Marketing articles from March 2009

Marketing archives from March 2009

BA poised to swoop for ex-HSBC chief Boulton.(British Airways PLC)(Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.)(James Boulton)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... British Airways has lined up former HBOS and HSBC marketer James Boulton to be its global marketing director. Boulton, who unexpectedly resigned from his position as HSBC's UK marketing director two weeks ago, has completed the airline's...

Lund will keep DLKW stake.(Mark Lund)(DLKW Dialogue)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Mark Lund, the soon-to-be chief executive of the COI, will retain a financial interest in DLKW, the full-service agency he co-founded nine years ago with Greg Delaney, Tom Knox and Richard Warren, once he takes up the position in June. ...

Waitrose to launch lower-cost products.(MCBD)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Waitrose is entering the supermarket price war with the launch of a lower-priced, everyday food range. Essentials, which will go into stores next Monday (9 March), will be competitively priced, but not as cheap as other supermarket economy...

Stansted sell-off at risk from no-frills demands.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Pressure from budget airlines to cut check-in and boarding times at Stansted may damage any attempt by owner and operator BAA to sell the airport. With passenger numbers down and short dwell-times limiting the benefits for retailers,...

Red Bull drafts in Krieglstein.(Tim Krieglstein has been appointed)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Red Bull has appointed Tim Krieglstein as UK marketing director following the departure of Anoushka Feiler last November. Krieglstein, who will oversee UK marketing for Red Bull drinks, brand and sponsorship activities, has been drafted in...

Tropicana in Channel 4 tie.(advertising partnership )(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Tropicana has agreed an exclusive advertising partnership with Channel 4 to jointly promote the juice brand's Pure Premium range. The deal will include co-produced TV ads incorporating the channel4.com/food logo, with the aim of driving...

National Trust rolls out fresh strapline.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... The National Trust will promote value for money and simple pleasures with the launch of the brand strapline, 'Time well spent'. The drive, which will evolve over six months, is intended to attract first-time visitors to the Trust's...

Tesco to scrap in-store TV network presence.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Tesco is shutting down its in-store TV network, five years after the service was launched with the claim it would revolutionise retail marketing. The supermarket said the decision was taken because the equipment was 'outdated and...

Aviva flags up tailored focus.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Aviva is to launch its first global marketing campaign as it positions the brand as dedicated to customers' individual needs. The ads are intended to demonstrate that Aviva, which will replace the Norwich Union brand in the UK from 1 June,...

Foster's chief takes wine job.(James Lousada has been appointed at Constellation Europe)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... James Lousada, marketing director of Foster's EMEA, has left the company to become senior vice-president of marketing and business development at Europe's biggest wine business, Constellation Europe. Lousada, who is now on gardening leave,...

The week in marketing.(advertising campaign for Fatboy Slim's band)(Royal Bank of Scotland)(Ed Owen will left Somerfield PLC)
March 4, 2009... - Fatboy Slim ad push. Fatboy Slim's band, The Brighton Port Authority, is launching a digital banner ad campaign through agency Silence. The ad allows consumers to watch the promotional video for the band's latest single, He's Frank,...

Media: Paramount shifts to Central brand.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Viacom has hired Karmarama to oversee the creation of a fresh identity and to provide marketing support for the rebranding of Paramount Comedy to its international comedy brand Comedy Central. The channel, aimed at 16- to 34-year-olds, will...

Media: Kids' charity in film tie-up.(Action for Children )(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Action for Children is offering free tickets for selected films in a tie-up with Digital Cinema Media. A poster, flyer and cardboard cut-out campaign in cinema foyers directs movie fans to the charity's website, where tickets for films...

Media: MTV partners Zara for men's clothing range.
March 4, 2009... MTV is launching a line of men's clothing with high-street retailer Zara. The Streetmuse range will feature designs based on the MTV logo. It will be aimed at the Viacom-owned channel's core audience of 16- to 24-year-olds. The line,...

Media Road Test: Spotify.(online music services)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... - What's new? The online music service has become open-access after a successful invitation-only trial. Users can search for individual tracks, listen to them online and create playlists to share with friends. Playlists are interspersed...

Media brief: Woman & Home redesigns website.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Woman & Home, a magazine targeting affluent women in their 40s, has redesigned its website and created fresh formats for advertisers. There will also be cross-platform opportunities for advertisers seeking to run campaigns both on the website...

Media brief: William Hill launches campaign.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... William Hill has launched a six-sheet campaign to target gamblers during next week's Cheltenham Festival horse-racing event. The push will run nationally and offer a pounds 30 free bet on placement of a pounds 10 wager. ...

Media brief: UKTV acquires British broadcast rights to series.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... UKTV has acquired the British broadcast rights to the eighth series of ABC's Dancing with the Stars from BBC Worldwide. The broadcaster will air the programme on its rebranded family entertainment channel, Watch The show features celebrities...

Media brief: Mail Online launches dating service.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Mail Online has launched a dating service, MailDating.co.uk, as part of an attempt to draw more people to its website. The service has been developed in-house and uses image-based technology to help users find like-minded people in their area....

Media brief: BlackBerry awards account to Starcom MediaVest Group.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... BlackBerry has awarded its European media planning and buying account to Starcom MediaVest Group without a pitch. The appointment comes as it aligns its marketing strategy with parent company Research In Motion. -------------------- ...

Branding: Sainsbury's lines up design roster.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Sainsbury's has drawn up a fresh design agency roster to lead a revamp of its own-brand packaging. The supermarket initiated a design roster review in May last year, and head of packaging design Laura Tovey-Keane has now appointed Br&Me,...

Branding: Tesco debuts 'My' offering.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Tesco has launched a department store brand in Eastern Europe. The retailer's 'My' concept, where each store is named after its host city, has made its debut in the Czech Republic. The first store, My Liberec, opened its doors last week,...

Branding: eBay assigns Europe work.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Auctions and shopping website eBay has appointed branding agency The Partners to oversee the visual brand development of its sites across Europe. The agency was first hired in May 2008 to lead a design overhaul of the UK site. It created a...

Branding: Brand in the news - Daily Mail.
March 4, 2009... Which of these headlines is a spoof? 'English horses being sent to France to be eaten' 'Asylum seekers are eating our pets' It's the second one, which appeared as a faux Daily Mail headline in sitcom Extras. Yet, as mad as it...

Branding brief: Coca-Cola commissions designer to create bottle.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Coca-Cola has commissioned designer Manolo Blahnik to create a limited-edition bottle for Coca-Cola Light to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Only 10,000 of the bottles, featuring a pattern of red stiletto shoes, are being released. ...

Branding brief: Somerfield revamps own-label chilled meals.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Somerfield, the supermarket chain that is in the process of being taken over by The Co-operative Group, has revamped its own-label chilled ready meals. The redesign affects 90 lines across seven ranges. Branding consultancy Gilchrist...

Branding brief: Linda McCartney redesigns packaging.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Linda McCartney, the vegetarian food range, is rolling out redesigned packaging featuring the tagline 'Food to come home to'. The new look, which includes a bigger 'heart' logo, was created by food packaging design specialist Irving. ...

Branding brief: Mars Drinks relaunches Flavia.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Mars Drinks has relaunched Flavia, its hot-drinks brand aimed at office workers. The revamp, including an updated logo and packaging, is intended to communicate the freshness, choice and convenience of the range. The ad strapline 'Think fresh!'...

Branding brief: Movenpick revamps UK range.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Movenpick, the Swiss luxury ice-cream brand, is revamping its UK range to emphasise its quality and flavours. The brand, which targets the corporate hospitality market, is to roll out an updated logo, brochure and point-of-sale materials. ...

Digital & Direct: The Share Centre appoints agency.(The Brooklyn Brothers )(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... The Share Centre, an independent share-dealing service, has hired The Brooklyn Brothers to handle its advertising, direct marketing and digital communications. The agency's appointment was overseen by Guy Knight, marketing director at The...

Digital & Direct: Carter slams Virgin Media.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Stephen Carter, the government's communications minister, has insisted that Virgin Media's planned broadband roll-out will not create universal digital access in the UK. Speaking at the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the...

Digital & Direct: Spotify plans mobile offer.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Online music streaming site Spotify plans to launch a mobile service this year. The Swedish start-up has hired Gustav Soderstrom, former product director and business development director at Yahoo! Mobile, to lead the development. ...

Digital & Direct: Digital choice - Mazda.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... This microsite is an excellent example of campaign integration for the enhanced Mazda 2 model. While the site stands alone, it also extends the TV ad and very clearly targets metropolitan young men, taking visitors on a journey through a...

Digital & Direct brief: IPC Media study.(social networking sites used more often by women)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... An IPC Media study has shown that the number of UK women who regularly use social networking sites is up 53% on 2007. Two-thirds of woman cite social networking as a 'regular' online activity, compared with 43% last year. ...

Digital & Direct brief: Nokia seeks voluntary redundancy candidates.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Nokia is seeking 1000 candidates for voluntary redundancy as part of a global restructuring plan. The mobile handset manufacturer said the intention was to lessen the need for compulsory lay-offs. -------------------- Did you find this...

Digital & Direct brief: Signet appoints I Spy Search.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Signet has appointed I Spy Search to handle paid search for the websites of its H Samuel and Ernest Jones jewellery retail chains. The agency won the business from Big Mouth Media following a pitch. -------------------- Did you find...

Digital & Direct brief: BLM Red hires Dan Chapman.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... BLM Red has hired Dan Chapman, the digital commercial development manager of Wallpaper*, as its first head of digital, with a brief to accelerate online advertising among luxury brand clients. -------------------- Did you find this...

Digital & Direct brief: Appointment at WhiteLabelDating.com.(Rick Jones)(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... WhiteLabelDating.com, a company that enables brands to start their own dating sites, has hired Rick Jones, currently head of marketing at John Lewis arm Greenbee.com, as its first marketing director. -------------------- Did you find...

Digital & Direct brief: Lexus GB launches direct campaign.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... Lexus GB has launched a direct and digital campaign to promote its IS 220d SE model. The push was created by integrated agency Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw, and will comprise email, direct mail activity, and a microsite. ...

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: It's the same difference.
March 4, 2009... The web's bent toward commonality may ultimately hinder consumer receptiveness to new brands. In a 1754 letter, the writer and politician Horace Walpole coined the term 'serendipity' - a word he derived from an old Persian tale, The Three...

News Analysis: Lost in murky waters.
March 4, 2009... Seafood marketers are struggling to achieve a clarity of consumer message, writes Alex Brownsell. Foreign visitors to Britain must be shocked to find how uninterested the population of this island nation remains in the contents of the...

News Analysis: Passing visits hit earnings.
March 4, 2009... Comparison sites are starting to struggle to turn searches into revenues, writes Miranda Fitzgerald. Price-comparison sites may have recorded a dramatic increase in traffic from consumers seeking to cut their household spending, but they...

Media Analysis: Held to ransom.
March 4, 2009... Big advertisers are putting pressure on media owners to extend payment terms. As the financial house of cards continues to tumble, some advertisers are attempting to improve their cash flow by asking media owners to extend credit payment...

Amanda Andrews on Media: ITV's shock tactics.(ITV PLC)
March 4, 2009... The idea of a merger with C4 and Five grabbed the headlines, but solid proposals are now needed. The UK media landscape is transforming and the unthinkable is happening: national newspaper rivals are about to start sharing offices, ITV is...

Brand in Remission: Kit Kat.
March 4, 2009... The Nestle brand has reversed a sales decline by focusing on fewer variants, writes Gemma Charles. Remember Kit Kat Kubes or its 'low-carb' variant, no doubt inspired by the popularity of the Atkins diet? It is likely that you were...

Mark Ritson on Branding: Tesco finds US not so easy.
March 4, 2009... The retailer's pre-launch research for its Fresh & Easy stores has turned out to be a little off kilter. When Tesco entered the US 18 months ago with Fresh & Easy, most marketers had a Natalie Imbruglia moment. On the one hand, this was...

Recall: Adwatch 04.03.09.(Statistical table)(Survey)
March 4, 2009... Marketing's unique weekly analysis of advertisement recall in association with tns. Q Which of the following TV commercials do you remember seeing recently? 25.02 Brand Agency/TV buyer % ...

Recall: Adwatch 04.03.09 - Velvet.
March 4, 2009... In a departure for Fallon, this ad goes back to basics - and the result is faultless success. When you think of Fallon you think of 'Gorilla', Sony 'Balls', and jelly babies: surreal anti-humour that gets lots of PR. You don't think of...

Profile: Preparing to go public.(dialogue with Mark Lund)(Interview)
March 4, 2009... Mark Lund, the COI's incoming chief executive, is keen to dismiss claims he is just another old-school adman. Interview by Gemma Charles. Mark Lund got wind of his new job when a headhunter called and asked whether he knew anyone who would...

Opinion: The Marketing Society Forum - Will lager drinkers care about the provenance of their beer?
March 4, 2009... Carling plans to highlight its local origins in advertising in regional markets. Will this emphasis tip the balance of the drinks market in its favour, or will it fail to register with pub regulars? NO - CHRIS AMBLER, MANAGING DIRECTOR,...

Editor's comment: pounds 1 for O'Leary's thoughts.(Michael O'Leary)(Editorial)
March 4, 2009... Why does Ryanair appear to give so little thought to either its marketing or its customer service? Its behaviour is just so out of sync with that of most other companies, which place both at the heart of everything they do, that the majority of...

Strategy: And now, the good news.
March 4, 2009... Not all brands are suffering from recession depression - in fact, some are flourishing in the current climate, writes Nicola Clark. Welcome to the new age of austerity. If social commentators are to be believed, indebted UK consumers are...

Sector Insight: Oral hygiene - NPD keeps oral hygiene fresh.(Market overview)(Statistical data)
March 4, 2009... The growth of the oral hygiene market is being driven by public awareness of dental health, as well as product innovation, writes Jane Bainbridge. From TV programmes such as How to Look Good Naked to magazine articles in Grazia, there is...

Packaging: Design for life.
March 4, 2009... Consumers are making more purchasing choices in-store due to the downturn - and as they seek to differentiate between brands, the right packaging could be the deciding factor, writes Scott Billings. Consumers in Sainsbury's, who may already...

Helpline.
March 4, 2009... Joe Thomas takes the hassle out of finding the right product or service - you ask the question, he'll provide the answer. UNIQUE USBS Q: We would like to showcase some of our work to potential clients via USB. Who could help with...

Careers: What's it really like inside - Mysinglefriend.com.(Interview)
March 4, 2009... - How do you come up with new marketing ideas? For our Valentine's Day campaign last month, we asked our members how they felt about the occasion, and let their answers lead the activity The result was a viral campaign featuring a 'hostage...

Careers: Brand manager of the week - Tim Dixon, Head of brand, More Th>n.(Interview)
March 4, 2009... - Describe yourself in three words. Positive, motivated, collaborative. - How would you define marketing? The crazy world in which we try to identify customers' needs and meet them. Sounds simple. - Which ad campaign do you...

Careers: Me & My Mentor - Will Abbott, Marketing and communications director, Freesat.(Brief article)(Column)
March 4, 2009... I've been lucky enough to work with lots of brilliant people over the years, so it's hard to pick out just one. Freesat managing director Emma Scott has been incredibly important. Her vision, drive and humour help make working at Freesat...

Marketing Mole: Who does Google think you are? - Kevin Brennan, UK marketing director and manager, Kellogg.(Brief article)
March 4, 2009... - The first and fourth results are links to Theyworkforyou.com referring to Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West. The first is a sponsored search result. - The second link is to the MP's website. - The third listing is for a US...

We'll Call You - Swiftcover.
March 4, 2009... Unlike the face of Swiftcover, Iggy Pop, we have never had a drug problem or been into self-mutilation, so what is its problem with 'multi-instrumentalists'? Swiftcover Good morning, (name) speaking. How may I help? Mktg Hi. I'm just...

Name that brand.
March 4, 2009... This consumer electricals product was launched in 2001, and its name is said to derive from the classic Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Since then, the brand's memorable advertising campaigns and signature click wheel have...

ISBA slams EU energy proposal as 'misguided'.(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... The European Parliament is considering proposals to force all ads for energy-consuming products to carry efficiency information for the first time. One amendment to the Energy Labelling Directive would extend the legislation beyond...

Passport Service hires ex-Lloyds chief.
March 11, 2009... The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has appointed former Lloyds TSB marketer Alan Gilmour to the new position of director of marketing and customer insight. He will head a high-profile drive backing its identity card scheme. The first...

BBC host in Unilever row.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... John Humphrys, the broadcaster, has criticised the use of footage of a debate he chaired to promote Unilever spreads. The footage features on a website that supports ads for Unilever brands, including Flora, which promotes them as being low...

London retailers call on mayor to promote city.
March 11, 2009... London's most prominent retailers, including John Lewis, Harrods and the Westfield shopping centre, have called on the capital's mayor, Boris Johnson, to boost investment in promoting the city during the recession. In a joint letter, the...

British Gas appoints Landor.(Landor Associates)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... British Gas has hired Landor Associates to work on a major branding project, following a pitch against Lambie Nairn and Interbrand. Landor will join British Gas' roster of lead agencies, which includes CHI & Partners, OgilvyOne and Carat....

Barclays plots 'small step' ad.(Barclays Bank PLC)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Barclays is set to launch a campaign, created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty that repositions the brand as a one-stop shop for achieving financial security, under the strapline 'One small step'. The push, rolling out in the next 10 days, is being...

Asda recruits McCain marketing chief.(McCain Foods)(ASDA Group Ltd. appoints Simon Eyles)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Simon Eyles, McCain Foods' marketing director, is leaving the frozen-food business to join Asda. The position is new and his job title is head of Asda brand marketing. Eyles will take up the role at the supermarket next month. His...

Coca-Cola's interest in Innocent splits opinion.
March 11, 2009... Reports that Coca-Cola is in talks with Innocent about acquiring a stake in the smoothies brand have drawn a mixed reaction from industry experts. According to sources close to the deal, the investment could be worth about pounds 30m and...

Philips picks shop for F1 tie.(Philips U.K. Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Philips has hired sponsorship consultancy Synergy to handle its sponsorship of the AT&T Williams Formula One team. The account will be managed by Scott Garrett, who joins the agency from the Williams team, where he worked as head of...

UK marketers plan cutbacks.(Survey)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Almost 60% of the UK's leading marketers plan to cut their marketing spend in response to the economic downturn. Marketing's inaugural readers' survey revealed that 58% of marketers are cutting back on marketing activity because of the...

The week in marketing.(British Music Experience)(Amsterdam Worldwide)(briefs)
March 11, 2009... - Music exhibit debuts. The British Music Experience, the UK's only permanent interactive music exhibition, opened at London's The O2 this week. A campaign to promote the exhibition broke last week with national press and online activity...

Media: Vodafone reins in outdoor activity.
March 11, 2009... Vodafone is significantly scaling back its use of branded poster sites, marking a shift in its strategy. In May 2007, the mobile operator announced that it had gained exclusive use of 1000 outdoor sites, predominantly around major...

Media: TDA debuts teachers' title.(Training and Development Agency)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has launched a free magazine targeting teachers. Professional Teacher will be published by customer publishing house Seven Squared three times a year. Articles will be based on recent...

Media: BBC draws up World Service agency shortlist.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(DDB)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... The BBC is seeking an ad agency to increase the marketing activity around its BBC World Service brand. The broadcaster has held a pitch and drawn up a final shortlist comprising DDB and Fallon. An appointment is expected this week. The...

Media Road Test: Red Riding.(Channel 4)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... - What's new? Channel 4 is aiming to create a 'Yorkshire noir' genre with its drama trilogy, Red Riding. Based on the novels of David Peace, Sean Bean heads a cast that includes Warren Clarke and David Morrissey. The first episode painted...

Media brief: Homebase to axe quarterly magazine.(Homebase Ideas)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Homebase is axing its paid-for quarterly magazine Homebase Ideas, published by Redwood, after six years. The last issue of the magazine, which has a circulation of more than 400,000, will be published on 16 March. Redwood had been producing the...

Media brief: BBC Worldwide strikes deal with Picturehouse Cinemas.(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... BBC Worldwide has struck a deal with Picturehouse Cinemas to screen its children's programme In the Night Garden ahead of a DVD release. The tie-up will include three fortnightly screenings at 18 Picturehouse Cinemas. --------------------...

Media brief: Five to merge marketing departments.(FiveTV)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Five is to merge its marketing departments as part of a wider restructure. The broadcaster said it may have to make up to 87 job cuts, which will include some marketing roles. Five's current on-air and off-air marketing teams will be replaced...

Media brief: Xfm Network teams up with Mars Planets.(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Xfm Network, part of Global Radio, has teamed up with chocolate brand Mars Planets for a year-long sponsorship deal. The marketing initiative will run across Xfm London and Manchester. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Media brief: Dulux teams up with ITV and The Sun.(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Dulux has teamed up with ITV and The Sun to launch a campaign encouraging people to decorate their homes. The tie-up, negotiated by MediaCom, started this week with a series of 60-second ads on ITV1. An initiative asking people to 'pick up...

Branding: Schwartz to push healthy benefits.(Grey Paris)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... Schwartz, the herbs and spices brand, is repositioning its product range to highlight its nutritional credentials. Marketing for the brand, which is owned by McCormick, has previously focused on the taste of each herb and spice, with...

Branding: McCain adds vegetable line.(McCain Foods Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... McCain Foods is targeting a share of the frozen vegetable market with the launch of the sub-brand Express. The microwaveable range, which rolls out this month, is aimed at busy professionals with little time to prepare food, but who are...

Branding: FA updates England crest.(Football Association)(Brief article)
March 11, 2009... The Football Association (FA) has unveiled a revamped 'Three Lions' crest, to be worn by the England football team from later this month. The badge has been redrawn to make the lions appear more natural, and their claws and tongues...