Marketing articles from May 2009

Marketing archives from May 2009

OFT investigation halts Ryanair ad complaints.(United Kingdom. Office of Fair Trading)(Law overview)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is not investigating more than 100 complaints made about Ryanair ads, thereby effectively giving the airline carte blanche with its advertising. In April 2008, the ASA referred the airline to the...

Aegon to play on tennis tie.(AEGON N.V.)(Lawn Tennis Association)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Pension and investments company Aegon will use its pounds 30m, five-year sponsorship deal with the Lawn Tennis Association to introduce itself as a consumer brand. The activity will begin with a national press and outdoor ad campaign...

P&G to run multibrand 'makeover' ads.
May 27, 2009... Procter & Gamble (P&G) is to launch a multibrand UK TV campaign, a first for the domestic market. The 'Max Factor Makeover Break' takes the form of a 'real-life' makeover show, comprising three 90-second spots shown over consecutive...

C4 and Sky Weigh Up Ad Sales Team Merger
May 27, 2009... As the pair target cost-cuts, where does it leave advertisers? Channel 4 and Sky have emerged as the latest broadcasters to discuss merging their ad sales teams to cut costs as ad revenues decline. For both broadcasters, the appeal of a...

Samsung Mobile seals Bebo content tie.(Octagon Marketing)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Samsung Mobile has signed the UK's biggest branded content partnership with social networking site Bebo to take on Nokia and Sony Ericsson in the music market. Under the deal, overseen by marketing agency Octagon, Samsung will sponsor...

PC World Shifts Focus to Brand over Products
May 27, 2009... PC World is breaking away from its previous advertising strategy of showcasing individual products and deals to launch a brand-led campaign. The ads, which break this week, will aim to show how technology helps consumers indulge their passions....

Npower seeks single agency.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Npower is to consolidate all its marketing communications into a single agency. Npower's pounds 9.5m ad account is handled by Beattie McGuinness Bungay; its direct marketing by EHS Brann; and digital by Grand Union, none of which has been...

Mothercare appoints BBH.(Bartle Bogle Hegarty Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Mothercare plc, which owns Mothercare and Early Learning Centre (ELC), has appointed ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) to work on a project for the Mothercare brand. It is believed that the work will centre on the brand's plans to...

The Week in Marketing
May 27, 2009... - Red Cross labels it. The British Red Cross has enlisted actor Dougray Scott to raise awareness of Refugee Week. The charity is asking people to change their online status, across social networks, instant messaging services and email, to...

Hello! to publish issues on Monday.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Hello! magazine is changing its publication date from Tuesday to Monday in an attempt to bolster sales. The change will come into effect with the next issue, which is published on 1 June. The switch will be supported by a tie-in with...

Constellation in C4 food tie.(Constellation Europe Ltd.)(Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Constellation Europe is to sponsor Channel 4's reality TV show, Come Dine With Me, through its Echo Falls, Kumala and Hardys wine brands. The sponsorship covers both Channel 4 and More4 transmissions, as well as 4oD, online and...

Carpetright seals House sponsorship on Sky.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Carpetright has agreed a pounds 450,000 deal with Sky to sponsor the latest series of US medical drama House. The tie-up, which covers original broadcasts of the show on Sky1 as well as repeats on Hallmark, follows the carpet retailer's...

Media Road Test: Your M&S 125th birthday issue.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... - What's new? The 125th birthday issue of the magazine takes the consumer back in time, with the original Marks & Spencer logo on the cover. A birthday feature introduces a range of limited-edition nostalgia products which will be...

ITV to relaunch mobile site.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... ITV is relaunching its mobile site after appointing mobile internet specialist Kilrush to handle the brief. Kilrush, which is part of the Mobile Interactive Group, won the 12-month contract after a pitch. -------------------- Did you...

London Evening Standard signs sponsorship deal.
May 27, 2009... The London Evening Standard has signed a sponsorship deal with the Brit Oval cricket ground. The newspaper, which relaunched earlier this month, will sponsor Twenty20 Cup matches played at the ground. -------------------- Did you...

UTV Media completes acquisition of Sport.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... UTV Media, which owns TalkSport and the Northern Ireland ITV franchise, has completed its acquisition of the free weekly magazine Sport. The title is set to return to London streets on 12 June. -------------------- Did you find this...

The Guardian regains position as most-read online newspaper.(Telegraph Media )(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... The Guardian has regained its position as the most-read UK online newspaper. It recorded a 4% lift in unique monthly users to 27.3m, according to ABC figures for April. The website for Telegraph Media Group dropped 14% to 23.9m in the same...

Sky Media's deputy managing director made redundant.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC. Sky Media)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Sky Media's deputy managing director, Paul Curtis, has been made redundant as part of a restructure at the BSkyB-owned ad sales house Nick Milligan, Sky Media's managing director, will take sole charge of the company. ...

San Miguel targets commuters with magazine launch.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... San Miguel, the Spanish beer brand, is targeting commuters with the launch of a 16-page magazine. It will have a print-run of 500,000 copies and be distributed in London and regional commuter hubs from this week. -------------------- ...

BAA in talks over Gatwick 'debrand' talks.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Airport operator BAA is in discussions with branding agencies about the implementation of a complete 'debrand' of Gatwick airport ahead of its future sale. BAA has been instructed by the Competition Commission that it must sell Gatwick...

Millie's plans brand revamp.(Millie's Cookies)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Millie's Cookies has refreshed its global brand identity to strengthen its appeal to its core consumer base of 16- to 25-year-old women. The overhauled design uses 'bright, fresh and feminine' colours, in a contemporary style to create a...

Intersport to update stores.(Cada Design Group)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Leisure retailer Intersport is rolling out a fresh store concept to draw attention to specific brands and improve its customer experience. The interior, created by Cada Design Group, features a white background with blue lighting that...

Brand in the news: Walkman.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... I think Walkman is a great lesson in not resting on branding laurels. We talk about equities, but sometimes fail to address the rapidly moving context in which they exist. We should never forget its place in the branding hall of fame. I...

Tango rolls out fresh packaging.(Blue Marlin)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Tango is rolling out fresh packaging for its soft-drinks range. The design, by Blue Marlin, reinforces the brand's irreverent and fun positioning with images of exploding fruit on a black-and-white background. The revamp aims to increase...

Constellation adds variants to Echo Falls range.(Constellation Europe Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Constellation Europe, the wine manufacturer, is adding two variants to its Echo Falls range. Echo Falls was launched five years ago as a Californian wine brand, but will now feature Chilean Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz wines. The launch will be...

Medi-Clinic appoints Landor.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Medi-Clinic, a private healthcare provider, has appointed design agency Landor to create a global brand following a pitch. Medi-Clinic has briefed Landor to devise an identity that illustrates the difference it makes to people's lives. ...

McVitie's launches Mini Croissants.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... McVitie's is launching a range of Mini Croissants aimed at consumers who eat breakfast on the move. The range comprises two variants, Chocolate and Strawberry, and uses brightly coloured packaging created by design consultancy Chilli. ...

Honey Monster Foods to launch limited-edition cereal.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Honey Monster Foods, the manufacturer of breakfast-cereal brand Sugar Puffs, is set to launch its first limited-edition cereal, Banana Puffs. The summer roll-out will be supported by a pounds 1m campaign, as well as sponsorship of the WWE...

S&N backs lagers via in-store trials.(Scottish & Newcastle Breweries PL)(BEcause)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) has launched a 16-month experiential campaign for its Foster's and Kronenbourg 1664 lager brands. The campaign, created by BEcause, will run in major supermarkets and aims to drive 144,000 consumer trials of...

COI puts teen ads on buses.(Central Office of Information)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Stagecoach, the bus company, is to offer free ad space to the COI for its 'RUThinking?' teen pregnancy campaign. The campaign is intended to help teenagers make informed choices about relationships and sex. The ads for it list a...

Lloyds TSB in 2012 website.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Lloyds TSB is supporting its tier-one sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic Games with a dedicated microsite. The site will act as a central hub for the bank's tie-up with the event Activities include its Local Heroes programme, a...

Digital choice: Google Latitude.(Google UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Google's location-tracking software, Latitude, caused a major stir among privacy groups and MPs on its launch earlier this year. It allows you to find the whereabouts of friends and share your location with them using Google Maps on your...

TfL launches online departure boards.(Transport for London)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Transport for London has launched online departure boards that show live travel information. They are accessible through a computer or mobile phone, and can be used to plan a journey on the Tube, DLR and River services. ...

Play.com launches credit card.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Play.com has launched a credit card, which includes a PlayPoints reward scheme. In a tie-up with banking partner MBNA, the Play.com card offers users two PlayPoints for every pounds 1 spent on Play.com, and one for every pounds 1 spent...

Shop Direct Group targets women with website.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Shop Direct Group is to launch a fashion and homes website targeting women. The group has tasked The Observatory with finding a creative agency to oversee the launch. A shortlist of four has already been selected. --------------------...

Hewlett-Packard appoints Ideas-to-Market.(Hewlett-Packard Europe)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Hewlett-Packard (HP) has appointed digital agency Ideas-to-Market for a major push within the retail sector following a pitch. The agency will work with leading retailers such as Boots, as well as photography stores in the UK and mainland...

Norwich Union set to change website address.(Aviva.co.uk)(Foolproof)(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... Norwich Union, the UK's biggest insurer, is set to change its customer website address to Aviva.co.uk on 1 June. The switchover coincides with the insurance brand's name-change to Aviva. Digital agency Foolproof has conducted user research to...

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: On-Demand, Off-Budget
May 27, 2009... Video-on-demand is popular with consumers, but less so with broadcasters fighting for ad revenue. If you build it, he will come. The voice heard by Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams could have been the inspiration for a thousand dotcoms -...

The Thinkboxes Winner for April 2009: Pure TV Brilliance from Comparethemarket.Com
May 27, 2009... Aleksandr Orlov shot to fame as the face of comparethemeerkat.com, the website he claims is consistently confused with price-comparison site comparethemarket.com, much to his annoyance. In this third spot in the acclaimed campaign by ad...

Sun, Sea and Rebrands
May 27, 2009... Seaside towns are shaking up their image to lure newcomers and overseas visitors. UK seaside towns are getting a much-needed makeover in an attempt to attract cash-strapped consumers. Resorts including Blackpool, Southend-on-Sea and Brighton...

Northern Rock in Retreat
May 27, 2009... By stalling its marketing, the bank is, perhaps deliberately, courting obscurity. The departure earlier this month of David Henderson, director of advertising at state-owned bank Northern Rock, is the clearest indication yet that the...

The Power of the Press
May 27, 2009... The Telegraph's recent scoops have shown that newspapers are far from moribund. The Daily Telegraph's recent revelations on MPs' expenses have not only claimed the scalp of House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin and brought Parliament's...

Amanda Andrews on Media: Pick a Name
May 27, 2009... UKTV's recent spate of channel overhauls demonstrates the hit-and-miss nature of rebranding. Many media groups have undergone major rebranding exercises in the past year as they seek to rise above the downturn. One of these was UKTV. Its...

Setanta
May 27, 2009... A shaky 12 months has left the sports broadcaster on the ropes. Can it fight back? The tale of Setanta's origins is the stuff of folklore. Two Irish ex-pats living in London found they couldn't watch the Republic of Ireland vs Holland match...

Mark Ritson on Branding: Ford's Clarity of Focus
May 27, 2009... The car-maker is better-placed than many rivals due to judicious streamlining of its brand portfolio. Ford chief executive Alan Mulally is famous for one of the first decisions he made after joining the automotive company in 2006. Barely...

Adwatch 27.05.09.(Statistical table)(Survey)
May 27, 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? 20.05 Brand Agency/TV buyer % ...

Adwatch 27.05.09: The Co-Operative
May 27, 2009... This uninspired ad appears to be suffering from a lack of budget and creative freedom. The Co-op or, as it now seems to be calling itself, Co-operative, has made significant progress in the past couple of years regarding the quality of its...

Profile: Direct Route to Digital Diversity
May 27, 2009... Chris Lawson, brand director of Absolute Radio, is shaking off its Virgin past and embracing a digital future. Interview by Sarah Johnson. When Virgin Radio was sold last year, its new owner was contractually obliged to create a fresh brand...

Opinion: The Marketing Society Forum - Is Targeting Consumers Based on Their Class Still Relevant?
May 27, 2009... As Privilege car insurance targets the affluent 'new Joneses', and Strongbow aims its campaign at the UK's 'real grafters', marketing based on social class could be about to make a comeback. YES - WILL ORR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WCRS Anyone...

Editor's Comment: Power amid the Turbulence
May 27, 2009... Make no mistake: compiling Marketing's Power 100 is always a labour of love. This year the process was particularly taxing because there has been so much change in all areas of the industry. We are operating in a difficult market and any list of...

Power 100
May 27, 2009... The past 12 months have proved just how quickly the mighty can fall. Here is our rundown of those who, so far, have weathered the storm. Marketing's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the industry is the definitive guide to who...

Time and Cost Make a Mark
May 27, 2009... While shorter meal breaks are buoying sandwich chains, the recession is fuelling the revival of the packed lunch, writes Jane Bainbridge. How people spend their lunchtime varies considerably depending on where they live and what they do....

Helpline
May 27, 2009... Joe Thomas takes the hassle out of finding the right product or service - you ask the question, he'll provide the answer. MAKING A POINT Q: We want to plan point-of-sale for a consumer product launch. Is there anyone who can help? A:...

What It's Really like Inside: British Gas
May 27, 2009... - Describe the marketing team in three words. Very, very busy. - How do you come up with new marketing ideas? Nothing beats a great customer insight. - What is the main marketing challenge you face? There's always the danger of...

Brand Manager of the Week: Denise Wild, Lifestyle Marketing Manager, UKTV
May 27, 2009... - Describe yourself in three words. Organised, impatient, honest. - How would you define marketing? The strategy and tactics used to promote your brand and influence people's preferences. - What would you be if you weren't a brand...

Me & My Mentor: Miles Bingham, Business development director, Family Investments.(Brief article)
May 27, 2009... The individual who influenced me the most during my early days is Ambrose McGinn, former marketing director at Abbey National. He possessed a wonderful combination of intelligent decision-making and a real enthusiasm for the job - a...

Marketing Mole: Who Does Google Think You Are? - Ed Culf, Marketing Director, General Mills UK
May 27, 2009... - The first reference is to a profile of Culf in Marketing, written when he was three months into his current role. - The second is a listing on business directory Spoke.com. - The third result brings up an article from 2008 announcing...

Name that brand.
May 27, 2009... This retailer dates back to 19th-century Leeds, when it was set up by an immigrant from Minsk. Until 2000, it used a saintly logo on its own-brands. It has recently run high-profile value campaigns. Can you name the brand? Email your...

We'll Call You: Innocent Drinks
May 27, 2009... Last year's Village Fete was a hit with the family. Always keen to keep the nippers entertained, we were determined not to miss this year's event. Innocent Hello, this is the Banana Phone. Mktg Hi. I was looking to get tickets for this...

BA launches 'Revenue Labs' rapid reaction unit.(British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... British Airways has created a cross-business operational task force to make its positioning more responsive to market changes and encourage consumers to fly. The division, called Revenue Labs, is focusing on patriotism and positivity as part...

Corrie signs Warburtons.(Coronation Street)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Warburtons has become the first sponsor of Coronation Street's 50th anniversary, which takes place next year. Under the deal, the bread brand is entitled to use an exclusive promotional logo, style guide and collateral for on-pack, TV,...

Sony Ericsson axes Walkman mobiles.
May 20, 2009... Sony Ericsson plans to drop the flagship Walkman and Cyber-shot brands on its handsets in developed markets such as the UK. Andre Jacquet, head of global marketing business management, said that the message conveyed by the brand names was no...

Carlsberg Widens Sights to Liverpool FC Stadium
May 20, 2009... The brewer plans to add a naming-rights deal to its shirt tie-up, writes Ed Kemp. Carlsberg, the shirt sponsor of Liverpool FC, is eyeing a naming-rights sponsorship package if the club presses ahead with a move to a new stadium, as expected....

Tories snap up search terms.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... The Conservative Party is trying to gain the upper hand in the MPs' expenses row by buying up words on Google related to the scandal. The acquisitions follow a series of revelations by The Daily Telegraph detailing MPs' claims, which have...

Rock's chief departs role.(David Henderson leaves from Northern Rock PLC)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Northern Rock's most senior marketer, director of advertising David Henderson, has left the publicly owned bank. Shortly after the bank was nationalised in February 2008, Alistair Darling promised in a report to the European Commission to...

Privilege plans strategic repositioning.(M&C Saatchi London and Partners Andrews Aldridge in deal with Privilege Insurance)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Privilege, the car and home insurance brand, has embarked on a review of its above- and below-the-line advertising accounts ahead of a major strategic repositioning. The brand, which is part of the RBS insurance group, is aiming to boost its...

Strongbow Campaign Targets 'Real Grafters'
May 20, 2009... Strongbow, the UK's biggest-selling cider brand, is repositioning, with a multimillion-pound ad campaign aimed at working-class men. The Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) brand is ditching the 'total refreshment' positioning that it has used...

The Week in Marketing
May 20, 2009... - Blackpool in online ad. Blackpool is using an online ad released through YouTube to attract more tourists. The resort is undergoing a major regeneration effort, including the pounds 220m Talbot Gateway development. The ad shows a French...

O2 pushes venues in song-tag drive.(O2 teams up with NME magazine and NME Radio )(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... O2 is to back concerts at its music venues by broadcasting tailored promotional messages on a range of radio stations at the end of songs by artists who are playing there. The activity, which forms an extension of O2's Priority ticketing...

Media Road Test: London Evening Standard.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... - What's new? The Evening Standard is trying to reinvent itself after its sale to Alexander Lebedev. The most obvious change is to the masthead with the insertion of the word 'London'. It has pledged to be more politically balanced and better...

UKTV backs Really debut.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... UKTV is supporting the launch of its channel Really with an integrated campaign. The channel is aimed at young women and will show programmes such as The Truth about Beauty and Under the Knife. Idents will take a Pop Art comic-book theme. ...

Look in Isle of Wight tie-up.(TIGI International Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Look, IPC's fashion weekly, has partnered with the Isle of Wight Festival to launch a 'Pamper Parlour' at the event. The 'parlour' will provide women with access to nail bars, hair-stylists and massages. Haircare brand Tigi will provide...

Big Issue teams up with Big Lottery Fund in Wales.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... The Big Issue in Wales has teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund to launch a magazine. The free title will highlight how Lottery funds have been used to improve Welsh communities. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why...

Specsavers launches outdoor campaign.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Specsavers has launched an outdoor campaign to support its current TV ads in which employees of rival brands try to destroy its ads. The posters will run on special billboards that appear as if they have been destroyed by a wrecking ball. ...

M&S produces special issue of in-store magazine.(Marks and Spencer PLC celebrates its anniversary)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Marks & Spencer has produced a special issue of its in-store magazine, Your M&S, to celebrate its 125th anniversary. It will have a cover price of 1p to complement its Penny Bazaar event to be held this week. -------------------- ...

Passion for the Planet to broadcast nationwide.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Passion for the Planet, the digital radio station, plans to broadcast nationwide by the end of the year. The expansion will be backed by an outdoor and online campaign next month. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why...

Haymarket Network to produce brand book.(Union of European Football Associations)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Haymarket Network will produce the brand book for the official launch of football's UEFA Europa league in August. The publisher is also creating the matchday programmes for the Champions League final, this week's UEFA Cup final and the FA Cup...

Penguin revamps Classics portfolio.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Book publisher Penguin is overhauling its Classics titles to bolster their appeal to contemporary audiences. Creative agency Figtree has been briefed to reposition the Penguin Classics range to make it accessible to younger readers. The...

Asda unveils cycling logo.(Chris Hoy teams up with ASDA Group Ltd. for fundraising programs)(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Asda has rolled out the brand identity for its Pedal Power fundraising project. The logo for the initiative, which aims to raise pounds 1m to support grass-roots cycling schemes in the UK, has been created by branding agency flb. It is...

ECB rolls out ad guidelines.(England and Wales Cricket Board )(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has developed a set of advertising guidelines to ensure brand consistency across the marketing for its portfolio of competitions. All marketing for the ECB's domestic and international cricket...

Brand in the news: Holland & Barrett.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... In my opinion, Holland & Barrett has dropped its Mr Holland and Mr Barrett characters from its ads because it has realised that its advertising needs to drive footfall. The duo characterised H&B's key strategy of 'price and advice'....

Cadbury revamps Buttons packaging.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Cadbury has revamped the packaging for its Dairy Milk Buttons range to draw on the brand's playful image. The redesigned packs, created by Pearlfisher, feature cartoon animals with chocolate buttons for eyes. -------------------- Did you...

Barry M Cosmetics adds lipstick collection to range.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... Barry M Cosmetics, the fashion make-up brand, has added a lipstick collection to its range. The Lip Paint line consists of four variants and will be available in Boots and Superdrug from the middle of next month. -------------------- Did...

British Horseracing Authority promotion.(Brief article)
May 20, 2009... The British Horseracing Authority is repositioning the sport to attract a wider audience. The five-year push, by Harrison Fraser, will promote a positive image of the sport as the 'New British Classic'. -------------------- Did you find...