Marketing articles from April 2007

Marketing archives from April 2007

Volvo hands pounds 80m business to Nitro and Arnold.(Arnold, Fortuna, Lawner and Cabot)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Volvo has appointed Nitro alongside US agency Arnold to handle its pounds 80m pan-regional advertising account following a two-way pitch against Fallon. The brief covers the European and US markets and follows a five-month review. Volvo...

P&G hammers Tesco for furtive Eukanuba buying.(Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Tesco is embroiled in a dispute over its use of the 'grey' market after it obtained unofficial stocks of Procter & Gamble's Eukanuba specialist pet food. The decision has angered P&G, which supplies its Iams brand to the multiples but...

Britain's brands lag behind rivals.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Britain is trailing behind its European rivals in building and sustaining global brands, according to a study by Millward Brown Optimor. The agency's annual rankings of global brand values, released this week, showed eight British...

LOCOG downgrades status of insurance category.(London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has demoted the top-tier sponsorship category earmarked for an insurance brand to a lower level. The decision follows last month's signing of Lloyds TSB as the...

Sony Ericsson refocuses work on mobile internet.(Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Sony Ericsson is shifting the focus of its marketing strategy to concentrate on handsets that allow users to surf the internet. Until now the bulk of the mobile phone manufacturer's advertising, which was won by Saatchi & Saatchi in...

Cadbury in court over salmonella.(Birmingham City Council is prosecuting Cadbury Schweppes PLC over food contamination)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Cadbury Schweppes is being prosecuted by Birmingham City Council for breaches of food hygiene regulations following last year's salmonella outbreak. It has accused Cadbury of bringing unsafe products to market and failing to immediately...

More Th>n to aid greener driving.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... More Th>n is developing technology to help its customers drive more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint. The Royal & SunAlliance insurance brand is adapting the technology used for its pay-as-you-drive insurance product to help...

Singapore airline in direct review.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Singapore Airlines is putting its direct marketing account up for pitch following the completion of a review of its advertising business. The review will be handled in-house. Earlier this month, the airline shifted its advertising account...

New campaign: Transport for London.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Transport for London is encouraging schoolchildren and commuters to walk instead of taking short car journeys in its latest ad campaign. The work, which launches on 30 April, spans posters and radio ads and uses the strapline 'Why not...

118 118 in mobile video clips drive.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... 118 118 is moving into mobile content with the creation of a series of video clips intended to capitalise on the popularity of the runners from its TV ads. The directory enquiries company plans to film a range of made-for-mobile clips...

Amex set to run holiday auction.(American Express Co.)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... American Express is running an online global reverse auction, offering its credit-card customers the chance to win a cut-price dream holiday. The 'Going Once' initiative will invite internet users to bid for luxury trips to destinations...

COI warns media roster not to misuse discounts.(Central Office of Information)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The COI has cautioned media buying agencies against misappropriating the discounts it gets from media owners and passing them on to their other clients. The COI has written to its entire roster of recruitment advertising agencies to...

Weetabix poised for NPD assault on 'health' rivals.(new product development)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Weetabix is to launch a raft of breakfast and cereal bar products over the summer to extend its health credentials and put pressure on rivals Kellogg and Cereal Partners. The push will begin in June with the introduction of a cereal bar...

Powerade hunts agency for pan-European brief.(energy drink from Coca-Cola Co.)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Coca-Cola is seeking an ad agency to handle the pan-European account for its Powerade sports-drinks brand, ahead of an advertising push this summer. The brand has previously used Nitro, which created a viral ad for the 2006 FIFA World...

Unilever assigns Flora digital task.(to OgilvyOne Worldwide, Unilever Group)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Unilever has hired OgilvyOne to oversee the digital development and strategy of its Flora margarine brand. OgilvyOne will handle online activity for Flora's 'Healthy heart' campaign, which launched last weekend to coincide with the...

Red Bull spritzer in pounds 2.5m launch.(Egelnick and Webb advertising campaign for Sabai from Red Bull GmbH)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Red Bull is rolling out a pounds 2.5m campaign to support the introduction of a pomegranate variant of its Sabai wine spritzer brand. A 5% ABV drink, Sabai made its UK debut in December 2005 as Red Bull's first new product in 10 years....

Empire Stores to build web roster.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Home-shopping company Empire Stores is building a digital agency roster, with the intention of stepping up its commitment to online. The company has contacted UK agencies as it looks to strengthen its e-commerce, online advertising and...

EA secures long-term deal with football prospect.(EA Sports signed deal with Daniel Sturridge)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... EA Sports has signed a long-term endorsement of up-and-coming Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge. The 17-year-old was Theo Walcott's England youth strike partner and is tipped to become one of the game's top stars. The deal is part...

McDonald's to team up with Vegetarian Society.(Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... McDonald's is poised to announce a tie-up with the Vegetarian Society as it seeks accreditation for a range of vegetarian-compliant products, including a strawberry milkshake and a burger. The alliance is part of a range of activity...

DWP targets SMEs with disabled employees push.(Department for Work and Pensions, small and medium enterprises)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is to launch a three-year advertising campaign intended to encourage small businesses to give greater consideration to hiring disabled people. The DWP has hired BDH\TBWA to develop the activity,...

Cedar deal adds digital expertise.(Cedar Communications's alliance with Reactive)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Omnicom-owned contract publishing company Cedar Communications has sealed a strategic alliance with web design and build agency Reactive to aid its expansion into digital magazines. The agencies will work together on websites and online...

BK in Spider-Man toys promotion.(Burger King Corp. )(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Burger King has tied up with the release of Hollywood blockbuster Spider-Man 3, giving a clear indication of its continued commitment to targeting children with promotions. Rebelling against the prevailing pressure to not market foods...

Fila eyes growth with lifestyle clothing line.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Italian clothing brand Fila has marked out its intention to become a global fashion brand by launching high-end and mass-market clothing ranges that draw on its athletic roots. In January, the brand was acquired by Global Leading Brands...

Fat Face hunts shop to handle brand work.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Fashion and retail brand Fat Face is seeking an integrated agency to handle its brand communications. A review of its arrangements was prompted by Fat Face's pounds 360m purchase by private-equity firm Bridgepoint last month. The chain,...

News brief: Cadbury refuses to refute speculation.
April 25, 2007... Cadbury has refused to categorically refute speculation that it is to review its media planning and buying account, currently held by Starcom

News brief: Consortium of brands launch initiative.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... A consortium of brands, including B&Q, Barclaycard, British Gas, Marks & Spencer, O2, Royal & SunAlliance, BSkyB and Tesco this week launched a long-term initiative, in association with the government, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. The...

News brief: Church & Dwight rolls out anti-ageing tooth polish.(Church & Dwight Company Inc.)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Church & Dwight is rolling out what it claims is the first anti-ageing tooth polish. Pearl Drops Replenishing White, which claims to restore enamel, will target 25- to 50-year-olds

News brief: Kraft launches Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookies.
April 25, 2007... Kraft Foods has launched Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookies under licence to Bakemart. The cookies are available in Sainsbury's ahead of a wider roll-out in September

News brief: Purina creates website.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Purina has created a website for its premier Purina ONE brand through integrated agency JPMH. The site will be localised for each of the petcare brand's territories

News brief: ASOS.com hires designer.
April 25, 2007... ASOS.com, the fashion e-tailer, has hired designer Patricia Field to create a limited-edition range based on celebrity looks. The line will launch in the autumn

News brief: Sugar Puffs becomes sponsor of Wildlife Garden.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Sugar Puffs has become a sponsor of the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Garden as part of its pounds 3.5m 'Hive action' drive to raise awareness of bees and honey. The work will see presenter Bill Oddie visit schools to tell children how to...

News brief: Ecover teams up with People Tree.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Ecover, the household-cleaning brand, is teaming up with ecological clothing firm People Tree for an on-pack promotion. From next month consumers will be given the chance to win pounds 500-worth of People Tree clothing. The promotion is...

People moves: Thomson Directories.(Jill Pringle named head of marketing)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Thomson Directories has named Jill Pringle head of marketing, reporting to product and marketing director Gary Brown. Previously usage marketing manager, Pringle is tasked with encouraging consumers to use the directories more, developing the...

People moves: Lion Capital.(Mary Minnick joining as partner)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Former Coke marketing chief Mary Minnick is joining private-equity firm Lion Capital as a partner. Minnick resigned from her role as Coca-Cola president of marketing, strategy and innovation earlier this year

People moves: WAY Group.
April 25, 2007... Financial services firm WAY Group has appointed Nigel Grinsted group marketing manager. He joins from product design company First Choice, where he was consultant director

People moves: Glisten.(Dave Coulson appointed as marketing and development director, Glisten Confectionery)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Confectionery and snack group Glisten has hired Dave Coulson as its first marketing and development director. Coulson is a former marketing director at Matthews Foods and marketing consultant to Kellogg

People moves: Montpeliers.
April 25, 2007... Edinburgh bar and hotel group Montpeliers has promoted Lucy Henderson to group marketing manager. She previously worked in brand marketing for units within the group

Nectar incentivises greener behaviour.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Loyalty scheme Nectar is following the lead of Tesco's 'green' ClubCard drive with the trial of a series of environmental initiatives. The company has sent out a test mailing to a select group of its cardholders, offering extra points in...

Heineken to roll out wheat beer.(Edelweiss Snowfresh)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Heineken is gearing up for the global launch of a wheat beer aimed at young, urban consumers. Called Edelweiss Snowfresh, the 5% ABV beer will be brewed by the Heineken-owned Austrian firm Brau Union. The drink, which has had a...

Mattel in Sugababes Barbie doll collection.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Toy maker Mattel is to launch a range of Barbie dolls based on girl band Sugababes. The Barbie Styled by Sugababes Collection, which will be rolled out from next month, follows the launch in 2005 of a range modelled on fellow Universal...

New campaign: Young's.(Young's & Wells campaign by Farm)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Young's & Wells is running the first ads for its Young's bitter since the brewers merged last October. An outdoor campaign, which breaks on 7 May, will be followed by press and online activity over the summer. The first execution shows a...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Ryanair Ltd. to open hotels at airport bases in Europe)(ASDA Group Ltd. to offer incentives to shoppers)(Sainsbury PLC plans to invest and refurbish its stores)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... GMTV viewers who entered the breakfast TV show's premium-rate phone-in competitions have been cheated out of an estimated pounds 10m a year because shortlists were finalised 'long before' lines closed, according to a BBC investigation - The...

Media: Freeview TV recorder in major launch blitz.(Freeview Playback )(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Freeview is planning extensive promotional activity to back the launch of digital TV recorder brand Freeview Playback this May. The drive comes as Gfk figures reveal that Freeview is now the main set-top box in 8.2m UK homes, placing it...

Media: Brylcreem cuts Soccer AM ties.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Hairstyling brand Brylcreem is to end its two-year association with Sky Sports TV show Soccer AM. The programme, presented by Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain, is broadcast from 9am - 12pm every Saturday morning on Sky Sports 1 and Sky...

Media: Grade on warpath over HFSS ruling.(Michael Grade on restrictions on high in fat, salt or sugar foods advertising)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... ITV executive chairman Michael Grade has stepped up his criticism of the forthcoming restrictions on advertising foods high in fat, salt or sugar to children. Speaking at the 'Voice of the Listener and Viewer' spring conference last...

Media choice: Woman's Own.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... This week saw the first issue of the revamped Woman's Own. With the traditional women's weekly market in decline, IPC has chosen a cleaner, fresher look for its 75-year-old title. The classic woman's weekly has become less and less...

Media brief: Popworld Pulp folds after two issues.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Popworld Pulp, the teen magazine, has folded after just two issues, after it 'bombed in a way nobody could ever have envisaged', according to Darren Styles, chief executive of publisher Brooklands Group. Of the 14 staff who work on the...

Media brief: 20th Century Fox secures deal with Nestle.(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., The Simpsons Movie promotion)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... 20th Century Fox has secured a deal with Nestle for an on-pack promotion to support the launch of The Simpsons Movie. Homer Simpson will appear on the front of Kit Kat, Aero, Rolo and Yorkie packs as part of an instant-win cash promotion

Media brief: Capital Radio runs campaign.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Capital Radio is running a reverse-graffiti campaign as part of its extensive rebranding activity. The station has appointed a street artist known as 'Moose', who will clean the dirt from London streets with images displaying the Capital logo

Media brief: Xfm signs Alex Zane as presenter.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Xfm has signed up Alex Zane as the new presenter of its weekday London Breakfast Show. Zane, who is also a presenter of Popworld on Channel 4, will step into the role on Tuesday 29 May, replacing Lauren Laverne

Media brief: Baileys renews sponsorship of The A-List.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Baileys has renewed its sponsorship of contemporary chart The A-List. The chart, which launched in March 2006, airs on Sundays from 4pm-7pm across 62 stations, including Chrysalis Radio's Heart FM Network and GMG Radio's Century and Real...

Media brief: The Life Showcase fined.(Office of Communications of United Kingdom)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Life Showcase satellite channel has been fined pounds 125,000 by media regulator Ofcom for charging local businesses to be part of its series 'Britain's Best Breaks'

Media brief: Promotion at The Disney Channel.(Casper Bjorner promoted as vice president of marketing)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Disney Channel has promoted Casper Bjorner to the position of vice-president of marketing, UK, Scandinavia and emerging markets. He will report to Rob Gilby, managing director of Disney Channel UK

Media brief: Correction.(Correction notice)
April 25, 2007... Heyday is an Age Concern organisation and has nothing to do with Help the Aged as reported (Marketing, 18 April)

Branding: Regent Inns rethinks brands.(More Creative to create logos)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Regent Inns is revamping the identities of its Walkabout, Jongleurs and Old Orleans bar and restaurant brands, ahead of the introduction of the smoking ban in England from July. The logos for the firm's Walkabout and Jongleurs venues,...

Branding: School-trip firm reworks identity.(World Challenge Expeditions hired Honey)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... World Challenge Expeditions, which takes 40,000 schoolchildren a year on trips both within the UK and abroad, is to unveil fresh branding next month. Design agency Honey was appointed to the project last year following a three-way pitch....

Branding: Design choice - Anya Hindmarch Sainsbury's bag.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... So, we won't wear an Oxfam T-shirt, but when it comes from Red, courtesy of Gap, we're more than happy to become charity fashionistas. Taking a leaf out of the Red book, Anya Hindmarch, Antidote and global social-change movement We Are...

Branding brief: Treasury department appoints FHD.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Office of Government Commerce, the Treasury department that monitors procurement, has appointed FHD to develop a brand strategy. The agency's appointment is part of a wider initiative by the department, intended to deliver value for money...

Branding brief: Gillette overhauls packaging for Venus.
April 25, 2007... Gillette has overhauled the packaging for a summer 'seasonal pack' for its women's Venus razor range. The special edition, which offers a half-price razor with a pack of blades, will be supported by TV, radio and outdoor advertising

Branding brief: Jennings repackages Cumberland Ale.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Jennings, a brewer based in Cumbria, is repackaging its Cumberland Ale in a green bottle. The firm's other beers, Cocker Hoop and Sneck Lifter, will continue to be sold in brown bottles, but with redesigned labels

Branding brief: Enterprise IG creates brand identity for forum.(Enterprise IG London, International Business Leaders Forum )(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The International Business Leaders Forum is launching a brand identity created by Enterprise IG. The work is part of the forum's aim to raise its profile and includes a revamp of its logo

Branding brief: Clarence Court revamps packaging.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Clarence Court, the egg producer, has revamped its packaging Created by Simmer, the packs carry details of the firm's provenance and how its birds are cared for.

Branding brief: Bingo association unveils website.
April 25, 2007... The National Bingo Game Association has unveiled a website for its Bonanza Bingo game. Branding for the site was handled by design agency The Workroom

Branding brief: Fragrance Forum rolls out publicity material.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Fragrance Forum, the perfume industry trade body, is rolling out a range of publicity material as part of its FiFi UK fragrance awards. An awards programme, designed by Dogstar, will be exhibited at New York's Sense of Smell museum

Direct: Virgin Holidays plots customer club push.(launch of its Frequent Virgin Club membership)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Virgin Holidays is sharpening its focus on customer relationship management with the relaunch of its Frequent Virgin Club (FVC) membership scheme, supported by a direct drive through Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw. The campaign, which spans...

Direct: Fiat adds mail to Scudo van mix.(direct mail campaigns)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Fiat is extending the campaign for its Scudo vans, which is fronted by seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, to direct mail. The pack, created by Arc, targets drivers and businesses requiring vans and includes a...

Direct: Macmillan hunts retail partners.(Macmillan Cancer Support contracts Cocktail Marketing)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Macmillan Cancer Support has hired Cocktail Marketing as its partnership marketing agency. The charity hopes to leverage partnership opportunities to raise awareness of its brand on the high street as well as raise funds. The agency...

Direct choice: HP Sauce.(HP Foods (Holdings) Ltd. launches new campaign)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Here comes a mailing laced with saucy seaside humour. 'How long is it since you've had it?' asks the copy, carefully set on unruffled white sheets. Titter ye not - that 'HP' stands for Houses of Parliament, themselves no stranger to...

Direct brief: Nivea for Men hires Cognito.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Nivea for Men has hired Cognito to handle direct marketing for its Sensitive range. The agency, which previously worked with the brand on experiential activity, won the brief following a three way pitch

Direct brief: Unicef launches campaign.(United Nations Children's Fund)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Unicef is launching a 'Born free from HIV' campaign to help prevent the spread of HIV from mothers to babies in poor nations. The work, through Aqueduct, spans national press, posters, leaflets and direct mail, and targets mothers of young...

Direct brief: British Gas relaunches sponsorship.(Time Out )(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... British Gas is relaunching its sponsorship of the Green Scene section in Time Out and its website at timeout.co.uk. The deal was brokered by Carat Sponsorship and Time Out Brand Solutions

Direct brief: The Carbon Trust reappoints Tequila/London.(advertising contract)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Carbon Trust has reappointed Tequila/London to its direct, digital and relationship marketing following a revamp of its agency arrangements. The agency was earlier retained on the trust's direct and digital rosters

Direct brief: Contiki Holidays partners with O'Neill.(marketing)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Contiki Holidays, which specialises in tours for 18- to 35-year-olds, has partnered with fashion brand O'Neill. The promotion, through Cocktail Marketing, will offer 10% discounts to customers who spend pounds 20 or more on O'Neill products

Direct brief: Oxford University supports scheme with direct campaign.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Oxford University is supporting its Opportunity Bursary Scheme with a direct campaign through 23red. The scheme, to attract students from poorer backgrounds, targets pupils aged 14 and over

Direct brief: Energy Saving Trust launches toolkit.(Best Practice toolkit for housing associations)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Energy Saving Trust has launched a Best Practice toolkit to advise housing associations on complying with the Code for Sustainable Homes. The kit is supported by a mail pack created by Tullo Marshall Warren

Direct brief: Conforto hires Haygarth for direct campaign.(Haygarth Direct)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Conforto, a financial-management firm targeting wealthy individuals and professional sportsmen, has hired Haygarth to handle direct marketing for its launch campaign. The pounds 500,000 launch will include direct-response press ads in...

Digital: NSPCC engages Piczo users.(National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is giving web users the chance to create its latest digital activity. The body has tied up with teen social network Piczo to encourage the site's members to influence...

Digital: Amoy web work goes to Swamp.(H.J. Heinz Co.'s marketing strategy)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... HJ Heinz has briefed Swamp at Brahm to relaunch the website for its Amoy Oriental cuisine brands. The agency will overhaul the existing site to celebrate Amoy's heritage and position it as a leading provider of Oriental ingredients. ...

Digital choice: Lynx MySpace Towel Boy.(advertising)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... It seems that Lynx just can't put a raunchily-fragranced foot wrong. Its TV ads are already famous for engaging its target market - and its 'Towel Boy' venture on MySpace continues the gag with flair. This is excellent use of the digital...

Digital brief: Hallmark Channel strikes deal with Tiscali.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... The Hallmark Channel has struck a deal with Tiscali to promote US comedy crime-drama Psych ahead of its UK premiere later this month Hallmark will sponsor Tiscali's lifestyle channel and promote the show via a microsite.

Digital brief: The AA launches series of TravelGuides.
April 25, 2007... The AA is launching a series of TravelGuides enabling consumers to use their Smartphones to search places of interest, including tourist attractions, restaurants and hotels

Digital brief: Yahoo! posts drop in profits.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Yahoo! has posted an 11% drop in profits to dollars 142m (pounds 70.7m) for the first quarter of 2007. The internet giant blamed the increase of user-generated content, social networks and video-sharing sites for falling short of market...

Digital brief: Emap relaunches website.(Emap Digital Ltd.)(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Emap is relaunching the website for its Mother and Baby magazine through Steel. It will include blogs, message boards and other user-generated content as well as an improved e-commerce section

Digital brief: Netvibes launches internet user service.(Brief article)
April 25, 2007... Netvibes has launched a service enabling internet users to create personalised web pages that bring together their favourite online content. The Netvibes 'Universes' can include RSS feeds, websites, podcasts, videos, blogs and photos