Marketing articles from September 2007

Marketing archives from September 2007

Rugby World Cup loses allure among UK audience.(Survey)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Public interest in the Rugby World Cup (RWC) has declined by almost half since England won the 2003 tournament, according to sports consulting and research agency Sport+ Markt. The survey, which questioned UK residents aged 16-69, indicates...

ITV hunts pounds 15m agency to replace M&C Saatchi.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... ITV has put its pounds 15m advertising account up for review, eight months after David Pemsel stepped into the role of group marketing director at the broadcaster. M&C Saatchi was hired by Pemsel's predecessor, Clare Salmon, who also...

'Natural' Tango to axe Clear variant.(Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Britvic has discontinued its production of Tango Clear, a no-added-sugar variant, following its decision to reposition the core Tango brand as containing only natural colours and flavours. Tango Clear was launched two years ago to take on...

BBC musters digital roster to overhaul operation.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(bbc.co.uk)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The BBC is building a roster of digital agencies that will be tasked with relaunching its pounds 116m online operations. The broadcaster is looking to appoint a range of web design-and-build agencies to oversee an overhaul of the BBC Online...

GMTV to offer live online and mobile streaming.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... GMTV is attempting to bolster falling viewing figures and ad revenue by streaming its programming live across the internet and mobile phones. The breakfast-TV channel has issued a request for information (RFI) to UK agencies as part of...

Coffee Republic eyes extensions.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Coffee Republic is considering launching into retail markets such as pizzas and organic food. The coffee-shop firm has trademarked the names Pizza Republic, Spice Republic and Organic Republic, although a spokeswoman said any plans would...

Callaway awards work to Nexus/H.(Callaway Golf Co.)
September 5, 2007... The world's biggest golf-equipment manufacturer, Callaway Golf, has awarded its pan-European advertising account to Nexus/H. The agency was hired following a six-way pitch overseen by Callaway marketing director Jeff Dodds, who joined the...

Heinz puts pounds 12m business in AMV.(H.J. Heinz Company Ltd. contracted with )(Abbott Mead Vickers/BBDO Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Heinz has handed its pounds 12m advertising account to Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO following a four-way pitch against Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Lowe and Grey. The appointment comes as Heinz embarks on an NPD blitz; it plans to launch more than...

New campaign: Green & Black's.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Green & Black's, the premium organic chocolate brand, is to run the first ad for its entire range as part of a pounds 2m autumn press push. The ad, breaking next week, features all 12 of the brand's bars and will run as a double-page...

Diageo in pounds 25m Christmas drive.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Diageo is backing its brands with a pounds 25m spend in the run-up to Christmas. Baileys will take pounds 6m of the spend, as Diageo extends the distribution of its mint-chocolate and creme-caramel variants from off-licences to the...

First Choice boss to lead TUI travel.(appointment of Tim Williamson)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Tim Williamson, marketing director at First Choice, is to become marketing director of TUI Travel, the tourism division of TUI, the company created by the merger of First Choice and Thomson. Williamson beat Andrew Rayner, Thomson's...

ITV backs Billie Piper drama with Facebook group.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... ITV is to make its first foray onto Facebook with the launch of a branded group to promote its risque new drama, The Secret Diary of a Call Girl, starring Billie Piper. The UK's biggest commercial broadcaster has enlisted the help of...

Coca-Cola hikes outdoor spend through JCDecaux.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Coca-Cola is boosting its outdoor spend with the signing of a multimillion-pound deal with JCDecaux. The soft-drinks firm will use the agreement to showcase its brands, including its Schweppes portfolio. The partnership comes as Coca-Cola...

Barclays to embark on digital awareness assault.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Barclays is pursuing its biggest digital drive to promote its range of financial products and services. The high-street bank is rolling out a multimillion-pound three-month branding push, which will see it take over the homepages of 16...

NFL picks two to build excitement.(contracts of National Football League with Abbott Mead Vickers/BBDO Ltd. and Not Actual Size)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The NFL has hired Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and independent start-up Not Actual Size to increase awareness of the league, as Wembley Stadium prepares to host the first regular-season game to be played outside the US. The agencies will...

Royal Albert Hall backs versatility.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The Royal Albert Hall is to promote itself as a world-class entertainment venue with a campaign using the line 'Entertaining the world'. The venue's repositioning is being supported by a multi-media campaign devised by 35 Communications....

Currie leaves role as ESA chairman.(Nigel Currie leaves from European Sponsorship Association)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Nigel Currie is stepping down as chairman of the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) after seven years. Currie had been with the ESA for five years as a board member before succeeding Barrie Gill as chairman in 2001. Currie will remain...

Heineken targets women with trial of Charli cider.(Heineken U.K. Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Heineken is testing a new cider-based beverage aimed at women in an attempt to carve out a niche in the buoyant cider market. Made from cider, barley malt and sparking water, Charli has an ABV of 5%. It is being tested in bars in Holland on...

Npower in National Trust green energy initiative.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Utilities supplier Npower is teaming up with The National Trust for a multimillion-pound affiliate marketing campaign promoting green energy. The National Trust Green Energy scheme will promote renewable electricity sources such as...

Brylcreem draws up 'original style' repositioning.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Brylcreem, the men's hairstyling brand, is to introduce a multimillion-pound campaign next year to coincide with its 75th anniversary. The brand will launch two products to celebrate the anniversary as part of a wider strategy to...

Gourmet Burger supports roll-out.(advertising contracts of Gourmet Burger Kitchen with Cocktail Marketing)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) is launching its first national promotional activity to build on its expansion across the UK. The upmarket burger chain has hired Cocktail Marketing to create partnerships with book retailers such as...

RAC backs car-check service with web push.(Royal Automobile Club (United Kingdom))(thegreatcoverup.com. )(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The RAC is launching an online ad campaign as it seeks to challenge the AA in the second-hand car market. The company has briefed Glue to create a digital marketing drive that will raise awareness of its car data-check service, which...

Metro drafts in marketing chief.(Abi Slater appointed at Associated Newspapers Holdings PLC)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Associated Newspapers has appointed Abi Slater to the new position of head of marketing for freesheet Metro. Slater will report to Metro's assistant managing director, Karen Wall, who was promoted from marketing director in June. Her...

Accor in shake-up of global hotel brands.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Accor has outlined an aggressive growth strategy that will see the hotel chain relaunch two global brands over the next year. The company, which owns the Novotel and Sofitel chain, is to revive its upscale Pullman brand to target business...

ECB initiative aims to attract kids to cricket.(England and Wales Cricket Board)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is aiming to broaden the appeal of the game in the UK with the creation of a nationwide marketing scheme targeting schoolchildren. The 'One Game' initiative is being supported by a 60-second TV ad,...

News brief: McDonald's runs first viral email promotion.(contracts of Leo Burnett Company Inc.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... McDonald's is running its first viral email promotion as part of an autumn push to promote its Big Mac burger. The campaign, created by Leo Burnett, is based on the theme 'One for you, one for me'

News brief: Marks & Spencer strikes deal with WWF.(World Wide Fund for Nature)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Marks & Spencer has struck a deal with WWF to support its pounds 200m, five-year commitment to environmentally friendly projects and carbon reduction. The retailer will work with the conservation charity to increase its sourcing of sustainable...

News brief: HSBC supports roll-out of HSBC Premier.(Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... HSBC is supporting the roll-out of HSBC Premier, its international banking and wealth-management service, with its biggest global ad campaign in five years. The ads, created by JWT, will span TV, print and online

News brief: Nuts TV to be launched.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Nuts TV, a digital channel based on the lads' mag, is being launched by Turner Broadcasting and IPC Media with a programming line-up that includes a daily news bulletin entitled Rude News

News brief: Scholl adds glitter version to Party Feet range.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Scholl is adding a glitter version to its Party Feet range of invisible gel cushions. Limited Edition Party Feet Starlight, which will be available only at Christmas, are designed to stop pain in the ball of the foot when wearers are shopping...

News brief: Scottish Enterprise hires Navigator Response.
September 5, 2007... Scottish Enterprise, the economic development agency, has hired Navigator Response, following a six-way pitch, to handle communications promoting maritime careers in Scotland

News brief: Britannia Building Society launches TV ads.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Britannia Building Society has launched two 30-second TV ads under the banner of a 'fairer society'. The ads, created by McCann Erickson Communic-ations House, feature an American talking about fairness in Britain

News brief: Institute of Sales Promotion director-general to step down.
September 5, 2007... Institute of Sales Promotion director-general Edwin Mutton will step down from the role on 1 October. The body will subsequently reorganise its management structure

Media: Childline ties up with urban drama series.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The NSPCC has signed a partnership deal with interactive urban drama series Dubplate Drama to promote Childline, its free 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The drama, which has been recommissioned by Channel 4 and MTV, will...

Media: RFL hands job to Haymarket arm.(contracts of Rugby Football League and Haymarket Group Ltd.)
September 5, 2007... Rugby league's governing body The Rugby Football League (RFL) has hired Haymarket Network to create matchday programmes for its highest-profile games. The appointment is part of a push to increase sales of tickets and programmes and boost...

Media: Discovery offers 'mum' podcasts.(Discovery Communications Inc. Discovery Home & Leisure)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Discovery Home & Health is launching Talking Tummies, a series of magazine-style podcasts aimed at mothers, backed by a multimedia promotional campaign. The eight- to 11-minute podcasts will run from a branded microsite and will be...

Media choice: Tony Hadley's Party Classics.(Virgin Radio Ltd. will show cast Spandau Ballet frontman)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... When I heard that Suggs was relinquishing his Friday night Party Classics show to focus on his Afternoon Tea weekday slots, I wondered who could replace the Madness frontman. However, Virgin Radio has pulled off another coup by signing up...

Media brief: Wallpaper* launches Fashion Week section on website.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... IPC style title Wallpaper* is launching a dedicated Fashion Week section on its website. It will include round-the-clock reports from all the shows, blogs and recommendations from New York, Paris, Milan and London

Media brief: MTV Networks revamps European Music Awards.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... MTV Networks is revamping its European Music Awards to allow audiences to vote for nominees in new categories. The awards take place in Munich on 1 November

Media brief: Stagecoach South Western Trains extends contract with Titan.(advertising contracts of Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd. with Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Stagecoach South Western Trains has agreed a seven-year extension of its contract with Titan Outdoor. The deal, estimated to be worth more than pounds 100m, is expected to run until 2017

Media brief: SMG sells Primesight.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... SMG has sold outdoor media business Primesight to private-equity firm GMT Commun-ications Partners. GMT has previously invested in two Spanish outdoor media companies, Redext and Equipamientos Urbanos

Media brief: Kiwi to promote Smiling Feet range.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Kiwi, the shoecare brand, is to promote its Smiling Feet gel cushion range across NatMags' women's portfolio, including Cosmopolitan and handbag.com. The activity was brokered by Manning Gottlieb OMD

Media brief: Singapore Tourism Board launches campaign in The Independent.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The Singapore Tourism Board is launching a six-week campaign in The Independent to alter consumer perceptions of the island as solely a stopover location. The activity was planned and brokered by Starcom

Media brief: The World Press Group to re-brand.(World Media Group )(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The World Press Group is re-branding and will now be known as the World Media Group (WMG) to better reflect the growing importance of digital media. The WMG represents The Economist, Financial Times, Fortune, International Herald Tribune,...

Media brief: The Sun poised to reignite price war.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The Sun is poised to reignite the tabloid price war by cutting its cover price to 20p in London and the South-East. The News International-owned title is usually sold for 35p

Branding: Butcher's in gourmet range.(Butcher's Pet Care)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Petfood manufacturer Butcher's is launching a super-premium dog food called Butcher's Superior to tap into the increasing trend of owners buying products that sound like items from a menu. The firm, which uses the tagline 'Fit as a...

Branding: Tesco develops smoothie range.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Tesco has created a smoothie line to tap into a growing market dominated by Innocent Drinks. The range, which launches this week, comprises raspberry and blueberry, orange, mango and pineapple, and apple and blackcurrant flavour variants....

Branding: Design choice - Veuve Clicquot ice-bucket box.(Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... As we bid farewell to this wonderful summer, thoughts turn to Sundays in the park. I love gathering friends on Primrose Hill with a picnic blanket. Along with the shades, sunscreen and other UK summer essentials, you need food - North...

Branding brief: Jordans Cereals to relaunch Organic range.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Jordans Cereals is relaunching its Organic cereal range this month to coincide with Organic Fortnight. The packs will show six symbols representing its heritage, commitment to supporting British farmers and the environment

Branding brief: Filippo Berio partners with Albert Potatoes.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Filippo Berio has partnered with Albert Potatoes to create a recipe book featuring tips on how to cook potatoes using olive oil. The book will be distributed free with the Evening Standard and Sainsbury's Magazine during October

Branding brief: Virgin Media TV unveils branding for Virgin 1.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Virgin Media Television has unveiled the branding for its Virgin 1 entertainment channel. A bold red 1 branded with the Virgin logo, the emblem will be used on-air and in promotional campaigns

Branding brief: Vaseline to rebrand Intensive Care Rescue range.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Vaseline is rebranding its Intensive Care Rescue range to highlight its healing and skin-enhancement properties. The packaging, by Blue Marlin, is white with a blue frosted cap, with a metallic Vaseline logo

Branding brief: R&R Ice Cream to add brands to range.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... R&R Ice Cream is adding several brands to its range, including After Eight Dessert and Maryland Chocolate Chip Cookie ice cream. It is also relaunching its low-fat Skinny Cow range

Branding brief: DaimlerChrysler threatens legal action.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... DaimlerChrysler is threatening to take legal action over Chinese-produced vehicles it alleges are copies of its models. Daimler claims that Shuanghuan's Noble model is too similar to its Smart Fortwo minicar and says it will take action if the...

Branding brief: Ambi Pur to launch first allergen-reduced air freshener.
September 5, 2007... Ambi Pur is launching the first allergen-reduced air freshener this month. The aerosol, Instantmatic and mini-spray variants will carry the Allergy UK seal of approval

Direct: PepsiCo assigns juice work.(Initials Marketing )(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... PepsiCo has hired Initials Marketing to handle below-the-line communications for its fruit juices and smoothies. The agency, which won the account in a four-way pitch against incumbent Haygarth, DDB London and Multiply, will handle all...

Direct: Virgin Holidays in direct offensive.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Virgin Holidays is promoting its late-2007 and summer 2008 holidays in a direct drive developed by Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw. The work, targeting existing and prospective customers, spans online and offline communications including...

Direct choice: Amnesty International.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... It's hard to avoid a large fluorescent pink headline at the best of times, but when it says 'THROW AWAY THIS FLYER', well, you just can't help yourself. The moment you spot the iconic symbol in the top right, you know it's Amnesty...

Direct brief: Smart backs launch of Fortwo model with campaign.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Smart is backing the launch of its latest Fortwo model with a push created by Omnicom's Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and Zulu Network. The campaign, which uses the strapline 'Discover the road to enlightenment', spans direct mail, radio, outdoor,...

Direct brief: Burton teams up with BoysStuff.co.uk.(Cocktail Marketing)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Burton, the menswear brand, has teamed up with gadget retailer BoysStuff.co.uk for a partnership marketing scheme. Managed by Cocktail Marketing, the initiative offers Burton store-card holders pounds 5 to spend at BoysStuff.co.uk

Direct brief: JJB runs competition.(JJB Sports PLC)(Live and Breathe )(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... JJB is giving customers who buy a pair of New Balance 846 trainers at its stores the chance to win a holiday. The competition, created by retail marketing agency Live & Breathe, runs until the end of the month

Direct brief: Jewish Care launches fundraising campaign.(Cascaid)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Jewish Care, a health and social care organisation, has launched a fundraising campaign to turn around a pounds 1.5m operating deficit Created by Cascaid, the drive includes direct mail and press ads.

Direct brief: Research says 9 out of 10 'hate' talking to foreign call centres.(Survey)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Nationwide research has revealed that nine out of 10 consumers 'hate' speaking to foreign call centres and would stop dealing with a brand that moved its contact centre overseas or made it difficult to reach an operator

Direct brief: ASA orders The Health & Living Foundation to pull mailing.
September 5, 2007... The Advertising Standards Authority has ordered The Health & Living Foundation to pull a mailing for a tonic called Mirco Life Source that claims it can cure people of illnesses including arthritis and diabetes

Direct brief: Former Ofcom chief exec joins Royal Mail.
September 5, 2007... Stephen Carter, the former Ofcom chief executive, has joined Royal Mail as a non-executive director

Digital: Mercedes in online 'iTV' ad.
September 5, 2007... Mercedes-Benz is rolling out a digital campaign for its C-Class range based on an interactive TV ad format. The car marque briefed Weapon7 to develop a TV-style ad that will allow web users who click on it to access exclusive video footage...

Digital: Birds Eye to run SMS prize draw.(Birds Eye Wall's Ltd.)(short messaging service)(Big Kick)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Birds Eye is giving consumers the chance to have their mortgage paid off through a nationwide text-to-win campaign. The frozen-food brand has appointed Sponge and The Big Kick to develop an on-pack promotion that will run on more than 40...

Digital choice: YouTube InVideo ads.(invideo advertisements)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... YouTube's InVideo ads are an 80%-transparent overlay that appears at the bottom 20% of a video. So far launched only in the US, the ads can be targeted by channel, genre, demographic, location and local daypart. They appear 15 seconds into...

Digital brief: Viacom partners with Apple.(Viacom International Inc.)(Apple Computer (UK) Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Viacom has partnered with Apple to make full-length TV shows from its MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Comedy channels available for purchase and download from the iTunes Store in the UK. The programmes include Pimp My Ride, SpongeBob SquarePants...

Digital brief: Institute of Cancer Research briefs Steel.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The Institute of Cancer Research has briefed Steel to relaunch the website for its annual 'TacheBack' campaign, which asks men to grow sponsored moustaches to raise money for the charity

Digital brief: GaydarNation appoints MIVA.
September 5, 2007... GaydarNation has appointed digital advertising network MIVA to provide pay-per-click ads across its social-networking site, following a competitive pitch against Yahoo! Search Marketing

Digital brief: Cathedral City hires Haygarth for website launch.
September 5, 2007... Cathedral City, the Dairy Crest-owned cheese brand, has hired Haygarth to launch its first consumer website, which will feature product information, recipes and TV ads

Digital brief: RFU appoints FastWeb to create microsite.(Rugby Football Union )(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The Rugby Football Union has appointed FastWeb to create a microsite for England supporters ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The website will feature exclusive content including daily video footage from inside the England camp

Digital brief: We Are What We Do appoints Glue.(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... We Are What We Do, a global initiative to inspire people to use their everyday actions to change the world, has appointed Glue to develop a digital campaign targeting young people

Digital brief: Nokia to launch music-download service.
September 5, 2007... Nokia is to make its most significant push into the online arena with the launch of a digital music-download service intended to rival Apple's iTunes

Andrew Walmsley on digital: YouTube ad fanfare has a hollow ring.(Google Inc. purchased YouTube Inc.)(looks for the marketing of YouTube Inc.)
September 5, 2007... When Google bought YouTube last October for dollars 1.65bn in shares (pounds 883m at the time), the video-sharing site's revenues were virtually non-existent, and nobody there seemed to know how it would ever make a profit. Was this a...

News Analysis: Where's the scrum?(marketing industries to advertise the product in Rugby World Cup )
September 5, 2007... The Rugby World Cup is back, but neither the public nor brands seem to have taken much notice, writes Ed Kemp. The England team will arrive at this year's IRB Rugby World Cup (RWC) short on form and confidence. The defending champions are...

News Analysis: Gamers embrace the message.(advertising with help of gaming zone can be fruitfull)
September 5, 2007... Brands that add value to the console game experience have found a receptive audience, writes Gareth Jones. Stymied by the wettest summer since records began, with their activity at traditional sporting and music events dampened by the rain,...

Raymond Snoddy on media: Intelligent path to high-worth readers.(overview of Intelligent Life magazine)
September 5, 2007... What would legendary Economist editor Walter Bagehot have made of Intelligent Life, its glossy magazine, which has been described as The Economist 'in evening dress, on holiday, and at leisure'? The magazine's latest brand extension, like...

Media Analysis: Life after Big Brother.(Channel 4 Television Co.)
September 5, 2007... As the reality show's impact nosedives, C4 is planning a return to high-quality, niche programming. At the O2 last week, Prince sang that not only do you not have to be rich or cool to be his girl, you don't have to watch Big Brother...

Brand Health Check: Timberland.(regaining back the brand name)(Case study)
September 5, 2007... The iconic yellow boot has fallen victim to changing fashions and strengthened competition, writes Jemima Bokaie. An icon of the urban fashion world of the 90s, Timberland's trademark yellow boot finds itself on uneven ground as consumers...

Mark Ritson on branding: Simple, a bit sloppy, but not stupid.(Net Promoter Score is a survey technique to test company's market stand)
September 5, 2007... If you are a good marketer you've already heard of the Net Promoter Score (NPS). If you are a very good one, you know what your NPS is. If you have no idea what I am talking about, read the 30 seconds at the bottom, and then meet me at...

Profile: Writing a new chapter - Christian Cull, director of customer communications, BSkyB.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC)
September 5, 2007... Colleagues warned Christian Cull that his first 12 months at Sky would be like 'trying to take a drink from a fire hydrant'. However, the unflappable director of customer communications shows little sign of strain. He has just returned...

Adwatch: Tesco - 'Morrisons price check'.(Brief article)(Column)
September 5, 2007... When I first looked at this week's Adwatch list I was in a bit of a quandary as to what to review. I wasn't sure that there were any creative gems listed. Neither could I spot any ads that I thought were punching well above their media...