Marketing articles from January 2006

Marketing archives from January 2006

Vittel relaunches prior to pan-European offensive.(Nestle Waters marketing its Bottled water in UK)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Nestle Waters is gearing up for an assault on the water market with the pan-European relaunch of its flagship Vittel range. The investment in the brand scotches rumours that Nestle Waters is to focus the bulk of its promotional spend on...

Tesco sets up dedicated in-store zone for Apple.(Apple Computer (UK) Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Tesco has handed Apple a standalone area in one of its stores in a tie-up that marks the first time the supermarket has dedicated a specific zone to a single non-food brand. The supermarket is trialling the concept in its key Milton...

Coca-Cola heads off NUS ban in UK.(Coca-Cola Great Britain, National Union of Students)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Coca-Cola UK has held top-level talks with the National Union of Students (NUS) to ward off a repeat of events in the US, where its drinks have been banned by universities over alleged human-rights abuses. A briefing document from NUS...

US works on image to lure back alienated tourists.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The US government is to promote a more 'open door' policy to travellers, amid concerns that the drive to secure its borders in the wake of 9/11 has alienated inbound tourists. The change is intended to restore the country's...

Stevie Spring quits over Clear Channel shake-up.(Clear Channel UK)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Stevie Spring, Clear Channel UK's chief executive, will leave the outdoor advertising company at the end of this week, after disagreeing with US bosses over the future direction of the company. Barry Sayer, chief executive of Clear...

Thai airline gives account to Lowe.(Thai International Airways contracts with Lowe Worldwide and Initiative Media Co.)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Thai International Airways has handed its global creative and media accounts to Lowe Worldwide and Initiative in Bangkok respectively. The IPG agencies won the business following a pitch against JWT, which has held the account since...

Unilever creates Grotbuster spray.(Unilever Group)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Unilever is expanding its household cleaning portfolio with a heavy-duty surface spray called Grotbuster. The spray, to be launched in April, will compete with SC Johnson's Mr Muscle and Procter & Gamble's Flash. It is likely to be...

United Co-op to pool pounds 20m work.(United Co-operatives Ltd)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... United Co-operative is holding a pitch for its pounds 20m direct business. The review, called by head of marketing Patrick Allen, will consolidate its promotional activity in one agency. The business is currently divided between...

New campaign: Whiskas.(special bond between cats and their owners)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Whiskas is launching a pounds 15m pan-European ad campaign that will highlight the special bond between cats and their owners. The first TV spot in the 'Expressions' campaign features Fred, a ginger tabby. A poem read by a young boy...

William Grant in senior shake-up.(William Grant and Sons Distillers Ltd. promotions)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... William Grant & Sons, the independent family distiller, has bolstered its marketing department with three senior appointments. Steven Sturgeon takes up the new role of global marketing director, while Neil Brettell and Fiona Burles become...

Britvic introduces premium 100% fresh juice line.(Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Britvic is seeking to capitalise on the trend toward healthy living with the launch of a premium range of 100% fresh juices. Britvic Squeezed Orange Juice and Britvic Pressed Apple Juice will launch in the on-trade later this month. The...

Martini signs pounds 50m deal with Ferrari Formula One.
January 25, 2006... Martini has re-entered Formula One for the first time in more than 25 years in a sponsorship deal with Ferrari worth an estimated pounds 50m. The decision will also see the spirits brand fund a TV show and an anti-drink-drive campaign to...

Public distrusts on-pack claims.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Consumers are sceptical of food brands that use on-pack terms such as 'natural' and 'fresh', according to Food Standards Agency research. Only 14% of respondents to an FSA survey said that they look at claims made on packaging. Many...

Lloyds TSB boss steps down after marketing rejig.(Alan Gilmour )(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Lloyds TSB head of marketing Alan Gilmour has stepped down following a restructure of the bank's marketing department. Doubts over his role at Lloyds TSB were raised last October when Andrew Gillespie, the former Barclays group director...

MasterCard sets up prepay cards.(MasterCard International Inc. contracts with PrePay Technologies for prepaid debit cards marketing)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... MasterCard is targeting the youth sector and consumers without bank accounts with prepaid debit cards distributed and marketed by specialist PrePay Technologies. The cards are the latest to be supported by MasterCard, which launched...

Drambuie eyes 20-somethings.(Drambuie's expansion plans target marketing)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Scottish liqueur brand Drambuie is repositioning as a long drink to alter perceptions that it is drunk only by men over the age of 50. The drink is targeting 20-somethings by suggesting that it should be mixed with soda and lime. The...

Ex-Link chief to take group role.(Elizabeth Fagan, DSG International )(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Elizabeth Fagan, former managing director of The Link, is to remain with the company's parent DSG International in the role of project director. There had been speculation that Fagan, who left The Link in July last year, was set to exit...

Nestle to target women with Aero truffle variant.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Nestle Rowntree is to take on Masterfoods' Galaxy range with the launch of Aero Chocolate Truffle, a premium product aimed at women. Nestle's previous attempt to specifically target the female market with a premium confectionery range,...

COI creates its first partnership marketing roster.(Central Office of Information)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The COI is to step up its partnership marketing activity after unveiling its first roster dedicated to the discipline. The list comprises 12 agencies including Iris, Triangle and Sharpen Troughton Owens Response. COI head of sponsorship...

Screwcap body seeks members.(International Screwcap Initiative)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The International Screwcap Initiative (ISI), an organisation set up to champion the use of screwcaps on wines, is embarking on a recruitment drive across Europe. The body is an extension of the New Zealand Screwcap Initiative, a loose...

Parozone backs No Spill variant with pounds 1.5m push.(cleaning product enhancement)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Cleaning products manufacturer Jeyes is expanding its Parozone range of bleach as it seeks to increase its market share in the category. No Spill Parozone, which contains a safety valve on the bottles to prevent leaks and spillages, will...

Benecol extends yoghurts range.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Benecol is launching a range of yoghurts called One-a-day, promoting the message that eating one of its yoghurts a day can help reduce cholesterol. Peach- and strawberry-flavoured variants will be sold in twin packs. They will...

Government set for pounds 2.5m voting drive.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The government has unveiled proposals to set up a pounds 2.5m marketing fund to encourage the public to participate in elections. The Department for Constitutional Affairs hopes to make the money available annually for local campaigns to...

People moves: Tesco.com.(Tesco Personal Finance Ltd. appoints Crawford Davidson)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Tesco Personal Finance marketing director Crawford Davidson is to replace Nigel Dodd, Tesco.com's marketing director. Davidson was appointed marketing director of Tesco Personal Finance in 2003 after a stint as director of Tesco Clubcard....

People moves: Alfa Romeo.(Nicolas Bernard appointed)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Nicolas Bernard is joining Alfa Romeo as UK marketing director. The appointment is an about-turn for Alfa Romeo, which scrapped its UK marketing director post, held by Jeff Culkin, last May. Bernard was previously marketing director for Fiat...

People moves: Tropicana.(Rick Gomez promoted)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Tropicana has promoted Rick Gomez to chief marketing officer. He succeeds Ron Coughlin who has been moved to PepsiCo International, where he will replace Antonio Lucio.

People moves: Teletext.(Ash Makkar appointed)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Teletext has appointed Ash Makkar as head of marketing. He replaces Simon Sikorski, who has joined ad agency McCann-Erickson. Makkar has previously held roles including new business director at St Luke's, brand director at BSkyB and account...

People moves: Church & Dwight.(Bruce Fleming appointed)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... FMCG company Church & Dwight has named Bruce Fleming chief marketing officer. Fleming was previously chief executive, president and director of BriteSmile and is a former Johnson & Johnson marketer.

People moves: Miele.(John Kershaw appointed)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Miele, the domestic appliances firm, has appointed John Kershaw, former Electrolux head of laundry and dishwashing, to the position of head of marketing. Prior to that, he was employed on the retail side at British Gas.

People moves: Euro RSCG Skybridge.(Randle Stonier appointed)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Randle Stonier has resigned as chairman of marketing, communication and event agency Euro RSCG Skybridge. Stonier joined the agency in 2005, following the merger of Motivforce and PurchasePoint. He had been managing director of Motivforce,...

People moves: UBS Global Asset Management.(Richard Beckett appointed)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Richard Beckett is to join UBS Global Asset Management as head of UK retail marketing. Beckett, who had been UK retail marketing manager at Schroders until December, will be responsible for all UK communications initiatives. He will report to...

People moves: Channel 4.(Channel Four Television Company Ltd. appoints Cameron Saunders)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Channel 4 has appointed WCRS planning director Cameron Saunders head of marketing for its digital channels, More4 and E4. Saunders takes on some of the responsibilities held by Rufus Radcliffe, who was promoted to Channel 4's head of...

News brief: Nike appoints Parker as president.(Mark Parker)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Nike has appointed Mark Parker president and chief executive, following the resignation of William Perez. Parker is promoted from president of the Nike brand, a role he shared with Charlie Denson. The latter now assumes full control of the...

News brief: Coca-Cola purchases Fresh and Co.
January 25, 2006... Coca-Cola has increased its commitment to healthy drinks with the purchase of Serbian fresh-juice producer Fresh and Co.

News brief: United Biscuits adds new flavours to Hula Hoops.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... United Biscuits is adding two 'wild West'-themed flavours to its Hula Hoops range in a bid to halt the snack brand's decline. The variants are Cowboy's Classic Barbecue Beans and Sheriff's Saucy Ribs.

News brief: Hitachi to run ad campaign.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Hitachi is to run a pan-European corporate brand advertising campaign using the strapline 'Hitachi's technology and know-how improves your life'. The drive encompasses TV, press and online.

News brief: 3 hires Bruno Duarte.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... 3, the mobile phone operator, has hired Bruno Duarte in the new role of UK strategy director. He will be responsible for market research and analysis, reporting to chief executive Bob Fuller. Duarte is a former partner in the Paris office of...

News brief: Alfa Romeo hands account to EMO.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Alfa Romeo has handed its retail account to EMO following a four-way pitch. The appointment comes ahead of drives for the marque's 159 and Brera models. The account was with BDW until July, when the agency went into administration.

News brief: Yeo Valley expands offering.(Yeo Valley Organic Company Ltd)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Yeo Valley is expanding its offering with the launch of its first range of 'inner health' products under the Inner Balance label. They will be low in fat and high in fibre.

News brief: Intersport signs up as national partner of championships.(European Athletics Indoor Championships)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Intersport has signed up as the first national partner of the European Athletics Indoor Championships. The deal, brokered by sports sponsorship agency Fast Track, will see the sporting goods retailer provide uniforms for helpers at the event.

Open University set for review of media.(contracts with Waddington & Ledger, Response One Direct Marketing and Zed media)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The Open University (OU) is reviewing its media arrangements following a change in its marketing strategy. The OU's direct media is handled by Waddington & Ledger and Response One Direct Marketing, while its advertising media is bought...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Ford has rebuffed an approach from Renault to buy Jaguar. Ford was sounded out by the French marque last year when the scale of Jaguar's mounting losses became clear; it lost pounds 429.3m in 2004 - The Sunday Times Guardian Media Group,...

Canderel targets young audience.(Canderel contracts with Tequila London)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Low-calorie sweetener Canderel has appointed Tequila\London to reposition it toward younger consumers, backed by a pounds 1m budget. Canderel has traditionally targeted older consumers, who use it for dietary purposes. It now plans to aim...

Young's to introduce 'healthy heart' range.(Youngs Bluecrest Seafood Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Seafood firm Young's has developed a range of products it claims is good for the heart to capitalise on the trend toward healthier eating. The health benefits of the Young at Heart line, which contains Omega-3 and other fish oils, have...

New campaign: MasterCard.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... MasterCard is launching a poster campaign at London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports this month. The work, which is an extension of the brand's current TV campaign, highlights the 'Priceless moments' consumers can experience when...

Media News: Carling music show to air on Channel 4.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Carling is running a series of branded-content TV shows on Channel 4 to bolster its music credentials. Three programmes, titled Carling New Kings, will be transmitted on the channel on one evening in February. The half-hour slots...

Media News: BT sponsors CNN Davos coverage.(World Economic Forum in Davos)(British Telecommunications PLC)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... BT is sponsoring a series of vignettes on CNN to coincide with the news channel's reporting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The spots will air during CNN coverage of the Davos summit, which runs for four days from today (Wednesday),...

Media News: SMG chief leaves in reorganisation.(Christine Costello, Scottish Media Group PLC)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Christine Costello, chief executive of Scottish Media Group's Out of Home division, which owns Pearl & Dean and Primesight, is leaving the company following a restructure. Her departure follows a reorganisation of SMG's outdoor and...

Media choice: Real People.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 25, 2006... Real People shares the palette of a number of recent launches, with fluorescents to the fore. This vibrancy is designed to attract a young audience and provides a modern alternative to stalwart Take A Break. The most obvious comparison...

Media News brief: Associated Newspapers hires David Brennan.(Associated Newspapers Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Associated Newspapers has hired David Brennan as head of group strategic insight. He will be responsible for consumer and advertising research across the publisher's newspaper and online media businesses.

Media News brief: Sugar to be relaunched in compact format.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Sugar, Hachette Filipacchi's teen girls' title, is being relaunched in a compact format from its March issue. The magazine is the teen market leader, with monthly sales of 285,082 from January to June 2005, according to the Audit Bureau of...

Media News brief: Financial News to launch lifestyle magazine.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Financial News, the weekly newspaper targeting City professionals, is launching a lifestyle magazine called Brummell, which will be published quarterly. The title, which is being produced by Show Media, makes its debut on 27 February.

Media News brief: Granada Ventures acquires licensing rights to poker tour.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Granada Ventures, the licensing, merchandising and publishing arm of ITV, has acquired licensing rights to the World Poker Tour from WPT Enterprises. World Poker Tour coverage airs in Friday night primetime on ITV4.

Media News brief: Junior to covermount CD-Rom.
January 25, 2006... Junior, Future Publishing's parenting title, is to covermount Dorling Kindersley's My First CD-Rom - Starting to Read on its March issue.

Media News brief: AOL invests in local loop unbundling process.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... AOL is investing an initial pounds 50m in the local loop unbundling process to offer internet, telephony and additional broadband services such as video on demand and television over broadband (iPTV). The programme will be rolled out to 300...

Media News brief: Egmont launches microsites.(Egmont Children's Books)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Egmont, the children's publisher, has launched microsites for its GoGirl and Toxic titles. The sites, which feature an interactive game, are designed to capture data via a series of questionnaires.

Media News brief: Ofcom extends chairman's appointment.(Lord (David) Currie, Office of Communications (United Kingdom))(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Ofcom, the media regulator, has extended the appointment of chairman Lord (David) Currie for a further two years. His tenure at the organisation will now come to an end on 21 July 2009.

Branding News: InBev debuts ale dispenser.(InBev UK)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... InBev UK is introducing a branded draught dispenser system for its Bass and Boddingtons beers to rejuvenate sales and improve waning customer satisfaction in the cask ales market. Designed by the Drinks Dispense Group, the dispenser has...

Branding News: Nair repackages range of creams.(Church and Dwight Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Nair, the Church & Dwight-owned depilatory range, is relaunching its range of hair-removal creams. A redesign, by Southbank Creative Consultants, will be rolled out across the range this year, following an overhaul of the creams'...

Branding News: Design choice - Matthew Williamson Intempo DAB radio.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Few stars of British fashion have seen their stock soar quite so spectacularly of late as Matthew Williamson. Coveted by A-list clientele on both sides of the Atlantic, the designer's meteoric rise has been built on an eye for wry...

Branding News brief: Diesel signs agreement with L'Oreal.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Diesel has signed a licensing agreement with L'Oreal to launch a range of branded fragrances. The first product, to be introduced next year, will be aimed at the Italian fashion brand's core audience of 18- to 35-year-olds.

Branding News brief: 888.com revamps look.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... 888.com has revamped its look through advertising and branding agency BEAR. The change follows plans to group the company's gaming products and features under a single global umbrella brand by phasing out its Casino-on-Net and Pacific Poker...

Branding News brief: Sevenoaks Sound and Vision creates corporate image.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Sevenoaks Sound and Vision, the audio-visual retailer, has created a corporate image for its 50 UK stores. The redesign, by Haley Sharpe Design, is intended to broaden the stores' appeal beyond male TV and hi-fi enthusiasts.

Branding News brief: Country Trust appoints 48 Fitzroy for overhaul.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The Country Trust has appointed 48 Fitzroy to overhaul its brand positioning. The trust, which bridges the gap between urbanites and the rural community, will use the identity in a campaign later this year.

Branding News brief: Festivals hire Third Eye Design.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and New York Festivals have hired brand consultancy Third Eye Design, which has offices in Glasgow and New York, to work on branding projects for the two events.

Branding News brief: Craigleith Retail Park to be relaunched.
January 25, 2006... Craigleith Retail Park in Scotland is to be relaunched as The Quarry, following the hiring of Landini Associates to create a brand identity.

Branding News brief: Correction.(Correction Notice)
January 25, 2006... Maximo, Havana Club's premium rum brand, was designed by Claessens International and not Pearlfisher as previously reported (Marketing, 18 January).

Direct News: Malibu appoints Attention.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Pernod Ricard has handed the pounds 1.2m direct account for its recently acquired Malibu brand to direct agency Attention, ahead of a major promotional push this year. Attention will create both on- and off-trade campaigns, as well as...

Direct News: Shelter calls on donors to lobby.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Shelter, the charity that campaigns against homelessness and poor housing, is launching an integrated campaign, through Whitewater, to push the government to commit to increased housing provision. Inserts will be placed in titles...

Direct choice: Innocent January calendar.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... When was the last time a brand overwhelmed you? When did you last feel inspired and excited by a brand's portrayal of its identity? Innocent's self-belief flows through all its marketing, following a single-minded strategy that is the...

Direct News brief: WWF to launch targeted cash appeal.(World Wide Fund for Nature)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... WWF is launching a targeted cash appeal focusing on the plight of the polar bear. WWAV Rapp Collins London has created two mail packs to target 100,000 supporters. The first highlights the effects of the environment on the bears, while the...

Direct News brief: City & Guilds hires Red C.
January 25, 2006... City & Guilds, the awards body for work-related qualifications, has appointed Red C to handle its direct marketing and customer relationship programmes.

Direct News brief: DMA to launch website.(Direct Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... The DMA is launching a website, print publication and interactive DVD to present what it considers the best campaigns of each quarter. The first issue is due out in April.

Direct News brief: Planning News appoints Holistic List Management.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Planning News, the trade publication, has appointed Holistic List Management to manage and sell its 310,000-strong consumer database, which contains details of people who are applying for planning permission.

Direct News brief: Kidspace supports opening with campaign.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Kidspace, the play centre brand, is supporting the opening of its first indoor adventure park with an integrated campaign on the theme 'Explorers wanted'. The activity, by Crayon Direct Advertising, will use radio, press, inserts, door-drops...

Direct News brief: Northern unveils MusicTraX scheme.(Northern contracts with Graham Poulter Advertising)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Northern, the train operator, has unveiled its MusicTraX scheme in association with EMI. The campaign, created by Poulters, uses a music website and mobile recording studios called Techno Trucks, which will visit city centres across the north...

Direct News brief: Pims National acquired by CMM.
January 25, 2006... Pims National, the direct agency, has been acquired by Corporate Mailing Matters (CMM). It will now trade as CMM National.

Retail News: Dixons axes XL store format.(Dixons Stores Group)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Dixons is scrapping its large-format Dixons XL stores, as they have proved unprofitable. When the high-street electrical chain launched the 29,000ft2 XL format in 2002, it hoped it would be an antidote to the long-term decline of its...

Retail News: HMV to promote online business.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... HMV is planning a multi-million-pound promotional offensive to support its e-commerce business. The decision comes as the store has revealed it is to integrate its HMV Digital download website and its hmv.co.uk e-commerce site. The...

Retail News: Retail choice: Office, Oxford Street.(Office 1 Superstore)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Office's flagship shoe store has swapped its yellow-based colour palette for an impressive glossy black exterior. It neatly frames the window display and guides us clearly toward the entrance. The shop is well lit with a mix of glamour...

Retail News brief: Sainsbury's backs relaunch with sampling campaign.(J Sainsbury PLC contracts with Carbon Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Sainsbury's is backing the relaunch of its own-brand Be Good to Yourself healthy food range with its biggest-ever sampling campaign. Carbon Marketing will handle the activity, which will run in Sainsbury's' 75 biggest stores.

Retail News brief: Homebase rolls out radio station.
January 25, 2006... Homebase is rolling out its in-store radio station in 296 stores. The station, created by DNX Music, includes music, brand idents and promotional messages.

Retail News brief: Diesel to run ad campaign.
January 25, 2006... Diesel,the fashion retailer, is to run a print advertising campaign in Vogue in February. Paris agency ER27 and Diesel's in-house team have created the ads.

Retail News brief: Asda Financial Services rewards members.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2006... Asda Financial Services is rewarding members of its Asda credit card with a choice of gifts ranging from a pounds 150-off voucher for a two-week holiday, to half-priced magazine subscriptions to Glamour or Gardeners' World.