Marketing Week articles from November 2006

Marketing Week archives from November 2006

Pack problem forces Cadbury to relaunch 'sharing' Snaps brand.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Cadbury Snaps, the major "sharing" brand it launched two years ago, will undergo a major revamp later this month after complaints from retailers that the product was difficult to merchandise. It is understood that Cadbury is completely...

Heineken prepares for a major relaunch after positioning fails.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Heineken, the global lager brand, is understood to be gearing up for a major relaunch in the UK next year. It is expected to take place in the first half of the year. It is thought to be at an early stage in the rebranding process, with...

Administrator moves in to BenQ UK and axes 16 staff.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... BenQ Mobile UK has gone into administration just weeks after the company pulled the plug on its German operation. Managing director Philip Rambech, head of marketing Louise Forbes and 12 other staff are expected to be made redundant in the...

Mercedes Car Group picks marketing director for UK.(Ian Dutfield)
November 2, 2006... Mercedes Car Group has promoted long-serving marketer Ian Dutfield to marketing director to replace Nick Ratcliffe. It is thought Dutfield, who has been with the company for 21 years, starts his new role later this month. Dutfield was...

Co-op financial brand looks into green insurance and mortgages.(Co-operative Financial Services)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) is considering launching what it calls the UK's first "green" mortgage and home insurance to sit alongside its Eco car insurance product. CFS marketing director David Newman says the financial...

Which? hits out at ASA for ruling on Rice Krispies.(Which?Online)(Kellogg's Rice Krispies)(Advertising Standards Authority)
November 2, 2006... Which? has slammed the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for dismissing complaints about claims made in the latest campaign for Kellogg's Rice Krispies. Which? complained that the TV and magazine ads suggested Rice Krispies could be...

Sony Ericsson top marketing reshuffle.(Dee Dutta, Ben Padley )
November 2, 2006... Sony Ericsson has handed overall control of marketing to Dee Dutta, the global head of marketing, in a restructure following the departure of Jan Wareby. Dutta previously reported to Wareby, who was executive vice-president and head of...

Diageo patent application heralds 'sparkling' spirits.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Diageo may be planning to launch "sparkling spirits" in the UK after applying to patent a method of making spirits naturally sparkling. It is similar to the system used to put bubbles in Champagne. The drinks giant says that it is...

IN BRIEF: Games publisher bought.(Empire Interactive acquired by Silverstar)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Empire Interactive, the games publisher, has been bought by US-based Silverstar for #4.75m. The deal follows almost eight months of talks with several prospective buyers. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Chrysler embarking on strategy shift.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Chrysler, America's third-largest car company, is embarking on a strategy shift towards more fuel-efficient models in an effort to staunch mounting losses that hit #780m in the third quarter. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Advertiser-fund mobile phone network.(Pekka Ala-Pietila - Nokia's former president )(Contra- Antii Ohrling)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Nokia's former president Pekka Ala-Pietila is launching a pan-European advertiser-funded mobile phone network. Blyk, which is being launched in conjunction with chief executive of advertising agency Contra, Antii Ohrling, will target 16to...

IN BRIEF: British Gas complaints.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Consumer watchdog Energywatch says complaints about British Gas in the six months to September were twice last year's total, while complaints about its rivals fell. The top problems were inaccurate bills and the lack of response to...

IN BRIEF: General Motors results.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... General Motors, the world's largest car company, claims it is on the road to recovery after dramatically reducing third-quarter losses. GM reported a $115m (#61.4m) loss after tax in the third quarter - a significant improvement on the...

PEOPLE: ATM:ad.(Kevin Kemp)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... ATM:ad, the medium enabling third parties to advertise on cash machines, has appointed Kevin Kemp as head of business development. Kemp comes to ATM:ad from Avanti Screen Media, where he was an account manager. Copyright: Centaur...

PEOPLE: Tradedoubler.(rank Mulhall )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Tradedoubler, the online marketing company, has appointed Frank Mulhall as head of campaigns. He joins from AOL, where he was sales planning manager. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: EMAP.(Iain Clasper)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... EMAP has appointed Iain Clasper to the role of big city commercial director. He takes on his new responsibilities in addition to his role as managing director of Sheffield-based Hallam FM and Magic AM. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

PEOPLE: Mediaedge:cia.(Tove Okunniwa )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Mediaedge:cia has made Tove Okunniwa head of the UK arm of its sponsorship business MEC Sponsorship after a restructuring created two separate teams to support its UK and international client business. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

PEOPLE: Five.(Lisa Opie )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Five's director of programmes, Dan Chambers, is to leave the company "by mutual agreement" following the appointment of Flextech managing director Lisa Opie as managing director of content. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

PEOPLE: 121Media.(Hugo Drayton)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Hugo Drayton, a former managing director of the Telegraph Group, has been appointed UK chief executive of 121Media, a specialist in online advertising. He takes up the role with immediate effect. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

PEOPLE: T-Mobile UK.(Russell Taylor )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... T-Mobile UK has made Russell Taylor director of retail. Previously head of retail, Taylor joined the company in 2001 as channel development manager. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Macdonald quits as William Grant slims down its team.(Simon MacDonald)(William Grant & Sons)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Simon MacDonald, managing director of William Grant & Sons, the family- owned spirits company, has left in a restructure aimed at removing a layer of management. MacDonald is understood to have joined the UK arm of technology company...

Danone seeks growth in UK's water market.
November 2, 2006... Danone Waters is investing a significant marketing spend in educating consumers about the need to drink two litres of water a day. The campaign, which will run next year, aims to increase the company's household penetration. The bottled...

Fiat revamps logo as brand tries to relive past glories.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Fiat, the struggling Italian car manufacturer, is revamping its logo in a bid to recapture its past glories. The logo, which is derived from the famous shield that featured on Fiat cars from 1931 to 1968, will debut on the new Bravo...

Rolls leaves Fujifilm for digital agency role.(Will Rolls - Profero)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Fujifilm's top digital marketer Will Rolls has left the camera company to join the independent digital agency Profero. Rolls, who took over at Fujifilm as chief marketer for digital imaging just as digital cameras were taking off in the...

Asda to axe haircare range Collinge after poor sales.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Asda has delisted Andrew Collinge's designer range of haircare products following disappointing sales. The move is part of a revamp of the chain's haircare range. The retailer hopes the review will create clearer definitions across its...

Analysis: Corporate pressures peel away Orange brand values.
November 2, 2006... Orange's problems with its broadband service are further evidence that the "once great" British brand has lost its way under the ownership of France Telecom, according to industry experts. The telecoms giant is facing a consumer backlash...

Flybe launches check-in service via text message.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Low-cost airline Flybe is introducing a text message check-in service that will let passengers avoid being charged to check in at standard desks. The airline aims to encourage passengers to use text and online check- in because it is...

Analysis: Carter to face premium gin challenge.(Andrew Carter-Bombay Sapphire)
November 2, 2006... Andrew Carter's switch from UK marketing director for Bacardi Brown- Foreman (BBF) to global brand director for premium gin label Bombay Sapphire highlights the company's ambition for global expansion. Managing partner of business...

Asahi Beer appoints sales and marketing manager.(Moto Suzuki)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Moto Suzuki, sales and marketing manager for Asahi Beer Europe, has been promoted to general manager, replacing Tadashi Nakai, who has moved back to Asahi's headquarters in Japan. It is understood that Nakai will continue to be involved in...

IN BRIEF: Draft protocol launched.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising have launched a draft protocol aimed at protecting agencies from Tupe employment laws, after briefing more than 200 advertisers and agencies. ...

IN BRIEF: Clark McKay & Walpole rebrand.(Martin Nieri)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Clark McKay & Walpole is rebranding as CMW in the first major change overseen by new managing director Martin Nieri, who took up the role last month. He replaced chairman Jonathan Clark. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Rebranding for Heating and Hotwater Industry Council.(Palmer Hargreaves Wallis Tomlinson)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Palmer Hargreaves Wallis Tomlinson will handle the rebrand of the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council after a four-way pitch. It will develop a new brand identity for the council. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: National press campaign.(Hooper Galton )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Hooper Galton has created a national press campaign for Spanish rioja Campo Viejo to position the brand as an "easy-going wine for all occasions". Campo Viejo has done minimal advertising in the past. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

IN BRIEF: Acquisition of online marketing agency.(Digital Marketing Group)(Dig For Fire and HSM)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Digital Marketing Group has completed the acquisition of online marketing agencies Dig For Fire and HSM. The group has also listed its shares on the AIM stock exchange. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Graham Kemp retiring.(Marketing Store Worldwide)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... The Marketing Store founder and sales promotion guru Graham Kemp is retiring from the agency after 21 years in January. Kemp will continue as chairman of the MCCA. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

LDA looks for agencies to promote capital's growth.(London Development Agency )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... The London Development Agency (LDA) is seeking agencies to handle projects supporting its marketing strategy. It is not clear which agencies it currently works with, but the LDA is looking for agencies to pitch across design and creative...

VCCP wins #2m launch of Net voucher scheme.(Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest)(3V Transaction Services)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest (VCCP) has won the #2m advertising account for a new pre-paid cash voucher scheme. 3V Transaction Services is launching in the UK this week, following a trial in the Republic of Ireland. The agency won...

New campaign: Orange.(Fallon Communications Group Inc.)
November 2, 2006... Fallon has created a #9m Christmas campaign for Orange that introduces a new "Togetherness" theme to the brand's advertising. The campaign is the first major activity from Fallon since it won the mobile giant's pan-European advertising...

Dairy Crest puts #1.5m account out to pitch.
November 2, 2006... Dairy Crest, the dairy company whose brands include Cathedral City and Clover, is inviting agencies to pitch for its experiential, sales promotion and direct marketing business. The account is believed to be worth #1.5m and a number of...

Durex avoids ad ban with 11pm curfew.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Durex avoided a ban on a #1.3m TV campaign after agreeing to restrict screening of the ads for its recently launched sexual enhancements product "Play Vibrations" to after 11pm. The TV campaign created by McCann Ericsson Manchester is the...

Analysis: Whither United, if Sky and Alfa Romeo are lost?
November 2, 2006... United London's loss of Sky's #75m advertising account and its loosening grip on Alfa Romeo's pan-European business have raised doubts about the agency's future. Jim Kelly and Robert Campbell, respected advertising veterans, took control...

Space NK lines up the7stars for major UK ad campaign.
November 2, 2006... Space NK, the luxury cosmetics retailer, has appointed the7stars to handle media planning and buying for its first major UK advertising campaign. It is understood to be worth #1m. The appointment follows a pitch involving a number of...

BBC is holding back digital switchover, says ITV boss.(Christy Swords)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... ITV director of regulatory affairs Christy Swords has accused the BBC of holding digital switchover "hostage" in its protracted licence fee negotiations. His comments come after the BBC reduced its bid for a rise in the cost of the...

Starcom Mediavest faces COI review of #2m DVLA business.(COI Communications)(Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... COI Communications is understood to be preparing to review the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's #2m media planning business, which is handled by Starcom Mediavest. It is not clear when the review will begin and a brief has yet to be...

Black cabs to match ads to areas they drive through.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Taxi Media is launching a package that will allow advertising to target specific audiences, based on where black cabs operate. The scheme, to be rolled out across its 12,000-strong fleet of taxis, has been developed from research...

Caterpillar awards Starcom #7m brief.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Caterpillar, the global construction company, has appointed Starcom to handle its #7m UK media planning and buying account. Starcom won the business after a competitive pitch against a number of undisclosed agencies. It is the first time...

Dell to plough #7m more into UK marketing spend.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Dell, the online PC retailer, is boosting its marketing investment by #6.6m in the UK next year. The decision to ramp its spend comes days after it appointed Carat to handle its #150m media account across Europe, the Middle East and Africa...

IN BRIEF: Fresh assault on unauthorised music.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... MySpace.com is launching a fresh assault on unauthorised copyrighted music on its site. The News Corp company has licensed technology from Gracenote to block illegal tracks. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Bluetooth campaign.(JC Decaux)(Rejuve)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... JC Decaux, the outdoor advertising specialist, has launched its first Bluetooth campaign at its airport network. Health club Rejuve is the first advertiser. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Nokia to take on TomTom.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Nokia is to take on satellite navigation maker TomTom with its own pan- European service. Nokia's "satnav" device will play music and display photos and videos. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Ofcom will allow sponsorship.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Ofcom will allow commercial television channels and radio stations to be sponsored after consultation earlier this year. Safeguards are in place to protect under-18s from inappropriate sponsorship. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

IN BRIEF: Carat retains computer giant Dell.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Carat has retained the #150m European media planning and buying brief for computer giant Dell, after a two-way pitch with an Omnicom media group network bid. The UK business is worth #40m. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: ITV Sales to restructure.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... ITV Sales is to restructure as ITV Customer Relations in January and shift its focus from negotiations to planning. The three external- facing sales teams will be replaced with two new ones: TV trading team and integrated planning. ...

Interactive TV for Wrexham.(Wrexham County Borough Council)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Wrexham County Borough Council has launched an interactive TV channel to enable residents to renew library books and register complaints via their TVs. The Looking Local channel, created by the council and government technology body...

Analysis: Real progress in gaining regional radio share.(John Myers- Guardian Media Group Radio)
November 2, 2006... John Myers, chief executive of Guardian Media Group Radio, has an ambitious plan. He has built GMG Radio from scratch to become the fourth-largest player in the UK radio market in five years, and his eyes are now firmly set on the top three....

Peer attacks YouTube over videos of teaching staff.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... YouTube has come under fresh attack from politicians this week, with calls for a clampdown on the site to stop it from being used by pupils to bully their teachers. In a House of Lords debate on the Education and Inspections Bill on...

Where is the bbc in the british tv export boom?
November 2, 2006... The rest of the world can't get enough of UK TV show formats, but the BBC seems oddly under-represented in the official export figures The UK's export boom in TV formats - the sale of ideas, rather than finished programmes - shows no...

LETTER: Dream ads forget to focus on customers.
November 2, 2006... Regarding "The Possible Dream" (MW October 26), I find the world of new automotive marketing here in the UK intriguing. Anecdotally, everyone is finding it tough (witness the number of offers out there in Q4), yet the age-old "let's make a...

LETTER: Don't stifle creativity with over-sensitivity.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Let's hope advertising watchdog the ASA does the right thing and throws out the few complaints it received from viewers over Sony Bravia's "Paint" ad. A quick straw poll of the office showed not one person had linked the colourful firework...

LETTER: Time for industry to take responsibility.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... With the latest Government initiative on global warming in everyone's minds, it's time the world of advertising and marketing woke up and admitted the pivotal role it has played over the past half century in creating the problems that beset...

LEADER: Telegraph pursues the wrong demographic.
November 2, 2006... Is the Telegraph facing a fate only a little less dramatic than the precipitous ruin of its late owner, Conrad Black? Certainly panic and fear stalk the corridors. Panic among senior management, who recognise they are staring serious...

THE TELEGRAPH: Right message, wrong reader.
November 2, 2006... The Telegraph's top-down construction of a digital news service has alienated its ground-force of reporters, who are seeing their numbers shaved as a consequence. And it's equally unlikely to impress the core readership, with its older and...

MOTORING - FORD: Door shuts on Euro brands.(Ford Motor Co.)
November 2, 2006... After Ford's Premier Automotive Group announced pre-tax losses of #316m for the third quarter of 2006 and chief executive Alan Mulally declared poorly performing brands will not be supported, the future looks uncertain for Jaguar, Volvo and...

AMAZON: Patently a problem?
November 2, 2006... Impressive sales at the 'world's biggest bookseller' are masking falling profits and costly litigation, but the financial markets still love Amazon, says Dominic Dudley Although Amazon.com made its name by selling books over the...

MOBILE TV: Magic for the small screen.
November 2, 2006... During this year's World Cup, hype surrounding mobile TV reached an all- time high, with almost every pundit predicting wild success for services that allowed subscribers to watch the likes of Beckham and Rooney scoring goals live on their...

AMAZON: Facts and figures.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... It was set up by Jeff Bezos in July 1995 It sells goods across 35 product categories - as well as the books it made its name with, it now sells furniture, musical instruments, pet supplies and car parts It runs websites for the US,...

GREEN ENERGY: Change isn't yet in the wind.(Allegra Strategies )
November 2, 2006... Consumers are aware of green energy issues, but cost and a lack of leadership from business and Government are stalling action. Will change only come with our children, who show real commitment? Last week was Energy Saving Week and...

SEARCH: Sites for more eyes.
November 2, 2006... If you surf the Web you need a search engine, but it doesn't have to be Google or Yahoo! Niche operators utilise custom software, and individual users can even 'roll their own'. By Martin Croft Ask the modern-day equivalent of the man on...

TELEVISION: PVR didn't kill the TV ad star.( personal video recorders )
November 2, 2006... It's not all doom and gloom for TV advertisers - research suggests PVRs may actually increase the number of ads we watch - but audiences need more than just 30-second spots. By David Benady Don't fall off your sofa, but BSkyB research...

Don't hold your breath for a lasting legacy from olympics.
November 2, 2006... Hope may have triumphed over Experience in the bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, but Experience knows what will happen next Despite Dr Johnson's warning, when apple-cheeked Hope confronts crabbed Experience, she always emerges...

EasyJet abandons price-led campaigns for green focus.(easyJet Airline Company Ltd.)
November 9, 2006... EasyJet is planning a major shift in advertising strategy away from price-driven offers to promoting its green credentials. It would be the first airline to focus on the environment rather than price. A campaign highlighting EasyJet's...

Hegarty: Brands to blame for lack of Web innovation.(John Hegarty)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... John Hegarty, chairman and worldwide creative director of advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, has slammed brand owners for failing to grasp the opportunity presented by the internet. In an interview with Marketing Week, he accuses...

Car industry hits back over CO2 slating.(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... The car industry has hit back at claims that it is one of the main contributors to climate change, saying that drivers are more concerned about the environment than ever before. New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and...

Colgate plans #3m launch for premium Weekly Clean.
November 9, 2006... Colgate Palmolive plans to increase its penetration of the oral hygiene market with the launch of a new premium dental cleaning product. Colgate Total Professional Weekly Clean, due to launch next year, is designed to be used in...

Burton's Foods unwraps range of Maryland upmarket cookies.(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Burton's Foods has extended its flagship Maryland biscuit brand with the launch of a new range of "indulgent" cookies. Maryland Specials will contain real fruit and nuts and are positioned as a premium product. The range has two...

O2 reshuffles marketing as sponsorship head leaves.(Paul Samuels)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... O2 has reshuffled its marketing department, following the departure of head of sponsorship Paul Samuels, and shifted sponsorship under the remit of head of brand experience Amanda Jennings. Samuels, who is leaving the mobile operator to...

Fagan appointed md at Boots Opticians.(Elizabeth Fagan)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Elizabeth Fagan, the former DSG International marketer, has been appointed as managing director of Boots Opticians. She left the electrical goods retailer last month after a series of changes to her role. Fagan will oversee the running of...

Scotland set to run nationwide smartcard system for transport.(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Scotland will be the first country to operate a nationwide "smartcard" system for public transport under plans unveiled by the Scottish Executive this week. Currently, the only large-scale schemes in place are in cities such as Hong Kong...

IN BRIEF: Warburtons commercial director has not left company.(Roz Cuschieri )(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Marketing Week has been asked to point out that Warburtons commercial director Roz Cuschieri has not left the company, as was inadvertently suggested in a story printed two weeks ago. The company is seeking a new marketing director because...

IN BRIEF: Interest from up to 30 bidders.(Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Aston Martin has reportedly attracted interest from up to 30 bidders, including private equity giant Permira and middle-eastern investors. The luxury marque was put up for sale by Ford earlier this year. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

IN BRIEF: Ladbrokes in talks.(888.com in acquisition process)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Ladbrokes has confirmed it is in talks to acquire online casino company 888.com. A wave of consolidation is predicted in the sector following the US clampdown on internet gambling. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Federal Express cancels order.(Airbus superjumbo planes)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Federal Express has cancelled its order for ten Airbus superjumbo planes because of delays and will switch to rival Boeing. It follows Emirates' warning that it might cancel some of its order for 43 planes. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: M&S Christmas ad campaign.(Marks & Spencer)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Marks & Spencer's Christmas ad campaign, which breaks on TV this week, will star Dame Shirley Bassey. The diva will join Twiggy, Erin O'Connor, Laura Bailey, Noemie Lenoir and Elizabeth Jagger in a James Bond-inspired campaign. ...

IN BRIEF: 8Gb version launched.(Apple Computer Inc.-iPod Nano)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Apple has launched an 8Gb version of the Product Red special edition of the iPod Nano. Product Red is an initiative to tackle HIV-AIDS in Africa and is also backed by Gap and American Express. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...