Marketing articles from April 2007

Marketing archives from April 2007

Cadbury reworks Trident strategy after TV ad ban.(Cadbury Trebor Basset)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Cadbury Trebor Basset is returning to TV with a new ad for its Trident chewing gum brand, after its crucial launch campaign was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following claims of racism. Insiders claim the confectionery...

MySpace frees up firms to sell digital downloads.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... MySpace is to allow companies to sell music, movie and games downloads through it, laying the grounds for another rapid growth period for the social-networking site. It is believed the initiative, which will pit the News Corp-owned site...

Philips pounds 300m media into Carat.(Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken N.V., Carat Espace)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Philips has reappointed Carat to its pounds 300m global media account following a four-way pitch. The Dutch electronics giant called the review last October as it sought to improve the consistency of its global brand message. At the time,...

Setanta selects AOL brand chief as first GB boss.(Timothy Ryan)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Sports broadcaster Setanta has poached AOL UK's director of brand marketing, Timothy Ryan, as its first GB marketing director. Ryan's arrival coincides with Setanta securing the rights, along with ITV, to broadcast live FA Cup matches and...

Food firms to focus on parents.(Walkers Snack Foods Ltd. advertises snack foods on Ofcom)
April 4, 2007... Walkers snack brands Quavers and Monster Munch are back on TV in Gary Lineker-fronted ads designed to appeal to parents. The campaign broke in the week Ofcom's restrictions on advertising to children came into force. The campaign...

Royal Mail media job goes to OMD.(Royal Mail Group Plc, Proximity London )(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Royal Mail has hired OMD and sister direct agency Proximity London to handle its pounds 18m media account following a statutory review. The review was conducted by Royal Mail marketing director Alex Batchelor. The account had been handled...

Arla adds brand to milk portfolio.(Arla Foods Ingredients, Wieden and Kennedy Inc.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Arla Foods is launching a milk brand to bolster its position in the dairy category. Packaging for the Arla Milk range, designed by Blue Marlin, will clearly flag up the fat content of each variant. The brand joins Cravendale and...

New campaign: Tesco.(to launch campaign of its f and f fashion label)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Tesco is to emphasise the upmarket credentials and affordability of its F&F fashion label in an ad campaign breaking on 9 April.[QQ] The range - an offshoot of the retailer's Florence + Fred line that has been created by former Jaeger...

Del Monte adds exotic-juice line.(Del Monte Foods Co. )(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Del Monte is launching a range of exotic ambient pure juice and juice drinks, following a review of its struggling drinks business. Called Distinction, the range will be available in six variants including Gold Pineapple and Mango, and...

Dairy Milk hands activity to Fallon.(Cadbury Trebor Basset signs Fallon London to campaign)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Cadbury Trebor Basset is to create a fresh campaign for its Dairy Milk brand through Fallon London, rather than its main roster agency, Publicis. Fallon also won work for Cadbury brands Bourneville and Green & Black's last year. ...

3 signs advertisers for The Apprentice highlights.
April 4, 2007... Mobile operator 3 is making video highlights of The Apprentice available free of charge to mobile users, in its first move into advertiser-funded content. The telecoms company has signed Cisco, Lynx and Microsoft as the first brands to run...

Coke doubles spend in summer portfolio drive.(Coca-Cola Co.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Coca-Cola is poised to unleash an pounds 8m promotional drive to support its 'Coke side of Summer' programme - double its spend over the same period last year. The campaign will kick off in June with an on-pack promotion giving consumers...

Five looks into launch of Freeview movie channel.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Five is considering launching a movie channel to boost its presence on Freeview. Industry insiders say the proposal is part of the broadcaster's review of its presence on the platform. It already runs two digital channels as well as its...

BP ads back CO2 offsetting push.(BP America Inc., OgilvyOne Worldwide)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... BP is encouraging customers to offset the effects of their driving by offering to invest customer contributions in its 'Target Neutral' initiative. The scheme, which launched last year, encourages drivers to make a financial contribution...

Volvo cuts ties with Euro RSCG.(Euro RSCG Worldwide Inc.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Volvo has ended its 15-year relationship with Euro RSCG after omitting it from the shortlist in a review of its pounds 80m global ad account. The agency had been pitching for the business in conjunction with 180 Amsterdam. The shortlist...

Miller Homes in community push.(launches social networking site, Mymillerstreet.co.uk )(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Miller Homes, the UK's biggest privately owned house builder, is launching a social networking site to encourage residents on its developments to get to know each other. Mymillerstreet.co.uk will offer residents information about their...

HMV to add social networking in website overhaul.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... HMV is looking for an agency to handle the redesign of its website and the launch of a social network, as part of a strategy to boost its digital revenue. The retailer is talking to a number of agencies about the brief to overhaul its main...

DSGi to expand Pixmania into electricals flagship.(DSG International Ltd.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... DSGi is to broaden the offering of its online camera specialist Pixmania into general and household electrical products. The move throws the future of its Dixons brand, which sells the same stock, into doubt. DSGi has been slowly downsizing...

Coke puts pounds 5.6m behind Schweppes Straightcut.(Coca-Cola Co.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Coca-Cola is to support the launch of flavoured carbonated soft-drink brand Schweppes Straightcut with a pounds 5.6m ad campaign over Easter using the strapline 'At last a soft drink for adults'. The brand will be available from May in...

Cartoon Network eyes web sales.(Turner Broadcasting signs pact with Digital Stores)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Turner Broadcasting is making its first foray into e-commerce, targeting kids with a transactional portal selling Cartoon Network-branded merchandise. The broadcaster has secured a deal with e-tailer Digital Stores to offer DVDs, books,...

Photo-Me seeks UK shop to work on booths.(Photo-Me International PLC)
April 4, 2007... Photo-Me International is hunting a UK agency to boost consumer confidence in the ability of its automatic photo booths to meet new passport guideline requirements. The firm has briefed three London agencies to come up with creative ideas...

Divine to roll out bakery offering.(Innov8ive Foods)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Fairtrade chocolate brand Divine is to extend into the bakery sector. The company has teamed up with bakery specialist Innov8ive Foods, which was set up specifically to handle the task, to develop a range of Fairtrade products that will be...

First Choice reviews direct arrangements.(contracts with Beattie McGuiness Bungay)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... First Choice has approached several direct agencies in a review of its below-the-line arrangements. The travel company's direct business is currently split between its ad agency, Beattie McGuiness Bungay, and direct communications and...

Expedia awards digital business to Profero.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Expedia, the online travel portal, has handed its digital account to Profero following a head-to-head pitch against Agency Republic. The company is keen to expand its online offering to strengthen its position against rivals including...

News brief: Branston extends its brand portfolio.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Branston is extending its brand portfolio with the launch of Bloomin Big Baked Beans. Made from Otebo beans, which are 50% bigger than conventional baked haricot beans, the limited-edition product will go on sale at the end of this month,...

News brief: Fab moves away from price promotions.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Fab, the iconic ice-lolly brand, is moving away from price promotions with a major campaign to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. Created by Rise Communications, the digital, press and PR drive breaks at Easter

News brief: Sunsilk signs Girls Aloud to front activity.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Sunsilk has signed Girls Aloud to front TV and print activity that breaks on 1 June. It is the first time the Unilever haircare brand has used celebrities in its advertising

News brief: SABMiller appoints VCCP Digital and VCCP Search.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... SABMiller has appointed VCCP Digital and VCCP Search to handle a global integrated campaign for its Pilsner Urquell lager. The agencies will work with the brand's global ad agency, Ogilvy & Mather

News brief: Chrysalis Radio repositions LBC 97.3 FM.
April 4, 2007... Chrysalis Radio is repositioning LBC 97.3 FM as London's Biggest Conversation. The new branding will be used on-air and in other promotional activity

News brief: ConAgra Foods appoints HRG.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... ConAgra Foods, a US food titan, has appointed HRG to handle UK sampling and POS activity for its Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popcorn brand. The manufacturer is investing pounds 5m to promote the popcorn as an alternative to crisps

News brief: Office of Fair Trading to roll out awareness campaign.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Office of Fair Trading is to roll out a pounds 1m awareness campaign to educate consumers about Christmas savings clubs. Aimed at parent and toddler groups, pensioners and working men's clubs, the OFT will produce short films, leaflets and...

News brief: Kellogg launches fresh TV campaign.
April 4, 2007... Kellogg is launching a fresh TV campaign for its Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes. The ads, by JWT, depict a Britain where everyone has gone crazy for the product under the strapline 'The whole nation's gone Crunchy Nuts!'

Face Party to launch white-label offering.
April 4, 2007... Social network Face Party is to allow brands to develop their own versions of its UK site. The chat site will create bolt-on communities that advertisers can incorporate into their own websites to capitalise on its 6m-strong user base. ...

Monarch ties up with Hed Kandi.(Monarch Airlines Ltd.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Low-cost airline Monarch is linking up with clubbing brand Hed Kandi to promote the launch of its Ibiza flight service. The deal will see the partners launch a dedicated site, flykandi.com, featuring flight and hotel deals and information...

Mencap seeks shop for revamp of image.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Learning disability charity Mencap is seeking a creative agency to update its image. Alex Holden, head of communications at Mencap, said it hopes to shift away from its current perception as a traditional charity to be known as a leading...

New campaign: Peartiser.
April 4, 2007... Coca-Cola has kicked off its summer activity with the launch of Peartiser, a sparkling pear-juice drink. To support the launch, the brand will assume Appletiser's two-year sponsorship of Friends on E4 and E4+1. Idents will run before and...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(House of Fraser PLC)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... House of Fraser is to build a national chain of small stores on the high street. The plan mimics the strategy of Debenhams, which has outlined its plans for high-street spin-off Desire by Debenhams. - The Observer The Office of Fair...

Media: Disney Channel in Odeon tie.(Walt Disney Studios, Odeon Cinemas)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Disney Channel has struck its biggest ever partnership deal with Sky and Odeon Cinemas to promote its service in the UK. The six-month promotion, which starts on Friday, will see Sky and Disney sponsor Odeon Kids Club movies. As...

Media: Wyevale creates customer title.(Wyevale Garden Centres PLC)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Wyevale, Britain's biggest garden-centre group, has appointed John Brown to create its first catalogue and a one-off magazine. The 20-page mini-magazine will be inserted in the Mail on Sunday on 1 April to coincide with the Easter gardening...

Media Choice: Jellyfish.(NatMag Specialist Media moves to web based magazine)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... In launching teen-focused Jellyfish, NatMags is the second major publisher to move into the web-based magazine sector after Dennis with Monkey. The commercial foundations for such a launch are sound - print circulations in the teen...

Media brief: Waitrose backs UKTV Food programme.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Waitrose is backing UKTV Food programme Market Kitchen, a daily food magazine show focusing on locally sourced produce. The 12-month deal was created with OMD and its branded content division, Fuse

Media brief: The 4 Digital Group confirms line-up.(for digital radio stations)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The 4 Digital Group radio consortium led by Channel 4 has confirmed its line-up of proposed stations in its bid for the next digital radio multiplex. These include Sky News Radio, E4 Radio, Channel 4 Radio and Pure4 Radio

Media brief: Daily Mail & General Trust posts boost in ad revenues.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Daily Mail & General Trust, which owns the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday, has posted a 10% boost in year-on-year advertising revenues in the five months to February. The company said its regional newspaper business, Northcliffe, is also...

Media brief: Doordarshan to launch 24-hour channels.(on British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC's platform)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Doordarshan, the Indian public-service broadcaster, is to launch two 24-hour channels on the BSkyB platform on 16 April. The DD India and DD News channels will broadcast mainly in Hindi

Media brief: NatMags hires publisher of CosmosGirl!(Lucy Dryburgh)(NatMag Specialist Media)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... NatMags has hired Lucy Dryburgh as publisher of CosmoGirl!, with responsibility for its print and online portfolio including digital title Jellyfish. Currently business manager at Emap Entertainment, Dryburgh joins on 16 April

Media brief: IPC Connect appoints fashion advertising manager for Look.
April 4, 2007... IPC Connect has appointed Sarah Romaine, acting fashion manager on Emap's Grazia, to the role of fashion advertising manager on its high-street fashion weekly Look

Media brief: So London ceases publication.(magazines)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... So London, the upmarket weekly glossy targeting the affluent in the capital, has ceased publication after just two issues. The magazine had an initial print run of 75,000 copies and a cover price of pounds 2.95

Branding: Angel Delight updates look.(reintroduced by Premier Foods)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Premier Foods is relaunching its iconic 60s Angel Delight brand to consolidate its position as the bestselling packet dessert. Premier briefed Parker Williams to carry out the revamp last year. A cloud design has been added to the packs to...

Branding: Right Guard set to revamp packs.(Henkel Group's deodorants line)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Henkel is overhauling its Right Guard deodorant line just a year after introducing new packaging for its women's variants. The refreshed packaging is expected to roll out in time for the summer - a key selling period for deodorant. The...

Branding: Design choice - Volkswagen boot release.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Today, more than 10 years after its original airing, I still recall the brilliant commercial in which an irritating squeak in a Volkswagen Golf was eventually tracked down and cured by the application of a drop of oil to the driver's earrings....

Branding brief: United Biscuits revamps packaging.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... United Biscuits has revamped the packaging for its McCoy's crisps range to flag up a reduction in its saturated-fat content. The redesign will be supported by a pounds 4m ad campaign

Branding brief: EDMA hires 23red Central.(East Midlands Development Agency)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... East Midlands Development Agency (EDMA) has hired 23red Central, a hub of the 23red agency based in Nottingham, to review its brand identity. Set up in 1999, the EDMA is focused on boosting the region's economic development

Branding brief: Berghaus adds to its design agency roster.(H. Berghaus B.V., Palmer Hargreaves Agency)
April 4, 2007... Berghaus, the outdoor-clothing firm, has added Palmer Hargreaves Wallis to its design agency roster. It will develop branding for a range of clothing launching next year

Branding brief: Alpen teams up with St Ives.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Alpen has teamed up with skin-care brand St Ives for an on-pack promotion that will encourage consumers to collect tokens to redeem against St Ives products

Branding brief: TourismFirst hires face.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... TourismFirst, a venture set up to help tourism-related firms in Yorkshire improve their business potential, has hired face to create its visual identity. The agency will also work on its website and promotional literature

Branding brief: The Laureus World Sports Awards unveils design.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Laureus World Sports Awards, an annual event that celebrates excellence in sport and seeks to promote social change, has unveiled the design for its 2007 ceremony, which will be held in Barcelona this month. The design was created by...

Branding brief: Seanhanna unveils fresh branding.(To The Point )(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Seanhanna, a chain of six hair salons across London, has unveiled fresh branding to coincide with its 25th birthday. Design agency To The Point was tasked with creating consistency across the portfolio

Direct: Total yoghurt hands direct activity to 141.(141 Worldwide )(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Total, the dairy manufacturer, has hired 141 Worldwide to handle the direct marketing for its Greek yoghurt brand in the UK, with a brief to focus on its health credentials. The agency was appointed following a five-way pitch handled by the...

Direct: Tunisia bills itself as 'African jewel'.(Tunisian National Tourism Office campaign)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Tunisian National Tourism Office is launching an integrated campaign that will position the country as 'The jewel of North Africa'. The activity, created by Fox Kalomaski, will target ABC1 families and the over-50s. It is intended to...

Direct: Deafness charity eyes SMS donors.(British Deaf Association's donation campaign)(short messaging service)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The British Deaf Association (BDA) is running its first direct-response donation campaign to use text messaging. The charity has teamed up with mobile specialist WIN to run the activity. The initiative encourages donors to text the keyword...

Direct Choice: Early Learning Centre Big Birthday Club.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... One of the biggest challenges for parents is organising a birthday party for their child. Devising an interesting idea that will entertain 10 or 20 active young minds for long enough to stop them wrecking your home gets more challenging the...

Direct brief: Vodafone hires LIDA.
April 4, 2007... Vodafone has hired LIDA to handle its consumer direct marketing The account moves from Harrison Troughton Wunderman, which did not repitch.

Direct brief: Total offers customers chance to win competition.(with the help of Euro RSCG KLP)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Total, the oil company, is offering customers the chance to win a cleaner for a year. It is backing the competition with a direct campaign created by Euro RSCG KLP, which will span 600 Total petrol-station sites

Direct brief: The Down's Syndrome Association targets HR workers.(signed up Saatchi & Saatchi Company PLC)(human resource)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Down's Syndrome Association is targeting HR workers to raise awareness of sufferers who are being overlooked for jobs despite being suitably qualified. A mailing, by Saatchi & Saatchi X, resembles a CV which reveals its subject has Down's...

Direct brief: Sharpie hires Carbon Marketing.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Sharpie, the US permanent-marker brand, has hired direct agency Carbon Marketing to handle its UK launch. The agency will create an online and offline campaign, with the first work expected to break later this month

Direct brief: Department for Education seeks to change attitudes.(Department for Education and Skills selected Clark McKay and Walpole)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Department for Education and Skills is seeking to change attitudes among lower-income families toward taking up formal childcare, with a drive through Clark McKay and Walpole. The work spans direct mail, press ads and face-to-face activity

Direct brief: The LTA appoints Seal Communications.(Lawn Tennis Association)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... The Lawn Tennis Association has appointed Seal Communications to boost ticket sales for a series of events including the Davis Cup. The agency will create a poster push and 70,000-piece leaflet drop

Direct brief: Macmillan Cancer Support hires Joshua.(Joshua Agency PLC)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Macmillan Cancer Support has hired Joshua as its first retained lead creative agency. The agency, which was appointed after a pitch handled by the AAR, has been tasked with creating a range of online and offline activity

Direct brief: Drugsline launches direct-response campaign.
April 4, 2007... Drugsline, the drugs crisis, information and support charity, is launching a direct-response campaign in London cabs created by Taxi Promotions UK

Digital: Skoda creates social portal.(Skoda Automobilovy Koncern Ltd. launches website)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Skoda is rolling out a multimillion-pound digital strategy that will see its website relaunch as a social network for potential customers and car enthusiasts. The manufacturer has appointed Goodtechnology to oversee the redevelopment of...

Digital: C4 set to refresh online presence.(Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Channel 4 is redesigning its websites to give them a consistent look and feel. The broadcaster has appointed Modem Media to develop a set of global templates for its existing sites and future launches. As well as promoting its TV...

Digital Choice: Adidas.(adidas-Salomon AG)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... I've been impressed by Adidas' 'Impossible Is Nothing' campaign since it kicked off in 2004. With previous creative featuring sporting icons such as Muhammad Ali, it's the sort of campaign you would expect from Nike, and it gives Adidas a...

Digital brief: Bebo launches music download service.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Bebo, the social-networking site, is launching a music download service. An indiestore widget, created in partnership with 7digital, will promote new artists registered on the site

Digital brief: BT strikes deal with Warner Bros.(British Telecommunications PLC)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... BT has struck a deal with Warner Bros to make a range of its films and TV shows available online via the BT Vision download store. The deal will allow consumers to buy downloads of films including Happy Feet and The Prestige

Digital brief: Yahoo! launches suite of services.
April 4, 2007... Yahoo! is launching a suite of services to enable publishers to bolster the distribution and monetisation of their content on mobile phones

Digital brief: Orange extends its mobile advertising service.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Orange is extending its mobile advertising service to its 15m-strong UK customer base after up to 23% of consumers who took part in a recent trial purchased products they saw advertised on the Orange World portal

Digital brief: Yell.com extends its range of advertising services.(Yell Group PLC)(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Yell.com is extending its range of advertising services. The online directory will now feature pay-per-click advertising and a wider range of banners aimed at big-budget national brands

Digital brief: Universal Pictures uses mobile campaign.(Magnet Harlequin )(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Universal Pictures is using a mobile campaign created by Magnet Harlequin to promote the cinema release of Mr Bean's Holiday. The initiative will give consumers the chance to receive branded downloads when they take photos of Mr Bean posters...

Digital brief: Channel 4 Radio and Napster UK join forces.(Brief article)
April 4, 2007... Channel 4 Radio and Napster UK have joined forces to offer a series of online music sessions. Napster Live will feature performances and interviews with acts including Mika and The Zutons

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Jeeves must be spinning in his grave.
April 4, 2007... When Carling Black Label brought a case for trademark infringement against a group that had parodied the brand in South Africa, it was said in court that 'Black Label has the luxury of having the most money, and therefore the most speech'. The...

News Analysis: On its way to challenging TV.
April 4, 2007... Online has shot past the pounds 2bn expenditure mark to leave the national press in its wake. Gareth Jones reports. The internet has transformed not just consumers' lives, but also the landscape of the UK media industry. Online ad...

News Analysis: O2 looks to lay Dome's past to rest.
April 4, 2007... With clear attractions for visitors and associated brands, this time the Dome has a chance to succeed. The Millennium Dome was briefly an icon of New Labour's Cool Britannia before slipping swiftly and ignominiously to become one of the...

Raymond Snoddy on Media: A most civilised way to win the ABC1s.
April 4, 2007... Something odd has happened on recent Sunday evenings. So odd, in fact, that it is difficult to remember when it last occurred; this viewer has spent almost an entire evening in the company of ITV when there was no European Championship football...

Media Analysis: 500 movies, one living room.
April 4, 2007... As broadcasters advance their film channel offerings, Nicola Clark asks if there are enough viewers to go around. Films are big business - and not just on the silver screen. For broadcasters, too, they provide a vital revenue stream. This...