Marketing articles from June 2007

Marketing archives from June 2007

Lloyds TSB awards direct account prize to Rapier.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Lloyds TSB is to hand the lion's share of its pounds 40m direct marketing account to Rapier. The agency contested a three-way pitch against incumbents Partners Andrews Aldridge and Tullo Marshall Warren. It is understood that one of these...

Coke commits to global water conservation drive.(Coca-Cola Co. partners with World Wide Fund for Nature)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Coca-Cola is attempting to salvage its ecological credentials by joining forces with environmental group WWF and making a global water-conservation pledge. The drinks company has faced criticism in almost every part of the world for its...

PepsiCo rules out Big Brother slots.(advertising)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... PepsiCo, one of the UK's biggest advertisers, is refusing to advertise around Big Brother, despite Channel 4's attempts to alleviate concerns over the reality show. The decision was made by Salman Amin, PepsiCo UK's president, who first...

Spiralling Virgin costs 'passed on to advertisers'.(Virgin Media Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Virgin Media has been accused of attempting to pass on the cost of its burgeoning marketing budget to advertisers. According to agency insiders, the Virgin Media sales team is seeking to renegotiate existing deals on the grounds that it...

Replica kit ban impact to widen.
June 6, 2007... The Portman Group's voluntary ban on alcohol sponsorship on children's replica sports shirts will not only create a headache for drinks brands, but may also have implications for sponsors from other sectors. 'Any sector such as alcohol,...

'Aggressive' ads risk prosecution.(Unfair Commercial Practices Directive)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Agencies risk committing a criminal offence if their work is found to have broken the law under the new Unfair Commercial Practices (UCP) Directive. The Department of Trade and Industry last week embarked on a consultation on how the...

Hallmark takes on Quiet Storm.(Hallmark Channel U.S.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Hallmark Channel has hired Quiet Storm to handle its off-air advertising and brand positioning. The appointment follows Quiet Storm's win of Hallmark's sister channel Movies 24 earlier this year. The two channels are owned by Sparrowhawk...

New Campaign: UK Passport Service.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The Home Office is warning young people to apply for their first passport at least six weeks before travelling, or risk missing their holiday. The 'Don't get left behind' drive, spanning magazines, posters, radio and online, follows changes...

LOCOG develops 'inclusive' logo.(London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games unveils new branding)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has unveiled its 2012 branding, which spans the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time. London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said the logo is intended...

Visa in charity fashion tie-up.(TRAID)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Visa is planning to associate itself with responsible spending and sustainable clothing in a tie-up with international development charity TRAID. The initiative, called Visa Swap, will urge people to drop off unwanted items at a dedicated...

Heinz splits with McCanns over Premier conflict.(McCann Erickson Inc.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Heinz has parted company with McCann Erickson just six months after appointing the agency to its pounds 12m ad business. McCann Erickson, which handled Heinz's tomato ketchup, baked beans and salad cream brands, claimed it resigned the...

Apple and H&M set up 'groups' on Facebook.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Facebook, the online social network created for students, has forged its first brand ties in the UK, with Apple and H&M, as part of plans to expand into mainland Europe. It is in discussions with media planning and buying agencies about...

Lloyds TSB loses marketing boss.(Andrew Gillespie)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Lloyds TSB marketing and communications director Andrew Gillespie is leaving the bank to take up a role as marketing director of global property firm CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). Lloyds is seeking a replacement for Gillespie, who will take up...

HSBC in agency talks on global digital ad activity.(Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd., MindShare Interaction contract )(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... HSBC is poised to review its global digital advertising account, held by WPP-owned MindShare Interaction. The bank has approached UK agencies with a brief to create online ad campaigns for territories including the US, Middle East, United...

Lambretta bases line on The Who.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... British fashion brand Lambretta is partnering with rock band The Who on a clothing line inspired by the Mod look of the 60s. The first collection, to launch in September, will be split into two ranges: Tribute and Iconic. Tribute comprises...

Drinks firms roll out cider brands.(Halewood International launches Maguires Original and Maguires Pear)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Two drinks distributors are looking to cash in on the booming cider market with launches in the UK. Halewood, which distributes Lambrini and Lamb's Navy Rum, is launching the Maguires cider brand in the on-trade and off-trade. Maguires...

Heineken to appeal against EC price-fixing ruling.(European Commission )(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Heineken will fight a European Commission (EC) decision to fine it EUR219m (pounds 150m) for price-fixing in the late-90s. The company received the fine on 18 April this year for fixing beer prices between 1996 and 1999. It was accused of...

SCA removes BBH from pan-European account.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Personal care and household-paper giant SCA Hygiene has shifted its pan-European advertising account out of Bartle Bogle Hegarty after four years with the agency. The decision follows an apparent disagreement over the direction of SCA's...

Energy 69 suffers Superdrug distribution blow.(product delisted)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Energy69, which launched in the UK in 2004 with the intention of stealing share of the energy-drink market from Red Bull, has been delisted by Superdrug, its only branded retailer. The decision comes just four months after the US brand was...

Morrisons flags recyclable levels.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Morrisons has rolled out a labelling scheme on its own-label products to help consumers cut waste. The 'Recylopedia' scheme informs shoppers how much of the packaging on a product can be recycled. A face icon with an open-mouthed smile...

ITV creates first interactive serial.(seeking sponsors for a new comedy drama 'Forget the Rules')(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... ITV is seeking a big-brand sponsor for Forget the Rules, an interactive comedy drama that will let viewers decide what happens next. It is understood that the series, which follows the lives of a group of 20-somethings, will air several...

FIFA places focus on social development.(International Federation of Association Football)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Football's world governing body, FIFA, has unveiled the revamped brand identity for its tournaments, which focuses on how football can inspire social change, three years ahead of the first World Cup to be staged in Africa. The strapline...

QS seeks agency to develop direct drive.(Quality Seconds and Cocktail Marketing contract)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Budget high-street clothing retailer QS is hoping to emulate the success of low-cost rival Primark with the launch of a direct marketing programme. QS, which stands for Quality Seconds, is looking for a direct agency to handle the...

News brief: Harman supports Bill.(Harriet Harman )(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Labour MP and deputy leadership candidate Harriet Harman has added her support to a Bill that would ban TV advertising of foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar before 9pm. The Television Advertising (Food) Bill will receive its second...

News brief: totesport ECB partner.(England and Wales Cricket Board)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled gaming brand totesport as its final partner for the Twenty20 Cup. The deal gives totesport branding and advertising rights at each of the summer's Twenty20 matches

News brief: Kuoni appoints.(Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. hires Illustrated London News Group)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Kuoni has hired The Illustrated London News Group to launch a quarterly customer magazine. World Class launches in September and will target affluent, well-travelled and cultured customers with travel and lifestyle features

News brief: Pepsi TV ad.(Pepsi-Cola Co.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Pepsi is to air an international TV ad starring pop act Black Eyed Peas performing a song written for the campaign. The ad, created by CLM BBDO in Paris, features the group jumping through floors in a high-rise building in time to the song

News brief: Tchibo hires Michalsky.(Michael Michalsky)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Tchibo has hired former Adidas global creative director Michael Michalsky to design a clothes range for the store. The collection, called Mitch and Co, launches this week and will be followed by spa and sportswear lines. It is the latest part...

News brief: Nivea campaign.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Nivea Body is promising women they can bid 'goodbye to cellulite' in a viral campaign created by TBWA\London. The spot, which features women singing that their bottoms are like 'juicy pears', will be seeded on social-networking sites including...

News brief: Real Ale cartoons.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The Campaign for Real Ale is hoping to attract new drinkers to 'endangered' traditional styles of beer with a set of cartoon characters representing mild, light bitter, porters, stouts and old ales. The characters will be used on posters,...

People Moves: John Lewis appoints.(Gill Barr appointed at John Lewis Partnership PLC)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... John Lewis Partnership has appointed interim marketing director Gill Barr to its management board and made her role permanent Previously chief executive of home dining service Deliverance and business development director at Woolworths, Barr...

People Moves: Read director.(Nick Read appointed at The Alternative Hotel Group)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Nick Read, board marketing director of Hand Picked Hotels, has been appointed marketing director of The Alternative Hotel Group's new De Vere Collection, with a brief to raise its profile

People Moves: 3V appointment.(Federica Bonato appointed at 3V Transaction Services Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... 3V Transaction Services, which provides prepaid vouchers for consumers to use for online purchases, has named Marriott International marketing director Federica Bonato head of marketing for its UK and Ireland operations. She will develop joint...

People Moves: Currie promoted.(Piers Currie)(Aberdeen Asset Management PLC)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Aberdeen Asset Management has promoted Piers Currie to head the group's marketing. Currie, who has worked at the company for 12 years, will retain responsibility for investment trust investor relations

People Moves: Baxters promotion.(Kerr Arthur, promoted)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Soup firm Baxters has promoted brands controller Kerr Arthur to board-level marketing director. Arthur, who joined last year from Scottish & Newcastle, will report to chairman and chief executive Audrey Baxter

Swiss carrier pushes 'hassle-free' service.(Swiss International Air Lines AG)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Swiss International Air Lines, formed from the remnants of Swissair after it was declared bankrupt in 2001, is planning a marketing drive to bolster its UK sales. An advertising campaign, the airline's first in the UK since it was acquired...

Football clubs to rework websites.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The Football League, which comprises the Coca-Cola Championship, League One and League Two, is overhauling the official websites of 78 clubs to make them more appealing to fans and potential brand partners. The changes to the websites,...

Nickelodeon to open holiday resort hotels.(Nickelodeon UK)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Children's TV network Nickelodeon is following Disney's lead by extending its brand to holiday resorts in a tie-up with hotel group Marriott International. The broadcaster plans to open 20 properties worldwide by 2020, with the first...

New Campaign: Teenage Cancer Trust.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Teenage Cancer Trust is launching a campaign to educate young people about how to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun. The charity has recruited celebrities including singers Natasha Bedingfield and Simon Webbe and DJ and TV...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(briefs)(cost-cutting of Cadbury Schweppes)(acquisitions of Last.fm and CBS Broadcasting Inc.)(earnings of HJ Heinz)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Cadbury Schweppes is considering its biggest cost-cutting exercise for four years, with economies of pounds 200m-pounds 300m likely to be announced at a presentation on 19 June - Financial Times Last.fm, the UK-based internet site combining...

Media: Carling funds festival series.(marketing of festivals)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Carling is making its biggest foray into ad-funded programming with a new series on Channel 4. Carling Festival Postcards follows the fortunes of four Newcastle boys for 10 weeks as they leave their homes for the festival season. Each...

Media: Co-op refreshes members title.(Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The Co-operative Group is overhauling its membership magazine six months after its launch. The title, handled by customer publisher, will include articles intended to inspire customers to buy products featured inside. The first issue,...

Media choice: Radio Times.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Radio Times is a British institution and redesigning it is akin to remodelling the red post box or London bus, but its latest incarnation does not deviate far from its roots and it does well to stay true to tradition. Now billed as the...

Media brief: Swatch competition.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Swatch, the Swiss watch maker, has launched a user-generated content competition to support MTV Europe's first viewer-led series, MTV's Best Show Ever. Consumers are being encouraged to upload a film of a ping-pong-ball-related task to win a...

Media brief: ITV ad revenues.(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... ITV will see ad revenues rise by 6% for July, including a 2% increase at flagship channel ITV1, according to reports. It will be the first time the broadcaster has seen growth outside the World Cup since 2005

Media brief: 'Lights Out London'.(Capital 95.8 sponsoring an initiative for global warming)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Capital 95.8 is sponsoring an initiative to highlight global warming. 'Lights Out London' will encourage Londoners to switch off lights and appliances for an hour at 9pm on 21 June

Media brief: Stuff website.(stuff.tv website)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Stuff magazine has launched a mobile website at mobile.stuff.tv The site will feature breaking news, reviews, top 10s and popular video clips from the stuff.tv website.

Media brief: Virgin Media drive.(Virgin Media marketing)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Virgin Media is targeting British Asians with a promotional drive Created by Purity, the 'Bringing home, home' campaign promotes the Asian Collection, an international phone and digital TV package including Star Plus and Sony Entertainment...

Media brief: RadioCentre radio player.(Radiocentre.org)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The RadioCentre has developed an online radio player that provides access to all the UK's commercial radio stations and the BBC from one site. Radiocentre.org/player is aimed at those in the marketing and media industries

Media brief: Snappy Snaps deal.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Snappy Snaps has signed a deal to sponsor 230 black cabs in London from June to September. The campaign aims to raise footfall in Snappy Snaps' London stores

Branding: Potato brand makes debut.(The Real Potato Co potato)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Potato supplier Branston has secured a listing in 250 branches of Tesco for the launch of two varieties of the vegetable under the brand The Real Potato Co. The two variants are new to the UK. Piccolo is a salad potato, while Bellini is a...

Branding: Dairy Farmers in UK Granini tie-up.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Dairy Farmers of Britain, the UK's biggest milk processor, has signed a deal to distribute ambient fruit-drink brand Granini in the UK, moving it beyond its chilled offering. The drink will be packaged in Granini's trademark dimpled...

Branding: Design choice - Walkers multi-packs.(Walkers Snack Foods Ltd. design of packaging )(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Walkers has done a great job with its latest pack designs, especially on its snack varieties. They are fun, dynamic and include clear nutritional labels. However, I have a slight problem with its multi-pack packaging. The front of these...

Branding brief: BBC design agencies.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... The BBC is seeking one or more agencies for its design roster to lead the branding of idents across TV, radio, film and sponsorship. The agencies will be instrumental in shaping the Corporation's brand strategy and communications

Branding brief: Bic citrus variant.(Soleil Lady Gel line introduced)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Bic has extended its women's shaving preparation range with the addition of a citrus variant to its Soleil Lady Gel line. The brand has also bolstered its range of cigarette lighters with a Decors collection, which comes in a range of brightly...

Branding brief: Caspa hired.(contracts of Greene King PLC and Caspa)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Greene King Pub Company has hired design agency Caspa to develop its brands, which include Hungry Horse, Wayside Inns and Giant Plate The appointment follows a three-year period of acquisition by the pub chain.

Branding brief: Blossom Hill Wimbledon wine.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Blossom Hill is to be the official wine of the Wimbledon tennis championships this year. The Diageo brand's Chardonnay, Merlot and White Zinfandel wines will be served at the event in limited-edition 18.75ml bottles

Branding brief: 'Sparkling Korea'.(Korea National Tourism Organisation)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Korea is to step up its efforts to attract tourists with a global umbrella brand, 'Sparkling Korea'. The identity is being launched by the Korea National Tourism Organisation later this month

Branding brief: 1576 refreshes identity.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Scottish Investment Operations has refreshed its identity through 1576. The new look for the organisation, which promotes careers in Scotland's investment industry, has been rolled out across its website and promotional material

Branding brief: GDA Sheffield hired.
June 6, 2007... Vacenza, an online tour operator that sells solely via travel agents, has hired GDA Sheffield to create its logo and brand identity

Direct: Oxfam hunts agency for Unwrapped work.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Oxfam UK is holding a pitch as it seeks an agency to handle its annual winter fundraising campaign and promote its alternative-gifts catalogue, Oxfam Unwrapped. The scheme enables consumers to give presents on behalf of friends and...

Direct: LA Fitness rolls out 'beach' push.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... LA Fitness is targeting 25- to 45-year-olds with a drive urging them to get in shape for the summer with its 'Beach body' programme. The fitness club chain is offering free motivational support to members, who will be given access to a...

Direct: Lastminute.com in loyalty drive.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Lastminute.com is gearing up for a major customer relationship management drive with the launch of a loyalty scheme called 'In the pink'. The CRM programme, which is being rolled out after a test period, will see lastminute.com introduce...

Direct choice: Department for Education and Skills.(United kingdom department of educations work of spreading awareness regarding the supervision of kids)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Eight out of 10 garments in my wardrobe are black. Most of the walls in my house are painted in a muted Farrow & Ball hue. Thank heavens for the influence of my two-year-old daughter Lilo. As anyone with kids will know, all attempts at studied...

Direct brief: Postcomm fails.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Postcomm has failed in a high-court battle to fine Royal Mail pounds 1m for its failure to ensure it gained no unfair advantage in the 'access' market. The court ruled that although Postcomm had a case, the penalty was annulled as the watchdog...

Direct brief: InBev promotes Leffe.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... InBev is promoting its Leffe beer brand with experiential activity created by BD-NTWK. A mobile 'Leffe lounge' will tour the country to raise brand awareness in a one-month campaign

Direct brief: Iris appointed.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Sony Ericsson is promoting its K800i camera phone with direct and experiential activity through iris. The work includes an 'All tomorrow's pictures' exhibition featuring work by celebrity artists including Amy Winehouse

Direct brief: Ariel campaign.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Ariel is launching an experiential campaign to support its 'Do a good turn' initiative. An 'Ariel house' will visit 10 shopping centres around the UK, encouraging consumers to machine-wash at 30 degsC

Direct brief: Experian 11% rise.(earnings of Experian Information Solutions Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Experian, the global information provider, has announced an 11% rise in earnings to more than pounds 400m prior to interest-rate changes and tax for the year to 31 March. The company's revenues also rose by 11%

Direct brief: Fox Kalomaski hired.(Princesshays marketing contract withFox Kalomaski)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Princesshay, a pounds 230m shopping, leisure and residential development in Exeter, has hired Fox Kalomaski to handle its communications programme, covering direct mail, press, TV and radio

Direct brief: Erskine appoints.(Erskine appointing Target Direct Scotland for marketing)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Erskine, a Scottish charity for ex-servicemen and women, has appointed Target Direct Scotland to develop a direct marketing programme to build its donor base. The agency was appointed following a pitch against WWAV Rapp Collins Scotland

Direct brief: 23red hired.(contract of Devon County Council and 23red)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Devon County Council has hired 23red to handle its marketing following a five-way pitch process. The agency will develop campaigns in areas including tourism and inward investment

Digital: Red Bull builds F1 news site.(Red Bull Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Red Bull is launching a digital drive to keep Formula One fans up to date with the progress of its teams during the F1 racing season. The energy-drink brand has briefed Hi-Res to develop a website that will act as the online home of The Red...

Digital: EMI backs artist with 'remix' drive.(EMI Group PLC)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... EMI's Angel Music Group is promoting the latest release from hip-hop artist MIMS with a mobile marketing drive encouraging users to create their own ringtones. The campaign urges fans to go online to remix This is Why I'm Hot - which...

Digital choice: www.surf.co.uk.(Surf)(Website overview)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Jessie Mills is a celebrity stylist who has been scouring the high street in search of bargains. But no ordinary bargains these - these are the kind of accessories Cheryl might wear (I'm guessing that is Cheryl Cole); she is on the cover of all...

Digital brief: Nescafe relaunches website.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Nescafe has relaunched its website to include vodcasts, games and quizzes to keep internet users occupied during their coffee breaks. The new-look site, designed by Joshua G2, will be promoted via integrated activity

Digital brief: Warner tying with Premium.(Warner Music UK Ltd.)(Premium TV)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Warner Music International is tying with Premium TV to develop a series of online-TV websites that enable consumers to access a back catalogue of hundreds of video clips

Digital brief: NME website.(New Musical Express)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... NME is rolling out a mobile website that will allow readers to access its latest news. The music magazine's WAP portal will also feature gig and album reviews, ringtones and wallpapers

Digital brief: Prison Break game.(contracts of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Greenroom Digital)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is using an online game to promote the DVD release of the first half of TV drama Prison Break's second series. The game was created by Greenroom Digital

Digital brief: Blowfish Digital appointed.(contracts between Gamevillage and Blowfish Digital)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Gamevillage, the gaming website, has appointed Blowfish Digital to handle its digital ad account following a competitive pitch. Blowfish Digital will roll out multi-faceted activity including online ads across web portals including AOL, MSN and...

Digital brief: AOL UK appointment.(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... AOL UK has appointed sales director Giles Ivey as its head of interactive marketing, with responsibility for growing the portal's online ad revenue. Ivey will report directly to AOL UK's acting managing director, David Wolffe

Digital brief: Speedo campaign.(Speedo Europe)(Brief article)
June 6, 2007... Speedo is launching its first digital campaign this summer to challenge perceptions of the brand. The work, devised by Mediaedge:cia, focuses on a micro-site dedicated to beach sports

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Guard your domain or pay the price.(importance and laws and regulations of domain names)
June 6, 2007... The internet may be big and respectable these days. It may even be the darling of the stock markets once again and the ambition of the graduate, but there are still areas where spurs and a Stetson wouldn't be out of place. Unlike your...

News Analysis: Haven't I seen you before?(copying the brands of others)
June 6, 2007... Brands that ape the creativity of their rivals risk losing their own identity in the process. Joanna Bowery reports. Every so often an ad is broadcast that leaves viewers with a distinct feeling of deja vu. Sainsbury's latest activity,...