Marketing articles from June 2006

Marketing archives from June 2006

McCain shifts pounds 15m business from TBWA to BMB.(Beattie McGuinness Bungay)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... McCain has ended months of speculation with the appointment of Beattie McGuinness Bungay (BMB) to handle its pounds 15m advertising business. The frozen-foods company called a pitch in March; its incumbent of the past three years,...

Manchester United boss Peter Draper quits post.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Peter Draper is stepping down from one of the biggest jobs in sports marketing after quitting his role as director of marketing at Manchester United. It is thought that it was Draper's decision to resign from the club, although there has...

Schlosser slams soft touch Ofcom.(Eric Schlosser)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Eric Schlosser, campaigning author of Fast Food Nation and Chew on This, has launched a scathing attack on Ofcom's proposals for the advertising of food to children. In an interview with Marketing, Schlosser accused the media regulator of...

Dianne Thompson is first woman to top Power 100.(Marketing's annual Power 100 list)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Camelot chief executive Dianne Thompson has become the first woman to be named the UK's most powerful marketer after rising to the head of Marketing's annual Power 100 list. Thompson climbs from number five in last year's list to take the...

Gap picks Naked to lead pan-European strategy.(Naked Advertising)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Gap has hired Naked to handle its pan-European communications strategy. Last year, the US fashion retailer launched a European office with the aim of creating marketing that caters to local tastes. It hired Clare Dobbie from advertising...

Olympic venues body hunts chief.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is looking for a head of marketing to oversee its communications strategy ahead of the London 2012 Games. The organisation, which will deliver the venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Olympic and...

Pringles activity slammed by ASA.(Advertising Standards Agency )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Procter & Gamble has been found guilty by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) of running a misleading promotion for Pringles, which claimed that 'Every tube's a winner!' The on-pack activity tied in with the film King Kong and offered...

New campaign: MasterCard.(MasterCard International Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... MasterCard is launching a pounds 1.5m poster campaign on 1 June to promote its sponsorship of the World Cup. The activity taps into a rise in public support for making St George's Day a more prominent celebration. Its tongue-in-cheek proposal...

Ann Summers in 1966 Cup parody.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Ann Summers is to lampoon the iconic image of England Captain Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup in 1966 in a window display. The poster features three girls lifting a bunny, who is holding up the World Cup. The bunny, which will be wearing...

Emirates to add to agency roster.(Emirates Airline)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Emirates is expanding its global roster of ad agencies as it grows its fleet of air-craft and develops its resort offering. The Dubai airline uses a network of about 40 agencies chosen to suit individual markets. It has asked several shops...

US demands for data 'unjustified'.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The European Court of Justice has ruled that European airlines' practice of supplying data on passengers to US immigration has 'no legal basis'. US authorities began asking for information after the terrorist attacks in 2001. The system...

Charles Wells boss takes top job in Young's tie-up.(Young's Brewery)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Nigel McNally, currently sales and marketing director at Charles Wells, is to become managing director of Wells and Young's Brewing Company, following his firm's amalgamation with London brewer Young's. Aside from McNally's promotion, the...

P&G restructures global beauty responsibilities.(Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Procter & Gamble has shaken up the global management of its beauty division as part of the integration of Gillette. Under the revised structure, global skincare, personal cleansing and deodorant president Paolo de Cesare loses...

Ocado to review pounds 2m ad account.
June 1, 2006... Ocado is seeking an agency to handle its pounds 2m integrated ad business, which is currently handled by Ogilvy & Mather. The online retailer, which is 40% owned by Waitrose, has been working with O&M since March 2004. The review...

Heinz seeks UK boss to fend off takeover threat.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Heinz is to appoint a UK marketing chief to help defend its US management from an ownership challenge. Heinz's last top marketer, Scott Garrett, was made redundant last August along with his 20-strong department, in a streamlining that...

Avon hunts shop for Mark launch.(Avon Products Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Avon is seeking a pan-European ad agency to create a campaign for the launch of its Mark beauty and make-up range for 18- to 24-year-old women. Promotional activity will start at the end of this year in the UK; the range will roll out...

Hilton in summer bookings push.(Hilton International Co.'s contract with Campaign Works)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Hilton International is to run a global summer marketing campaign using the strapline 'Discover your perfect summer setting', as it seeks to increase bookings during a traditionally quiet time for executive hotels. The activity aims to...

Stella Artois prepares to run outdoor film festival.
June 1, 2006... Stella Artois is organising a two-day outdoor film festival as part of a series of events it is running this summer. The work is an extension of the lager brand's 10-year association with film. Stella Artois Live will be held in Greenwich...

Heineken supports Bond film tie with global drive.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Heineken is to back its sponsorship of the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, with a multimillion-pound global advertising and experiential campaign. The Dutch beer brand will run a series of 30- and 45-second TV and cinema ads...

Allied gives pounds 3m business to MWO.(Allied Bakeries Ltd.)(Mortimer Whittaker O'Sullivan)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Allied Bakeries has finalised its creative roster with the appointment of Mortimer Whittaker O'Sullivan. The agency will handle about pounds 3m worth of business across the Allinson and Burgen bread brands, which were previously handled by...

William Hill embarks on World Cup marketing blitz.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... William Hill is running a heavyweight promotional campaign to cash in on a betting boom during this summer's World Cup predicted to be worth pounds 1bn. The bookmaker is putting a seven-figure spend behind the 'World Cup Winners' campaign...

'Razor' Ruddock fronts Veet for Men activity.(Neil 'Razor' Ruddock )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Former Liverpool and West Ham footballer Neil 'Razor' Ruddock has changed his name by deed poll to Wax Ruddock for the duration of the World Cup to promote Reckitt Benckiser's hair removal cream, Veet for Men. The I'm a Celebrity, Get Me...

Barclays reviews direct business.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Barclays has confirmed that it is to embark on a review of its pounds 15m direct roster. The review, which will cover all the below-the-line agencies working on the bank's retail and Barclaycard brands, brings to an end months of...

Sainsbury's secures schools athletics tie.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Sainsbury's is backing its 'Active Kids' programme by supporting promising young athletes in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics. The supermarket will become the headline sponsor of the English Schools' Athletic Association (ESAA)...

AIG awards pounds 5m work to McCann-Erickson.(AIG Annuity Insurance Co.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... US insurance giant AIG is continuing its awareness-raising drive in the UK with the appointment of McCann-Erickson Bristol to handle its pounds 5m integrated health insurance account. AIG emerged from relative obscurity in the UK last...

News brief: Ntl appointment.(James Kydd is promoted at Virgin Mobile Telecoms Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Ntl has confirmed Virgin Mobile marketing director James Kydd is being promoted to managing director of marketing, ahead of the companies' merger. Virgin Mobile group brand marketing director Ashley Stockwell takes the role of managing director...

News brief: Vodafone redundancies.( Vodafone Group PLC trying to cut operational costs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Vodafone will be making about 200 redundancies at its Newbury headquarters to cut operational costs. It was unable to confirm how many of the jobs would be from the marketing department.

News brief: SoCo UK.(Southern Comfort Corp. is repositioning )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Southern Comfort is repositioning as SoCo in the UK - an abbreviation coined by US consumers. Brown-Forman will back the name change with a pounds 3m investment.

News brief: ITV appointment.
June 1, 2006... ITV has appointed Nicky Buss, former global strategic planning director at WPP's Red Cell Network, to the new role of advertiser development director.

News brief: Nationwide TV ads.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Nationwide is launching two TV ads in June, including a World Cup execution, to mark its exit from England team sponsorship. Created by Leagas Delaney, the ads feature Nationwide's 'bank manager' character appearing alongside England players...

News brief: Coty director.(Charlotte Broadbent)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Coty, the cosmetics and fragrance manufacturer, has named Charlotte Broadbent marketing director of its Prestige designer fragrances division. Broadbent has previously held marketing roles at Clinique and Estee Lauder.

News brief: The PC Guys.
June 1, 2006... Lance Batchelor, the former Vodafone marketing director who left the company in February, is launching a national computer-repair network called The PC Guys.

News brief: Football Challenge.
June 1, 2006... Marketers wishing to play in the annual Marketing Society Football Challenge at Highbury on 8 June should email marketingfootball@haynet.com. The cost of entry to play in the game is pounds 200, which will go to charity, and players are...

Kimberly-Clark UK in personal care move.(advertising account goes to JWT Group Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Kimberly-Clark has shifted the UK advertising account for personal care brands including Huggies, Kotex and Poise to JWT from Ogilvy & Mather as part of a consolidation of its North American and European brand advertising. JWT holds...

Disney launches Fairies magazine.(Disney Publishing Worldwide)(Disney Fairies)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Disney Publishing Worldwide is extending its Disney Fairies book and merchandise brand into magazines. Monthly title Disney Fairies will be aimed at five- to seven-year-old girls and feature a pull-out story, games and posters. Going on...

Npower hunts agency to handle online drive.(True Digital is repitching for the business)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Npower is searching for a digital agency to develop an eCRM and customer recruitment programme as it steps up its investment in online marketing. The utilities company has sounded out a number of digital agencies about the assignment,...

New campaign: Citroen.(Automobiles Citroen S.A.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Citroen has created a follow-up to its 'Transformer' ad for the C4 hatchback. The latest execution, which debuts on 5 June, sees the car that transformed into a robot performing a series of stunts on a frozen pond, highlighting its performance....

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... PAI Partners, the French private equity firm, is close to making a takeover bid for Britvic, which last week issued its third profit warning in as many months - The Sunday Times Tesco is planning to mount a challenge to Marks & Spencer's...

Media news: GCap Media pools its pounds 5m media in Rocket.(Rocket Media)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... GCap Media, owner of Classic FM and Capital FM, has consolidated its pounds 5m media planning and buying account into Rocket Media, ending its relationships with MediaCom and ZenithOptimedia in the process. The move follows the merger of...

Media news: Sony Ericsson to fund 'Ibiza' show.(Ibiza Rocks )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Sony Ericsson is to fund a TV series covering the Ibiza Rocks concerts that will be broadcast on Channel 4, its T4 strand and E4. The five half-hour shows and one-hour special will air in September. They will include documentary...

Media news: VW commercial arm unveils title.(Volkswagen AG)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Volkswagen is launching a customer magazine to promote its range of commercial vehicles. Published by John Brown Citrus Publishing, the title will be known as Apparently, to tie in with the trucks and vans division's current TV, digital...

Media news: Media choice - FHM TV.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... I am a firm believer in taking both entertainment and marketing to the consumer, so for me, TV-to-mobile is a great concept. Whatever makes it easier for people to interact with a brand is good news and FHM has totally understood its...

Media news brief: Carter stands down.(Stephen Carter of Ofcom)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Stephen Carter is to stand down as chief executive of broadcast regulator Ofcom in October. Carter's contract prevents him from securing a new role until he has left the organisation.

Media news brief: RadioCentre director.
June 1, 2006... RadioCentre has confirmed ex-Nestle Rowntree marketing director Andrew Harrison as its first chief executive. Harrison is currently interim category marketing director at Boots.

Media news brief: BSkyB and BT deal.(live rights to Premiership football matches )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... BSkyB and BT have struck a joint-venture deal for near-live rights to Premiership football matches for three years. Viewers will be able to watch games on demand via broadband.

Media news brief: Network Rail contract.(Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Network Rail is inviting publishers to tender for a contract to publish a freesheet. The newspaper would appear at its 10 London rail stations on weekday afternoons, and would have a potential reader-ship of almost 1m people.

Media news brief: Van Wagner assets.(Van Wagner Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Clear Channel Outdoor has acquired the UK assets of Van Wagner. It takes control of 70 poster sites in London, including the Piccadilly Circus LED display.

Media news brief: 3 commissioning.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... 3, the mobile company, has commissioned programming about the World Cup for mobile television. Berlin or Bust will first air on 5 June and will be available throughout the tournament.

Media news brief: BAA awards contract.(to JCDecaux Airport)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... BAA has awarded its pounds 500m contract to JCDecaux Airport. It covers seven UK airports and includes Heathrow terminal five, due to open in March 2008.

Media news brief: Swordfish appointed.(by Galaxy for online marketing campaign)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Galaxy, the commercial radio station, has appointed integrated agency Swordfish to create an online marketing campaign, including a viral game, email activity and an online PR drive.

Media news brief: Yours ad sales.(Emap Esprit 's contract to Media Sales Network)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Emap Esprit has handed responsibility for regional ad sales for its over-50s magazine Yours to Media Sales Network. It already handles Emap titles including Heat, Q and FHM.

Branding: Kerrygold introduces low-fat softer butter.
June 1, 2006... Kerrygold has rolled out a Light variant of its Softer Butter range, with packaging by Elmwood London. The packaging retains the Irish butter brand's cow and pasture design, but adds a blue ribbon highlighting the lighter formulation, and...

Branding: Vitsmart debuts flavoured water.
June 1, 2006... Vitsmart, the health-drinks brand created by Prospect Beverages last year, has launched its range of flavoured waters in the UK, with packaging designed by Rare. The line targets health-conscious consumers who want to drink more water. ...

Branding: Diageo revamps Smirnoff Black.( Smirnoff Black No 55 )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Diageo has refreshed its Smirnoff Black No 55 vodka to give it a more quality feel amid dramatic growth in the premium vodka market. The drink's silver, gold and black design has been revamped by Landor Associates and will be backed by...

Branding: Design choice - Adidas Teamgeist football.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Dodgy designer football boots and a truly awful World Cup anthem aside, few can ignore the fact that 9 June is almost upon us. Fridges full of continental lager,St George's flags flying, the super-cool Ivory Coast away-kit in shop windows -...

Branding news brief: ITV Sport rebranded.(Red Bee Media)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... ITV Sport has been rebranded to coincide with the World Cup. The new look, created by Red Bee Media, incorporates the ITV brand identity unveiled in January, and assigns a colour to each sport.

Branding news brief: Red Bull Sabai.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Red Bull is launching a Thai wine spritzer called Sabai in the UK. The brand will be backed by PR and promotional activity, including sponsorship of The Ladyboys of Bangkok's UK tour.

Branding news brief: Wales revamps logo.
June 1, 2006... Wales has revamped its logo through 6721. It will be used on the Welsh Assembly's tourism and international business marketing materials.

Branding news brief: Map website.
June 1, 2006... Map, the Scottish arts magazine, has launched a website created by IfLooksCouldKill. The site complements the print magazine.

Branding news brief: Electrolux competition.(healthy eating habits in 2016)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Electrolux is running its fourth annual design competition with the theme 'healthy eating habits in 2016'. Entrants are asked to consider how future appliances will be able to help with food preparation or preservation.

Branding news brief: Scottish Golf makeover.(Scottish Golf Union changes logo)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The Scottish Golf Union, the organisation responsible for the administration of the amateur game in Scotland, has had a make-over through Tayburn. Its revamped logo incorporates a lion and the Saltire, the cross that appears on the flag of...

Branding news brief: Amnesty appoints Zerofee.(Amnesty International )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Amnesty International has appointed ethical design agency Zerofee to design its online annual report for 2006. It is the first time it has outsourced the work.

Branding news brief: COI appoints JWT.
June 1, 2006... The COI has appointed JWT Specialized Communications to redesign the website of the Information Commissioner's Office, www.ico.gov.uk. The project will run until late summer.

Branding news brief: Adessi appointed.(by Learning Days)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Learning Days, the education company, has appointed North East marketing agency Adessi to design classroom learning packs to support the teaching of personal, health and social education lessons in secondary schools.

Direct news: IKEA hunts shop for CRM job.(INGKA Holding B.V.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... IKEA is looking to appoint a direct marketing agency to bolster its customer relationship management through a series of direct mail and online initiatives. The Swedish DIY chain has taken a number of steps to improve its CRM in the UK,...

Direct news: Now Broadband in debut mailing.(Broadband Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Now Broadband is launching its first direct mail campaign as it seeks to make headway in the crowded ISP market. The activity, which breaks next month and is entitled 'Now & Them', is the first for the broadband provider by direct agency...

Direct news: Direct choice - Virgin Trains.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Virgin Trains has always been the problem child in the Virgin family. It has taken a long time for the brand experience to match that delivered by the rest of its portfolio. But the confidence of Virgin Atlantic, so dependent on satisfying...

Direct news brief: Computing Which?
June 1, 2006... Computing Which? is seeking to boost subscriptions by targeting readers of other Which? titles through a direct mail campaign created by direct communications agency Loewy

Direct news brief: Bombay Sapphire drive.(contract to Meteorite)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Bombay Sapphire is running an experiential drive, created by direct agency Meteorite, in 300 London bars. The activity will encourage drinkers to enter a cocktail-making contest using the gin, with the prize of a bartender's kit and the chance...

Direct news brief: Nissan promotes.(Nissan Motor Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Nissan is promoting its Pathfinder Sport model with a direct mail campaign by Tullo Marshall Warren. The mailing, which is designed to resemble a copy of National Geographic magazine, will be sent to 18,000 prospects.

Direct news brief: Lurpak campaign.(Carlson Marketing Group Inc. gets contract)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Lurpak is to run a pounds 3m breakfast campaign on London Underground. As part of the activity, created by Carlson Marketing, passengers will be offered a Lurpak breakfast box, and prompted to visit a dedicated microsite,...

Direct news brief: Swordfish appointed.
June 1, 2006... Travelodge has appointed Swordfish to handle its partnership marketing. The hotel chain is aiming to build awareness of its 'price revolution' and boost bookings.

Direct news brief: Greenlight hired.
June 1, 2006... HMV.co.uk has hired search marketing agency Greenlight to promote its online presence.

Direct news brief: Bakin' Boys promotion.(Haven Holidays in partnership)(Packaging Media gets contract)( Fabulous Bakin' Boys )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The Fabulous Bakin' Boys is running an on-pack promotion in partnership with Haven Holidays. The activity, created by Packaging Media, offers a 50% discount on the price of a Haven summer holiday.

Retail news: Mamas & Papas on hunt for ad agency.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Nursery retailer Mamas & Papas is looking for a marketing director and an advertising agency as it prepares to expand its store portfolio. The babycare chain intends to dramatically increase its UK retail network and plans to launch its...

Retail news: Tesco promotes labelling system.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Tesco is running in-store activity to promote its own nutritional labelling system and emphasise the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. The retailer is running the promotion for the next two weeks and is supporting it with press...

Retail news: Spar ditches TV in strategy shift.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Spar has decided to drop TV from its media plans following a strategic review. The retailer will shift its spend out of the medium, which historically took the bulk of its budget, and into press and radio. Its adspend has traditionally...

Retail news: Retail choice - Diesel, New Bond St, London.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Diesel founder Renzo Rosso describes this store as 'the next official step in the premiumisation of casualwear'. It marks the graduation of Diesel from mass market to luxury brand. More than just a store, it's a statement of intent. And...

Retail news brief: HMV sponsor.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... HMV has signed up as retail sponsor of music magazine Mojo's Honours List awards ceremony for a three-year period. This year's awards will be held at Shoreditch Town Hall on 5 June.

Retail news brief: M&S clothing.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Marks & Spencer has extended its Fairtrade-accredited clothing range with the addition of underwear for men and women. The products will be available from July. M&S launched its first Fairtrade clothing range in March.

Retail news brief: Mothercare increase.(sales)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Mothercare has announced a sales increase of 5.6% for the year to 1 April. However, the retailer's like-for-like sales over the same period fell by 0.3%. Mothercare's international operation grew, with like-for-like sales up by 7%.

Retail news brief: ASA slams Asda.(ASDA Group Ltd.)( Advertising Standards Authority )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Asda has been slammed by the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading advertising about the price of its bananas. The ruling followed a complaint from rival Morrisons, which bought bananas in four Asda stores at a higher price than that...

Retail news brief: Baugur parts company.(Les Johnston)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Baugur, the acquisitive Icelandic retail group, has parted company with Les Johnston, chief executive of its clothing retailer Mk One. Former head of private equity group 3i Kevin Lyon has been appointed chairman; he will take on Johnston's...

Retail news brief: Ipoints.co.uk signs partners.(Greenfingers.com and Petplanet.co.uk )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Ipoints.co.uk, the online loyalty scheme, has signed up Greenfingers.com and Petplanet.co.uk as partners. Points accrued on the scheme can be spent with other partners, which currently number about 300.