Marketing articles from August 2008

Marketing archives from August 2008

Reckitt pledges more NPD as Unilever cuts back.(Reckitt Benckiser PLC)(new product development )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Reckitt Benckiser has credited its focus on new product development with driving sales, and shows no sign of slowing its innovation programme. Additions such as Cillit Bang Grease and Floors, Airwick Freshmatics, Finish Max in 1 and...

McDonald's plays down Beijing Olympics sponsorship in UK ..(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... McDonald's is not exploiting its multimillion-pound global Olympic sponsorship in the UK, prompting suggestions that it does not want the British public to associate it with the controversy surrounding the Beijing event. The fast-food...

... while Locog expands search for 2012 partners.(London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) will begin its search for second- and third-tier sponsors once this month's Beijing Olympics end. Commercial director Chris Townsend said unofficial discussions...

Soft drinks eye herbal 'sugar'.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Stevia, a South American plant used to create natural sugar substitutes, is set to be the next major battleground for Coca-Cola and Pepsi, with both brands launching their own natural sweeteners using the non-calorific herb. Coca-Cola last...

Bauer overhauls women's titles.(Bauer Media )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Bauer Media will relaunch its Top Sante and More titles, only a year after the latter was relaunched as a weekly. The news comes ahead of the publication of this month's ABC consumer magazine results on 14 August, in which both titles are...

Thinkbox moves to quell ad fears.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Tess Alps, the chief executive of Thinkbox, the UK's marketing body for commercial broadcasters, has dismissed the notion that ITV's expected decline in ad revenue in September should be viewed as a complete meltdown of the TV advertising...

New campaign: Discovery.(Discovery Foods )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Discovery Foods is launching a campaign promoting the Mexican food brand's ingredients and simple recipes. The marketing drive, which takes a Viva La Revolucion theme, includes a pounds 2m TV campaign, which breaks on 11 August. This will...

Nouvelle Soft set for pounds 2m launch.(Georgia-Pacific Corp. Commercial Products Div. launch of Nouvelle Soft)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Nouvelle, the 100% recycled tissue brand owned by Georgia-Pacific, is launching a pounds 2m drive to support the launch of Nouvelle Soft. The 'Downsides' campaign for the brand encompasses TV ads and in-store marketing. It promotes...

E.ON puts task into MediaCom.(E.ON AG acquired MediaCom Corp.)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Energy supplier E.ON has appointed MediaCom to its pounds 30m media planning and buying account. The agency picked up the account following a pitch involving PHD, OMD and incumbent agency Initiative. MediaCom will also look after the...

Orange rolls out cyclist phase for 'I am' activity.(Orange A/S Endorse Mark Beaumont for campaign)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Orange is set to roll out the second wave of its 'I am' campaign, which will feature world-record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont. The ad shows Beaumont, who became the fastest man to cycle around the world in February, pedalling on a...

Schweppes embarks on Smirnoff 'cocktail' ads.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Schweppes is launching an outdoor campaign in major UK cities to promote its partnership with Diageo-owned vodka Smirnoff. The two brands will encourage consumers to try vodka-based cocktails, starting off with the 'Moscow Mule' - a...

Ofcom questions 'government' TV.(United Kingdom. Home Office use of taxpayers' money to fund television shows )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The Home Office's use of taxpayers' money to fund TV shows such as Beat: Life on the Street has come under scrutiny by Ofcom over a possible breach of its broadcasting code. The ITV show, which has just been commissioned for a third series,...

GO3 seeks ad agency for UK roll-out campaign.(David Beckham food supplement GO3)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... GO3, the nutritional supplement backed by David Beckham, is seeking an ad agency to handle its UK launch later this year. The Findus-owned range of Omega-3 supplements, which includes a Junior Strawberry children's variant, is manufactured...

OpenSkies axes economy option.(OpenSkies is a subsidiary airline of British Airways is to drop economy seating on its airlines)
August 6, 2008... In the wake of Silverjet's demise, BA reveals plans to reposition its transatlantic brand as a business-only carrier. British Airways is to drop economy seating on its transatlantic offshoot airline, OpenSkies, as it seeks to capitalise on...

Paypal to offer PAYG debit card.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... PayPal, the eBay-owned online payment provider, is to expand its offering with a pre-pay debit card aimed at consumers seeking tighter control over their spending. The PayPal Top Up card, offered in partnership with Visa and Royal Bank of...

BHF to run two-minute primetime ad.(British Heart Foundation )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has bought an entire commercial break in peak airtime on ITV1 this weekend, in which it will run a two-minute shock commercial that raises awareness of heart-attack symptoms. The charity is running a...

EA signs up for Chelsea FC tie.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... EA Sports has become a platinum partner of Chelsea Football Club after agreeing a global sponsorship deal. The company will become the Premier League football club's official video-game partner over a three-year period. EA Sports will use...

Co-operative to expand city-centre estate.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The Co-operative Group is to launch more city-centre grocery stores as it goes head to head with Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local. The stores are likely to be more than 15,000ft2 and in The Co-op's large...

Andrex rebrands Moistened range.
August 6, 2008... Kimberly-Clark is to re-launch its Andrex Moistened toilet tissue brand as Andrex Fresh, backed by an integrated campaign. The switch is intended to make the brand 'more emotionally appealing' to consumers. As part of the change, the...

FA to back 'Respect' scheme via ad push.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The Football Association (FA) is launching a heavyweight campaign to back its 'Respect' initiative, following several high-profile clashes between Barclays Premiership players and officials last season. The Respect scheme, which encourages...

Digital UK plans Borders switch-off activity.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Digital UK, the body responsible for the switchover from analogue to digital TV, is to roll out a campaign ahead of the next phase of analogue switch-off in November. The nationwide TV, radio and press ads will highlight the cessation of...

News brief: 118 118's commercial director to leave.(Simon Lloyd)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... 118 118's commercial director, Simon Lloyd, is leaving the directory-enquiries company to set up a mobile and digital business consultancy. Lloyd, who joined 118 118 in April last year from mobile handset manufacturer Nokia, will not be...

News brief: Thinkbox to focus on future of brands at forum.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Thinkbox, the commercial TV industry marketing body, will focus on the future of brands on TV at its annual 'Televisionaries' forum, to be held in November. This week, the body also commissioned research into online TV and its use by...

News brief: Robinsons to reduce packaging.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Robinsons, the squash brand, is reducing its packaging, with the introduction of a one-litre bottle that is 2g lighter than its current format. The brand says it will save about 330 tonnes of plastic a year

News brief: Eurostar shortlists agencies.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Eurostar has shortlisted EHS Brann, Good Technology, Gyro, TMW and WAVV Rapp Collins for its below-the-line account, which includes ecommerce and loyalty responsibilities across Europe, and CRM programmes in the UK. Proximity, the incumbent,...

News brief: Cadbury to bring back Wispa permanently.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Cadbury is bringing back its Wispa bar permanently from October The company had temporarily reintroduced the brand last year after a social networking campaign was set up to lobby for its return.

News brief: Fru Fruity Puds adds trifles to range.
August 6, 2008... Fru Fruity Puds, the desserts brand, has added two trifles to its range. Their launch will be backed by sampling, a website and print ads

News brief: Adecco hires Rentokil Initial marketer.
August 6, 2008... Adecco, the recruitment consultancy, has hired Rentokil Initial marketer Susan Yallop as its UK and Ireland marketing director

News brief: Appointment at Mesh.(appointment of Andrew Marsden)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Mesh, a retail marketing agency, has appointed Andrew Marsden, president of the Marketing Society and a former marketing director at Britvic, as its first non-executive director

Media: Asda magazine spat sparks supplier fears.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Asda's plans to force magazines to give the supermarket editorial pages in return for shelf space has led to concerns that retailers will continue to pressurise publishers in difficult trading periods. Although Asda has now rescinded its...

Media: Setanta flags up wider coverage.(Setanta Sports UK)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Setanta has launched an integrated campaign to highlight its football offering. The sports broadcaster is running TV, press, radio, online and outdoor ads flagging up its live coverage of 46 Barclays Premiership games this season. It will...

Media: BBC iPlayer fuels online video use.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Survey)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... More than half of UK consumers with broadband have accessed video content online in the past year, according to research from Starcom MediaVest Group. The BBC's iPlayer is believed to have been a key driver, with 56% of those surveyed...

Media choice: TalkSPORT digital magazine.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... TalkSPORT is a digital magazine, but with a difference - a solely sports-based offering (unlike Monkey et al), reaching out to a predominantly young male audience eager to buy into team or sport-related themes. This acts as a differentiator,...

Media brief: Knight Frank hires Redwood.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Knight Frank, the international property agency, has hired Redwood to publish its suite of residential titles. Previously, Knight Frank used separate firms to produce each magazine

Media brief: BBC Worldwide hires first director of marketing.(appointment of Helen Kellie )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... BBC Worldwide has appointed Helen Kellie as its first director of marketing. Kellie will report directly to chief executive John Smith, and work to build up marketing and audience research functions across all BBC Worldwide business areas

Media brief: Bauer Media ties up with Foundem.co.uk.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Bauer Media has tied up with search technology company Foundem.co.uk to develop an online shopping site allied to its Motor Cycle News title. Users will be able to search for bike parts, accessories and related products such as DVDs and books...

Media brief: MySpace to launch online comedy channel.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... MySpace is launching an online comedy channel in partnership with Warner Music Entertainment and Trident. Comedybox.tv will feature clips from established and up-and-coming acts, as well as user-generated content

Media brief: Ford models to be equipped with DAB radio.
August 6, 2008... Ford's Focus, C-Max and Kuga models will all be equipped with DAB radio systems in a tie-up with Sony. The option will be rolled out to other Ford models later this year

Media brief: Lipton Ice Tea runs campaign through Look Media.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Lipton Ice Tea is running a two-week campaign through mobile outdoor agency Look Media. Poster-carrying scooters will target areas in central London where consumers are relaxing outside

Media brief: Telegraph Media Group overhauls mobile platform.
August 6, 2008... The Telegraph Media Group has overhauled its mobile platform in a bid to improve usability. The service offers news and travel information

Branding: Mark Warner shifts to 'flexible' identity.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Mark Warner, the independent holiday company, is repositioning as a brand that offers more flexible options, in an attempt to combat consumer perceptions that package holidays are fixed and too structured. The 'Feel free' rebrand includes a...

Branding: John Frieda adds 'texture' variant.(John Frieda Professional Hair Care Inc.)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... John Frieda is broadening its Brilliant Brunette haircare range with a shampoo and conditioner designed to improve texture. The Lustrous Touch line, which will be available from October in major retailers including Boots, Superdrug and...

Branding: Tango and Lilt to unveil makeover.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Britvic has appointed Blue Marlin to overhaul the packaging of its Tango brand ahead of a relaunch next year. The refreshed design will be based on a positioning being developed by Tango's in-house team and its lead creative agency, BBH....

Branding: Design choice - Coca-Cola's Olympic Games bottles.
August 6, 2008... Nothing says 'one world' (or one enormous global marketing opportunity) quite like the Olympics, and with that thought no doubt in mind, Coca-Cola is championing the creative expression of leading Chinese designers with the release of eight...

Branding brief: Coffee Nation trials redesigned machine.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Coffee Nation, the vending machine supplier, is trialling a redesigned machine at 30 motorway service areas. The point-of-sale branding, created by BD-NTWK, is part of an integrated campaign to promote the coffee's fresh ingredients

Branding brief: Amnesty International unveils brand identity for show.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Amnesty International has unveiled a brand identity for its comedic human rights show, The Secret Policeman's Ball. The Thinkfarm design is intended to reflect the energy and history of the show, which this year will take place in October

Branding brief: Lakeland hires Caulder Moore.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Lakeland, the homewares and kitchenware retailer, has hired Caulder Moore to design the interior of its outlet at shopping centre Liverpool One, which opens later this month. The store is intended to evoke a family kitchen and dining room

Branding brief: Langs Supreme gets makeover.(Ian Macleod Distillers)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Langs Supreme, a whisky owned by Ian Macleod Distillers, has been given a makeover by Graphic Partners. The bottle has been refashioned for a premium look

Branding brief: New West End Company to revamp Oxford Street.(New West End Company )(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... New West End Company is planning to revamp London's Oxford Street in light of increased competition from shopping centres and other retail areas in the capital. As part of the overhaul, it has launched The West End Knowledge scheme, which tests...

Branding brief: Extreme Spirits rebrands Wokka Saki.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Extreme Spirits is rebranding its flavoured vodka brand Wokka Saki as Wokka-Fusion Vodka in an attempt to make it more appealing. This month's relaunch coincides with the firm's introduction of a 20cl-bottle Mini Wokka

Branding brief: Whole Foods Market launches Picnic Now range.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Whole Foods Market, the natural and organic food retailer, is launching a disposable picnic hamper range called Picnic Now. The hampers, which contain food and drinks, as well as cutlery made from recycled material, are fashioned from cardboard...

Direct: Army briefs Tequila to drive recruitment.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The British Army recruiting group plans to increase its investment in direct recruitment marketing to pounds 10m over the next four years. The decision follows the reappointment of Tequila\London to its direct marketing and CRM account. ...

Direct: Trident kicks off sampling work.(RPM)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Cadbury has commissioned RPM to carry out a guerrilla marketing drive to launch two Trident chewing-gum products. 'Ice-cream sellers' will distribute samples of Trident Fresh, supported by TV ads created by JWT. The second product,...

Direct: Skills body picks Haygarth for job.(Learning Skills Council)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Learning Skills Council, the publicly funded organisation charged with developing further education in England, has hired Haygarth to handle a series of direct projects this summer. The agency has been briefed to develop a campaign aimed at...

Direct choice: Seat.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... During these times of financial uncertainty, people are looking for a good deal, especially when buying a car. So when the new Seat pack promised 'mind-blowing offers across the range', it got my attention immediately. This hard-working...

Direct brief: Racing UK extends commercial customer base.
August 6, 2008... Racing UK is extending its commercial customer base by offering pubs and clubs a free one-month subscription to the digital sports channel

Direct brief: Natural Confectionery Co reappoints Sledge.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The Natural Confectionery Company has reappointed experiential agency Sledge to run a series of 'Little Day Out' events over the summer period. The drive will be supported with a sampling, online and retail strategy

Direct brief: Natoora hires Smarter Communications.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Natoora, the fresh-food delivery company, has hired Smarter Communications as its UK marketing agency and sister shop Leftfield Digital to relaunch its European ecommerce operation in the UK and France

Direct brief: Fit For Sport to launch roadshow.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Fit For Sport, the children's healthy lifestyle promoter, is to launch a roadshow promoting health in 10 UK cities. It has hired Generate Sponsorship to secure funding for the drive, fronted by ex-footballer Ian Wright

Direct brief: Postcomm appoints chief executive.(Tim Brown appointed)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Postcomm, the mail industry regulator, has appointed Tim Brown as its chief executive. Brown joined Postcomm earlier this year as director of market development, and has previously worked at DHL Express UK and Royal Mail

Direct brief: Sainsbury's to launch giftcard for students.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Sainsbury's is to launch Sainsbury's Student Meal Ticket, a giftcard for students that allows their parents to top up their cards to a maximum value of pounds 750. The card will launch in September

Direct brief: Domestic & General hires UK Mail.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Domestic & General, the domestic equipment breakdown plan provider, has hired UK Mail to supply postal services for 47m warranty mailings a year. The service was previously provided by Royal Mail

Digital: Virgin Media to offer multi-platform ads.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Virgin Media is launching a mobile advertising service, using Virgin Mobile, intended to strengthen its cross-platform offer to advertisers. Virgin Media, which launched on 8 February last year, is aiming to forge strategic relationships...

Digital: Peugeot creates dealership sites.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Peugeot has hired digital and eCRM agency Underwired to develop websites for its car dealerships both in France and the UK. The agency was hired after a four-way pitch between agencies from the two countries. Its brief involves the design...

Digital: Explore rolls out Tailormade push.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Explore, an adventure holiday company, is rolling out an integrated campaign to promote the launch of a sub-brand aimed at the independent traveller. Tailormade Explore targets those who want to plan a personalised itinerary rather than...

Digital choice: Beijing Olympics website.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... The Olympics. The spirit of taking part, of striving to be the best you can be, of celebrating the spirit of endeavour and of achievement. The official Beijing Olympics website. Not so big on spirit, celebration and joy, but rich in utility...

Digital brief: Walkers Snack Foods named fastest-growing website.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Walkers Snack Foods has been named as the fastest-growing website in the UK over the past year by Nielsen Online. According to Nielsen, the increase is due in part to its Brit Trips discounted UK holiday promotions. Unique users of the site...

Digital brief: Electronic Arts hires TBWA\Manchester.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Electronic Arts, the video-game company, has hired TBWA\Manchester to manage its eCRM account following a pitch. The agency will initially target the company's customer database with an email-based campaign promoting future releases

Digital brief: Sharpie announces global launch of website.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Sharpie, the permanent marker brand, has announced the global launch of its interactive website, sharpie.com. The company has partnered interactive agency Blast Radius to develop the site, which is designed to elevate consumer perception of the...

Digital brief: Samantha Bond Management hires England.
August 6, 2008... Samantha Bond Management, a modelling agency, has tasked marketing and communications agency England to create a showcase website for its models

Digital brief: Blinkx launches online TV archive.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Blinkx, the video search engine, has launched an online TV archive, Blinkx Remote. As the first legal online service of its kind, it will allow consumers to choose from a range of content to watch, including shows from the BBC iPlayer and...

Digital brief: Microsoft Advertising announces exclusive deal.
August 6, 2008... Microsoft Advertising has announced an exclusive deal with Paramount Pictures to drive awareness of its Mike Myers movie, The Love Guru, through Windows Live Messenger. The deal, which was brokered by MEC, enables users to 'speak' to Guru Pitka...

Digital brief: Original Source launches consumer website.(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Original Source, PZ Cussons' shower gel brand, has launched a consumer website designed by digital agency Code Computerlove. The site aims to boost brand affinity, reinforce awareness and drive product trial

Andrew Walmsley on digital: Cuil as it is, it won't topple Google.
August 6, 2008... The story of David and Goliath has attracted people over the generations, for its tale of hope for the small guy, triumph in adversity, overcoming the odds. Likewise, the Carthaginian commander Hannibal is remembered not only for the terrible...

News Analysis: FMCG's ups and downs.(Company overview)(Financial report)
August 6, 2008... Unilever's state of flux has left it less able to deal with recession than its rival, Reckitt Benckiser. When it emerged last week that Unilever's chief executive Patrick Cescau was stepping down from his post, a clutch of internal...

Conference Preview: The way to a winning website.
August 6, 2008... The most effective websites need a fine balance of good design, functionality and usability, writes Joe Thomas. Book now to learn how to optimise the effectiveness of your brand's website. Call 020 8267 4011 Lower costs and the...

Raymond Snoddy on media: Reality behind UK papers' web traffic.
August 6, 2008... NOA has a solid, reassuring biblical ring to it. Certainly it's a lot snappier an acronym than the full name - Newspapers Online Analytics. The latest tome from the Newspaper Marketing Agency is also solid, reassuring and very useful. ...

Media Analysis: Braced for a 'black September'.
August 6, 2008... UK commercial channels are battling to convince brands of the ongoing value of TV advertising. Faltering confidence in the economy and a significant slump in next month's ad revenue has left commercial TV under a cloud heading into the...

Brand Health Check: Ryanair.
August 6, 2008... After almost two decades of profit growth, the budget airline is experiencing a dramatic slump, writes Alex Brownsell. People's champion or anti-consumer nightmare? Budget airline Ryanair, and its uncompromising boss, Michael O'Leary, have...

Mark Ritson on branding: Apple brand shares in Jobs' ill-health.(Financial report)
August 6, 2008... If you have been following Apple's share price over the past two weeks, you'll know that it's a stock with a story. Down as much as 5% one day and then back up 4% the next. For once, it's not the US economy that is causing the jitters on...

Profile: Service with a smile - Brian Sullivan, Managing director, customer group, BSkyB.(Occupation overview)
August 6, 2008... The logistics of being responsible for a team of more than 10,000 people, a marketing budget of over pounds 700m and a profit and loss account that runs into billions, not to mention being answerable to the Murdoch clan, would make all but the...

Adwatch: TRESemme - 'Out of control curls'.
August 6, 2008... Please, please, please, please, please, please, please. Please, for the considerable amount of reasons that can somehow be squeezed into 30 seconds, buy this. It's used by absolutely top-notch professional hair-stylist types. It's cheap,...

Adwatch: The weekly analysis of advertisement recall in association with tns.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 6, 2008... Q: Which of the following TV commercials do you remember seeing recently? Last Brand Agency/TV buyer % week 1 (-) Confused.com In-house/MNC 70 2 ...

Opinion: The Marketing Society Forum - Should product placement be allowed in UK news programmes?
August 6, 2008... Following the criticism doled out to Fox 5 News in the US for its product-placement deal with McDonald's, could the practice ever be acceptable in the UK? MIKE HUGHES, DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ISBA - NO. Product placement is a legitimate tool...