Precision Marketing articles from September 2005

Precision Marketing archives from September 2005

Cornhill Direct hires Redtag to boost renewals.
September 2, 2005... Cornhill Direct has appointed financial specialist Redtag to handle the retention strategy for its general insurance range. Redtag will be responsible for reducing declining renewal rates for home and motor insurance, while deterring...

Mail order giants escape China 'bra wars' fall-out.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Mail order bosses have branded the so-called 'bra wars' a storm in a 'D- cup', after so far escaping the effects of the trade war which has resulted in 80 million items of Chinese clothing being stuck in European ports. EU trade...

Elvis parent sells majority stake.
September 2, 2005... Direct agency Elvis and parent advertising shop Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy (MCBD) have sold a majority stake to Canadian marketing services organisation the Cossette Communication Group. The deal, worth an estimated initial #7.8m,...

Leading firms join FSA alliance to 'jargon bust' consumer drives.
September 2, 2005... Leading finance firms are joining forces with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to combat jargon-laden marketing which leaves consumers baffled by product benefits. The Financial Promotions Action Group is to help marketers to...

Traidcraft uses virtual gift idea to gain support.(Traidcraft Exchange, Cascaid)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Traidcraft Exchange, a charity dedicated to tackling world poverty through fair trade, is unveiling its first virtual gift catalogue, Gift for Life. The organisation is aiming to develop its supporter base, by offering consumers the...

Titan HiTours to cross-sell insurance products.
September 2, 2005... Holiday travel company Titan HiTours has struck a deal with over-50s insurance specialist RIAS to offer tourists home and motor insurance. The new service will be branded Titan Financial Services, offering Titan's customers its products....

Courvoisier in data-capture blitz.
September 2, 2005... Courvoisier, the cognac producer, is launching a major data-capture promotion. A prize-draw is set to appear on nearly 300,000 bottles, designed to reach existing customers, as well as drinkers aged over 35. The initiative is being...

Bupa direct burst to push plastic surgery.
September 2, 2005... Bupa is boosting its cosmetic surgery service with a major integrated drive promoting specialist hospitals throughout the UK. The healthcare provider has hired Personal to handle the initiative. The agency - the direct arm of ad shop WCRS...

Post Office in DRTV debut for car insurance.
September 2, 2005... The Post Office is embarking on its first DRTV campaign as part of a strategy to promote car insurance products. Publicis will implement the campaign on satellite, digital and terrestrial TV channels, breaking this week. The ad is to...

Hyundai takes military tack to promote 4x4s.
September 2, 2005... Hyundai is unveiling its first integrated campaign to promote the 4x4 range, driving prospects to showrooms for a test-drive. Created by Carlson Marketing Group, the initiative will kick off with a mailing featuring a toy soldier encased...

Blood Service aims to convert new registrants.
September 2, 2005... The National Blood Service (NBS) is launching a direct mail campaign to target new donors and encourage registered individuals to take the next step and give blood. The mailpack, created by agency Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw, is to be...

Industry seeks response to distance-selling legal curbs.
September 2, 2005... The DMA (UK) is seeking industry views on tough Government proposals to tighten distance-selling regulations for mail order and online businesses. The draft regulations, jointly published by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and...

Which? chief executive to chair DMA Awards judges.
September 2, 2005... The DMA (UK) has chosen Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of the Which? group, to chair the judging panel at its 2005 Awards, in association with Royal Mail. The trade body is calling on the services of Vicary-Smith to boost consumer...

Wales Tourist Board hopes mud will stick.(advertising campaign)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... The Wales Tourist Board (WTB) is rolling out an integrated campaign to encourage people to take an autumn break in the country. Partners Andrews Aldridge is behind a drive that is to include direct mail, inserts and online activity. It...

Goddard set to lead Cahoot's expansion.
September 2, 2005... Ex-M&G Investments marketing director John Goddard has been appointed managing director of Abbey's online bank Cahoot. Goddard, a nominee for Client Marketer of the Year at both the 2004 and 2005 Precision Marketing Response Awards, quit...

Ex-EHS Brann partner handed role at Entire.
September 2, 2005... Former EHS Brann Cirencester managing partner Janine Woodcock is joining Entire as client services partner. Woodcock is to have overall account management responsibility for full- service business including Tourism Ireland and AXA Sun Life,...

BT takes broadband to remote Scotland.
September 2, 2005... BT is rolling out a direct drive to promote the expansion of its broadband services in rural Scotland. The telecoms giant has hired Link Direct to handle the initiative. The company is managing ten mailings promoting broadband to 51,000...

G4S Security Services in awareness drive.
September 2, 2005... G4S Security Services, formerly Group 4 Securicor, is launching an on- and offline direct marketing campaign to promote the firm's security services, through FCBi London. A mailpack will be sent to senior managers at the UK's top 1,000...

Healthy Direct refreshes prospect base.
September 2, 2005... Healthy Direct, one of the UK's leading online suppliers of vitamins, minerals and supplements, has appointed More2data to develop its customer database strategy, following a three-way pitch. The agency has been handed an initial brief to...

Tildesley quits More Th>n for Direct Line.(Mike Tildesley)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Mike Tildesley, marketing director of the More Th>n insurance group, has quit his role to join rival Direct Line as marketing chief. He is to replace Jim Wallace, who retired earlier this year due to ill health. Tildesley joined Royal & Sun...

Orange develops customer magazine.
September 2, 2005... Orange, the mobile phone operator, is replacing the direct marketing material that accompanies its customer billings with a consumer lifestyle magazine. It has appointed John Brown Citrus Publishing to handle the launch, which won the...

Smith lands top Equifax role.
September 2, 2005... Equifax has poached General Electric Insurance chief operating officer Rick Smith to be chief executive and chairman. He succeeds Thomas Chapman, who is retiring from the data supplier. Smith spent 22 years at General Electric in the...

Slater launches women's brand with viral blitz.
September 2, 2005... Menswear specialist Slater is unveiling an online drive to raise awareness of the launch of its women's clothing brand. The retailer has appointed Dog Digital to handle the task. The agency has added a data-capture mechanism to the...

First Choice Holidays online game to develop prospects.
September 2, 2005... First Choice Holidays is kicking off an acquisition drive, using an online competition to capture data. The travel company has hired marketing agency The Pepper Corporation to oversee the roll-out of its Star Class Challenge game. The...

VisitScotland rolls out Travellers' Tales drive.
September 2, 2005... VisitScotland is rolling out an integrated initiative to attract more visitors to Dumfries & Galloway. Navigator Responsive Advertising is behind the campaign, which is entitled Travellers' Tales. It comprises press inserts, direct mail...

Citroen overhauls website in bid to bolster loyalty.
September 2, 2005... Citroen is launching its redesigned website to improve customer relationships and increase brand awareness. The site has been created by Global Beach Automotive Services, replacing an existing dealership network and used car locator system....

IAB boosts Mexican Web activity with shop launch.
September 2, 2005... Mexico City: The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) is opening an office in Mexico in a bid to boost the media mix of companies based in the country. The trade body will focus on the use of interactive advertising to maximise the...

India Post rebrands to curb losses.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Bangalore: India Post, one of the world's biggest postal networks, is embarking on a major modernising drive. The state-owned postal operator is enlisting the help of KPMG Consulting, which will submit a report within two months outlining...

EuroDirect extends Cameo coverage to Slovakia.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Bratislava: EuroDirect is extending its business further into central Europe with the launch of its Cameo classification system in Slovakia. The move comes in response to growing industry demand for consumer profiling and targeting in the...

Multinationals need local nous.
September 2, 2005... Paris: Multinational companies need multinational data solutions. But how do they avoid taking a 'one-size-fits-all' approach that might cause inefficiencies at a local level? In theory, multi-country databases make sound business sense...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Will industry bodies ever see eye-to-eye?
September 2, 2005... With a multitude of trade bodies now covering the marketing and advertising sectors, they're far from presenting a united front. Instead of pointing out each others' failings, wouldn't they be better off joining forces? Jessica Phillips...

Letter: Why charities need to keep funds in reserve.(Letter to the Editor)
September 2, 2005... In response to Shaun's McIlrath's Creative Critique which covered the RNLI's recent DRTV advertisement and his comments about our need for funds (PM August 5), I would like to say that, unlike other major charities, the RNLI needs to...

Letter: BT ad tactics below the belt.(Letter to the Editor)
September 2, 2005... I think some of Darrel Linehan's arguments in his letter responding to BT's Privacy Service (PM July 29) were somewhat flawed. Firstly, his statement that the inevitable unlawful calls to BT customers following their Telephone Preference...

An integrated media strategy is an essential tool for brand loyalty.
September 2, 2005... COMMENT: LUCY STAFFORD A carefully executed brand response campaign using a range of media can help to ensure the relevant target audience is being reached at the right time Media is often selected only with the objective of capturing...

Letter: Leave targeting to the experts.(Letter to the Editor)
September 2, 2005... Your piece on the ever-bubbling 'turf war' between the direct marketing and adland gangs (PM last week) raises some interesting points. As digital media allows consumers to access more multimedia content, it is no wonder advertising...

Letter: Number of lists must be falling.(Letter to the Editor)
September 2, 2005... I am afraid there is no room for Suzanne Lewis to disagree with the findings of Lloyd James Group's recent research (PM August 19) reporting an 8 per cent decline in the number of commercially available lists over the past year. The research...

LEADER: How to upset a trade body boss.
September 2, 2005... If there's one concept that's likely to turn trade association bosses into territorial warriors it's the dreaded word 'merger'. The very prospect is usually enough to transform the calmest of chairmen, general secretaries and chief operating...

SPECIAL REPORT - FULFILMENT: Unfulfiled potential.
September 2, 2005... The fulfilment industry seems unable to grab the imagination of marketers, and, as a result, is usually ignored when planning a campaign. It is not helping its case by failing to embrace technological change. Patrick Dye reports Described...

SPECIAL REPORT - MAILING ISSUES: Shape of things to come.
September 2, 2005... The news that Postcomm is giving the industry 12 months' grace before introduces PIP has been met with overwhelming relief. Direct mail users must use the time to prepare for change - and not all will be complaining, either. By David Reed...

Conduit introduces 'grey' data.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Conduit is launching a file offering the opportunity to target the lucrative grey market. The list is made up of over 138,000 wealthy individuals aged over 50, who are interested in donating money and time to charitable causes. The...

Aspire unveils mail order info.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Charity Aspire is making its list of mail order customers available through Isis Direct. Aspire helps create jobs for the homeless and develop fair trade, and operates a catalogue selling gifts for the home and garden. Selections can...

Seton refreshes business names.
September 2, 2005... Seton UK has updated business-to-business (B2B) buyer and enquirer files through Howse Jackson Marketing. Seton specialises in health and safety products, such as first aid supplies and security equipment. Over 185,000 customer records...

Personnel list to be revealed.
September 2, 2005... AP Information Services, a provider of business contact information, is publishing the Personnel Manager's Yearbook 2005-06. The directory lists details on over 83,800 named personnel, human resources and senior business contacts at more...

Executive file expands to 3m.(Publibase )(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Co-operative publishing business database Publibase has increased its file by 580,000 names following a recent update. There are now over 3 million named individuals available. The records cover subscribers to a wide range of business...

Cheapholidays names head of sales.
September 2, 2005... Cheapholidays.co.uk, a travel price comparison website, has appointed Alison Jago head of sales. Jago, previously national sales manager for P&O Stena Line, and consultant with Travel Visibility, will be responsible for working with holiday...

Cats Protection lures new head of fundraising.
September 2, 2005... Janet Wickens has joined Cats Protection as head of fundraising and communications. She has 17 years' voluntary sector experience, having previously been director of marketing and fundraising for five years at horticultural charity Perennial....

141 Worldwide UK appoints Wheatley HR director.
September 2, 2005... 141 Worldwide UK has lured Veronica Wheatley to the newly created post of human resources director. She arrives from the Ogilvy Group, where she was director of learning and development. Prior to that, Wheatley was head of training and...

Nice work: Lee Puri, AdLink Internet Media.
September 2, 2005... Name: Lee Puri Company: AdLink Internet Media Department: Agency sales and Response Republic Job title: Head of agency sales Responsibilities: AdLink has recently undergone a major internal restructure to strengthen its...

Electrical firms granted delay over WEEE rule.(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment )(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Direct sellers of electrical goods have won a temporary reprieve from legislation that could have devastating effects when eventually introduced. The Government has postponed the implementation of the EU Waste Electrical & Electronic...

Story sets up Leeds shop to drive expansion.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Scottish agency Story is setting up an office in England as part of plans to increase its client base. The Edinburgh-based shop will open in Leeds, describing the decision as "the next logical step", as it has three clients located in the...

Havas hands global role to Davis.(Huw Davis )(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... EHS Brann Discovery European managing director Huw Davis has been handed a global role within the Havas group. Davis will become global director for Discovery and Data at Havas' Euro RSCG 4D. He is to be responsible for developing...

DMA slams 'farcical' postal price controls.(Direct Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... The DMA (UK) has hit out at Postcomm's proposed four-year price control scheme for Royal Mail, branding the regulator's plan to measure quality of service "farcical". The trade body, which also questions why mailing clients should be...

Industry up in arms over DTI and OFT link-up.(Department of Trade and Industry)(Office of Fair Trading)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... The direct marketing industry has voiced concerns over the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Department of Trade & Industry's (DTI) collaboration on the latest draft distance-selling guidelines (PM last week). The bodies joined forces to...

P&O door-drop drive targets 200,000 homes.
September 9, 2005... P&O Ferries is boosting a multimillion pound advertising drive with 200,000 door-drops targeting families. Circular Distributors (CD) has been appointed to handle the activity, using its own selection process to define homeowners with...

Europe-wide roll out for SMS2Mail service.
September 9, 2005... SMS2Mail, a digital services provider integrating mobile and email content delivery, is set to launch across Europe. AllisBlue, which owns the service, has been awarded a patent for its sophisticated communication software that will allow...

Companies fail customer requests.(advertisers)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Companies are failing to provide adequate response to customer requests for information or help, according to a report by customer communication specialist Broadsystem. The supplier commissioned Cranfield School of Management to undertake...

Redcats shakes up management team.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Redcats, the home shopping giant, is shaking up its management team with the appointment of Henry Heavisides as UK e-commerce and marketing director. Former general manager of La Redoute, Heavisides has been succeeded by Olivier Jimpel,...

Donor overhaul for the British Lung Foundation.(TW Cat Ltd.)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... The British Lung Foundation is overhauling its donor recruitment and development operations in a bid to encourage gifts. The charity has appointed TW Cat to handle the brief. The direct marketing agency will be responsible for developing a...

Champneys in bid to bolster direct impact.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Champneys Health Resorts has appointed Vertis Marketing Technology and Vertis Direct Marketing Services (VDMS) to handle its database work and direct mail production. Data analytics and interactive media specialist Vertis Marketing...

GB Group 'racy' push stresses data accuracy.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Data specialist GB Group is rolling out a raunchy mailing to highlight the damage that inaccurate personal information in direct marketing can cause. The drive features the strapline 'When you absolutely, positively have to get the name...

Associated New Media to mine data for single view.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Associated New Media (ANM) is overhauling its digital customer management activity. The publisher has appointed data specialist SmartFOCUS' Intelligent Marketing to create a single customer view. ANM, a division of Associated...

Jaywing rebrands MMS and Isis under one name.(Marketing and Media Solutions)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Jaywing, an independent data services provider, is set to rebrand Marketing & Media Solutions (MMS) and Isis Direct, after acquiring the companies earlier this year (PM April 15). MMS and Isis will now come under the umbrella name Jaywing....

Honda devises 'story' pack to improve loyalty.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Honda is launching a requalification drive to update its database and renew relationships with former customers. A direct mailpack created by Hicklin Slade & Partners will be sent to 150,000 people, featuring the strapline: 'Take one step...

Supercook whips up recipe book inserts.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Supercook, the baking, decorating and ingredients brand, is whipping up 1 million recipe and activity books for a direct campaign encouraging families to bake together. The 12-page, A5 book, created by communication agency Brahm, is...

Protec unveils campaign for protective kit.(Experian Information Solutions Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Protec, a supplier of personal protective clothing and safety equipment, is launching a direct mail campaign using Experian's National Business Database and data modelling services. Experian has examined Protec's customer database to...

Consortium targets teachers for autumn.(The Consortium)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... School education resources provider The Consortium is targeting teachers in the early weeks of the autumn term with a direct marketing drive. The campaign, devised by TDA, has been timed to reach teachers when they are likely to require...

IN BRIEF: Post Office reviews advertising account.
September 9, 2005... The Post Office is reviewing its #17m advertising and promotional marketing account, handled by Publicis and Joshua. Head of communications John Scott is overseeing the review, which is being managed by The Haystack Group. Pitches will take...

IN BRIEF: Postal Choices launches Onepost online.(Postal Choices)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Onepost, an independent postal comparison service, is being unveiled to advise marketers about the range of suppliers that will operate following the deregulation of the market in January. A division of mail- sorting software firm Postal...

IN BRIEF: TNT Mail wins Npower delivery deal.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... TNT Mail has won a three-year deal to handle utility company Npower's customer statements and direct marketing material. TNT Premier Service will provide collection and delivery, although it will still use Royal Mail for the final sort. TNT...

IN BRIEF: Cabvision picks up 1,000th customer.(markets)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Taxi marketing specialist Cabvision (PM March 18) has picked up its 1,000 black cab customer in London. The firm provides passengers with a choice of programming, featuring an interactive TV advertising service available on a digital-audio...

IN BRIEF: Precision Marketing to cover integration news.
September 9, 2005... This week, Precision Marketing is launching a new page dedicated to integration (see Page 12), in recognition of the growing importance of a multichannel approach. The fortnightly page will feature the latest news and insightful comment on this...

First Resources launches health conscious Viva!(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Catalogue retail company First Resources is targeting health-conscious consumers with its latest mail order publication Viva! The 84-page catalogue will be mailed to 1.2 million existing customers and prospects. It offers a range of...

ScottishPower turns to text for assault on homemovers.
September 9, 2005... ScottishPower is unveiling a marketing blitz to promote a text response- handling system to keep track of customers who move home. The service, provided by mobile services specialist Txt4, is at the heart of the power company's 'Homemovers'...

Active Hotels aims to build customer personas.(Brainbox)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Online hotel reservation provider Active Hotels has appointed Brainbox, the analytical solutions division of Data Locator Group, to help build a customer-centric business model. Active Hotels wants to create a series of 'personas' -...

Harrods to unveil interactive website for Truly British promotion.
September 9, 2005... Harrods is launching an interactive website to help its Truly British instore promotion. The promotion is celebrating traditional British brands, as well as new ranges from top designers. The site has been created by Underwired, which...

Public warned of rogue groups exploiting Katrina.(Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation, Hurricane Katrina 2005)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... New Orleans: The Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation (DMANF) is warning donors not to fall foul of rogue charities as they help clean up the chaos caused by Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane and subsequent floods have left...

Unicef in Beslan fundraising drive.(United Nations Children's Fund)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Moscow: Unicef is launching an integrated drive to raise money for families affected by last year's massacre at a school in Beslan, Russia, which left 186 children dead. The global charity has hired Moscow-based InterDirect Network member...

Experian gears up for CheetahMail launch in Ireland.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Dublin: CheetahMail, Experian's email marketing and Web analytics service, is being unveiled by the company in Ireland. The move marks the first phase of CheetahMail's wider European roll- out. Domestic and international businesses in...

Swedish mailers maintain growth.
September 9, 2005... Gothenburg: In Sweden, direct mail is one of the fastest growing media, after online marketing. Clients want to be able to measure return on investment, and both Internet and direct mail responses are easy to register, count and follow up....

NEWS ANALYSIS: Does mail order really need more regulation?
September 9, 2005... Home shopping firms are facing the threat of stricter regulations as part of plans by both the OFT and DTI to boost consumer confidence in the sector. But many believe it could be a step too far. Sara Kimberley investigates The home...

Major blitz backs sample activity for Psychologies.
September 9, 2005... Psychologies, the latest women's magazine from publisher Hachette Filipacchi UK, is being unveiled to the market with a major integrated drive. The title is to hit shelves this month, targeting a new genre of female reader known as the...

Radley to bolster WFCA strategy.
September 9, 2005... Full-service agency WFCA has appointed Nick Radley planning director, with a brief to provide clear strategic direction across all accounts. Radley is to also measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the agency's communication...

Sector event to promote integration to newcomers.
September 9, 2005... Industry chiefs are set to gather for a two-day seminar celebrating leading examples of integration. The DMA (UK) is organising the seminar, called The Cream of Direct Marketing & Integration, which is to take place on October 4 and 5 in...

Integration is now essential.
September 9, 2005... Integration has been the industry buzzword of the agency world for the past five years. While many companies boast their integrated credentials, as far as market trends go, it's more an evolutionary than revolutionary process. Take a...