Marketing articles from October 2002

Marketing archives from October 2002

EU's tobacco ad ban derailed by legal committee.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The European Union's plans for a ban on tobacco advertising have been dealt a massive blow by proposals from one of the European Parliament's own committees. The EU Legal Affairs Committee has put forward a series of amendments arguing...

Toyota calls for F1 audience rebate.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Toyota is to claim a cash rebate from ITV following the slump in Formula One viewing figures that this week prompted the sport's biggest overhaul in decades. The Japanese car manufacturer, which began a four-year pounds 25m broadcast...

Iceland hires Sun chief to halt slide.(Nick Canning)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Big Food Group has poached Nick Canning, the marketer responsible for The Sun and The News of the World, to inject fresh marketing thinking into its struggling supermarket chain Iceland. Canning, marketing director of News Group...

Egg extends top marketer role for global expansion.(Nick Cross)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Egg has widened the remit of chief marketing officer Nick Cross to global marketing officer, to reflect the brand's plans for worldwide expansion. The appointment comes as the online bank launches into the French market, backed by a...

Fisher blasts M&S as it struggles to fill top job.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Carol Fisher, the former chief executive of COI Communications, has attacked Marks & Spencer's decision to abolish its board-level marketing role. Fisher, who left the COI in July, said M&S risked taking its eye off customer needs by...

Guinness project to tackle global views of quality.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Guinness is planning a global technical and marketing initiative based on product quality, after identifying that consumer perceptions of quality are a major barrier to growth for the brand. The project has been borne out of research into...

STOP PRESS: Appointment at Expedia.(Beverly Shaw)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Expedia, the online travel company, has hired ex-Coca-Cola and British Airways marketer Beverly Shaw as marketing director. She will report to UK managing director Dermot Halpin.

STOP PRESS: Ford in talks with Loyalty Management UK.
October 31, 2002... Ford is in talks with Loyalty Management UK about joining the Nectar loyalty scheme in what would be a major development for the automotive sector. Ford said it would not comment on speculation.

STOP PRESS: ING Direct talks to creative and media agencies.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... ING Direct, a division of Amsterdam-based financial services company ING Group, is talking to creative and media agencies about the launch of a consumer service in the UK. The brief, worth between pounds 10m and pounds 15m, is being handled...

STOP PRESS: Motor Show defends ads by Marketing Store.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The British International Motor Show, whose ads were branded sexist by trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt, has defended the campaign by the Marketing Store, saying that it was meant to inspire women to buy their partners a ticket to...

STOP PRESS: British Red Cross seeks director of marketing.(as Jeremy Hughes moves to Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The British Red Cross is seeking a director of marketing and income generation to replace Jeremy Hughes, who is moving over to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva.

STOP PRESS: Channel 4 axes marketing positions.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Channel 4 will axe six positions within marketing and 4Creative as a result of a company-wide restructure, and 45 jobs as a result of the restructure of 4 Ventures. Brett Foraker, creative director of E4 and FilmFour and Tom Stephens,...

STOP PRESS: Samsung in talks with Newcastle United.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Samsung is in talks with Newcastle United about replacing NTL as the club's shirt sponsor from next season.

STOP PRESS: Tunisian National Tourist Office seeks agency.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Tunisian National Tourist Office is seeking a pan-European marketing agency after splitting with Dynamo Marketing. Sales of package holidays to Tunisia fell by 19% this summer, according to AC Nielsen.

STOP PRESS: Le Creuset launches new cookware range.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Le Creuset, the French cookware manufacturer, is launching Formula, a range of cast-iron cookware aimed at a younger audience.

STOP PRESS: Man Utd signs sponsorship deal with Fujifilm.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Manchester United has signed a sponsorship and licensing deal with Fujifilm that will include the launch of United-branded cameras.

STOP PRESS: GlaxoSmithKline fails to persuade ASA.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... GlaxoSmithKline's attempt to stop Colgate-Palmolive using the strapline 'most complete protection - the only toothpaste proven to work above and below the gumline', has failed, three years after it was first lodged with the Advertising...

STOP PRESS: Allied Domecq achieves pre-tax profit rise.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Allied Domecq achieved a 6% rise in pre-tax profits in the year to August 31, helped by the launch of Tia Lusso, Courvoisier's move into the number one UK cognac position and a doubling of UK sales growth for Teacher's.

STOP PRESS: Make Space aims to open clubs.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Make Space, the new partnership between Kids Club Charity and Nestle UK first revealed by Marketing (October 17), aims to open 3000 after-school and holiday clubs for 11- to 16-year-olds by 2015.

STOP PRESS: Orange's ARPU rises.(average revenue per user )(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Orange's annual average revenue per user (ARPU) for the UK rose 3.2% to pounds 258 according to results for the nine months to the end of September.

STOP PRESS: ITC investigates complaints.(Independent Television Commission; Lacoste eau de toilette ad)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Independent Television Commission is investigating 36 complaints that an ad for Lacoste eau de toilette is offensive. The ad, by Grey Advertising, features a naked man.

STOP PRESS: AOL UK launches press and poster campaign.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... AOL UK is launching a press and poster campaign for AOL Broadband through Mortimer Whittaker O'Sullivan featuring brand icon Connie with the strapline 'The mother of all broadband services'.

STOP PRESS: Sainsbury's confirms interactive TV venture.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Sainsbury's has confirmed the launch of an interactive TV joint venture with NTL, as first predicted in Marketing earlier this year (May 9). Separately, Russ Shaw, managing director for NTL London, has left the company, and has been replaced...

STOP PRESS: Procter & Gamble net sales up.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Procter & Gamble has reported net sales of pounds 6.8bn in its first quarter to September 30, up 11% on the same period last year.

STOP PRESS: Philips strikes deal with IKEA.
October 31, 2002... Philips has struck a deal with IKEA to showcase its consumer products such as colour TVs and audio systems in furniture displays.

Independent media task goes to MPG.(Media Planning Group)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Independent News & Media is poised to hand its media planning and buying business for The Independent and Independent on Sunday to Media Planning Group (MPG). It has also been seeing presentations from several creative agencies, although it...

Travelcare in Bid for Ethical Image
October 31, 2002... Travelcare, the UK's largest independent chain of travel agents, has hired AMV Advance to promote it as the 'consumer's champion' at a time of dented public confidence in travel firms. The firm, which is wholly-owned by the Co-operative...

ASA slams P&G's Pantene for 'best system' ad claim.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Advertising Standards Authority has ordered Procter & Gamble not to claim its Pantene Pro-V shampoo and conditioner is 'the world's best hair care system' - because it tested them only on Caucasians. The ruling came after the ASA...

Huggies Adverture World goes on tour.(Kimberly-Clark Ltd., KLP Euro RSCG)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Huggies Adventure World, a double-decker bus, will promote the Kimberly-Clark nappies brand on a UK tour. Designed to provide a platform for the brand to meet with consumers, the bus will visit eight cities before the end of the year and then...

Barclaycard ads to highlight cut in interest rates.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Barclaycard is to focus on value for money for the first time in its advertising, after slashing its credit card interest rate last month. The new ad campaign, breaking next week through BMP DDB, comprises three 20-second ads. An ad...

DfT links drink-drive work to rugby.(Department for Transport)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Department for Transport (DfT) has signed a deal to sponsor the Great Britain rugby league team in an effort to promote the government's anti drink-drive message to young men. The agreement, which industry sources say is worth around...

P&G and Cadbury Join Kids Advertising Lobby
October 31, 2002... Two of the UK's biggest advertisers have thrown their weight behind Media Smart, the industry initiative to stave off a ban on advertising to kids, which will launch in two weeks time. Procter & Gamble and Cadbury Trebor Bassett are the...

RAB and Capital marketer moves to Warner Village.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Warner Village Cinemas has hired former Radio Advertising Bureau marketing director Piers Skinner to oversee day-to-day marketing, freeing up sales and marketing director Sarah Kelly to focus on long-term brand strategy. Skinner, who...

Channel 4 Ditches Poster Sites after 'Copycat' Tactics
October 31, 2002... Channel 4 is to end its use of permanent poster holdings, as it faces increased competition from 'copycat media strategies' by the BBC and ITV. The posters have been the major thrust of the channel's off-air media strategy for the past year....

Insight appoints Joshua for pounds 6m marketing task.(Halifax Bank of Scotland's Insight Investment Management)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Insight Investment Management, Halifax Bank of Scotland's recently rebranded asset management business, has appointed Joshua to handle its through-the-line account, worth more than pounds 6m. The agency's brief is to handle marketing...

T-Mobile to alter prices for picture message service.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... T-Mobile, the mobile network that was first to offer picture messaging in the UK, is changing its pricing strategy for the system just four months after its launch. It will phase out its blanket pounds 20 monthly flat rate, instead...

Burger King ties with easyGroup for internet cafe.
October 31, 2002... Burger King is joining forces with easyGroup to install an easyInternetCafe in its flagship restaurant in London's Piccadilly Circus. The jointly-branded venue will be open to eaters and internet surfers alike within a few weeks....

Carnival wins fight for P&O Princess.(Carnival Corp. acquires P and O Princess PLC)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... P&O Princess' 20-strong marketing team and agency roster face an uncertain future after P&O finally gave in to a take-over by rival Carnival Corporation last week. On Friday morning Carnival, the Miami-based cruise group, effectively won...

Microsoft Names Xbox Live Launch Marketer
October 31, 2002... Microsoft has appointed Amy Foxwell to spearhead the launch of its online gaming service Xbox Live across 14 European territories. Xbox Live, which launches in the US in November and will be available in the UK from March 14, is a radical...

National Express hires director for Q jump ticket site.(National Express Group PLC, Teresa Merriman)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... National Express Group has hired Teresa Merriman to the new role of commercial director for its online rail ticketing venture Qjump as it steps up the battle for passengers against Virgin Group's venture thetrainline.com. Merriman, who...

Kenwood launches Christmas TV ad campaign.(Kenwood Appliances PLC)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Kenwood is launching a pounds 3m Christmas TV ad campaign for its kitchen appliances, including its smoothie maker and Multi Pro Food Processor. It breaks on November 18 and will run for five weeks. 'Sugar Daddy', a tongue-in-cheek ad,...

Penhaligon's UK ad work goes to Springer & Jacoby.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Penhaligon's, the perfume and luxury goods manufacturer and retailer, has awarded its UK advertising account to Springer & Jacoby (S&J) as it looks to expand globally. Penhaligon's currently has ten shops across the UK, one in New York...

Homebase links with The Pier for concessions trial.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Homebase is linking up with home accessories retailer The Pier to launch concessions in Homebase stores. Homebase, which already has in-store partnerships with brands such as Abbey National, will unveil the concessions next month at its...

Ex-Centrica chief to give advice on wireless devices.(Phil Hendey launches Connectivity Man)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
October 31, 2002... Phil Hendey, Centrica Telecoms' recently departed commercial director, is to launch a start-up branded Connectivity Man that will aim to demystify emerging wireless technology for consumers. The company will advise consumers on how to get...

Vodafone backs 'Live' with pounds 25m campaign.(Wieden and Kennedy Amsterdam, J. Walter Thompson Manchester)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Vodafone is poised to unleash the most heavyweight TV campaign in its history to support the launch of its data services package Vodafone Live. It is understood to be spending more than pounds 25m above the line in the UK alone over the...

Red Letter Days hires marketing chief.(Isabelle Ratinaud)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Red Letter Days, the experiences company which is selling space shuttle flights at pounds 15m a time, has hired its first marketing director to oversee a major brand overhaul and revamp of its distribution strategy. The company, founded...

Glenfiddich launches TV ad campaign.(McCann-Erickson John Ayling and Associates Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Glenfiddich is launching its first TV advertising work in the UK since 1997. The ad uses the theme 'the independent spirit', which featured in the global campaign in November 2001. The press ads featured a Glenfiddich stag in various urban...

Yell.Com to offer business listings directory by SMS.(short message service)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Yell.Com is claiming to be the first classified business directory service to deliver listings information by SMS. The service, Yell.Com by Text, launches on Friday (November 1) and will allow users on any mobile network to request and...

NEWS BRIEFS: Appointment at Barclaycard.(Alistair Greenbank)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Barclaycard has appointed Alistair Greenbank as head of e-commerce marketing, responsible for driving online customer acquisition as well as promoting the Nectar rewards scheme. He replaces Wendy Lawrence, who left in the summer to join...

NEWS BRIEFS: Appointment at Periodical Publications Association.(Keith Jones)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Periodical Publications Association has appointed Reed Business Information chief executive Keith Jones as its chairman. He succeeds Emap Communications chief executive Derek Carter.

NEWS BRIEFS: Individual Learning Accounts' strategy criticised.(National Audit Office)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Individual Learning Accounts' marketing strategy, launched in 2000 with an ad campaign created by TBWA/London, has been criticised in a report by the National Audit Office.

NEWS BRIEFS: Sony Centres launches radio campaign.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Sony Centres, the independent Sony retail chain, launches a radio campaign on Monday featuring celebrities including Gordon Strachan and Michael Winner. The spots, by Team Saatchi, continue Sony's 'Just ask' theme and highlight the retailer's...

NEWS BRIEFS: Austin Reed to launch fragrances and bodycare range.(products to be marketed by European Designer Productions)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Austin Reed is to launch a range of branded fragrances and bodycare products to be sold through Europe and the Middle East. The products, including body lotion, deodorant, shower gel and shampoo and fragrances for men and women, will be...

NEWS BRIEFS: Magners Original Irish Cider wins on-board listing.(Ryanair Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Magners Original Irish Cider has won an on-board listing with Irish low-fares airline Ryanair. The listing covers all flights on Ryanair's network.

MEDIA: BBC to promote digital line-up with pounds 5m push.(DFGW)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The BBC is poised to unleash a pounds 5m campaign to support its digital channels, aimed at wooing the 15 million UK households without digital TV. It uses the strapline, 'The Changing Face of TV'. The on- and off-air campaign, which...

MEDIA: Capital FM hit by loss of listeners in Rajar results.(Radio Joint Audience Research)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Capital Radio's 95.8FM Capital FM, the most listened-to commercial station in London, suffered a substantial fall in listeners in the latest Rajar survey. Compared with the previous three-month period, weekly reach fell from 27% to 25%,...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Goodmans launches range of DAB digital radios.(digital audio broadcasting)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Goodmans has launched what it claims is the first mass-market range of DAB digital radios. Instead of producing standalone products, it has incorporated digital radio into existing audio products such as personal and in-car CD players. They...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Disney Channel advertises movie slot.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Disney Channel is advertising its 'Wonderful World of Disney' movie slot for the first time in three years with a pounds 500,000 poster and TV campaign that breaks on Friday (November 1). It will comprise two TV executions, one focusing...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Guardian to reposition graduate supplement.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Guardian is to reposition its Saturday graduate supplement Rise to target students as well as its current graduate audience. It is to run an on-campus campaign involving flyers and posters as well as sample editions called Rise Extra.

MEDIA BRIEFS: Butlins appoints 12snap for marketing campaign.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Butlins has appointed mobile marketing and media sales agency 12snap to launch a three-pronged marketing campaign. The promotion, which is being run in conjunction with Mediaedge:CIA and Senior King, will target young adults and housewives...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Paragon Publishing to launch two magazines.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Paragon Publishing is launching two magazines. The first is a console gaming title called gamesTM and will be launched on November 28. It will target more mature gamers than conventional gaming magazines. Digital Camcorder Buyer will be...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Ministry of Sound to relaunch Ministry magazine.
October 31, 2002... Ministry of Sound is to relaunch Ministry magazine as Ministry of Sound from next February. It will expand the magazine's coverage beyond its dance music roots to cover genres such as fashion and travel in a bid to target more 18- to...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Granada Interactive teams with BTOpenworld and Microsoft.(provides online footage of "Popstars: The Rivals")(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Granada Interactive has teamed up with BTOpenworld and Microsoft to enable it to stream footage of Popstars: The Rivals. The Popstars Video Lounge will give viewers the opportunity to view behind-the-scenes footage and highlights.

DIRECT: KLM overhauls reward scheme to build loyalty.(KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... KLM, the national Dutch carrier, is relaunching its loyalty scheme to forge closer links with US partner Northwest Airlines and make it easier for customers to earn rewards. KLM's Flying Dutchman programme, now more than ten years old,...

DIRECT: M&SFS extends TBWA/GGT relationship.(Marks and Spencer Financial Services)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Marks and Spencer Financial Services has appointed TBWA/ GGT Direct to handle a below-the-line campaign for its savings and investments products. The project extends the agency's relationship with M&SFS. It is already working on the...

DIRECT: British Airways to review Executive Club programme.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... British Airways is planning a major overhaul of its Executive Club loyalty scheme as it strives to build deeper relationships with its top-spending customers. The global carrier is undertaking a review of the scheme, which issues the BA...

DIRECT CHOICE: Video Arts.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... We all know what it is like at most meetings. They can be a complete waste of time as well as boring us senseless in the process. Why we don't just do away with them forever I just don't know. Well, here's a mail pack from Carlson selling...

DIRECT BRIEFS: Emap Elan launches loyalty campaign.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Emap Elan is launching a major subscription loyalty campaign created by Aztec Marketing to boost sales across a range of its publications this winter. Customers taking out a subscription for its magazines will be offered vouchers redeemable...

DIRECT BRIEFS: Safeway launches Halloween promotion.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Safeway is offering buyers of its 1kg bags of carrots and potatoes and 750g bags of parsnips discounted stays in a range of haunted hotels. The Halloween promotion was created by MKM Marketing and Promotions.

DIRECT BRIEFS: DMA endorses ISP programme.(Direct Marketing Association, Institute of Sales Promotion)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Direct Marketing Association is endorsing the Institute of Sales Promotion's (ISP) Certificate in Promotional Marketing and the ISP Diploma programme as the first stage of an agreement between the two bodies to work together on a range of...

DIRECT BRIEFS: Dream Direct appoints HLB.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Dream Direct has appointed list specialist HLB to source responsive lists for its first major direct mail campaign.

DIRECT BRIEFS: Initial City Link launches DM campaign.(direct marketing)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Initial City Link, the express delivery company has started a direct marketing campaign that offers a free Search Impex-supplied model truck for every appointment booked with a City Link representative. The first mailing will target 2000...

DIRECT BRIEFS: Argos promotes vouchers.(corporate marketing)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Argos will promote its vouchers as the ideal Christmas gift for employees. It will reach 20,000 past and prospective corporate customers.

DIRECT BRIEFS: FEDMA and EPMA join forces in campaign.(Federation of European Direct Marketing and the European Promotional Marketing Alliance v. European Union marketing regulations)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The Federation of European Direct Marketing (FEDMA) and the European Promotional Marketing Alliance (EPMA) have joined forces in the campaign to ensure a positive outcome of the proposed Regulation on Sales Promotion currently going through...

DIRECT BRIEFS: Postcomm issues enforcement notice to Consignia.(mail services improvement)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Postcomm has issued an enforcement notice to Consignia to improve two mail services to businesses, 1st Class Post Paid Impression and 1st Class Response Service following information from Consignia that it will fail to meet its performance...

BRANDING: Littlewoods to develop brand for iTV gambling.(Littlewoods Leisure, Roose and Partners Advertising Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Littlewoods Leisure has hired Roose to develop a name for an interactive TV betting service it is preparing to launch on Sky Digital. The company originally handed the branding task to Baston Greenhill Andrews (BGA), which is understood...

BRANDING: AMO enters eye-care market with Blink.(Advanced Medical Optics, PI Global)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), the new optical business spun off from pharmaceutical giant Allergan in July, has developed an eye-care range for contact lens wearers called Blink. The brand is the company's first product launch. Its name...

BRANDING: Latina promotes brand with salsa dancers in Asda.(Latin American food brand)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Latina, the Latin American food brand founded by former Sharwood's managing director, Elaine Underwood, has enlisted the help of the UK's salsa dancing champions to promote its products to Asda customers. In an effort to awaken shoppers...

BRANDING: Design Choice - IKEA catalogue.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... The new 2003 IKEA catalogue (a mere 375 pages) recently squeezed through my letterbox and is landing on a doormat near you soon. Entitled Go Cubic, it shows what those Scandinavians have been busily designing for our cost-effective,...

BRANDING BRIEFS: Selfridges to launch own-label food range.(R Design)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Selfridges is to launch an own-label range of food and drink in its Food Halls next month, with 'modern and minimal' packaging created by R Design. The 70-strong range of food, wine and spirits will not carry a separate brand name, though the...

BRANDING BRIEFS: Weight Watchers overhauls packaging.(H.J. Heinz Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Weight Watchers from Heinz has overhauled the packaging for its pasta meals range to align it more closely with its sister range of frozen ready meals. The new packs feature stronger branding on a distinctive purple background. A new variant,...

BRANDING BRIEFS: Safeway upgrades Traditionals.(convenience meals)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Safeway has upgraded and added new variants to its Traditionals ready meals portfolio, and introduced an Additions brand comprising sauces and vegetable accompaniments. The supermarket, the UK's fourth-largest, has used only British beef and...

BRANDING BRIEFS: Fortnum & Mason revamps web site.(BamberForsyth:Fitch)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Fortnum & Mason, the London retailer, has revamped its web site to feature improved navigation and checkout features in a bid to reinforce the store's brand values of premium products and top-notch customer service. The redesign, by...

BRANDING BRIEFS: Polaroid takes brand direct to consumer.(FunKit, JoyCam and the I-Zone camera campaign)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2002... Polaroid is taking its brand direct to the consumer in the run-up to Christmas with a field marketing campaign encouraging shoppers to test its key seasonal products - FunKit, JoyCam and the I-Zone camera. Each camera will have its own...