Marketing Week articles from September 2007

Marketing Week archives from September 2007

Morrisons appoints Pru man as first board-level marketer.(Morrison Supermarkets)(Prudential)(Angus McIver)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Prudential's top marketer Angus McIver takes on board role to spearhead retailer's #450m overhaul Morrisons has appointed Angus McIver, the UK marketing director at Prudential, to it first board-level marketing role. The position was...

BA unveils Upgrade ads after 'crisis management' delay.
September 6, 2007... British Airways is launching its long-awaited "Upgrade To BA" brand campaign this week following a spate of negative publicity and crisis management for the brand. It is the first major campaign to be created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty...

Nivea ads branded copycats of Dove's 'Real Beauty' campaign.(advertisements)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Beiersdorf UK's attempt to reposition Nivea as a brand that communicates beauty as more than just looks is being criticised as a "rip-off" of rival Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. The #4m advertising push has been branded a "copycat"...

Deutsche Telekom hands brand strategy to Audi man.(Hans-Christian Schwingen appointed)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Deutsche Telekom, the owner of T-Mobile, has appointed former Audi marketer Hans-Christian Schwingen to head a newly created brand strategy and marketing communications unit. It will oversee marketing across all of the company's brands. ...

New campaign: Yakult ad offers a gut view.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Yakult, the probiotic drink, is launching a #2.5m campaign this week featuring computer-generated images of the human gut. The ad travels through a "highly magnified" digestive system to show that good and bad bacteria live there. The...

Volvo unveils breathalyser that can stop you driving.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Volvo is launching a built-in breathalyser that will stop a car from starting if the driver is over the alcohol limit. The system, called Alcoguard, will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week and will be available as an...

Coors Fine Light beer to relaunch with less alcohol.(Coors Brewers Ltd)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Coors Brewer is relaunching Coors Fine Light by reducing the alcohol content in the beer from 5% ABV (alcohol by volume) to 4.5%. The move will be seen as a U-turn because the brand was initially launched in the 4.3% ABV format, but later...

Nike man replaces Patton as European chief at Sony.(David Patton)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Sony has appointed former Nike marketer Ben Moore as its European chief, replacing David Patton, who takes over as Grey UK group chief executive this week. The move reunites Moore with the brand he used to handle as an account man at BMP DDB in...

Goldfish names ex-Lloyds TSB marketer as marketing director.(Martin White)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Goldfish, the credit card brand due to relaunch later this year, has appointed former Lloyds TSB marketer Martin White as marketing director. It follows the departure of Patrick Muir, marketing director of Morgan Stanley Consumer Banking...

IN BRIEF: Gaz de France and Suez agree to merg.(merge)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Gaz de France and Suez have agreed to merge, ending almost 18 months of speculation. The combined gas and electricity operations will create the world's third-largest utility company with a market value of E70bn Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Maggie Gyllenhaal signed.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Agent Provocateur, the lingerie brand, has signed actress Maggie Gyllenhaal to star in its latest viral campaign launching next week. She replaces model Kate Moss. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Hyundai appointment.(Allan Rushforth appointed at Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Hyundai Motor Europe has appointed former Volkswagen and BMW marketer Allan Rushforth as vice-president of sales and marketing. Rushforth will be responsible for improving Hyundai's brand image and increasing market share. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Mars recall.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Mars has recalled packs of Maltesers and Revels after customers found small pieces of rubber inside. Milk Chocolate Maltesers with best before dates between December 16 2007 and January 6 2008 are affected. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Patience Wheatcroft resigns.(Sunday Telegraph)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... The Sunday Telegraph editor Patience Wheatcroft has resigned after 18 months in the role. Wheatcroft, who is thought to be leaving without a job to go to, will be replaced by Ian MacGregor, the Daily Telegraph's deputy editor. ...

IN BRIEF: Sony Ericsson appointment.(Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (USA) Inc.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Sony Ericsson president Miles Flint is leaving the company after three years in the role. Flint will be replaced by Sony's US chairman and vice-president of electronics marketing and sales strategies Hideki Komiyama from November 1. ...

Reckitt Benckiser promotes 'green' dishwasher-use in U-turn campaign.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Reckitt Benckiser has performed yet another U-turn over green issues after launching a campaign for Finish to highlight the environmental benefits of using a dishwasher. It comes after RB chief executive Bart Becht dismissed eco-friendly...

Analysis: The 'surge' in TV gambling ads looks more like a trickle.(political activity of Gordon Brown)
September 6, 2007... The Gambling Act, which lifts restrictions on TV advertising, came into force at the weekend, but the anticipated deluge of activity failed to materialise. Casino operator Aspers claimed a media first by airing an ad during the first...

Gambling charity plans education campaign.(Responsibility in Gambling Trust )(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... The Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) is planning an information cam- paign to educate and advise the public about responsible gambling. The initiative follows the relaxation in advertising rules for gambling companies that came into...

ASA rebukes Avon for false eyelash advertising claims.(Advertising Standards Authority and Avon Products Inc.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has criticised Avon for using false eyelashes to exaggerate the effect of its mascara just weeks after it slammed L'Oreal for the using the same tactic. The regulator challenged the misleading...

Analysis: Is Volvo's latest marketing move just prelude to Ford sale?(AB Volvo)
September 6, 2007... Volvo's latest marketing rejig (MW last week) comes amid a period of uncertainty for the Swedish marque, as rumours persist that Ford is looking to offload the brand after disposing of Jaguar and Land Rover. The speculation leaves Volvo,...

Walkers shuns TV for DM in #3m campaign for SunBites.(Walkers Snack Foods Ltd.)(direct marketiing)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Walkers Snacks is shunning television in favour of a sampling and direct mail campaign that will target health professionals, as well as consumers, for the #3m launch of its new SunBites brand. The wholegrain crisps will be launched on...

IN BRIEF: InterContinental Hotels ad campaign.(advertising campaign)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Out of the Blue Communications has created the first pan-European ad campaign for InterContinental Hotels Group brand Crowne Plaza. The activity includes a partnership with the Financial Times. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Steak Media secures funding.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Steak Media, the digital marketing agency, has secured funding from Beringea, manager of the ProVen VCTs venture capitalist funding group. Steak is the second-largest independent search agency in the UK with a turnover of #14.5m. ...

IN BRIEF: M&C Saatchi extends relationship with Heinz.(H.J. Heinz Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... M&C Saatchi has extended its relationship with Heinz after being appointed to handle the HP Sauce and Lea & Perrins brands on top of its existing Amoy business. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: M&C Saatchi parting company with ITV.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... M&C Saatchi is parting company with ITV after declining to repitch for the broadcaster's #15m advertising account. The review was called by ITV's group marketing director David Pemsel and is being handled by the AAR. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: McCann Erickson tipped to win Tiger Beer.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... McCann Erickson is tipped to win Tiger Beer's #1m advertising account following a three-way pitch against Leagas Delaney and an undisclosed agency. Tiger, which called the review in June (MW June 21), did not previously have a retained UK...

IN BRIEF: COI pitch.(COI Communications)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... COI has started its #10m pitch to create a sensible drinking campaign, as first predicted in Marketing Week (June 21). The 'secret' pitch is expected to be the Government's biggest single push aimed at tackling problem drinking. ...

Thomas Cook moots review of #6m advertising account.(Thomas Cook Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Thomas Cook Group is understood to be in the early stage of a review of its #6m advertising account. It is thought the travel company is in talks with intermediaries with a view to handling the pitch. The new travel company, formed from...

Infiniti picks TBWA for #40m Euro account.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Infiniti, Nissan's luxury marque, has appointed Nissan incumbents TBWA and OMD to handle its #40m pan-European advertising and media planning and buying accounts ahead of its launch in Europe next year. Infiniti has been in talks with...

TBWA seeks general manager as Lindsay starts shake-up.(Tim Lindsay)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... TBWA/London is hunting for a group general manager, just weeks after the arrival of new group chief executive Tim Lindsay. The move is expected to be the first of many changes to be introduced by the new agency chief. The general manager...

Europe beckons for Corporate Edge after sale.(Corporate Edge Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Corporate Edge, the branding agency behind the launch of internet bank Egg and loyalty scheme Nectar, has been bought by Photon Group UK, part of Australian marketing services company Photon Group, for an undisclosed sum. Corporate Edge,...

BDH scoops #12m Nissan retail account.(BDH/TBWA)(Nissan Europe N.V.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Nissan Europe has appointed BDH/TBWA to handle a #12m pan-European brief for the dealership network. The Manchester-based agency will be responsible for running the car- maker's retail marketing operations and for producing integrated...

Analysis: Universal McCann versus Mediaedge:cia.
September 6, 2007... Interpublic-owned Universal McCann could do with a bit of the magic dust that seems to be swirling around rival Mediaedge:cia this year. The pair have enjoyed contrasting fortunes of late. WPP-owned Mediaedge has been riding the crest of a...

Yahoo vice-president Taylor leaves to start up his own consultancy.(Stephen Taylor)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Stephen Taylor, Yahoo! European regional vice-president managing director of search, has become the latest high-profile departure from the search engine giant. It is understood he is planning to launch his own consultancy. His departure...

Soutar free men's weekly seeks ad agency.(advertising agency)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Shortlist, the freesheet being launched by former IPC Media executive Mike Soutar, is looking for an advertising agency for a brand campaign. The men's weekly magazine, which will be launched on September 20, has already entered...

Social networking site Squa.re targets luxury brands.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... A social networking site targeting rich and affluent consumers under 35 years old launches later this month. The site, called Squa.re, is a members-only site offering internet protocol TV and a focus on luxury. The company behind the...

Handbag.com relaunches with new 'glossy' online advertising formats.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Handbag.com, the women's portal, is positioning itself as a "glossy" online with the launch of new advertising formats, as part of the site's relaunch later this month. It will allow advertisers to create full-page ads online. The new...

Camper goes outdoors with first agency ad campaign.(advertising campaign)(Madre Buenos Aires)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Footwear brand Camper is extending its advertising into outdoor for the first time as part of a new communications strategy. The move comes as it appoints Madre Buenos Aires as it first advertising agency. The initiative also marks the...

ING trawls agencies for global ad drive.
September 6, 2007... ING, the Dutch financial services giant, is seeking a London agency to spearhead a global ad campaign aimed at raising its corporate brand. The brief is linked to ING's title sponsorship of the Renault Formula One team, which it uses to...

New Campaign: Harvey Nichols.(Harvey Nichols and Company Ltd)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Harvey Nichols, the upmarket department store, is the latest advertiser to court controversy with a viral campaign on video-sharing site YouTube. The ad, called Foodmarket AW07, promotes the chain's newly refurbished food halls and...

IN BRIEF: Vizeum appointed.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Time Out magazine has appointed Vizeum to handle its planning and buying business following a pitch against incumbent Total Media, Target Media, The Media Shop and BJK&E. Total Media had handled the account for more than 20 years. ...

IN BRIEF: NBC Universal threat.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... NBC Universal has threatened to pull its content from iTunes when its contract ends in December following a pricing dispute with Apple. But the technology giant has hit back, saying it will not sell NBC content on iTunes from this month. ...

IN BRIEF: Adblock Plus launched.(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Firefox has launched a plug-in called Adblock Plus that allows users to visit websites without encountering the Flash, text-based or banner ads that usually accompany free content. It is being seen by many as akin to 'TiVO for the internet'...

IN BRIEF: Paul Jackson quits.(Paul Jackson as managing director at Capital 95.8)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... Virgin Radio chief executive Paul Jackson has quit the station after six years to join Capital 95.8 as managing director. His departure comes just eight months after former Virgin chief executive Fru Hazlitt defected to Capital parent group...

Analysis: Where now for David Elstein?(merging of Sparrowhawk Media Group and NBC Universal)
September 6, 2007... David Elstein, the former Channel Five chief executive, is expected to leave his latest venture, Sparrowhawk Media, following its #175m sale to NBC Universal. The American broadcaster has agreed to acquire Sparrowhawk and its global...

HP junks TV in Europe for global Web 2.0 promo.
September 6, 2007... Hewlett-Packard is shunning TV in Europe, Africa and the Middle East for a #150m global ad campaign to promote its Web 2.0 digital printing capabilities. The EMEA campaign for its digital printing products will be focused on the...

EMAP launches interactive ads for integrated video.(EMAP Advertising)(Microsoft Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2007... EMAP Advertising is launching a technology that will allow interactive advertising to be integrated into online video ads. It is being used to promote Microsoft Xbox game Halo. The patent-pending technology allows spinning logos, banners,...

The future is green, and we had better all take notice.(analysis of environmental sustainability)
September 6, 2007... Media folk who fail to take environmental sustainability into account will be left behind by those who meet consumers' green agenda A few years ago, in one of the most memorable marketing slogans to mark the start of the new millennium,...

LETTER: The exclusive and elite policy of London 2012.(Letter to the editor)
September 6, 2007... The recent announcement by the London Olympic organising committee (Locog) that it is extending sponsorship opportunities at the 2012 London Games is to be welcomed. However, due to the excessive restrictions put in place by the UK...

LETTER: Shift the mix to put e-mail at the core.(Letter to the editor)
September 6, 2007... I agree that direct marketing agencies can't rely on just distributing messages that have been developed for other formats (Quality replaces quantity, MW last week). E-mail marketing requires an entirely different approach that, done right,...

LETTER: F*** the Fopps - give us inspiring retailers.(Letter to the editor)
September 6, 2007... I just don't agree with Mark Blanchard (MW August 23). It's precisely because Fopp hid behind a veneer of "hip taste" that I have such a problem with it. You only have to look at high streets up and down the country to see chains helping...

VIEWPOINT: Throwing out the baby with the bathwater.(laws and rules of marketing communication)
September 6, 2007... As we've made abundantly clear on various occasions, this magazine broadly sympathises with those who are battling against the tide of regulatory fervour now engulfing marketing communications. There comes a point where the curbs are so...

ADVERTISING REGULATION: Turn of the creative screw.
September 6, 2007... The Government is increasingly keen on advertising regulation as a means of controlling social dysfunction. Ironically, constraints can sometimes be a stimulus for creativity, but there is much debate on whether restricting advertising is an...

MARKS & SPENCER: Facing up to the future.(advertising of Marks and Spencer PLC)
September 6, 2007... M&S's recent resurgence has depended heavily on its advertising. But will the new face set to front its Christmas campaign - Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas - take it to the 'next level', and will the in-store merchandise match up to the...

Information arrives on the mass-production line.
September 6, 2007... Web 2.0 has caused an industrial revolution-style change in the way information is shared online, making it more accessible to the masses The danger of the current brouhaha is not that it's all very fascinating (which it is), but that the...

THOMSON HOLIDAYS: The complete package.
September 6, 2007... Thomson Holidays is attempting to position itself as a one-stop shop for the full range of travel products. But how will the brand be affected by the TUI-First Choice merger? asks Rupi Gohlar Last week Thomson Holidays rolled out the...

SPORTS SPONSORSHIP: A sporting chance.
September 6, 2007... The preparations of teams before major sporting events serve as examples for marketers heading into sponsorship negotiations, says Patrick Mitchell Big sporting occasions, such as the Rugby World Cup kicking off next week, inevitably...

SPORTS SPONSORSHIP: Lagging behind the media.
September 6, 2007... Sports sponsorship is still measured largely in terms of fans' TV consumption. However, new media and other traditional platforms, such as press and radio, play an important role for sports followers The Rugby World Cup is arguably the...

MARKET RESEARCH: As easy as putting in a plug?(analysis of product placement)
September 6, 2007... With product placement in UK television programmes becoming a likely prospect, brand owners should look to their American cousins and study the research before jumping in, warns Alicia Clegg There was a time when the characters in ad...

SEARCH MARKETING: Up against the chattering masses.(marketing of online social networks)
September 6, 2007... Employees may be banned from them but there's no stopping the force of social networking sites, or their 'brand chatter', but search can be a valuable aid to beat the negative PR. By Nathalie Kilby Everybody, it seems, is gripped by...

A once great British tradition fails to bloom after HP moves overseas.(HP Sauce)
September 6, 2007... Some will tell you that it was inevitable, but left in the hands of foreign workers production of our country's beloved HP Sauce has trickled away What strange forces could have caused the crisis of which I write? Have the wells of malt...

Bacardi enlists The Red Baron for global drink-driving push.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Bacardi mirrors Diageo move by appointing F1's Michael Schumacher for sensible drinking campaign Bacardi has drafted in Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher to become its global brand ambassador for promoting sensible drinking...

Mars to revive 'Work, rest and play' slogan.(Mars UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Confectionery giant Mars is resurrecting its iconic "Work, Rest and Play" strapline ten years after it was scrapped. The updated version - "Work. Rest. Play Longer" - is understood to be part of a campaign to position Mars as a brand that...

Coke plots 'Sprite with ice' with help of new technology.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Coca-Cola is considering the launch of revolutionary new packaging that will create ice inside a soft drink when it is opened. It is understood it is planning to use the technology to launch a "super cold" variant of Sprite that aims to...

Porsche gives marketing strategy a greener focus.
September 13, 2007... Porsche is overhauling its marketing strategy to focus on the environment and could launch hybrid versions of all its high- performance cars. The news comes as the German marque unveils a hybrid Cayenne SUV at the Frankfurt Motorshow that...

Carlsberg targets home drinkers.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Carlsberg is launching a home beer-dispensing unit to cash in on the growing trend of take-home beer. The DraughtMaster will be launched later this month. The beer brand claims the unit can deliver a "cooler pint with the perfect head"...

New campaign: Renault goes against grain with Twingo campaign.
September 13, 2007... Renault is launching its biggest advertising push of the year so far to mark the UK launch of its Twingo model. The #3m campaign has been created by Publicis. The outdoor, radio, press and digital campaign, which breaks this week, aims...

Bratz brand to be given hi-tech-style makeover.(Bratz video games)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... MGA Entertainment has announced a raft of new Bratz-branded products based around technology as it seeks to reinvigorate sales and consumer interest in the UK. MGA is launching new Bratz video games, and is also ramping up its efforts...

Watchdog: npower ads did not mislead.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Eon-owned Powergen has been dealt another blow in its continuing battle with rival energy provider npower after having a complaint against npower rejected by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Last month RWE-owned npower admitted...

Ex-AirMiles chief moves to RBS.(RBS Insurance)(Nigel Grimes)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... RBS Insurance is poised to appoint former AirMiles marketer Nigel Grimes to the new new role of customer insight director. The Royal Bank of Scotland-owned division, which houses the insurance brands Direct Line, Churchill and Privilege,...

IN BRIEF: Oral-B launching initiative.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Oral-B is launching an initiative to educate nursery children and their parents on how to look after their teeth. It has teamed up with dentist and founder of Stop the Rot campaign, Graham Wilding, to provide nurseries with tools and...

IN BRIEF: Pfizer job losses.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Pfizer is shedding 420 jobs in the UK as part of a major restructure. The Viagra manufacturer has decided to shut down its remaining plant in the UK. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: JJB Sports results.(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... JJB Sports has warned its six-month profits will be around 30% lower than forecast. The retailer expects to report pre-tax profits of #8m to July 29, down from the #11.5m it initially expected. The company has blamed the fall on a sharp drop...

IN BRIEF: GSK rebuff calls from investors.(GlaxoSmithKline PLC)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier has rebuffed calls from investors that the UK pharmaceutical company should sell off its consumer business. Garnier says brands such as Lucozade and Ribena are a fast growing part of the...

IN BRIEF: OFT could drop test case over bank charges.(Office of Fair Trading )(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) could drop next year's High Court test case over bank overdraft charges, according to reports. The court is due to decide next year whether the OFT has the power to rule that bank overdraft fees are unfair....

PEOPLE: Foolproof.(Tim Loo appointed)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Foolproof, the usability and accessibility agency, has appointed Tim Loo as managing director. Loo's appointment is part of a restructure, focusing on building the consultancy side of the business and expanding its international presence....

PEOPLE: Asos.(Hash Ladha appointed)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Asos, the online fashion retailer, has appointed former New Look marketing director Hash Ladha as its first marketing director. Until now, chief executive Nick Robertson had been in charge of marketing. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

PEOPLE: TBL Marketing.(Bob Warman appointed)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... TBL Marketing, the Midlands-based advertising agency, has appointed ITV Central Tonight presenter Bob Warman as its chairman. TBL's clients include Michelin and Everards Brewery. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

PEOPLE: EMI Music Publishing.(Jonathan Channon appointed)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... EMI Music Publishing has promoted film and television director Jonathan Channon to executive vice-president of media and development. He will head the newly created media department and focus on building ties with film, TV and new digital...

PEOPLE: Chrysler.(Jim Press )(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Toyota marketer Jim Press is joining Chrysler as vice-chairman and president responsible for global marketing, product strategy and service. He is the second Toyota executive to join Chrysler in two weeks following Deborah Wahl Meyer's...

PEOPLE: PepsiCo.(Jenni Dill appointed)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... PepsiCo has appointed Gatorade marketing director Jenni Dill as UK and Ireland marketing director for its juice brands. Dill replaces Will Ghali, who has joined Cobra Beer as marketing director. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

Capital One launches World card to target UK's affluent.
September 13, 2007... Capital One is planning to tap into the "mass affluent" market with a new World Mastercard, as part of a strategy to reposition the company as a financial services provider that offers more than cards with 0% transfer rates. It is the...

Cashcade enlists Russell Grant for new bingo game.(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Cashcade has signed up astrologer Russell Grant as the face of a new game for its online Foxy Bingo brand - Russell's Lucky Stars! - which will launch in the next two weeks. The game is a cross between bingo and a lottery where players...

Toyota appoints head marketer for financial arm.(James Starling appointed)(Brief article)
September 13, 2007... Toyota GB has appointed former Ford and Renault marketer James Starling to the new role of sales and marketing director for its financial services division. Starling, who joins the Japanese car marque from vehicle management company...