Marketing articles from July 2008

Marketing archives from July 2008

Diet Coke calls review of global ad arrangements.
July 30, 2008... Coca-Cola is reviewing its global ad account for its Diet Coke brand, with the winning agency expected to replace local creative shops in countries including the UK. The decision follows a rethink of its worldwide marketing strategy...

Broadcasters to back ad body drive with health programmes.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Commercial broadcasters will schedule programmes promoting a healthy lifestyle as part of the Advertising Association's (AA) commitments to reducing obesity in support of the Department of Health's Change for Life campaign. Rupert...

Ryanair shuts down UK marketing operations.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Ryanair has closed its sales and marketing department at Stansted Airport, leaving the future of its staff unclear. The low-cost airline claims 10 of its 16-strong sales and marketing department are due to move to Dublin imminently. ...

Downturn to Boost Value Dining
July 30, 2008... Food-delivery services and cheaper restaurants could benefit from the economic downturn, leaving mid-market eateries facing a rocky future, say industry experts. Lower-priced dining offerings could perform well as consumers seek cheaper...

Former Vodafone chief joins Sony.(appointment of Matt Coombe )(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Sony has appointed Vodafone's former head of brand Matt Coombe as general manager of central marketing for its UK division. He replaces Mikah Martin Cruz, who is leaving to pursue a career outside the company. Coombe departed mobile...

AirMiles to offer survey rewards.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... AirMiles cardholders will now be able to earn miles in exchange for their time in addition to spending money with affiliate partners. The reward scheme has traditionally awarded miles for customer spending Now, however, AirMiles has...

New campaign: Smirnoff/Gordon's.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Smirnoff Vodka and Gordon's Gin are rolling out a poster campaign this week to support the launch of two canned RTD products containing the Diageo-owned spirits. The six-sheet ads, which use the strapline 'Instant evening', will promote...

Kenco focuses on ethical stance in repositioning.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Kenco is preparing to relaunch itself as an ethical coffee brand. The brand overhaul, which was overseen by Bulletproof, includes redesigned packaging to promote Kenco's partnership with conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. At...

Virgin Money kicks off brand identity rethink.(Virgin Money Personal Financial Service Ltd.)(Start Creative)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Virgin Money has embarked on a major brand review to boost its image in the wake of the failed bid for Northern Rock. The credit-card supplier has asked Virgin Group's retained design agency, Start Creative, to refresh its visual identity...

BA relents on T5 single check-in.(British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... British Airways is to introduce business-class check-in desks at Heathrow's Terminal 5. According to BA insiders, the switch follows complaints by passengers about the lack of a dedicated service. The decision represents a U-turn for BA,...

Standard Life to shift ad account.(Standard Life Assurance Co.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Standard Life has parted company with Saatchi & Saatchi due to a conflict of interest with the agency's pounds 15m AXA account. Saatchi & Saatchi claimed its AXA workload has increased in the two months since it won the brief, and its...

Placement rules to be discussed.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Culture secretary Andy Burnham has softened his stance on the introduction of paid-for product placement on British TV. Burnham, who told fellow ministers in June that the practice 'contaminates our programmes', has now asked broadcasters...

Sky introduces uninterrupted viewing to EPG.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(electronic programme guide)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Sky is relaunching its electronic programme guide (EPG), enabling customers to browse without interrupting their viewing. The 'HD Sky Guide', which will initially be available only to HD customers, due to the limitations of older set-top...

VisitBritain Extends UK Welcome
July 30, 2008... The UK tourism organisation is looking to use London 2012 to oust Britain's 'unfriendly and traditional' image. VisitBritain will use the 2012 Olympic Games to promote the country as 'modern and welcoming' in an attempt to shift international...

Lastminute.com stages ad review.
July 30, 2008... Lastminute.com is reviewing it UK advertising agency arrangements. The company has shortlisted five agencies to pitch. Incumbent agency Farm will not participate. The position of the online travel company's media agency, Manning...

Club Med set to step up digital activity.(Club Mediterranee S.A.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Club Med will invest 70% of its UK media spend in online marketing as it bolsters its digital strategy in the latest phase of a global drive to reposition as a luxury brand. The French holiday company previously invested 30% of its spend...

Portman Group raps cider brands.(The Original Cider Company)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Two brands owned by The Original Cider Company have been pulled up by the Portman Group for breaching drinks industry codes on responsible promotion. The group's independent complaints panel concluded that Blackout Cider's name carried a...

C4 retains OMD on pounds 20m UK media business.(Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Channel 4 has reappointed OMD UK to its pounds 20m media account and handed it res-ponsibility for online planning and buying, moving the business out of Profero. OMD battled it out with ZenithOptimedia in the final round of pitches,...

Sky ties up with British Cycling.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Sky has become a principal sponsor of British Cycling, the sport's governing body, in a five-year, multimillion-pound deal. The partnership will cover all forms of competition from BMX to track cycling and road racing, and will aim to...

Commercial players close BBC radio lead.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Commercial radio has clawed back market share from the BBC in the second quarter of 2008, according to the latest Rajar figures. The results show the commercial radio industry has bounced back from poor results in the first quarter of...

Canon plots brand overhaul for EMEA region.(Europe, the Middle East and Africa)(The Brand Union)(Canon Europa N.V.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Canon Europe is to launch a refreshed brand across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in early 2009. Canon believes that its brand personality is not consistent across the region and has hired branding agency The Brand Union to...

News brief: Ebay creates International Business Division.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... eBay is creating an International Business Division to service multinational campaigns. Based in Bern, Switzerland,with an international sales team located in London, it offers advertisers and media agencies access to a resource centre at...

News brief: Butlins to review media arrangements.(Incumbent Rocket )(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Butlins is to review its media buying arrangements. Incumbent Rocket will be invited to repitch for the business, which will include online, display and press buying duties

News brief: Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam wins Pirelli account.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Pirelli, the tyre manufacturer, has awarded its ad account to Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam. It replaces incumbent Leo Burnett and will be responsible for the creation and development of a global campaign

News brief: Orange launches weekly music round-up.
July 30, 2008... Orange has launched weekly music round-up, The Music Show. It will be accessible via the Orange website and on customer handsets

News brief: British Retail Consortium publishes assessment.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... The British Retail Consortium has published an assessment of the last two years showing that the total amount of packaging on food products sold in Britain has remained the same as it was in 2006, despite an increase in volume sales

News brief: Mars withdraws Snickers TV ad.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Mars has withdrawn a Snickers TV ad in the UK after complaints that it was offensive to gay people. The ad formed part of an ongoing campaign featuring The A-Team character Mr T, and urged a speedwalker to 'run like a real man.'

News brief: Danone consolidates media account for Nutricia.
July 30, 2008... Danone has consolidated its pounds 2m media account for Nutricia babyfood into mediaedge:cia from PHD. Mediaedge:cia already handles Danone's fresh dairy and water brands

News brief: Virgin Atlantic ties with First Light Movies.(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Virgin Atlantic has tied up with First Light Movies to showcase young British filmmaking talent. Five shorts, made by six- to 18-year olds, will be shown on the V Port inflight entertainment system until November

Media: Hilfiger in ad-funded comedy programme.(Tommy Hilfiger Corp.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Fashion and lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger is to roll out an ad-funded programme on Paramount Comedy, promoting its range of watches. The show, entitled Gina! Las Vegas, has been created following a deal with sales house Viacom Brand...

Media: AA set for Virgin Radio 'fuel' work.(AA Car Insurance )(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... AA Car Insurance is to sponsor a 'Free fuel Monday' slot on the Virgin Radio breakfast show hosted by Christian O'Connell. The promotion, which offers listeners the chance to win petrol vouchers, comes at a time of rising fuel prices. ...

Media: Flair agrees CiTV sponsorship deal.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Toy company Flair is to sponsor a 'Get Stuck In' strand on ITV's children's digital TV channel, CiTV. The sponsorship, which covers a variety of activity-styled programmes, will run until Christmas. Online ads for Flair will also...

Media choice: CBS Outdoor XTP.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... It's always exciting when a new piece of kit appears at Tube stations (even if I do worry that the creepy eye scanners in ads, as seen in Minority Report will arrive soon), and CBS Outdoor's XTP screens give us a chance to take a different...

Media brief: FA allows ITV Local and ITV.com to show footage.(The Football Association )(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... The Football Association has signed a deal allowing ITV Local and ITV.com to show footage of early-round FA Cup matches between non-League clubs. Highlights will be available on the ITV and FA websites

Media brief: Bauer Radio launches Kiss 100 service on iPhone.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Bauer Radio has launched its Kiss 100 radio service on Apple's iPhone. Owners of the handset will be able to access the station at www.totalkiss.com. It is the first time a UK radio broadcaster has offered brands pre-roll ads to target mobile...

Media brief: Match! rolls out marketing campaign.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Match!, a weekly football magazine for children, is rolling out a marketing campaign across TV, radio and print advertising, to coincide with the start of the football season next month

Media brief: BBC Magazines to launch Lonely Planet.(BBC Worldwide Ltd. BBC Magazines)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... BBC Magazines is to launch a Lonely Planet travel magazine and website by the end of the year, following its purchase of the travel guide publisher in 2007. BBC Worldwide aims to build the Lonely Planet franchise globally; it already has arms...

Media brief: TMG signs partnership with AdGent 007.(Telegraph Media Group)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Telegraph Media Group (TMG) has signed a partnership with digital advertising services firm AdGent 007. The tie-up will see TMG's non-UK internet ads sold directly to advertisers worldwide. The initiative continues TMG's investment in the...

Media brief: TalkSPORT signs Jeremy Kyle to host sports show.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... TalkSPORT has signed ITV talk show presenter Jeremy Kyle to host a weekly sports show. Kyle will join the UTV-owned station on 21 September. The two-hour Jeremy Kyle Sports Show will air on Sundays from 12pm. Kyle has previously hosted shows...

Media brief: Future Publishing widens partnership with Panini.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Future Publishing has widened its partnership with Panini to create a further three editions of video-gaming magazine Girl Gamer. Launched last November, the title is an extension of Future's Official Nintendo Magazine

Branding: Direct Holidays plots shift in positioning.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Thomas Cook is rebranding tour operator Direct Holidays having acquired the company following its merger with MyTravel last June. The direct holiday brand will introduce the positioning tomorrow (Thursday) to coincide with the launch of a...

Branding: Simply Organic reworks packs.(Simply Organic Food Co.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Simply Organic has overhauled its packaging as part of a major relaunch of the soup and ready-meal brand. The fresh design, by Parker Williams, features a logo that uses the motif of a stick man holding a spade, and incorporating a modern...

Branding: Jordans Cereals revamps muesli.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Jordans Cereals is relaunching its muesli range this summer in a bid to drive sales. The relaunch includes recycled gable-box packaging, which it claims is easier to open, pour and reseal; the products are currently sold in bagged...

Branding: Design choice - Heinz Beanz.(Landor Associates)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Well, for starters, Baked has gone. Why? According to the press release, it's a move that signals how British consumers now use the brand name to refer to the iconic product. Derek Johnston of Landor comments: 'Anyone can produce baked...

Branding brief: UK marketers have doubts about Olympic logo.(Survey)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Almost three-fifths of UK marketers have serious doubts about the effectiveness of the 2012 London Olympic logo, according to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

Branding brief: La Brea launches fresh packaging.(La Brea Bakery)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... La Brea, the premium handcrafted bread brand, has launched fresh packaging developed by White Zone. The brand's paper bag packaging now has a more simple, modern design

Branding brief: Mars Consumer Drinks rolls out Galaxy drink.(Mars UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Mars Consumer Drinks is rolling out a Galaxy drink aimed at women who want to increase the level of calcium in their diets. The one-litre chilled beverage contains no artificial colouring or sweeteners and has a 2% fat content

Branding brief: Mattel wins copyright infringement case.
July 30, 2008... Mattel has won a copyright infringement case against MGA Entertainment relating to the ownership of the original drawings for the Bratz dolls franchise. A US jury ruled that the majority of the Bratz designs were created by Carter Bryant...

Branding brief: Rainforest Foundation launches marketing drive.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... The Rainforest Foundation has launched a marketing drive to promote the role the protection of the rainforests can play in tackling climate change. The campaign was developed by Identica

Branding brief: Tie Rack to roll out fresh store design.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Tie Rack is to roll out a fresh store design later this summer, which will position the shop as a 'gift box'. The format was developed by JHP

Branding brief: Tesco launches new outlet.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Tesco has launched its first outlet based on the Argos in-store order and collect system. A 10,000ft2 storage area has been installed to stock Tesco Direct products at its Homeplus shop in Bristol. The retailer plans to add 80 Tesco Direct...

Branding brief: New Look trials fresh visual identity.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... New Look is trialling a fresh visual identity at its Caulder Moore-designed outlet at the Liverpool One shopping centre. The branding was designed by Gary Holt, and London agency Someone

Direct: St Dunstan's assigns pounds 3m direct business.(TDA Advertising and Design)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... St Dunstan's, the support charity for blind ex-service men and women, has appointed TDA to its pounds 3m direct marketing account. TDA was hired following a three-way pitch against undisclosed agencies. The charity, which was founded...

Direct: Virgin Holidays flags Intrepid tie.(Intrepid Travel)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Virgin Holidays is launching a direct campaign to promote its partnership with adventure breaks company Intrepid Travel. A personalised mailer, created by Elvis, will target travellers seeking sustainable holidays. Intrepid offers...

Direct: SAS puts loyalty job into Carlson.(SAS Scandinavian Airlines International)(Carlson Marketing)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... SAS Scandinavian Airlines has appointed Carlson Marketing to overhaul its customer loyalty marketing. The agency has been briefed to undertake data analysis of the carrier's frequent flyer programme, called EuroBonus, which it launched...

Direct choice: Mini Clubman.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... This is a pack that celebrates the Mini Clubman's unique shape by using a collection of intriguing cut-outs that, memorably, land all over one's lap. There's a wishing well for Mini Select Finance (the contract payment option for car...

Direct brief: Real Madrid invests in mobile marketing.(Infomedia Services )(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Real Madrid, the Spanish football club, is investing in mobile marketing aimed at fans in the UK. The club has hired Infomedia Services to manage its direct-to-consumer and on-portal mobile content, as well as SMS activity

Direct brief: Flowers Direct partners ipoints.co.uk.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Flowers Direct, the online floral and gift company, has become a partner of loyalty programme ipoints.co.uk. The company hopes that the tie-up will boost customer numbers

Direct brief: Chrysler offers to meet customers' petrol costs.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Chrysler is offering to meet 50% of customers' petrol costs until the end of 2008. The promotion, handled by The Kitchen and advertised in regional press, affects new buyers of selected Chrysler, Dodge and JEEP models. In exchange for a...

Direct brief: Barracuda adds affiliate partners to loyalty scheme.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Barracuda, the sports bar chain, has added affiliate partners to its Barracuda B loyalty scheme, including Play.com, PaddyPower.com and Express by Holiday Inn. The deals were overseen by Cocktail Marketing Barracuda's B Card has more than...

Direct brief: Cats Protection appoints DMS.
July 30, 2008... Cats Protection, the feline welfare charity, has appointed DMS to handle its direct marketing after a competitive pitch that included incumbent agency TDA

Direct brief: OFT granted injunction by Dutch court.(Office of Fair Trading)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... The Office of Fair Trading has been granted an injunction by a Dutch court to stop mail-order company Best Sales from sending misleading prize-draw mailings to UK residents. Best Sales trades under the names Best Of and Oliveal

Direct brief: Corporate Edge hired to attract investment to London.
July 30, 2008... The Thames Gateway Development Corporation has hired Corporate Edge to develop a brand strategy aimed at attracting investment in the London area

Direct brief: Correction.(Correction notice)
July 30, 2008... The Metropolitan Police recruitment communications business was not previously held by MCBD, neither did it pitch for the account, as reported in Marketing last week

Digital: Waitrose hands web task to Grand Union.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Waitrose has appointed Grand Union as its lead digital agency as it ramps up its digital strategy to drive traffic to its website. The account includes responsibility for the site, which was relaunched last summer, as well as its digital...

Digital: Sony plans ITV F1 work for HD lines.(high definition)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Sony has created a campaign featuring HD TVs to support its sponsorship of Formula One on ITV. The work, created by Dare and entitled 'Testing high definition to the limit', comprises a website, social media activity, online ads and...

Digital: Dove to run drive via MySpace site.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Dove is rolling out a summer campaign for its Go Fresh range through social networking site MySpace. A customised community page, www.myspace.com/dovegofresh, features video content presented by T4's Miquita Oliver. Clips offer advice on...

Digital choice: Hyundai i10 microsite.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Korean products were once considered rather off the pace. Like the prejudice suffered by Japanese goods in the 70s, Korean merchandise was perceived as being a bit shoddy, likely to be based on ideas nicked from other manufacturers, and...

Digital brief: Sky ties up with Universal Music.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Universal Music UK)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Sky has tied up with Universal Music to launch a digital music service, supplying unlimited downloads for a monthly subscription fee The service will launch later this year.

Digital brief: Orange releases range of branded laptops.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Orange has released its first range of branded laptops in its 'Connected' product range. The mobile operator will offer its Internet Everywhere mobile broadband service and dongle, with a laptop, for pounds 25 a month

Digital brief: TSL Education appoints Inferno.
July 30, 2008... TSL Education has appointed Inferno to relaunch its website TES connect. The relationship will be the educational publisher's first with a creative agency

Digital brief: BBL secures partnership with PA Sport.(Bbl.org.uk)(The Basketball League)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... The Basketball League (BBL) has secured a partnership with PA Sport, the sports information supplier, to launch the BBL website Bbl.org.uk will feature basketball news, scores, statistics, and competitions.

Digital brief: Hotel Reservation Service rolls out digital campaign.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Hotel Reservation Service, has rolled out a 'Holiday Crimes' digital campaign in its first UK consumer push. The work comprises online ads, email activity, and a weekly prize draw

Digital brief: BT to develop targeted ad platform for BT Vision.(British Telecommunications PLC)(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... BT is developing a targeted advertising platform for its broadband TV service BT Vision, launched in April last year. The system aims to deliver personalised ads to consumers, and to step up BT's competitiveness against cable and satellite...

Digital brief: LoveFilm awards account to i-level.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... LoveFilm, the online film-rental and download service, has awarded its pounds 2m digital ad account to i-level. The agency, which pitched against incumbent Ogilvy Neo, will develop an integrated digital strategy for the site

Digital brief: Football Superstars releases teaser video.(Brief article)
July 30, 2008... Football Superstars, an online virtual world owned by CyberSports, has released a teaser video, which features footage of avatars in a virtual gym and social venues. Further clips focusing on different aspects of the virtual world, which has...

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Campaigning 2.0 Could Swing UK Vote
July 30, 2008... As conditions in the economy tighten, oil prices rise and pressure mounts on the government, thoughts are turning to the next election. By law it has to take place by June 2010 and, while convention usually puts an election earlier, the current...

News Analysis: Brands Buy into Credit Crunch
July 30, 2008... As the threat of recession remains, advertisers are playing on consumers' financial concerns. The old adage advising against 'talking yourself into a recession' is being cast aside with gay abandon as brands put the economic slowdown at the...

News Analysis: Cricket's Greatest Test
July 30, 2008... Will an English Premier League finally spark widespread interest in the sport from FMCG brands? Twenty20, an abbreviated version of cricket, has captured the imagination of a new generation of fans, and, in turn, challenged brand owners to...

Raymond Snoddy on Media: Ofcom Leak Confirms BBC's Worst Fears
July 30, 2008... Communications regulator Ofcom may have caused controversy in its time, but it has never really specialised in leaks - until now. We now have a pretty good idea of the stance Ofcom will take on the future funding and structure of...

Media Analysis: On a Mission to Make Web TV Pay
July 30, 2008... Broadcasters face a struggle to rival the BBC's iPlayer, but also to profit from their VoD offerings. The success of the BBC's much-lauded iPlayer service has catapulted the phrase 'video-on-demand' (VoD) into the vernacular. Watching...

Brand Health Check: Boddingtons
July 30, 2008... The once almost invincible 'Cream of Manchester' has lost its swagger over the past few years, writes Alex Brownsell. At the turn of the century, InBev-owned Boddingtons, the self-styled 'Cream of Manchester', was the toast of the UK's ale...

Mark Ritson on Branding: US Auto Brands Missed the Turning
July 30, 2008... What will consumers do in the future? This question leaves marketers dolefully scratching their heads. The combination of market complexity and a huge number of potential economic and cultural outcomes can produce an enormous array of market...

Profile: Seeking Affection - Andy Gilson, Marketing Director, General Motors UK and Ireland
July 30, 2008... The view from Andy Gilson's office in General Motors' UK headquarters, which overlook Luton Airport and an array of out-of-town superstores, is far from inspirational. The landscape is utilitarian - much like the Vauxhall brand, some might...