Precision Marketing articles from September 2004

Precision Marketing archives from September 2004

BT set to target business chiefs in 26m [pounds sterling] blitz.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... BT is taking on the likes of IBM, Hewlett Packard and Accenture in an aggressive global marketing drive to build a detailed picture of senior decision-makers in business and government. The telecoms giant is investing more than 26m[pounds...

Clark McKay and Walpole secures 5m [pounds sterling] buyout deal.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Clark McKay and Walpole (CMW), one of the UK's leading independent direct marketing agencies, has shunned the major agency groups by selling to communications company Media Square for about 5.3m[pounds sterling]. The agency, which was...

Govt recycling body hunts agency.(Waste & Resources Action Programme)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap)--a Government-led scheme that aims to improve the UK's recycling record--is seeking a marketing agency to raise its profile. The not-for-profit group, backed by the Department of Environment,...

Carlson promotes Moore to enable European offensive.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Carlson Marketing Group has promoted Paul Moore to chief executive of its direct, digital and promotional agencies. The move enables European business development director John Shaw to focus on developing the group's work across the...

Data Locator to launch Brainbox analytics group.(news)(Data Locater Group)(Brainbox)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Data Locater Group, the integrated data and sales solutions provider, is launching insight-driven marketing specialist arm Brainbox. The company says it will enable businesses to deliver insight-led programmes to acquire and keep profitable...

Little Chef taps data for loyalty blitz.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Little Chef is embarking on its biggest data capture initiative to date to lay the foundations for a relationship marketing drive. The roadside restaurant chain, which was bought by venture capital firm Permira from Compass, alongside...

DMA mounts assault on 'rogue' ER forms.(news)(Direct Marketing Association, Electoral Register)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The DMA (UK) is gathering evidence as it investigates whether local authorities are continuing to send out pre-ticked Electoral Register forms to consumers. The trade body says some of the UK's 400-plus councils are still ticking the...

TfL targets firms to spread C-Charge details.(news)(Transport for London )(Congestion Charge )(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Transport for London (TfL) is rolling out a direct blitz to inform commuters about the Congestion Charge in a bid to cut back on the number of fines it hands out to unwitting drivers. It has appointed customer relationship management...

Pepsi and UCI roll out on-site football contest.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Pepsi and UCI Cinemas are using SMS to kick off a campaign targeting football fans. People are being encouraged to visit a UCI Multiplex to take free-kicks at a target for the chance to win a host of prizes, including an all-expenses-paid...

Battersea Dogs Home rolls out first DRTV push.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Battersea Dogs Home is rolling out its first DRTV campaign to raise national awareness of its work. The charity, which can shelter more than 600 animals at a time, has charged Bluefrog with devising the campaign, which begins this month....

UniChem appoints Carlson to consolidated business.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Pharmaceutical giant UniChem is pooling its marketing into a single agency for the first time, in an attempt to streamline its offering. The company has appointed Carlson Marketing Group following a four-way pitch. It previously split its...

Former Inbox chiefs plan Squeeze Digital start-up.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Former bosses at email agency Inbox are launching a rival business, Squeeze Digital. Nik Margolis, previously client services director at Inbox, is to be managing director. Cameron Brewer, who oversaw creative work, will be creative...

Tiscali partners retailers in CD-Rom offensive.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Internet service provider Tiscali UK is teaming up with Office World and Comet in a 'back to school' campaign to boost its customer database. The initiative runs across all Tiscali packages and products. Customers who sign up to the ISP...

Levi's UK lures youngsters to revamped site.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Levi's Europe is launching an integrated 'Anti-fit' jeans campaign to divert traffic to its updated website and bolster long-term online users. The company is expanding its digital offering at www.eu.levi.com through Lateral. The aim is to...

AirMiles group taps into 'value' strategy.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The AirMiles Travel Company is embarking on its first direct marketing campaign since the appointment of managing director Chris Jansen and customer insight specialist Dunnhumby. AirMiles, which hired Jansen in June and brought in Dunnhumby...

Telewest to roll out call-sorting service to firms.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Telewest Business is planning an integrated campaign for a service that will allow organisations to promote and handle a range of inbound customer service and marketing campaign numbers. SRS Advanced Solutions will enable companies to save...

Comfort Pure unveils sensitive skin mailing.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Lever Faberge is launching a direct marketing campaign to promote fabric conditioner brand Comfort Pure. The push consists of a mailing blitz targeting 400,000 women with sensitive skin. Marketing activity previously targeted mothers of...

Smith and Moseley co-launch data use guide.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... RSA Direct managing director Rosemary Smith (right) and former DMA chairman Jenny Moseley are launching a book entitled The New Data Protection Liabilities and Risks for Direct Marketers. It covers the process of obtaining and using names,...

Wales Tourist Board reappoints FCBi.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The Wales Tourist Board has reappointed direct marketing agency FCBi to handle project work. The move follows the body's appointment of Partners Andrews Aldridge to its direct marketing brief after a wide-ranging review of its agency...

Interactive channels witness surge.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Around 12 million people in the UK have used interactive services in the past three months, according to a survey commissioned by outsourced marketing communications specialist Broadsystem. Some 18 per cent of these--around 2 million...

Orange targets teens with free SMS offer.(news)(Short Messaging Service)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Orange is rolling out a TV campaign targeting 16- to 18-year-old text enthusiasts to promote its Free Weekend Text offer. The activity will be supported by online and retail communications. Orange UK brand marketing director Pippa Dunn says:...

Samaritans hires Kitcatt Nohr to push presence.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The Samaritans has hired integrated agency Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw to handle a direct marketing campaign backing its focus on 'emotional health' and raising awareness of the charity's work. The drive is to target specific age groups,...

IFAs targeted in online Friends Provident push.(news)(Practiv)(Independent Financial Advisers )(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Friends Provident is bolstering its online offering to enable independent financial advisers (IFAs) to boost their speed to market. The financial services company has hired IT and marketing consultancy Practiv to develop two Web-based...

Interflora drives customer loyalty with mail 'thankyou'.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Interflora is planning a major marketing initiative that will combine a customer receipt and gold card, to be sent to customers who have purchased over the phone. It is designed as a thankyou card. The brief has been handed to Iceberg...

Royal Marines lures young men in direct first.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The Royal Marines is planning its first direct response campaign to lure young men. COI Communications has appointed Tri-Direct to the brief, following a three-way pitch against Equi-Media and OMD Manning Gottlieb. The drive is to...

Stone's Ginger Wine launches mailshot blitz to overhaul brand image.(news)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Stone's Ginger Wine is embarking on a relationship marketing drive to highlight its appeal as a refreshing and versatile summer drink. The Constellation Europe-owned brand will deliver a direct mail campaign to respondents gathered from...

Spammers convicted as US tackles online crime.(international)(United States)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Washington DC: A three-month campaign to target Internet criminals has resulted in more than 150 arrests and convictions across the country. Attorney general John Ashcroft says people were seized on charges including the use of spam emails...

US direct sector upbeat about Q3.(international)(United States)(Third quarter)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... New York: The direct industry is expecting a strong third quarter, despite the US economy's relatively sluggish performance. Clients, agencies and suppliers are united in their optimism about an increase in direct expenditure compared with...

Experian buys Smartal Solutions in China expansion.(international)(Smartal Solutions)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Hong Kong: Experian has acquired Smartal Solutions, a leading business intelligence and solutions company based in Hong Kong and China. "The acquisition will leverage our global market presence and expand our offerings in the Asia-Pacific...

Pooling regional gems a treasure.(international; marketing)
September 3, 2004... Stockholm: There are times when country-specific relationship marketing programmes work well, as they allow agency and brand to focus on issues unique to that particular market. However, clients are increasingly finding that uniting countries...

What happens when agency founders go? When a key figure leaves a direct agency, it is often make or break for their successor. So does the altered team culture destroy the agency dynamic, or is it a necessary force for renewal?(news analysis)
September 3, 2004... The sacking of Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson has rocked the football world and prompted talk of a new broom sweeping through the club. The departure of Philip Slade, founding and creative partner at Hicklin Slade & Partners (PM last...

Jet on course for BT targets: Jet Cooke has been steadily ascending at BT, and has now become its direct marketing chief. She already has a clear course marked out to reach targets.(profile)
September 3, 2004... When gameshow Gladiators hit UK television screens just over a decade ago, it fast became a sensation, breeding stars such as Wolf, Hunter and Jet. While many of the women contestants remained relatively anonymous, Jet quickly made a name for...

Integrated ideas allow brands to transcend media.
September 3, 2004... The explosion in media channels has affected just about every aspect of marketing. The direct industry has been a major beneficiary, because it has been quick to adapt skills to these new areas. Changes in media spend were highlighted when...

'Junk mail' tag is taking on populist credentials.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 3, 2004... 'Junk mail' is a phrase that's bandied about by all sorts of people who feel the need to attract publicity by having what they regard as a populist whinge that will have public support. The latest are the two Liberal Democrat MPs whose...

Branding's what we're all about.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 3, 2004... 'Branding and engagement are key,' says WWAV Rapp Collins' Chris Gordon of charity recruitment mailings (PM August 20). What a revelation, what excitement. Direct marketing has always been about that. In the charity sector, and whenever...

Could a TPS rat be lurking?(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 3, 2004... In response to your news story 'Telemarketers to be 'extinct in five years" (PM August 13), I was extremely surprised to read that there can be up to 6,000 Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registrations per day. Having called the TPS to...

Environmental concerns must be addressed or critics will prevail: if the direct marketing industry is to fulfil its agreement with the Government, it must do more to minimise waste by improving targets and building the MPS.(comment)
September 3, 2004... Not surprisingly, environmental issues have never been top of the direct marketing industry's agenda. Yet, rather than face the heavy hand of legislation, the industry has voluntarily agreed with Defra to raise recycling levels to 30 per cent...

Choose contact centre carefully.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 3, 2004... There is no question in my mind that telemarketing "is still a viable channel" (PM August 13). And I agree with Tessa Kelly that best practice is the way forward. Problems occur when companies view telemarketing as a commodity that can be...

Transactional data has limits.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 3, 2004... I read with interest your feature on the virtues of transactional data pooling (PM August 20). While I agree that it has a value for businesses looking to enter new markets and grow and develop their customer base, what you know about how and...

Indie agencies find third way.(leader)(Editorial)
September 3, 2004... Back in the mid-Nineties, when the likes of WPP, IPG, Havas and Omnicom started knocking on the doors of the big UK direct agencies, many senior figures in the industry welcomed their amorous advances with open arms. It isn't too hard to...

Creative critique.
September 3, 2004... 1 Client: Court Security Agency: Harrison Troughton Wunderman Art director: Jamie Bell Copywriter: lain Hunter An acquisition letter for a local business, Court Security, demonstrates everything I love about direct mail...

Picking up the pieces: piece workers--paid by the number of items they handle--are a much-used resource among mailing houses. Imminent changes to the law will ensure they are paid in line with the minimum wage. Hopefully, the direct sector already fulfils this modest requirement, and has nothing to fear.(Special report: mailing issues)
September 3, 2004... IT IS A LITTLE-VOICED FACT THAT many operations employ piece workers to hand-pack their more complex items. They may be directly employed by the mailing house, or external workers supplied through agencies. These workers are the smallest...

Money talks: fulfilment houses which can handle financial transactions are in serious demand. But given the growth and popularity of companies offering all-singing, all-dancing solutions, those that cannot keep up will fall by the wayside.
September 3, 2004... THE PROLIFERATION OF COMPANIES that accept cheque or credit card payment and offer next-day delivery has inevitably led to higher expectations among clients and customers. So an increasing number of companies are having to outsource to...

Electronics company to reveal file.(list file)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Prospect Swetenhams has released the Electropages.com file of 60,000 key purchasers in the global electronics industry. Electropages.com is a Web-based information platform that delivers realtime product news to decision-makers purchasing...

Health firm lists mail order base.(list file)(Health & Beauty Direct)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Mail order company Health & Beauty Direct has made its updated list of buyers available through Cheryl Nathan List Broking. Some 60,908 names have been added to the file, which delivers results for fashion, finance and charity activity. ...

Kids retailer to unveil records.(list file)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The Sleepover Company, a children's mail order outfit, is releasing its updated file of 56,000 names through Isis Direct. The mail order catalogue features a range of products, including toys, games, children's furniture and gifts. The...

Data-storing site to rent profiles.(list file)(Electronic Data Response )(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Electronic Data Response has made its www.selectyourmail.co.uk file of consumers available through Caspian List & Data Management. The site gathers core personal details such as age, occupation and interests. In return, it offers consumers...

Baby specialist details mothers.(list file)(Beaming Baby)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Beaming Baby, which provides natural and organic products for mothers and babies, is issuing its 23,500-strong updated list through Isis Direct. Products range from pure-cotton nappies to natural beauty products. All items are sold via the...

Smyth rises to head of door-to-door at Tri-Direct.(moving people)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Tri-Direct has promoted Sharon Smyth to head of door-to-door. Smyth, who joined seven years ago, was previously client services manager. She will now lead a team of ten across a portfolio of finance and retail clients. Operations director...

Imano takes on Sait to develop business.(moving people)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Imano takes on Sait to develop business Neil Sait has been recruited as business development director at Internet specialist Imano. He joins from Tribeka/Softwide, where he was senior vice-president for commercial development of digital...

Boddice lands top role at Liquid Communications.(moving people)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Liquid Communications has taken on Chris Boddice as group partnership director. With over 14 years' experience, he has worked for clients including Alliance & Leicester and News International. He will work primarily on Liquid's co-operative...

Preference Service promotes Conetta to manager.(moving people)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... The Preference Service has promoted Mic Conetta to general manager of its attitudinal geomarketing tool StreetlifeUK. Conetta, who joined last year as account director, will offer the product to marketers and ensure its further development....

Grandpa's day gets buried in junk mail.(diary)(Column)
September 3, 2004... Poor old Grandpa Diary. Having just about recovered from his wasp attack down by the canal (PM August 6), he was celebrating his 80th birthday over the Bank Holiday weekend when a rather untimely insert fell out of his hometown rag. Sadly,...

Forthcoming events.(diary)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Financial services forum Tank's Opt-In Action Group is holding its next open session on September 20. Supported by the DMA (UK), the event will give a national overview of legislative issues, and an update on data protection and the Corporate...

Tricky procedure.(Soundoff: hunter's tale)(Brief Article)(Column)
September 3, 2004... The pressure of hunting new business for Killer-Shark is getting to me. In fact, if it wasn't for ongoing and persistent offers of alternative employment (thank you Omaid at HHM) I really think I'd have bailed out of the business by now. ...

NCH in hunt for agency to build direct channels.(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Children's charity NCH is reviewing its entire direct marketing business. The successful agency will be charged with developing various channels, including online, digital, direct mail and relationship marketing. The organisation is...

Council MPS door-drop risks Unilever backlash.(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Enfield Council is risking the wrath of Unilever by featuring what appears to be a Persil mailpack in a door-drop campaign urging people to avoid 'junk mail'. The leaflet depicts a bundle of mail--including newspapers, flyers and the...

DMA to set first email benchmark.(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The DMA (UK)'s Email Marketing Council is to launch the first national benchmark for the medium, in partnership with financial services forum Tank. The initiative fulfils one of the council's key objectives for this year. Tank will...

Industry probe to combat skills gap.(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The DMA (UK) is joining forces with Durham University to probe the widening skills gap within the direct marketing sector, as part of its stated aim of 'Turning direct marketing business into a profession'. The research project, which will...

Management secure Telecom Express buyout.(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... A management team has bought response-handling specialist Telecom Express from advertising giant Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO (AMV). The team, calling itself New Telecom Express Limited, and advised by mergers and acquisition firm Winghaven...

Kids charity in mailpack push to aid refugees.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The Children's Society is rolling out a raft of direct activity to promote the plight of child refugees. The charity is sending out 35,000 mailpacks featuring some of the youngsters' poetry, developed with the support of internationally...

Renault gears up for Modus super-mini drive.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Renault is unveiling a major integrated drive for the launch of super-mini marque Modus. The campaign, designed to generate awareness, starts with an online initiative this weekend using the theme 'Grow up--what for?.' It will appear on...

FSA bans bonds firm for mail dupe.(news)(Direct mail)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... A company selling bonds has been forced into liquidation after the Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued its first ban for misselling to customers via direct mail. The ban relates to the sale of precipice bonds by David M Aaron between...

Swabey strikes deal for Health & Comfort.(news)(First Resources)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... First Resources, parent of homeware mail order specialist Scotts of Stow, has acquired rival catalogue business Health & Comfort. The acquisition is expected to substantially boost First Resources' database. It follows this year's purchase...

Centaur hires BEC to launch Finance Week.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Centaur Holdings, publisher of Precision Marketing and Design Week, has appointed Barraclough Edwards Chamberlain (BEC) to handle the launch campaign for Finance Week. It is the first weekly publication to target corporate accountants, and...

Muller plays on Bridget Jones link in mail blitz.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Muller UK is launching a direct blitz to support Mullerlight's sponsorship of the latest Bridget Jones film The Edge of Reason. The Universal Pictures movie is due to be released before the end of the year. The campaign features an on-pack...

Mizz builds reader bonds with SMS services.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Mizz, the IPC Magazines-owned teen title, has appointed communications specialist Broadsystem to handle its SMS activity, as it aims to strengthen reader relationships. Broadsystem will set up a number of novelty text messaging services,...

Industry pays tribute to Intellidata chief Kempsey.(news)(Obituary)
September 10, 2004... Key industry figures have paid tribute to Peter Kempsey, chairman of Adare Intellidata, who died last month aged 50, following a year long battle against Motor Neurone Disease. Kempsey leaves wife Fiona and three children. Denise...

M&C Saatchi team start up Space01 digital outfit.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Former bosses at M&C Saatchi are teaming up to launch digital agency Space01. Paul Brooks, M&C's ex-creative head of digital, is to be managing director; Maggie Huddy will be client services director: Jeremy Robson will be technical...

Trebor Mints to roll out sugar free alternative.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Cadbury Trebor Bassett is rolling out an integrated campaign to back the launch of its Trebor Sugar Free Mints brand variant. The drive will include a mailing sent to people who regularly buy mints, paving the way for an insert campaign....

Save The Children in data capture assault.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Save The Children UK is backing its first DRTV campaign with a major data capture drive. The charity has awarded the data-handling brief to Bristol-based print, call centre and fulfilment firm Orchestra. It will work alongside strategic...

Vtech launches learning-based kids' console.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Technology group Vtech has appointed media agency Big Picture Interactive to handle the launch of an educational games console for young children. Aimed at three- to seven-year-olds, VSmile is to help children expand their learning...

Scouts Association to revamp direct activity.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The Scouts Association is overhauling its direct marketing activity to promote its affinity credit card. The organisation is revamping its credit card mailing and has tasked charity specialists Whitewater with the project. Previously,...

NSPCC hires Itraffic for interactive projects.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The NSPCC has appointed Itraffic to handle its interactive advertising strategy and creative work. The initial brief explores online donor market segmentation, which the children's organisation says is a relatively untapped resource for the...

DTI in online push for information service.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The Department of Trade & Industry is launching an online campaign to promote its new Consumer Direct telephone, online and email information service, which provides advice on consumer protection issues. It will be run in conjunction with local...

EHS Brann Cirencester wins Hardys account.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... EHS Brann Cirencester has been appointed by Hardys to launch its first relationship marketing programme. Hardys is part of drinks group Constellation Europe, which promises 'to create quality wines that will be prized in the markets of the...

Financial direct mail volumes relenting.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Business-to-business (B2B) mail volumes rose in the second quarter of this year, but total figures for the sector were offset by a drop in financial services mailings, according to the Direct Mail Information Service. B2B volumes increased by...

Liberty hires Catalyst for insert drive.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Liberty, the civil liberties and human rights organisation, has appointed Catalyst to create an autumn insert campaign. It will involve a new format and creative idea, focusing on the impact of the war against terror and the internment of...

Volleyball body in direct blitz to boost sport.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The English Volleyball Association (EVA) is serving up a barrage of direct marketing as it seeks to attract more sponsors and develop the sport's national profile. The UK governing body of volleyball has appointed specialist sports sales...

Marketing Store hands top position to BB Carlson boss.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Former BB Carlson chief Amanda Morrissey has joined rival The Marketing Store as managing director of its London office, as part of an aggressive drive to build the agency. Morrissey is to be responsible for developing the company's...

Tourism Ireland in drive for autumn visitors.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Tourism Ireland is preparing a direct blitz focusing on the country's range of leisure opportunities, in a bid to increase the number of autumn visitors. The tourist body, which markets both Northern Ireland and the Republic, is launching...

Peugeot promotes 'affordability' to push 206 model.(news)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Peugeot is gearing up for a direct mail campaign to promote the 206 marque and boost its database with more detailed profiles of its customers. The initiative, which is part of the car manufacturer's Spirit of Summer activity, focuses on...

US sees surge in direct marketing M&A activity.(international)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... New York: The direct marketing industry accrued $14.1bn (7.9bn [pounds sterling]) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity during the first half of 2004, with a total of 275 transactions. According to a report from investment banking firm...

Stewart sentence spells closure.(international)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... New York: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia MSO is being forced to close its catalogue business after Stewart was jailed for lying to investigators about the sale of ImClone Systems stock. Second quarter revenue from the direct commerce...