Marketing articles from March 2007

Marketing archives from March 2007

Asda sets sights on takeover of Somerfield chain.
March 28, 2007... Asda is planning to take over the Somerfield convenience chain. Insiders claim Somerfield's management is steering it toward the business model for ROI that Asda owner Wal-Mart sets for potential acquisitions, with a view to being bought this...

Coke targets teens with web currency scheme.(Coca-Cola Co.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Soft-drinks giant Coca-Cola is gearing up for the launch of a high-profile loyalty scheme aimed at the teenage market in Europe. The company will target teens primarily online, with the strategy involving the creation of a special...

Phone-vote scandals rock trust in broadcasters.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Broadcasters embroiled in the phone voting scandal are facing a backlash from consumers that could have devastating consequences for their revenues. According to research by Gfk, 70% of consumers say the recent events have affected their...

DfES to take on cyber-bullying.(Department for Education and Skills )(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The government is seeking to alleviate the problem of teen 'cyber-bullying' with an awareness campaign. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has appointed Profero as the lead strategic agency on a project to curb the number of...

PS3 Hit by Pounds 10m in Cancellations
March 28, 2007... The long-awaited UK launch of Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) games console has been marred by the cancellation of more than pounds 10m worth of orders from retailers and consumers. Retail industry sources claim the electronics giant has had as...

Coke builds ties with Mentos duo.(Coca-Cola Co. invited Eepy Bird to its annual marketing conference)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Coca-Cola is boosting its commitment to user-generated content to encourage interaction with the brand. The firm invited Eepy Bird, the duo whose Diet Coke and Mentos experiment became a YouTube phenomenon, to showcase their latest Diet...

LG searches for digital agency.(LG Electronics)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... LG Electronics is seeking a digital agency to boost its online activity in the UK. The South Korean electronics manufacturer wants to strengthen its brand as it seeks to become a top-three global consumer electronics player by 2010. ...

New campaign: Carling.(Beattie McGuinness Bungay campaign for Carling C2 lager)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Coors Brewers is launching the first TV campaign for its mid-strength Carling C2 lager. Breaking on 1 April, the pounds 3m campaign features a futuristic machine world with a group of robots enjoying a metaphorical pint of C2,...

Nutricia reviews global business.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Nutricia, which owns the Cow & Gate and Milupa babyfood brands, is reviewing its global ad account with Ogilvy & Mather. Several UK agencies with global networks have been approached about the brief. The search is being handled by The...

Bang & Olufsen in customer title.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Bang & Olufsen (B&O) has hired Forward Publishing to create a branded magazine that will be distributed in the hi-fi and TV manufacturer's stores in 35 countries. The 120-page publication will highlight the company's brand values and...

Post Office awards pounds 12m ad business to Mother.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The Post Office has appointed Mother to its pounds 12m advertising account following a pitch against DDB London and Grey. The review, which was overseen by Post Office marketing director Gary Hockey-Morley, was called in January....

London 2012 eyes beer brand for top-tier link.(London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is lining up a beer brand to fill the final tier-one domestic partnership category for London 2012. Domestic Olympic sponsorship is split into three tiers, with...

Waitrose set for sourcing rethink.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Waitrose is to revamp its ethical sourcing strategy following the appointment of Tony Solomons as customer development director with responsibility for marketing. Solomons is understood to have asked the supermarket's three main...

Learning council roadside activity deemed illegal.(Gateshead Council's case against Gorilla Media's campaign for Learning and Skills Council)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... An ambient ad for the government-backed Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has been found to be illegal. In a landmark test case brought by Gateshead Council, Newcastle agency Gorilla Media was found guilty of placing illegal signage on an...

Cisco repositions as lifestyle brand.(Cisco Systems Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... IT firm Cisco is rolling out a multimillion-pound ad campaign to coincide with its global repositioning as a consumer brand. The initiative will focus on the company's reinvention as a 'communal experience' brand, rather than a high-tech...

Ad-sign carriers face London ban.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Human billboards - a common sight in London, where they are used by brands such as Subway and Pizza Hut - could be banned under new local government legislation. From next month, the capital's councils will be able to force the...

Findus branches out into supplements market.(France-Glaces Findus S.A.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Findus is entering the food- supplements market with the launch of omega-3 capsules, as part of its strategy to diversify beyond its declining frozen-food market. The company says Mega03, which is manufactured using omega-3 extracted...

Mills eyes green tie-ups for America's Cup team.(Sir Keith Mills, Origin)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Sir Keith Mills, founder of America's Cup team Origin, is hoping to attract sponsors by positioning the yachting competition as a green alternative to Formula One. Origin will make its debut at the 33rd America's Cup, which will take...

Durex in hunt for condom testers.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Durex is launching an online campaign in which it will offer cash incentives to recruit 'condom testers'. A viral email will be sent to registered users of durex.co.uk encouraging them to sign up to the voluntary scheme via the website....

Lenor to emphasise environmental credentials.(fabric conditioner from Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Procter & Gamble is to focus on the environmental benefits of its Lenor fabric conditioner in a shift away from the brand's luxury positioning. The company will push a sustainability message claiming that the packaging for its...

John Lewis hands direct task to Kitcatt Nohr.(John Lewis Partnership PLC, Kitcatt, Nohr, Alexander and Shaw)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... John Lewis Partnership has hired Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw following a competitive pitch to handle its first major direct push. The appointment is the first time the company has used an external marketing agency for its direct...

Philips to create Swarovski range.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Philips is partnering with upmarket jewellery and accessories brand Swarovski for a range targeting women. The Active Crystals line will include headphones and USB storage devices embedded with Swarovski crystals. The range will be...

Casinos' adspend to be squeezed by tax.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Gordon Brown's 11th Budget could force casino operators to pare back their promotional plans just months before new rules allowing them to advertise in the UK come into force. Large casinos in particular may have to change their business...

Piczo to sell targeted ads via Microsoft arm.
March 28, 2007... Teen social-networking website Piczo has struck a deal with Microsoft to help brands reach its audience of 13- to 16-year-old users. Microsoft Digital Adverti-sing Solutions will be Piczo's exclusive UK ad sales partner across all display...

Honda head of marketing to leave the company.(Jeff Dodds of Honda Motor Europe Ltd. to join Callaway Golf Co.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Honda head of marketing Jeff Dodds is leaving the company to join golf brand Callaway Golf as European marketing director. Dodds, who was behind the recent Asimo campaign, was promoted to the company's top marketing role in March last year

News brief: Innocent appoints Sledge.
March 28, 2007... Innocent has appointed Sledge to handle its pounds 1.5m events and experiential account following a four-way pitch handled by the Marketing Communication Consultants Association (MCCA)

News brief: AG Barr hands media account to PHD North.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... AG Barr has handed the pounds 1.5m media account for its Orangina and Strathmore brands to PHD North. The agency already holds the media accounts for its other brands, including Irn-Bru

News brief: Dyson seeks ad agency.(Dyson Group PLC)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Dyson is seeking an ad agency with European capabilities through the AAR. Its advertising across all European territories is currently handled by VCCP, whose grip on the UK business will be unaffected

News brief: National Savings launches TV activity.(National Savings and Investments' television advertising created by Chick Smith Trott)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... National Savings & Investments is launching TV activity to back its Premium Bonds ahead of the 50th anniversary of the first Premium Bond prize draw in June. Created by Chick Smith Trott, the ads will break on 6 April

News brief: Thorntons erects edible billboard ad.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Thorntons is erecting the world's first edible billboard ad on 29 March to promote its Easter offering. The 285kg chocolate ad will run for up to a week on London's Tottenham Court Road

News brief: Department for Transport appoints Capitalize.(for road safety campaign)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The Department for Transport has appointed Capitalize as the sponsorship and sports marketing services agency for its 'Think!' road safety campaign until 2010. The agency won the business following a three-way pitch

News brief: Wells & Young's seeks ad agency.
March 28, 2007... Wells & Young's is seeking an ad agency for the Courage portfolio of bitter brands it acquired from Scottish & Newcastle in January

News brief: William Grant & Sons to launch Glenfiddich campaign.
March 28, 2007... William Grant & Sons is to launch an integrated campaign for its Glenfiddich whiskey brand to coincide with a packaging revamp

William Hill prepares to overhaul identity.(Prego to create branding for William Hill)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... William Hill is to revamp its image ahead of the legalisation of gambling ads on TV in September. The betting firm's marketing director, Chris Edginton, originally briefed Bulletproof Design about the work last year, but the project was...

Santander assigns Formula One activity.(23red and Sidhu & Simon Communications to leverage sponsorship of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team for Banco Santander S.A.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Santander has appointed 23red and Sidhu & Simon Communications to leverage its five-year sponsorship of Formula One team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and its title sponsorship of the British Grand Prix. The agencies have been tasked with...

Burger King adds DIY wrap for kids.(do-it-yourself)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Burger King is trialling a self-assembly children's meal that puts an emphasis on its health credentials. The chicken-and-cheese wraps are sold with the ingredients packed separately in a box so children can assemble them. Posters...

New campaign: McArthurGlen.(advertising campaign)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Discount designer clothes chain McArthurGlen is launching a spring advertising campaign. The activity, which is part of its 'guilt-free shopping' strategy, kicks off on 28 March with a TV ad targeting female shoppers. It features a woman...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... EasyJet is considering entering the mainstream holiday market by selling package holidays online. The service would allow customers to book car hire, transfers and hotel rooms on its website. - - The Sunday Times Royal Mail and TNT...

Media: Digital mag reveals launch advertisers.(NatMag Specialist Media, Rimmel International Ltd., Alberto-Culver Company UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... NatMags has secured Rimmel and Alberto VO5 as launch advertisers for teen digital magazine Jellyfish. The title, which was known as Project Celia during its development, is a similar format to Dennis Publishing's Monkey, but focuses on...

Media: Women's mag in handbag format.(Woman & Home)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Woman & Home, IPC's monthly glossy for older women, is to launch a handbag-sized edition in May. The new-look magazine, which will be sold alongside the traditional-sized format, will be promoted in WH Smith travel stores The first issue...

Media: Hello! seals tie with Standard.(The London Evening Standard)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Evening Standard vendors will be selling glossy celebrity weekly magazine Hello! at 65 key London pitches from this week. The six-week trial will see posters displayed at each of the pitches promoting the magazine's celebrity scoops. ...

Media Choice: So London.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Despite the ads for houses in Belgravia with a pounds 5m price tag, So London is very definitely not aimed at crusty old money. It has a fresh, vibrant, clean design that makes it a welcoming and attractive read for an altogether funkier and...

Media brief: BBC Magazines Bristol to launch Countryfile magazine.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... BBC Magazines Bristol is to launch BBC Countryfile magazine in October. The 132-page lifestyle magazine, which will be published 13 times a year, will cover all aspects of country life and green, sustainable living

Media brief: Virgin Media in talks with Setanta Sports.(Virgin Media Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Virgin Media is in talks with Setanta Sports with a view to launching a channel to rival Sky Sports News. Setanta has the rights to 46 Premiership matches for the next season and has recently launched a golf channel

Media brief: Real Homes Magazine joins forces with B&Q.(Hachette Filipacchi UK, B and Q PLC to host Real Homes Makeover Awards 2007)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Hachette Filipacchi UK's Real Homes Magazine has joined forces with B&Q for the second consecutive year to run the Real Homes Makeover Awards 2007, rewarding the best home makeovers in Britain

Media brief: Financial Times teams up with First Direct.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Financial Times has teamed up with First Direct for a series of investment podcasts. It is the first time the national newspaper has worked with a third party on such a project

Media brief: 20th Century Fox runs film promotion.(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Sunshine)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... 20th Century Fox is backing the cinema release of Danny Boyle-directed sci-fi thriller Sunshine by running an on-air and online promotion via national pop and rock station Virgin Radio's Ben Jones Drivetime Show. The week-long activity will...

Media brief: Five picks up UK rights to US series.(Dirt)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Five has picked up the UK rights to the Courteney Cox drama Dirt for its digital channel Five Life. The US series features Cox as the ruthless editor-in-chief of two celebrity magazines

Media brief: Thelondonpaper secures its biggest deal.(with IKEA)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Thelondonpaper has secured its biggest deal to date with furniture retailer IKEA. The campaign, which was planned and bought by MediaCom, will see IKEA patterns, colours and brands appear throughout the paper

Media brief: The A List secures deal with Match.com.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... GCap chart show The A List has secured a deal with online dating brand Match.com to support a Mr & Mrs-style quiz live on air. The promotion was created by Monkey Communications

Branding: Boddingtons plans revamp.(InBev S.A.'s campaign to promote the beer brand)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... InBev is poised to relaunch its Boddingtons beer in the wake of poor sales. The brand, which was first brewed in 1778, is set to be repackaged; updated bar fonts are also in the offing. Jones Knowles Ritchie is understood to have...

Branding: Charity-tie water reveals branding.(Harrogate Spa Water to donate to Pump Aid from sales of its bottled water Thirsty Planet)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Harrogate Spa Water has unveiled the design for a charity-linked water brand that will roll out in the multiples later this spring. Called Thirsty Planet, the brand was developed with charity Pump Aid, which helps provide access to clean...

Branding: Design choice - Nintendo Wii.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Design isn't just about aesthetics; it's also about the consumer experience. Each of the new-generation computer-game consoles looks very different, but the Nintendo Wii is the sleekest and most grown-up. To me, this console has jumped...

Branding brief: Coors relaunches Carling Premier.(Coors Brewers Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Coors Brewers is relaunching Carling Premier to tap into the 'easy-drinking lager' category. The 4.7% ABV beer was launched in 1994, but its sales suffered as consumers opted for continental alternatives The relaunch will be backed by a...

Branding brief: ARC International introduces range.(contracts)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... ARC International, owner of the Pyrex cookware brand, is introducing a range aimed at younger consumers, with branding by Butcher & Gundersen. The Elegance line will roll out in the second quarter of this year

Branding brief: Liverpool Victoria rebrands as LV=.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Liverpool Victoria, the UK's biggest friendly society, with 2.5m members, is rebranding as LV=. The Partners is carrying out the work for the society. The overhaul is being supported by a TV push

Branding brief: Anheuser-Busch revamps packaging for Michelob Lager.
March 28, 2007... Anheuser-Busch is revamping the packaging and formula for its Michelob Lager with teardrop-shaped bottles and a recipe containing 100% malt

Branding brief: Brighton Festival rebrands ahead of anniversary.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Brighton Festival has rebranded ahead of its 41st anniversary in May. Its identity, created by Harrison + Co, is intended to reflect the event's status as the biggest arts festival in England. It features a seagull motif to denote its roots

Branding brief: Jonathan Crips adds two flavours to its range.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Jonathan Crisp, the premium-snack brand, has added two flavours to its range - Parsnip and Parsnip, Beetroot and Sweet Potato, with packaging designed by Ziggurat. The work uses caricatures of 'household staff' similar to those used on the...

Branding brief: University of Kent updates its identity.
March 28, 2007... The University of Kent has updated its identity. UffindellWest has redesigned its prospectus, advertising, website and student literature

Direct: Big Lottery Fund in direct agency hunt.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The Big Lottery Fund, which is responsible for distributing half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery, is looking to appoint a direct marketing agency. The not-for-profit organisation has invited agencies to pitch for...

Direct: Cancer charity in 'detection' drive.(Christie's)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Manchester cancer charity Christie's is running a direct-response campaign to raise awareness about how the early detection of cancer can increase survival rates. The campaign, created by McCann Erickson Communications House, uses the...

Direct: Aviva asset firm hands job to SFW.(Stephens Francis Whitson)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Aviva's asset-management brand, Morley, has appointed direct specialist Stephens Francis Whitson (SFW) as its lead UK marketing communications agency. The appointment comes as part of a wider review of Morley's agency arrangements. The...

Direct Choice: Carphone Warehouse.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... My partner Karen received this well thought-out mailing from Carphone Warehouse. Seemingly geared to female consumers, the piece is presented in the style of OK! and features personalised headlines. Front-page exclusive 'Motorola V220...

Direct Brief: Royal Mail reports rise in direct mail.(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Royal Mail has reported a 9% year-on-year rise in the use of direct mail by UK charities in the fourth quarter of 2006. More than 132m pieces of direct mail were sent by charities during the period

Direct Brief: Water brand One runs campaign.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... One, the ethical water brand, is running a sampling campaign to mark World Water Day. The drive, called 'Switch for Africa', will offer consumers the chance to trade empty branded water bottles for a bottle of One

Direct Brief: The AAR hires head of direct marketing.(appointment of Tony Spong)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The AAR has hired Tony Spong as head of direct marketing, sales promotion and integrated marketing. Spong joins from Royal Mail, where he was media consultant. He replaces Julie Constable, who left for rival Agency Insight earlier this year

Direct Brief: Cats Protection launches campaign.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Cats Protection is launching a campaign encouraging people to recycle to raise funds. The feline welfare charity, which is in its 80th year, will receive a donation when supporters send printer cartridges and mobile phones to waste-management...

Direct Brief: The Arts Council England hires 23red Central.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The Arts Council England has tasked 23red Central with handling an integrated awareness-building campaign for the East Midlands. The activity will promote the work of Creative Partnerships, a joint venture by the Department of Culture, Media...

Direct Brief: Kepak hires REL Field Marketing.
March 28, 2007... Kepak, which owns food brands Rustlers and Speedy Snacks, has hired REL Field Marketing to handle its retail support activity across England and Wales

Direct Brief: Guide Dogs Association targets warm donors.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is targeting warm donors with a direct campaign created by TDA. The work features a photo diary of a 17 year-old and her guide dog

Direct Brief: WebEx appoints DNX.
March 28, 2007... WebEx, an online meeting and collaborative services brand, has appointed DNX to handle its pounds 2.5m pan-European direct account without a pitch

Digital: Sky iTV sales rival launches.(Chellomedia)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Sky is facing fresh competition in the interactive TV (iTV) ad market with the launch of a rival red-button service from Chellomedia. The Liberty Global-owned firm will go head-to-head with Sky by selling the bandwidth necessary for...

Digital: AA backs Yahoo! Answers section.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... The AA is to sponsor the automotive section of Yahoo! Answers in one of the biggest partnership deals secured by the social search engine. The tie, brokered by i-level, will see the breakdown cover specialist supply a team of experts to...

Digital Choice: O2 blueroom clubhouse.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... When it comes to well-timed sponsorship deals, the appearance of O2's logo on the shirts of the England rugby team at the last World Cup was right on the money. For rugby fans across the nation, the brand will be entwined forever with...

Digital brief: Mercedes-Benz runs online campaign.
March 28, 2007... Mercedes-Benz is running an online campaign through Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions to promote its E-Class. The work comprises a microsite charting the progress of former England rugby captain Martin Johnson on a European road trip

Digital brief: Coull TV launches advertiser-supported video player.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Coull TV has launched an advertiser-supported video player that can be embedded into any website or social network. The player allows web users to search for and directly click on moving objects during online video clips

Digital brief: Maserati rolls out mobile campaign.(Maserati Automobiles Inc.)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Maserati, the Italian car marque, is rolling out a mobile campaign to back the launch of its Quattroporte Automatic. The initiative, being run by 10Duke, allows consumers to receive exclusive video footage direct to their mobile phone

Digital brief: Quorn overhauls its website.(Fuse Digital)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Quorn has overhauled its website to coincide with the launch of its latest TV campaign. The revamped site, created by Fuse Digital, will reflect the repositioning of the brand as a meat alternative

Digital brief: British Eurosport creates online prediction game.(Top the Podium)(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... British Eurosport has created an online prediction game called 'Top the Podium', challenging motorcycle fans to forecast race results for the forthcoming 2007 World Superbike season

Digital brief: LoveHoney.co.uk launches Sex Toys TV.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... LoveHoney.co.uk has launched what it claims to be the first online TV channel dedicated to sex toys. Sex Toys TV features product demonstrations and advice on how to buy and use the products

Digital brief: Big Chill appoints Cake.(Brief article)
March 28, 2007... Big Chill, the festival and record label, has appointed Cake as its digital and marketing consultant. Cake will implement a plan that focuses on brand integration to maximise Big Chill's assets

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Clicks Are Losing Measure of the Web
March 28, 2007... Anyone who has spent any time working in digital starts to look differently at change, and it's sometimes hard to take seriously what are seen as ground-shaking moves in traditional media - a newspaper moving to a smaller format, a radio station...

News Analysis: When Celebrities Behave Badly
March 28, 2007... From Freddie's drunken antics to Jade's bullying, what does it take for a brand to drop a star? Pints and pedalos patently do not mix. It was a lesson England cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff learnt last week when he ended up in the drink,...