New Media Age articles from July 2005

New Media Age archives from July 2005

Pepsi kicks off global mobile strategy with Channel 4 show.
July 7, 2005... Soft drinks giant Pepsi has unveiled a global mobile strategy for the first time, to be launched in multiple territories this summer. The strategy will see the mobile Internet taking a key role, with a WAP portal forming the lynchpin of...

Interactive jobs go in BSkyB shake-up.
July 7, 2005... Staff at Sky Interactive are facing redundancy as part of a wide- ranging operational restructure to reduce overheads at the BSkyB subsidiary. Jobs are likely to be axed from the satellite broadcaster's iTV advertising and enhanced TV...

Operators crack down on content services.
July 7, 2005... The UK's mobile operators have launched the most prescriptive regulations to date on mobile content services in a final attempt to crack down on the ongoing controversy surrounding mobile content. The latest regulations, which will for the...

Danish Bacon uses viral ad to attract target market.
July 7, 2005... The Danish Bacon and Meat Council (DBMC) has kicked off its first ever online ad campaign in a bid to raise brand awareness for Danish bacon among its key target audience of young affluent males. The company is currently running an...

Diageo runs Smirnoff SMS competition.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Diageo is offering consumers the chance to win a trip to New York via an SMS promotion that sits at the heart of its new marketing campaign for Smirnoff Appleback, a cocktail combining the Smirnoff vodka with ginger ale and apple juice. ...

Top Gear revamps Web site to integrate with TV programme.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The BBC's flagship motoring show Top Gear has revamped its online home to more closely integrate content with the TV show and magazine. Set to go live on 18 July, a key focus of the new Web site will be on providing breaking news, while...

Ford puts more focus on Web marketing.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Car manufacturer Ford is rolling out a major retail marketing campaign after doubling the amount it plans to spend on the Web this year. The Ford 'Summer of love' campaign uses 'flower power' animation in skyscrapers, banners and MPUs to...

HomeChoice's TV-on-demand service hit by faulty hardware.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Plans to expand the HomeChoice TV-on-demand service have suffered a setback after thousands of its set-top boxes were discovered to be faulty. Parent company Video Networks is being forced to replace thousands of its digital TV and...

Match Day Media to offer live mobile entertainment.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Football stadium network Match Day Media is launching a range of interactive mobile applications to extend its entertainment proposition. Football fans will this season be able to interact with TV channels via both SMS and MMS. Match...

Channel 4 draws up agency shortlist to run digital account.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Channel 4 has drawn up a shortlist of four agencies for its digital media account as it embarks on a multi-million pound expansion onto broadband and mobile platforms. After the boradcaster sent out a brief to a range of agencies earlier...

Damian Burns quits Zed Media for Google.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Zed Media, Zenith Optimedia's digital and direct arm, is on the hunt for a new head for its digital team following news that head of digital Damian Burns is leaving to take on a new European role at Google. Burns, who has been at Zed for...

BREAKING: BA says Agency.com is safe from ad review.
July 7, 2005... British Airways has confirmed that the review of its global advertising account won't impact its relationship with digital agency Agency.com. A spokesperson said the airline is only reviewing its #30m global above- the-line account, which has...

BREAKING: Starcom head leaves to set up own venture.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Jeremy Hill, head of digital at Starcom MediaVest, is leaving next week to start up a new online media venture with Henry Stoakes, account director at MindShare's digital arm mOne. The new venture, Buy 3 Cows, will set up a series of...

BREAKING: ITV creates viral game to push children's show.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... ITV has created a viral game to promote its new children's programme King Arthur's Disasters to online audiences. Developed with support from Tangozebra, the game sees key characters from the show attempt to take on challenges as they...

BREAKING: Toyota Avensis sponsors England cricket site.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Toyota Avensis is to become the headline sponsor of the England Cricket Board's (ECB) official Web site. The deal, brokered by digital sports agency Aura Sports and Zed Media, will see an ad for the Toyota Avensis appear at the top of every...

IN BRIEF: Retailers report growing brand awareness online.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Retailers are boosting their online presence, according to a report by price-comparison site Pricerunner. The findings show that Argos has the highest brand awareness (99%) among UK consumers shopping online, an increase of 10% since the...

IN BRIEF: Eurogamer promotes mobile B2B site in press.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Eurogamer, the consumer portal that provides gaming content to Yahoo! UK, is embarking on an email and press campaign to highlight the launch of its dedicated mobile games B2B site MobileIndustry.biz this month. Newly appointed email...

IN BRIEF: DNA takes over NSPCC account from Agency.com.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The NSPCC has appointed digital house DNA to handle its online activity after the agency beat off ten other pitches. Agency.com previously held the NSPCC account but didn't bid again for the work. DNA will begin working on the charity's...

IN BRIEF: Neutralize to improve Square Meal's visibility.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... London restaurant guide Square Meal has signed up search engine marketing agency Neutralize to improve the visibility of its Web site. Neutralize will work with Aardvark, which originally designed squaremeal.co.uk, to optimise the site to...

HSBC tests online for branding with travel advice microsite.
July 7, 2005... HSBC is running its first key brand push online, with the launch of a microsite aimed at business and leisure travellers. The site - which has been created by JWT agency RMG Connect and launches this week - provides practical information...

Tribal DDB inherits technical team from restructured Billco.
July 7, 2005... Omnicom digital agency Tribal DDB has boosted its technical capabilities by acquiring a ten-strong technology team from sister firm Billco Technology. The move is part of a strategy by Tribal to provide more innovative creative offerings...

Eurostar begins part two of online promo.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Eurostar is this week running the second part of a two-pronged Internet marketing blitz to complement its current above-the-line ad activity. The campaign, designed by digital agency Glue, features the rail operator's new strapline 'You...

Sony PlayStation signs up sponsors for video bloggers.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Sony PlayStation is lining up four online media partners to support its video blogging campaign. The company has already signed deals with Channel 4, FHM and NME, and is near to closing one other, each of which will support one of Sony...

BBC Three premieres comedy series on broadband Internet.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... BBC Three is to become the first UK channel to broadcast its programmes on the Internet before they're shown on TV, part of a strategy to make more of its content available on demand. The broadcaster plans to stream the new series of...

Mycokemusic.com chief departs to set up own agency.(Rafael McDonnell left Coca-Cola Great Britain)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Rafael McDonnell, the executive behind Coca-Cola's award-winning Mycokemusic, has quit to start his own entertainment brand marketing company. As head of strategic marketing alliances for Coca-Cola Great Britain, McDonnell helped set up...

O2 Music offers original tracks in phone download exclusive.(contract with Andy Cato from Groove Armada)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... O2 Music has joined forces with Andy Cato of dance group Groove Armada to launch a new service that enables the artist to release tracks for download to fans' mobile phones. The deal between the mobile operator and Cato's management will...

Play produces viral for Privilege brand.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed Play as the interactive creative agency for its Privilege Insurance brand. Privilege has been working with digital planning/buying agency Outrider for some time, but previously developed the majority...

IN BRIEF: Imperial War Museum takes exhibition online.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The Imperial War Museum has launched an interactive online exhibition to support its 'Their Past - Your Future' show, which is currently touring the UK. Design agency Rufus Leonard created the virtual exhibit, which features a selection of...

IN BRIEF: Lulu helps Unilever lower people's cholesterol.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Unilever UK Foods has launched a Web site to support the new ad campaign for its Flora Pro.activ range of low-fat products, featuring 1960s pop icon Lulu. The site, developed by the digital arm of agency Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW), is aimed at...

IN BRIEF: MSN enables blog updates via SMS.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... MSN has launched the first mobile element to its MSN Spaces blogging service. The service, currently in beta, enables users to add content to their Spaces blog via SMS. http://spaces.msn.com Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

IN BRIEF: dgm and Northstar Media Sales link to boost sales.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Online marketing services firm dgm (formerly dealgroupmedia) is aiming to boost sales of its services in the north through a link up with new Manchester-based firm Northstar Media Sales. The company, which has an online ad sales network and...

IN BRIEF: Ernest & Julio Gallo creates Turning Leaf site.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Ernest & Julio Gallo is launching the first fully dedicated UK consumer Web site for its Turning Leaf Wines brand. Key features will include tasting notes; 'where to buy' information; a food and wine guide offering advice on tasting, storing...

IN BRIEF: BBC's Mysti to use SMS and email campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Children's character Mysti, which features in her own BBC show, has launched an SMS and email campaign to support the launch of the online Mysti Sleepover concept. Run by digital direct marketing agency C360, the campaign for Mystical...

Dreamworks previews opening scenes of 'Madagascar' online.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Dreamworks is using the Internet to premiere its forthcoming animation blockbuster, Madagascar, in an unprecedented move for the company. This is the first time Dreamworks has used the medium to launch a film, and the first time a film...

Allegran moves into affiliate marketing via AIM Group deal.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... UK online media and email data specialist Allegran Advertising has added affiliate marketing capabilities to its offering through the acquisition of a majority stake in Affiliate Incentive Marketing (AIM Group). As part of the deal,...

Kelkoo tightens search by using Taggis technology.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Kelkoo, the online shopping site owned by Yahoo! UK, is implementing the extraction engine, Taggis, in a bid to tighten its search mechanism. The AI technology, which has been designed by French firm SightUp, claims to eliminate up to...

192.Com debuts #1m online ad campaign.
July 7, 2005... Online people and business-finder company 192.com is rolling out its first interactive online ad campaign with a #1m spend. The move comes as the online local search market hots up with major new players, including Google and Yahoo!. ...

2dayUK strikes mobile content deal to represent BMG artist.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Mobile content provider 2dayUK has struck a deal to represent the mobile rights to pop star Avril Lavigne across multiple territories. The company now plans to roll out a range of mobile content, from standard wallpapers to video content,...

Plan adverts around the buying schedule.(benefits of automobiles advertising on internet)
July 7, 2005... ANALYST SPEAK: Suzanne Moorey-Denham, Dynamic Logic Recent analysis of Dynamic Logic's MarketNorms(R) (Q4/2004) shows that auto ads can build brand awareness very well on just about any type of Web site, but can dramatically increase...

IN BRIEF: BT launches wireless project for tourists.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... BT is claiming a UK first with the launch of a wireless broadband project aimed at tourists visiting Stratford-upon-Avon. The year-long pilot project - which has been undertaken in partnership with Staffordshire University, Hewlett-Packard and...

IN BRIEF: Net-progress rates sites in Life Sciences sector.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The quality of Web sites in the Life Sciences sector is higher than average, according to research by Internet consultancy Net-progress. Three-quarters of the Web sites assessed achieved a quality ranking of 'above average' or 'excellent', with...

IN BRIEF: In-Fusio launches white-label mobile portal.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Mobile entertainment technology company In-Fusio has launched a white- label mobile media access portal (mMap) application aimed at brands and mobile operators wanting to manage their own branded mobile entertainment portal. mMap hosts and...

Kelkoo develops mobile price check via Yahoo!'s WAP portal.(wireless application protocol, Yahoo! UK and Ireland)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Online price comparison firm Kelkoo has teamed up with parent company Yahoo! to develop a new mobile price-check service that can be accessed via Yahoo!'s WAP portal. The service will enable consumers to search Kelkoo's database of over...

Interoute offers new version of secure digital music platform.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Voice and data network company Interoute has launched Share 2.5!, the latest version of its secure digital music distribution platform. Interoute says Share 2.5 provides companies with an updated end-to-end solution for distributing...

Mobile 365 takes SMS onto desktops.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Global mobile messaging company Mobile 365 is launching a new SMS desktop messaging application, which it claims will make businesses' communications systems more efficient. Desktop SMS will enable users to send and receive SMS messages...

Mobile music market to double in next five years, says Informa.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The global mobile music market will double in value over the next five years and mobiles will usurp iPods as the digital player of choice, predicts Informa Telecoms and Media. The analyst's 'Mobile Music Third Edition' report states that...

Supermarkets fail to offer consistent online experience.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Service levels vary massively when consumers shop for groceries online, according to a new survey from independent watchdog magazine Computing Which?. Fifty people studied Asda's, Ocado's, Sainsbury's, Tesco's and Waitrose's Web sites...

Half of Europeans will sign up to 3G by 2010, predicts Jupiter.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Half of all mobile users in Europe will subscribe to a 3G service by 2010, predicts Jupiter Research. The analyst's 'European Wireless Forecast: 2005 to 2010' report says 3G is still a niche technology, but the number of subscribers will...

IN BRIEF: One in four concerned over mobile technology.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... One in four people are concerned about flaws in mobile technology, such as problems with dropped calls and undelivered messages, according to a study from service management company Tertio SMS. Furthermore, a quarter of the 1,014 adults...

IN BRIEF: Live 8 site sixth most visited UK site on 2 July.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Live 8's online home was the sixth most visited Web site in the UK on 2 July, the day of the global event, according to data from Hitwise. The Web analyst claims that live8live.com received one in every 100 visits to Web sites by UK Internet...

IN BRIEF: Mhtredir.gen is most widespread UK infection.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Exploit/Mhtredir.gen was the most widespread infection in the UK for the third month running in June, according to anti-virus company Panda Software. The infection, which attacks security flaws in users' computers, accounted for 3.44% of all...

News Analysis: Advertisers play safe to avoid regulation.
July 7, 2005... Brands running red-button ad campaigns may have to be more cautious after Daimler Chrysler had its iTV ad pulled by broadcasters for breaching traditional TV rules Last week it emerged that Daimler Chrysler is focusing on using the Web...

WHY BROADCASTERS FLAGGED DOWN ITV AD.(use of internet television by DaimlerChrysler AG for its Jeep Grand Cherokee advertising)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The iTV campaign promoting the launch of Daimler Chrysler's new Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first to use a voice-over to encourage viewers to press the red button. Upon entering the dedicated advertiser location (DAL), potential customers...

COMMENT: Adopt a flexible branding message with digital media.
July 7, 2005... The news on our front page that Pepsi is looking at a proper global wireless strategy should not shock anyone who has been watching this space for the last few months. The brand isn't exactly a newcomer to digital media and has been...

Understand consumer wishes before writing off advertising.
July 7, 2005... SHELDON ON CONSUMERS If attitudes towards advertising have changed, then nowhere is it more evident than within interactive channels. Debates over formats and creativity have been around virtually since the Web came into being, but more...

Letter: Chrysler still committed to iTV advertising.(Letter to the Editor)
July 7, 2005... In reference to your story 'Chrysler places focus online after red- button ad is pulled' (NMA 30.06.05): for the record, I don't see interactive TV and the Web as competing platforms, but there are a number of questions which we do have...

Letter: Don't run with mobile ads before we can walk.(Letter to the Editor)
July 7, 2005... Rich-media mobile advertising is here and it has grown up, if the coverage in your magazine is to be believed. According to the news we hear, mobile video or MMS is going to take its place alongside TV as a core advertising platform. If this is...

Letter: Why we need control of mobile service providers.(Letter to the Editor)
July 7, 2005... The recent controversy surrounding Jamster's Crazy Frog ringtone service and the marketing of premium content services in general illustrate the need for three things our trade association, the Network for Online Commerce, has been lobbying...

OPINION: FMCGs can get results from search engine optimisation.(fast moving consumer goods )
July 7, 2005... When was the last time you Googled the contents of your weekly supermarket? The Web is credited with influencing the majority of both online and offline purchases in some industry sectors, but you're in good company if a search engine isn't...

AD WATCH: Tourism Australia pitches perfectly to its audience.(use of the internet advertising)
July 7, 2005... I first came across the Virgin Money 'Plastic surgery' work at the Caples awards in 2003, where it swept the board. I believe the work was done by an agency called iLeo in Australia. It seems the plastic surgery concept has now found its way...

PROFILE - ADAM RUBINS: Out of the wilderness.(Biography)
July 7, 2005... In his nine years at Buena Vista, Adam Rubins has seen new media transform the marketing landscape and is determined Disney will change with it, finds Nic Howell From the death of Bambi's mother to the hyperactive blur of The Incredibles,...

STRATEGIC PLAY - Aloud.com: Loud and clear.(Company Profile)
July 7, 2005... Having worked to broaden its appeal two years ago, ticketing site Aloud.com is now looking to extend its offer to WAP, Web TV and even an MVNO, finds Sean Hargrave The past two years have seen a major change at gig and theatre ticket site...

CAR MARKETING: Revving it up.
July 7, 2005... Car brands have been early adopters of online marketing and are keen to go further, discovers Clare Goff, encouraging customers to interact and maybe even purchase Volkswagen's updated version of 'Singin' in the Rain' to advertise its...

CASE STUDY: FORD FIESTA.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... The objective of Ford's campaign for the launch on a new range of Fiesta models was to generate awareness and anticipation, and to market to an audience of opinion formers and motoring enthusiasts, especially within the younger demographic...

WIRELESS: Right on target.(forecast of use of search engines)
July 7, 2005... While mobile operators have been concentrating on providing content, users are only interested in relevant content and how to search for it, discovers Peggy Anne Salz In the race among mobile operators to create bigger, better and faster...

T-MOBILE AND GOOGLE.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Perhaps the most significant mobile search announcement to date was made last week. T-Mobile struck a deal with Google to make the search giant the home page on T-Mobile's mobile Internet service. The new web'n'walk service is T-Mobile's move...

Unconventional champion puts mobile content on the map.
July 7, 2005... BARRACK ON WIRELESS It would be remiss to write about mobile and ignore the Crazy Frog. At the recent Mobile Entertainment Market show, he was name-checked more frequently than Sean Connery at a James Bond convention. The Crazy Frog...

SITE REVIEW: Latest Big Brother proves that WAP sites can be successful.
July 7, 2005... Big Brother 6 WAP site Channel 4 Big Brother Agency: Volantis Platform: WAP Big Brother takes it up a level this year with the launch of Channel 4's latest dedicated BB6 mobile Internet site. Gone are the days of dashing...

Moves: EHS Brann.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Marketing agency EHS Brann has appointed Chris Oliver as account director and Chris Ridd as account planner at the company's London office. Oliver joins from Tequila London, where he was an account director, working on a range of accounts...

Moves: Holler.(appointed Peter Eichhorn as senior developer.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Digital agency Holler has recruited Peter Eichhorn as senior developer. He previously worked in the Netherlands for 4webdesign, and in London for Web technology company Metatomix. He joins the agency following a spate of new business wins....

Moves: ICO.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Online marketing agency ICO solutions has taken on two new staff. Natalie Peacock becomes account manager, while Peter Haughie joins ICO's Web design team. Haughie previously worked as a freelance Web designer for Media C, while Peacock worked...

Moves: WeeWorld.
July 7, 2005... WeeWorld, the mobile and online content and social networking technology company, has taken on Celia Francis as CEO. Formerly executive vice president of business marketing for T-Mobile International, she led T-Mobile's product marketing in the...

Moves: Latitude.(appointed Jackie Danicki as head of marketing. )(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Jackie Danicki has been appointed head of marketing at search marketing agency Latitude. She joins from the Big Blog Company, where she was associate and professional blog/RSS and emergent technologies consultant. Copyright: Centaur...

Moves: Digivate.(appointed Adrian Sill as a new account manager.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Digivate, the Web design and email marketing company, has appointed Adrian Sill as a new account manager. He was previously channels Web manager at broadcaster ITV Digital. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Moves: MRM Partners.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... MRM Partners, the interactive and relationship marketing agency, has recruited Thorsten Borgquist as an account director. He will oversee the agency's Microsoft business. Prior to joining MRM, he worked at integrated agency Fox Parrack &...

Moves: Multimap.(promoted Steve Frost to head of sales for Europe.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Steve Frost has been promoted to head of sales for Europe at online mapping company Multimap. He previously worked as a senior account manager, and will now oversee Multimap's team of account managers. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

Moves: Vividas Group.(appointed Paul Neville as group finance director.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Vividas Group, the online video technology company, has appointed Paul Neville as group finance director. He was formerly group financial controller at European electronic components distributor Eurodis Electron. Copyright: Centaur...

SITE INSPECTION: Facts About Smoking.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Facts About Smoking stayinghard.info Owner: NHS Agency: Dare Content 21/25 Usability 23/25 Branding 23/25 Monetisation n/a Total 67/75 The Government has been using shock tactics to...

SITE INSPECTION: Dolmio.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... Dolmio dolmio.co.uk Owner: Masterfoods Agency: Proximity London Content 20/25 Usability 22/25 Branding 22/25 Monetisation 20/25 Total 84/100 The latest Web site for Dolmio cooking sauces...

SITE INSPECTION: You Walk.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2005... You Walk youwalk.com Owner: Inntravel Agency: Nucleus Content 19/25 Usability 19/25 Branding 20/25 Monetisation 19/25 Total 77/100 Specialist tour operator Inntravel has introduced a new site...

Fulfilment: thebeautyroom.com.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
July 7, 2005... thebeautyroom.com Founded: 2003 Selection: Products from French salon beauty brands Gatineau, Phytomer, Mary Cohr and Masters Colors. Technical problems: None. Navigation: A clean, neatly laid-out site with all categories...

MTV battles for youth audience with mobile and iTV offensive.
July 14, 2005... MTV Networks UK & Ireland is stepping up its strategy to use the latest digital technologies to make itself more relevant to core youth audiences. The broadcaster is increasing efforts to extend its portfolio of music brands onto...

Content industry gears up for i-mode.(use of wireless communications technology)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2005... The UK's mobile content industry is gearing up for the imminent arrival of i-mode from O2, with The Financial Times the first launch content partner to be announced. Interactive agencies are also readying themselves for the arrival of...

BBC Three plans mobile episode spin-offs.(development of mobile television programs)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2005... BBC Three is planning to create a series of special spin-off episodes of a selection of its most popular comedies to be viewed exclusively by mobile phone users. The broadcaster will launch these so-called 'mobisodes' later this year as...