Marketing articles from July 2004

Marketing archives from July 2004

Kraft beats Nestle to launch of fair trade coffee.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Kraft Foods has stolen a march on rival Nestle with the launch of a fair trade coffee range under its Kenco brand. Nestle has yet to launch a fair trade coffee for its Nescafe brand, despite revealing its plans two months ago (Marketing, 6...

Orange founder set for exit in global shake-up.(Richard Brennan and Jeremy Dale quit)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Richard Brennan, one of the founders of Orange and its head of global brand, is to leave, as parent company France Telecom wrests control of its marketing strategy. Brennan has been at Orange for more than 10 years and is executive...

Nestle picks UK marketing chief.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Nestle Rowntree has hired senior advertising executive Neil Ducray as its UK marketing chief. Ducray joins from ad agency TBWA\Hong Kong, where he was managing director and marketing planning consultant. He has also held senior client...

Coca-Cola debuts healthy living initiative in UK.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Coca-Cola has become the latest company to fight back in the raging obesity debate with the creation of a major UK marketing initiative encouraging people to exercise more. The soft-drinks company is launching an anti-obesity programme...

Nestle to support Baci with u28m investment.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Nestle Rowntree is bringing back its Baci boxed chocolate brand to compete against Ferrero Rocher. With a marketing support package of u28m over three years, the company is seeking sales of u30m in the first year. The September relaunch...

Powerade adds Olympic variant.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Coca-Cola is to introduce an Olympic-themed variant of its Powerade sports drink to promote its sponsorship of the 2004 Olympics in Athens. The lemon and grapefruit-flavoured variant, called Gold Medal, will be available in a...

FSA ads to home in on salt levels.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to focus on tackling salt levels in food with a high- profile TV campaign scheduled for September. The government organisation will also launch a dedicated healthy eating website later this year, as...

Mercedes eyes 'dynamic' image.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Mercedes-Benz must move away from its image as a 'sedate saloon car brand' if it is to continue to compete in a rapidly changing UK car market, according to its top UK marketer. Nick Ratcliffe's remarks that Mercedes needs to become more...

New campaign: Mini.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Client: Mini Creative agency: WCRS Media agency: Vizeum through Posterscope The 300 sq m ads will appear throughout July on Megaposter sites in Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester, in locations with a high volume of traffic. The Mini...

Vodafone rejigs team following UK restructure.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Vodafone UK is overhauling its marketing structure, with top marketer Lance Batchelor leaving the division to take on an international role. The restructure stems from a reorganisation of the Vodafone UK business into two operating units:...

HSBC hires Dixons boss to streamline portfolio.(Joe Garner appointed general manager, customer propositions)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... HSBC is to simplify its range of financial products and services after creating a top UK marketing role responsible for driving changes across its business. The bank has appointed former Dixons Stores Group operations director Joe Garner...

Ofcom prevents Mates TV tie-up.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Mates Condoms has been forced to pull out of its proposed sponsorship of Formula Woman, a reality TV series about motor racing, following intervention from media regulator Ofcom. The Ansell-owned company agreed a six-figure deal to become...

Debenhams set to reinstate mag.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Debenhams is launching a customer magazine three years after it axed its last publication following a review of its marketing budget. The magazine, titled Desire, has been created with Publicis Blueprint and will be distributed free five...

AAR to introduce updated identity.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... AAR, the search and selection service for the marketing industry, has revamped its identity to promote its positioning as an unbiased intermediary across a number of marketing disciplines. A black and white identity, created by design...

Arsenal selects Coca-Cola marketer for top role.(Angus Kinnear hired as marketing manager for Arsenal Football Club)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Arsenal Football Club has poached Coca-Cola (GB) marketer Angus Kinnear to oversee its commercial and marketing activities. In the new role of marketing manager, he will oversee the development of the Arsenal brand both nationally and...

P&G in push for men's shampoo.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Procter & Gamble is to spoof MTV shows such as Blag and Dirty Sanchez as part of a u2m advertising campaign to promote its Head & Shoulders For Men shampoo. The activity will run from this month until October, with the strapline 'Have you...

PG Tips rolls out DCaf extension.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Unilever Bestfoods is hoping to emulate the success of rival Typhoo's Decaffeinated tea brand with the introduction of PG Tips DCaf. DCaf will be positioned as a flavoursome premium tea, rather than focusing on the lack of caffeine. ...

3 seeks marketing chief for awareness initiative.(3, the UK's only 3G mobile phone network)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... 3, the UK's only 3G mobile phone network, is looking for a marketing supremo as it prepares a 12-month brand awareness drive. The search follows the sideways shift of current marketing director Graeme Oxby to the new role of product...

Government orders BBC to rein in web services.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The government has ordered the BBC to restrict its online services and has called for a guarantee that 25% of its budget will be spent on external suppliers. The recommendations are part of the long-awaited publication of the review into...

Zip debut delayed by broadcaster negotiations.(interactive TV channel Zip TV)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... A spat between a consortium of the UK's biggest advertisers and broadcasters, including ITV and Sky, has cast a shadow over the launch of interactive TV channel Zip TV. Zip, which is being backed by more than 10 major advertisers,...

Scottish tourism in u37m activity.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Scottish Executive is to oversee an ambitious u37m marketing campaign to revitalise the country's image. The initiative, which will aim to build Scotland's international profile, will portray a country of dynamic cities rather than one...

Car buyers steer clear of dealers.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The majority of consumers would rather buy a car online or at the supermarket than from a dealership, according to research conducted exclusively for Marketing. The survey, carried out by OMD Snapshots, revealed that 63% of consumers would...

WWE set to expand with u10m UK drive.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is to embark on its biggest marketing push outside the US with a u10m UK relaunch. WWE will bring together its licensing, TV and live events operations in the UK under a single umbrella brand as part of a...

People moves: BT Business.(Time Evans replaces Amanda Mackenzie as marketing chief)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Tim Evans, BT Business' marketing and strategy director, has been confirmed as the replacement for marketing chief Amanda Mackenzie, who is leaving to join Hewlett-Packard (H-P). Evans will take on the new title of BT group marketing...

People moves: Cheltenham & Gloucester.(Piers McCleery appointed head of strategy and research)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Piers McCleery has been appointed to the new role of head of strategy and research at Cheltenham & Gloucester. He joins from Boston Consulting Group, where he was a strategist, and will be responsible for customer segmentation and relationship...

People moves: Polaroid UK.(Paul Telford promoted to European sales and marketing director; Tracey Hart promoted to UK country manager)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Paul Telford has been promoted from divisional vice-president of Northern Europe to European sales and marketing director for the UK, German, French Swiss and Italian operations at Polaroid UK. Separately, Tracey Hart, the company's UK group...

People moves: Hertz.(Lesley Lindberg joins as marketing director)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Lesley Lindberg has joined Hertz as its marketing director - a post that had been vacant for two years. Reporting to the car rental company's vice-president of sales and marketing Bill Jones, her responsibilities will include overseeing...

People moves: Digital One.(Dawn Banks new operations manager)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Dawn Banks has been promoted from account manager to the new role of operations manager at Digital One, the national commercial DAB digital radio multiplex operator. She will oversee marketing including Digital One's digital radio magazine...

People moves: BlueSky.(Rachel Eddy new managing director of BlueSky)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Rachel Eddy, sales and marketing director of Getmapping, has become managing director of the firm's aerial photography business BlueSky, following a management buyout.

People moves: Financial Times.(Dominic Good new ad sales director for EMEA)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Dominic Good is to join the Financial Times in the new role of ad sales director for EMEA. His remit will include UK display ads. Good, who is commercial director for Adforum.com, will join the FT in September, where he will report to...

People moves: Game.(Andrew Heeps joins as trade marketing and promotions manager)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Andrew Heeps, formerly local marketing manager for entertainment retailer MVC, is joining rival Game as its trade marketing and promotions manager. He will work on key product launches, working closely with major developers. He will report...

News brief: MSN to upgrade search engine.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... MSN is to fight Google's dominance of the search engine market with a u55m upgrade to its engine. The revamped service is intended to offer better navigation, results listings and opportunities for advertisers.

News brief: Telewest launches promotional campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Telewest is launching a cross-media promotional campaign for its digital TV offering. The activity, which will target Sky Digital customers, coincides with the addition of more channels to Telewest's digital TV packages.

News brief: Integrated marketing alliance set up by former Lunn Poly md.(Friday will serve needs of travel clients)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Friday, an integrated marketing alliance servicing the needs of travel clients, is being set up by former Lunn Poly managing director John McEwan and industry consultants Brighter Group, Interfocus and Radar.

News brief: Morrisons to move Post Office branches from Safeway stores.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Morrisons has announced that it intends to remove Post Office branches from Safeway stores. The Post Office is now looking at 'any option' for alternative sites.

News brief: Nissan enters top 40 music chart.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Nissan has entered the top 40 music chart with a remix of the soundtrack of its 'X-Trail marathon' ad. Brand entertainment specialist Stream secured DJ Fatboy Slim to remix Follow Me, Follow Me.

News brief: Dubble to sponsor film festival.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Dubble, the fair trade chocolate bar owned by The Day Chocolate Company, is to sponsor the Cambridge Children's Film Festival and a comedy initiative at the Edinburgh Fringe called the Dubble Act Award.

News brief: Hoverspeed to run TV campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Hoverspeed is capitalising on the holiday season with a three-week TV campaign highlighting its summer single saver fares. WFCA Integrated created the two ads, while media planning and buying was by Starcom Motive.

News brief: CIM launches online version of diploma.(Chartered Institute of Marketing)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Chartered Institute of Marketing is launching an online version of its Professional Diploma in Marketing. The initiative enables students to access an online classroom and an interactive learning portal entitled CIM City.

Dulux develops line for women.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Dulux is introducing a range of paints to capitalise on what it believes is women's fascination with contemporary design and stylish DIY. The Easy Living sub-brand is being launched in the UK under Dulux's Editions banner. The range, which...

Goldsmiths plots brand overhaul.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Goldsmiths, the high-street jeweller, is rebranding for the first time in 15 years to reflect its growth from 75 to 165 stores over the past decade. The revamped identity, created by branding agency The Partners, aims to reflect...

Whitbread restaurants to offer Nectar rewards.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Loyalty-card scheme Nectar has boosted its membership base by signing up Whitbread-owned pub restaurants Brewers Fayre and Brewsters as its first leisure retail sponsors. From the end of this month, each customer will earn two Nectar...

Carbolite targets dieters with sandwich offering.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Carbolite, the US low-carb brand, is introducing packaged sandwiches to the UK, backed by a u1m promotional spend across its range. Hazlewood Sandwiches, the world's biggest sandwich manufacturer, will produce the range for Carbolite,...

St Ivel Gold adds calcium in functional venture.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Dairy Crest is to add calcium to its low-fat St Ivel Gold spread to position the brand as a functional food and take advantage of the demand for healthy-eating options. Changes to the product mean that 28g of St Ivel Gold will now contain...

O2 deal boosts video content.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... O2 is gearing up for next year's roll-out of its consumer 3G mobile services by bolstering its mobile video offering, which gives access to content from media brands including ITN, Reuters and FHM. The mobile network has agreed a three-year...

Old Git to launch online operation.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Wine brand Old Git is to boost brand awareness by building a web presence for the first time. Its website, www.oldgitwine.com, will give the brand an extra channel to market by providing an online ordering system. The site will focus...

Tesco plans debut in broadband market.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... A raft of major retailers are preparing to enter the competitive broadband market with a pledge to undercut the leading players in an increasingly fierce price war. Leading the charge is Tesco, which has unveiled plans for a nationwide...

New campaign: Energizer.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Client: Energizer Creative agency: Burkitt DDB Media agency: Mediaedge:cia

Eidos backs football game with 'blog' site.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Eidos, the computer games publisher behind the Tomb Raider series, is putting digital marketing at the heart of its promotional strategy for the Championship Manager franchise. The company has overhauled the game's website to create an...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Asda is to open Britain's first non-food supermarket this autumn, selling jewellery, toys, homewares and the George clothing range at a trial store in Walsall. If successful, the format will be developed into a chain - The Times EasyJet...

Media News: Virgin Radio in Jaguar F1 tie.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Virgin Radio is linking up with Formula One's Jaguar Racing Team to offer on-car and on-air ad opportunities. The unique tie-up will be launched at this week's Formula One Regent Street event, where drivers from the past and present will...

Media News: TDK hands RSVP European brief.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... TDK is backing the launch of its Scratchproof DVDs with a pan-European cross-media campaign through youth advertising venture RSVP. The activity marks the first foray into Europe of RSVP, which was formed by Viacom brand solutions, IPC...

Media choice: Gardenlife.(Periodical Review)
July 7, 2004... Gardening is the new home improvement, and the latest audience being targeted are urban dwellers fortunate enough to have real gardens with real grass. While owning a garden means you are obliged to be interested in gardening to a degree -...

Media News brief: Audit Bureau of Circulations begins campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Audit Bureau of Circulations has begun a campaign to back the use of audited circulation figures in selling ad space in B2B titles. The activity will include a quarterly series of online briefings.

Media News brief: BBC creates online image bank.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The BBC has created an online image bank of footage from its own and CBS' news archives. The Motion Gallery will offer 10,000 moving images, enabling users to search and license clips.

Media News brief: Guardian Newspapers extends Soulmates dating service.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Guardian Newspapers has extended its Soulmates dating service to an interactive website. The site, which is free to join but charges from u4.95 to make contact with other users, goes live on 12 July.

Media News brief: Teletext Holidays to run first cinema campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Teletext Holidays is to run its first cinema campaign around forthcoming movie Around the World in 80 Days. The deal was struck between Carlton Screen Advertising and media planning and buying agency Vizeum UK.

Media News brief: Holiday FM extends broadcasting network.(with Capital Radio)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Holiday FM, a joint venture with Capital Radio, has extended its broadcasting network to include an operation in Ibiza. Holiday FM is part of Capital's strategy to extend its brand abroad.

Media News brief: UIP develops online campaign.(United International Pictures)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... United International Pictures has developed an online campaign to promote animated feature film Shrek 2. The activity, running on Yahoo! UK and MSN, gives visitors the chance to interact with the characters and access clips from the film's...

Media News brief: IKEA signs sponsorship deal.(with Real Radio breakfast show )(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... IKEA has signed a one-year deal to sponsor the breakfast show of Real Radio, the Yorkshire station. The retailer will promote its Leeds stores through the tie.

Branding News: Toni & Guy develops 'on the go' products.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Toni & Guy is introducing a range of compact miniature haircare products developed to offer personal styling for women 'on the go'. Essential Style Minis is part of an overhaul of Toni & Guy's Red & White Signature range, which launched in...

Branding News: Nik Naks to give packs fresh look.(from Golden Wonder Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Golden Wonder is revamping its Nik Naks packaging as part of a u2.5m marketing investment in the product this year. The new-look bags, created by branding agency The Distillery, feature an illustration of a Nik Nak as part of Golden...

Branding News: Vivatap purifier makes UK debut.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Vivatap, a product that removes chlorine from tap water while raising its min-eral content, is being introduced to the UK, supported by a u500,000 marketing spend. The purifier, already sold in Norway, comes in a teabag-style sachet. ...

Branding News: Design choice - Foxtons Mini.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... A new flavour of Foxtons Mini passed me this morning and reminded me of how much I love them. It seems only yesterday that the original Foxtons' Union Jack model came onto the scene. Graphically, they were amazing - the Foxtons logo...

Branding News brief: Innocent expands smoothies range.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Innocent is expanding its smoothies range into one-litre cartons to take on big-name fruit juice brands such as Tropicana. Four flavours will go on sale from this month, with cartons priced between u2.99 and u3.29.

Branding News brief: Kellogg adds new flavour to Special K bar.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Kellogg is adding an Apple & Pear flavour to its Special K cereal bar range as it attempts to increase its share of a sector that grew 30% in the year to March, according to ACNielsen. Support for the variant will come out of Special K's u12m...

Branding News brief: Constellation Europe unveils range of Californian wines.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Constellation Europe has unveiled a range of Californian wines called Turner Road. The line includes red and white variants, priced from u4.99 to u6.99, and will go on sale from September.

Branding News brief: Sergio Tacchini delisted by JJB Sports.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Sergio Tacchini, the men's fashion brand, has been delisted by JJB Sports because the retailer objects to the clothes being made in Burma, which has been criticised for its poor human rights record.

Branding News brief: CN Radio revises corporate brand image.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... CN Radio has revised its corporate brand image, which is to be used across its nine regional radio stations in the UK, to create a coherent group identity. The cross-shaped logo was designed by Cranshaw Middleton.

Branding News brief: Remarkable launches brand in Sainsbury's stores.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Remarkable, the UK's biggest supplier of recycled stationery, is launching a brand called I Used To Be in 160 Sainsbury's stores, targeting 12- to 16-year-olds and young professionals. The brand was developed in conjunction with Will Harris,...

Branding News brief: Gu Chocolate Puds adds two variants.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Gu Chocolate Puds is adding two variants to its range: Chocolate Orange & Almond Torte and Fluffy Double Choc Mousses. The torte costs u4.99; the mousses twin-pack is priced u2.49.

Branding News brief: Fentimans adds Dandelion & Burdock.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Fentimans, the botanical drinks company, is adding a Dandelion & Burdock variant. An on-pack promotion offers purchasers a u5 voucher to spend at more than 114 English Heritage sites.

Direct choice: VSO.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Like most travellers on the Tube, I tend to exist in my own little bubble from the second I step on board. iPod rammed in ears and head buried in paper, it's pretty hard to catch my attention (although the man who threw a can of Tennent's Super...

Direct News: Gillette in retail push for M3.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Gillette is gearing up to run a major in-store marketing campaign to back the UK launch of its M3 Power wet-shaving system. The US shaving giant has added direct marketing agency Church to its roster to develop the activity, which will run...

Direct News: Nintendo takes on Geoff Howe.(Geoff Howe Marketing Communications)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Nintendo is to step up its direct marketing activity following the appointment of Geoff Howe Marketing Communications as its first retained agency. The Japanese gaming giant has briefed the agency to create promotional activity for all its...

Direct News brief: Discovery Channel teams up with English Heritage.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Discovery Channel has teamed up with English Heritage to promote a series of World War II Experience Roadshows. The free events will be held in August in castles around the UK.

Direct News brief: Hachette Filipacchi appoints Flytxt.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Hachette Filipacchi UK has appointed mobile marketing agency Flytxt to promote nine magazines and grow its customer database. The agency will create response-driven campaigns for titles such as Sugar and ELLEgirl.

Direct News brief: Children's Society appoints DMS.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Children's Society has appointed direct marketing agency DMS to oversee its first direct mail donor recruitment campaign. The charity aims to recruit more than 10,000 donors by the end of its financial year at the end of March.

Direct News brief: Benadryl drives campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Benadryl, the hayfever treatment brand, is driving product awareness with branded tissues and leaflets that include a 50p-off voucher enabling data capture. The campaign has been created by Mercier Gray Live.

Direct News brief: Mini Babybel capitalises on tie-up.(with Thunderbirds film )(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Mini Babybel, the cheese brand, is capitalising on its tie-up with the forthcoming Thunderbirds film with an on-pack promotion created by SMP. The campaign runs from July until September.

Direct News brief: IDM selects graduates.(Institute of Direct Marketing)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... The Institute of Direct Marketing has selected 30 graduates for its inaugural Graduate Fast Track Programme. The one-week course is sponsored by companies including MBNA and First Direct.

Direct News brief: AXA to launch major direct marketing campaign.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... AXA is launching a major direct marketing campaign for its pension products. In targeting 12,500 independent financial advisers, it is offering them the chance to win an Apple iPod.

Retail News: Asda urges labelling unity.(ASDA Group PLC)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... Asda is calling on food retailers and manufacturers to create a common industry policy on healthy labelling. During the Food & Beverage 2004 Conference last week, Asda regulatory affairs manager Gordon Maddon said he was concerned about...

Retail choice: Harrods.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... I hadn't been to the Harrods sale for three years, so after seeing a Marilyn Monroe-styled Christina Aguilera opening the show, I was hoping that Harrods would be challenging Harvey Nichols and Selfridges for the top spot. As a man, the...