Frohlinger's Marketing Report articles from June 1997

Frohlinger's Marketing Report archives from June 1997

PEPSI PRETTY - A SITTING TARGET
June 9, 1997... PepsiCo, with the shield of its fast-food restaurants jettisoned to the side, has emerged as a strong takeover target. With the Fall spinoff approaching of its three fast-food chains, Pepsi management is under the gun to find suitable...

QUAKER STATE GETS HANDS DIRTY
June 9, 1997... Quaker State CEO Herb Baum tackles long-term issues in mature branded oil segment marketplace with focus on acquisitions, margin improvement and long-term marketing strategy. "We've done well in terms of competing in the motor oil segment. We...

INTERNET ADVERTISING - R.I.P.
June 9, 1997... Beginning of the end has arrived for Internet advertising, based on the results of a survey of top marketing executives by FMR. While dollars and eyeballs are still critical for marketers to follow, the experiment with the use of major ad dollars...

HEINZ'S O'REILLY PLAYS TO A GLOBAL STAGE
June 9, 1997... Heinz CEO Tony O'Reilly continues to refine global brand strategies for business interests. "We've made strong strides to improving the performance of the company in our core categories. We've identified opportunities and we will support our...

USA TODAY PUSHES AHEAD
June 9, 1997... USA Today benefits from changing dynamics in marketplace as national newspaper surges on revenue front. Newspaper has tapped into categories of computers, electronics, media and health areas to reap 10% increase in revenues following 30% shift...

HERSHEY STUDIES ENTRY
June 9, 1997... Hershey USA has big plans for some of the small brands it acquired in its Leaf acquisition. Hershey is likely to use its marketing muscle beyond Jolly Rancher to support some smaller brands with expanded distribution. Look for a major effort in...

CARGILL LOOKS FOR AD AGENCY
June 9, 1997... Cargill, the giant food processsing concern, is in the initial phases of a search for an ad agency. Multi-faceted assignment includes business-to-business advertising, public relations, internet abilities. Process reports to Vice President...

P&G BRUSHES UP
June 9, 1997... Procter & Gamble is taking a very close look at research in the women's health area and ways to find solutions for osteo perosis. P&G has become a significant backer of research at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. "P&G is investing on...

RADIO SHACK CONNECTS
June 9, 1997... Look for major Fall effort from Radio Shack to position electronics store as major telcom destination. Agreement between Radio Shack and Sprint moves into full gear with an estimated $40 million advertising blitz. Move comes at pivotal time-no...

BBDO SEES PACIFIC GROWTH
June 9, 1997... As predicted (FMR, January 27, 1997), BBDO has made a management change in its Far Eastern operations with former Bates exec Chris Jacques elevated to top spot running $715 million (billings) region with Creative Director David Alberts. "Chris...

MARS LOOKING AROUND?
June 9, 1997... Sources indicate that Mars in Europe has approached non-roster agencies for creative projects. Mars uses three agencies for its sugar and confectionery brands (Grey, AMV/BBDO and DMB&B). Mars recently restructured its European operations, with...

MERKLEY NEWMAN ON RISE
June 9, 1997... Executive Vice President Steve Bowen looks to strengthen resources and balance multi disciplines available to $150 million (billings) Omnicom Group division. "This agency just won 4 Effies which is significantly higher than many of our...

ADJUSTMENT AT BURNETT
June 9, 1997... CEO Rick Fizdale seeks to turn battleship around with increased efforts towards creative product, media efforts globally and focus on international agency efforts. "We're going to try and take a tradition bound company and make it progressive....

Ad Libs:
June 9, 1997... Excite is looking for a Creative Director to head up in-house creative efforts&FCB/NY grabs top player with appointment of Tim Elliott as Executive Vice President & Worldwide Director on Citibank account&Former P&G and Hardee's Executive Vice...

COCA-COLA - THIRSTY FOR GLOBAL GROWTH
June 23, 1997... Coca-Cola Company Senior Vice President Sergio Zyman strengthens commitment to improved global marketing communications techniques from refined brand approaches and increased ad support. Improved singular focus results in sharper brand positions...

GUINNESS AND GRAND MET: A POWERFUL COCKTAIL
June 23, 1997... The 23 billion merger between Guinness and Grand Metropolitan has hit some inevitable rocky times with arrival of LVMH's Bernard Arnault into picture. Merger honeymoon over as Arnault, Guinness's partner and an opponent of the merger, has used...

BEAMING UP?
June 23, 1997... Sources report that there are very high-level changes contemplated within the Jim Beam division of Fortune Brands. "There is a search out for a top-level executive at Beam. It could be at the very top or right underneath the top," said an...

MCDONALD's - CLEAN HOUSE
June 23, 1997... Time for massive house-cleaning at McDonald's. Repeated failures and marketing miscues by senior management has resulted in inertia, blown opportunities and a failure to connect with changes in the consumer marketplace. McDonald's has failed...

BOSTON DISASTER
June 23, 1997... Recent shuffle of top management including former President Larry Zwain and Executive Vice President Bill McDonald mask the problems at the food chain. Problems at Boston Market began when the company changed its positioning and name. Switching...

KODAK MOMENT
June 23, 1997... Decision to move Kodak account to rival agency from JWT to Ogilvy & Mather major moment for JWT.. Kodak was second most famous relationship that J. Walter Thompson has developed-second only to Ford Motor. Agency suffered as client went through a...

QUAKER SELECTION SLOW
June 23, 1997... The clock is still ticking over the Quaker CEO selection process as Quaker's board and CEO Bill Smithburg look over qualified candidates to take over the $5.19 billion foods company. "The process is on-going. They have looked around and there are...

UNIVERSAL ATTRACTION
June 23, 1997... Universal, a leading outdoor firm, is in the final rounds of discussions as consolidation in the outdoor industry draws closer to the finish line. Universal is believed very close to a deal with Karl Eller and Clear Channel. "Eller's name is the...

CAMPBELL's COOKS
June 23, 1997... It looks like Campbell Soup CEO David Johnson could be lip synching the Rolling Stones' old medley of "Time is on my side." Campbell's CEO turns 65 in August and a key responsibility of a CEO and a company's board of directors is to identify and...

CAHNERS BIDS HIGH
June 23, 1997... It's down to the wire in the bidding for Walt Disney Co.'s Chilton Co. publishing unit. Sources put Cahners Publishing as the front-runner for the acquisition. Cahners, a Boston-based, has made a bid in the range of $350 million to $400 million...

Ad Libs:
June 23, 1997... Doreen Kirsch joins PS Promotions as Director of Marketing/East Coast. Steve Hughes joins Celestial Seasonings as new CEO. FMR predicts an agency search will kick off in the next sixty days as Hughes looks to set own mark. Hotel Plaza Athene...