Marketing articles from July 2005

Marketing archives from July 2005

British Airways reviews pounds 60m trophy account.
July 6, 2005... British Airways has triggered an agency scramble for what is likely to be the biggest review of the year by putting its pounds 60m ad account out to pitch. M&C Saatchi, BA's agency of 10 years, will repitch, with BA planning to draw up a...

Tesco chief overtakes Glenn to top Power 100 list.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Tesco's Tim Mason is today named the UK's most powerful marketer in Marketing's annual Power 100 list. Mason, who has featured in the Power 100 top 10 for the past six years, rises a position to take the number one spot for the first time,...

GCap Media to combine stations in One Network.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... GCap Media has created an advertising package called The One Network, formed from the merger of the Capital FM and The Mix networks. The move is the first substantive consolidation of brands since the merger of Capital Radio and GWR into...

Novartis shakes up agency roster.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Novartis, the manufacturer of brands including Nico-tinell and Voltarol, has refreshed its advertising roster with the appointment of Grey London and Saatchi & Saatchi to handle its OTC medicine business. The account was previously split...

Cosmo Girl set to go monthly.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Teen title Cosmo Girl is reducing its frequency from a three-weekly to a monthly, with the axing of six staff. The National Magazine Company said sales had fallen since the increase in frequency on 17 March, which would be reflected in a...

Corona defeat in trademark fight.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Corona has lost a seven-year battle to trademark a 3-D image of a clear bottle containing yellow liquid with a slice of lime in the neck. The European Court of Justice last week ruled against Corona monopolising a standard practice in the...

New campaign: Innocent.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Smoothie brand Innocent is making its first foray into TV advertising with a campaign promoting its homemade smoothies. The activity is designed to drive sales of its one-litre cartons, which were launched last year. The ads feature a...

Calvin Klein plots fragrance launch.
July 6, 2005... Calvin Klein is gearing up to introduce a fragrance masterbrand called Euphoria. It follows CK One, Eternity and Obsession as a key brand in the Unilever Cosmetics International portfolio. The company's first new product for three...

Research award for Visit Scotland.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Tourism board Visit Scotland and its agency, Nunwood Consulting, won the Out-standing research award at Marketing's third annual Research Awards on 4 July. The project, which also scooped Best international research, led to a boost in...

Asda introduces Onn own-label electrical brand.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Asda is aiming to steal market share from UK electronics retailers with the launch of an own-brand range of electrical goods. The line, Onn, will run alongside the Durabrand electrical offer from parent Wal-Mart. Asda will continue to...

Ford refocuses on brand to fend off rivals' growth.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Ford UK is preparing an ad campaign to re-establish the brand's image and strengthen its business against Asian competitors. Ford's director of marketing, Steve Hood, said that consumers had lost sight of what the brand actually stands...

Jay Kay to front Walkman phone.(Jamiroquai)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Sony Ericsson has signed up Jamiroquai as the global brand ambassador for the launch of its much-hyped Walkman phone. The handset manufacturer is using the W800i mobile, which rolls out in August, to spearhead its digital music offer and...

Unilever moves European boss to senior HPC role.(Appointed Dave Lewis as mana-ging director )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Dave Lewis, the architect of the UK launch of Dove in 1992, has been named mana-ging director of Unilever UK Home and Personal Care (HPC). He fills the vacancy left by the promotion of Keith Weed earlier this year. Lewis moves to the...

Betfair appoints BLAC to account.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Betfair, the online betting exchange, has hired integrated agency BLAC to handle its pounds 2.5m marketing business. The agency's task will be to raise Betfair's profile beyond its core horseracing focus and into football, golf and other...

Philips launches premium shaver.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Philips is ratcheting up the pressure on rivals Remington and Braun with the launch of a premium shaver range under its Philishave brand. Philishave SmartTouch-XL will top its product portfolio. Marketing will emphasise that it helps to cut...

Toyota in pounds 6m 2006 Commonwealth Games deal.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Toyota has signed up as a sponsor of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, being held next March in Melbourne, Australia. The Japanese car firm has paid an estimated pounds 6m to become the sixth headline sponsor, alongside National Australia Bank,...

UB awards pounds 4m Jacob's snacks brief to Publicis.
July 6, 2005... United Biscuits has hired Publicis to handle its pounds 4m Jacob's snack business, dealing a blow to the incumbent, Euro RSCG London. The manufacturer, which acquired Jacob's Bakery from Danone last September, has worked with Publicis...

Name change at Leeds & Holbeck.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Leeds & Holbeck Building Society is planning the first rebrand in its 130-year history, backed by a campaign to raise its national profile. From early September, the UK's eighth-biggest building society will be called Leeds Building...

Coca-Cola rolls out first advertising for Sprite Z.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Coca-Cola is embarking on its first campaign for its low-calorie Sprite Z. The Z range, launched earlier this year (Marketing, 2 March), comprises no-added sugar versions of Lilt, Sprite, Dr Pepper and Fanta. It is the first time Coca-Cola...

Coors to export UK 'Ice' ad to US.
July 6, 2005... Coors Brewers is to take the 'Ice city' ad for its Coors Fine Light beer to the US, following a six-month run in the UK. The ad, which was created by Coors' UK advertising agency Leith, shows a US city freezing over. It will start to appear...

Air Miles set to open web shopping portal.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... The Air Miles Travel Company is aiming to step up the pressure on rival loyalty scheme Nectar with its first online retail venture. Later this summer, the British Airways-owned firm will launch an online shopping portal that will offer...

News brief: Associated British Foods shortlists agencies.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Associated British Foods has shortlisted Fallon London, Lowe and Mustoes to pitch for the consolidated Twinings-Ovaltine business. The tea brand dropped Leagas Delaney from its pounds 4m creative account after just a year.

News brief: ZenithOptimedia slashes ad forecast.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... ZenithOptimedia has slashed its UK advertising forecast for 2005 from 4.9% growth to 2.9%, with only outdoor and online achieving any real increase.

News brief: Lynx launches ad campaign.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Lynx is launching an ad campaign created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty for its bodyspray deodorant using the strapline 'Spray more, get more'. TV, cinema, outdoor and digital ads will form part of an pounds 11m UK investment in the brand.

News brief: Tic Tac to ditch 'Shake your Tic Tacs'.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Tic Tac is to ditch its 'Shake your Tic Tacs' line with an ad campaign from WCRS. Using the line 'Full of refreshing little lifts', the activity is part of a pounds 6m investment in the brand over the next 12 months.

News brief: Adidas breaks football ad campaign.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Adidas has broken a global football ad campaign featuring David Beckham and a host of other footballers. Created by 180 Amsterdam, it includes a 60-second TV spot as well as print and outdoor executions.

News brief: GlaxoSmithKline to run on-pack promotion.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... GlaxoSmithKline is to run an on-pack promotion featuring children's TV character Postman Pat. He will appear on about 1m tubes of its Macleans Milk Teeth toothpaste. GSK signed the deal with Entertainment Rights.

News brief: Subway seeks marketing director.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Subway is seeking its first UK marketing director to spearhead its ambitious high-street expansion plans. The fast-food chain, which last week hired Mediacom Scotland as its media agency, is aiming to make the appointment by 1 October.

News brief: Allied Domecq shareholders vote in favour of take over.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Allied Domecq shareholders have voted 99.8% in favour of being taken over by French rival Pernod Ricard in a pounds 7.6 bn cash-and-share deal. The merger of the second- and third-biggest spirits firms will create a stronger rival to leader...

People moves: Virgin Holidays.(Appointed David Coutts as marketing director )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... David Coutts has been appointed marketing director at Virgin Holidays. Coutts replaces sales and marketing director Kathryn Beadle, whose role has been split in two, with operations director Stewart Baird taking on responsibility for sales....

People moves: IPC.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Neil Perkin has been promoted to the new post of ad director, marketing and strategy, at IPC. His role will see him working closely with ad directors through the IPC Ad Board. At the same time, Alison Deas has been named advertising...

People moves: NCH.(Appointed Polly Neate as executive director of new business strategy and communications )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Polly Neate has been appointed to the new position of executive director of new business strategy and communications at children's charity NCH. She joins from Community Care magazine, where she was editor for the past six years

People moves: ACP-NatMag.(Appointed Michael Butcher as editor)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Michael Butcher has replaced Sarah Edwards at ACP-NatMag as editor of Reveal. Butcher has 17 years' publishing experience on titles such as Closer and Now.

People moves: Napster.(Appointed Christopher Moisan as strategic marketing director)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Christopher Moisan has been handed the new role of strategic marketing director at Napster. He will take over responsibility for all aspects of its marketing strategy and will report to Napster vice-president and UK general manager Leanne...

People moves: Alliance Pharmacy.(Appointed Steve Hill as marketing manager )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Steve Hill has been promoted to the new role of marketing manager at Alliance Pharmacy after two years with the company. He takes responsibility for retail and pharmacy marketing at the rebranded chain.

People moves: Sportech.(Appointed Chris Brown as director )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Chris Brown has been handed the new role of new media gaming director at Sportech. Brown, who joins from StanleyBet, reports to acting managing director Roger Withers.

People moves: Century FM.(Appointed Ande Macpherson as programme director )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Ande Macpherson has been promoted to programme director at Century FM. Macpherson will oversee the network's programming strategy. He reports to brand managing director Nick Davidson. Dave Shearer has filled Macpherson's old post as...

People moves: Granville Technology Group.(Appointed John Free as group marketing director )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... John Free has been promoted to group marketing director at Granville Technology Group. Free has previously worked at Dixons, Phones4u and Powerhouse.

Nectar plans launch of first credit card.
July 6, 2005... Nectar is planning its most expensive marketing campaign since its launch three years ago to promote its first credit card. The Nectar Credit Card from American Express will launch in September, backed by a multimillion-pound budget,...

Army events to target youths.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... The Army is expanding its Camouflage loyalty programme aimed at under-17s to incorporate a series of experiential events across the UK. Tequila\London has devised a camouflage-branded interactive experience called Camo Live, which will take...

WPA to plough pounds 2m into homecare offer.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Private healthcare insurance provider WPA is launching ParentCare, an insurance product that provides home-based care for people returning from hospital. ParentCare, which WPA claims is a health category first, will debut this month,...

New campaign: BBC Two.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... The BBC is flagging up its comedy credentials with a series of idents that use the BBC Two '2' character. The icon is seen entering the real world, having previously scooted around in an enclosed environment. The idents see the icon taking...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Live 8 received 26.4m text messages in support of its organisers' campaign to tackle poverty in Africa. Viewers in the 130 countries screening the concerts were encouraged to text in to pledge their support - The Times Boots is to embark...

Media News: Rubicon to support GMTV summer slots.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Juice brand Rubicon aims to boost summer sales through a six-figure sponsorship deal with GMTV. The brand will make its daytime TV debut on 11 July as the sponsor of the show's 'Summer on GMTV' series. Rubicon has developed a series of...

Media News: Bulldog reviews media account.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Bulldog Communications is in talks with agencies about its pounds 1m media planning and buying business. A spokeswoman for the Cable & Wireless-owned broadband firm confirmed a review was taking place. She said it had closed its shortlist...

Media News: Envirowise plans outdoor ad drive.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Envirowise, a government-funded body that offers independent environmental advice to UK firms, is seeking a media agency to plan and buy space ahead of a major outdoor campaign. The promotion aims to raise awareness of the body among the...

Media choice: My Child.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... It's tough being a parent. You can't read a newspaper or turn on the TV without being bombarded by scare stories about your child's diet and general wellbeing: how to get them to eat their carrots, stand up to school bullies, get into the best...

Media News brief: Coors to sponsor second series of Deadwood.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Coors Fine Light Beer is to sponsor the second series of Sky One's gritty 19th century US drama Deadwood. Coors-branded idents will run at the beginning and end of each episode, and also during the show's ad breaks.

Media News brief: Milkshake! to launch new mix of programmes.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Milkshake!, Five's morning pre-school strand, is to launch a new mix of programmes this month, including Bird Bath, narrated by Richard Briers, and Titch, based on the popular children's book.

Media News brief: Madagascar being promoted in Asda stores.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... DreamWorks' latest production, Madagascar, is being promoted on ATMs in Asda stores across the UK. The ad features a trailer for the film, which opens in the UK on 15 July.

Media News brief: Audit Bureau of Circulations creates advisory committee.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... The Audit Bureau of Circulations has created a Republic of Ireland Advisory Committee, which will play a central role in the way it operates across the country.

Media News brief: 24hPoker to sponsor The Rebel Billionaire.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... 24hPoker is to sponsor ITV2's The Rebel Billionaire in a deal that marks the Swedish gaming site's first TV sponsorship.

Media News brief: Sky renews live broadcast rights.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Sky has renewed its live broadcast rights to screen Europe's premier rugby union competition, the Heineken Cup, over the next five seasons.

Media News brief: Five hires emuse technologies.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Five has hired digital specialist emuse technologies to develop and manage its interactive sponsorships. Peugeot, which sponsors films on the channel, will be the first brand to benefit from the deal. Emuse has created an interactive website...

Media News brief: Future restructures business.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Future has restructured its business following its acquisition of 34 magazines from Highbury House Communications. The company's previous three publishing arms - games, entertainment and technology - have been rejigged into four divisions:...

Branding News: Motor industry sets up repair standard.(Automotive Technician Accreditation )
July 6, 2005... A consortium of motor manufacturers and repair garages is launching ATA, an in-dustry-standard brand developed to counter rip-off repairers. It is hoped that Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) will become a byword for good practice...

Branding News: Staropramen to highlight lineage.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Staropramen, the Interbrew-owned premium lager, is undergoing a global redesign to reinforce its Czech brewing credentials. The font and packaging, designed by Claessens, will be rolled out in the UK from late July. It will be backed...

Branding News: Isle of Wight to develop identity.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... The Isle of Wight is rebranding itself to end perceptions that the island is a 'bucket and spade' seaside resort and boost its appeal to tourists. The immediate goal of the activity is to attract investment and higher-spending visitors to...

Branding News: Design choice - Lawn tennis balls.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... New balls please? Not likely. The internal structure of the tennis ball may have changed over the years to cope with faster play, new racket technology and the 140mph serves from grunting players, but its simple look has not. Draw a circle...

Branding News brief: Gary Rhodes puts name to range of bread mixes.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Gary Rhodes, the celebrity chef, has put his name to a range of four bread mixes developed with Kerry Foods. The variants include Crusty White, Multigrain and Sweet Red Pepper & Basil.

Branding News brief: Australian Bodycare launches facial scrub.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Australian Bodycare, which offers a range of cosmetic products containing tea tree oil, is launching a facial scrub. It will sit alongside the brand's existing facial wash and cream products.

Branding News brief: RHM appoints design agencies.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... RHM, manufacturer of brands including Hovis, Sharwood's and Bisto, has appointed Ikon, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Turner Duckworth and Williams Murray Hamm to its design roster. The appointments follow a competitive pitch earlier this year.

Branding News brief: Frontier hires Elmwood.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Frontier, a food production company formed by the merger of Allied Grain and Banks Cargill, has hired brand and design consultancy Elmwood to create its brand positioning, visual identity and launch material.

Branding News brief: Credit Suisse appoints Enterprise IG.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Credit Suisse has appointed Enterprise IG to develop a global brand strategy, following the announcement in December of its 'One bank' strategy to become a fully integrated bank. The work includes a visual identity and brand positioning.

Branding News brief: King of Shaves launches shave gel.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... King of Shaves is launching AlphaGlide ALS, a lubricating shave gel with a low-lather formulation designed to allow users to see exactly where they are shaving. It will be sold through the brand's existing retailers.

Branding News brief: Alpro adds fruit-based drink to range.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Alpro, the dairy alternatives brand, is adding a dairy-free fruit-based drink to its range. Soya & Fruit, a combination of soya milk and fruit juice, will be supported by a multimillion-pound campaign including TV and press ads.

Branding News brief: Fetzer Vineyards unveils wine cooling packaging.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Fetzer Vineyards has unveiled packaging designed to keep wine cool. The reusable Cool-Air tube, designed by Robinson Paperboard Packaging, keeps chilled wine cool for up to three hours.

Direct News: Epson set to take up customer strategy.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Epson is overhauling its direct marketing strategy by adopting a more consumer-led approach. The printer manufacturer has appointed Tullo Marshall Warren to handle its seven-figure direct account following a competitive pitch involving a...

Direct News: Hotel firm to sell gift voucher line.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Small Luxury Hotels of the World is launching a range of gift certificates aimed at the top-end consumer gift sector, backed by a six-figure campaign. The vouchers will be available in sterling, US dollars and euros in denominations of...

Direct News: Diabetes UK in members drive.(Diabetes UK )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Diabetes UK is mounting its biggest membership drive to date in an attempt to grow from 170,000 to 250,000 members by 2007. The campaign, created by integrated agency Domain, will include a mailing to 150,000 people with diabetes,...

Direct choice: British Airways Holidays Arizona.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... When thinking about holidays to the US, the usual destinations spring to mind: Florida, New York, California. One place that probably does not is Arizona, but that is exactly the place this mailing from British Airways Holidays is designed to...

Direct News brief: OFT stops Fitanova BV misleading mailings.(Office of Fair Trading)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... The Office of Fair Trading has stopped Dutch healthcare firm Fitanova BV from sending out misleading mailings. UK consumers were sent a letter notifying them they had won a big prize, to be collected by filling out a claim form that also...

Direct News brief: Coca-Cola Enterprises signs MDA.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Coca-Cola Enterprises has signed up handling specialist MDA on a three-year, seven-figure deal to manage point-of-sale activity for its brands in the UK. MDA will fulfil at least 75,000 orders for Coca-Cola merchandise each year.

Direct News brief: Coors Brewers reappoints Fast Web Media.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Coors Brewers has reappointed digital agency Fast Web Media to handle online marketing for its Carling and Grolsch brands. The agency's remit includes providing content for www.carling.com.

Direct News brief: Abbey puts accounts up for review.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Abbey has put its pounds 8m digital media and search accounts up for review. The pitch will be between a shortlist of agencies including incumbent MindShare, with a decision to be made by the end of the month.

Direct News brief: Cats Protection launches direct drive.(direct mail marketing campaign handled by TDA)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Cats Protection is launching a direct mail drive promoting its annual raffle, as part of a campaign devised by TDA. Previous supporters of the charity's initiative will be sent a book of tickets to sell on or buy themselves.

Direct News brief: Corporate Mailing Matters sets up FastPost.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Corporate Mailing Matters, the communications and mailing company, has set up FastPost, an operating division offering mail consolidation services for international post.

Direct News brief: NE Derbyshire Council sets up contact centre.(England)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... North-East Derbyshire Council has launched a customer contact centre as part of a strategy to make local services more accessible. The centre will handle calls relating to environmental services.

Direct News brief: WA Shearings hires EuroDirect.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... WA Shearings, the coach holiday company, has hired EuroDirect to build, manage and host its single-customer view marketing database for holiday brands Wallace Arnold, Shearings, National Holidays and Caledonian Travel.

Retail News: HMV introduces loyalty card.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... HMV has developed a video games loyalty scheme as it seeks to establish itself as the number one high-street destination for gaming. The HMV Games Reward Card will launch this month as the retailer attempts to take market share from...

Retail choice: Space NK for men.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... At last, we men have a place to go to fiddle and fuss and try the latest creams and potions, without an overmade make-up girl on a beauty counter breathing down our necks. Space NK, the hip girl's beauty haven, has turned its attention to...

Retail News: HBOS overhauls in-branch POP.(Halifax Bank of Scotland)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) is reviewing its point-of-purchase (POP) strategy across its national branch network. The bank has appointed POP agency Coutts UK to change the way it promotes its products internally and in its window...

Retail News brief: Crookes Healthcare to run campaign.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Crookes Healthcare is running a campaign for its Nurofen Plus brand on the in-store TV network for chemists, The Pharmacy Channel. The campaign starts this week and will run for a month.

Retail News brief: Play.com most popular online shopping choice.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2005... Play.com is the UK's most popular choice for online shopping in the film and video games sector, according to Hitwise, the online measurement company. Play.com had almost 29% of all browser requests in the sector in June, while nearest rival...