which targets 16 to 34 year olds, from May 2. It will showcase the...

Renewed threat against bookmakers over funding.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Secretary of state for culture, media and sport Andy Burnham has renewed his threat against the gambling industry seeking a statutory levy to fund the Responsibility in Gambling Trust. The warning comes after it emerged that the RIGT has...

Ad chief quits Tesco after announcement of job cuts.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Tesco advertising chief Paula Withell is understood to have left the retailer, weeks after Tesco announced that it is conducting a "head- office review" that may result in hundreds of jobs being axed. Withell, previously brand marketing...

ASA complaints reach a record high.(Advertising Standards Authority)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a record number of complaints about more ads than ever last year, according to its annual report. The growth of complaints reflects changes in consumer behaviour, with the number of...

Sunglass Hut launches global campaign in luxury market.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Sunglass Hut is set to launch its first global ad campaign. The company, which has almost 2,000 stores worldwide, is seeking to position itself as the "ultimate destination for luxury, designer sunglasses". Moon, the Sydney-based agency,...

IN BRIEF: Tesco criticized.
May 1, 2008... Tesco has been criticised by UK authors Nick Hornby and Mark Haddon in an open letter condemning the supermarket for prosecuting a Thai business leader who made a speech that decried Tesco's expansion in Thailand. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Mars acquiring The Wrigley Company.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Mars, the confectionery giant, is acquiring The Wrigley Company for #11.5bn. Warren Buffett, the renowned investor, is taking a minority share in the chewing gum company when the deal is completed. Wrigley will remain a standalone business with...

IN BRIEF: OFT probe into alleged price-fixing.(Office of Fair Trading)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Office of Fair Trading has expanded its probe into alleged price- fixing between supermarkets and the grocery, health and beauty sectors,following a report it issued last weekalleging price-fixing between 2000 and 2003 in the #10bn...

IN BRIEF: Lee Bartlett to take over from Airey.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... ITV global content chief operating officer Lee Bartlett will take over Airey's role on an interim basis. He will report to group chief operating officer John Cresswell. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Dawn Airey resigns.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... ITV managing director of global content Dawn Airey has resigned from the broadcaster, after less than a year, to join Five as chairman and chief executive, ousting Jane Lighting at the RTL-owned station. It is understood that Lighting, who...

Esure drops Michael Winner to focus on product benefits.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Michael Winner has been dropped as the face of insurance brand Esure for the second time in three years, this time to be replaced by aliens. The campaign, which breaks later this week, will promote Esure's improved benefits for...

Analysis: Smell of success for fabric conditioners.
May 1, 2008... The washing detergent category of the laundry sector is so saturated that it is nigh on impossible to generate volume growth. But that is not the case in the fabric conditioner market, where a battle is raging between Procter & Gamble's...

British Gas plots reward scheme for green schools.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... British Gas is launching a major green initiative targeting schools, teachers and local communities. The Generation Green programme will award "Green Leaves" vouchers to schools for energy saving behaviour, such as turning off lights and...

Veet brand splashes #5m on repositioning campaign.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Reckitt Benckiser is launching a #5m campaign to reposition depilatory brand Veet as a softer, confident general beauty brand. RB says it is the most "comprehensive marketing push" it has ever put behind the brand. The campaign,...

Analysis: Stripping the eBay mall of its community spirit?
May 1, 2008... New eBay president and chief executive John Donahoe's transformation of the site from an "unruly flea market" to a "strip mall" has angered some users, leading them to call for a global boycott of eBay tomorrow (May 1). Donahoe joined...

Fox's places Echo biscuit bar in luxury category.(Fox's Biscuits )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Fox's Biscuits is relaunching its Echo chocolate biscuit bar as an indulgent treat aimed at women, with "sensual" new packaging and branding inspired by inkblot tests. The new look, which has been created by design agency Brandopus, will...

BA remains bullish despite Eos failure.(British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... British Airways and Silverjet remain confident that the business-only airline model is still viable despite the grounding of premium carrier Eos last week. But rival Virgin Atlantic claims the failure sounds the death-knell for the...

Analysis: 3 keeps a low profile as it prepares ground for better times.
May 1, 2008... Mobile phone operator 3 is looking for an agency to "refresh the look and feel" of its high street stores (MW last week) exactly a year after the Hutchison Whampoa-owned brand was reborn with a new chief executive, marketing director and...

Hornby looks within for rail brand chief.(Hornby Group PLC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Toy company Hornby has appointed long-serving marketer Simon Kohler to the role of group marketing manager for its model railway brands. Kohler, who oversees marketing for Hornby train sets in the UK, will now have responsibility for the...

JWT in 'last chance saloon' as Kraft reviews #7m Kenco brief.(Beattie McGuinness Bungay )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... JWT has been put on alert after Kraft Foods invited Euro RSCG and Beattie McGuinness Bungay to pitch against the incumbent for its estimated #7m Kenco coffee brand. The move will put JWT in a last chance saloon as the brief will be to...

NHS seeks ad agency to raise NHS Choices profile.(National Health Service)(advertising agency )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The National Health Service is seeking an advertising agency to help raise the profile of the NHS Choices programme. The scheme allows patients in England to choose which hospital they receive treatment in. It is understood that the brief...

Gremlins join Jones in BT Business ads.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... BT's new advertising campaign will feature 1980s film characters the Gremlins alongside Dragons' Den star Peter Jones. The campaign, which has been created by Swarm for BT Business, breaks on May 5 and replaces the Gordon Ramsay ads that...

IN BRIEF: PHD Rocket splits with Mini.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... PHD Rocket has split with Mini after three years following the BMW- owned marque's decision to move its media planning account in house. The move will not affect Vizeum, which handles the media buying business. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: VCCP ad campaign for DH.(Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest)(Department of Health )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest has created an advertising campaign for the Department of Health on sensible drinking guidelines. It breaks on May 19 and aims to educate middle-aged white drinkers about the number of units alcoholic...

IN BRIEF: Ericsson ad account.(Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)(advertising account)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Digitas is understood to have won the global advertising account for mobile equipment manufacturer Ericsson. Digitas is now thought to be responsible for all of Ericsson's above- and below-the-line work, including outdoor, digital and print...

IN BRIEF: Intel global media planning and buying account.(OMD)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... OMD has won Intel's $300m (#152m) global media planning and buying account. OMD beat the incumbent, Interpublic's Universal McCann, which had handled the business since March 2005. Publicis Groupe's Starcom was also involved in the pitch....

IN BRIEF: British Heart Foundation shortlist.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Red Brick Road, Grey London, Fallon and WCRS have been shortlisted to pitch for the British Heart Foundation's #8.5m advertising account. Mediaedge:cia, Arena BLM and PHD will pitch for the charity's media business. Copyright: Centaur...

WCRS beats M&C to #5m Holland & Barrett account.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Holland & Barrett has appointed WCRS to handle its #5m advertising business following a competitive pitch. The final contest was against M&C Saatchi. It is the first time that the retailer has appointed a retained advertising agency. It...

Euro RSCG gains Jaguar.com brief.(Euro RSCG Worldwide Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Jaguar has awarded Euro RSCG Luxe the Jaguar.com account following a competitive pitch, charging the agency with overhauling its global website. The move means that the agency, previously named Euro RSCG Fuel, has expanded its hold on...

New campaign: Iconic covers promote Smooth.(Smooth Radio Network)(Dye Holloway Murray )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Dye Holloway Murray has created a campaign for Smooth Radio Network, highlighting the "variety" of music on its six stations. It is the agency's first work for the station. The campaign, which launches on May 5, consists of TV, outdoor...

Virgin Atlantic moots making T5 advertising compensation claim.
May 1, 2008... Virgin Atlantic is considering asking for compensation following the botched opening of British Airways' Terminal 5 (T5). The airline took out extensive advertising in and around T5 but says that BA's decision to delay moving long-haul...

GfK-TNS merger may face EU opposition.(Taylor Nelson Sofres)(european Union)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The proposed "merger of equals" between market research giants Taylor Nelson Sofres and GfK may run into trouble with European Union competition authorities. According to one informed source: "If this goes through, the European...

New campaign: Galaxy aims for a younger audience.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Global Radio has unveiled its new branding and logo for the Galaxy network, which aims to appeal to a younger audience. The logo, which has been developed by Creative Spark, features the strapline, "Love Music" below the Galaxy logo. It...

IN BRIEF: Ofcom expected to fine ITV.(Office Of Communications)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Ofcom is expected to fine ITV a record #4m over the broadcaster's failings around premium rate phone services. The judgment is expected in early May. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: UKTV launches review of media planning and buying business.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... UKTV, the joint venture between Virgin Media TV and BBC Worldwide, has launched a review of its #3.5m media planning and buying business, held by PHD. It follows the appointment of Goodstuff and Manning Gottlieb OMD to handle the planning...

IN BRIEF: The Economist launches campaign.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Economist is launching a campaign that focuses on what its readers value most about the weekly magazine. The ads, created by Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO, will run across press, outdoor and online from May 3. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Daily Mail hoping to shake off stigma.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Daily Mail is hoping to shake off the stigma of its 'Middle England' positioning by renaming its readers 'MidBritons'. It hopes the changes will create a more contemporary and aspirational image of its core readership. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: The Times to launch prepaid debit card.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Times is launching a prepaid debit card, marking the first time a broadsheet title has attempted to cash in on a product previously marketed to migrants, tabloid readers, teenagers and the 'unbankables'. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: OFT inviting comment on Project Kangaroo.(Office of Fair Trading )
May 1, 2008... The Office of Fair Trading is inviting interested parties to comment on Project Kangaroo, the on-demand service planned by BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4, by May 14 before deciding whether to refer it to the Competition Commission. ...

Microsoft overhauls Live Search offering.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Microsoft is overhauling its search portal in an attempt to encourage more advertisers to use the site. It will launch a new range of functions on its Live Search from May 1. The revamp of the site will include an improved search tool...

John Brown international chief heads Kids division.(Alex Silcox)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... John Brown Group has promoted international development director Alex Silcox to the new role of managing director of its Kids business. The move comes as the publisher looks to offer brands more opportunities to engage "more responsibly"...

Analysis: Decline of six-sheets is far from terminal?
May 1, 2008... Outdoor company JC Decaux has added 250 six-sheet poster sites to its airport portfolio (MW last week) at a time when some industry experts are raising doubts about the future of six-sheets. JC Decaux says the move is designed to attract...

Why I'm holding out for a hero to champion marketing's cause.
May 1, 2008... Until adland can come up with its own Sir Richard Branson, Philip Green or Bill Gates, we'll continue playing second fiddle to management consultancies "Charles and Maurice Saatchi pierced the public consciousness and came to represent...

LETTER: How to make money from social networks.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... There are several ways in which social networks can monetise on content, including advertising (product placement, behaviour targeting and contextual), social commerce and, perhaps in the future, mobile. New advertising formats such as...

LETTER: Ask more questions to gain customer insight.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... Alan Mitchell's article about "The only number you need to know doesn't add up to much" (MW March 6) was spot on. The net promoter score has its obvious benefits but instead of being the "ultimate question", it should be considered the...

LEADER: Mars deal is start of consolidation season.(Mars/Wrigley )
May 1, 2008... One way of looking at the Mars/Wrigley deal is that it is a back-handed compliment to Cadbury's strategy under the leadership of Todd Stitzer. Cadbury has had the wit to play to its strength and minimise its weakness. Its weakness is its...

MARKETING TO THE OVER-50s: Get into the grey groove.
May 1, 2008... Think 50-somethings these days and Madonna, Bono and Iggy Pop are more true to type than the slipper brigades of old, which poses youth- obsessed marketers fresh challenges in reaching this cash-rich market. David Benady finds an 'underground'...

THE ASA - CHRIS SMITH: In the eyes of the watchdog.(Advertising Standards Authority )(Interview)
May 1, 2008... After ten months as chairman of the Advertising Standards Authority, Chris Smith talks to Sonoo Singh about upholding the reputation of self- regulation in the face of budget airline belligerence, and the increasing importance of getting a...

Have the courage to say 'no', because less is definitely more.
May 1, 2008... New evidence shows that firms which reduce marketing spend relative to sales are booming while those hiking budgets are just breaking even In theory, marketing should be the engine of miracles: the creation of rich win-win relationships...

VISA VERSUS MASTERCARD: A marketing race is on the cards.
May 1, 2008... Mastercard has tended to pip Visa to the post in the race for consumers' wallets, powered ahead by its 'Priceless' ads. But Visa's new campaign could give it a run for its money. By Catherine Turner While Mastercard has trumpeted its...

BRAND PERSONALITY: Is brand personality a fraud?
May 1, 2008... Many brands promote their specific identities, but this will only help if the products and services they offer live up to their exterior displays, says Jim Prior For the past 20 years, a fundamental fraud has been operating in the world...

TELEVISION: Secrets, lies and broadcasting.(Survey)
May 1, 2008... While television broadcasters attempt to put recent scandals behind them, research shows that viewers have lost faith in the integrity of the medium and are not yet ready to forgive and forget New rules tightening the regulation of...

MARKET RESEARCH: Models for future prosperity.
May 1, 2008... To meet increasing demands to deliver more for less, MR agencies must develop cost-reflective, streamlined products if they are to maintain their long-term profitability. Alicia Clegg reports Pressure on market research agencies to do...

Ultra low-rise jeans from Brazil are the bottom line in economic theory.
May 1, 2008... It has long been recognised that as the good times roll, women's hem lines shoot skywards, but a new fashion looks set to lay that trend to waste The economic trough into which this great country of ours is fast sinking is far deeper and...

Report censures alcohol retailing by supermarkets.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Government turns spotlight on cheap alcohol sales in attempt to reduce amount of problem drinking The Government is set to turn its attention to supermarkets in its attempt to address concerns over underage and binge drinking. A...

Danone to axe energy drink after flagging performance.(Danone Waters)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Danone Waters is thought to be scrapping its V energy drink after failing to make a dent in the share of market leader Red Bull. The decision comes less than a year after it was relaunched. The latest revamp was backed by a #3.3m...

Johnson slashes ad spend to pay for community cops.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... New London mayor Boris Johnson is to slice advertising budgets for the Greater London Authority, including the Metropolitan Police and the Transport for London (TfL), to fund the extra community police officers he promised in his election...

Gov't under fire over poor Child Trust Fund awareness.(government)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... The Treasury and Revenue & Customs will be grilled next week over the dismal public awareness of Child Trust Funds (CTFs), one of the Government's flagship anti-poverty policies. The Government has repeatedly come under fire from critics...

Chief marketer quits enlarged Macmillan.(Kate Shanley resigned from Macmillan Cancer)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Macmillan Cancer Support chief marketer Kate Shanley has resigned after just two months with the charity. It is not known if she has a job to go to. Shanley joined the charity in March after Macmillian merged with Cancerbackup, where she...

Whitbread rebrands Frescato Costa range.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Whitbread's Costa brand is relaunching and expanding its Frescato range of products this summer. The range will include two new fruit varieties of the crushed ice-drink brand early in the summer. Costa will also launch a range of other...

PepsiCo promotes Albanell to Euro beverage marketing vice-president.(promotion of Juan Albanell)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... PepsiCo has appointed Juan Albanell as vice-president of beverages marketing in Europe, following the promotion of key marketers in the UK and US. He replaces David Johnston, who left the role on April 1 to become general manager of Quaker...

Analysis: Will the scrapping of Norwich Union help or hinder Aviva?
May 8, 2008... Insurance and pensions giant Aviva's long-expected announcement last week that it is axing the 200-year old Norwich Union (NU) brand comes amidst turmoil in the credit markets and concerns over the trustworthiness of financial institutions....

IN BRIEF: Raoul Pinnell to judge Rising Stars Awards.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Raoul Pinnell, former global marketing director of Shell, has agreed to judge this year's Marketing Week Rising Stars Awards. For details on how to enter, contact Anna Wojewodzki: anna.w@centaur.co.uk, 020 7970 4772. Or visit...

IN BRIEF: UBS cutting jobs.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... UBS, the Swiss bank which suffered huge losses as a result of the credit crunch, is cutting up to 5,500 jobs, 7% of its workforce, by 2009. The bank has also unveiled losses for the first quarter of 2008 of 11.5bn Swiss francs (#5.5bn). It is...

IN BRIEF: Audrey Tattou to replace Nicole Kidman.(French actress Audrey Tautou has replaced statuesque actress Nicole Kidman as the new face of Chanel No. 5 fragrance)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Chanel No 5 has replaced Nicole Kidman as the face of the brand with Audrey Tattou, star of Amelie and the Da Vinci Code. Tattou will begin to appear in the brand's ads in 2009. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Royal Mail financial stability under threat.(Royal Mail Group PLC)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... The Royal Mail's financial stability is under threat, says an independent review panel of the UK postal sector commissioned by the Government. The Royal Mail's 350-year monopoly ended in 2006 when other licensed operators were given the right...

IN BRIEF: Adidas better than expected profits.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Adidas, the German sportswear giant which also owns Reebok, has unveiled better-than-expected first quarter profits after overcoming a sales slump in the US. Underlying profits rose 32% to E169m (#133m) on total sales of E2.62bn (#2.06bn), up...

IN BRIEF: Havas Media to expand AIS brand internationally.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Havas Media is set to expand the Archibald Ingall Stretton brand internationally. The group, which has a minority stake in AIS, is planning to bolster the integrated agency's digital resources. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Qantas global ad campaign.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... M&C Saatchi has created a global ad campaign for Australian airline Qantas, using the strapline 'Experience. The difference'. The #5.5m UK campaign breaks this week. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: McCann Erickson agrees to pay $12m.(McCann-Erickson Worldwide Inc. settles an investigation with United States. Securities and Exchange Commission)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... McCann Erickson Worldwide has agreed to pay $12m (#6m) to settle an investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission into accounting fraud. In spite of the settlement, the Interpublic-owned company has neither admitted nor denied the...

IN BRIEF: Extra campaign and strapline.(Abbott Mead Vickers/BBDO Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO has created a campaign and strapline for Extra, the Wrigley-owned chewing gum brand, to support a rebrand of the range. The ad, which breaks this week, is called Sardines and shows people at a warehouse party getting...

Capital One hands #50m UK ad account to AMV without a pitch.(Abbott Mead Vickers/BBDO Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Capital One, the US credit card giant, has handed its #50m UK advertising account to Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO without a pitch. It was previously handled by DDB London. The credit card company works with both DDB and BBDO in the US and says...

Digitas wins #2m Game Group digital work.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Digitas has won the #2m digital account for computer games retailer Game. It follows a pitch against three undisclosed agencies and incumbent Twentysix London. The appointment comes as Game prepares to start a review of its advertising...

William Hills to hold pitches for below-the-line accounts.(appointment of Adam Harris )(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... William Hill is reviewing its below-the-line activity including retail, sales promotion and customer relationship management. The bookmaker is holding three separate pitches for the accounts and is understood to have already drawn up...

Iris picks up #2m brief to launch Government welfare programme.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Iris is understood to have won the #2m integrated brief to launch the Employment and Support Allowance for the Department for Work and Pensions. It follows a competitive pitch against undisclosed agencies handled by COI. The ESA scheme...

Skype rolls out 'longest ever' live ad on the internet.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Skype, the internet phone company, is launching what it claims is the longest-ever ad. The campaign will map the progress of Australian writer Rebecca Campbell over a 33-day journey that will be recorded on the internet. The campaign,...

St Tropez tanning ads will target men for the first time.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... St Tropez is targeting men for the first time with a new campaign, which will break in June issues of glossy fashion and style titles. The #2m campaign shows a bronzed man and woman staring out to sea. It has been shot by fashion...

IN BRIEF: Freesat launched.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(ITV PLC)(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Freesat, the joint free-to-air digital satellite service from ITV and the BBC, launched yesterday (Tuesday). TV ads starring BBC presenter Fiona Bruce, created by Fallon with media through MPG, will support the launch of BBC HD on the...

IN BRIEF: Carlos Slim acquires stake in Independent News & Media.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... Carlos Slim, one of the world's richest men, has acquired a 1% stake in newspaper group Independent News & Media. The Mexican telecoms mogul paid between #12m and #14m. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: TalkSport sacks James Whale.(Brief article)
May 8, 2008... TalkSport, the UTV national commercial station, has sacked presenter James Whale for encouraging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson to become London mayor. He made the comments in a show on March 20, leading to complaints to broadcast...