Marketing articles from August 2007

Marketing archives from August 2007

Freeview appoints Mediaedge:cia ahead of blitz.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Freeview has hired Mediaedge:cia to handle its media planning and buying account ahead of a substantial increase in marketing spend in the run-up to the digital switchover. The appointment followed a final pitch against Carat that was...

Pfizer hunts agency to back Viagra OTC debut.(over the counter)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Pharmaceuticals leviathan Pfizer has drawn up a shortlist of three marketing communications agencies to pitch for the multimillion-pound pan-European consumer marketing of Viagra, which it is planning to sell over the counter (OTC). A...

Terry's cuts ties to Dawn French.(Dawn French )(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Kraft has dropped Dawn French as brand ambassador for its Terry's Chocolate Orange after 10 years, ahead of a pounds 3m relaunch. French first blurted out the strapline 'It's not Terry's, it's mine' in 1997, but this week Kraft...

Metro to hike rates on back of distribution surge.(Associated Newspapers Holdings PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Associated Newspapers is seeking to increase Metro ad rates by a third following a 250,000-copy increase in distribution, which is due to be in place by October. Industry insiders said the group, which is boosting Metro's circulation by...

GDA backer claims edge over FSA's traffic lights.(Guideline Daily Amounts)(Food Standards Agency)(Survey)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has released two studies as part of an aggressive campaign to push its food-labelling system, Guideline Daily Amounts, over the Food Standards Agency's traffic-light scheme. The first study, which was...

Sky to offer iTV break bumpers.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Sky is to allow sponsors of its shows to use interactive break bumpers next year, as part of a strategy to boost its range of red-button services. It plans to add iTV functionality to bumpers around some of its highest-rating shows,...

Morrisons hunts promotions shop.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Morrisons is seeking an agency to handle its sales promotions and point-of-sale work. A number of agencies have pitched for the business. The search is being handled by the AAR. Morrisons has recently promoted its fresh produce...

ASOS adds title for men's range.(ASOS.com)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Online fashion retailer ASOS.com is launching a second customer magazine to boost its men's clothing business. The company has hired Seven Squared to publish the bi-monthly title, ASOS Man. The agency already publishes ASOS.com, a...

New campaign: Kinder Bueno.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Ferrero is investing pounds 5m in its Kinder Bueno brand, including a TV advertising campaign. Breaking on 3 September, the ad builds on the 'A little bit of what they fancy' theme of previous activity and shows two girls enjoying their...

MFI sets seal on Hell's Kitchen tie.(contracts with ITV)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... MFI has signed up to sponsor the next series of reality show Hell's Kitchen on ITV. The series, which begins on 3 September, will continue the fitted-furniture retailer's controversial 'MFI - feel right at home' ad campaign, which has...

Thomson in pounds 6m rebranding drive.(contracts with Krow)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Thomson is spending pounds 6m on an advertising campaign positioning the company as more than a package-holiday operator. The activity, which breaks on Friday, is the second phase of its repositioning activity. Using the strapline...

Pot Noodle underscores reduction in salt content.(contracts with Mother Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Pot Noodle is to highlight a 50% reduction in salt levels across its range in a TV campaign. The work, which breaks on 1 September, is part of a pounds 10m promotional spend on the Unilever brand this year, following its repositioning as...

ITV mobilises offensive for entertainment portal.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... ITV is backing itv.com, its broadband entertainment portal, with a heavyweight campaign based on the theme 'Total freedom of entertainment'. The portal, which rolled out earlier this month after a phased launch, offers users the ability...

Capital supports 'accessibility' with intimate gigs.(Capital Radio PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Capital Radio is to run a month of live-music shows and programming in September to affirm its new positioning as an 'accessible' local station. The Capitallive shows will include gigs at intimate London venues by artists including...

Red Bull sets up 'ideas' network.(Red Bull Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Red Bull has developed a social-networking site aimed at fostering innovation and providing young consumers with support for their ideas. The Flugelbinder site, which carries minimal Red Bull branding, allows users to create a Thought...

Odeon to screen Rubgy World Cup.(Odeon Cinemas)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Live Rugby World Cup games are to be shown for free in Odeon cinemas in September and October. The pounds 1m push, funded by the Rugby Football Foundation and National Sports Federation and called 'Go play rugby', aims to tempt former...

Wildlife charity targets donors.(contracts of Game Conservancy Trust and Hicklin Slade and Partners)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Conservation charity the Game Conservancy Trust is running a campaign targeting countryside dwellers, following its appointment of Hicklin Slade & Partners. Hicklin Slade has created a mailpack, which will be sent to 15,000 existing...

Farmhouse Fare ties up with ITV drama The Royal.(ITV Network Ltd. ITV1)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Farmhouse Fare, the pudding maker, has struck a deal with ITV1 to sponsor Sunday-night drama The Royal this autumn. It will be the brand's first TV ad. The company has hired Hooper Galton to create a series of idents, featuring its...

Coca-Cola and X Factor in Tesco-exclusive push.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... ITV's flagship entertainment talent show The X Factor has signed a promotional alliance with Coca-Cola. The deal, which is exclusive to Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero drinks sold in Tesco, will see an X Factor competition run on...

Piczo kicks off freerunner push.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Piczo, the social network for teenagers, is launching a national experiential campaign to drive traffic to its website. The brand is sponsoring a team of parkour freerunners to tour the UK, distributing branded merchandise encouraging...

Bingo clubs to launch first national rollover game.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The National Bingo Game Association is putting pounds 3.8m behind the launch of a game that offers the biggest prize in licensed UK bingo. The Big'N, a rollover jackpot game will be the first time the bingo industry has been able to roll...

Linda McCartney Foods plans digital drive.(contracts with Silver Chair )(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Linda McCartney Foods is making its first foray into digital marketing, with an online campaign to raise awareness of its range of vegetarian food. Parent company Hain Celestial UK has hired Silver Chair to handle the web development and...

PETA vilifies KFC with viral game.(Kentucky Fried Chicken Ltd.)(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... PETA has ramped up its attach on KFC's animal welfare record, with a viral game called Super Chick Sisters. Players of the game, which is inspired by Super Mario Brothers, have to rescue PETA spokeswoman Pamela Anderson, who has been...

Anheuser-Busch set for functional water.(Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc.)(Borba Inc.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Anheuser-Busch has acquired the global distribution and marketing rights to a functional water brand in a bid to establish itself in the rapidly developing nutraceutical beverage category. The product, Skin Balance Waters, which is owned...

Harrods unveils own-label 'foodie' ranges.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Harrods is launching two grocery brands aimed at the burgeoning 'foodies' market. The Harrods Food Hall Collection comprises about 200 products sourced from specialist suppliers worldwide, including premium teas, coffees and pantry...

News brief: ASA raps Kraft Foods.(Advertising Standards Authority )(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Kraft Foods has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority for an online ad for Dairylea Lunchables that used the strapline 'Packed with good stuff'. Kraft has been told not to repeat the ad after the ASA upheld three complaints that...

News brief: Nick Smith mooted as possible replacement for Ian McCulloch.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Nick Smith, Accenture's group managing director of marketing sciences, is the latest name to be mooted as a possible replacement for Ian McCulloch, ITV's former commercial director

News brief: BBC shortlists agencies.
August 29, 2007... The BBC has shortlisted Agency Republic, GT, 20:20 London, glue, Play and Start Creative for the next stage of its statutory digital roster review

News brief: Kellogg appoints iD for campaign.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Kellogg has appointed iD to create and implement an experiential campaign for the launch of Special K Mini Breaks. It will kick off in October and run for four weeks

News brief: Spar to launch press activity.(SPAR (UK) Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Spar is launching press activity next month to promote the convenience store's range of fresh meals. The campaign will highlight its fresh food and own-brand lines

News brief: Robert Horne Group to sponsor category at event.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The Green Awards' Corporate Social Responsibility category is being sponsored by the Robert Horne Group, a supplier of paper, board and plastics. Haymarket Brand Media, publisher of Marketing, is media partner of the event, which takes place...

News brief: Seven Seas launches integrated campaign.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Seven Seas is launching a pounds 4m integrated campaign to educate consumers about the benefits of its Cod Liver Oil and JointCare products. The campaign, created by Principles, breaks on 17 September and runs through to Christmas on TV,...

News brief: Agency.com undergoes organisational restructure.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Agency.com is undergoing an organisational restructure that will see European planning director James Clifton and European creative director Paul Banham leave the agency to pursue other opportunities

Media: Focus Dailies in ITV dating shows deal.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Contact-lens brand Focus Dailies is to sponsor two dating shows on the ITV network this autumn. The brand, which is fronted by pop singer Rachel Stevens, will sponsor ITV1's Holly & Fearne Go Dating and ITV2's Streetmate. The deal...

Media: Wedding lends expertise to TV.(IPC SouthBank Publishing Co.)(WeddingChannel Inc.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... IPC Southbank's bridal magazine Wedding is partnering with the Wedding TV channel for a 10-part series. The Wedding Experts, which airs from 4 September, will provide tips and advice on planning nuptials. Each 30-minute show will explore...

Media: Elle adds further Decoration title.(Hachette Filipacchi Magazines Inc.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Hachette Filipacchi is extending its Elle brand with Elle Decoration Collections, which hits newsstands on 12 September. The title is intended to act as a sourcebook for architects, designers and retailers, as well as attracting readers...

Media choice: The X Factor.(fourth series of The X Factor in ITV PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... No Kate Thornton or - as it looked for a while - Louis Walsh? What was to become of the fourth series of The X Factor? It turns out that it didn't really matter about all that because it's back on our screens for the very reason we love...

Media brief: Transport for London bans Ann Summers ad.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Transport for London has banned an Ann Summers ad campaign promoting the Rampant Rabbit vibrator on the Tube network. The campaign, using the strapline 'Wave after wave of pleasure', was given the green light by the Advertising Standards...

Media brief: Stuff signs up Duracell as sponsor.(Duracell Batteries Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Stuff, the Haymarket gadget magazine, has signed up Duracell as the headline sponsor of the magazine's inaugural Cool List Awards, which will recognise 2007's coolest gadgets

Media brief: Gaydar.co.uk to sponsor Manchester Pride.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Gaydar.co.uk, the personals site, is to be the official online sponsor of Manchester Pride. The three-year deal includes exclusive sponsorship of the gay festival's main stage

Media brief: ITV launches integrated campaign.
August 29, 2007... ITV has launched an integrated campaign to promote its live and exclusive coverage of the Rugby World Cup under the strapline 'Strength in numbers'

Media brief: Edinburgh Television Festival poll results.(Survey)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Four-fifths of the public say they will not enter a TV phone-in competition again, according to a poll commissioned by the Edinburgh Television Festival. The survey found that 72% of people believe such competitions are difficult to trust,...

Media brief: Five unveils autumn schedule.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Five has unveiled its autumn schedule, featuring a live crime show, a series tackling excessive female perspiration, called Sweaty Betty, and a raft of US comedies

Media brief: The MailOnline is UK's second-most popular newspaper website.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The MailOnline, the website of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, is the UK's second-most popular newspaper website after Guardian Unlimited, according to its first publicly audited ABCe certificate. The site recorded 11,865,039 unique...

Media brief: Clarification.(Correction notice)
August 29, 2007... Marketing's ABC coverage last week stated that GQ now sells almost 8000 copies more than Loaded. However, as 99.9% of Loaded is actively purchased versus 87.4% of GQ, the latter does not outsell the former - it simply has a higher circulation

Branding: Matthew Walker rolls out puddings brand.(Northern Foods PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Northern Foods is relaunching Christmas-pudding maker Matthew Walker as a consumer-facing brand. Matthew Walker, which is the oldest baker of its kind in the world, previously made puddings only under own-label or for other brands,...

Branding: Mars introduces Starburst Drink.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Mars is expanding its drinks portfolio with the launch of Starburst Drink, a brand extension of its fruit-chews confectionery line. Packaging for the product, created by Vibrandt, will show fruit 'bursting' from the bottle, which will...

Branding: Echo Falls adds to wine portfolio.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Echo Falls, the Californian wine brand, is expanding its range with the addition of two varietals, Pinot Grigio Blush and Sparkling White Zinfandel. The Pinot Grigio Blush is positioned as a light summery wine, while the Sparkling White...

Branding: Design choice - Art.Engine Ferrari audio system.(David Wiener Ventures)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... I sometimes wonder what life must be like for those mega-salaried young hedge-fund chaps. At a basic level, there's the lavishly appointed pied-a-terre, the Gloucestershire retreat and the Italian sports car to be had. Obviously there...

Branding brief: Enterprise IG overhauls Right Guard.(Enterprise IG San Francisco)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Right Guard, the body-spray brand owned by Henkel, has been overhauled by Enterprise IG. The brand's entire portfolio, including its Women, Men, Classic, Active and Extreme variants, has been reworked

Branding brief: Corgi to produce James Bond-themed toys.(Corgi Toys Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Corgi is to produce James Bond-themed toys after the company signed a licensing deal with EON Productions. The agreement runs until 2010 and gives Corgi the right to make action figures, vehicles and electronic roleplay games

Branding brief: The Green Insurance Company launches.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The Green Insurance Company, which targets motorists who want to do their bit to help the environment, has launched with an identity created by 999 Design

Branding brief: Bic introduces limited-edition of Bic Select range.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Bic is introducing a limited-edition variant of its Bic Select range for Christmas. The line comprises black and silver fountain, roller-ball and ballpoint pens in festive gift packs. The products are aimed at those looking for stocking...

Branding brief: Avit gets revamp.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Avit, the handtools brand, has been revamped by BDH\TBWA. The new look retains the brand's distinctive red and black livery but aims to provide greater standout for impulse purchasers

Branding brief: McCain Foods joins Red Tractor scheme.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... McCain Foods has become the most recent food manufacturer to join the Red Tractor scheme, which promotes quality standards in UK farming The scheme's logo will appear on McCain chips packaging from October.

Branding brief: Royal Armouries backs knife campaign.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The Royal Armouries, Britain's oldest museum, is backing a campaign encouraging young people to pledge to give up knives. The No To Knives initiative has been devised by design agency Heavenly

Branding brief: Scottish Water appoints Redhouse Lane for relaunch.(Redhouse Lane Communications Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Scottish Water has appointed Redhouse Lane to create the relaunch branding for its business-customer division Business Stream. The agency will devise an image for the company to differentiate it from new entrants to the water-supply sector,...

Direct: Vodafone hands dad direct response job.(Vodafone Group PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Vodafone has appointed digital and direct agency dad to handle its direct-response offline business, following a pitch. Dad's brief will include generating demand as well as handling Vodafone's telesales and online fulfilment. The account...

Direct: The Mall plots TV game roadshow.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Shopping centre operator The Mall has hired Meteorite to create a roadshow based on ITV show Family Fortunes. The activity will comprise a tour of its 23 shopping centres during the Christmas period. The roadshow will feature mini...

Direct: Cadillac rolls out 'heritage' push.(General Motors Corp. Cadillac Motor Car Div.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Iconic US car marque Cadillac is planning to boost UK sales through a targeted email and online campaign, created by Draftfcb. The work, which forms part of activity intended to raise awareness of the European Cadillac range in the UK,...

Direct choice: Kenco.(Kenco Coffee Co.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... At first glance, this mailer promoting Kenco's Pure range of instant coffees looks similar to many other branded sample mailers, but once opened, the copy really brings to life the fact that not all instant coffees are the same. As we...

Direct brief: Greenbee hires Partners Andrews Aldridge.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Greenbee, the direct-services business owned by the John Lewis Partnership, has hired Partners Andrews Aldridge to handle its direct account, estimated to be worth pounds 3m

Direct brief: Natural Wellbeing appoints Cocktail Marketing.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Natural Wellbeing, the travel health products brand, has appointed Cocktail Marketing to handle its partnership marketing. The agency has been tasked with developing tie-ups with other travel brands to promote the benefits of Natural...

Direct brief: National Children's Deaf Society backs event.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The National Children's Deaf Society is backing its Happy Mondays event with a direct campaign created by Feel. The initative encourages businesses to get involved with a fun day at work on 10 September

Direct brief: Caffe Nero promotes sponsorship of exhibition.(Caffe Nero Group PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Caffe Nero is promoting its sponsorship of the Tutankhamun exhibition at The O2 with a series of in-store initiatives. The work has been created by SML Marketing and Events

Direct brief: Transform appoints Rowan Marketing.
August 29, 2007... Transform, the cosmetic surgery company, has appointed Rowan Marketing to devise a series of campaigns to help it cross- and up-sell to current customers

Direct brief: Freeview targets consumers in Whitehaven.(DTV Services Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Freeview is targeting consumers in the Whitehaven area, in Cumbria, who have not yet bought digital TV receivers. The local campaign, created by 4 Creative and 999 Design, will include advertorials and direct work. Whitehaven will be the...

Direct brief: BT hires 23red.(BT Group PLC)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... BT has hired 23red to consult on local communications activity, looking at the issues involved and how such campaigns affect consumer behaviour. The information will be used to develop a number of creative campaign concepts across the UK

Direct brief: Parkinson's Disease Society hires TDA.(TDA Advertising and Design)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... The Parkinson's Disease Society has hired TDA to handle its direct account following a four-way pitch. The first wave of activity will roll out in September

Digital: O2 in rugby 'stare-out' viral.(England Rugby Ltd.)(O2 UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... O2 is promoting its sponsorship of the England rugby team with a viral campaign allowing fans to challenge their favourite players to an online staring competition. The mobile network operator has briefed Archibald Ingall Stretton to...

Digital: Film firm awards web job to AKQA.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Lionsgate Entertainment has launched a web portal to promote the cinema release of In the Hands of the Gods, a documentary following a group of young British footballers on a journey to Buenos Aires to meet Argentinian football legend Diego...

Digital choice: Volkswagen's Bournestuntsimulator.com.(Volkswagen Group UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... It has been virtually impossible to ignore the blaze of publicity surrounding the release of the third Jason Bourne movie, The Bourne Ultimatum. Aside from general advertising for the film, Volkswagen, which provided vehicles for the...

Digital brief: Peugeot hires Underwired for online campaign.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Peugeot has hired Underwired to create an online campaign to promote the launch of the Peugeot 308. The work allows consumers to request a brochure and register for a test-drive

Digital brief: Sky hands search account to Unique and Diffiniti.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Unique Digital Marketing Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Sky has awarded its pounds 10m search account to Unique and Diffiniti following a competitive pitch. The two agencies will oversee the broadcaster's natural and pay-per-click search activities

Digital brief: Facebook reportedly expanding targeted ads system.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Facebook is reportedly expanding its targeted ads system to allow brand owners to home in on users based on the information they have provided in their personal profile pages on the site

Digital brief: Network Rail hands brief to Aqueduct.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Network Rail has handed the brief to develop an online safety resource for staff and other rail industry companies, including contractors and train and freight operating firms, to Aqueduct

Digital brief: Bebo teams up with Microsoft.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Bebo has teamed up with Microsoft to give its users access to MSN's Windows Live Messenger service through their profile page. The partnership will allow users to show their online status and chat with friends while using the...

Digital brief: Renault hires Publicis Dialog for digital drive.(Renault U.K. Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... Renault has briefed Publicis Dialog to launch a digital drive to promote its test-drive booking service to 500,000 potential customers The campaign will direct consumers to a branded microsite where the service is available.

Digital brief: YouTube allows brands to place ads over video clips.(Brief article)
August 29, 2007... YouTube is allowing brands to place semi-transparent ads over video clips on its site. Consumers will be presented with an animated overlay on which they can click to view the full ad

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Choose Social Networks, Choose Life
August 29, 2007... All human life is there. The words, which once ran over the masthead of the News of the World, could now be used to describe social-networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Bebo. Over the past few weeks, many newspaper column inches...

News Analysis: Olympic Sponsors under Scrutiny
August 29, 2007... Brands eager to tap the massive audience for the Beijing games face tough ethical questions, writes Richard Gillis. With less than a year to go before the opening ceremony, the Beijing Olympics have polarised opinion to an extent not seen...

Raymond Snoddy on Media: TV's Self-Flagellation Is over the Top
August 29, 2007... Most marketing directors are paranoid - and with good reason. Even football managers have a greater sense of job security. But if last weekend's MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is any guide, it is the entire TV industry...

Media Analysis: Why Is Capital Such a Turn-Off?
August 29, 2007... The station's audience share has nosedived, with critics citing a loss of identity and flawed ad policy. The latest Rajar figures cement the belief that the golden age of Capital Radio is well and truly over after the station recorded its...

Brand Health Check: Milk
August 29, 2007... Health concerns, changing diets and the demise of the milk round have hit sales of the white stuff. The reassuring whine of an electric float, the sound of the milkman's cheery whistle, the clunk of glass bottles and race to get to the milk...