Marketing articles from August 2006

Marketing archives from August 2006

Nike drafts in US marketer to replace McAveety.(Phil McAveety resigns and Brent Scrimshaw is appointed)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Nike's vice-president EMEA, Phil McAveety, has left the company, forcing the sportswear manufacturer to parachute in one of its US marketers to take charge of a region in which it has lost share to Adidas. According to a spokesman,...

Co-operative societies spurn identity overhaul.(Co-operative Group )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The Co-operative Group's plan to unify its sub-brands and fellow societies under a single identity have been hit by a schism between stores that want to adopt the branding and those that have rejected it. Only about half the 4000...

Coca-Cola prepares to refresh Schweppes brand.
August 2, 2006... Coca-Cola has pledged to make Schweppes a masterbrand and is set to launch more products, backed by a multimillion-pound advertising campaign. Coca-Cola marketing director Cathryn Sleight said the investment marked the 'rebirth of the...

Magners angers store customers.(supermarkets)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Supermarkets have criticised cider brand Magners for switching its dwindling supplies to the on-trade rather than the multiples during the key summer sales period. The shortage of product is the result of an explosion at one of the UK's...

Hyundai poised to bring in-house agency to UK.
August 2, 2006... Hyundai Motor Group, which also owns the Kia marque, has opened a London office of its in-house agency Innocean, putting the future of its consolidated pounds 25m ad account in doubt. An Innocean insider said that the agency would...

HMV set to enter mobile market.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... HMV is planning to sell mobile phone contracts and handsets in its stores for the first time. The retailer has signed deals with Vodafone and Orange to sell monthly contracts in 21 of its stores. It will stock the Samsung D600, Sony...

Shredded Wheat in organic debut.(Cereal Partners launches organic food)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Cereal Partners is moving into the burgeoning organic market with the launch of Bitesize Organic Shredded Wheat. The product, which goes on sale this month, will enable the Nestle and General Mills joint venture to compete with Weetabix,...

Camelot readies Lotto giveaway.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Camelot is launching its biggest ticket giveaway by offering customers a free Scrabble scratchcard for every 50th Lotto ticket sold at its terminals, in a bid to improve cross-selling of its National Lottery products. The initiative will...

New campaign: Orange.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Orange is using its customers in its advertising for the first time, in a four-week campaign promoting its latest tariffs. The pounds 5m activity, shot in Spain, features four 45ft inflatable animals - a canary, dolphin, racoon and panther...

Lenovo forges 2008 Olympics link with Coca-Cola.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Chinese computer firm Lenovo is to tie up with Coca-Cola ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Both companies are TOP sponsors of the 2008 Olympics and, according to Coca-Cola, they plan to 'pool their strengths to contribute to the 2008...

P&G switches UK beauty chief to worldwide post.(Gary Coombe gets promoted at Procter and Gamble )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Gary Coombe, Procter & Gamble's general manager, beauty, UK and Ireland, is to give up his UK responsibilities to become general manager, fabric and homecare new business development. Coombe, who will take up the position from 1 September,...

COI reveals 44% media savings.(Central Office of Information )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The COI has unveiled record media savings for its government clients. Departments that bought media through the organisation made average savings of 44.1% compared with the industry norm, according to the body's annual report for...

Pepsi embarks on added-caffeine variant tests.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Pepsi is considering launching an added-caffeine variant called Pepsi Spark. According to insiders, the drink, which contains extra caffeine, is being tested in the US and will be rolled out in other markets if successful. The...

Waterstone's in loyalty card trial.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Waterstone's is planning to launch a loyalty card and is piloting the scheme in 12 stores in the South-West. The HMV-owned chain intends to use the data from the scheme to provide insights into the demographics of its customers and help it...

DWP to divide up benefit fraud job.(Department for Work and Pensions contracts with Cheetham Bell JWT and VCCP)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has split its pounds 7m benefit fraud ad account, axing incumbent Leo Burnett in the process. Cheetham Bell JWT and VCCP will share the work, as the government shifts its approach to tackling the...

Codemasters to run in-game ads.(IGA Worldwide hired for advertising)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Codemasters, the video-games company, has hired IGA Worldwide to attract in-game advertisers for three of its games due for release in 2007. The specialist agency has been briefed to recruit advertisers for Colin McRae Rally, Brian Lara...

Asda to expand make-up range.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Asda is planning to increase both the range and availability of its George Cosmetics offering. The make-up line, which was launched last year in the retailer's 40 biggest stores, will now be rolled out to about 100 outlets. Products in the...

Morphy Richards ends association with Mark Hill.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Morphy Richards is to axe its Mark Hill co-branded hair care appliances, after signing a deal to market products with the Institute of Trichology (IOT). The household appliances company is ending its link with the celebrity hairdresser to...

First Choice set for pounds 6m long-haul ad campaign.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... First Choice is taking the unusual step of launching an ad campaign this August to promote its long-haul offering. Traditionally, holiday companies focus their adspend in January, but the travel giant is changing this approach with its...

McDonald's ads to focus on food.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... McDonald's has pledged to continue its 'I'm lovin' it' campaign despite concerns that the framework was too restrictive. Speaking at the announcement of the company's second quarter results last week, chief executive Jim Skinner said it...

Tesco hands senior role to brand planning chief.(Ian Crook been promoted)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Tesco has promoted its trade and brand planning director, Ian Crook, to its number-two UK marketing position. Crook becomes director of marketing, a role previously held by Simon Uwins before he was named marketing director for Tesco's US...

BHF ties up with George Foreman grill range.(British Heart Foundation )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The British Heart Foundation is embarking on a joint promotion with former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman. The activity will see the charity's branding and a campaign message splashed across the range of George Foreman...

Thomas Cook to offer FA holidays.(Football Association )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The Football Association has signed up Thomas Cook's sporting package-holiday arm to provide travel services for the Official England Supporters Club, englandfans. Thomas Cook Sport will offer exclusive travel options to englandfans...

Coke Zero claims win in sugar-free battle.(Coca-Cola Co. (Atlanta, Georgia))(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Coca-Cola's pounds 10m launch investment behind Coke Zero has already succeeded in pushing rival Pepsi Max into second place in the sector, according to figures from ACNielsen. Coke Zero - dubbed 'bloke Coke' - had a 6.2% value share of...

Kellogg broadens healthy cereals portfolio.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Kellogg is adding to its healthy breakfast cereal range with the launch of ready-to-eat Optivita, which it claims can help lower cholesterol. The cereal firm is putting pounds 6m behind the brand over its first six months and will support...

News Brief: NPower splits with Isobel.(another advertising agency been appointed)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... NPower has split with Isobel after two years as it seeks fresh ideas to compete in the increasingly competitive utilities sector. The energy firm has appointed an unnamed agency on a short-term basis.

News Brief: History Channel hires Karmarama.
August 2, 2006... The History Channel has hired Karmarama to handle the advertising for its new channel, Crime & Investigation Network.

News Brief: Betfair adds Flourish to roster.
August 2, 2006... Betfair, the online betting exchange, has added Flourish to its direct roster. The agency has been briefed to handle both on- and offline communications.

News Brief: Welsh Assembly seeks agency.
August 2, 2006... The Welsh Assembly is seeking an agency to handle its advertising and design requirements.

News Brief: Maxxium UK appoints new marketing director.(Peter Mooney is appointed)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Maxxium UK, the wines and spirits distributor, has appointed Peter Mooney as marketing director. He will take up the role on 14 August and replaces Huw Pennell, who has been promoted to managing director. Mooney joins from Scottish & Newcastle,...

News Brief: Halewood acquires Crabbie's ginger wine.(Halewood International )(The Glenmorangie Company)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Halewood International has acquired the Crabbie's ginger wine brand from The Glenmorangie Company. Halewood will seek to expand Crabbie's distribution in the UK, according to a spokesman.

News Brief: Original Source promotes latest range.(advertising by BDH)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Original Source, the toiletries brand, is promoting its latest range in a pounds 2m TV and press campaign, created by BDH. It launches this week with three executions during Channel 4 drama, Lost. The print campaign breaks in September.

News Brief: Kia UK confirms rumours.(Paul Williams's leave)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Kia UK has confirmed its managing director Paul Williams is on indefinite leave for 'personal reasons'. A spokewoman refused to comment on rumours that Williams had left the job and was unable to comment on when he would be returning to the...

News Brief: Weetabix replaces Weetos Honey cereal.
August 2, 2006... Weetabix is replacing its Weetos Honey breakfast cereal with Weetos Multigrain Stars comprising 80% prebiotic stars and 20% chocolate flavoured Weetos.

Woolworths moots toy line expansion.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Woolworths is considering developing its Chad Valley range of young childrens' toys as a standalone brand. The decision would mirror the retailer's strategy for its Ladybird range of childrenswear, which will see it open three standalone...

Mansion prepares UK poker centres debut.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Mansion, the online gaming website, is preparing to open its first poker centres in the UK in a bid to build brand awareness. The company, which is based in Gibraltar, is evaluating locations around London and has applied for a casino...

Harveys sherry expands range.(Harveys Bristol Cream launches product)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Sherry brand Harveys Bristol Cream is launching an orange variant as it seeks to revitalise the category. Harveys Orange, which will be available in Morrisons and Sainsbury's from 7 August, is aimed at women over the age of 35. The company...

New campaign: Full Marks.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Full Marks, the head-lice treatment, is launching a TV campaign ahead of the back-to-school period. The 20-second execution, which breaks on 14 August, shows a group of children whose hair comes into contact with one another as they play,...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Matthew Clark, the drinks distribution company, has been accused of encouraging its staff to visit JD Wetherspoon's outlets and buy bottles of Nottage Hill Shiraz and Chardonnay wines in an attempt to win an pounds 80m contract to supply the...

Media News: Disney in school drive for TV film.(Disney Channel UK )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Disney Channel UK is supporting the debut of its hit movie High School Musical on UK TV screens with a school-based campaign. The channel has commissioned a CD-Rom, aimed at children aged nine to 13, which will be sent to 12,000 schools. It...

Media News: Teletext bolsters sports offering.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Teletext is expanding its sports content with the launch of two sections, one dedicated to football's Coca-Cola Championship and the other to sports betting. The Championship content will comprise a page for each of the 24 teams in the...

Media News: ITV's Salmon takes up Thinkbox berth.(Clare Salmon)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Thinkbox, the marketing body for the commercial TV industry, has been rocked by yet another change in its membership, as Clare Salmon, ITV director of marketing and commercial strategy, replaces Gary Digby, the managing director of ITV Sales,...

Media choice: Love Island.(ITV PLC)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... ITV's Love Island has returned with a good piece of sponsorship by Bounty. The reality show, enhanced by sunshine, games and a romantic theme, is set in the lush archipelago of Fiji. Although still referring to the contestants as '11...

Media News Brief: Kerrang! Radio launches WAP service.(wireless application protocol)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Emap's Kerrang! Radio has launched a 'Kerrang! Legends of Rock' WAP service, which will provide listeners with mobile access to information on rock artists and bands.

Media News Brief: News Group Newspapers hires head of mobile strategy.(Andrew Bagguley been appointed)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... News Group Newspapers has hired Andrew Bagguley as its first head of mobile strategy. He will be responsible for finding ways to increase the company's reach and revenue base using the medium. Bagguley joins from T-Mobile, where he was head of...

Media News Brief: City & Guilds hires Redactive Media Group.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... City & Guilds has hired Redactive Media Group to handle the launch of a customer magazine, called Go For It! The title, which will have a print run of 150,000, will be published three times a year.

Media News Brief: Tiger Aspect hires Copyright Promotions.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Tiger Aspect has hired Copyright Promotions as the licensing agency for its Mr Bean property in the UK, France and Germany. The appointment comes ahead of the release of a Mr Bean movie in March 2007.

Media News Brief: Glamour mag to run promotion.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Glamour magazine is running a promotion in its September issue, offering readers discounts at retailers including Office, Oasis, Dorothy Perkins and Gap. The activity is part of National Glamour Week, being run by the title's publisher Conde...

Media News Brief: Challenge TV wins rights to Miss World 2006.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Challenge TV has won the rights to broadcast the Miss World 2006 competition. It will air six shows that allow viewers to vote via SMS and online for the finalists from each of the six world regions, as well as showing the final itself.

Media News Brief: Top Gear magazine ties up with Mazda.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Top Gear magazine has tied up with Mazda for a campaign intended to bolster the masculine positioning of the marque's MX-5 model. Advertorials will show the best places to drive the car, while a competition offers the prize of a Mazda track day...

Media News Brief: BBC Five Live's World Cup coverage brings record users.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... BBC Five Live's World Cup coverage brought a record 2.1m unique users to the network's website during June. The total was almost double the figure for May.

Branding News: Alliance Boots unveils identity.(Alliance UniChem and Boots Group )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Alliance UniChem and Boots Group have revealed a fresh corporate entity, following the completion of their merger on Monday. The work, by Creative Leap, aims to draw on the heritage of both brands and brings them together under the Alliance...

Branding News: Weetabix shakes up porridge line.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Weetabix is relaunching its Seriously Oaty porridge brand in an attempt to revive slowing sales. The packaging, which has been redesigned by Blue Marlin, features more vibrant colours to differentiate the variants. Golden Honey is yellow,...

Branding News: Vaseline repackages Intensive Care range.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Unilever is revamping its Vaseline Intensive Care line of skincare products and deodorants. The range, which is being rolled out from this month, will feature updated packaging and improved formulations for the products. The offering...

Branding News: Design choice - The Palms Lounger.(Gardening designs)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Time was that a man's enthusiasm for his garden extended about as far as a shed and a sit-on lawnmower. An attraction to plants and flowers might have been acceptable in his twilight years, but there was a certain simplicity about a man's...

Branding News Brief: Hula Hoops launches limited-edition multi-pack.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Hula Hoops is launching a limited-edition, pirate-themed multi-pack through Catalyst. The aim is to drive sales by giving consumers the chance to win gold worth pounds 5000.

Branding News Brief: SLH appoints WAA Group.(Small Luxury Hotels of the World )(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has appointed the WAA Group to relaunch its global brand, following an eight-way pitch.The account is worth pounds 5m and the brief includes advertising, digital media and the SLH directory.

Branding News Brief: Sanofi-Aventis creates new division.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Sanofi-Aventis, one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical firms, has created a marketing excellence UK division, with branding by The Design Conspiracy. The division is intended to share best practice within Sanofi's marketing teams.

Branding News Brief: Armstrong Floor Products hires The Foundry.(floor range promotion)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Armstrong Floor Products has appointed The Foundry to promote its commercial flooring range, StrongValue, which will be positioned as a no-frills brand. It follows a two-way pitch.

Branding News Brief: Britax overhauls website.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Britax, the child car-seat and travel systems manufacturer, has overhauled its website and brand communications. The revamp, by fraserdesign, comes ahead of child-safety legislation due to take effect in September.

Branding News Brief: Lex Vehicle Leasing rebrands as Lex.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Lex Vehicle Leasing has rebranded as Lex following a change of ownership from Aviva to HBOS. The aim is to reflect its broader business offering, which includes motoring and vehicle services for more than 20,000 UK businesses.

Branding News Brief: HFC Bank unveils corporate identity.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... HFC Bank, part of the HSBC Group, has unveiled a corporate identity for its specialist lending operations. This follows HFC's decision to merge Beneficial Finance and Household Bank under the Beneficial Finance brand. The identity was created...

Branding News Brief: Slazenger to design strip for cricket team.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Slazenger is to design the strip for the Lashings World XI professional cricket team, as part of a two-year sponsorship deal. The kits will retain their existing gold-and-black theme, but will carry an overhauled logo.

Direct News: Thomson seeks direct shop.(Thomson Holidays)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... TUI, the package tour operator, is hunting a direct agency to handle customer acquisition and retention for its UK division, Thomson Holidays. The decision is part of plans to boost customer bookings throughout the year, rather than just...

Direct News: L'Oreal calls pitch for haircare task.(Kerastase Paris)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... L'Oreal is seeking a direct shop to handle communications for its women's haircare product, Kerastase Paris. A pitch process is under way to find an agency to produce a range of direct materials including direct mail, leaflets and online...

Direct choice: Peugeot.(marketing innovations)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... In order to generate uptake of test-drives for its latest 207 model, Peugeot has produced a stylish mail-pack to build on the awareness created by its TV ads. The black outer informs me that 'There are over four million CCTV cameras in the...

Direct News Brief: Virgin Active partners Miami Vice.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Virgin Active is partnering UIP film Miami Vice in a bid to boost membership numbers. The tie-up, brokered by Cocktail Marketing, includes the placing of film artwork in Virgin Active gyms, prompting members to refer a friend in order to win...

Direct News Brief: Esure supports launch with direct drive.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Esure is supporting the launch of its latest DRTV ad with a direct drive. The activity, developed by Sharpen Troughton Owens Response, will not use the Mr Mouse brand icon. It focuses on its policy of exclusively insuring people with a minimum...

Direct News Brief: Kia develops CRM programme through Haygarth.
August 2, 2006... Kia is developing a CRM programme through direct agency Haygarth. The offering will include a customer welcome pack and information on upgrades.

Direct News Brief: BT launches interactive TV ad.(British Telecommunications)(television advertising)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... BT has launched an interactive TV ad to back the launch of its Home Hub service. The iTV ad, created by OgilvyOne, allows viewers to request further information via email or mail.

Direct News Brief: Cats Protection to send out hard-hitting mailers.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Cats Protection is to send out two hard-hitting mailers, highlighting the plight of unwanted kittens. The work, by TDA, is in support of the charity's annual kitten appeal.

Direct News Brief: Open University hires Site Intelligence.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The Open University has hired Site Intelligence to evaluate its online communications. The agency will analyse site-visitor behaviour and provide data on which brand partnerships are most effective and which campaigns are driving traffic to the...

Direct News Brief: Podcast launched by horse protection league.
August 2, 2006... The International League for the Protection of Horses has launched its first podcast. The work will provide information about horse welfare.

Retail News: Somerfield slashes spending on stores.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Somerfield has reduced its in-store marketing and store refurbishment budgets by as much as half to allow it to fund its everyday low prices strategy. Previously the supermarket spent about pounds 6m a year on bespoke marketing for each of...

Retail News: Fullcircle to run anniversary ads.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Fashion retail brand Fullcircle is launching a press campaign backing its latest collection and promoting its 10th anniversary. The work, created by Yellow Door, is intended to move the brand away from its heritage as a denim retailer and...

Retail News: Footlocker lines up Puma debut.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Footlocker has signed a pan-European deal with Puma to exclusively launch a range of its sporting footwear with a series of in-store events. The launch will focus on the Puma Superstructures range, which has been designed with the...

Retail choice: American Apparel, Carnaby St, London.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... American Apparel is all very neat; when you walk into the store you are confronted by racks of carefully ordered and sized multi-coloured wardrobe staples. The walls display beautiful 70s and 80s reality-styled LA photography using...

Retail News Brief: Argos appoints Planning-inc.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Argos has appointed planning agency Planning-inc to handle its customer data for Argos.co.uk as part of a drive to improve the targeting of its direct marketing.

Retail News Brief: Asda launches review.(packaging)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Asda has launched a review of its own-label products' packaging. The supermarket's chief operating officer, David Cheeseright, said the company aimed to cut the amount of packaging it uses by 10%.

Retail News Brief: Coral plans direct drive.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Coral is planning a direct marketing and point-of-sale drive to coincide with the forthcoming football season. The campaign, created by 141 Worldwide/London, promotes the high-street bookmaker's ante-post service, which allows access to odds...

Retail News Brief: Woolworths' like-for-like sales fall.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Woolworths' like-for-like sales fell 7.7% in the 25 weeks to 22 July. However, it said that sales were significantly better in stores that had been refitted as part of its refurbishment programme than its older-style outlets.

Retail News Brief: Diageo hires Ambition communications.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Diageo has hired Ambition Communications to create in-store promotional activity for its Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker brands. The two-year deal covers activity in airport duty-free stores, focusing on holiday prize draws.

Retail News Brief: Remington to run p-o-s campaign.(point-of-sale)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Remington is to run a point-of-sale campaign this month for its latest range of electric shavers, designed by BMW Group Designworks USA. The company has hired CRC to create a series of display units, leaflets and floor cubes.

Retail News Brief: The Mall launches healthy lifestyle campaign.(BD-NTWK created the advertisment)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... The Mall is launching a healthy lifestyle campaign featuring a series of events at its 23 shopping-centre locations. The activity, created by BD-NTWK, is part of government body Sport England's Everyday Sport initiative.