Marketing articles from May 2009

Marketing archives from May 2009

Innocent scraps Fete to bolster focus on health.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
May 6, 2009... Innocent has axed its Village Fete summer event to focus its marketing investment on promoting the health benefits of its products. The company claimed that the savings will enable it to double its spend on flagging up the health...

Brands court Susan Boyle.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... A host of brands are vying to sign up Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle to promote their products. According to a spokeswoman for production company Talkback Thames, 'all imaginable brands' from sectors including haircare,...

Wal-Mart hands global role to Bendel.
May 6, 2009... Rick Bendel, chief marketing officer for Asda in the UK, has been promoted to international chief marketing officer for owner Wal-Mart's operations outside the US. In addition to his UK duties, Bendel will be responsible for Wal-Mart's...

Flu pandemic presents marketing conundrum.
May 6, 2009... Brands seeking to allay swine flu fears must strike a balance. As the swine flu crisis escalates, brands across a range of sectors are stepping up efforts to allay consumer concerns. Along with public-sector communications, the travel...

Tesco Telecoms kicks off digital review.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Tesco Telecoms is reviewing its digital arrangements and has begun to approach agencies about pitching for the business. The brief will include an overhaul of the Tesco Telecoms online shop, as well as other digital customer communications....

Cobra's Ghali to depart ahead of sale to Molson.(Will Ghali)(Cobra Beer)(Molson Coors Brewing Company)
May 6, 2009... Cobra Beer marketing director Will Ghali is to leave the business, as it gears up for its planned sale to the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Ghali and his 12-strong marketing team are said to be resigned to the winding down of their...

Virgin Trains backs revamp.(MCBD)(Elvis)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Virgin Trains is relaunching its brand, backed by an integrated campaign that features its owner Sir Richard Branson's first appearance in a TV ad for 10 years. The campaign, by agencies MCBD and Elvis, begins today (Wednesday). It will...

NCP freshens up stairwells.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Car park operator NCP is to pump the scent of freshly laundered linen into stairwells at its sites in a bid to improve the customer experience. The initiative was prompted by an NCP study that found a third of car park customers would be...

The week in marketing.
May 6, 2009... - Teen film in SMS push. Pathe is promoting its high-school horror film Tormented with an integrated campaign. The push, by BLM Quantum, will be driven by text messages sent directly to 30,000 15- to 19-year-olds. The activity will also...

NYSE hands UK media job to MPG.(New York Stock Exchange )(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has assigned its UK media planning and buying account to MPG. The agency won the business following a global pitch that also included PHD and Universal McCann. The global account is worth pounds 20.4m;...

Media Road Test: Sun Talk.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... - What's new? Presenter Jon Gaunt (right) was sacked by TalkSport radio last November after calling a Tory councillor a 'Nazi' and an 'ignorant pig' on-air The Sun columnist now broadcasts three hours a week on internet radio station Sun...

Little Dish in first TV push.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Healthy children's-food brand Little Dish is launching its first TV ad campaign in a tie-up with sales house Viacom Brand Solutions. Little Dish, which won best new brand (SME) in the 2008 Marketing Society Awards, will promote its...

Times papers' AirMiles offer.(The Sunday Times)(The Times)(The Mileage Company)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... The Times and The Sunday Times are launching a TV campaign to promote their tie-up with The Mileage Company. The activity will offer 750 free AirMiles to readers who join its seven-day-a-week subscription service. The mileage equates...

BBC HD content available on TV-on-demand platform.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(high definition )(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... BBC HD content is now available on Virgin Media's TV-on-demand platform. Subscribers to the service will be able to watch HD programmes including Robin Hood, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Later... with Jools Holland. ...

Autoglass calls review of media business.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Autoglass, the glazing repair and replacement company, has called a review of its pounds 10m media planning and buying business. The account has been held by Universal McCann for five-and-a-half-years. -------------------- Did you find...

Sony Computer Entertainment hands media account to Manning Gottlieb OMD.(Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has handed its pounds 67m media account across 12 countries to Manning Gottlieb OMD. The deal includes the retention of its pounds 8.5m UK media brief. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Absolute Radio to sponsor ITV coverage of Isle of Wight festival.(Absolute Radio UK)(Isle of Wight festival)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Absolute Radio is to sponsor ITV's coverage of this year's Isle of Wight festival. Under the deal, the radio station will also air live music from the event, which takes place from 12-14 June. -------------------- Did you find this...

EDF Group puts media planning and buying up for pitch.(EDF Energy)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... EDF Group, the energy provider, is putting its media planning and buying arrangements up for pitch in the UK and its home market, France The company spent pounds 6.5m on media in the UK last year, according to The Nielsen Company. ...

ONS unveils 2011 Census identity.(Office for National Statistics )(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has created a fresh brand identity to be used in campaigns ahead of the 2011 Census. The look features origami models intended to represent business and social issues, which information from the...

Sweetener in Tesco tie-up.(Sweet Freedom)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Sweet Freedom, the first natural sweetener brand to be made entirely from fruit, has revamped its packaging after securing a supply deal with Tesco. The redesigned packaging for the Natural Sweetener and Natural Syrup variants was created...

Cow & Gate adds desserts.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Nutricia babyfood brand Cow & Gate has widened its dessert range with the addition of a selection of fruit puddings. The products are based on traditional English puddings, and variants include Apples & Custard, Peach & Apricot Melba,...

Brand in the news: Barclays.(Barclays Bank PLC (London, England))(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... It's as if nothing has changed: the credit crunch hasn't happened, and we're not in the middle of the deepest recession since the 40s. Barclays has reintroduced the Woolwich brand as we are looking for financial brands we can trust. It...

Weight Watchers rolls out fresh look for dessert range.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Weight Watchers is rolling out a fresh look for its low-fat chilled yoghurt and dairy dessert range. The redesign will be supported with an integrated campaign and a nationwide gym promotion until June. -------------------- Did you...

Young's updates scampi packaging.(Youngs Bluecrest Seafood Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Young's is relaunching its Wholetail Breaded Scampi range with updated packaging. The new look will flag up a reduction in its saturated fat content to 1.3%. The brand is also adding two variants: Wholetail Jumbo Scampi and Wholetail Jumbo...

WKD to launch cider variant.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... WKD, the drinks brand, is to launch a cider variant, WKD Core, this month. The product will be supported later this year with a poster, press and TV campaign, as well as online and sampling activity. -------------------- Did you find...

Island Bakery Biscuits unveils pack design.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Island Bakery Biscuits, the confectionery brand, has unveiled a 'loud and proud' design for its 150g packs. A point-of-sale campaign aims to establish the product in canteens and hotels. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Spar picks DMG duo for overhaul.(Digital Marketing Group)(SPAR (UK) Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Spar, the convenience store chain, has hired two agencies within the Digital Marketing Group (DMG), GraphicoDMG and InboxDMG, to overhaul its digital strategy. The agencies were appointed to the joint account after a four-way pitch that...

Grossman set for food push.(Loyd Grossman)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Loyd Grossman, the food brand, has launched a direct marketing and promotional campaign in an effort to increase sales. Using the strapline 'Why not put Loyd to the test tonight?', the activity will include an on-pack promotion, in-store...

Doritos to run web dodgeball.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Doritos is rolling out a competition that allows consumers to fire real dodgeballs from cannons, via a game on its website. The activity coincides with the launch of a Doritos Flamin' Cheeseball variant. Visitors to the revamped site...

Direct choice: Change4Life.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... As a mother and creative director, I found this Change4Life pack, the aim of which is to get families to 'eat well, move more and live longer', appealing. The campaign is undoubtedly of crucial importance to the COI and DoH. The content...

Volvo appoints MindShare.(MindShare UK)(Volvo Car UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Volvo has appointed MindShare to handle its natural search, digital PR and social media strategy. The agency has begun by working with Volvo Cars UK on SEO for its official website. -------------------- Did you find this article...

Citroen hires CMW.(Automobiles Citroen S.A.)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Citroen has hired CMW to handle its below-the-line account following a pitch. CMW already works on the account for Citroen's sister brand, Peugeot. The pitch was called after the incumbent agency Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw picked up the Toyota...

International Travel Connections appoints Amaze.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... International Travel Connections, a luxury holiday company, has appointed Amaze to develop its digital strategy, as well as that of sister brands Mauritius Connection and Caribbean Connection. Amaze's remit will incorporate SEO and social...

East Midlands Trains rolls out campaign created by LIDA.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... East Midlands Trains has embarked on a campaign targeting business people in Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester and the East Midlands who regularly travel to London. The work, created by LIDA, includes online ads, email and direct mail. ...

Mind hires tictoc.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Mind, the mental health charity, has hired tictoc to redevelop its website and improve its online presence following a four-way pitch. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the magazine? Please...

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Swine flu points the way.
May 6, 2009... Predictive search tools in development may have a broader application than disease prevention. By the time you read this, we'll all have stopped shaking hands, air-kissing and travelling on the Tube. A circulation manager's dream story,...

Don't believe the hype.(analysing consumer behavior during recession)
May 6, 2009... In an economy as tough as this, it pays to question the received wisdom, writes Gemma Charles. The number of 'facts' circulating about how consumers behave during a recession appears to be correlated to the number of self-appointed experts...

Innocent's big moment.
May 6, 2009... Where next for the brand as it turns 10 and prepares for life with Coca-Cola, asks Joe Thomas. Innocent's 10th birthday last week coincided with a dramatic shift in strategy. As well as calling a review of its ad account, the brand has...

Spreading the word.(television advertising for product campaigns)
May 6, 2009... Many media trade bodies are using ads to promote their respective platforms. The decision by Thinkbox to launch its first TV ad campaign is a clear signal of the industry's concern about the possible depth and duration of the recession....

Mark Kleinman on marketing and the City: Bring back best of British.
May 6, 2009... There is a compelling case for the government to instil a sense of national buy-in to the car industry. As new dawns go, it was something of a damp squib. When Gordon Brown and Lord Mandelson unveiled their vision for the country's...

Lewis Hamilton.(market strategy)
May 6, 2009... This year's F1 season has got off to a miserable start for the 2008 world champion, writes Ed Kemp. Lewis Hamilton's appeal to brands needs no explanation; his story makes him one of the few sportsmen able to publish an autobiography...

Mark Ritson on Branding: On shaky grounds.(Starbucks Corp. introduced instant coffee)
May 6, 2009... By attempting a line extension into instant coffee, Starbucks risks damaging its crucial brand equity. Starbucks is trialling a new coffee called Starbucks Via in its London cafes. Unlike the chain's traditional fare, it is an instant...

Adwatch 06.05.09.(Statistical table)(Survey)
May 6, 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? 29.04 Brand Agency/TV buyer % ...

Adwatch 06.05.09: Confused.com.
May 6, 2009... This ad's high level of recall may have more to do with quantity than quality. I'm confused by Confused.com. This week's chart-topper appears to break every rule of good communication going. How can this be? Let's start with the various...

Profile: All in the name of change.(Interview)
May 6, 2009... Sally Shire, group brand development director at Aviva, is eager to defend the insurer's rebranding campaign. Interview by Alex Brownsell. Rarely has the phrase 'saved by the bell' seemed more apposite. With almost flawless timing, just as...

Opinion: The Marketing Society Forum - Is there a market for savoury breakfast bars?
May 6, 2009... Unilever is to extend its Marmite brand with the roll-out of a savoury bar in the hope that consumers will be tempted by the yeast extract's distinct flavour in a sector dominated by sweet products. MAYBE - CHRISTIAN WOOLFENDEN, GLOBAL...

Editor's comment: A more worldly innocence.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... Innocent's decision to drop its Village Fete summer event has highlighted something that has always intrigued me about brand experiences. It takes a pretty committed consumer to turn up for an event that is, essentially, a celebration of a...

Marketer of the year poll 2009.
May 6, 2009... Members of The Marketing Society have drawn up their shortlist of this year's top marketers, and voting is now open. We will announce the three finalists next week, and you have until 20 May to cast your final vote. The award will be presented...

Low ABVs reach a new high.(lower-alcohol drinks )
May 6, 2009... Sales of lower-alcohol drinks are rising among health-conscious consumers, but the market is destined to remain niche, writes Jane Bainbridge. Middle-class drinkers binging on wine; errant youths downing cheap cider on street corners; and...

Contact centre leagues.(customer service )
May 6, 2009... Consumers may still view them with scorn, but outsourced contact centre providers are working hard to change their reputation and convince marketers of their experience and flexibility amid the downturn, writes Richard Abbott. As...

Helpline.
May 6, 2009... Joe Thomas takes the hassle out of finding the right product or service - you ask the question, he'll provide the answer. FLOWER POWER Q: We need to send out some mailers that are both innovative and minimise environmental impact. Who...

What it's really like inside: Kraft Foods UK.(Company overview)
May 6, 2009... - How does the marketing team come up with ideas? We are surrounded by experts who are full of ideas and try to be good listeners. We also gain an understanding of our consumers through home visits and focus groups. - What is the main...

Brand manager of the week: Nicola Pearson, Brand manager, Motor Cycle News, Bauer Media.(Interview)(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... - Describe yourself in three words. Optimistic, confident, focused. - How would you define marketing? Intuitively knowing your consumer and what they want, inside out, and selling them the clear benefits of whatever you're...

Me & My Mentor: Lucy Zorina, Brand manager, Foster's.(Brief article)
May 6, 2009... At my previous job at Constellation Europe, my mentor was the senior brand manager, Philip Morton. A well-known and much-loved figure in the industry, he has huge amount of character, and is smart, creative and mega-passionate about the...

Marketing Mole: Who does Google think you are? - Gwyn Burr, Customer director, Sainsbury's.
May 6, 2009... - The first result links to Sainsbury's corporate website, featuring Burr and the management team. - The second reference is to Sainsbury's 2006 annual report, giving a detailed description of Burr's role. - The third result links to...

Marketing Mole: Name that brand.
May 6, 2009... This ethical cosmetics brand launched in West Sussex in 1976, with its first retail store opening in Brighton. The brand now operates more than 2000 stores worldwide. Its strapline is 'Nature's way to beautiful'. Can you name the...

Marketing Mole: We'll Call You - Nissan.
May 6, 2009... Our old banger is about to fall apart, and we've heard about a government scheme offering us cash to upgrade to a greener ride. Could Nissan tell us more? Nissan Good afternoon, you're through to Nissan customer service. This is (name),...

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 next...

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 ad...

C4 and Sky weigh up ad sales team merger.(Channel 4 Television Co.)(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)
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...

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 and...

PC World shifts focus to brand over products.(M and C Saatchi London)
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 move...

The week in marketing.(Diageo PLC)(Etihad Airways P.J.S.C.)(Premiership football club Manchester City)(Knorr Vie Shot)
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 sponsorship...

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 find...

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 and...

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. ...