Marketing articles from September 2006

Marketing archives from September 2006

Oil firms battle to clinch pounds 100m 2012 sponsorship.
September 6, 2006... LOCOG, the organising committee for the London 2012 Olympic Games, is close to finalising a pounds 100m sponsorship deal with a major oil company. Industry sources claim BP is the frontrunner to land the contract, which could see it become...

Tory networking site to court community spirit.(Conservative Party)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Conservative Party is to launch a website that will use social issues to bring people together as part of its attempt to appear more caring. The site will operate as a social networking platform, allowing people to discuss issues such...

Howell emerges as ITV candidate.(Rupert Howell)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Rupert Howell, regional director and president of McCann-Erickson, has surfaced as an unlikely candidate to become the next chief executive of ITV. Howell refused to dismiss rumours that he is considering the role, which is being vacated...

Consumers flood DMA with mail opt-out requests.(Direct Marketing Association)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has received 100,210 requests from consumers to be added to the Mailing Preference Service (MPS), in the wake of last Monday's news that Royal Mail had suspended a postman for encouraging people to opt out...

Scottish Widows to hike portfolio spend to pounds 15m.(Scottish Widow's Fund and Life Assurance Society)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Scottish Widows is dramatically increasing its promotional spend next year in a drive to retain customers and promote the brand. The insurance and pensions firm plans to invest pounds 15m in 2007. Over the past 12 months, the Lloyds...

DSGi to rebrand PC repair stores.(New Media Maze)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... PC World owner DSGi has hired digital agency New Media Maze to create a viral campaign to promote its computer repair outlets. DSGi's Press F1 repair concept store, which launched earlier this year (Marketing, 11 January), will be rebranded...

Levi-Strauss UK chief set to exit.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Levi-Strauss marketing director for the UK and Ireland, Julie Davidson, is to leave the firm after just 18 months. A Levi's spokeswoman said Davidson would remain in the role until next March, before leaving 'to pursue other interests'. ...

Universal awards job to MediaCom.(Universal Studios Inc.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Universal Pictures has appointed MediaCom to handle its pounds 31m media account, following a pitch against Starcom and Vizeum. The review was triggered by a de-merger of Universal and Paramount, which currently set within umbrella brand...

New campaign: Cadbury Snaps.(Coronation Street)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Cadbury is launching a fresh series of Coronation Street sponsorship idents this week to promote its crunchy chocolate Snaps range. The idents will invite viewers behind the scenes of a fictitious drama series, introducing an extended...

Sunday Times in supplement rejig.(Sunday Newspaper Publishing Co.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Sunday Times is seeking to boost its appeal to younger men by scrapping its 'Driving' supplement and shifting motor coverage into 'In Gear', a men's lifestyle section. The 40-page section, which debuts this Sunday (10 September) will...

Marketing trade body collapses.(Live Brand Experience Association)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Live Brand Experience Association (LBEA), a trade body for the experiential marketing industry, is folding after less than two years. The organisation's board voted to cease trading with immediate effect after it failed to generate...

Green allies' ad slates Ryanair attitude to climate.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Ryanair is under fire from environmental campaigners, who have launched a damning press campaign against the low-cost carrier. The ad, backed by Greenpeace, the National Environmental Transport Campaign, enoughsenough.org, Plane Stupid and...

Carphone takes aim at back-to-school market.(Carphone Warehouse Group PLC, Arc Worldwide )(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Carphone Warehouse is to run a promotional campaign targeting the over-11s with pay-as-you-go mobile phones and accessories. The retailer has briefed Arc Worldwide to create the work, which will run in the New Year. A source close to...

Food firms defend GDA stance.
September 6, 2006... Kellogg has hit back at criticism of its latest Rice Krispies advertising in the same week as it was revealed as one of five food companies planning an ad campaign to promote guideline daily amount (GDA) labelling. Consumer body Which?...

Mobile portal to rival lads' mags.(MIA)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Mobile content group MIA is to put pressure on ailing lads' magazine brands with the launch of a dedicated mobile portal featuring exclusive images of glamour models. Girl Mobile, which launches this month, will feature models including...

Somerfield loses marketing chief.(Andrea McCarry)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Somerfield head of marketing Andrea McCarry has become the latest marketer to depart the company since it was acquired by venture capitalists last year. McCarry, who joined the retailer from WWAV Rapp Collins as head of customer...

Boots Opticians readies first website for launch.(Livework)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Alliance Boots is creating the first dedicated website for its Boots Opticians business, as it seeks to increase traffic to the site and make it easier to navigate. Boots Opticians currently has a microsite on the retailer's main portal,...

Sainsbury's to save Oliver for biggest ad campaigns.
September 6, 2006... Sainsbury's is planning to scale back its use of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in its advertising, replacing him with an anonymous voiceover in all but its biggest campaigns. Oliver, who was re-hired as brand ambassador last year, has been a...

Tesco stores to sell halal sweets.(Ummah Foods)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Tesco is to appeal to Muslim shoppers by stocking halal milk chocolate bars ahead of Ramadan, which starts on 24 September. It will be the first time the bars, produced by Ummah Foods, have been stocked by a major retailer. The orange and...

New campaign: Filippo Berio.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Filippo Berio is launching a major TV campaign to reinforce the family-owned olive-oil brand's association with fine food and enjoyment. The campaign replaces the words of Figaro's famous aria from Rossini's The Barber of Seville, Largo al...

Green & Black's work to emphasise quality.(Brave)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Luxury organic chocolate brand Green & Black's is embarking on a press and sampling campaign to highlight its quality credentials and promote its latest Miniatures Collection. The press executions, created by agency Brave, continue the...

BA ads highlight discount flights.(British Airways PLC, Google Inc.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... British Airways has launched a price-promotion campaign to highlight its 'World Offers' sale in the wake of the recent air terrorism scare. The television, radio, print and outdoor ads promote discounts of more than 50% on some flights....

Mint develops multi-store prepay gift card.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Mint is to offer the UK's first 'multi-use' gift card, as part of a diversification of its card business. The cards are being positioned as more versatile than a one-store gift card, but still more personal than cash. Mint hopes that...

HMV activity to back heritage of authority.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... HMV is aiming to reverse its fortunes with an advertising campaign highlighting an overhaul of its brand and retail proposition. The ads, which will use the tagline 'Be inspired', are intended to promote HMV's product authority. ...

News brief: McDonald's chooses Fred Turner.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... McDonald's has chosen 65-year-old judo instructor Fred Turner as the face of its latest campaign. The activity will encourage over-60s to consider employment opportunities at McDonald's.

News brief: Boots issues co-branded carrier bags.(launches Soap & Glory)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Boots is issuing co-branded carrier bags for the first time to support the launch of cosmetics and toiletries line Soap & Glory. The bags will be available for a month and feature the Boots logo in pink alongside Soap & Glory's circular motif.

News brief: Sharwood's launches campaign.(J.A. Sharwood and Company Ltd., McCann-Erickson )(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Sharwood's is launching a pounds 3m TV and print campaign through McCann-Erickson today (Wednesday). It will run for seven months to support the brand and recent product launches including its Mini Puppodums and dips.

News brief: Preferred Hotel Group appoints BLM Red.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Preferred Hotel Group has appointed BLM Red to handle its media account. The agency has been tasked with reinforcing the luxury positioning of the group's 300 hotels.

News brief: Southern Comfort hires The Longe.
September 6, 2006... Southern Comfort has hired experiential agency The Lounge to handle a nationwide promotional drive targeting students. The activity will roll out later this month.

News brief: Tesco launches direct mail campaign.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Tesco is launching a direct mail campaign for its Tesco Direct non-food catalogue arm. The mail pack was created by The Red Brick Road and produced in-house. The retailer has printed about 2m catalogues.

News brief: Heinz knocks agencies out of pitch.(Leo Burnett Company Inc., WCRS Group PLC)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Heinz has knocked Leo Burnett and WCRS out of the winner-takes-all pitch for its pounds 8m ad business. Leo Burnett handled Heinz Baked Beanz and tinned-food activity, while WCRS was the agency for its soup and baby food brands.

News brief: Deadline for survey.
September 6, 2006... The deadline for entries for this year's Marketing Employer of the Year survey is Friday 15 September. To submit your entry, log on to www.marketingemployeroftheyear.co.uk and fill in the questionnaire.

Media News: Greene King in pounds 1m 'Ant and Dec' tie-up.(ITV PLC)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Greene King is courting controversy with alcohol charities after announcing a pounds 1m sponsorship deal of ITV's Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, a show popular with children. The show, which returns for its sixth series this autumn,...

Media News: Nike showcases sole in style title.(Air Max trainers)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Nike is to promote three decades of its Air Max trainers by featuring their air-cushion sole on next month's issue of Dazed & Confused. The sole will be encased in the back cover, with the words 'Art and Science' visible through the...

Media News: Land Rover seals Times film deal Times.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Land Rover has signed a deal with The Times to tie in with the newspaper's sponsorship of international film festivals, starting with the London Film Festival in October. The activity, which will begin this month and run until July 2007,...

Media choice: In the Know.(H Bauer)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... H Bauer's new weekly title In the Know is neither about celebrity nor fashion. After extensive research, Bauer found that many women do not engage with celebrity and desire a more intellectually stimulating read. It feels like a strong...

Media News brief: Discovery Networks secures partnership deal.(Discovery Networks Europe, Philips)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006...

Media News brief: BBC Magazines launches digital edition of Top of the Pops.(BBC Worldwide Ltd. BBC Magazines)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... BBC Magazines is launching a digital edition of its teen title Top of the Pops Magazine. Although the TV show was recently axed, BBC Magazines has pledged to develop the title, which is the market leader in the teen entertainment sector.

Media News brief: O2 signs as first commercial partner of Chill.(GCap Media's DAB station Chill)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... O2 has signed up as the first commercial partner of GCap Media's DAB station Chill. The six-month tie is centred on The O2 Chillout Room, a daily show featuring relaxing music.

Media News brief: Classic FM to relaunch website.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Classic FM is relaunching its website this summer. It will introduce a range of features including a learning zone and interactive games, including Classic FM Su Doku.

Media News brief: Electronic Arts strikes deals.(Massive and IGA Worldwide)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Electronic Arts, the video-games publisher, has struck deals with in-game advertising firms Massive and IGA Worldwide to stream ads into its titles. The first to include the ads will be racing game Need for Speed:Carbon.

Media News brief: Time Out to launch in Manchester.(Time Out Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Time Out is to launch in Manchester this September, with a one-off issue ahead of a weekly launch in spring 2007. The first issue will include listings and a visitors' guide.

Media News brief: PPA Marketing hires Rise Communications.
September 6, 2006... PPA Marketing has appointed Rise Communications to develop digital, direct and event activity to increase investment in magazines.

Media News brief: Special edition to celebrate Elle's 21st birthday.(Donatella Versace works)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Elle is to celebrate its 21st birthday with a special edition edited by Donatella Versace this October. The title will also auction designer clothes on eBay in aid of the Breast Health Institute.

Media News brief: AA Van Insurance launches promotion.(Virgin Radio's Christian O'Connell breakfast show)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... AA Van Insurance is launching a promotion on Virgin Radio's Christian O'Connell breakfast show this week as part of its year-long sponsorship deal of sports bulletins on the show.

Branding News: National Bingo Game set for pounds 2m relaunch.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The National Bingo Game is putting pounds 2m behind the launch of a fresh identity and an integrated advertising campaign, to raise the profile of the game and recruit male players. Created by The Workroom, the identity will be rolled out...

Branding News: Herbal tea brand refreshes packs.(Dr Stuart's)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Dr Stuart's Teas has overhauled its packaging to emphasise its herbal teas' health benefits and help differentiate products in the range. The revamp, by Pearlfisher, uses illustrations to convey each variant's qualities. The Green Tea pack...

Branding News: Ben Sherman to appear in game.(Xbox 360 game, Atari Corp.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Fashion brand Ben Sherman will be featured in an Xbox 360 game after signing a licensing deal with computer software developer Atari. The brand's spring and summer 06 menswear collection will appear in Atari's Test Drive Unlimited game,...

Branding News: Design choice - Crocs.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... I discovered these beauties when I was working in Cape Town, South Africa, back in January - some time before they started to vie with Birkenstocks in the anti-fashion stakes here at home. The film crew we were using swore by Crocs, as they...

Branding News brief: Emap unveils fresh logo.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Emap has unveiled a fresh logo for Kiss ahead of the radio network's relaunch and expansion in the South-West and East of England. The logo, by Odd, is intended to convey its multimedia credentials.

Branding News brief: Kleenex for Men celebrates 50th anniversary.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Kleenex for Men is bringing out limited-edition promotional packs, created by Bezier, to celebrate the brand's 50th anniversary this month. The packs feature 50% off and 50% extra free promotions.

Branding News brief: Scottish Equitable rebrands.(Enterprise IG)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Scottish Equitable, the pensions and investments provider, has rebranded through Enterprise IG as Aegon Scottish Equitable to tap into the size and global scale of its parent group's brand.

Branding News brief: John Brown Citrus Publishing rebrands.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... John Brown Citrus Publishing has rebranded as John Brown to emphasise that publishing is just one facet of its business. It has developed a new logo in-house to introduce fresh typography and warmer colours.

Branding News brief: Dunhill relaunches with new logo.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Dunhill, the men's accessories brand, is relaunching with a refreshed logo that is bigger than its predecessor, which was introduced in the 30s. The work is being supported by a campaign, created by VCCP, which will include ads in glossy...

Branding News brief: Cats Protection redesigns brand in-house.
September 6, 2006... Cats Protection has redesigned its brand in-house to convey the charity's ethos of 'working together'. The design features Polaroid photography and a handwriting-style font.

Branding News brief: London South Bank University unveils fresh brand identity.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... London South Bank University has unveiled a fresh brand identity for its Alumni Association. The work, by Sledge, coincides with the relaunch of its alumni services. The updated logo features the strapline 'Staying connected - life and skills...

Branding News brief: SigmaKalon appoints CheethamBell JWT.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... SigmaKalon, the manufacturer of Leyland and Johnstone's paints, has appointed CheethamBell JWT to revamp one of its core brands following a three-way pitch. The company intends to put pounds 1m behind the relaunch.

Direct News: Carphone searches for affiliate groups.(Carphone Warehouse appoints Promodus )(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Carphone Warehouse is embarking on its first affiliate marketing drive, targeting groups such as employees, clubs and charities. The retailer has appointed direct agency Promodus to handle the project following a competitive pitch, which...

Direct News: Cruise firm picks DS-J for activity.(Hurtigruten, Norwegian Coastal Voyage)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Hurtigruten, the cruise holiday firm formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyage, has hired DS-J to create a direct campaign. The activity is intended to draw in new customers and cross-sell to previous passengers.Hurtigruten is also aiming...

Direct News: Bowel Cancer UK in funding drive.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Bowel Cancer UK is launching a fundraising campaign to keep up with increasing demand for its services. The government's National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, which launched last year, has led to an increased number of calls to its...

Direct News brief: Nissan runs direct mail campaign.(Nissan Motor Company Ltd., Tullo Marshall Warren)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Nissan is running a direct mail campaign through Tullo Marshall Warren for its Micra C+C model. The campaign uses the strapline 'Keep it on, take it off' and promotes the hatchback's glass roof, which can be removed to take it from coupe to...

Direct News brief: Argos releases audio CD.(Argos Distributors Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Argos has released an audio CD, which features verbal descriptions of products from its autumn/winter season, for blind and visually-impaired people. The CD has been produced by Talking Newspapers.

Direct News brief: Best Western overhauls pan-European promotions.(Identex, Communicator Corp.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Best Western Hotels has appointed CRM agency Identex and email firm Communicator Corp to overhaul its pan-European promotions. In the UK, it has integrated Capscan's Matchcode address management software into its in-house CRM system to reduce...

Direct News brief: Iolife hires Outside the Box.(Outside the Box)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Iolife, a homeopathic treatment licensed by CITE Technology, has hired Leeds agency outside the box (otb) to handle the launch of the therapy. Otb will create a direct mail campaign to recruit licensees for the product.

Direct News brief: Egmont Press to promote The End.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Egmont Press is to promote the launch of The End, the final instalment in the children's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' books by Daniel Handler, in 1500 state secondary schools. InSchool Media will handle the activity.

Direct News brief: Proximity London hires new head of design.(Alex Normanton)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Proximity London has hired Alex Normanton as head of design. He joins from Saatchi & Saatchi and will set up a dedicated design unit within the agency.

Direct News brief: BT's media strategy head leaves company.
September 6, 2006... BT's head of media strategy Jon Ghazi has left to join WWAV Rapp Collins Leeds as media development director.

Direct News brief: Energy Saving Trust targets management staff.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Energy Saving Trust is targeting management staff in housing associations with a 'Tenant Empowerment Training Toolkit' to encourage tenants to save energy. Tullo Marshall Warren has created the mail packs.

Direct choice: Ebookers.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Like most people, I hate that post-holiday flat feeling. So this pack from ebookers, timed to arrive upon my return from holiday, caught my eye in its attempt to snap me out of my post-holiday blues. The pack is presented in a clear...

Digital News: Tesco sports site to go live.(targets school children)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Tesco has created a website to encourage more children to participate in sports as part of its Sport for Schools and Clubs scheme. The site has been developed by Arc outside the standard Tesco.com template. Sources claim it will carry...

Digital News: Orange portal in Bollywood deal.(targets Asian customers)
September 6, 2006... Orange is targeting customers of Asian descent through its Orange World mobile portal with a competition offering the chance to appear in a Bollywood film. Participants who send in a photo of themselves in Bollywood-themed dress to the...

Digital choice: IKEA.(IKEA International A/S introduces new enhanced website)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Damn it, IKEA has done it again. One of last year's coolest sites has been bettered again. The Swedish furniture chain's revamped effort, www.kominigarderoben.se, is awesome for so many reasons. Visitors are greeted by a cross-sectional...

Digital News brief: X Factor viewers to access unseen footage.(FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas signs agreement with Nokia Corp.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The X Factor viewers will be able to access unseen behind-the-scenes footage from the ITV show for the first time this year after Fremantle Licensing Worldwide agreed an exclusive mobile content deal with Nokia.

Digital News brief: TiredandTested.com launched.(social website for sports players and enthusiasts)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... TiredandTested.com, a social site for sports players and enthusiasts, has launched. The site, which will carry advertising, can be used to organise fixtures and meet fellow fans. It was created by the team behind Friends Reunited.

Digital News brief: Arla Foods runs interactive campaign.(Arla Foods Ingredients A.m.b.a. signs Carlson Marketing Group Inc., marketing contracts)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Arla Foods is running an interactive digital campaign through Carlson Marketing to promote its Apetina feta cheese brand. The activity, which supports the brand's above-the-line ads, includes a website and downloadable recipe podcasts.

Digital News brief: BT promotes Softphone with online activity.(British Telecommunications PLC signs Agency.com, marketing contract)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... BT is promoting its voice over IP Softphone with online activity created by Agency.com. The work includes an e-bulletin, a 30-second spot on Virgin Radio's digital radio player and viral executions.

Digital News brief: BBC governors to investigate iPlayer.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... BBC governors are to investigate the Corporation's iPlayer to judge whether it meets its public-value test. The on-demand application will allow simulcast TV over the web.

Digital News brief: Fish4 to launch ad campaign.(signs Intuition Design)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Fish4, the small-ads website, is launching a seven-week press and digital ad campaign, created by Intuition Design, to promote its jobs, homes and cars offering. Ads will run in 650 local newspapers.

Digital News brief: BMG Music Publishing relaunches website.(BMG Music Publishing International Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... BMG Music Publishing has relaunched its business-to-business music search website. The site, developed by bit10 is used by companies looking for music to use in commercial productions.

Andrew Walmsley on digital: Consumers are leading double lives.
September 6, 2006... In 1993, Peter Steiner's now-famous New Yorker cartoon show depicted two dogs, with one at the computer, saying 'On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog'. If consumers found the internet a rich source of anonymity then, 13 years on there are...

News Analysis: Door-drop backlash begins.(direct mail volumes rise)
September 6, 2006... Opt-outs have soared since a postman blew the whistle on a rise in direct mail volumes, writes Noelle McElhatton. August is normally a relaxed time for Royal Mail and the direct marketing industry, but the past week has proved to be quite...

Raymond Snoddy on media: IDS salvo steals march on Thinkbox.(Interactive Digital Sales (London, England))
September 6, 2006... IDS, the television sales house, is due some congratulations. As the advertising market continues to be bloody, having been so longer than anyone expected, IDS is at least doing something about it. The interactive digital TV specialist is...

Media Analysis: Cloud hangs over digital outdoor.
September 6, 2006... Clear Channel's climbdown over year-long deals suggests belief in a digital panacea is far off. Digital outdoor advertising is seemingly on the crest of a wave, surging 10 times in value from 2001 to 2005, and predicted to quadruple its...

Brand Health Check: McCain.(McCain Foods (GB) Ltd. )
September 6, 2006... Despite responding to the obesity crisis, the oven-chip manufacturer is struggling to retain customers. The government's recent warning that 12m UK adults will be obese by 2010 unless they change their lifestyles could mean even more...