Marketing articles from February 2006

Marketing archives from February 2006

EasyJet slated for 'misleading' agencies on pitch.(Easyjet Airline PLC, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Inc., Saatchi and Saatchi)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... EasyJet has been accused of misleading agencies after it halted an eight-month pitch for its pounds 50m advertising business last week. The budget airline had shortlisted Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi, with a decision expected by...

Asda boss Pilling leaves after four years in post.(Chris Pilling, ASDA Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Asda marketing director Chris Pilling has left the company without a job to go to, after four years in the role. The retailer confirmed that Pilling, who was its longest-serving marketing director, left last week. He will not be replaced...

Sainsbury's axes Blue Parrot Cafe.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Sainsbury's is scrapping its Blue Parrot Cafe range as it seeks to revitalise its own-brand children's food offer. The retailer is replacing the line with a range called Sainsbury's Kids, which goes on sale from 27 February. The move...

DoH funding crisis sees adspend tumble by 25%.(UK Department of Health)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Department of Health (DoH) has reduced its advertising spend by more than a quarter in the past two years. The cuts coincide with financial difficulties at the DoH, with the NHS on course for a pounds 620m deficit this year. It recently...

Age Concern hires CHI to launch member scheme.(Clemmow Hornby Inge)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Age Concern has appointed Clemmow Hornby Inge to handle the pounds 8m launch of its membership scheme Heyday. CHI's direct division, Hall Moore CHI, will handle direct marketing, while Naked Inside will oversee strategy. CHI won the...

Health bodies to police own ads.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The government is planning a self-regulatory regime to oversee marketing in the new-look NHS. The Department of Health is launching a consultation into how best to police promotional activity by healthcare organisations, and will speak...

Beck's tests 4% draught variant.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... InBev is trialling a 4% ABV draught version of its Beck's lager brand in the UK. It hopes to expand the brand's range to compete with Foster's and Carling. The lager is imported from Germany, where it is brewed to the same purity laws...

Bacardi assigns pounds 23m global job.(to Momentum)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Bacardi has appointed Momentum to handle a dollars 40m (pounds 23m) global brand experience programme. The experiential campaigns will begin later this year, taking in music festivals, on-trade activity and standalone events. Bacardi...

New campaign: Always.(Procter & Gamble Co. marketing 'Always Ultra')(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Procter & Gamble is supporting the launch of its double-curved wings Always Ultra variant with a TV campaign that breaks today (Wednesday). The ads are based on the insight that all women have 'period pants' - unattractive undies only worn...

Love it! prepares for pounds 8.5m launch.(News Magazines contracts Euro RSCG London and Carat for its magazine launch)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... News Magazines has appointed Euro RSCG London and Carat to handle advertising and media for the pounds 8.5m launch of weekly reality magazine Love it! A TV ad campaign, which breaks this weekend, will run for three weeks across ITV,...

B&Q slams 118 118 for Homebase 'piggyback' ads.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... B&Q has accused rival Homebase and directory enquiries service 118 118 of 'shoddy practice' over their trial of SMS 'piggyback' ads. 118 118 is currently offering brands the option of adding their contact details to follow-up text messages...

Chariot pours pounds 10m into charities lottery launch.(Chariot UK)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... A consortium led by former Camelot chief Tim Holley is set to launch Chariot UK, a charities lottery, backed by an integrated marketing drive. Andrew Williams, former head of brand at Prudential, has been appointed marketing director. He...

Philips loses out in razor dispute.(Philips Consumer Electronics Europe's fight with Remington Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Philips has lost the latest round in its battle to prevent Remington from producing three-headed rotary electric razors. The Court of Appeal last week ruled that the trademark covering the 'clover leaf' design of Philips' electric razors...

Home Office backs anti-fraud passport changes.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Home Office is to run a campaign highlighting changes to the way passport applications are handled. Details of the activity are yet to be finalised, but it is expected to include an advertising campaign that will break later this year....

Continental links with Euro 2008.(Continental Automotive Systems contracts with Union of European Football Associations)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Continental is to become the first official event sponsor of Euro 2008 and has secured broadcast sponsorship of the football tournament, which will be co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland. Broadcast sponsorship for the event is usually held...

Ford aims Focus activity at men.(Ford Motor Co. marketing its new ST model cars)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Ford is to take a humorous slant on the aspirations of young boys in the latest TV ad for its high-performance Focus ST model. The ad, created by Ogilvy and Mather, focuses on the difference between childhood dreams and reality. It...

Total to upgrade alcohol offering.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Total UK, which operates 215 petrol station forecourts licensed to sell alcohol, has revamped its wine and beer fixtures. It is aiming to compete with off-licences as a chilled beer and wine retailer. The operator has expanded its...

Esso, Ryanair and Hertz lose out in customer poll.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Esso, Ryanair and Hertz suffered the biggest drops in consumer relationship strength over the past two years, according to a survey published this week by Carlson Marketing. The survey, which asked 6000 consumers their opinion on 20 brands...

Levi's to promote music ties in Channel 4 show.(Levi Strauss & Co., Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Levi's has funded a documentary-style TV show promoting its music credentials. The 30-minute show, to air on Channel 4, is similar in style to cult TV show Rapido, and chronicles the UK's independent music scene. The show was filmed...

Nivea in mineral deodorant drive.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Nivea is aiming to capitalise on the popularity of beauty products containing luxury ingredients, with the launch of Nivea Deodorant Pearl and Beauty next month. The launch will be backed by a multimillion-pound integrated campaign, with...

Miller Genuine Draft in pounds 3m urban focus relaunch.(SABMiller PLC, John-Pierre van Lin)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Miller Brands UK, SABMiller's UK operating subsidiary, is planning a pounds 3m overhaul of Miller Genuine Draft lager. It will relaunch the brand in March with activity kicking off in Scotland, focusing on urban areas and linking the brand...

Rum body plans authenticity logo.(West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers' Association (WIRSPA) is looking to appoint a direct marketing agency to help it introduce a mark of authenticity for Caribbean-made rum. The trade body has asked agencies to present credentials and...

Sainsbury's revives Active Kids initiative.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Sainsbury's is launching its second Active Kids scheme in an escalation of a sports equipment for schools battle with Tesco. Sainsbury's unveiled its first scheme early last year, only for Tesco to respond with a similar promotion, called...

People moves: Scotch Whisky Association.(appointed Richard Burrows)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Richard Burrows, director of Pernod Ricard, has been named chairman of The Scotch Whisky Association. He succeeds Ian Good, chairman of The Edrington Group, who retires from the trade body after leading it for five years. Paul Walsh, chief...

People moves: Banco Santander.(appointed Dave Mathews )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Banco Santander has appointed Dave Mathews head of marketing for Cahoot and Abbey.com. He replaces Deborah Cutler, who left the bank last March. Mathews will develop the Cahoot brand and promote Abbey's online products. He joins from...

People moves: Mellon Financial Corporation.(appointed Jamie Brookes )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Mellon Financial Corporation has promoted Jamie Brookes to the role of head of corporate affairs. He replaces Jan Altink. Brookes will oversee all internal and external communications, including brand and advertising, across Europe, the Middle...

People moves: Pelikon.(appointed Charlotte Fionda )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Pelikon, the manufacturer of displays for home appliances, has hired Charlotte Fionda as marketing manager. Fionda joins from Nokia, where she was responsible for trade marketing, online and direct marketing for its mobile phones division.

JCB seeks to tie with 2012 Olympic Games.(J.C. Bamford Excavators Ltd. contracts with Lighthouse Communications )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Construction equipment manufacturer JCB is looking to build its first major sports sponsorship programme. Its first such activity will involve positioning itself as a local partner sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games. With...

News brief: Volkswagen launches campaign.(for Jetta executive saloon)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Volkswagen is launching a pounds 5m TV campaign for its Jetta executive saloon. The work, which will emphasise the model's premium look, will be supported with press, outdoor and interactive executions.

News brief: Barclays develops ads for insurance products.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Barclays has developed its first TV ads for insurance products. Created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty, the ads break on 6 February and expand on the bank's 'Now there's a thought' campaign.

News brief: P&G introduces TV ad campaign.(Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Procter & Gamble is introducing a TV ad campaign through Grey London to support the launch of its Fairy Active Bursts dishwashing detergent. The ads, which air from today (Wednesday), play on the brand's traditional slogan with the strapline...

News brief: Disability Rights Commission runs national campaign.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Disability Rights Commission is running a pounds 1.2m national awareness campaign focusing on inequalities faced by disabled people. The work, by McCann-Erickson, will comprise press, radio, outdoor and online, and use the strap 'Are we...

News brief: ThomsonFly targets expats.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... ThomsonFly is targeting expats with a TV campaign breaking today (Wednesday) on Sky News. The low-cost carrier is investing pounds 100,000 in the campaign, which was created by DDB. Media Planning Group arranged media buying and planning.

News brief: Homepride launches ad campaign.
February 1, 2006... Homepride is launching an ad campaign, through Tomline Bean, for its Oven Pride cleaner later this month.

News brief: Directgov hires Walsh Trott Chick Smith.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Directgov, the online government services portal, has hired Walsh Trott Chick Smith to handle a multimillion-pound awareness campaign. The activity, launching in March, will include radio, press, online and ambient work.

News brief: Golden Wonder administrators in next stage of negotiations.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Golden Wonder's administrators say that after receiving 60 expressions of interest in the snack foods group, they are in the next stage of negotiations with three unnamed 'serious' bidders.

Simple makes debut in anti-ageing arena.
February 1, 2006... Health and beauty firm Accantia is entering the burgeoning anti-ageing market with a range of products aimed at the over-30s. The six-product Simple Regeneration Plus Advanced Anti-Ageing range, which is designed to take on Procter &...

Energizer backs The Gadget Show.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Battery and torch manufacturer Energizer is promoting its Rechargeables brand on TV for the first time, following the renewal of its sponsorship of Five's The Gadget Show for a further two series. The programme's credits and break-bumpers,...

Ricola prepares push for no-sugar sweets.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Swiss confectionery brand Ricola is planning a seven-figure marketing assault on the UK's healthy snacks market. The firm is targeting what it believes is an underdeveloped UK market for sugar-free confectionery at a time of growing public...

New campaign: Clairol Nice 'n' Easy.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher is to star in a TV campaign launching Clairol's Nice 'n' Easy ColourSeal Gloss. The ad, which breaks this month, is based on the idea that with so many tasks to juggle, women can at least rely on their...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Walkers is to cut saturated fats in its products by more than 70% due to ongoing concerns about the health risks posed by snack foods - The Sunday Times Avon UK's vice-president of marketing, Andrea Slater, is to take the helm of the...

Media News: Cinema admissions boosted by Narnia.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe helped increase cinema admissions in December to bolster what was an otherwise disappointing year for the medium. Cinema Advertising Association figures have revealed a total of...

Media News: Heart shakes up marketing team.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Tina Finch, head of marketing at Heart 106.2, the London commercial radio station, has been promoted to the Heart network's brand marketing director in a rejig of its marketing team. Finch will oversee all promotional activity for the...

Media News: Specsavers ties with Countdown.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Specsavers is to sponsor Channel 4's daytime quiz show Countdown. The 12-month deal, negotiated by Mediaedge:cia's MEC Sponsorship division, will run for a year from 6 February and include a minimum of 249 shows, which are fronted by Des...

Media choice: Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, Virgin.(Virgin Radio)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Christian O'Connell was excellent on London's XFM and his core following was expecting a lot last week from his national debut on Virgin Radio. He would never have opened a show with a Bon Jovi record in the past, but this is Virgin Radio,...

Media News brief: Daz sponsors listings magazines' soap content.(IPC Media's )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Daz is sponsoring the soap content of three of IPC Media's listings magazines: TV Times, TV easy and What's on TV in a deal that runs until June. The brand will also feature in a series of advertorials.

Media News brief: Flextech promotes Edward Humphrey.(Flextech Television )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Flextech Television has promoted Edward Humphrey to head of interactive. He replaces Jason George, who leaves in February. Humphrey is a former executive producer of Flextech's interactive team.

Media News brief: MacKenzie joins Media Square.(Kelvin MacKenzie)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Kelvin MacKenzie, chief executive of The Wireless Group and former chairman of magazine publisher Highbury House, which was broken up last month, has joined marketing group Media Square as non-executive chairman.

Media News brief: MoS acquires Hed Kandi.(Ministry of Sound)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Ministry of Sound, the independent record company, has acquired record label Hed Kandi along with the Enterprise Records division of Smooth FM, formerly Jazz FM, from Guardian Media Group.

Media News brief: Walt Disney signs deal with Channel 4.(Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Walt Disney Company has signed a deal with Channel 4 that will allow clips of forthcoming episodes of Lost and Desperate Housewives to be shown online on the Channel 4 website and via the broadcaster's mobile portal via 2.5G and 3G mobile...

Media News brief: Eve claims magazine first.(Haymarket Publishing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Eve, Haymarket Publishing's monthly women's title, is running what it claims is a magazine first with a heat-sensitive strip attached to a three-page ad for Mazda. It invites readers to see which of two images raises their temperature.

Media News brief: Teletext relaunches Teletext Holidays.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Teletext is relaunching its Teletext Holidays digital text service with enhanced imagery. The redesign offers advertisers display ad pages that it claims can replicate the content and quality of TV and press advertising campaigns.

Media News brief: XFM Manchester to go live.(contracts with Paul Tonkinson, Clint Boon and Tony Wilson)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... XFM Manchester, GCap's latest radio licence, will go live on 15 March. Among the hosts are comedian Paul Tonkinson, former Inspiral Carpets frontman Clint Boon and Manchester music impresario Tony Wilson.

Branding News: Defra demands less waste.(UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The government is putting greater pressure on design firms and consumer goods companies to reduce packaging waste. At a conference organised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the industry was urged to do...

Branding News: Rare overhauls brand identity.(Rare Fashions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Women's fashion brand Rare has undergone a revamp ahead of plans to widen its distribution to a greater number of high-street fashion chains. The overhauled branding, by marketing consultancy Black and Ginger, will be rolled out in the...

Branding News: Design choice - ITV logo.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... ITV's overhauled logos and idents for ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV News and ITV regional bulletins are intended to align the branding of ITV and its digital channels as well as bringing them up to date with ITV4's 'sharper' image. This rebranding...

Branding News brief: Tints of Nature relaunches.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Tints of Nature, the permanent hair colourant, has relaunched. The range features eco-friendly packaging. Designed by chs creative, it is made from PLA, a biodegradable plastic that breaks down as fast as natural materials.

Branding News brief: Extreme Group hires Performance Brands.
February 1, 2006... Extreme Group, which owns the Extreme Sports Channel, has hired sports licensing agency Performance Brands to help it develop a range of branded footwear.

Branding News brief: Building societies set to merge.
February 1, 2006... Leeds Building Society and Mercantile Building Society are set to merge. The organisation will operate under the Leeds Building Society name.

Branding News brief: Landscape Institute gets overhaul.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Landscape Institute is rebranding with an overhauled logo and website. The activity is intended to raise the profile and membership of the industry body for landscape architects.

Branding News brief: FLW signs deal.(FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Pro and Circle )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) has signed a deal with leading software developers DVD Pro and Circle to produce interactive DVD games based on famous UK TV game shows. Games derived from The Price is Right, Blockbusters and Blankety...

Branding News brief: Divine to produce branded Easter egg.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Divine, the chocolate brand, is to produce a branded Easter egg this year. The egg, which will contain brazil nuts coated in Divine dark chocolate, will be made with Fairtrade cocoa. Priced pounds 4.99, it will be sold in Oxfam, Liberty and...

Branding News brief: Burberry to launch women's perfume.(Burberry Group PLC)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Burberry is to launch a women's perfume brand. The Burberry London range will feature packaging created by the brand's design director, Christopher Bailey, and Fabien Baron.

Direct News: Spirit plans World Cup drive.(Spirit Group contracts with Graham Poulter Advertising)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Pub and bar chain Spirit Group has appointed Poulters to handle its World Cup-themed direct activity. Poulters will oversee the mailing to 18m households in a bid to entice England fans to Spirit Group's bars to watch games. The...

Direct News: Renault ties with accident society.(Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Regie Nationale des Usines Renault)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Renault is linking up with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to support its 2006 range. The car marque is targeting more than 300,000 existing and prospective customers with a direct mail campaign, encouraging them...

Direct choice: HSBC.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Nearly five weeks have passed since Christmas and many of us are now dreaming of our next holiday. I recently came across this cross-channel mailer from HSBC. On first glance it appears to be a sales-promotion prize draw, but a closer look...

Direct News brief: Donnington Park hires RSM.
February 1, 2006... Donnington Park, home of the British Motorcycle Grand Prix, has hired full-service agency RSM to handle its marketing, brand strategy and PR.

Direct News brief: Darlington BS appoints RDW.(Darlington Building Society, RDW Group)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Darlington Building Society has appointed direct agency RDW to handle its first direct activity for more than 10 years. RDW will develop promotional literature as well as TV and radio strategies.

Direct News brief: Cats Protection targets UK regions.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Cats Protection, the feline welfare charity, is targeting eight UK regions with a direct campaign. The activity, created by TDA, highlights the plight of homeless cats in recipients' local areas.

Direct News brief: Moss Bros appoints Gyro International.(Moss Brothers Group PLC)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Moss Bros Group has appointed Gyro International to handle its customer relationship management. Gyro has previously handled the group's sale and new-season communications, as well as its mail-order catalogue.

Direct News brief: Cranium hires Alcone Marketing.
February 1, 2006... Cranium, the US games manufacturer, has appointed Alcone Marketing to promote its range of boardgames, including Cranium, Hullabaloo and Cadoo.

Direct News brief: Pfizer uses 'scratch and sniff' mailer.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Pfizer is supporting the launch of Sudafed Vapour Plug with a 'scratch and sniff' mailer created by Stockdale Martin. It will be sent to every UK pharmacy.

Direct News brief: Siblu Holidays runs promotion campaign.(contracts with Smarter Communications)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Siblu Holidays, formerly known as Haven Europe, is running a campaign to promote its summer holiday offers. The integrated activity will be run by Smarter Communications.

Direct News brief: Experian acquires ClarityBlue.
February 1, 2006... Experian, the global information provider, has acquired customer management consulting and marketing database group ClarityBlue for pounds 85m.

Retail News: Hamleys eyes brand growth.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Toy retailer Hamleys is undertaking its first brand review in an attempt to understand its relevance in the modern market. Hamleys marketing manager Delia Bourne said one of the aims of the review was to develop a better understanding of...

Retail News: Timberland Boot brand to expand.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Timberland's upmarket UK brand, Timberland Boot Company, is preparing a promotional campaign to support its retail expansion. Timberland Boot Company, which opened its first store in East London late last year, is planning to add two...

Retail choice: Gizmondo, Regent Street, London.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... If you're not a gamer, you may not have heard of Gizmondo. It's a multifunction handheld gaming device, a bit like the Sony PSP, if not in anything like the same league. Reviews seem unanimous in saying it stands little chance of breaking...

Retail News brief: TK Maxx appoints DFGW.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... TK Maxx has appointed DFGW as its ad agency. DFGW will support the retailer's in-house team, which has been creating its ads, and work on the brand proposition.

Retail News brief: Burton Menswear launches campaign.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Burton Menswear has launched a campaign that will appear on cash-machine screens across the UK. The ads will run on machines based in areas most likely to be used by consumers who qualify for a discount in its stores, such as nurses and...

Retail News brief: Overall sales fall at WH Smith.(WH Smith Group PLC)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... WH Smith experienced a 5% fall in overall sales for the seven weeks to 21 January. Like-for-like sales at its WH Smith Travel chain were up 3%, but those in its high-street stores were down 6%.

Retail News brief: Post Office to cut travel insurance prices.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Post Office is aiming to build its position as a financial services provider by cutting the price of its annual travel insurance policies by up to 30%. It is hoping to repeat the market-leading success of its low-cost foreign exchange...

Retail News brief: ACS lobbies government.(Association of Convenience Stores )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is lobbying the government over proposals to remove restrictions on Sunday-trading hours. The ACS believes any change will have a negative impact on its members.

Retail News brief: Superdrug expands branded product line.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Superdrug is expanding its branded product line with the launch of four homewares ranges. The products, including garden accessories, will be sold in 468 of the retailer's 705 stores.

Retail News brief: Golden Square hands brief to And Partners.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Golden Square shopping centre in Warrington, Cheshire has handed And Partners the brief for its communications campaigns. The work will encompass both the centre's existing site and a pounds 120m development planned for 2007.