Marketing articles from April 2005

Marketing archives from April 2005

Coke picks UK for global debut of Lemon variant.
April 6, 2005... British consumers will be the first in the world to try a new variant of Coca-Cola when the company takes the unprecedented step of launching a limited-edition lemon flavour this summer. The roll-out is the first time the soft-drinks giant...

RAB cries foul as online spend overtakes radio.(Radio Advertising Bureau)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) has reacted angrily to claims that online adspend has exceeded that of radio, saying the figures are 'not a true and fair reflection of the internet's scale as an ad medium'. In figures exclusively...

BT reviews 'More power' strategy.(advertising)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... BT is poised to axe its 'More power to you' umbrella ad strategy after just a year. Tim Evans, group marketing director at BT, is understood to be considering the future of the customer-focused strategy, which was introduced by his...

Independent redesign sparks ad rate concerns.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... A radical revamp of The Independent, less than a year after it went fully tabloid, is set to incur the wrath of media agencies over fears it will lead to hikes in advertising rates. The overhaul, to be unveiled on April 12, will involve a...

MasterCard in EC probe over World Cup tickets.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... MasterCard's pounds 15m World Cup sponsorship is again under threat after the European Commission launched an investigation into the ticket sales policy for the 2006 tournament in Germany. The probe follows a formal complaint by the German...

5 A Day falls flat with consumers.(health surveys)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The government's multi-million-pound 5 A Day initiative to persuade people to eat more healthily is failing, according to recent consumer research. A study of 11,000 people by TNS found that, on average, no age group in the UK manages to...

Panasonic signs Sky Movies deal.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Panasonic has signed a pounds 1.3m, 12-month deal to sponsor Friday and Saturday evenings on Sky Movies. The tie-up covers all films screened on the nine Sky Movies channels between 6pm and midnight, including premiere slots. It begins...

Priory ads focus on exec addicts.(Priory Group)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The Priory Group, the chain of rehabilitation centres famous for its celebrity clients, including Kate Moss and Paul Gascoigne, is advertising its services to high-flying City executives. Ads carrying the line 'Dependent on alcohol? You're...

New campaign: Walkers.(advertising)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Walkers is launching a campaign to highlight the fact that its core range of crisps is now lower in fat. Ads feature Gary Lineker, dressed as a sunflower, to promote a low saturated-fat mix of vegetable and sunflower oil, which has been...

Smart staff face cuts after rejig.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The future of the Smart UK management team is in doubt after a shake-up by parent company DaimlerChrysler last week. Smart UK's head, Jeremy Simpson, and marketing manager, Sam Bridger, face an uncertain future following the company's...

Abbey to recruit senior marketer.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Abbey is searching for a top marketer to overhaul its consumer products offering in the latest phase of its marketing restructure. The post-holder, with a six-figure salary, will report to marketing and sales director Graeme Hardie, and...

Lib Dems ready first sustained election ad drive.(Liberal Democrats)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The Liberal Democrats are gearing up for a high-profile advertising campaign during the general election, with the party maintaining a consistent above-the-line presence for the first time. The party, which is not revealing details of...

McDonald's unveils pounds 8m ads to win over women.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... McDonald's is aiming to boost its popularity among women with the launch of an pounds 8m, multiple-country drive featuring Destiny's Child, to promote its expanded salads offering. The campaign, which is the first time the R'n'B group has...

Guinness agrees pounds 25m rugby deal.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Guinness is to replace Zurich as the title sponsor of rugby union's English Premiership after agreeing an estimated pounds 25m contract. The four-year deal with commercial rights-holders Premier Rugby, beginning next season, will mark the...

EA plans national children's football tournament.(Electronic Arts)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Electronic Arts (EA) is in talks with the government to secure backing for a nationwide grass-roots football tournament, intended to contribute to its policy of encouraging children to get more exercise. The gaming giant has run limited...

KFC adds Zinger salad to menu.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... KFC is aiming to step up competition against food chains such as Pret A Manger during the lunchtime rush by extending its salad range. The fast-food giant is to launch the Zinger Crunch Salad across its 673 outlets later this month. ...

Brecon Carreg to target families.(mineral water brand)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Brecon Carreg, the Welsh mineral-water brand, is axeing its 'laddish' positioning in favour of a focus on families to boost sales outside its stronghold of Wales. The brand, which has co-branding supply deals for own-label products with...

Racing UK poaches Coral director for senior role.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Racing UK, the horse-racing TV channel set up by 30 of the UK's top racecourses, has named Nick Mills, marketing director of high-street betting chain Coral Eurobet, as its first chief marketer. Mills, who joins as director of sales and...

Tropicana in ad rethink to counter Minute Maid.
April 6, 2005... PepsiCo has overhauled the pounds 10m marketing strategy of its Tropicana drinks division to stave off the challenge by Coca-Cola when it debuts its global Minute Maid brand in the UK this summer. The Tropicana division, which includes the...

Trinity Mirror in ethnic study tie.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Trinity Mirror is to sponsor MinorityReport, a research project into how different ethnic groups react to and consume media. The study, conducted by OMD Insight and Starfish Research, is claimed to be the biggest-ever survey of its kind in...

LG hands Starcom UK pounds 50m European media task.(LG Mobile)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... LG Mobile has hired Starcom UK to handle its pounds 50m pan-European media business, following a four-way pitch. The appointment comes after the Korean company's expansion of its marketing supplier roster, which has seen the recruitment of...

Industry football teams to line up.(Marketing Society competition)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... As the initial team selection gets under way for the annual client versus agency football match, organised by The Marketing Society, competition for the starting places is expected to be fierce. This year's game will take place in mid-May...

T-Mobile aims U-Fix hybrid tariff at teens.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... T-Mobile plans a radical shake-up of the mobile market with the launch of U-Fix, a hybrid payment model, which will be aimed at teenagers and supported by heavyweight advertising. U-Fix, which is hailed by analysts as a first for the UK...

People moves: Tetley Group.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Nigel Holland, Tetley Group's UK commercial director, is to take on an expanded role, which will expand his remit to include responsibility for Western Europe. The move, which is part of a management shake-up, comes as Tetley strengthens...

People moves: DSG Retail Ireland.(promotion)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Declan Ronayne has been promoted from commercial director to general manager of DSG Retail Ireland. DSG Retail, which operates under the Dixons, Currys and PC World brands, is embarking on a strategy of rapid expansion. It plans to double the...

People moves: International Olympic Committee.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Dick Pound has rejoined the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Marketing Commission after an absence of a three and a half years, and becomes the team's 21st member. Pound resigned as chief of the marketing portfolio after losing the...

People moves: McArthurGlen UK.(Sport England)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Laura Wenke has joined designer outlet village developer McArthurGlen UK in the new role of chief marketing officer. Wenke will oversee sales strategy, marketing, communications and branding for 13 malls in the UK and Europe. Wenke joins from...

People moves: Sport England.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club, has joined the board of Sport England. The appointment, which will last for four years, will see Brady work with the sports body to invest about pounds 300m a year in sport in...

People moves: Dreweatt Neate.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Tona Gravatt has been recruited by professional property services company Dreweatt Neate as head of marketing. Gravatt joins from Vodafone UK, where she was marketing manager.

People moves: Costcutter.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Helen Carpenter has been hired as marketing manager at Costcutter. She joins from The Gadget Shop, where she held the same role. Carpenter, who replaces Emma Greatorex, will be responsible for Costcutter's website, own-label brands, store...

People moves: Aston Martin.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Janette Green has been named director of brand communications for Aston Martin. She replaces Tim Watson, who has taken up a role within the group in California. Green joins Aston Martin from Bentley Motors, where she was head of lifestyle...

Sainsbury's puts creative ideas into research.(contracts)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Sainsbury's is understood to have put creative ideas into research from both its incumbent ad agency, Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, and JWT, following its decision to pitch the two against one another in a final contest for its pounds 47m business....

News brief: Fox Home Entertainment to run four campaigns.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Fox Home Entertainment is to run four campaigns on ATM:ad, the cashpoint advertising system, promoting four DVD movies at 146 Asda stores. The campaigns - for Garfield: The Movie, Master and Commander, Ice Age and I, Robot - will feature movie...

News brief: Icstis imposes record fines.(Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Icstis, the premium-rate regulator, has imposed record fines of pounds 1.3m on several companies for using automated calling to offer consumers holidays or cash prizes when, in fact, there were none.

News brief: RFU launches campaign.(Rugby Football Union)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The RFU has launched a campaign to promote the Powergen Cup Final between Leeds Tykes and Bath Rugby. Banner ads and 96-sheets, created by Agency Inc, depict fans pushing their team to victory with the line 'Get off your behind and back your...

News brief: Durkin Media launches directory enquiries service.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Durkin Media has launched a directory enquiries service, 118 789, aimed at young, affluent urbanites. The service, which will donate 20% of its profits to sight-based charities, will be promoted this month through a print and outdoor campaign.

News brief: Del Monte launches DVD promotion.(digital versatile disks)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Del Monte is launching a DVD promotion to support its Pure Juice range. The activity, created by Generator, will be supported with an outdoor ad campaign offering consumers the chance to obtain DVDs of Sleepless in Seattle, Sense and...

News brief: TIME magazine invests in global ad campaign.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... TIME magazine is investing in a global ad campaign, its first since 2003. Planned and bought by MindShare, the activity will run across press and TV channels. Advertising, developed by th1ng, carries the tagline 'Know why'.

William Hill in pounds 80m Grand National push.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... William Hill is embarking on its biggest-ever high-street campaign to persuade casual punters to place a bet on this year's Grand National. The bookmaker has partnered travel firm Airtours to run the pounds 80m ad blitz, offering the...

Abbey allocates pounds 7m digital task.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Abbey has appointed Grand Union to handle its pounds 7m digital marketing business after a competitive pitch. The agency won the brief from incumbent Tequila/London in the first step of a broader marketing review. The news comes just...

Piat d'Or set to make sparkling wine debut.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Piat d'Or is set to broaden its wine portfolio with its first venture into the sparkling wine market. The Percy Fox-owned brand is launching Piat d'Or Sparkling Wine to cash in on a market that is growing in volume by 15% year-on-year,...

New campaign: Chicago Town.(advertising)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Chicago Town is to embark on a pounds 4m TV ad campaign to build awareness of its entire product portfolio. The Schwan's Consumer Brands-owned firm has been perceived as solely a pizza brand, but it produces a range of frozen products...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Asda has unveiled more than pounds 100m of price cuts and Tesco is expected to respond within days in the latest round of supermarket price-cutting. Asda's cuts are the latest phase in the increasingly bitter battle to retain the title as the...

Media News: Calpol sponsors C4's Supernanny.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Pfizer Consumer Healthcare's Calpol has signed as the first sponsor of Supernanny, the Channel 4 series in which no-nonsense nanny Jo Frost shares her parenting skills. The deal marks the Pfizer division's first UK TV sponsorship. It was...

Media News: ITV wins fourth slot on Freeview.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... ITV has won a new slot on digital platform Freeview with what was believed to be a pounds 5m bid. This paves the way for the debut of ITV4 on Sky and Freeview as a men's interest channel, exclusively revealed in Marketing (9 March). ITV...

Media News: Loaded overhauls to reverse sales slump.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... IPC is investing pounds 2m in a re-launch of its struggling lads' mag, Loaded. There will be no above-the-line marketing support for the first issue, but publishing director Niall McKinney said he had been given a budget of pounds 1m to...

Media choice: Podvertising.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... It had to come and, given the success of the iPod, it's surprising that we have waited so long for 'podvertising'. Virgin Radio recently broke new ground by becoming the first UK radio station to launch an advertiser-funded podcast of its...

Media News brief: COI shortlists agencies.(media planning)(Central Office of Information)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The COI has shortlisted agencies Carat and incumbent Starcom MediaVest to handle its pounds 75m TV media planning and buying business after eliminating MediaCom and ZenithOptimedia.

Media News brief: Nivea Soft signs sponsorship package.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Beiersdorf's Nivea Soft moisturiser brand has signed a six-month national radio sponsorship package, through Carat, covering Friday nights on Heart 106.2, 100.7 Heart FM, GWR's Mix Network and Chrysalis' Galaxy Network.

Media News brief: Absolut Vodka advertises in cinemas.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Absolut Vodka is advertising in cinemas for the first time with a two-month campaign in April and May. The 'Bollywood' execution features an Indian hairdresser who rises to global fame after inventing a signature hairstyle.

Media News brief: Mortgage Express appoints Wardour Communications.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Mortgage Express, the specialist lending arm of Bradford & Bingley, has appointed Wardour Communications to produce a customer magazine, B2L, for its buy-to-let mortgage customers.

Media News brief: English National Operat distributes guides.(marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The English National Opera is promoting its 2005/06 Sky & Artsworld season at the London Coliseum with the distribution of 1m copies of a series of three guides targeting different groups of potential customers.

Media News brief: BBC Magazines launches The Roly Mo Show mag.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... BBC Magazines is launching The Roly Mo Show magazine, based on the CBeebies TV show. The title, aimed at three- to six-year-olds, will appear monthly from 20 April, priced pounds 1.99.

Media News brief: Prime minister meets with mag editors.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The prime minister has promised to personally look into the threat posed by the Office of Fair Trading to the existing region-by-region system of press distribution after meeting with 100 magazine editors last week.

Media News brief: 100.4 Smooth FM breaks regional TV campaign.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... 100.4 Smooth FM is breaking a three-week regional TV campaign in the North-West this month, which will promote the station's breadth of music, from Lemar to Simply Red. The campaign is the third burst of TV advertising since the station's...

Branding News: Berol updates packs to attract under-12s.(Zerofiftyone)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Berol is redesigning the packaging of its art and writing products to broaden their appeal and boost their profile on the high street. The brand will introduce red packs featuring a character called Pen Pal. Designed by Vibrandt, they...

Branding News: One.Tel to unveil revamped logo.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... One.Tel, the Centrica-owned telecoms firm, has overhauled its brand identity to give the business a more modern image. The revamped logo has lost the dot - a feature of the firm's branding for 10 years - and will be used from this month in...

Branding News: Heinz overhauls tinned spaghetti.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Heinz is to revamp the packaging of its tinned spaghetti to reassure parents of its healthy ingredients. Jones Knowles Ritchie will create a design that highlights the fact that the range now contains 43% less salt than before, and is made...

Branding News: Design choice - Penguin Great Ideas.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Recently, the publishing industry has got smart to the concept of building and nurturing the 'author' brand, be it Jacqueline Wilson or Tom Clancy. However, Penguin's Great Ideas series adds a layer of sophistication to this thinking. Here, the...

Branding News brief: ITV launches ITV Day.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... ITV has launched a new daytime programming brand, ITV Day. Idents created by BDA use the colours yellow, orange and red to represent the colour and warmth of the sun during the day.

Branding News brief: Chivas Brothers introduces 38-year-old whisky.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Chivas Brothers is introducing a 38-year-old whisky to its premium Royal Salute range. The drink, named The Stone of Destiny after Scotland's historic symbol of sovereign power, will cost dollars 900 (pounds 478) a bottle.

Branding News brief: Arthur Price hires NGJK.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Arthur Price, the cutlery brand, has hired NGJK to redesign its marketing material and update the company's point-of-sale work, advertising, brochure design and trade communications.

Branding News brief: Arcadia hires Lenco International.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Arcadia, P&O Cruise's newest superliner, has hired design consultancy Lenco International to create four brand identities for public rooms on-board the ship. The brands will include Arcadian Rhodes, the creation of celebrity chef Gary Rhodes.

Branding News brief: POM Wonderful to launch in UK.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... POM Wonderful, the Californian pomegranate juice brand, is to launch in the UK through an exclusive deal with convenience store group Budgens. The rollout will be supported by in-store sampling and posters promoting the product's health...

Branding News brief: Creative & Cultural Skills launches competition.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Creative & Cultural Skills, a soon-to-be-launched council aimed at improving training and skills in the creative industries, is running a competition for students to create its brand identity. The winning entry will be unveiled at the council's...

Branding News brief: Shop Direct Group hires Clock Creative.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Shop Direct Group, owner of home-shopping businesses such as Additions Direct and Kays, has hired Clock Creative to work on the company's new 'Recommend a Friend' scheme.

Branding News brief: Sense established.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Sense, an independent brand experience agency, has been established by the former management team of rival LIME.

Direct News: Siemens plots debut customer strategy.(Siemens Mobile)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Siemens Mobile, the troubled handset manufacturer, is to take the fight to rivals Sony Ericsson and LG with the development of its first customer relationship marketing strategy. Siemens Mobile has hired direct and digital agency Spinnaker...

Direct News: Saab focuses on 'all-weather' 9-3.(marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Saab is to highlight the all-weather credentials of its 9-3 Convertible with an integrated campaign focusing on the model's practical benefits. The activity, through Draft London, begins this month, comprising posters, postcards, a mailing...

Direct News: Tesco set for life insurance drive.(Tesco Personal Finance)(promotions)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Tesco Personal Finance is running a cross-media prize draw promotion to encourage consumers to apply for up-to-date quotes for its life insurance policies. Under the promotion, devised by Harvest Digital, consumers who apply for a quote...

Direct choice: Hampton Court Palace Festival.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Dreading the perennial headache of a clogged inbox, saturated with unwanted and badly targeted emails the other day, I was pleasantly surprised by something that triggered the 'want' segment of my Maslow's hierarchy of needs: a spectacular...

Direct News brief: Lexus plans direct mail drive.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Lexus is planning a direct mail drive, targeting fleet managers and company car drivers, to promote the launch of its hybrid vehicle, the RX400h. The mailings by Partners Andrews Aldridge will comprise two brochures; the first containing five...

Direct News brief: Volvo to continue 'For life' theme.(advertising)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Volvo is to continue its 'For life' theme through a direct campaign by EHS Brann Cirencester. The activity, which includes mailpacks and press ads, will target fleet managers and decision makers.

Direct News brief: United Co-op Travel hires Chapter Eight.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The United Co-op Travel Group has hired web agency Chapter Eight to develop its online presence and raise its visibility on search engines.

Direct News brief: Ubisoft to promote video game launch.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Ubisoft is to promote the launch of Tom Clancy's Splinter Chaos Theory video game across UK cities, with a sampling drive by Third Butcher. The promotion includes local radio teaser ads and the chance to trial the game.

Direct News brief: Environment Agency cracks down on fly-tipping.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... The Environment Agency is embarking on a pounds 2m crackdown on fly-tipping with a direct campaign focusing on its zero-tolerance stance. Businesses will be sent advice on legal waste-disposal and an online database will list the people...

Direct News brief: TXT4 hires Alcone.(marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... TXT4, the automated SMS response service, has hired Alcone to handle its integrated marketing. The agency will communicate the benefits of the service, which allows customers to request brochures or information by sending a text message, via a...

Direct News brief: Cattle appoints JDA.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Cattle, the consumer finance group, has appointed JDA to handle direct work for its four brands: Dial4aloan, Welcome Car Finance, Welcome Financial Services and Shopacheck.

Direct News brief: Lloyds TSB plans direct push.(marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Lloyds TSB is planning a direct push to customers, promoting its integrated services. The activity, which comprises 3.2m chequebook and bank statement inserts, is launching this month and was created by WWAV Rapp Collins.

Retail News: Waitrose creates toiletries ranges.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Waitrose is strengthening its own-brand portfolio with the launch of two toiletry ranges, Baby and Family. The baby range will consist of five products manufactured entirely from natural ingredients, while the family line will comprise nine...

Retail News: Boots launches hunt for loyalty partners.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Boots is to offer its Advantage Card loyalty scheme to third-parties for the first time. The chemist is searching for retail and business partners that will award Advantage Card points as incentives to customers or employees. Recipients...

Retail News: Bump to 3 builds up web business.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Bump to 3, the mail order specialist in pregnancy, baby and toddler products, is launching an e-commerce service as it gears up for global expansion. The company's website, www.bumpto3.com, will be rolled out over the next six months to...

Retail choice: Jasper Conran.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... More than just a chance to display your range or align your brand with a prestigious address, today's flagship stores are about creating an experience - and the bigger, the better. The stakes are high: get it right and the positive impact will...

Retail News brief: Iceland pulls plug on e-commerce offer.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2005... Iceland is to pull the plug on its e-commerce offer after seven years. The service will close on 23 April as the struggling retailer focuses on its core business.