Marketing Week articles from September 2008

Marketing Week archives from September 2008

Government sets up secret 'junk food' ad investigation.
September 4, 2008... McDonald's in the firing line of the Department of Health and Ofcom's clandestine food ad review The Department of Health (DoH) has ordered a secret investigation of "junk food" advertising over fears that the restrictions introduced...

Cadbury reduces support for 'sharing' lines after sales dip.(Cadbury Beverages Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Cadbury is understood to be reducing support for its range of sharing products, including Snaps and Cadbury Melts, after they failed to make an impact with consumers. It is understood the confectionery manufacturer will now focus its support...

Ralph Lauren to launch #2,000 women's perfume.
September 4, 2008... Ralph Lauren is launching a "super premium" perfume that will cost #2,000 a bottle. Love, which will be launched in Harrods in October, comes in a gold-plated bottle. The fragrance is aimed at women aged 25 years old and over with "high...

EasyJet brand head Simmons moves on.(easyJet Airline Company Ltd.)(Paul Simmons)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Paul Simmons, head of brand marketing at easyJet, is leaving the budget airline. It is understood that Simmons has a new job in Dubai, but it is unclear what it is. It is not clear whether the airline is seeking a replacement for Simmons...

New campaign: Mum's the word for Nutella.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Nutella, the Ferrero-owned brand, is launching a new burst of its "Wake up to Nutella", which aims to promote the hazelnut spread to mothers as a breakfast option. The ads, which have been created by Krow, show a group of mums in their...

Orange raises Morris to top DM role after team merger.(direct marketing)(Jeremy Morris)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Orange has promoted Jeremy Morris to the new role of head of direct marketing. He will take on the role from today (September 3) and will report to Orange UK brand director Justin Billingsley. The appointment follows the integration of...

Theakston brewery to branch out into beauty.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Independent brewer T&R Theakston is extending into beauty products. The real ale brewer has developed a hops-based soap that will be launched with a campaign to find the UK's grubbiest television soap stars. Theakston Olive Oil...

Motorola appoints ex-BT Vision man as marketer.
September 4, 2008... Motorola has appointed former BT Vision sales director Simon Collinson as director of marketing strategy for Europe, Middle East and Africa. The move comes as the company boosts its marketing team with up to 15 new roles. Collinson's...

Metro Bank moots 'drive-thru' branches to attract consumers.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Metro Bank, the soon-to-launch London bank, is understood to be considering opening "drive-thru" branches as part of its "consumer- friendly" approach. The bank is being set up by Financial Services Forum chief executive Anthony Thomson...

IN BRIEF: Marketing director of Phones4U is leaving.(Jim Slater)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Phones4U marketing director Jim Slater is leaving the company after four years in the role. The mobile retailer is seeking a replacement for Slater, who took over from Paul Hamburger in 2004. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Random House appointment.(appointment of Maureen Corish )(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Random House has appointed Bauer Media communications director Maureen Corish as group communications director, responsible for areas including digital, corporate affairs and corporate responsibility. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

IN BRIEF: Mike Hoban leaving Scottish Widows.(Scottish Widow's Fund and Life Assurance Society)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Scottish Widows customer and brand marketing director Mike Hoban is leaving the Lloyds TSB-owned brand after three years. Managing director of marketing and distribution Andy Briggs will oversee the role until it is filled. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Alcatel-Lucent appointment.(appointment of Ben Verwaayen )(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Alcatel-Lucent, the struggling telecoms company, has appointed former BT Group chief executive Ben Verwaayen in the same role just five months after he stood down at BT. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Coors Brewers raising prices.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Coors Brewers, the UK's second largest brewer, is raising prices for the second time this year. It has written to its on- and off-trade customers notifying them of a 3p-a-pint price hike from September 29. A 4p-a-pint uplift for on-trade was...

IN BRIEF: Virgin Atlantic confirms interest in Gatwick Airport.(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Virgin Atlantic has confirmed its interest in being part of a consortium to buy Gatwick Airport. The news comes two weeks after the Competition Commission said in an interim ruling that BAA may have to sell three of its UK airports. ...

ASA bans 'irresponsible' Reader's Digest mailing.(Advertising Standards Authority)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... The Advertising Standards Authority has censured Reader's Digest for an "irresponsible" prize-draw mailshot, which urged recipients to keep the mailing private to avoid neighbours getting "jealous". The ASA investigated the mailing,...

O2 scraps head of brand innovation role after exit.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Mobile operator O2 has scrapped the role of head of brand innovation, following the departure of Susie Moore on maternity leave. Moore was appointed to the role in March and was responsible for brand innovation across O2's parent group...

Analysis: Will Persil's fragrance innovation refresh the brand?
September 4, 2008... That Unilever is extending flagship laundry brand Persil with a fragranced sub-brand (MW last week) highlights the struggle manufacturers face to add meaningful value in a fiercely competitive sector. The move also confirms that it is...

Marmite fans invited to join in Facebook competition.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Unilever is hoping to encourage consumers to use Marmite as an ingredient in cooking with the launch of a new Facebook competition. It is inviting consumers to submit ideas to its Facebook fan page, and the winner will have their recipe...

Imperial Leather skincare range targets fashion fans.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... PZ Cussons is launching a premium range of body washes under its Imperial Leather brand. The sub-brand is aimed at younger, more fashionable consumers. The Imperial Leather Skinbliss Shower Lotion range will be available later this month...

Analysis: Can Metro Bank inject dynamism into UK banking?
September 4, 2008... At a time when the UK banking sector is in retreat, launching a new bank brand and branch network could be seen as audacious at best, foolhardy at worst. But Anthony Thomson, chief executive of trade marketing body Financial Services Forum, and...

Loewy enters 'strategic alliance' with Brandpool.(Brandpool acquired Loewy)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Brandpool, the marketing communications agency, has been acquired by independent marketing services group, Loewy. The agency will retain its name and will continue to be run by John McWilliams, the former managing director of Arc...

Sold Out wins #10m Live Nation account.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Live Nation, the concert promoter behind Madonna and Jay-Z, has reappointed Sold Out Advertising to handle its #10m UK media planning and buying account. The agency pitched with OMD Group to win the business in a pitch against Carat,...

New campaign: Football legend kick-starts Actimel campaign.(RKCR/Y&R)(Danone Actimel)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... RKCR/Y&R is launching a TV campaign for Danone Actimel, starring football legend Sir Bobby Charlton. The TV ad, which was filmed in Manchester, shows Sir Bobby playing football and sharing skills with a group of young fans. It will break...

IN BRIEF: Christian Aid campaign.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Mike Colling & Co has been appointed to handle Christian Aid's media planning and buying for a DRTV campaign. The agency will work with Watson Phillips & Norman as part of campaign to double the charity's committed givers. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Autumn campaign for smartnewhomes.com.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Golley Slater has created an autumn campaign for Trinity Mirror website smartnewhomes.com. Print ads will carry the strapline "The smarter way to buy a new home". Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: BT.com marketing communications business.(Crayon)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Crayon, the digital strategic and advertising agency, has won the UK digital marketing communications business for BT.com. The account is worth an estimated #2m and will run for two years. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Nationwide Insurance ad account.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Karmarama has won the advertising account for Nationwide Insurance after pitching against Designate and Tangible Financial. The review was called by Liverpool Victoria, which has signed a five-year deal with Nationwide Building Society to...

IN BRIEF: Freesat ad account.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Farm Communications has won the #5m advertising account for Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite television service created by the BBC and ITV. The review was overseen by brand marketing and communications director Will Abbott. ...

IN BRIEF: Stolichnaya global ad account.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Ogilvy & Mather New York has won the global advertising account for SPI Group vodka brand Stolichnaya after pitching against McCann Erickson. Publicis was incumbent on the account. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Touch DDB wins Organix and charity group accounts.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Touch DDB is understood to have won the integrated accounts for Organix, the baby food brand, and charity consortium, Remember a Charity. The agency won the #4m Remember a Charity account following a pitch against a number of agencies,...

Analysis: High-profile account losses rock VCCP.
September 4, 2008... Vallance Coleman Carruthers Priest (VCCP) took a blow last week when Coca-Cola handed Mother the #35m pan-European business for Diet Coke. Other significant losses, particularly the #10m ING Direct business going to Beattie McGuinness...

Direct marketing industry gains independent regulator.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... An independent regulator for the direct marketing industry is launching this week. The Direct Marketing Commission (DMC) will "spearhead" an industry drive to be more "proactive and robust" with self-regulation. The DMC, which launches...

Non-Olympic sports lose out on major sponsorship.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Interest in the Olympics is preventing events such as the Derby and Cowes Week from securing sponsors. It is understood that a number of key sporting events are struggling to find brands to take up sponsorship opportunities. The Lawn...

Posterscope scoops #42m tobacco brief.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Kinetic, the poster specialist 50% owned by WPP Group, is understood to have lost the #42m account for tobacco giant Philip Morris in Germany to rival Posterscope. It is understood the loss will be a further blow to the outdoor company,...

New campaign: Sky Sports promotes Ryder Cup coverage.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Sky Sports is running a multi-platform campaign across TV, online and press to promote its coverage of the Ryder Cup. The ads demonstrate the campaign's "Europe United" theme through footage of all 12 European Ryder cup team players'...

IN BRIEF: MTV Networks to launch H-D music channel.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... MTV Networks International plans to launch a high-definition music channel in the UK before the end of the year. It will launch an HD version of MTV in several European markets this month. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: Bebo appointment.(appointment of Nicole Vanderbilt)(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Bebo has appointed Nicole Vanderbilt, former head of industry marketing at Google, as its head of international expansion. Based in London, Vanderbilt will drive Bebo's business and membership internationally. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Battlefront campaign.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Channel 4 and AOL-owned social networking website Bebo have created campaigning project Battlefront aimed at inspiring teenagers to use the Web 'as a canvas for social change'. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Taylor Nelson Sofres again rejects WPP bid.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Taylor Nelson Sofres, the market research company, has repeated its rejection of WPP's #1.1bn bid. It calls the 8.6% take-up of TNS shares 'a low level of acceptance'. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: News Magazine division to close.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... News Magazines chief executive Camilla Rhodes has left News International following the decision to close the News Magazines division three years after its launch. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Google to launch open source web browser.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Google is launching an open source web browser to compete with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla-owned Firefox. The company has released a beta version of Google Chrome for Windows.See Leader, page 15 Copyright: Centaur...

The7Stars and Crayon win Ratedpeople task.(The7Stars and digital agency Crayon have been appointed by tradesman website Ratedpeople.com )(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... The7Stars and digital agency Crayon have been appointed by tradesman website Ratedpeople.com ahead of a relaunch. It is not clear if the agencies pitched for the business. The7Stars will handle the media planning and buying communications...

Analysis: Novel approach keeps Penguin ahead of the game.
September 4, 2008... Book publisher Penguin's Darwinian approach to developing its business in a sector steadfastly regarded as traditional has put it at the forefront of digital innovation. Its latest project is a tie-up with online dating agency Match.com...

Times launches fee-based web and mobile services.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Times Media plans to increase revenue from its website and mobile platform by launching more transactional services. The publisher's focus on digital also includes launching a site specifically designed for the Apple iPhone, and the...

In a credit crunch, there's more to life than x-factor and gossip.
September 4, 2008... As belts are being tightened, consumers are dropping celeb magazines in favour of knowledge that could help them fulfil their personal dreams However, just as war, terrible though it is, can accelerate technology, an economic downturn...

LETTER: Your report of M&S's demise is premature.(Letter to the editor)
September 4, 2008... Iain Murray needs to get out more (MW last week). If he did, he might notice that Marks & Spencer is alive and kicking and posted annual profits of over #1bn in May. If Iain visited one of our stores, he'd see that our food is all about...

LETTER: Good customer service starts at the very top.(Letter to the editor)
September 4, 2008... Customer service may be crucial (MW August 14), but the continued decline in what was one of the added value "musts" has to be laid firmly at the door of marketers because any tool that can increase overall business must be, at least in part,...

LETTER: CPA is driving force behind online growth.(Letter to the editor)
September 4, 2008... I stared with incredulity at Mike Teasdale's comment that "cost per action is an unreliable way to allocate budgets" (MW last week). That's rather like saying a cash register is an unreliable way to measure a shop's takings. CPA is the...

VIEWPOINT: Google tanks park on Microsoft's lawn.(Viewpoint essay)
September 4, 2008... What's in a new internet browser launch these days? Well quite a lot when its sponsor is Google, which has been in heavy denial on the subject during the two years of development. At first sight, browsers are yesterday's war, resoundingly...

NESTLE: Fresh twist on innovation.
September 4, 2008... Nestle's decision to pull its Boosted Smoothie brand - the first product to come out of the company's UK innovation unit - has focused attention on the failures of global corporations to keep abreast of the modern consumer trend towards...

NESTLE: Smoothie gets rough ride.
September 4, 2008... News that the future of Boosted Smoothies, a joint venture between Nestle and Boost Juice Bars, is in doubt just four months after launch (MW August 28) has surprised many observers. The brand entered a market that was already enjoying the...

4DIGITAL: The sound of silence.(4Digital )
September 4, 2008... It is a year since Channel 4 bought the rights to launch digital radio channels, but no new stations have emerged and there's nothing more concrete than talks with Global Radio. Do GCap's retreat and the Culture Department's review of DAB...

Research revolution will put powers of persuasion to test.
September 4, 2008... Marketers face a challenge if the consumer value of the different types of choice architecture they provide comes under greater scrutiny Imagine you're trying to sell a TV. You place two TVs next to each other, one slightly more expensive...

FACEBOOK: Balancing the book.
September 4, 2008... Despite being the world's leading social networking site, Facebook's earnings do not match its popularity. Could new ad platforms and UK marketing expansion boost profits? By Joe Fernandez Facebook has 100 million users worldwide, a...

VIDEO GAME MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES: Getting in on the game.
September 4, 2008... Marketers have been reluctant when it comes to using video games as advertising platforms. But with the number of playings increasing, opportunities to reach a large audience are following suit Marketers have traditionally shied away from...

CUSTOMER LOYALTY: In pursuit of satisfaction.
September 4, 2008... The reluctance of UK brand owners to listen to their customers or adopt a proactive approach to dealing with complaints is having a detrimental effect on consumer loyalty. Daney Parker reports It should be at the heart of any business -...

CUSTOMER LOYALTY: Researching reasons for loyalty.(Brief article)
September 4, 2008... Loyalty is as much about what your customers do, as how they feel. The best bet is therefore to use a measure which encompasses both behaviour and attitudes. In our experience, this will be a better predictor of whether or not a customer...

CUSTOMER LOYALTY: Customer satisfaction complaints and loyalty: evidence.
September 4, 2008... According to the latest Annual Service in Britain Survey, there are fewer consumers complaining for the third successive year. The 2008 report shows a fall in the number of consumers complaining at all for the third successive year, down to 70%...

CUSTOMER LOYALTY: LOYALTY CASE STUDIES.
September 4, 2008... Stephen Dunk, commercial director, Travelzoo (Europe) With 12 million subscribers in 12 markets from China to the UK, Travelzoo has one of the largest and fastest growing audiences in the world. In the UK, Travelzoo has 1 million...

Only a PR girl's makeover of Brown can make Britain a brighter place.
September 4, 2008... If Gordy would just call on the expertise of the PR girls and show us his smiley, cuddly side, we'd see both him and the bleak economy in a much rosier light With the slavering jaws of recession snapping at our heels, it is strangely...

Nationwide's Sutherland steps down over marketing rethink.(appointment of John Sutherland)(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Marketing director fails to secure new board-level role sparked by Nationwide takeover activity Nationwide sales and marketing director John Sutherland is stepping down from his role following the building society's decision to bring in a...

DoH obesity initiative boss Brent quits to join BSkyB.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Former Boots marketer Andy Brent has left the Department of Health after just five months as director of its #75m obesity initiative. He has joined BSkyB as group brand marketing director. His departure from the DoH after such a short...

Locog plots outlets to sell London 2012-themed goods.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... The Organising Committee of the London 2012 Olympic Games (Locog) is planning to open branded retail outlets where it will sell licensed products, as part of its strategy for the sale of merchandising rights to London 2012. The sale of...

Car firms to focus on green features.
September 11, 2008... Leading car manufacturers are set to use next month's Paris motor show to put a spotlight on new hybrid and low-carbon models. As fuel bills continue to rise for drivers, the leading car brands say their future marketing and advertising...

New campaign: Online push for Living highlights.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Living TV is launching a brand campaign ahead of its new autumn season as it gets ready to launch a series of new shows, including the new series of Grey's Anatomy, Dirty Dancing season two, America's Next Top Model and Lipstick Jungle. ...

Nestle to roll out bite-size extension of Toffee Crisp.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Nestle is extending the Toffee Crisp brand with the launch of a bite- size product, due to launch later this autumn. It will be positioned as a "sharing" product and will target the female market. It is understood it will be launched in a...

TUI Travel set for Christmas repositioning of key brands.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... TUI Travel is planning a major repositioning of its flagship Thomson and First Choice brands at the end of the year to coincide with the Christmas season. While the leisure travel group will not reveal specific details of what the...

Stella no longer to be available in NUS bars.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... The National Union of Students has delisted Inbev-owned Stella Artois in its bars, months after the lager was given a similar snub by the Young's Pub Company. It is understood that the lager was previously available in over 100 NUS...

Unilever to launch luxury fragranced Comfort range.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Unilever is plotting a range of strongly-fragranced luxury variants for its Comfort fabric conditioner in 2009. It intends to attack head on Procter & Gamble's Lenor Infusions line, which launched earlier this year. Comfort is aiming to...

IN BRIEF: Darling call to help people struggling with their bill.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Chancellor Alistair Darling has reiterated his call for energy companies to do more to help people struggling with their bills. Darling, speaking at a trade union conference this week, also pledges that the Government will do more. ...

IN BRIEF: Airlines urge Government to review ban on liquids.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... BAA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are among the travel companies urging the Government to review the ban on carrying large amounts of liquids in hand luggage. It follows the liquid bomb trial, which ended this week, in which the jury...

IN BRIEF: Retail sales fall again.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... British Retail Consortium data released this week shows retail sales fell for the third consecutive month in August, as wet weather kept shoppers away from the high street. Like-for-like sales in August were 1% lower than last year. ...

IN BRIEF: Paul Donovan to leave Vodafone.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Vodafone chief executive of emerging markets Paul Donovan is leaving the mobile operator following a restructure. Donovan, the former commercial marketing director will leave in January and his role split into two. Michel Combes becomes...

Camelot sees Lotto draw sales plummet by #105m.(Camelot Group PLC financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Sales of Lotto, the twice-weekly National Lottery draw and the UK's biggest grocery brand, have slumped to their lowest level this decade, sliding #105m in the year to April 1, 2008. New figures from The National Lottery Commission show...

Analysis: Odell to steer Volvo in new direction.
September 11, 2008... Stephen Odell, incoming president and chief executive at Volvo Car Corporation, will inherit a company that by many accounts has lost its focus. Odell, a former marketer and currently chief operating officer at Ford, has been charged with...

Liqueur to add coffee extension.(Grand Marnier)(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Liqueur brand Grand Marnier is launching a coffee-based drink, called Grand Cafe, in line with its strategy to be a drink for all seasons, not just for Christmas. Grand Cafe is a 25ml serving of Grand Marnier added to coffee and topped...

ASA bans 'cheaper than John Lewis' B&Q press ad.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... B&Q has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority for a press ad that claimed a light could be bought at the retailer for #50 less than at John Lewis. Under the headline "Why pay more?" it showed a brushed chrome ceiling...

Analysis: A Motorola comeback will take more than talking the talk.
September 11, 2008... Handset manufacturer Motorola is beefing up its marketing team with up to 15 new roles as it attempts to reverse its fortunes with a "product- led recovery". But some question whether Motorola, which in July 2005 claimed its Razr V3 was...

'Refill' innovation i-clean to shake up household cleaning.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... McBride, the supplier of own-label goods for many of Europe's largest retailers, is aiming to shake up the household cleaning category with the launch of i-clean, a soluble refill pod. The pod is placed in a water-filled trigger bottle...

Initiative UK faces loss of #80m account as Tesco launches review.(Initiative Media London)(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Tesco is understood to be preparing to review its estimated #80m media planning and buying account, currently with Initiative UK. The move could prove to be a blow to the Interpublic Group-owned agency, which has held the business for over...

Private healthcare brand hands DHM #5m account.(Dye Holloway Murray)(BMI Healthcare)(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... BMI Healthcare is understood to have moved its #5m advertising business out of WFCA into Dye Holloway Murray (DHM) without a pitch. The decision comes just six months after the healthcare brand appointed WFCA as its integrated agency. ...

TBG London gets #3m easyCar digital brief.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... Online car hire brand easyCar has appointed TBG London to its #3m UK digital business. The brief includes advertising and media planning and buying responsibilities. The digital agency won the account after a competitive pitch against...

DraftFCB will orchestrate Pepsi Raw's retail launch.(Brief article)
September 11, 2008... DraftFCB is understood to be working on a brief to launch Pepsi Raw, the premium "natural" cola from PepsiCo, into retail outlets. It is thought the brief revolves around building buzz and word-of-mouth marketing for the brand, with a...