Marketing Week articles from November 2007

Marketing Week archives from November 2007

ASA probes acts of violence to stave off further ad bans.(Advertising Standards Authority )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Full-scale debate planned as regulator's new chairman Chris Smith launches his first major initiative The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is launching a report into the use of violence in advertising in a pre-emptive move aimed at...

ITV forced to rethink Friends Reunited subscription model.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... ITV is to abandon Friends Reunited's subscription model in the face of increased competition from free-to-use entrants in the social networking arena. Observers say this raises big questions about both ITV's digital strategy and the...

Shock victory for car ad safety warning architect.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The man behind proposals to introduce tobacco-style safety warnings on car ads has admitted that even he was surprised at the level of support his plans received from the European Parliament (EP) last week. The EP voted in favour of a...

Fiat MD bows out as China chief steps up.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Fiat Group Automobiles UK managing director Giulio Salomone is stepping down after two-and-a-half years in the role. He will be replaced by Fiat China chief Andrew Humberstone. Salomone, who became Fiat's third UK boss in as many months...

Electrolux appoints UK and Ireland MD from Asia.(Electrolux AB)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Swedish consumer electronics giant Electrolux has appointed Brad Tribble to the new role of vice-president and managing director of Electrolux Major Appliances UK and Ireland. He will take up the position on January 1. Tribble, who is...

New campaign: Heinz cooks up a feast for babies.(Heinz Babyfood)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Heinz is launching a new press campaign to support its Mum's Own Recipe range of prepared baby food. The campaign, which has been created by McCann Erickson, aims to show mothers that Heinz is inspired by real home cooking. One...

Tomy unveils TV ad plan for toys in Easter period.(marketing of Tomy UK)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Tomy, the toy manufacturer, is launching its first spring television ad campaign to support the launch of its Whistle & Go Thomas train. The move marks a shift in Tomy's marketing strategy, which only promoted its products around the key...

Government plans financial advice ads.(management of advertising campaigns)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Government is planning a heavyweight advertising campaign, with a budget of up to #30m, to support its free, basic financial advice scheme to every adult in the UK. The proposed Generic Financial Advice (GFA) service is being piloted...

Inbev pushes Artois range with multi-million pound investment.(marketing of InBev S.A.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Inbev is launching a multi-million pound advertising campaign to promote the Artois family of premium beer brands. It will be the first major push for the range, including Peeterman Artois and Artois Bock, which were launched last summer...

IN BRIEF: Fox's close four production lines.(Fox's Biscuits Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Fox's, the confectionery company, has closed production of four lines after traces of salmonella were found. The company says contamination is likely to have come from a batch of Brazil nuts at its Leicester plant. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Bottled water consumption.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Bottled water consumption is set to outgrow consumption of carbonated drinks within two years, according to new research by Zenith International. The research predicts that global water consumption will grow to 251 billion tonnes by 2009. ...

IN BRIEF: Google delays announcing plans.(Google Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Google has delayed announcing plans for its Orkut social network after Facebook confirmed rumours that it is to unveil a new ad platform next week. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Talkmobile to be launched.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Carphone Warehouse has teamed up with Vodafone to launch a low-cost mobile phone brand called Talkmobile, ending an apparent feud between the two companies. They fell out last year after the mobile phone operator signed an exclusive deal with...

IN BRIEF: Limits on campaign spending.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Conservatives and Labour have been unable to agree on setting limits for campaign spending and donations, following 18 months of negotiations. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Ryanair breaching advertising standards.(Ryanair Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Ryanair has been warned that it could be taken to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for breaching advertising standards for the fourth time in five months. The Irish airline could be fined if the OFT rules that it has deliberately undermined...

PEOPLE: EasyJet.(officials and employees of easyJet Airline Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... EasyJet has appointed Jet2.com head of marketing Carly Brear as UK commercial manager. She reports to UK regional general manager David Osborne. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: Hotels.com.(officials and employees of Hotels.com L.P.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Hotels.com has appointed Nigel Pocklington as Europe, Middle East and Africa managing director. Pocklington, who was previously chief executive of Horsesmouth.co.uk, now reports to EMEA senior vice- president David Roche. Copyright:...

PEOPLE: Trinity Mirror.(officials and employees of Trinity Mirror Digital Media Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Trinity Mirror has appointed Rick Gleave to the new role of group head of interactive. Gleave, who joins from rival News Group, where he was head of mobile at its interactive division in Australia, will be responsible for driving Trinity's...

PEOPLE: Park Plaza Hotels.(officials and employees of Park Plaza Hotels Europe)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Park Plaza Hotels has promoted Robert Henke to vice-president for marketing. He reports to senior vice-president and chief operating officer Erik Van Kessel in his new role. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: JC Flowers.(JC Flowers & Company L.L.C. and Bank of England )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Bank of England director Paul Myners has stepped down to work with JC Flowers on the private equity company's takeover bid for Northern Rock. Myners was excused from his duties with immediate effect after being approached. Copyright:...

PEOPLE: Northern Rock.(officials and employees of Northern Rock PLC)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Northern Rock chief executive Adam Applegarth has resigned as a non- executive director of housebuilder Persimmon to 'focus fully' on the problems at Northern Rock. Applegarth, who was paid #50,333 a year at Persimmon, had been on the board...

Trade body chief alleges tourism funding is wasted.(political aspects of tourism promotion)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Government has squandered millions of pounds that should have been spent on tourism and promoting the country, according to trade body UKinbound chief executive Stephen Dowd. Dowd has called for regional development agencies (RDAs) to...

DD Beverages seeks less offensive name after Beaver Buzz warnings.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... DD Beverage Company is being forced to change the name of its energy drink, Beaver Buzz, after retailers warned the company its name would be offensive to UK consumers. It is understood that it is considering a number of other names...

Marketers' confidence wilting according to CIM Marketing Trends Survey.(reports of Chartered Institute of Marketing)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Marketers are feeling less bullish about the future of the economy than they were this time last year and this is squeezing budgets, according to the latest research from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). The report, published...

ASA censures Citroen over emissions claims.
November 1, 2007... Car manufacturer Citroen has been banned by the advertising regulator from claiming that its C4 model produces the "lowest" levels of CO2 in its class. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled the claim made in a television...

Hemingways help RSPCA ad campaign.(Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... RSPCA, the animal welfare charity, is launching a print campaign this month that calls on the public to tell it what animal-related issues they are concerned about. The ads, which show animal paw prints, will ask people to "make their...

Analysis: Debenhams shows signs of revival.(Debenhams PLC)(Financial report)
November 1, 2007... Debenhams' latest sales figures seem to show signs of a revival for the ailing department store chain. In its annual results, published last week, the company's like-for-like sales had improved 2.1% since the start of September and its...

Activision appoints UK and Ireland marketing director.(Activision Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Activision, the US-based videogames publisher, has promoted senior brand manager David Tyler to marketing director for UK and Ireland. He replaces Scott Morrison, who left the company earlier this year (MW July 12). He will be responsible...

Analysis: How can UK tourism be promoted if the budget is slashed?(political aspects of tourism promotion)
November 1, 2007... Culture secretary James Purnell ordered the UK tourism industry to review the way it promotes the country last week, just as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced that it was cutting the budget of tourism body...

Alton Towers takes on marketing head.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Alton Towers has appointed Morwenna Angove as its head of marketing. She takes up her position this week and will report to park general manager Russell Barnes. Angove joins the theme park from Manchester City Council where she was head...

IN BRIEF: PriceRunner appoint digitaltmw.(Pricerunner AB)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Tullo Marshall Warren's interactive arm digitaltmw has been appointed by price comparison site PriceRunner.co.uk to boost customer acquisition and retention in the run-up to Christmas. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: BA looking for digital agency.(marketing of British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... British Airways is understood to be looking for a digital agency to handle the online launch of its business class-only airline next year. The agency will develop the website for the service, which is known only as Project Lauren. ...

IN BRIEF: Isklar looking for ad agency.(marketing of Isklar)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Isklar, a Norwegian water brand, is looking for an advertising agency ahead of its launch in the UK next year. It is understood the brand has started speaking to agencies, but that the review is in its early stages. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: FullSix looking for flotation or management buyout.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... FullSix, the Italian media company recently embroiled in a libel case between WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell and fired former WPP country manager Marco Benatti, is believed to be looking at a flotation or management buyout of its...

IN BRIEF: PepsiCo ad account.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO has been appointed to handle the advertising for the launch of PepsiCo's energy drink Gatorade in UK supermarkets. The agency already holds the pan-European brief for the brand. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

Grey scoops #100m global Fortis account.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Grey EMEA has scooped the #100m global advertising business for Fortis, marking the first time the European banking giant has consolidated its account into one global network. The agency won the business following a final pitch against...

New campaign: Orange puts Home Alone star in the Gold Spot.(advertising of Orange AB)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Mother's latest Gold Spot cinema ad for Orange will feature Macaulay Culkin, the actor who shot to fame as the child star of Home Alone in 1990, appearing as a death row prisoner trying to "reconnect" with humanity. Culkin is seen...

Euro carpet consortium hunts agency for #3m task.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A consortium of pan-European carpet retailers called The Fifth Wall Group is hunting for an agency to handle its #3m advertising business in an attempt to raise its profile. The pitch is being overseen by The Observatory, which has...

Akzo to review its corporate ID after acquisition of ICI.(marketing of Akzo Nobel N.V.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Akzo Nobel, the Dutch chemicals conglomerate, is on the hunt for an advertising agency to handle the multi-million pound global positioning of its corporate brand following its acquisition of ICI, the UK chemicals giant, earlier this year. ...

Hebridean cruise line hands Souk #1.3m integrated brief.(Hebridean International Cruises)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Souk has been appointed to handle the #1.3m integrated account for Hebridean International Cruises. The agency won the business following a pitch against three undisclosed agencies. Souk will develop campaigns for the company's two...

Analysis: Grimmer issues for Hurrell & Dawson.
November 1, 2007... Just as rumours were beginning to circulate that start-up Hurrell & Dawson was in trouble after only a year, the agency announced its creative and media partners to herald the launch of its "full-service" model. Zed Media managing...

3 Chief: 'free calls' Skype phone will put us in line for the big time.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The launch of the new Skypephone, from mobile operator 3, will be a "defining moment" for the brand, according to its marketing director John Penberthy-Smith. The handset allows users to make up to 70 hours of free calls each month using...

Oman Air picks Mediaedge for #2m business.(Mediaedge:cia London and Oman Air)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Mediaedge:cia Manchester has won the #2m media planning and buying brief for national airline Oman Air. It won the business after pitching against a number of undisclosed agencies. It is understood the agency is working on a campaign that...

New campaign: Ad-Air giant banner wins Guinness World Record.(Ad-Air Uk Ltd.)
November 1, 2007... Outdoor company Ad-Air has unveiled the largest banner ad in the world at Dubai International Airport. The ad for Sorouh Real Estate measures more than 20,000 square metres and has been declared by a Guinness World Record adjudicator as...

Intel and MySpace launch music application.
November 1, 2007... Intel, the technology giant, has launched a campaign in collaboration with social networking site MySpace that aims to build on its reputation in music and shed its stuffy image. The chip manufacturer has a sponsored destination page on...

Posters to benefit from proof-of-posting plans.
November 1, 2007... The outdoor advertising industry is boosting the accountability of posters as a medium with two companies launching schemes that offer "real-time" information that will confirm when campaigns are put up. Media owners Clear Channel and JC...

Government introduces social network for older generation.
November 1, 2007... The Government is the latest organisation to embrace the social networking phenomenon with the launch of a dedicated portal aimed at the older generation. The Department for Work and Pensions is trialling a new site -...

IN BRIEF: JupiterResearch publish report.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... JupiterResearch has published a report which shows that a third of online advertisers plan to open social networking profiles in the next year, but less than one-quarter of advertisers using such engagement tactics measure whether users...

IN BRIEF: Guide to dining out in the UK.(Conde Nast Publications Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... GQ, Conde Nast's men's magazine, is launching its first guide to dining out in the UK. The GQ Restaurant Guide, a 60-page glossy supplement, will be available from November 1. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Sunday Times most read.(reports of National Readership Survey )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Sunday Times is the national newspaper readers spend most time reading, according to National Readership Survey (NRS) data. People spend an average of 102 minutes reading the Sunday Times, nearly 15 minutes more than nearest rival The...

IN BRIEF: Real, Smooth and Rock Radio brands to GCap.(Guardian Media Group PLC)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Guardian Media Group Radio has moved the national sales for its Real, Smooth and Rock Radio brands to GCap Media following a review (MW March 8). The contract was previously held by Chrysalis Radio, which has become Global Radio following...

IN BRIEF: GMG to launch environmental website.(Website overview)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Guardian Media Group (GMG) is launching an environmental website, www.guardianecostore.co.uk, selling eco-friendly, organic and fair- trade products. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: ZenithOptimedia appoints Constellation Europe.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... ZenithOptimedia has been appointed by drinks company Constellation Europe to handle its #15m planning and buying account following a final pitch against MediaCom. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

EMAP offers flexible ad slots on City Talk.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... EMAP is offering advertisers a range of "innovative commercial packages" on its new Liverpool talk station, City Talk, that aims to build relationships between clients and the local audience. The service launches in January. The station...

Analysis: Click rates on sponsored search links down.(Google UK Ltd.)(Financial report)
November 1, 2007... Click rates on Google's sponsored links are faltering in the UK for the first time, according to a leading brand owner and sources from two top search marketing agencies. While general searches on Google are thought to be growing,...

Titan launches magazine about Heroes TV show.(Sci-Fi Channel Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The American sci-fi drama Heroes is launching an official magazine that hits the stands on November 15 and will be published every other month. Heroes Magazine will include features on the cast and crew, and a look behind the scenes. The...

Don't shoot the messenger - be watching its every move.(Google UK Ltd.)(Financial report)
November 1, 2007... In this first of a two-parter, Chris Ingram explains why adland has much to learn from the way Google carries on its business In 2003 the internet was the eighth largest medium in the UK, with revenues of #395m. This year internet revenues...

LETTER: Science teachers support Mentos initiative.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I appreciate the appeal to write a juicy headline, but your news item on Mentos (MW October 25) was an undeserved slur of a great resource for secondary school teachers and pupils. Quite the opposite to what was written, there is nothing...

LETTER: Liverpool can open door for regional agencies.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I agree with the sentiment that Liverpool's status as the European City of Culture is a great opportunity for regional agencies to show not just the rest of the UK and beyond what they can do (MW October 25). Liverpool's marketing spend...

LETTER: Take note of feedback to maximise e-returns.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... The promise of millions spent online this Christmas will have many retailers rubbing their hands at the prospect. However, the predicted boom will only materialise if retailers take a more intelligent approach to online shoppers. Using...

LETTER: Advertising not root cause of problems.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... The Audi ad with the health warning (MW September 27) caught my eye, but rather than prick my "green" conscience, I was thinking foot down, 160mph, Clarkson perm and sod the planet. Shame on me. It reminded me of the time I heard the...

LETTER: Direct mail and e-mail are living in harmony.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Another week, another article positioning direct mail and e-mail as head-to-head competitors ("Digital delivery dilemma" MW October 18). Well, no. No doubt the relative use stats for both techniques will continue to fluctuate over the...

VIEWPOINT: Little Britain fails to get the Big Picture.(political aspects of tourism industry )
November 1, 2007... So VisitBritain, the umbrella marketing platform of UK tourism, has failed in its bid to run a global TV advertising campaign whipping up visitor enthusiasm prior to the 2012 Olympics (MW October 18). Whatever next? Will the tourist industry...

GENERIC FINANCIAL ADVICE: Selling saving to the people.(economic aspects of United Kingdom)
November 1, 2007... The key to success for the Government's GFA service will be to raise awareness and provide impartial advice, without recommending particular products, say Robert Lester and Matthew Gorman. But can advertising really convince UK consumers to...

NIKE/UMBRO: Umbro, you will go to the ball.
November 1, 2007... For #285m Nike has in Umbro a direct line to the coveted England team and a wealth of football credentials. For Umbro, this is the leg up to the premier league of sports brands - that is if, once it has given up its booty, it isn't booted...

Putting people-centric metrics first opens the door to big time.
November 1, 2007... The marketer's job is to identify the metrics customers most want to improve and use 'big-time process management' to deliver them Bezos makes many points in this interview. For example, he observes that all his big decisions have taken...

DIGITAL MEDIA: When it comes to digital keyword is still 'integration'.
November 1, 2007... Search is a vital part of online marketing but many of the best-selling keywords are reaping the benefits of offline activity, says Kevin Murphy Agencies that are now "putting digital at the heart" of planning/buying/agency/their...

MENTOS: Riding the geyser.(target marketing of Perfetti van Melle)
November 1, 2007... YouTube is awash with films of the eruptive results when Mentos are mixed with Diet Coke. The confectionery company is hoping the surge will be reflected in its UK sales, says John Reynolds Confectionery giant Perfetti van Melle will be...

CONSUMER INSIGHT: The intuitive insight.(the usage of intuition in business decision making)
November 1, 2007... Just because data and analysis are easier to come by does not mean they should replace 'the inner voice' when making business decisions, says Aidan Bocci In a recent interview, Diageo chief executive officer Paul Walsh said the worst...

CIM MARKETING TRENDS SURVEY: Confidence takes a knock.
November 1, 2007... The latest Chartered Institute of Marketing Trends Survey reveals the battle for budget is one factor behind lower levels of optimism, but the technology and telecoms sectors remain in bullish mood Last autumn, the Chartered Institute of...

MARKET RESEARCH: In search of the killer question.
November 1, 2007... How many questions should an effective questionnaire have? Just the one, which pinpoints the most necessary bit of information, or a range to give the best perspective? Alicia Clegg reports Roger Ivey, director of the Customer Partnership,...

MARKET RESEARCH: Showcase covers hot topics.
November 1, 2007... Billed as Europe's biggest event for buyers and users of market research, Insight 2007 will feature 150 exhibitors and a programme of talks given by leading industry figures. David Benady reports Social networking sites spawned by Web...

SEARCH MARKETING: The great Google rebate debate.
November 1, 2007... Search marketers face a price increase when Google scraps the rebates it gives to big spenders by 2009, a rise that will just help to thicken the lining of Google's pocket. By David Benady Search marketing, long promoted as the most...

Sod provider/consumers call all shots in UK hospitality industry.
November 1, 2007... Modern consumers know their rights and make themselves heard. So when a naked sleepwalker requests a newspaper and gets a towel, expect trouble About 20 years ago, Kingsley Amis wrote a sparkling essay entitled Sod the Public: A...

Ad land on guard as Gov't plots pre-9pm blanket ban.(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Alcohol and food advertising are seen as frontline targets in any prospective statutory restrictions The advertising industry is on its guard against a Government plot to announce a statutory 9pm-watershed, blanket ban on all food and...

Nokia sets up creative wing in bid to become 'most loved'.
November 8, 2007... Nokia is setting up a "creative excellence" division in a bid to become the "most loved and admired, iconic brand" in the world. The Finnish mobile phone giant has promoted Carol Soriano, marketing director for its multimedia unit, to...

Supermarkets deal blow to Gatorade's UK roll-out.
November 8, 2007... PepsiCo has suffered a major blow ahead of its latest attempt to widen Gatorade's distribution in the UK, with two major supermarkets refusing to list the sports drink. One retail insider describes the brand's colour as "too lurid",...

Woolworths to slash Christmas TV spend.(Woolworths Group PLC)(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Woolworths is to shift the bulk of its #25m Christmas advertising spend away from television to its catalogue and online business this year. The retailer has confirmed the move but denies this will lead to an advertising review. The...

New campaign: O2 launches 'friends' tariff.(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... O2 is launching a #4m advertising campaign to promote its new pay-as- you-go tariff, Your O2 Numbers. A television, radio, press and online campaign breaks next week; outdoor activity will follow on November 19. Vallance Carruthers Coleman...

VisitBritain to target Brits with 'culture' push.(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... VisitBritain is launching a campaign to encourage Brits to take part in cultural events and activities that will be held to coincide with the Olympics and Liverpool becoming the European Capital of Culture. The campaign will launch early...

Co-op Farms extends food range grown on UK land.(Co-operative Farms)(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... The Co-operative Farms has extended its food range with the launch of a brand called "Grown by us, Britain's largest farmer". It is planning to launch products and move existing items into the range. The company has launched branded...

Chrysler UK head quits after takeover.(DaimlerChrysler UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Chrysler's UK managing director Peter Lambert is stepping down following the marque's takeover by private equity company Cerberus Capital Management. It is not known whether Lambert, who was promoted to managing director from a marketing...

FSA retail chief warns financial brands to act over customer trust.(Financial Services Authority)(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... The financial services sector has been urged to win back consumer trust before their brands are eroded by customers taking action into their own hands. Financial brands are being harmed by "quick" customer action prompted by lobby...

IN BRIEF: Tesco open first US store.(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Tesco opened its first US store this week in Hemet, near Los Angeles. Tesco is using the brand name "Fresh & Easy" for its US operations and plans to open more stores by the end of the year. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...