Marketing articles from October 2005

Marketing archives from October 2005

Lloyds TSB axes Note for Note after eight months.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Lloyds TSB is closing its Note for Note fundraising scheme at the end of this month after failing to drum up enough interest. The bank's pounds 10m corporate social responsibility initiative was launched just eight months ago to raise money...

McDonald's to flag food nutrition levels on-pack.
October 5, 2005... McDonald's is to display nutritional information on its products, in what will be seen as its boldest step yet to reassure customers of the quality of its food. The company is understood to be assessing a range of pack designs for...

Online adspend set to top pounds 1bn.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Online advertising in the UK will become a pounds 1bn industry by the end of the year, according to the Internet Advertising Bureau, which this week will announce that the medium has overtaken outdoor's share of overall adspend. Brands...

Danone paves way for major water brand launch.
October 5, 2005... Danone is aiming to cement its dominance of the pounds 1.6bn UK bottled water market with the launch of its third mainstream water brand. The French food giant is understood to have arranged briefings with major multiple retailers in the...

Lloyds TSB hands media task to ZenithOptimedia.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Lloyds TSB has centralised its pounds 18.5m strategic media planning account into Zenith-Optimedia, as part of the review of its agency roster. Alan Gilmour, Lloyds TSB's head of marketing, called the review in February and instructed the...

UIP prepares for live TV ad debut.(United International Pictures)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... UIP has become the first film distributor to run a live TV ad with a spot set to air on ITV1 this Saturday. The activity will promote its forthcoming Universal/DreamWorks release Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. The...

Heinz to flag up lower salt levels.(H.J. Heinz Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Heinz is seeking to boost its health credentials by promoting its products' low salt content on labels across some of its flagship tinned ranges. The line 'Check out my salt level' will appear on tins of Baked Beanz, Spaghetti Hoops, Cream...

Boots deal set to trigger price war.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The pounds 7bn merger between Boots and Alliance Unichem could spark a price war against the supermarkets, which have been taking market share off the pharmaceutical sector, say analysts. The combined company, Alliance Boots, will have 2600...

New campaign: Guinness.(Guinness Brewing)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Guinness is to reintroduce its award-winning 'Good things come to those who wait' strapline with a TV ad that breaks this week. The pounds 5m campaign, which is intended to mark 50 years of Guinness advertising, is based around an...

Twinings seeks marketing director as Rigby exits.(Chris Rigby)(R. Twining and Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Twinings' marketing director, Chris Rigby, has left the company after less than nine months. A spokesman said that Rigby, who joined in February, was leaving the drinks business for 'personal reasons'. He is not believed to have another...

Chelsea boosts marketing team.(Chelsea Football Club)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Chelsea Football Club has bolstered its commercial department with the appointment of two senior marketers to new positions. Lucinda Brock has quit her job as director of sales operations at Virgin Atlantic to become head of marketing while...

NTL seals pounds 3.4bn Telewest merger.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The long-awaited merger of cable firms NTL and Telewest has been welcomed by marketers and agencies, who say it can finally compete with Sky's dominance of pay-TV. NTL, the UK's largest cable TV supplier, paid dollars 6.5bn (pounds 3.4bn)...

3 plans credit giveaway for ThreePay relaunch.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... 3 is preparing to relaunch its pre-pay business, ThreePay, ahead of the key Christmas trading period with a call-credit giveaway to customers. The mobile network, owned by Hutchison Whampoa, is expected to roll out the service next month,...

Nissan promotes UK chief to pan-European post.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Nissan has handed UK marketing director Paul Wilcox responsibility for the Japanese car marque's advertising across Europe. Wilcox will take up the role of vice-president marketing, Europe, from November and relocate to the Paris office....

Diageo supports youth campaign.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Diageo is targeting 11- to 14-year-olds as part of its drive to raise awareness of alcohol issues among young people. The drinks giant has teamed up with the Crag Rats theatre group to stage an interactive theatre tour, which aims to visit...

Birds Eye backs health focus with door-drop.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Unilever frozen food brand Birds Eye is to embark on a direct drive to reinforce its health message. The company, which has reformulated many of its meals and has been running extensive TV advertising highlighting its healthier ingredients,...

Bhs set for review of pounds 3m media account.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Bhs, the high-street retailer owned by Arcadia Group, is in talks with agencies about embarking on a review of its pounds 3m media planning and buying account with Media Planning Group. It follows an announcement by Arcadia Group chairman...

HMV takes on rivals with website overhaul.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... HMV is to step up the fight against online competitors such as Play.com and CD-WOW by revamping its website and backing it with its first ads since its 1998 launch. HMV.co.uk is relocating its supply arm to Guernsey, following the lead of...

Nestle signs up to in-store radio.(Immedia Broadcasting PLC)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Nestle Rowntree has signed a year-long contract with in-store radio specialist Immedia Broadcasting as part of its increased marketing focus on in-store advertising. The six-figure deal, for which Nestle has shifted spend out of...

News brief: Travelodge shortlists agencies.(TraveLodge International Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Travelodge has shortlisted Doner Cardwell Hawkins, Sledge, RPM3 and Mustoes for its pounds 4m creative account through a pitch being handled by Agency Assessments. The incumbent agency, Euro RSCG, is not repitching.

News brief: Prudential launches TV campaign.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Prudential is launching a pounds 4 m TV campaign to promote its 'honest, open and straight-talking' brand positioning. The activity, created by WCRS and Tequila, also includes sponsorship of ITV's Parkinson.

News brief: Xfm md leaves GCap Media.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Xfm managing director Graham Bryce has left radio group GCap Media. His departure follows those of chief executive David Mansfield and commercial director Linda Smith.

News brief: Whitbread promotes Gerard Tempest.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Whitbread has promoted Gerard Tempest to the role of marketing director for Premier Travel Inn. Tempest joined the group in August 2003 as director of marketing UK & Ireland for Marriott.

News brief: Ghd launches TV campaign.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Ghd is launching a pounds 2.5m TV campaign, created by Propaganda, to promote its ceramic styling irons. The ads, which break on 17 October, will be based on the brand's recent 'Gospel according to ghd' press campaign.

News brief: Flight Centre links with Sony and American Airlines.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Flight Centre has linked with Sony and American Airlines this month for an in-store and online promotion backing the film Legend of Zorro. The activity will offer customers the chance to win a luxury holiday for two in Mexico.

News brief: City AM to launch property supplement.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... City AM, the free morning newspaper targeting London's business community, is to launch a property supplement. City AM Living will initially be published fortnightly, although there are plans to offer it weekly.

News brief: Turner Broadcasting promotes Dee Forbes.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Turner Broadcasting has promoted Dee Forbes from senior vice-president of European advertising sales to senior vice-president and general manager. Forbes will no longer have responsibility for ad sales, but will now handle Turner's programming,...

Disney to debut pirate toy in UK.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Disney is planning to launch a major toy franchise around its Pirates of the Caribbean film trilogy and has handed the UK licensing rights to Vivid Imaginations. The toys will be available from next summer to coincide with the release of...

Diageo plots ads to fight binge-drinking.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Diageo, whose brands include Archers and Smirnoff Ice, is considering investing in a standalone ad campaign to tackle the growing problem of binge-drinking in the UK. The drinks company has already run a responsible drinking campaign in...

Bank signs to flag up free ATM withdrawals.(automated teller machines)(HBOS PLC)(Nationwide)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Nationwide and the Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) group are to display signs on their cash machines to highlight the fact that they do not charge for cash withdrawals. HBOS will display the stickers on all 2700 of its Halifax and Bank of...

New campaign: DfES.(Department for Education and Skills)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is launching a TV campaign to ease fears over university tuition fees. The ads depict vultures following a girl as she studies and parties with friends. The message is that from next September...

This week: Marketing news from the national press.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Premier Foods, owner of iconic British grocery brands including Bird's custard, is in talks to sell its Typhoo tea business to Apeejay Tea of India for up to pounds 100m - Financial Times The Post Office has launched a two-in-one credit...

Media News: Sky Active plans Xmas show.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Sky Active is launching a Christmas teleshopping programme intended to attract smaller brands with direct-sales operations to advertise ahead of the season. Christmas Wrapped Up, a magazine-style show, will launch on 24 October, hosted by...

Media News: FHM to use Xbox virtual cover girl.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Microsoft Game Studios is promoting its Xbox 360 title Perfect Dark Zero in a pan-European deal that will turn its heroine, Joanna Dark, into FHM's first virtual cover girl. The November edition of the magazine will feature a three-page...

Media choice: Any Question Answered.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Rather than being a narrow utilitarian SMS-based location-finder for your nearest McDonald's, Any Question Answered's (AQA) 63336 text service offers lightning response-times, razor-sharp accuracy and wit in response to any question you ask it...

Media News brief: THQ to sponsor children's programmes.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... THQ is to sponsor all the shows within Five's Shake! strand of children's programming. The one-year deal will promote the video-game publisher's forthcoming releases, which include SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! and Scooby Doo...

Media News brief: Frank to run promotion on Galaxy FM.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Frank, the Department of Health's drugs advice service, is running a promotion on Galaxy FM, the Chrysalis Radio dance network. The activity will include the chance for listeners to present their own show.

Media News brief: Birmingham Evening Mail gets redesign.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Birmingham Evening Mail has dropped 'Evening' from its name following a redesign. The overhaul involves an increase in pagination and the introduction of additional sections at the Trinity Mirror-owned regional daily.

Media News brief: Jetix UK launches interactive games service.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Jetix UK, the kids TV network, has launched an interactive free-to-play games service on Telewest Broadband's digital TV platform. Subscribers will be able to access the games using the red button, while retaining the TV broadcast in a quarter...

Media News brief: LG and Replay Blue Jeans to sponsor MTV awards.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... LG Electronics and Replay Blue Jeans are to sponsor this year's MTV Europe Music Awards taking place in Lisbon on 3 November.

Media News brief: Ocean Outdoor hires sales director.(Mark Wilkinson)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Ocean Outdoor, the large-format media contractor, has hired Mark Wilkinson as sales director. He joins from publishing company Job Opportunities.

Media News brief: Independent News & Media appoints Falk eSolutions.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Independent News & Media has appointed Falk eSolutions to handle its international ad-serving account. Falk will manage the company's online advertising inventory and run rich-media campaigns on its behalf.

Branding News: Weetabix hires Blue Marlin.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Weetabix, the UK's biggest cereal brand, has shaken up its design arrangements by appointing Blue Marlin as its lead agency. The decision follows the resignation of the business by Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR), which is understood to have...

Branding News: Hi-Tec launches children's range.(Hi-Tec Sports PLC)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Hi-Tec, the footwear firm, is to roll out its first children's line next spring. The range of outdoor shoes and trainers, called Phibian and Friends, feature toggle-fastening, intended to make life easier for kids and parents. Hi-Tec...

Branding News: Design choice - Rokr.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... It was one of the industry's worst-kept secrets, but the Rokr is finally here amid much trumpeting by Apple and Motorola. But does it live up to the uber-cool fantasy? Well, to be frank, no. To the disappointment of many iPod purists, the...

Branding News brief: Wrigley expands mints range.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Wrigley is expanding its mints range with the addition of Extra Ice Mints. The launch of the roll-packs of sugar-free mints, priced 29p each, will be supported by a pounds 1.1m marketing campaign.

Branding News brief: Dyslexia organisations to merge.(Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre)(The Dyslexia Institute)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre and The Dyslexia Institute have hired 35 Communications to create a name and corporate identity for their forthcoming merger. The work is expected to break in January 2006.

Branding News brief: Airowear to launch own-brand rugby range.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Airowear, the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of protective equipment for the equestrian sector, is to launch an own-brand rugby range, which has been approved by the International Rugby Board.

Branding News brief: The Sanctuary Shop appoints Din Associates.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Sanctuary Shop in London's Covent Garden has appointed Din Associates to redesign its flagship store, bringing its branding in line with The Sanctuary Spa.

Branding News brief: Ron Veracruzano rums to get new look.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Ron Veracruzano range of Mexican rums, imported by WSI, has hired design consultancy Pemberton & Whitefoord to create a new look for the products. WSI's clients include Spirit Group, Harrods and Selfridges.

Branding News brief: Radiant Investments hires Lewis Moberly.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Radiant Investments has appointed design agency Lewis Moberly to launch a vodka brand next year. The agency won the business in a four-way strategic pitch against Williams Murray Hamm, Dew Gibbons and Pearlfisher.

Branding News brief: Colon Cancer Concern to be rebranded.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Colon Cancer Concern is to be rebranded and renamed Bowel Cancer UK to better reflect its national role. The rebranding of the charity will be handled by Smosarski Design.

Direct News: Virgin to step up CRM focus.(Customer Relationship Management )(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Virgin Atlantic is to boost its emphasis on customer relationship management following its appointment of loyalty marketing specialists ICLP. The airline has been seeking an agency to bolster its CRM capabilities since June (Marketing, 15...

Direct News: Nissan plots 4x4 awareness push.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Nissan is to send out a 'highway code' mailing to 70,000 prospective customers to promote the launch of its Navara 4x4 model. The pack, which has been developed by integrated agency Tullo Marshall Warren, is intended to boost awareness of...

Direct choice: NSPCC.(National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... It seems absurd to worry that a lack of impact might be an issue for a campaign about child abuse, but the sheer volume of charity appeal advertising today makes it a very real concern for marketers. The concept of donor fatigue,...

Direct News brief: Diageo uses experiential campaign.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Diageo is using an experiential campaign to promote its reduced-sugar Archers Vea drink. The campaign, developed by CPM, will distribute 300,000 samples of Vea to the brand's target audience of women in their 20s and 30s.

Direct News brief: British Airways Holidays launches campaign.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... British Airways Holidays is launching a trade press and online campaign through Tullo Marshall Warren targeting UK travel agents. The campaign, which uses creative by M&C Saatchi, has already run in the US.

Direct News brief: Save the Children sends out direct mailing.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Save the Children is sending a direct mailing by Proximity London to 120,000 supporters, asking for donations. The pack, which is aimed at getting girls worldwide into primary education, resembles a children's book.

Direct News brief: Manchester Metropolitan University seeks agency.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Manchester Metropolitan University is seeking an agency to handle its direct marketing for the recruitment of students and staff. The brief includes the development of promotional and direct activity and market research.

Direct News brief: Good Energy sends out mailing.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Good Energy, the renewable energy electricity provider, is mailing 40,000 people in a bid to dispel myths about the form of energy. The campaign has been created by Claydon Heeley Jones Mason.

Direct News brief: Children's Society raises awareness.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Children's Society is looking to raise awareness about the UK's growing crisis of runaway children through a mailing by EHS Brann. The activity is part of its national 'Safe and Sound' campaign.

Direct News brief: RAC ties up with Experian.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The RAC has tied up with Experian to gain access to its National Business database. This will enable it to pinpoint the location of broken-down vehicles based on business premises the driver may be near.

Retail News: Bhs fills top marketer role.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Bhs has hired former Selfridges top marketer Beverley Churchill as its marketing director. Tasked with overseeing the chain's pounds 6m annual marketing budget, Churchill replaces Romney Drury, who left the Philip Green-owned retailer in...

Retail choice: Manchester United Megastore.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... I have supported Manchester United for as long as I can remember, so a visit to its Megastore last week on the night we played Benfica - finalists in 1968 when we won the European Championship for the first time - was especially poignant. ...

Retail News: Von Dutch opens flagship UK shop.(Von Dutch Originals)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... US clothing label Von Dutch, which took the UK by storm last summer, is to open its first flagship store in London to reach a wider audience. The fashion brand, which is popular with celebrities, is aiming to capitalise on its success by...

Retail News brief: JJB Sports embarks on fundraising drive.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... JJB Sports is embarking on a fundraising drive for the British Heart Foundation through its 30 fitness clubs. The partnership, which runs from this month and will continue into 2006, aims to raise funds for defibrillators via initiatives such...

Retail News brief: GlaxoSmithKline signs deal.(Lloydspharmacy Live)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... GlaxoSmithKline consumer healthcare has signed a two-year deal with Lloydspharmacy Live, the chemist's in-store radio station. The activity is intended to raise awareness of seasonal healthcare issues.

Retail News brief: Allsports goes into administration.(may close stores)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Allsports has gone into administration. BDO Stoy Hayward said it may close some of the sportswear retailer's 267 stores. It is unclear what the impact will be on the chain's football shirt sponsorship deal with Charlton Athletic.

Retail News brief: Comet posts loss.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Comet posted a loss of pounds 3.3m for the six months to 31 July, in contrast with its pounds 4.4m profit last year. Sales across its 250 stores fell by 2.2%. Comet's performance has had a knock-on effect on French owner Kesa, which has...

Retail News brief: Kurt Geiger launches first e-commerce website.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Kurt Geiger is launching its first e-commerce website, www.kurtgeiger.com, offering shoes from its own range and others. Created by Design UK, the site's featured brands include Chloe.

Retail News brief: HMV Group sales fall.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... HMV Group's like-for-like sales fell by 4.4% over the 21-week period from 1 May. Corresponding sales in the UK and Ireland are also down 9.2%, while those for Waterstone's fell, by 6.4%.

Retail News brief: Tesco buys Morrisons' petrol stations.(William Morrison Supermarkets PLC)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Tesco has bought 21 of Morrisons' 30 petrol stations and convenience stores. Of the remainder, four will go to BP and five to Somerfield.

Helen Dickinson on retail: Price-cutters will soon count the cost.
October 5, 2005... These are confusing times to be a consumer in the UK. On the one hand, we believe that the cost of living is going up and that everything is so much more expensive than it used to be. At the same time, the ever-lower prices we pay for products...

Financial Services Forum Awards: Results bring rewards.
October 5, 2005... A small campaign budget proved no barrier to this year's winner in the annual awards for marketing effectiveness. A low-budget campaign by The Derbyshire building society has won Most Effective Advertising Campaign at The Financial Services...

News Analysis: Portman Group faces stern test.
October 5, 2005... The drinks industry body is under pressure to prove it can regulate the industry that sustains it. Jane Simms reports. As the alcoholic drinks industry faces up to the threat of restrictive legislation in 2007, which will be introduced if...

Conference Preview: Tapping into tie-ups.(Calendar)
October 5, 2005... Marketing's sponsorship conference will enable delegates to capitalise on the medium's growing potential. The realisation that brands can no longer achieve the required results from placing the lion's share of their marketing budgets into...

Raymond Snoddy on media: Don't get caught in the celebrity glare.
October 5, 2005... The late Sir James Goldsmith once famously said that when a man marries his mistress a vacancy is created. So when a supermodel who represents the public face of no fewer than four cosmetic and fashion groups appears in far too close...

Media Analysis: Battle of the downsizers.
October 5, 2005... Since The Independent moved to a compact format, its sales have risen steadily, until recently, reports Jeremy Lee. It is almost two years ago to the day since The Independent became the first quality broadsheet to publish a tabloid, or...

Brand Health Check: British Gas.(Centrica PLC)
October 5, 2005... Frequent price rises and strong profits are doing nothing to help the energy supplier retain consumers, writes Ben Carter. British Gas is the energy company everybody loves to hate. With soaring oil and wholesale gas prices as well as...

Mark Ritson on branding: Why Wal-Mart is coming on strong.(Biography)
October 5, 2005... No one paid much attention when John Fleming was appointed as chief marketing officer at Wal-Mart. The world's biggest retailer has a history of recruiting from within and Fleming had headed the company's interactive division for four years....

One to watch: Moonpig.
October 5, 2005... The London greetings card firm has discovered there is great value in getting personal, writes Claire Murphy. Receiving a personalised Moonpig card is less like opening a greetings card and more like unwrapping a surprisingly well-chosen...

Profile: Staying power - Russ Shaw, Marketing director, O2.(Biography)
October 5, 2005... It is almost impossible to move around any UK city these days without being bombarded by ads for O2. Marketing director Russ Shaw is unapologetic, insisting that this 'clever marketing' has got the mobile operator where it is today in a very...

Adwatch: The weekly analysis of advertisement recall.(Illustration)
October 5, 2005... Q: Which of the following TV commercials do you remember seeing recently? Last Brand Agency/TV buyer % week 1 (-) Walkers Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO/OMD UK 78 2 ...

Adwatch: Ribena - 'Kitchen escape'.
October 5, 2005... The animation blitzkrieg rumbles on. Some years from now my children will drop their voices, as I slumber in the Parker Knoll, and tell their friends: 'Daddy used to work when they made live-action commercials.' Their friends will shake...