Precision Marketing articles from January 2005

Precision Marketing archives from January 2005

HHM calls for public vote on name change.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... London-based direct marketing shop HHM has taken the unusual step of asking people outside the agency to pick its new name. The Islington-based agency is in the process of rebranding, and is giving clients and other agencies the chance to...

Direct industry spearheads tsunami catastrophe relief.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The direct marketing industry has thrown its weight behind the global relief operation for victims of the tsunami disaster, to raise millions of pounds for the Disasters Emergency Committee. The DMA (UK) is co-ordinating a donation from...

More Th>n hunts beyond roster.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... More Th>n is talking to agencies outside of its roster to develop direct marketing for motor insurance. The direct financial services arm of Royal & Sun Alliance admits that although it is happy with its agency roster - which includes...

Book Club Associates chief executive Christian Friege quits.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Book Club Associates (BCA) chief executive Christian Friege has quit after more than four years in the role. Friege has resigned to join the board of a major company in Germany, and will leave this week. He took over at BCA in May...

RSPCA changes tack in 'caring' DRTV offensive.(Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The RSPCA is unveiling a DRTV campaign to show its caring side. The commercial, being tested on satellite and cable channels, highlights the charity's protective role, rather than showing shocking images of animal cruelty. Three versions...

IAB appoints Guy Phillipson chief executive.(Interactive Advertising Bureau)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the trade body and think-tank for interactive advertising, e-commerce and online marketing, has appointed Guy Phillipson chief executive. He joins from Vodafone, where he has been head of...

Reed Training in directory mail blitz.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Reed Training is launching a directory mailpack after shaking up its direct marketing strategy. The company has hired HHM to handle its core direct mail activity and promote its courses, as well as developing segmentation, targeting and...

DMA signs print deal to lift recycling drive.(Direct Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The DMA (UK) and British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) are to share best practice and work towards improving printing efficiency in an effort to reduce waste. The partnership will benefit members of both associations, offering...

Norway tourist board launches mailing assault.(hires Flourish to advertise travel offers)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Norwegian Coastal Holidays is capitalising on the country's centenary with a raft of cheap travel offers. Flourish has developed a campaign on behalf of Innovation Norway (formerly the Norwegian Tourist Board) and Norwegian Coastal Voyage...

Virgin Holidays in 'striptease' TV offensive.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Virgin Holidays is unveiling a TV ad after a break of more than two years, in a bid to drive online and phone bookings and brochure requests. The spot, created by integrated agency Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw, features a man doing the...

MyTravel unveils push for summer bookings.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... MyTravel is embarking on a recruitment drive to tempt holiday bookers this summer. Following a four-way pitch, the company has appointed WWAV Rapp Collins Leeds to handle direct marketing activity for the Summer Sun 2005 campaigns for...

Trading Standards bosses slam Gambling Bill loophole.(Trading Standards Institute)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Government's Gambling Bill will pile more misery on consumers by widening the loophole for bogus mail and telephone competitions, according to Trading Standards bosses. Current legislation requires competitions - excluding the National...

Stebbings steps up to top role in FCBi restructure.(Carolyn Stebbings)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... FCBi London has appointed Carolyn Stebbings managing director following a shake-up of senior management roles at the agency. The new post will see Stebbings promoted from managing partner. She is to continue working closely with the FCBi...

Peterborough group drives firms into area.(Greater Peterborough Investment Agency)(Smye Holland Associates)(T2 Studios)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Greater Peterborough Investment Agency (GPIA) is launching a viral campaign to promote the city as a business-oriented destination. A leaflet driving traffic to a website is being sent to company directors in London. Both have been...

Publicis unites field marketing agencies.(Publicis Groupe merges Arc Live, Lime)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Arc Live and the field marketing arm of Triangle, Lime, are being merged by parent company Publicis Groupe. The combined agency will retain the Lime name but will be headed by Arc Live managing director Tanya Sergant. Her counterpart at...

Marston Hotels offers regulars winter getaway.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Marston Hotels is targeting previous customers with a direct mail blitz to promote its short winter breaks. A postcard has been produced by the Kent-based company's inhouse studio and is to be sent to the 125,000 customers who have...

Data Locator bids for growth via shake-up.(Data Locator Group)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Data Locator Group, the integrated data and sales solutions provider, is restructuring in a bid to maintain its growth. Describing the shake-up as "an aggressive repositioning", the company has formed a new board from a more diverse,...

Next Directory reports healthy profits.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Next Directory sales were up 13.4 per cent between August 3 and December 24, from the same period last year, according to the company's latest trading statement. Taken together, Next Retail and Directory sales were up by 12.4 per cent. ...

Hasbro hires Mailtrack for Duel Masters launch.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Hasbro, the toy company, has hired Mailtrack to create and implement a campaign for its Duel Masters trading card game. It includes microsites, data collection, direct mail and email encouraging recipients to sign up for free posters and...

IDM reveals graduate scheme backers.(Institute of Direct Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Institute of Direct Marketing has unveiled the eight industry players that have lined up to support its Graduate Fast Track for 2005. They are Acxiom, Broadsystem, EHS Brann, Glue London, Intelligent Print Solutions, International Masters...

Vehicle Remarketing Solutions in site launch.(Brahm public relations-contracts)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Vehicle Remarketing Solutions has appointed Brahm to create a campaign supporting the launch of its new website, in a bid to increase vehicle sales. The direct mail initiative targets existing customers and prospects to extol the virtues of...

Correction: Cheapestflights.co.uk.(Correction Notice)
January 7, 2005... We have been asked to point out that Cheapestflights.co.uk has been running a viral campaign, and not Cheapflights.co.uk as previously stated (PM December 17). The 'Soak your socks off' viral data capture initiative, created by Halpern Cowan,...

PDSA heads to TV in campaign through WPN.(veterinary charity hires Watson Phillips Norman)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Veterinary charity PDSA is launching an integrated acquisition and awareness campaign. The organisation is to appeal to donors via a responsive TV ad created by Watson Phillips Norman (WPN). The commercial will be supported by other...

Air Miles plans major mail offensive amid restructure.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Air Miles Travel Company is to unveil one of its biggest direct mail initiatives to inform customers of how to collect miles through the scheme's partners, such as RBS/NatWest, Southern Electric, Shell and Tesco. The company will mail...

Nutricia eyes health workers in Milupa push.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Baby products manufacturer Nutricia is launching an online blitz for infant formula Milupa, to develop relationships with health professionals. The company has hired Geoff Howe Marketing Communications to rebuild its website. The...

Lloyds TSB launches free texts to check balances.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Lloyds TSB Internet Banking has launched a free SMS alert service to allow personal and business customers to keep track of their finances while on the move. The bank claims to be the first to offer a text service to business customers....

Federal Reserve defends blanket financial mailings.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Washington DC: The Federal Reserve has controversially backed unsolicited mailings from banks and insurance companies. According to a new report, credit card and insurance rates would be higher if companies did not use direct mail. The...

Canada next in line for Do Not Call.(telemarketing regulations)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Ontario: Canadian minister for industry David Emerson has confirmed proposals for the country's telemarketing regulator to create a national Do Not Call list, which could spell disaster for the sector. It has been estimated that as much as...

Australia to enjoy continued growth in direct spend.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Sydney: The year-on-year rise in Australian companies' marketing budgets is predicted to continue in 2005, with direct marketing set to perform well. The Starcom Futures report, which surveys companies on their marketing plans, states...

Spread media budget liberally.
January 7, 2005... Nordring, Germany: It takes a lot of courage to launch a large-scale, multichannel campaign - at least as far as the budget planning is concerned. Any skimping on investment for individual communication channels may mean the target range is...

Industry must shine to appease brassed off.
January 7, 2005... With TPS registrations sapping prospect numbers, direct marketers need to raise their game in 2005 if they are to prevent receptive individuals from becoming brassed off. Ian McCawley assesses industry predictions If 2004 was the year of...

MARK ROY: Drop in mailing volumes a cause for celebration.
January 7, 2005... Recent headlines in the trade press have been less than optimistic - you can't move for statistics, such as the recent ones from DMIS that reveal falling levels of direct mail. You'd be forgiven for thinking that the direct mail industry was...

Letter: Trading names within telemarketing is lunacy.(Letter to the Editor)
January 7, 2005... Richard Webster's suggestion that telemarketers and sales organisations should be sharing data is absurd ('Keeping in touch', PM November 12). Profiles of companies' markets are built up over time, and such information is precious...

Letter: DMA ratecard needs extending.(Letter to the Editor)
January 7, 2005... The DMA (UK) ratecard is an excellent idea. I look forward to the addendum that deals with integrated solutions provided by agencies such as ourselves. With most our staff experts working across multiple disciplines - from direct...

Letter: Data building an intricate job.(Letter to the Editor)
January 7, 2005... Anne Petrie's News Analysis clearly illustrated the need for marketers to avoid tunnel vision when confronted with the potential for building or using large-volume databases (PM December 10). Quality does indeed count. This means that,...

Telecoms providers' posse must rein in the cold calling cowboys.
January 7, 2005... COMMENT: GRAHAM EDE The absence of a regulatory authority for the contact centre industry means it is up to the telecoms providers to rally the troops and outlaw bad practice Record TPS registrations, reports of silent calls scaring...

Letter: Shoddy B2B is damaging too.(Letter to the Editor)
January 7, 2005... David Reed's article 'First Impressions' (PM November 10) debates why business-to-business (B2B) suppression is yet to take off in the UK. He cites complacency, cost and apathy, and he got it about right. Many people do not believe there...

LEADER: Will industry survive 2005?
January 7, 2005... This being the first issue of 2005, we've decided to give you a real treat by polishing the crystal balls, dusting down the runes and studying the stars. Basically, we've gone to every length possible to ensure you know what's in store this...

SALARY SURVEY: Touching the void.(marketing employees-salaries)
January 7, 2005... There was a time when working in the direct marketing industry meant stress, long hours, poor pay and few benefits. How times have changed. This year's Salary Survey shows that there are a whole set of additional issues, including a widening...

SALARY SURVEY: Upward curve fails to bridge skills gap.
January 7, 2005... We were spot-on with last year's prediction that the market would pick up. There has been steady overall growth, with significant recruitment in the direct marketing agency sector - particularly agency networks - where supply is outstripping...

Choice rolls out wealthy over-50s list.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Choice, the over-50s magazine, is offerings its updated list of 160,000 names through Go Direct Marketing. The magazine offers advice on topics ranging from travel and health issues, to money and consumer rights. The readers are...

Aceville details contest entrants.(Aceville Publications)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Aceville Publications is offering its lists of competition entrants through LWC Direct Marketing. The file contains entrants to contests in titles including Crafts Beautiful, The Teddy Bear Club, Essential Water Garden, Classic Cars and...

Empower offers Web user data.(Empower Systems)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Internet services provider Empower Systems is making available its opt- in email addresses and postal, telephone and SMS data through Wyvern Direct Response. Names on the list are described as being UK-based Internet users who are...

Dial Plus to let 'hot responders'.(agency lists contracts through Intermarketing)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Telecoms agent Dial Plus is releasing its list of landline and mobile contract names through Intermarketing. Individuals have been recruited via acquisition techniques including national press, inserts, direct mail, broadcast media and...

Charity bosses files unleashed.(senior managers of charities, United Kingdom)(Wyvern Datacare)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Wyvern Datacare is handling the names of 14,000 senior managers of UK charities on the National Charities Database. Names can be selected by income level, job title, charitable cause, or function and location. Previous and continuing...

Liddington and Friswell join Word Association.(Lisa Friswell)(Amy Liddington)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Word Association has recruited Amy Liddington as marketing and media relations assistant, and Lisa Friswell as administration assistant. Liddington joins from Coventry's Chartered Institute of Housing, where she was senior events...

Bell returns to TW Cat.(Rebecca Bell-appointed)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... TW Cat has reappointed art worker Rebecca Bell, who previously left the agency to work in the charity sector. Bell, who graduated from De Montfort University, says the opportunity to work for the agency's charity clients was a major factor in...

Proximity takes on Robson and Killingley.(Mark Killingley and Rachel Robson-appointed)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Proximity London has hired two account directors for its digital arm. Rachel Robson joins from Amaze, where she was head of digital marketing, while Mark Killingley arrives from Reading Room, where he was communications director. Robson will...

Nice work: Geri Gordon, Acxiom UK.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Name: Geri Gordon Company: Acxiom UK Department: Data - charities Job title: Associate Responsibilities: Acquiring, developing and managing direct client relationships within the charity sector Job perks: Office location....

List group calls for Govt action on nett names.(The Swap Forum)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The Swap Forum has called on Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for the Department of Trade & Industry, to issue a block exemption covering nett name agreements. The move is designed to prevent accusations of price fixing, and anti-...

India plots data law revamp to secure safe harbour pact.(Department of Information Technology)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The Indian government is to combat criticism over its lax data protection laws - one of the main concerns of outsourcing companies - by tightening up its legislation to enter safe harbour agreements with the EU and US. The Department of...

Postcomm probes 'zonal' mail deal.(Royal Mail)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Postcomm has waded into a row over "unfair bulk pricing" by Royal Mail, following complaints from rival firms. TPG Post, Express Dairies and UK Mail, which have all struck market access deals with Royal Mail in the past 12 months, claim...

New DMA chairman Ping reveals three-pronged strategy.(Direct Marketing Association, Charles Ping)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Newly elected DMA (UK) chairman Charles Ping has ruled out any "radical change of direction" in the trade body's strategy, setting out a three- pronged charter for his two-year tenure. Ping, head of customer relationship management for...

Aussie software giant hands UK launch to HHM.(MYOB Australia)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Australian-based business software provider MYOB is unveiling its first marketing push as it attempts to make inroads in the UK. The company, which supplies software to small businesses and accountancy firms, and is market leader in...

Wine business appoints RSA to map out drive.(Great Southern Vineyards, RSA Direct )(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Direct wine company Great Southern Vineyards is embarking on a data- capture drive in the South-east as a prelude to its UK launch. The company, which has appointed RSA Direct to the activity, aims to build a database using direct mail and...

Kemp succeeds Hooper at MCCA.(Graham Kemp, Matthew Hooper, Marketing Communications Consultants Association )(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The Marketing Communications Consultants Association (MCCA) has revealed Graham Kemp, global chief executive of The Marketing Store, as its new chairman. Kemp takes over from Matthew Hooper, who was chairman for four years. During his...

EC backs simplified data transfer rules.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... European mandarins have approved revolutionary data protection rules - proposed by the private sector - which will slash the red tape that entangles international businesses wanting to transfer personal data outside the community. The...

IDM flays cuts as 'false and risky economy'.(Institute of Direct Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Two-thirds of financial marketers receive less than #1,000-worth of training per year, according to the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) annual survey, which, it claims, shows cutbacks are a "false and risky economy". The report,...

Willcocks takes Conduit role as Gray moves up.(Steve Willcocks, Mike Gray)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Business data services company Conduit has appointed Steve Willcocks managing director. Willcocks takes over from Mike Gray, who is to assume a broader developmental role, continuing as board director. Arriving from speech recognition...

Babestation tracks viewers with Meshcards.(Cellcast's marketing)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Babestation, the adult channel, has jumped into bed with customer- tracking system Meshcards to keep a closer eye on its viewers. Produced by owner Mesh Digital and the channel's production company Cellcast, the cards can be customised by...

Esure awards Carat #19m media and analysis account.(esure Insurance Ltd., Carat Espace)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Esure has handed its #19m media account, including direct response elements, to Carat. The media agency is tasked with handling direct response and data analysis, determining how different channels work together. It is set to handle...

BA holds fire on review in favour of Agency.com.(British Airways PLC)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... British Airways (BA) has shelved plans to hire a new digital agency and decided to stick with its existing arrangements. The development follows reports of the airline being in the process of requesting proposals from various agencies....

Brannigans trial for data-capture prize machines.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Pub chain Brannigans is among the first clients to trial prize-giving data-capture service Everyone's a Winner. The system, currently on trial in Greater Manchester and Reading, is designed to deliver sophisticated data and increase...

Haskins appoints Mr Smith to direct brief.(Haskins Garden Centres)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Haskins Garden Centres is sowing the seeds of a brand strategy overhaul by shaking up its agency arrangements. The Haskins Group - which also launched retail chain Hobbycraft - has awarded media-neutral agency Mr Smith a brief to develop...

Clifford Chance harnesses B2B email service.(business to business)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Clifford Chance LLP, the legal firm, has handed business-to-business email marketing solutions provider Concep a four-year contract to take care of its client communications. The deal allows Clifford Chance representatives to send branded...

Ottakar's and James Villa in joint offensive.(James Villa Holidays )(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... James Villa Holidays and bookshop Ottakar's have joined forces for a travel promotion. SP Partnerships, a division of SP Holdings, has brokered the partnership in which James Villa will offer Ottakar's customers the chance to win a villa...

Elvis to manage Pizza Hut promotions.
January 14, 2005... Pizza Hut has appointed Elvis to handle its direct account as it shifts its focus from fast food to casual dining. The agency won a four-way pitch that also involved Minerva, RPM3 and Tequila\London. It is set to overhaul brand values by...

Unilever makes brand appointments.(Unilever Ice Cream & Frozen Food)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Unilever Ice Cream & Frozen Food has plumped for Tullo Marshall Warren to oversee its Birds Eye customer management. The company has also hired Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Voelkel to handle similar work for Walls Carte D'Or. The two brands...

Alliance & Leicester in rivals assault.(Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank is unveiling its Free Business Current Account with a direct mail, press, poster and online initiative. The campaign challenges other banks, by inviting business customers to question the value of their...

Crawford cleared of Clegg claim.(cases between Shaun Crawford and Timothy Clegg)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... A court has cleared Shaun Crawford, 37, of Workington, Cumbria, of punching DMA award-winner Timothy Clegg, 26, of Chemistry Communications Group, Putney, London, at the trade body's 2003 ceremony in the capital. A judge at Southwark Crown...

Correction: Interactive Advertising Bureau.(Correction Notice)
January 14, 2005... We have been asked to point out that, contrary to a report in last week's Precision Marketing, the Interactive Advertising Bureau's (IAB) marketing budget is not #60m. That figure in fact refers to the budget overseen by new IAB chief...

Hilton pushes 'luxury' to lure winter guests.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Hilton UK & Ireland is rolling out a winter breaks offer to encourage bookings with the hotel chain. Hertfordshire-based marketing agency Campaign Works has developed an initiative emphasising the 'affordable luxury' that Hilton offers....

Target Direct rethinks top roles in wake of takeover.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Target Direct, the Cheltenham-based direct marketing agency, is undergoing a management shake-up following its acquisition by holding group Cello (PM October 22). Stephen Pidgeon - who was chief executive at Target before taking up the...

T-Mobile 'freebies' offer to elevate t-zones.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... T-Mobile is launching a direct marketing blitz to support its WAP-based entertainment service t-zones. The work, created by Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW), will consist of a mailpack and picture messaging activity. They will be targeted at...

Architecture body seeks entries for 2005 PM public building award.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) is launching a multichannel campaign promoting the 2005 Prime Minister's Award for Better Public Building. CABE has re-appointed Keevill Barton Kershaw to develop the...

Canada attempts to block cut-price drug sales to US.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Toronto: Canadian health officials are drafting a proposal to prevent online pharmacies from selling mail order prescription drugs to US consumers. The move would strangle a Can$700m (#305.1m) industry that has become increasingly...

US DMA highlights new legislation.(United States Direct Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... New York: The US DMA is issuing guidelines to help companies comply with a raft of new marketing regulations that could have wide-ranging effects on the industry. The trade body wants to alert members to rules relating to Californian...

Aegis Group boosts offering with iProspect buyout.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Massachusetts: Aegis Group has bought Internet search marketing agency iProspect for $32m (#17.1m). The US-based agency will now become part of Isobar, Aegis' digital network. In addition to the initial purchase price, there will be a...

Email is proving a 'good earner'.
January 14, 2005... Milan: Direct marketing in the Italian market is far behind other European countries. The total value of online marketing does not exceed 1 per cent of overall budgets, although in the last few years, email marketing has risen steadily. ...

PROFILE - JAYNE O'BRIEN: BA 'lifer' keeps flag flying high.
January 14, 2005... The airline industry has had its share of knocks in recent years, but BA marketing head Jayne O'Brien, who has been at the firm for 15 years, is undeterred. If anything, she tells James Quilter, she relishes the challenge It is rare...

Letter: Public choice outweighs mandatory suppression.(Letter to the Editor)
January 14, 2005... Martin Smith is a man that I much admire, but I was disappointed at his letter (PM December 10) suggesting suppression should be mandatory. Interestingly, he also suggested I was 'pussy-footing' around the issue - not a trait that those who...

Letter: Time to put last year behind us.(Letter to the Editor)
January 14, 2005... New Year, new start. So why are we still talking about that programme (Industry must shine to appease brassed off, Analysis, PM last week)? 2004 may have been an annus horribilis for the direct marketing industry, but let's put it behind us....

Subscription marketing provides means to ward off the lean times.
January 14, 2005... COMMENT: TOM WASILEWSKI Not only do magazine subscriptions guarantee continued reader purchases for a substantial period, they also pave the way for more indepth customer profiling WHSmith last year announced that it would be...

Letter: Personalisation has downside.(Letter to the Editor)
January 14, 2005... The direct marketing textbooks would have you believe otherwise, but mailpack personalisation can backfire. Witness this. My wife recently received three pieces of direct mail from a leading UK retailer in the space of a week. Each...