Marketing articles from February 2007

Marketing archives from February 2007

Unilever links up with 24 for branded content blitz.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Unilever is boosting its investment in branded content through a cross-platform tie with hit US TV show 24. The home and personal care company has financed a prequel to the cult series, which will debut on the internet in May. The site...

Asda positions itself as 'common sense' retailer.(ASDA Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Asda is to introduce a strategy to position the store as the 'common sense' alternative to rivals such as Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer. Marketing director Rick Bendel said the initiative would be supported by an ad campaign that will...

Bernard Matthews urged to speak out on bird flu.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Bernard Matthews should personally highlight his firm's commitment to bird safety to ensure consumers continue to support the UK poultry sector, according to a crisis management expert. Although initial data suggests the public is...

DoH pushes safe sex via Co-op tie.(United Kingdom Department of Health)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Department of Health is running an exclusive promotion with the Co-op Group to promote sexual-heath awareness in the run-up to Valentine's Day. The partnership is part of a wider government drive to create more ties with the private...

Sainsbury's ditches SMS bar-code discount trial.(J Sainsbury PLC)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Sainsbury's has scrapped its ShopSaveScan mobile coupon scheme after a two-year trial in its Sainsbury's at Jacksons convenience stores. The loyalty initiative, which was being run by the Light Agency, allowed customers to text in brand...

Frank in further youth brand ties.(drugs advisory service)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The government is to build a roster of partner youth brands for its drugs advisory service, Frank. The service, which is a joint venture between the Home Office, Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills, has appointed...

EMI music videos to stream on AOL.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... EMI has signed a deal to stream music videos of established and up-and-coming artists via AOL's portal. AOL users in the UK, France and Germany will be able to watch more than 1000 videos from the record label's artists. The service will...

118 118 sponsors Lost on Sky One.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Directory enquiries service 118118 has unveiled a series of 30 humorous idents for its sponsorship of Lost, following the show's move from Channel 4 to Sky One. The idents, created by WCRS, can be seen from this Saturday when the hit US...

New campaign: Nissan.(Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Nissan is targeting urban men with a campaign supporting the launch of its compact Qashqai model. Breaking tomorrow (Thursday), the TV execution is intended to demonstrate the car's versatility, and sees the car being used like a skateboard....

Smart prepares to end ad hiatus.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... DaimlerChrysler will support the relaunch of its troubled Smart car marque with its first marketing activity since axing a national ad campaign in 2005. The marque had diverted its marketing support toward dealerships, but Mercedes...

Bookstores gear up for Potter war.(Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Booksellers are already weighing up their strategies for the launch of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, nearly six months before its publishing date. The previous book in the series, Harry Potter and the...

Heyday folded into Age Concern as growth falters.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Heyday has been subsumed within its parent Age Concern less than a year after its launch after failing to meet growth targets. The membership scheme for 55- to 65-year-olds has grown considerably more slowly than anticipated, according to...

Vauxhall Opel struggles over umbrella identity.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... General Motors is facing an identity crisis over the strategy for its upcoming pounds 60m Vauxhall Opel umbrella campaign. The campaign was designed to promote the manufacturer's range of cars and marked a further integration of the...

Trident incites 'gum revolution' in pounds 10m campaign.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Cadbury is launching the first strike in its gum war with Wrigley with a pounds 10m ad campaign to promote the UK launch of its Trident brand. The campaign, which encompasses digital, outdoor, TV, experiential and PR, calls on the nation...

FT hires TMW for direct business.(Financial Times, Tullo Marshall Warren )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Financial Times has hired Tullo Marshall Warren to its pan-European direct account ahead of a campaign to promote the brand to an audience of globally minded decision-makers. The agency beat WWAV Rapp Collins and Harrison Troughton...

TK Maxx assigns online job to BLM.(BLM Quantum )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... TK Maxx has appointed BLM Quantum to handle its online media planning and buying business following a three-way pitch against Starcom and Golley Slater. The discount-fashion retailer plans to increase its digital marketing activity this...

Spurs hunts shop for fans scheme.(Tottenham Hotspur Football Club )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is looking for a marketing communications agency to revamp its fan membership scheme. It is believed that the winning agency will also be tasked with handling retention and acquisition marketing. A...

Anti-global warming charity secures media ties.(Global Cool )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Fledgling environmental charity Global Cool has signed media deals with MySpace, the V Festival and NME. The partners will promote Global Cool's carbon-reduction message through events, webcasts and editorial coverage. On its website -...

S&N set to consolidate Strongbow direct work.(Scottish and Newcastle Breweries PLC)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Scottish & Newcastle is reviewing the pan-European direct agency arrangements for its Strongbow brand. The brewer has approached several agencies about the brief, which is understood to cover direct marketing and experiential activity. ...

Quaker to roll out hot-porridge vending machines.
February 7, 2007... PepsiCo is targeting consumers who don't have time to eat breakfast at home with vending machines that will sell its Quaker porridge brand. The firm is trialling the machines this month, including two in the House of Lords and House of...

EasyJet creates PC desktop tool.(easyJet Airline Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... EasyJet has teamed up with Microsoft to launch a desktop service that enables customers to personalise the airline's flight information and booking service. The tool, which uses Microsoft's new Vista technology, provides search options,...

AOL to offer UKTV Style video clips.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... UKTV has signed a content syndication deal to provide AOL with video clips of some of UKTV Style's most popular programmes, including Our House and Our Home. The one-year deal will make 70 TV-style clips available on-demand to viewers via...

Robinsons to roll out range of fruit juices.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Britvic is extending its flagship Robinsons Squash brand into fruit juice to capitalise on a market that is predicted to grow by 45% to be worth pounds 4.5bn by 2011, according to Mintel. Launching in June as an ambient range, Robinsons...

London 2012 adds to partner categories.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) has added two top-tier domestic partner categories to bring the total so far to eight. Chris Townsend, commercial director for LOCOG, announced last week that the 2012 Games is to seek official...

Orange launches ad campaign through Fallon.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Orange is launching a pounds 12m ad campaign through Fallon. The work, called 'People are good altogether', features groups of friends, families and loved ones. The ads flag up that the 'Orange Wednesdays' two-for-one cinema ticket promotion is...

Health campaigners continue to press for 9pm watershed.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Health campaigners are continuing to press for a 9pm watershed on the advertising of foods high in fat, salt or sugar through Baroness Glenys Thornton's introduction of a Private Member's Bill to parliament this week

The Jerky Group enters UK biltong market.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Jerky Group, manufacturer of Rocking JC Beef Jerky, is entering the UK biltong market with the launch of its BullOx brand. The firm hopes to cash in on the influx of young South Africans to the UK

Heinz launches its Organic Tomato Ketchup.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Heinz is launching its Organic Tomato Ketchup in a top-down bottle format with a green lid. The decision follows the successful roll-out of the format in its traditional ketchup variant; about 75% of Heinz's ketchup sales in the UK are...

Teletext appoints St Minver.
February 7, 2007... Teletext has appointed St Minver to develop a white-label bingo, casino and poker website. The deal will complement Teletext's online sporting and betting services

InBev launches an outdoor campaign.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... InBev is launching an outdoor campaign for its 4% ABV Peeterman Artois beer. The work, created by Lowe, breaks on 12 February and will run until April. Peeterman Artois joins Stella Artois and Artois Bock under the drinks company's 'La Famille...

Mattel reviews its pan-European business.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Mattel is reviewing its pounds 50m pan-European media planning and buying business. The majority of the toy brand's media duties in Europe are handled by MindShare, including its pounds 10m UK business

Thomson Directories hires director.
February 7, 2007... Thomson Directories has hired Gary Brown as product and marketing director. Brown joins from Yell, where he was head of product and customer marketing

People Moves: Air Miles.(AIR MILES Travel Promotions Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Air Miles customer insight director Nigel Grimes is leaving the company without a job to go to. An AirMiles spokeswoman confirmed the former British Gas head of CRM was leaving 'by mutual consent' after his role was combined into that of...

People Moves: Yahoo!(Yahoo! Europe )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Yahoo! Europe has promoted Teresa Pereira to European trade marketing director. Previously the trade marketing manager, she will be responsible for European trade marketing strategies and developing a trade positioning for the company

People Moves: Butcher's Pet Care.
February 7, 2007... Butcher's Pet Care has hired Sarah Alexander as head of marketing Alexander joins from Avon, where she was European strategic NPD project manager.

People Moves: La Cafetiere.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Sally Carron has been appointed marketing manager of La Cafetiere She joins from IT firm VIP Computers and replaces Michelle Baldwin, who has joined Stationery Box as product marketing manager.

People Moves: STA Travel.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... STA Travel has hired Nic Orfang as its online marketing manager. He will be responsible for generating demand via digital platforms. Orfang joins from Woolworths, where he was online marketing executive

Jaeger to introduce branded fragrances.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... British fashion brand Jaeger is to launch branded male and female fragrances after signing a worldwide licensing agreement with Aspects Beauty Company. The first scent for women, Jaeger London, is to launch in the summer. It is named after...

Goodyear weighs up direct arrangements.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Goodyear is evaluating its relationship with its pan-European direct marketing agency, Claydon Heeley. The tyre company, which also owns the Dunlop brand, is understood to be looking at paying the agency on a project basis rather than...

Top marketers in 'mentor' website.(MarketingMentor.net )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... A group of leading UK marketing figures have launched an online resource for marketers and marketing agency account teams. MarketingMentor.net will offer guidance on more than 30 channels, from direct mail to interactive TV. The site...

New campaign: Kleenex.
February 7, 2007... Kimberly-Clark is launching a TV campaign for Kleenex tissues in support of Comic Relief Red Nose Day. Breaking today (Wednesday), the ads feature 80s favourites Bobby Davro, Les Dennis, Keith Harris and Spit the Dog - with handler Bob...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(J Sainsbury PLC, ASDA Group Ltd., Masterfoods Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Sainsbury's could be transformed into a hypermarket to rival Tesco if the bidders circling the company are successful. KKR, CVC Capital Partners and Blackstone, which are assessing a pounds 11.5bn bid for J Sainsbury, are seeking a major figure...

Media: Ryanair hires Ink for in-flight title.(Ink Publishing Co.)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Ryanair has appointed Ink Publishing to relaunch its in-flight magazine, which it claims will reach a readership of 50m travellers. Debuting next month, the title will include features related to the lifestyle, interests and purchasing...

Media: Emap commits to user content.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Emap is seeking to capitalise on the appeal of user-generated content following its pounds 14.4m purchase of Yospace Technologies, which owns the Look At Me TV and See Me TV sites. The acquisition reflects the publisher's focus on...

Media: Agency flak prompts Capital brand drive.(Capital Radio PLC)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Capital Radio is to launch a brand campaign next month, following criticism from agencies that its owner, GCap, is not doing enough to promote the station. In the final quarter of 2006, Capital had a weekly reach of 1.46m, up 2000 on the...

Media Choice: Look.(magazine launched)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Last week saw the launch of IPC's long-awaited Look magazine, which promises to become the high-street fashion weekly to beat. Grazia has already paved the way for the format, but rather than looking to steal its readers, IPC is targeting a...

Media brief: Department for Work and Pensions appoints Carat.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed Carat to a communications planning assignment. The agency, which is on the COI's roster, won the brief in a pitch against MediaCom and Universal McCann

Media brief: Dennis Publishing to change name of poker magazine.(InsidePoker)(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Dennis Publishing is to change the name of its poker magazine InsideEdge to InsidePoker. The title, which launched in April 2004, underwent a substantial redesign in May 2005

Media brief: FindaProperty.com launches spin-off site.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... FindaProperty.com is launching a spin-off site called FindaNewHome.com for property developers, house builders and estate agents to advertise new homes directly to consumers. The two sites are owned by Associated Northcliffe Digital

Media brief: The Wisden Group to put magazine up for sale.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Wisden Group, the cricket specialist, is to put its monthly magazine The Wisden Cricketer up for sale. The group is to focus its attention on its website offering, Cricinfo

Media brief: In The Know selling just 107,000 newsstand copies a week.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... In The Know, H Bauer's weekly news magazine for women, has been selling just 107,000 newsstand copies a week. The title, which launched in August with a sampling campaign of 900,000, has received a muted response from agencies

Media brief: Staples to review its UK media account.
February 7, 2007... Staples, the office-supplies retailer, is to review its pounds 7m UK media planning and buying account. The business is currently held by ZenithOptimedia

Media brief: LG Electronics installs giant screen in London.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... LG Electronics has installed a giant curved LED screen in Piccadilly Circus in London. The electronics manufacturer has committed to a seven-year presence at the site as part of its strategy to strengthen its brand profile in the UK

Media brief: Evian signs up to sponsor Kylie: the Exhibition.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Evian has signed up to sponsor Kylie: the Exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert museum. The exhibition, which runs from tomorrow (Thursday) until 10 June, will feature the singer's famous gold hotpants

Branding: Cow & Gate overhauls range.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Cow & Gate is relaunching its babyfood range under the sub-brand Baby Balance. It will position the products as part of a nutritional and balanced diet. The revamp will initially be rolled out across Cow & Gate's 60-strong range of jarred...

Branding: Yop in revamp to appeal to teens.(yoghurt drink )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Yoghurt drink Yop is being reworked to increase its appeal among teens and children. Packaging emphasising the product's high calcium content will be rolled out from this month. Parent company Yoplait Dairy Crest is also adding a 180g...

Branding: Design choice - Yougetitback tags.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... If ever there were an idea of genius, an online lost-and-found company has to be it. This service comes complete with a nifty-looking tag, which is basically a high-quality, versatile label that can be stuck to anything from your car keys or...

Branding brief: Waitrose launches wholefoods line.
February 7, 2007... Waitrose has launched a 140-strong wholefoods line, designed by Pearlfisher. The Waitrose Wholesome range includes dried fruit, dried beans, nuts and flours

Branding brief: Lea & Perrins introduces Little Tasters.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Lea & Perrins has introduced single-portion servings of its Worcestershire Sauce to encourage trial. Called Little Tasters, the servings will be stocked in the meat, cheese and vodka sections of supermarkets, rather than in the sauces aisle

Branding brief: Sunglass Hut overhauls its stores.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Sunglass Hut has overhauled its stores, packaging and point-of-sale material. The new look, created by Wolff Olins and US agency FRCH, will be rolled out over the next year

Branding brief: 21st Dimension appoints Brandhouse.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... 21st Dimension, the luxury-goods firm, has appointed Brandhouse to develop a diamond jewellery brand following a two-way pitch. The agency will be tasked with creating a brand identity and strategy in conjunction with diamond expert Exelco

Branding brief: GMG Radio to rebrand Saga stations.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... GMG Radio is to rebrand its recently acquired Saga stations as Smooth Radio from next month. It is intended to increase their appeal to a more mature audience

Branding brief: Adnams redesigns its beer bottles.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Adnams has redesigned its beer bottles to reduce the impact of their production on the environment. The brewer claims that the new 500ml bottle, created by Cookchick Design and packaging firm O-I, uses 34% less glass and will be the lightest in...

Branding brief: Umbro poised to unveil latest England strip.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Umbro is poised to unveil the design of the latest England football team strip. The range, which will be supported by press ads through Elmwood, will feature climate-control technology

Direct: Hyundai picks VCCP for dealership brief.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Korean car manufacturer Hyundai has appointed VCCP to handle in-store and customer communications for its dealership network. The agency was appointed by Lorne Stewart, head of dealership marketing at Hyundai, following a pitch. VCCP,...

Direct: Nationwide runs savings activity.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Nationwide is backing the launch of its Regular Savings account with a direct drive. The activity, created by TDA, includes press ads, in-store posters and direct mail. The agency has created two executions to target 25- to 44-year-olds....

Direct: Strong response to generic mail.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... More than 70% of consumers have responded at some point to an unaddressed leaflet, sample, circular or free publication posted through their letterbox, according to a survey conducted last July by the Direct Marketing Association. The...

Direct Choice: Volvo.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... This looks interesting: a 3-D mailer from Volvo must be something really exciting. Ah, it's about kids - and I've got two of them. Excellent. The idea seems to be that Volvo is going to protect my beloved kids as effectively as corrugated...

Direct Brief: Carlsberg to run on-pack promotion.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Carlsberg is to run an on-pack promotion offering the chance to win a pair of Wembley season tickets. The activity, created by Billington Cartmell, will run on packs of Carlsberg and Carlsberg Export in Asda later this month

Direct Brief: Motor Neurone Association launches fundraising drive.(Motor Neurone Disease Association )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Motor Neurone Disease Association is launching an awareness and fundraising drive. The work, created by Manchester agency With, is entitled 'Life Goes On' and will encourage donations and volunteering

Direct Brief: The DMA in Scotland names chairman.(Direct Marketing Association )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Direct Marketing Association in Scotland has named Yvonne Balfour as its chairman with immediate effect. Balfour, who is managing director of Edinburgh agency Navigator, will take over from David Metcalfe

Direct Brief: The Purple Guide hires Ptarmigan Sports Marketing.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Purple Guide has hired Leeds shop Ptarmigan Sports Marketing to promote its Official Rugby World Cup 2007 Travel Guide. The guide goes on sale from 1 March and will be promoted through online and offline activity

Direct Brief: Hellmann's promotes its Extra Light mayonnaise.
February 7, 2007... Hellmann's is promoting its revamped Extra Light mayonnaise with a mailing created by Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Voelkel

Direct Brief: Upper Street Events hires Avongate.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Upper Street Events, the exhibition organiser, has hired Avongate to manage lists for a range of shows and exhibitions, including Country Living Shows and the London Art Fair

Direct Brief: Royal Mail's campaign for special-delivery service.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Royal Mail is supporting its special-delivery service with below-the-line activity through Billington Cartmell. The campaign offers customers the chance to win pounds 1000 every weekday in February and is supported by poster ads, point-of-sale...

Direct Brief: Ofcom fines four companies.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Ofcom has fined four companies, including Carphone Warehouse, a total of pounds 152,500 for excessive silent calls. The other companies are Space Kitchens, Bracken Bay Kitchens and telecoms firm Toucan

Digital: Passport task goes to Poke.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... The Home Office has hired Poke to handle the digital element of its anti-passport fraud campaign following a competitive pitch against other COI roster agencies. Poke will create a heavyweight drive intended to raise awareness that the...

Digital: Lufthansa to run awareness work.(Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Intelligent Marketing )(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Lufthansa is gearing up for a raft of digital activity to increase consumer awareness of its range of international destinations. The carrier has handed Intelligent Marketing its direct brief for the UK and Ireland following a three-way...

Digital Choice: Philips Shave Everywhere.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... It could be said that it takes, well, balls to talk about shaving your balls. Shave Everywhere goes where very little product advertising has gone before - below the belt. Phillips' Bodygroom, a shaver designed for 'all-over male grooming', had...

Digital brief: Yell.com partners with Oodle.co.uk.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Yell.com, the online directory service, has partnered with local classified-ad search engine Oodle.co.uk to allow users to post free ads on Yell.com for the first time

Digital brief: Sony appoints Hi-Res.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Sony has appointed Hi-Res to create a website and online ad campaign to promote its Blu-ray Disc offering. The digital activity will showcase Blue-ray Disc players and content

Digital brief: News Corporation buys 5% stake in Roo Group.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... News Corporation has bought a 5% stake in online-video firm Roo Group for an estimated pounds 6m. News Corp's stake could increase to 10%, should the media giant reach agreed revenue goals using Roo's video technology

Digital brief: Consumer titles launching on T-Mobile's WAP portal.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Vogue, FHM and Glamour are among a number of consumer titles launching on T-Mobile's WAP portal, offering t-zone subscribers a mix of editorial, user-generated content, competitions, videos, wallpapers and ringtones

Digital brief: Metro International launches interactive division.(Brief article)
February 7, 2007... Metro International, the newspaper publisher, is stepping up its digital strategy with the launch of an interactive division. Led by ex-Sky Online general manager Tom Symonds, it will launch consumer websites in 20 countries