Marketing articles from October 2008

Marketing archives from October 2008

Eurostar chief Nugent to leave by end of year.(Greg Nugent is stepping down)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Greg Nugent, Eurostar's UK marketing chief, and one of the industry's most high-profile marketers, is stepping down from his position at the cross-Channel rail service. Nugent, who joined Eurostar five years ago to take control of its...

Birds Eye Roll in comeback.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Birds Eye is aiming to capitalise on the trend for retro food by re-entering the frozen-dessert market with the relaunch of the Arctic Roll, which it axed a decade ago. According to sources, Birds Eye European chief executive Martin Glenn...

Tories call for government adspend cuts.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Conservatives have called on the government to cut the COI's pounds 150m adspend as part of a series of belt-tightening measures aimed at coping with the economic downturn. Addressing his party conference in Birmingham, shadow...

Diageo drinkers' advice portal sparks cynicism.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Diageo's decision to launch its own global website promoting responsible drinking has drawn criticism from campaigners who claim such sites are aimed at avoiding tighter regulation rather than informing consumers. Diageo describes...

Labour reviews direct account.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Labour Party is looking for a direct agency following its annual conference in Manchester last week. It has already approached several agencies about the brief, which is believed to include both on- and offline communications. The...

Virgin to flag Bond film tie.(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(James Bond)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Virgin Atlantic will support its partnership with James Bond movie Quantum of Solace with a national integrated drive. The press, outdoor, online and promotional activity will highlight a Virgin Atlantic flight that the fictional spy is...

Ford switches Simpson to UK position.(appointment of Mark Simpson at Ford Motor Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Mark Simpson, Ford of Europe's director of marketing communications, is to take over as Ford of Britain's marketing director. His appointment follows the decision by current UK marketing director Mark Ovenden to take the position of...

Warburtons to take on Hovis with pounds 22m push.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Warburtons is pumping pounds 22m into a heavyweight marketing push designed to highlight its position as 'Britain's favourite baker', as it steps up its battle with Premier Foods' relaunched Hovis brand. The activity will begin with a TV...

UKTV ads to back revamp.(UKTV Interactive Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... UKTV is to embark on a multi-million-pound campaign to promote the launch of three channels next week. It will unveil Alibi, G.O.L.D. and Watch, with the latter showing the flagship talk show Richard and Judy's New Position. Watch will...

Which? plots younger focus.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Which?, the product-comparison company and consumer magazine, is to undertake a national marketing campaign in a bid to attract young readers. The readership of the publication currently has an average age of 60 Which? has hired start-up...

The Week in Marketing.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... DIAGEO CHIEF RETIRES - Rob Malcolm, president of global marketing, sales and innovation at Diageo, is to retire from the business in December. Currently a member of the drinks company's executive committee, Malcolm was appointed as head of...

Media: Channel 4 offers food ad subsidies.(Channel 4 Television Co.)
October 1, 2008... Channel 4 hopes to persuade more food brands to invest in TV advertising by offering to subsidise the making of ads that run on its channels. The broadcaster's ad sales team has set aside pounds 1m to offer help to new-to-TV or lapsed food...

Media: NBC launches Eli Stone push.(National Broadcasting Company Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... NBC is promoting the UK debut of its US drama Eli Stone with a six-figure campaign. The show, which starts its run on the Sci Fi Channel next Monday, stars Jonny Lee Miller and features cameo appearances by George Michael. Each episode is...

Media: Dulux hands task to Cedar.(Cedar Communications)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Dulux has appointed customer publishers Cedar Communications to produce its Colour Guide for 2009. The title, which has a circulation of 1m, is mostly distributed via retailers such as B&Q and Homebase. The guide was relaunched earlier...

Media Road Test: Reader's Digest.(The Reader's Digest Association Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... - What's new? The relaunched Reader's Digest has a redesigned logo, celebrity contributors including Julie Burchill and Stephen Fry, and more original content. - What's in it for readers? It still has a strong appeal for the core...

Media brief: BBC Worldwide to restructure children's division.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... BBC Worldwide is to restructure its children's division and rename it Children's and Licensing. The change is intended to maximise the global licensing opportunities for shows such as Teletubbies. The unit will be headed by managing director...

Media brief: CNBC Europe to rebrand.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... CNBC Europe, the business TV channel, is rebranding as CNBC to reflect the trend toward pan-regional and global business news. It will continue to broadcast more than nine hours of EMEA programming each business day

Media brief: Endemol poaches senior execs from IMG.(appointment of Lawrence Duffy and Gregg Oldfield )(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Endemol has poached two senior executives from sports marketing agency IMG. Former head of development Lawrence Duffy and former vice-president of network ventures Gregg Oldfield will manage its Endemol Sport division

Media brief: Radio Industry Diversity Group to launch drive.
October 1, 2008... The Radio Industry Diversity Group is to launch 'Represent!', a drive to interest students from ethnic minorities in the medium

Media brief: Whatsontv.co.uk to boost X Factor coverage.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Whatsontv.co.uk is to boost its X Factor coverage with 'Sing2Win', a contest in which users can upload videos of themselves singing to YouTube. The top-rated clips will be judged by X Factor 2007 finalists Same Difference

Branding: Barclaycard rolls out fresh identity.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Barclaycard is introducing an updated logo and visual identity across all its global products, services and operations to reflect the evolution of the brand from the traditional plastic card. The overhauled look will be rolled out...

Branding: Cruzan eyes premium shift.(Cruzan Rum)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Cruzan Rum has revamped its branding to give it a unified look across all markets where it is sold and position the drink as a premium brand. Two variants, Cruzan Rum Aged Light and Aged Dark, will be rolled out at the same time. A third...

Branding: Tossed to add London sites.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Tossed, an upmarket chain of salad bars, is expanding with the opening of three additional stores by the end of the month. The first outlet will be located in Harrods spin-off Harrods102, located opposite the London department store's main...

Branding: Brand in the news - Innocent.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Like the rest of us, Innocent has had a pretty crappy summer, and it's upset about it. I'd tell the brand to stick with what it does best. The gooseberry and blackcurrant smoothie of the month is delicious, the three or four staples are...

Branding brief: Dr Oetker Ristorante expands pizza range.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Dr Oetker Ristorante, the frozen pizza brand, has expanded its range with a smaller option, the Ristorante Piccola. The pizza is 16cm in diameter and comes in packs of two

Branding brief: Turnbull & Asser appoints Calver Roots & Madge.
October 1, 2008... Turnbull & Asser, the bespoke menswear brand, has appointed start-up agency Calver Roots & Madge to reinforce its luxury positioning

Branding brief: Taylors of Harrogate overhauls coffee range.
October 1, 2008... Taylors of Harrogate has overhauled its ground-coffee range with packaging designed by Pearlfisher. The packs will appear on shelves this month

Branding brief: Figleaves.com updates logo.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Figleaves.com, the online lingerie retailer, has updated its logo to complement its 'Everyday luxury for everybody' brand positioning. The fresh look was designed by Start Creative

Branding brief: Actor and chef to launch Blonde Ale.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Morrissey Fox Blonde Ale will be launched by actor Neil Morrissey and chef Richard Fox. The beer's look was created by Antidote, which has designed the bottle, a pump clip and a range of point-of-sale materials

Branding brief: Marston Vale retains Fluid Design + Marketing.
October 1, 2008... Marston Vale, an eco-town housing project, has retained creative agency Fluid Design + Marketing to help it establish an environmentally friendly image

Digital & Direct: Soil Association runs 'rejoin' push.(Flourish)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Campaigning environmental charity the Soil Association is launching a direct campaign to re-engage lapsed members. The organisation appointed Flourish without a pitch to handle the brief. It has created a mailer that seeks to persuade...

Digital & Direct: LoveFilm in Lionsgate tie.(Lions Gate Films Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Righteous Kill, a new movie starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, is being promoted on Lovefilm.com as part of a multi-title marketing deal with distributor Lionsgate UK. Other films in the promotion include My Best Friend's Girl and Saw...

Digital & Direct: Turkey brand in web drive.(Bernard Matthews Farms )(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Bernard Matthews Farms is launching a digital ad campaign this week in support of its above-the-line activity and rebranding, which broke last month. The online campaign, created by Momentum Manchester, coincides with a relaunch of Bernard...

Digital & Direct: Direct choice - Pot Noodle.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... I thought nothing could be easier than pouring boiling water into a Pot Noodle and grabbing a fork. But now, thanks to the fabulous Pot Noodle spinning fork, I realise that I have been expending far too much energy in the eating process. ...

Digital & Direct brief: Go-Cat to run promotional campaign.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Go-Cat, the Nestle Purina dry cat-food brand, is set to run a promotional campaign, created by Billington Cartmell, in which 100 pounds 1000 cheques will be hidden in packs

Digital & Direct brief: Crisis hires The Gate.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Crisis, the homelessness charity, has hired The Gate to create advertising to support a fundraising project launching next year. The agency will develop an integrated campaign for the project as well as carrying out research and development...

Digital & Direct brief: EasyJet appoints EHS Brann Discovery.(easyJet Airline Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... EasyJet has appointed EHS Brann Discovery to handle its European data marketing strategy following a pitch. The consultancy has been briefed to develop a marketing database to drive activity promoting all easyJet's flights and related products

Digital & Direct brief: Royal Opera House launches revamped website.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Royal Opera House has launched its revamped website ahead of the first online screening of a full opera from the venue, which will take place this coming Sunday. It will screen Mozart's Don Giovanni for free, with subtitles, optional...

Digital & Direct brief: Villeroy & Boch plans direct campaign.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Villeroy & Boch, the ceramics brand, is planning a direct mail campaign emphasising its 260-year history. Entire has been handed the task of targeting affluent customers within a 30-minute drive of one of the brand's dealers' showrooms

Andrew Walmsley on Digital: Ensuring Christmas cheer.
October 1, 2008... Online retailers wishing to make the most of the fourth quarter should make a list and check it twice. If you have children, you will know the degree of planning that goes into Christmas. Mine started early, lobbying (landscape analysis,...

Conference Preview: Crunch time.(Conference news)
October 1, 2008... As consumers find their budgets squeezed, brands must give them a reason to buy. The ongoing impact of the economic downturn is the stuff of nightmares for many people, but for marketers, it is an opportunity to differentiate their brands...

News Analysis: Brands on the fringe.
October 1, 2008... The Labour Party Conference spawned a host of marketing-related events. Gemma Charles reports. Gordon Brown's 'make-or-break' speech, which was swiftly followed by transport secretary Ruth Kelly's resignation, was the most notable event of...

Media Analysis: Poles apart?
October 1, 2008... UK media-owners are ignoring a potentially lucrative niche: the Polish audience. This week's UK launch of Polish newspaper Fakt demonstrates that the country's 750,000-strong community on these shores has become a well-established presence...

Brand Health Check: Nokia.
October 1, 2008... The once-ubiquitous handset brand is losing its core audience to rivals, writes Alison Donnelly. Not so long ago, ownership of a Nokia mobile phone was the only guarantee that, should your battery run flat, you could easily find someone in...

Raymond Snoddy on Media: Ofcom's lack of answers.
October 1, 2008... The regulator's public-service broadcasting review has raised a series of niggles and contradictions. It is with some pride that we can announce today the creation of a new media consultancy dedicated to forecasting the future of television...

Mark Ritson on Branding: Merging on the ridiculous.
October 1, 2008... The chaotic situation in the financial sector is creating a branding headache for banks' marketers. My wife comes from Tasmania, a weird and wonderful island off the southern tip of Australia. It has some of the slackest planning...

Recall: Adwatch 01.10.08.(Table)
October 1, 2008... Marketing's unique weekly analysis of advertisement recall in association with tns. Q Which of the following TV commercials do you remember seeing recently? 24.09 Brand Agency/TV buyer % ...

Recall: Adwatch 01.10.08 - Sky+.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The broadcaster's use of celebrities has helped to demystify its PVR technology. What have Ross Kemp, Michael Parkinson, and Kelly Brook got in common? They've all got Sky+, and they love it. Who better to recommend the device to regular...

Profile: Intent on delivering.(Occupation overview)
October 1, 2008... Tom Hings director of brand marketing, Royal Mail, is engaged in a make-or-break repositioning of the brand. Interview by Alex Brownsell. Tom Hings, director of brand marketing at Royal Mail, carries the stern look of a man who has just...

Opinion: The Marketing Society Forum - Is legislation protecting sponsors' rights for London 2012 too strict?
October 1, 2008... The Chartered Institute of Marketing has claimed that restricting the use of certain terms to sponsors alone in marketing activity run around the Olympics in 2012 is 'unreasonable'. NO - MEL VARLEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MEDIAEDGE:CIA EMEA ...

Editor's comment: Marketing's time to shine.(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... In the current climate I would hazard a guess that most marketers are clinging on to their current job with all their might. In the woeful economic fug that has descended, who would be brave enough to change? There is not just the 'first in,...

Economy: The truth about the credit crisis.
October 1, 2008... Credit crunch, recession, economic slowdown or crisis of consumer confidence? Nicola Clark asks what is happening on the high street and what marketers really need to know about consumer spending. The financial pages make grim reading for...

Sector Insight: Chilled desserts - Indulgence retains appeal.
October 1, 2008... Chilled-dessert sales are faring relatively well as health-conscious consumers continue to feel a need for the occasional treat. Whether it's a cheesecake or a cream bun that takes the fancy, the chiller cabinet is full of delights to...

Marketing Special Report: Direct mail - Pushing the envelope.(Survey)
October 1, 2008... The economic downturn, cheaper direct channels and pressure from the green lobby has led to a 6% drop in direct mail spend, but brands are getting better at the art of targeting, writes Richard Abbott. Brands are still using less direct...

Marketing Special Report: Direct mail - Missing the target.
October 1, 2008... Reaching the right audience is key to an effective direct-mail campaign, but, despite a fall in error rates and thus unopened mailings, some firms have yet to raise their game. It has taken years, but direct marketers seem to be getting the...

Marketing Special Report: Direct mail - The finance factor.
October 1, 2008... Financial-services brands are rethinking their approach to direct mail, writes Robert McLuhan. As the loan and mortgage market shrinks, financial-services brands are being forced to adjust their direct mail strategies accordingly. ...

Helpline.
October 1, 2008... Joe Thomas takes the hassle out of finding the right product or service - you ask the question, he'll provide the answer. SWEET SAMPLES Q: We have set up a small confectionery firm and want to distribute samples. Who could help us? ...

Careers: What it's really like inside - General Mills.(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... - How do you come up with fresh marketing ideas? By listening to our people and our consumers. - What are the perks? Free Haagen-Dazs and Nature Valley bars in the canteen and, as part of the world's sixth-biggest food company,...

Careers: Brand manager of the week - Chee Ho Wan, Head of online marketing, Gumtree.(Interview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... - What would you be if you weren't a brand manager? Owning a moderately popular restaurant in Perth somewhere. - Who is your dream boss? Rafa Benitez. He gives us hope that geeks can come out on top, even though his goatee does...

Careers: Me & My Mentor - Rachel Reynolds, Assistant brand manager, InBev UK.(Occupation overview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... My mentor is William Morris, senior brand manager for Beck's. I currently work side by side with William across the Beck's product portfolio, which includes Beck's 5%, Beck's Vier, Alcohol Free and Green Lemon, as well as live brand...

Marketing Mole: We'll Call You - Halifax.(Interview)
October 1, 2008... Having heard about the LloydsTSB/HBOS merger, we decided to consider our financial options. But which bank to choose? Better ask the Halifax. Halifax Hello, welcome to Halifax. May I take your name? Mktg Yes (provides name). ...

Marketing Mole: Name that brand.
October 1, 2008... This brand sponsored British Cycling at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Since 1931 it has been marketed by both Unilever and Henkel, varying by country, but only in the UK has it extended into washing up liquid. Can you name this brand?...

Marketing Mole: Who does Google think you are? - Jennelle Tilling, Vice-president of marketing, KFC.(Occupation overview)
October 1, 2008... - Results one and two are links to the same Marketing profile providing Tilling's career history, as well as quotes. - The Media Guardian article features details about KFC's 'Finger Lickin' Good' marketing campaign, which launched in...

Pizza Hut name switch lambasted as 'puerile'.(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Pizza Hut's plan to temporarily change the name of some of its restaurants to Pasta Hut has been roundly condemned by branding experts. The switch, announced by Pizza Hut this week, is intended to flag up its revamped pasta menu, supported...

Adidas seals Cipriani deal.(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Adidas has sealed a multimillion-pound deal with Wasps and England rugby union star Danny Cipriani to act as a brand ambassador. Cipriani, 20, is regarded as the brightest prospect to have emerged in British rugby since Jonny Wilkinson a...

Online adspend growth halved in 2008.
October 8, 2008... Growth in UK internet advertising has slowed considerably in the first half of 2008, returning a 21% year-on-year increase - just over half the rate posted in 2007. Figures from the Internet Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers...

Ariel Excel faces 'cooler wash' credibility fight.(Procter & Gamble Co.)
October 8, 2008... Procter & Gamble's Ariel Excel Gel, which it claims can wash at temperatures as low as 15 degsC, could find winning over consumers to the brand proves a challenge. P&G will work with the Energy Saving Trust to promote the range, which uses...

Engine hands role to Wright.(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Egg's former chief marketing officer, Alison Wright, has been hired as strategy director of Engine Group, with a brief to drive integrated working practices. Wright, who has held roles at Prudential and Citibank, quit her job at Egg in...

HSBC postpones TV activity.(HSBC contract with JWT for banking products advertising)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... HSBC has put a TV campaign on hold amid heightened instability in the global economy. The brand had planned to launch a heavyweight above-the-line campaign, created by JWT, for its Plus bank account last weekend. However, the campaign is...

Virgin Trains hires MCBD.(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Virgin Trains has appointed MCBD to handle its pounds 6m advertising business, with the brand likely to increase its marketing budget to encourage motorists beset by high fuel prices to consider rail travel. MCBD won the business following...

British Gas in strategy shift.(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... British Gas is conducting a root-and-branch review of its marketing strategy as it looks to save money, despite inflation-busting fuel price rises. In the first six months of 2008 British Gas spent pounds 22m on advertising, pounds 2m more...

Christian Aid to rethink brand identity.(Christian Aid Mission)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Christian Aid is to reinvent its brand in an attempt to boost its popularity among the British public. According to Tom Barratt, lifestyle marketing manager, the planned overhaul comes in response to the Marketing/Joshua survey of 'Brands...

Coca-Cola UK imports Live Positively scheme.
October 8, 2008... Coca-Cola is planning to ramp up its UK CSR activity with the extension of its US umbrella brand, Live Positively, which will be used to communicate the work it carries out in the community. Speaking at Marketing's Brands Assembly...

The week in marketing.(United Nations. Children's Fund)(Pampers UK)(Nintendo Company Ltd.)(Airline Emirates )
October 8, 2008... - Pampers Unicef boost. Pampers UK is to continue its '1 pack = 1 vaccine' partnership with Unicef for a third year. The joint initiative, for which Hollywood actress Salma Hayek is spokeswoman, promotes Unicef's aim to eliminate maternal...

Media: The Sun retains price focus in ads.(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... The Sun will continue to place its 30p cover price at the centre of its marketing with its latest TV ad campaign. The drive, which will run on terrestrial and digital TV, breaks on 12 October. The ads form an extension of The Sun's ongoing...

Media Road Test: The Hills.(MTV Networks Inc.)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... - What's new? The fourth series of MTV's reality-show phenomenon The Hills made its UK debut this weekend. The series follows the trials and tribulations of four women as they try to make it in LA. - What's in it for viewers? ...

Media: Conde Nast in luxury work.(Conde Nast Publications Inc.)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Conde Nast's upmarket House & Garden title is to include a sustainable luxury supplement with next month's edition in a bid to attract new advertisers to the magazine. The 100-page supplement has a foreword written by Prince Charles on the...

Media: Office assigns brief to FST.(Fitzgerald, Shurey & Tarbuck)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Shoe retail brand Office has hired publishing agency Fitzgerald, Shurey & Tarbuck (FST) to relaunch its customer magazine and website. The customer title will be produced three times a year. The next issue will be bagged with Look magazine...

Media brief: City AM to launch in Edinburgh and Manchester.(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... City AM, the free business paper, is launching in Edinburgh and Manchester. The publication distributes more than 80,000 copies in London each weekday, and initially aims to distribute up to 17,000 copies outside the capital

Media brief: Sunday Times Travel Magazine launches loyalty card.(Cocktail Marketing)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... The Sunday Times Travel Magazine is launching a loyalty card scheme in a 10-strong partnership marketing deal handled by Cocktail Marketing The tie-up will offer discounts at partners including Waterstone's, Avis and Jessops.

Media brief: Five brings back Going For Gold.
October 8, 2008... Five is bringing back the 90s daytime quiz show Going For Gold. The 60-minute live programme will be presented by newsreader John Suchet

Media brief: Virgin Media hires new commercial director.(Virgin Media Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Virgin Media has hired David Cuff as its commercial director. Cuff, who previously worked at Flextech Television and Initiative, will be responsible for commercial and digital strategy. The company has also promoted Ivan Ali-Khan from head of...

Media brief: InStyle to be redesigned.
October 8, 2008... InStyle magazine will be redesigned from its November issue with a new-look cover, additional features and a bigger masthead

Branding: Wilkinson to trial identity overhaul.(Wilkinson)(Brief article)
October 8, 2008... Hardware retailer Wilkinson is to pilot an overhauled visual identity as it steps up its battle with other high-street discounters. According to the retailer, a revamped logo - featuring white and yellow text on a red background, for both...