Marketing articles from December 2008

Marketing archives from December 2008

George takes BUPA job as BA court case nears.(British Airways)(Martin George)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Former British Airways commercial director Martin George, who is to stand trial in the UK and US for price-fixing, has emerged as the interim group marketing director of private healthcare brand BUPA. George, who, if found guilty, will face...

John Lewis in mag overhaul.(John Lewis Partnership PLC)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... John Lewis is to overhaul its customer magazine activity and launch a branded magazine to take on rival retailers including Marks & Spencer. Insiders say the move is part of a 'rationalisation' process at the retailer, and will spell the...

Samsung to shift UK ads to BMB.(Beattie McGuinness Bungay )(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Samsung is set to move its pounds 23m UK ad business into Beattie McGuinness Bungay (BMB) following the agency's sale of a stake to Cheil, Korea's biggest marketing agency. The electronics giant, which is also the major shareholder in...

Argos buys Bush/Alba 'to expand value range'.
December 3, 2008... Industry experts have compared Argos' acquisition of the Bush and Alba consumer electronics brands to the decision of some supermarkets to expand their value ranges. The two brands, which were bought from Alba plc for pounds 15.3m, join...

Army Recruiting hires Cook.(Army Recruiting Group appointed Colin Cook)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The Army Recruiting Group has appointed civil servant Colin Cook as its marketing director with effect from January. He takes over from Mark Bainbridge, who resigned in September after 10 years to become head of recruitment marketing at RBS...

Halifax sticks to ad course.(Halifax Bank)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Halifax is to press ahead with its above-the-line marketing strategy, despite doubts over the brand's future. HBOS shareholders are due to vote on a merger with Lloyds TSB on 12 December, but incumbent agency DLKW has been instructed to...

Vauxhall roster vies for Astra relaunch ad brief.
December 3, 2008... General Motors (GM) is lining up its roster of agencies to pitch for the pan-European advertising business backing the forthcoming Astra model. GM, which manufactures the Vauxhall marque in the UK, will receive ideas from DLKW, Lowe and...

M&B plans to open chain of concept bars.(Mitchells & Butlers)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), owner of the All Bar One and O'Neill's pub brands, is to break with its tradition of operating homogeneous chains by opening a series of concept bars. The pub trade has struggled in recent years, with figures from...

League seeks extra brands.(Football League)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The Football League hopes to attract two additional 'platinum sponsors' ahead of the 2009/10 football season. The brand search is being led by commercial director Stewart Thomson The three-year contracts will give the brands access to all...

Conference to discuss B2B.(Conference news)
December 3, 2008... Marketing is to host a conference on how brands can build profitable, cost-effective and trusted B2B campaigns. The event, on 24 February at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel in London, will offer insight into how engaging, personalised...

The week in marketing.(briefs)
December 3, 2008... - Beefeater 24 on sale. Beefeater Gin has begun the roll-out of its Beefeater 24 brand in the off-trade. The spirit, which launched in the on-trade at the end of October, will be available across the UK, Spain, the US, Canada and Russia,...

Media: RBS to increase magazine spend.(Royal Bank of Scotland PLC)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The Royal Bank of Scotland is significantly increasing its investment in its customer magazine Sense in an attempt to reach out to both NatWest and RBS customers seeking financial assistance and tips on money management. The magazine,...

Media: TV channel in 'zero-G' ad.
December 3, 2008... National Geographic Channel has created a media first with a series of channel idents shot in zero-gravity conditions to support its Space Week, which begins on 4 January. The channel commissioned ad agency Brothers & Sisters to create the...

Media: ITV revamps Priceterrier.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... ITV has given its price-comparison site, Priceterrier.com, a fresh look, and is backing the revamp with a TV ad campaign, following the soft launch of the service in August. Ads will appear across ITV's channels to promote the upgraded...

Media Road Test: Lonely Planet magazine.
December 3, 2008... - What's new? The backpacker's trusty companion is now a glossy magazine, but it must convince some sceptical travellers that the brand has not been diluted by its tie-up with the BBC, which owns 75% of Lonely Planet. - What's in it...

Media brief: FHM.com to relaunch.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... FHM.com, the men's lifestyle website, will relaunch this month. It will include fresh editorial and commercial offerings in an attempt to drive up circulation of its print magazine. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Media brief: Evening Standard makes ES available online.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The Evening Standard is to make its magazine title, ES, available online. The magazine includes articles on shopping, fashion, travel, food and parties. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the...

Media brief: Promotion at Warner Brothers UK.(promotion of Allan Stenhouse )(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Warner Brothers UK has promoted Allan Stenhouse to director of television marketing. Stenhouse will report directly to Warner Bros' newly appointed vice-president and group marketing director, Polly Cochrane. -------------------- Did...

Media brief: Jamie Oliver launches self-titled mag.(Jamie Oliver )(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Jamie Oliver is launching a self-titled magazine. Jamie Magazine hits shelves on Thursday and will have a print run of 140,000. The first three issues will be sold exclusively in WH Smith. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Media brief: GMG Radio appoints First Radio Sales.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... GMG Radio has appointed First Radio Sales to handle national sponsorship and promotional sales for its Rock Radio station. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the magazine? Please call 08451 55...

Media brief: BSkyB appeals against tribunal ruling.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... BSkyB is appealing against a Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling that it must reduce its 17.9% stake in ITV to less than 10%. Sky bought the stake in November 2006 for pounds 940m. -------------------- Did you find this article useful?...

Branding: Car marques plot low-cost ranges.
December 3, 2008... A growing number of car manufacturers are looking to create low-cost sub-brands to drive sales during the downturn, according to industry experts. Last week it was revealed that Fiat will roll out a budget brand including three new models...

Branding: Pomegreat in Pure launch.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Pomegreat, the pomegranate juice drink brand, is to expand its range with the roll-out of Pomegreat Pure, which is made from fresh pomegranate juice rather than concentrate. The drink is aimed at consumers attracted to the antioxidant...

Branding: Diageo to add whisky packs.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Diageo has unveiled a series of festive gift packs for its whisky brands, as a means of boosting sales over the Christmas period. The company is rolling out special-edition versions of Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Johnnie Walker Blue Label,...

Branding: Brand in the news - Tango.(Brief article)(Column)
December 3, 2008... Oh dear, this campaign is desperate. I get the logic behind it - a bit of nostalgia when the world's going pear-shaped. And it will certainly get some PR, with slogans such as 'Rainforests grow back' and 'Sod the panda'. But come on, why...

Branding brief: HSBC to appoint design agency.(Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... HSBC is to appoint a design agency to complete a refurbishment of up to 10,000 of its branches across the globe, following the recent roll-out of HSBC Premier. A decision is expected within the next two weeks. -------------------- Did...

Branding brief: Natural History Museum to redesign catering offering.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The Natural History Museum is to redesign its catering offering, including a restaurant, two cafes, a small retail outlet and the staff dining area. The pounds 2m project for the West London museum will be carried out by branding agency Retail...

Branding brief: And/or Book Awards rebrands.(The And/or Book Awards)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The And/or Book Awards, an annual event for the photography and moving-image publishing industry, has rebranded. A fresh logo for the awards, formerly known as the Kraszna-Krausz Awards, will be rolled out ahead of the 2009 event, which takes...

Branding brief: Everyman rolls out fresh identity.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Everyman, the cinema club, is rolling out a fresh visual identity and interior design. The first of its venues to undergo a revamp will be the cinema at Belsize Park in London. With venues already in London, Reigate and Winchester, Everyman...

Branding brief: Gleneagles Natural Mineral gets rebrand.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Gleneagles Natural Mineral, a bottled-water brand owned by Highland Spring, has undergone a rebrand to push sales in hotels and restaurants Its new-look glass bottle was created by branding agency 999 Design. -------------------- Did...

Digital & Direct: Virgin to roll out mobile web portal.
December 3, 2008... Virgin Mobile is to launch a mobile web news and entertainment portal. The site will replace the Virgin Mobile Bites WAP service ahead of the opening up of Virgin's mobile content services to other networks next year. The Virgin...

Digital & Direct: Brewer adds to brand sites.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame is to overhaul its web activity, including its brewery shop and individual alcohol brand sites. The company, which owns more than 370 pubs in the South East of England, is to hold a pitch for the...

Digital & Direct: Coors Light in voucher push.(Coors Brewers )(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Coors Brewers is launching a voucher campaign to promote its Coors Light variant. Consumers will be invited to submit an online request for a voucher, which can be redeemed for a free bottle of the beer at Pitcher & Piano bars. They will...

Digital & Direct: Digital choice - TopGear.com.(Brief article)(Column)
December 3, 2008... At last, a great virtual 'man's world' is launched. The dynamic Top Gear website is a fusion of the magazine and TV show with a 'blokier' edge. On entering the site, I was puzzled by the rustic backdrop. Is it a pub wall or an...

Digital & Direct brief: Arts Council selects agencies.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... The Arts Council has selected four agencies to handle its digital projects following a tender process. The winning agencies are Cogapp, Deconstruct, Net Efficiency and Preloaded, which will work on the redevelopment of its corporate site. ...

Digital & Direct brief: Boots appoints Lida.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Boots has appointed Lida to its pounds 15m Advantage Card account, which was held by Craik Jones prior to its merger with sister agency Proximity London. Boots called a review of the CRM programme in August Proximity London, Partners Aldridge...

Digital & Direct brief: Samsung launches BizBee.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Samsung has launched a business smartphone brand, BizBee. It will be backed by print and outdoor ads and digital activity in 10 European countries with the strapline 'BizBee - business unlimited'. -------------------- Did you find this...

Digital & Direct brief: GlaxoSmithKline appoints Geronimo.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... GlaxoSmithKline has appointed Geronimo to establish migraine relief brand Imigran Recovery. The brand's website will encourage consumer trial and act as a platform for its eCRM drive. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Digital & Direct brief: Millie's Cookies appoints Inferno.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Millie's Cookies has appointed Inferno to its digital account without a pitch. The agency will handle a website redesign to reflect the brand's fresh identity and the launch of an ecommerce site selling gifts and featuring corporate offers. ...

Digital & Direct brief: Concern Worldwide appoints DTV Group.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Concern Worldwide, the humanitarian organisation, has appointed DTV Group to handle a DRTV drive for TV and online following a four-way pitch. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the magazine?...

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Measured response.
December 3, 2008... Digital has been getting some bad press, but that criticism has been aimed at the wrong areas. I love pubs, taxis, and radio phone-in programmes. Each is a rich seam of opinion, where facts rarely trouble the protagonists, and confidence...

News Analysis: The art of sponsorship.
December 3, 2008... The art world has an enduring value for brands despite often limited consumer appeal. When Lehman Brothers and HBOS hit the rocks earlier this year, the first question on most people's lips was probably not: 'What does this mean for the...

News Analysis: Airlock - Procter's direct gamble.(Procter & Gamble invest stakes in Ocado )( John Lewis Partnership invest stakes in Ocado )
December 3, 2008... P&G's Ocado stake signals an intent to gain greater insight into its customers. Procter & Gamble's decision to invest pounds 5m in a 1% stake in home-delivery company Ocado gives it the opportunity to gain customer insight ahead of its...

Media Analysis: Guided missives.(ad-serving technology )
December 3, 2008... The dream of targeted ads is about to come true, but execution needs careful handling. The beauty of being a subscription-based broadcaster like BSkyB is that you can modify the advertiser-funded television model without worrying too much...

Brand Health Check: Tesco.
December 3, 2008... The UK's biggest supermarket is showing signs that its grip may be loosening, writes Ed Kemp. Tesco is ubiquitous in British family life - whether it is selling you its food, financial services, mobile networks, broadband, or furniture, or...

Raymond Snoddy on Media: Strictly come paying.(ence-fee rebel )
December 3, 2008... Why is the BBC's director-general holding out an olive branch to a wealthy licence-fee refusenik? Sometimes single paragraphs in newspapers provide the most interesting news of all - far more compelling than more conventional fare on the...

Mark Ritson on Branding: Luxury stands its ground.
December 3, 2008... Some brands are cutting prices in the face of decline, but those with real style are raising the stakes. After a decade of unprecedented global demand for luxury, the storm clouds of recession now provide a fascinating backdrop to luxury...

Recall: Adwatch 03.12.08.(Statistical table)(Survey)
December 3, 2008... Marketing's unique weekly analysis of advertisement recall in association with tns. Q Which of the following TV commercials do you remember seeing recently? 26.11 Brand Agency/TV buyer % ...

Recall: Adwatch 03.12.08 - Lotto.(The National Lottery)(Brief article)(Column)
December 3, 2008... The National Lottery's latest commercial is simultaneously uplifting and a let-down. As you'd expect in the run-up to Christmas, this week's Adwatch is dominated by retailers and games manufacturers. They have spent months developing...

Profile: Just getting warmed up.(Interview)
December 3, 2008... Ed Culf Marketing director, General Mills UK, is developing marketing bravery and a global approach at the firm. Interview by Gemma Charles. The chilly weather that has swept the UK is a depressing reminder of the long winter months ahead....

Opinion: The Marketing Society Forum - Has the pre-Budget report been good for you?
December 3, 2008... Our panellists were not impressed by Chancellor Alistair Darling's statement, describing it variously as a cynical vote-getting tactic and a 'kick in the teeth' for the already struggling UK beer industry. MAYBE - CHRIS MURPHY, CHAIRMAN,...

Deputy Editor's Comment: Where P&G leads ..(Procter & Gamble)(Editorial)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... Who would be a retailer? Whether you are a faded favourite like Woolies or a nervous behemoth like Tesco, the recession presents unique challenges. All the talk last week was about whether Woolworths would even open its doors after its...

Retail marketing: Why it pays to play in-store.
December 3, 2008... Brands may spend billions on high-profile, big-budget TV ad campaigns, but the biggest battle is in-store, writes Nicola Clark. Any marketer worth their salt will have heard numerous times that 70% of purchasing decisions are made in-store...

Sector Insight: Pet food and petcare retailing - Pampered pets buoy sales.(Statistical data)
December 3, 2008... Pet-owners' tendency to humanise their animals has led to a greater willingness to indulge them with accessories and treats, writes Jane Bainbridge. As any of the weekly gossip mags show, no self-respecting C-list celeb can be seen without...

Marketing Digital Report: Affiliate - Reward is its own virtue.
December 3, 2008... Rewards sites have provided a major fillip to the pounds 3bn UK affiliate marketing sector. Whether cashback or voucher, it is proving a potent draw, writes Andy Fry. There are many ways for brands to generate customer leads online, but...

Marketing Digital Report: Is it prizes for all, or last past the post?
December 3, 2008... When a buyer clicks through many sites before purchase, it seems unfair that only the last click wins payment. However, finding a more equitable model is not proving easy, writes Robert Gray. When market conditions are tough, as is...

Helpline.
December 3, 2008... Joe Thomas takes the hassle out of finding the right product or service - you ask the question, he'll provide the answer. CHRISTMAS CHEER Q: We want to give some of our employees a useful work-related gift for Christmas. Could you...

Careers: What it's really like inside - Paramount UK.(Paramount Pictures Corp.)(Company overview)
December 3, 2008... - How do you come up with fresh marketing ideas? We brainstorm among the team. We also show as much as we can to our external agencies to make sure they are inspired by our brands. - What is the main marketing challenge you face? ...

Careers: Brand manager of the week - Lisa Gawthorne, Marketing manager, Panda Liquorice.(Interview)(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... - Describe yourself in three words. Fun, frenetic and full of beans. - What would you be if you weren't a brand manager? Anything that involves looking after animals. - How would you define marketing? The sturdy ladder that exists so...

Careers: Me & My Mentor - Ash Ali Marketing director, Just-Eat.co.uk Ltd.(Brief article)
December 3, 2008... My mentor is Jesper Buch. I have worked with him at Just-eat.co.uk since the start of the year. Jesper has a real passion for online business and is very hands-on and strategic at the same time. He is also the main founder of the business...

Marketing Mole: We'll Call You - Apple.
December 3, 2008... After having trouble downloading our latest favourite song, we decided to give Apple a call to see whether it would leave us working in harmony with iTunes. Apple Thanks for calling Apple Care, may I have your name? Mktg Hi, yes...

Marketing Mole: Who does Google think you are? - Carl Ratcliff, Head of brand strategy and marketing, Five.
December 3, 2008... - The first and third listings are links to news articles about Carl Ratcliff's move from Lowe to Five early this year. - The second result is a Marketing profile about his career and views. - The fourth listing is a New York Times...

Marketing Mole: Name that brand.
December 3, 2008... This public-service media brand kicked off with a countdown in 1982, and has expanded in digital and online directions. Known for its reality-TV output, it is facing questions about the future of its funding. Can you name this brand?...

McLaren boss queries Honda's 'green' F1 line.(Ron Dennis)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Vodafone McLaren Mercedes boss Ron Dennis has questioned Honda's 'Earth car' Formula One strategy, as the team bows out of motorsport. 'The most important issue when presenting a green image is that it is authentic,' said Dennis. 'Honda's...

Walkers plans premium line.(Walkers Snack Foods Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Walkers is planning a major assault on Kettle Chips with the launch of an upmarket crisp brand, called Redsky, next year. The brand is set to launch in March on the back of a multi-million-pound ad campaign, understood to include TV. ...

BMB scoops Agency of the Year award.(Beattie McGuinness Bungay )(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Beattie McGuinness Bungay has been named Marketing's Creative Agency of the Year for 2008, while Redwood has scooped an unprecedented third consecutive Customer Publishing Agency of the Year award. BMB pipped MCBD, creators of the epic...

Downturn driving shift in media consumption.
December 10, 2008... The majority of consumers believe that big-budget television ads are 'wasteful' and 'inappropriate' in the current strained financial climate, according to research. The exclusive study by media agency the7stars found that 74% of consumers...

HMV to roll out reward card.(HMV Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Home-entertainment retailer HMV hopes to drive customer loyalty with the launch of a purehmv reward card offering consumers 'money-can't-buy' products and experiences. Customers will be able to redeem points, accrued on the card through...

Doubt cast on drink ad effect.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... A government-commissioned study has cast doubt on the links between advertising and binge drinking. The University of Sheffield report, released last week, examined alcohol pricing and its links to alcohol-related harm. According to...

Lloyds signs up Wolff Olins.(Lloyds TSB Group PLC)(Wolff Olins U.S.A.)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Lloyds TSB has hired branding consultancy Wolff Olins to assist it with the integration of HBOS, should the deal be sanctioned by HBOS' shareholders this Friday. The bank announced last week it would retain the Halifax and Bank of Scotland...

Robinsons in 'fresh' launch.(Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Britvic Soft Drinks will extend its range of Robinsons drinks with the launch of its first all-natural ingredients squash brand in early 2009. The brand, Be Natural, is intended to fill the void left by consumers seeking cheaper healthy...

Tesco to debut video-on-demand offer.(Tesco PLC)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Tesco is to launch its first video-on-demand (VoD) service next year, enabling customers to download film and TV content to rent or own. The retailer revealed its plans to the Competition Commission, which is currently investigating rival...

Diageo plans pub push to buoy on-trade sales.
December 10, 2008... Drinks giant Diageo is plotting a marketing initiative to help rejuvenate the flagging pub trade. The activity, dubbed 'Love the Pub', is designed to increase footfall and boost pubs' appeal to a wider demographic so they are used during...

The week in marketing.
December 10, 2008... - Nike viral roll-out. Nike has launched a viral campaign featuring the Pink Panther and French football star Franck Ribery. Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam created the activity for the Pink Mercurial Vapor IV football boot, in which players...

Media: C4 network role goes to Radcliffe.(Channel 4 Television Co. promotes Rufus Radcliffe to head of network marketing )(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Channel 4 has promoted Rufus Radcliffe to head of network marketing and handed him many of the responsibilities of outgoing marketing director Polly Cochrane. Radcliffe, identified as one of Marketing's Power 100: Next Generation in 2006,...

Media: Five to merge ad businesses.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Five is expected to integrate ad sales for its Demand Five VoD service with its TV sales after securing sponsors for the site's launch earlier this year. The broadcaster will look for multiple partners for pre-roll spots, online display...

Media: Blyk opens up youth survey.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Ad-funded mobile operator Blyk is setting up what it claims is the UK's biggest youth mobile research panel. The network for 16- to 24-year-olds is encouraging brands to use an SMS service to survey its 200,000 members and gain insights to...

Media Road Test: Metro.
December 10, 2008... - What's new? A smaller format, full-colour and more inventive page structure. Having previously carried more than a whiff of utilitarianism, the popular freesheet has been brought well and truly into the 21st century. - What's in it...

Media brief: Sky's pay-TV content available online.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Sky's pay-TV content is now available online to non-subscribers to its TV services. The Sky Player offers three online subscriptions starting at pounds 15 a month. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not...

Media brief: Amazon launches music download service.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Amazon has launched a music download service. Amazon MP3 will sell tracks from 59p and albums from pounds 3. The roll-out follows Play.com's PlayDigital launch in February. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not...

Media brief: Clear Channel makes 80 redundant.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Clear Channel is making 80 staff redundant. The cuts will affect all areas of the business, including sales and marketing, finance, development, operations and IT. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not...

Media brief: Kangaroo deemed potentially anti-competitive.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... Kangaroo, the VoD service proposed by Channel 4, ITV and BBC Worldwide, has been deemed potentially anti-competitive by the Competition Commission. It has asked for guarantees that rivals could secure content on a fair basis. ...

Media brief: ITV rebrands Catch Up service.(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... ITV has rebranded its Catch Up VoD service as ITV Player. The rebrand will be promoted through an on-air campaign using a fresh logo from 19 December. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the...

Media brief: NBC and Viacom announce global job cuts.(National Broadcasting Company Inc.)(Viacom Inc.)(Brief article)
December 10, 2008... NBC and Viacom have announced a major round of global job cuts. NBC is axing 500 jobs, while Viacom, which owns MTV Networks, is cutting 850 - about 7% of its workforce. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not...