Marketing articles from October 2004

Marketing archives from October 2004

McDonald's axes Coke juice for Tropicana tie-up.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... McDonald's has dropped Coca-Cola's Minute Maid brand as its official orange juice in favour of arch-rival PepsiCo's Tropicana, ahead of a major relaunch of its breakfast menu. The revamp, revealed by Marketing this summer (25 August), is...

AA shake-up starts with cull of senior marketers.(Automobile Association)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Tim Parker, the new chief executive of the Automobile Association (AA), has axed its entire senior marketing team, including AA Financial Services director Clare Salmon and AA marketing director Emma Kenny. Parker made seven board-level...

Npower prepares for gas price war.(British Gas)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Npower has scrapped its 'soft Christmas marketing plans' in favour of a three-month price war against British Gas. The decision comes as a quarter of British Gas' 18.4m customers plan to switch provider in the wake of its price rises this...

Emap signs deal with Grazia for UK glossy weekly.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Emap is preparing to break the mould of women's magazines with an upmarket glossy fashion weekly based on Italy's oldest women's title, Grazia. Emap has acquired the UK licence to Grazia from the Mondadori Group, Italy's leading magazine...

Kellogg ties Corn Flakes in to Great Walk initiative.(Great Walk 2005)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Kellogg is extending its 'Walking for Health' anti-obesity initiative to its flagship Corn Flakes brand with a nationwide campaign called 'Great Walk 2005'. The drive builds on the company's Special K on-pack promotion, the '10,000 step...

Diageo adds key brand variants.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Diageo is spinning off two variants from its key brands, Smirnoff and Gordon's, in the run-up to Christmas. Smirnoff is debuting Smirnoff Norsk, a premium vodka containing Nordic berries. Available exclusively in the UK, it will be...

Ubisoft strikes TBWA off roster.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Ubisoft, the video games maker, has dropped TBWA\London from its pounds 5m pan-European advertising roster, and has opted to work solely with McCann-Erickson on all future marketing. Investing more than pounds 2m in a bid to drive sales,...

Burger King puts focus on choice.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Burger King is embarking on a customer-focused pounds 10m ad campaign with the strapline 'You're the boss'. The activity is designed to remind consumers they can customise the chain's burgers: the firm claims there are more than 1000 ways...

New campaign: The Army.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... The Army is seeking new recruits through a national and satellite DRTV campaign aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds in further education. Breaking this week, it features Challenger tanks, Gazelle helicopters and Warrior armoured vehicles, to convey...

Oakley develops MP3 sunglasses.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Youth brand Oakley is to try to cash in on the digital music revolution by launching a pair of sunglasses with a digital music player built in. Thump sunglasses will be sold in more than 300 UK retailers from later this autumn, including...

Barbie nets solus Sky One Mix deal.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC. Sky One)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Mattel is to take over Sky One's Mix channel for a day to attract older girls to its struggling Barbie brand. In partnership with TV production firm Initial, Mattel has created the 'It's a Girl Thing' strand. This will run for eight hours...

Homebase highlights quality in identity revision.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Homebase is overhauling its identity to reinvent itself as a quality home-interest retailer in the face of rising competition from B&Q and Focus. Marketing has learned that Homebase has briefed design agency Turner Duckworth to work on a...

Conde Nast hands pounds 17m Easy Living job to WCRS.(WCRS Group PLC)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Conde Nast has named WCRS as the creative agency for the pounds 17m launch of Easy Living, its magazine for 30-something women that will debut next March. WCRS won the brief after a pitch against a number of undisclosed agencies. ...

Top McDonald's marketer retires.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... John Hawkes, McDonald's chief marketing officer for the UK, is to retire after 21 years at the company. Hawkes will step down in January, but will continue to work with the marketing department on brand issues in a consultancy capacity. ...

Masterfoods shifts pounds 12m work into TBWA\London.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Masterfoods has moved the pounds 12m advertising account for its Twix, Galaxy and Starburst confectionery brands out of Grey London into TBWA\London. The move follows last week's decision by Masterfoods to shift its global ad-vertising...

Ocean Village in loyalty card plan.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... P&O-owned cruise company Ocean Village is launching a discount card for the under-45s in an attempt to appeal to a new generation of passengers. The firm, which launched last May, is offering the U45 card online. It gives under-45s at...

BMW reviews pounds 5m dealership marketing account.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... BMW is to refresh the strategy for its BMW and Mini marques, financial services and after-sales care with a review of its pounds 5m dealership marketing business. The account has been managed for the past 15 years by Emery McLaven Orr...

Diageo unveils mixer line to boost on-trade sales.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Drinks giant Diageo is launching a range of premium mixers to help pubs and bars battle a decline in over-the-bar spirit sales. The range, which will be promoted under the brand name 23, will come in three flavours: 23 Green, 23 Red and 23...

GNER begins pounds 1m Mallard activity.(Mallard trains)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... GNER is embarking on a pounds 1m regional advertising campaign to promote the launch of its Mallard trains. The trains, which were launched this summer, offer more legroom and improved catering. TV, cinema, press and radio ads will break...

Sony plans pounds 6m campaign to bolster market lead.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Sony is spending more than pounds 6m on a three-pronged marketing campaign to secure its market-leading position ahead of Christmas. The activity will begin with a pre-launch campaign for the slimmed-down PlayStation 2 (PS2). The console,...

Green & Black's creates gift box.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Green & Black's is trying to cash in on the Christmas chocolate boom with the introduction of its first chocolate gift selection box. The product will be sold under the sub-brand The Dark Collection in Waitrose, Selfridges and Fresh & Wild...

GoLower readies debut campaign.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Nascent UK low-carb brand GoLower is preparing its first advertising campaign for the new year, backed by a six-figure spend. GoLower is searching for a creative agency, which will be tasked with launching the brand, promoting its premium...

Chivas to emphasise premium in relaunch.(Chivas Brothers Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Chivas Brothers is relaunching and extending distribution of its 18-year-old Chivas Regal whisky brand, to take advantage of what it claims is a global premium spirit boom. The packaging of Chivas Regal is to be redesigned and the whisky...

News Brief: Chelsea Football seeks sponsor.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Chelsea Football Club is seeking a global brand to be its shirt sponsor, following its decision to terminate its long-running deal with Emirates Airlines at the end of this season. Chelsea is keen to tie up with a telecoms or automotive brand...

News Brief: Club 18-30 mobile phone push.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Club 18-30 is preparing a major mobile phone marketing push to back its annual reunion events. The activity, managed by Vodafone Target, follows the soft-launch of a range of Club 18-30-branded mobile services this summer.

News Brief: Recycle for London push.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Recycle for London is launching a seven-figure advertising push to convince Londoners to recycle more. The poster executions, by Team Saatchi, feature a number of well-known brands, including Heinz Baked Beans and Marmite.

News Brief: Lyle's Golden Syrup encourages.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Lyle's Golden Syrup is encouraging consumers to use its products as toppings on toast and pancakes in a national press campaign featuring the strapline 'Golden Moments'. The ads will run this month and in February, to coincide with Shrove...

News Brief: Ask Jeeves online push.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Ask Jeeves is backing its relaunch with an online push. Creative, developed by Profero, will feature the new-look butler brand icon. It will be supported by a pounds 2m ad campaign by TBWA\London.

News Brief: Renault tweaks identity.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Renault has tweaked its visual identity in an attempt to modernise the brand by featuring a darker shade of yellow and more contemporary typography.

News Brief: Unison to launch campaign.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Unison, the UK's biggest trade union, is launching a TV ad campaign in a bid to recruit new members. The 30- and 60-second ads, created by Delaney Lund Knox Warren, air from today (Wednesday).

News Brief: 20th Century Fox runs campaign.(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... 20th Century Fox is running a digital campaign to back three movies eligible for BAFTA awards this year, including I Love Hucka-bees, starring Jude Law and Dustin Hoffman. The campaign was developed by agency Spinnaker.

People moves: Tidmarsh appointed.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Alix Tidmarsh has been appointed to the new role of marketing director of BBC Worldwide, responsible for co-ordinating all marketing activity across the company. She was previously head of the corporation's Intellectual Property Management...

People moves: Helvey named director.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Ronny Helvey, former marketing director for Harrods, has been named marketing director of high-street womenswear brand Principles. He replaces Jane Hayman, who left earlier this year to pursue other interests. Helvey left Harrods in 2003 to set...

People moves: Sauvageot chief executive.(Hennessy)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Patrick Sauvageot, chief executive of Danone France, has been appointed chief executive of Hennessy, the drinks division of LVMH. He succeeds Roland de Farcy, who has headed Hennessy since May 2002, and is retiring.

People moves: Gower head at Future Plus.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... John Gower has taken on the new role of head of contract publishing at Future Plus, the contract publishing and creative solutions arm of Future Publishing. Gower has spent the past eight years in South Africa, working on contract magazines for...

People moves: King joins PJ Smoothies.(Nathan King)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Nathan King is joining PJ Smoothies as its first marketing director. He moves from Jacob's Bakery, where he was senior brand manager for Jacob's Crackers, following United Biscuits' acquisition of the company. Last week, the brand named former...

People moves: Barrasso takes up role.(Danny Barrasso, ThomasCook.com)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Danny Barrasso will take up the new role of partnerships manager at ThomasCook.com this week. He will be responsible for developing relationships with appro-priate brands, customer acquisition and search engine optimisation. Barrasso, who was...

People moves: Piscopo as director.(Malta Tourist Office)(Michael Piscopo)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Michael Piscopo has joined the Malta Tourist Office in London as director. He will be responsible for the marketing and promotion of the country in the UK and Ireland. Piscopo has previously served as director of the Malta Tourist Office in the...

Clotheshow appeals to over-20 audience.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Clotheshow Live has signed up supermodel Erin O'Connor to front the annual fashion event, as it looks to appeal to the fashion-conscious over-20s market. The brand is also considering relaunching the Clotheshow BBC TV programme next year...

BHF 'artery' work to go interactive.(British Heart Foundation)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is making digital marketing central to the second phase of its anti-smoking 'fatty artery' campaign. The Department of Health-funded pounds 5m activity, which breaks on TV this week, is part of ongoing...

Thomas Cook sets up web wedding service.(Honeymoonsdirect2u)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... As British consumers flock abroad for weddings and honeymoons, Thomas Cook has launched a direct-sell enterprise to tap into the increasingly lucrative market. Honeymoonsdirect2u, which begins operating this week, is positioned as a...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Aer Lingus and Ryanair are in talks about joint-sponsoring a team in the A1 Grand Prix, the international motor racing series launched in London last week - Sunday Express. Marks & Spencer has lost two key womenswear team members. Margaret...

New campaign: Lovefilm.com.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Online DVD rental service Lovefilm.com is to run its first advertising with a press campaign focusing on the brand's passion for movies. The activity will break on 15 October in listings magazines and national newspapers. The work follows...

Media news: Sony backs HD1 with C4 music show link.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Sony is supporting the launch of its HD1 hard-disc network Walkman, a rival to Apple's iPod, by sponsoring Channel 4 series UK Music Hall of Fame as part of a pounds 2m UK multimedia push. The six-week series, hosted by Jamie Theakston,...

Media news: Emap overhauls suffering Sneak.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Emap is trying to resuscitate its weekly teen entertainment title Sneak with a relaunch after an 11.3% slide in sales in the January-June ABCs. The new look, unveiled this week, encompasses a 'boy section' that includes help guides on...

Media news: Kleeneze set for pounds 4m TV venture.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Kleeneze, the home shopping specialist, is investing pounds 4m in partnership with JML, the record and video distributor, in a home shopping TV channel, Eezee TV. The channel, on Sky channel 664, will debut with pre-recorded programming...

Media choice: Media Weekly - Liz Jones, Vice-president, European sales director, CNBC Europe.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... One thing not lacking at the moment is coverage of the media sector: there's a plethora of press supplements and TV shows, including our very own Media Talk on CNBC Europe. It's not surprising, given that the media industry tends to act as a...

Media brief: Odeon chief executive quits.(Tim Schoonmaker)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Odeon chief executive Tim Schoonmaker has quit after only six months in the job in the wake of the cinema chain's takeover by venture capital firm Terra Firma. Schoonmaker quit his previous position as chief executive of Emap Radio in January.

Media brief: Richmond Foods appoints Rise.(Rise Communications)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Richmond Foods has appointed Rise Communications to handle the communications strategy for its Skinny Cow low-fat premium ice cream and Fab ice-lolly brands. Richmond has allocated a major four-year investment to the brands.

Media brief: Jacob's Creek radio sponsorship.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Jacob's Creek is to use radio sponsorship for the first time in a deal with Virgin Radio. The wine brand will take up Virgin's Spotlights package, which embeds advertisers' messages into on-air editorial output.

Media brief: Sky signs three-month deals.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Sky has signed three-month deals to sponsor the Capital Gold Mick & Emma at Breakfast radio show and the Classic FM Drivetime show in a bid to encourage consumers to re-appraise its brand.

Media brief: ITV signs Warner deal.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... ITV has signed an exclusive deal with Warner Bros to screen the studio's releases between 2003 and 2005 on ITV1, ITV2 and ITV3. The deal covers the Harry Potter, Matrix and Scooby Doo series.

Media brief: Wright leaves.(Alison Wright, Manning Gottlieb OMD)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Manning Gottlieb OMD managing director Alison Wright has left the agency without a job to go to, following a restructure. Phil Nunn has been promoted from director of digital and direct to joint managing partner.

Media brief: Bristol & West breaks campaign.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Bristol & West is breaking a pounds 200,000 through-the-line campaign to promote its 1st Start mortgage package for first-time buyers. The campaign, created and bought by Rhythmm, will feature parents who have helped their children with their...

Media brief: Danish Bacon sponsorship.(The Sensational Breakfast Show)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Danish Bacon has renewed its sponsorship of Classic Gold Digital's The Sensational Breakfast Show, featuring DJ Tony Blackburn, for six months.

Branding news: Walkers to introduce health icon on packs.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Walkers, under pressure on the issue of obesity, is to introduce a healthy living icon on its packaging to educate consumers about nutrition. The decision to add the icon is part of a review of packaging across the entire Walkers range,...

Branding news: Carbolite offers cereal products.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Carbolite, the US low-carb brand, is launching a range of breakfast cereals in the UK. The range, which comprises Mixed Nut & Seeds and Almond & Strawberry variants, was developed after Carbolite discovered that a key reason for people...

Branding news: Uncle Ho debuts 'tyre' shoe in UK.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... A shoe brand inspired by sandals fashioned from US Jeep tyres in the Vietnam war is launching in the UK. The Uncle Ho range, which will take on Birkenstock and Timberland, is based on the original Ho Chi Minh sandal, created by the Viet...

Branding news: Design choice - Conservative Party logo - Shaun McIlrath, Creative director, Heresy.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Like a bus, we knew it would come along eventually, we just had no idea when. Well, here it is - New Conservatism. A defiant arm clutching the once-hovering torch. What does it all mean? New Labour famously stole the Conservatives' Middle...

Branding news brief: Rotund 'Charlie' to stay.(Little Chef)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Little Chef has confirmed that 'Charlie', the cartoon chef who is the face of the brand, will remain rotund. The decision follows more than 15,000 consumer complaints after the company considered plans to slim down the character.

Branding news brief: Epicure relaunches.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Epicure, the canned-food brand stocked by independent retailers, is relaunching, backed by a six-figure spend. The revamp includes revised packaging and the introduction of 20 additional products.

Branding news brief: UKTV revises identity.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... UKTV has revised its network identity and palette of colours to differentiate each of its nine channels. UKTV briefed design agency Dunning Eley Jones to create a look that would give the network a unified feel.

Branding news brief: Clipper Tea a winner.(Design Effectiveness Awards)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Clipper Tea won the Grand Prix at the Design Business Association's 2004 Design Effectiveness Awards last week. Sales of the brand rose by 350% after an overhaul of its packaging by Williams Murray Hamm. Other winners included Waitrose for...

Branding news brief: Jacob's tempts us.(Temptations)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Jacob's is making its first foray into the sweet biscuit market with Temptations, a luxury range of assorted white, dark and milk chocolate-coated biscuits. The 700g tins will be priced pounds 7.99.

Branding news brief: thehouse hired.(The Art of Bathrooms)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... The Art of Bathrooms, the bathroom product company, has hired branding agency thehouse to develop its corporate identity, website and launch communications. The appointment comes as the company opens its first showroom, in Bath.

Branding news brief: Essentials revamps.(Boots brand)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Essentials, Boots' own-brand bath and shower product, has revamped its packaging through branding agency Saturday. The redesign features transparent plastic packs.

Branding news brief: East Thames revises identity.(Campaign Works)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... East Thames, the housing charity, has revised its identity for use on its customer-facing literature. Design is by creative marketing agency Campaign Works.

Direct news: Stagecoach awards bus activity to Story.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Bus operator Stagecoach has handed its UK advertising account to integrated agency Story. The agency will work on behalf of Stagecoach's 16 bus operators throughout the UK in a through-the-line initiative aimed at encouraging people to...

Direct news: TV Licence work targets students.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... TV Licensing has developed a direct marketing initiative to educate students about the need to buy a licence if they have a TV set at college. The campaign, by Proximity London, breaks later this month, using the message 'Work it out for...

Direct news: EmpireDirect in Christmas push.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... EmpireDirect.co.uk, the electricals e-tailer, has signed up EHS Brann Leeds with a brief to increase traffic to its site. The agency will develop creative work for a series of press ads and inserts, as well as a direct mail test. ...

Direct news: Direct choice - bmi - Tony Aiello, Creative director, The Yellow Submarine.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... I was a little intrigued to find a pizza takeaway box had been slipped through my letterbox one morning. My first reaction was to sniff it to check there was nothing smelly inside. Then curiosity spurred me into action, so I opened the box....

Direct news brief: Volkswagen mail pack.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Volkswagen is targeting 85,000 prospects with a mail pack explaining why its Passat Trend-line, the latest addition to the Passat range, is good value for money. The pack was created by Proximity London.

Direct news brief: Opel launches campaign.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Opel is launching its first European online viral marketing campaign. The work, through Digital Media Communications, previews a forthcoming TV ad promoting its Tigra TwinTop model.

Direct news brief: MasterCard introduces RAP.(Retail Activation Programme)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... MasterCard Advisors is introducing a Retail Activation Programme (RAP), an initiative it claims will help retailers attract new, valuable customer segments. RAP enables retailers to link up with card issuers and develop more targeted...

Direct news brief: Parador hires JDA.(Parador Properties)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Parador Properties, the overseas property specialist, has hired marketing communications agency JDA Group to handle its direct marketing. JDA has been briefed to develop a six-step plan to promote its properties in Spain.

Direct news brief: CAF leads Giving Week.(Charities Aid Foundation)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) is leading the UK's first National Giving Week (18-24 October) with a campaign highlighting the different ways charities can be supported. The campaign, organised in-house, will focus on the benefits of planned...

Direct news brief: VSO plans campaign.(direct mail campaign)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... VSO is planning a direct mail campaign through Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw, aimed at generating funds and raising awareness of a volunteer programme it is starting in Sierra Leone.

Direct news brief: Merloni hires RSM.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Merloni, the kitchen appliance manufacturer, has hired full-service agency RSM to manage its Real Deal trade loyalty incentive scheme. The scheme will reward kitchen retailers for selling Merloni products.

Direct news brief: Autotrader runs scheme.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Autotrader is running an affiliate scheme through Dealgroup Media with the intention of highlighting all the product areas it covers. These include insurance, finance, car data checks and warranties.

Retail news: Waitrose adds Indian meals.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Waitrose is taking on the big supermarkets' own-brand ready meals and independent takeaway outlets with a premium Indian meals range from award-winning London restaurant Quilon. The Quilon ready-meal range, manufactured by Noon Products,...

Retail news: Aquascutum set for fashion show.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Aquascutum is to launch a series of fashion shows next spring as it aims to become more fashion-led and places greater emphasis on its British heritage. Marketing manager Scott Williams said the shows were the result of an internal review...

Retail news: Retail choice - Urban Outfitters, Oxford Street.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... When designer Nick McMahon was given the brief for the Urban Outfitters store on Oxford Street, he must have been terrified. The concept demands an eclectic mix of clothes, furniture, accessories and kitsch, while showcasing high-profile modern...

Retail news brief: Tesco ties up with Hasbro.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Tesco has tied up with Hasbro to use its Action Man character to encourage kids to eat healthier food. The supermarket is to give away 200,000 copies of Action Man DVD Robot Atak with bags of its apples.

Retail news brief: Dixons to run campaign.(Youth Futures)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2004... Dixons Group is to run an 18-month Youth Futures campaign to raise money for charities ChildLine, Teenage Cancer Trust and NCH. The project will be promoted in PC World, Dixons, Currys and The Link, which will sell Christmas keyrings and...