Frohlinger's Marketing Report articles from June 1998

Frohlinger's Marketing Report archives from June 1998

HEINZ REVISES BUSINESS PLAN
June 1, 1998... Heinz CEO Bill Johnson challenges sole role of advertising in marketing mix. Heinz' Weight Watchers business case in point. Business has dramatically turned the corner for first time this decade. "The Weight Watchers} classroom business is...

CADBURY RETOOLS SYSTEM, MARKETING PHILOSOPHY
June 1, 1998... Cadbury Schweppes Chief Operating Officer Michael McGrath has turned the tables and concentrated on the company's leading franchises for sustained advertising support. "We've increased ad support in the double-digit range for our portfolio this...

ADVERTISING AGENCIES - BIG BANG PART THREE
June 1, 1998... Globalization theme in the advertising business continues to move forward at a maddening pace. In our April 14, 1997 edition, FMR predicted the lineup of top-tier advertising agencies/holding companies would fundamentally change in next year....

NEWSWEEK LOOKS FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES
June 1, 1998... Newsweek Magazine Publisher Carolyn Wall eyes dramatic changes in newsweekly category. In the works for key Washington Co. property: 1) accelerated development of branding efforts to solidify and further develop relationship between readers and...

REVLON MAKES P and G BLUSH
June 1, 1998... Revlon continues to gain share and increase its leadership position in the color cosmetics category. Total Revlon share increased to 30.5% in the first quarter of 1998 versus 28.2% last year. Procter and Gamble's two key lines continue to take it...

FOX OUT OF THE BAG
June 1, 1998... Fox Filmed Entertainment has revamped its retail operations and has consolidated homevideo, licensing and merchandising and interactive new media into a Consumer Products Division, headed by Patricia Wyatt. Move designed to create more powerful...

CALVIN WALKS
June 1, 1998... A major search is out, again, for a Senior Vice President of Marketing at Calvin Klein Enterprises. Position has been a revolving door for last several years apparently with several major swingers striking out (e.g., Bill Perkins). Search...

NFL BLIND-SIDED
June 1, 1998... NFL's greed in recent agreements with networks will hurt value of franchises and alter long-term marketing agreements. Seriousness of GE's NBC unit and Time-Warner's Turner division to create a new football league is rock-solid. General Electric...

LAUDER SMELLS PRETTY
June 1, 1998... The Estee Lauder Company is aggressively hiking its fragrance new products lineup. The company will start shipping two major women's fragrance under the same name this month?Dazzling, which will come in two separate scents, Silver and Gold....

AVON EYES GLOBAL PICTURE
June 1, 1998... Avon may have a different look in its advertising in the near future. Under new COO Charlie Perrin, the company is looking to adjust its global advertising message. A search is underway for a Vice President of Global Advertising, report sources....

Ad Libs:
June 1, 1998... Boyden reportedly handling a search for a Vice President Asia for a beverage firm (requires Asian experience with pay over $400,000) and Another major position on the vine is reportedly for an Exec VP of Marketing at CVS, the drug chain. Company...

HEINZ REVISES BUSINESS PLAN.
June 1, 1998... Heinz CEO Bill Johnson challenges sole role of advertising in marketing mix. Heinzi Weight Watchers business case in point. Business has dramatically turned the corner for first time this decade. "The {Weight Watchers} classroom...

CADBURY RETOOLS SYSTEM, MARKETING PHILOSOPHY.
June 1, 1998... Cadbury Schweppes Chief Operating Officer Michael McGrath has turned the tables and concentrated on the companyis leading franchises for sustained advertising support. "Weive increased ad support in the double-digit range for our...

ADVERTISING AGENCIES - BIG BANG PART THREE.
June 1, 1998... Globalization theme in the advertising business continues to move forward at a maddening pace. In our April 14, 1997 edition, FMR predicted the lineup of top-tier advertising agencies/holding companies would fundamentally change in...

NEWSWEEK LOOKS FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
June 1, 1998... Newsweek Magazine Publisher Carolyn Wall eyes dramatic changes in newsweekly category. In the works for key Washington Co. property: 1) accelerated development of branding efforts to solidify and further develop relationship between...

REVLON MAKES P&G BLUSH.
June 1, 1998... Revlon continues to gain share and increase its leadership position in the color cosmetics category. Total Revlon share increased to 30.5% in the first quarter of 1998 versus 28.2% last year. Procter & Gambleis two key lines continue...

FOX OUT OF THE BAG.
June 1, 1998... Fox Filmed Entertainment has revamped its retail operations and has consolidated homevideo, licensing and merchandising and interactive new media into a Consumer Products Division, headed by Patricia Wyatt. Move designed to create more...

CALVIN WALKS.
June 1, 1998... A major search is out, again, for a Senior Vice President of Marketing at Calvin Klein Enterprises. Position has been a revolving door for last several years apparently with several major swingers striking out (e.g., Bill Perkins)....

NFL BLIND-SIDED.
June 1, 1998... NFLis greed in recent agreements with networks will hurt value of franchises and alter long-term marketing agreements. Seriousness of GEis NBC unit and Time-Warneris Turner division to create a new football league is rock-solid....

LAUDER SMELLS PRETTY.
June 1, 1998... The Estee Lauder Company is aggressively hiking its fragrance new products lineup. The company will start shipping two major womenis fragrance under the same name this month?Dazzling, which will come in two separate scents, Silver and...

AVON EYES GLOBAL PICTURE.
June 1, 1998... Avon may have a different look in its advertising in the near future. Under new COO Charlie Perrin, the company is looking to adjust its global advertising message. A search is underway for a Vice President of Global Advertising,...

PROCTER & GAMBLE RESTRUCTURES
June 15, 1998... Procter & Gamble, the world's leading advertiser, is contemplating the creation of a new operating structure globally which would dramatically affect the company's operating units. Procter & Gamble, as part of its "winning in the street" motto,...

FIRST DEREGULATION MATCH IN GAS UTILITIES LOOMS
June 15, 1998... The blueprint for no-holds marketing for gas energy customers will become apparent this Fall in Georgia as the state breaks down the barriers to regulation and mandates consumers choose new gas services from a variety of local and national gas...

FLEET CASTS A WIDE NET
June 15, 1998... Fleet, the large national financial services company, is looking to consolidate its direct marketing operations. The assignment, worth a combined $100 million from the Boston-based company, is one of the largest direct marketing assignments ever...

FOOD INDUSTRY MERGER MANIA
June 15, 1998... With the dazzling consolidation rush on a global basis moving quickly in telcom, autos, one should expect that food rationalization will happen in the food category globally in the next year to 19 months. The names topping many lists include...

CADBURY GETS BACK TO BASICS
June 15, 1998... Cadbury Schweppes Chief Operating Officer Mike McGrath plans to revive the company's flagship brands. With the major emphasis still on pumping volume for Dr Pepper and Seven-Up, Cadbury's smaller brands are targeted for help. "We've continuing...

KRAFT HIKES EFFORTS
June 15, 1998... Kraft Chief Executive Office Robert Eckert quietly pursuing the transformation of Kraft's leadership brands. Kraft's Oscar Mayer has gone significant revisions in the last few years. Upcoming focus will be on the new product launch of Lunchables...

SUNBEAM REGROUPS MARKETING EFFORTS
June 15, 1998... Sunbeam Outdoor Leisure unit President Frank Feraco moving forward on new product efforts, manufacturing excellence and improved customer focus. Feraco moving quickly and strategically to refocus Outdoor unit. Initial focus on manufacturing....

RALSTON BARKING?
June 15, 1998... Look for the Ralston Company to set its acquisition sights on the Iams Company to fuel its growth in the specialty side of the petfoods business. "That 's the weak link for Ralston. They will have to grow in the specialty side where they are weak...

PLAYBOY's NEW NET LOOK
June 15, 1998... Playboy Enterprises is rethinking its Internet strategy in a desire to become the major destination place for men on the Internet. Buford Smith hired from Reuters as a Senior Vice President. "We have decided to spin it off as its own thing," said...

SUNKIST LOOKS FOR PRO
June 15, 1998... Sunkist, the orange company co-operative, is looking for a world-class level CEO to join the California based company. Sunkist is looking for exec with marketing talent and experience in dealing with the trade, brand equity issues and a veteran...

LEVI'S SLIPS
June 15, 1998... Sources predict a major down-sizing is close at hand at Levi's. "This is a very major restructuring but they will really recarve the place. They have to, the business dynamics have changed and they need to reposition themselves," said a senior...

Ad Libs:
June 15, 1998... Citibank is on the prowl for senior management to run several countries...Ammirati & Puris Lintas NY CEO search drags on...Jobs Open: Timberland is looking for a chief marketing officer...Avon is looking for a Group Vice President for the U.S....

PROCTER & GAMBLE RESTRUCTURES
June 15, 1998... Procter & Gamble, the world's leading advertiser, is contemplating the creation of a new operating structure globally which would dramatically affect the company's operating units. Procter & Gamble, as part of its "winning in the street" motto,...

FIRST DEREGULATION MATCH IN GAS UTILITIES LOOMS
June 15, 1998... The blueprint for no-holds marketing for gas energy customers will become apparent this Fall in Georgia as the state breaks down the barriers to regulation and mandates consumers choose new gas services from a variety of local and national gas...

FLEET CASTS A WIDE NET
June 15, 1998... Fleet, the large national financial services company, is looking to consolidate its direct marketing operations. The assignment, worth a combined $100 million from the Boston-based company, is one of the largest direct marketing assignments ever...

FOOD INDUSTRY MERGER MANIA
June 15, 1998... With the dazzling consolidation rush on a global basis moving quickly in telcom, autos, one should expect that food rationalization will happen in the food category globally in the next year to 19 months. The names topping many lists include...

CADBURY GETS BACK TO BASICS
June 15, 1998... Cadbury Schweppes Chief Operating Officer Mike McGrath plans to revive the company's flagship brands. With the major emphasis still on pumping volume for Dr Pepper and Seven-Up, Cadbury's smaller brands are targeted for help. "We've continuing...

KRAFT HIKES EFFORTS
June 15, 1998... Kraft Chief Executive Office Robert Eckert quietly pursuing the transformation of Kraft's leadership brands. Kraft's Oscar Mayer has gone significant revisions in the last few years. Upcoming focus will be on the new product launch of Lunchables...

RALSTON BARKING?
June 15, 1998... Look for the Ralston Company to set its acquisition sights on the Iams Company to fuel its growth in the specialty side of the petfoods business. "That 's the weak link for Ralston. They will have to grow in the specialty side where they are weak...

PLAYBOY's NEW NET LOOK
June 15, 1998... Playboy Enterprises is rethinking its Internet strategy in a desire to become the major destination place for men on the Internet. Buford Smith hired from Reuters as a Senior Vice President. "We have decided to spin it off as its own thing," said...

SUNKIST LOOKS FOR PRO
June 15, 1998... Sunkist, the orange company co-operative, is looking for a world-class level CEO to join the California based company. Sunkist is looking for exec with marketing talent and experience in dealing with the trade, brand equity issues and a veteran...

LEVI'S SLIPS
June 15, 1998... Sources predict a major down-sizing is close at hand at Levi's. "This is a very major restructuring but they will really recarve the place. They have to, the business dynamics have changed and they need to reposition themselves," said a senior...

KODAK PICTURE: NOT PICTURE PERFECT
June 29, 1998... A major moment is underway at Kodak North America. A full-scale search is out for a President of North American operations who will oversee all marketing and sales. The new executive will be forced to examine and overhaul most of Kodak's...

SPRINT SHUFFLE?
June 29, 1998... Rumors are kicking over a consolidation of Sprint's $300 million ad business. One account under scrutiny is Sprint's PCS business, at Publicis Riney, is the account that is expected to change hands. The account bills roughly $150 million with...

CITIBANK - GLOBAL VISIONS
June 29, 1998... The challenge of orchestrating Citibank's global advertising into a truly global icon has been handed to Worldwide Director of Advertising Brad Jakeman. "All brands change across borders-but my initial observation is Citibank has vast differences...

FORD SHOOTOUT IN LATIN AMERICA
June 29, 1998... A major consolidation may be in the offing for the Ford Motor Company in Latin America. Presentations have taken place recently from two of Ford's three global ad agencies, Young & Rubicam and J. Walter Thompson. Rumbles about a consolidation in...

Rx FOR PFIZER
June 29, 1998... Pfizer, which has enjoyed a stock boost via the hit Viagra product, is looking to bolster its agency and media capabilities. The company is rumored to be out looking for new resources to handle its estimated $100 million budget (largely Rx...

KELLOGG'S - SNAP, CRACKLE AND POP TIME
June 29, 1998... With Carlos Gutierrez stepping up to the plate as the next Kellogg President, more changes may be afoot at the global leader in cereals. Speculation has been that Kellogg's board of trustees, unhappy with the performance of the company under the...

DREAMWORKS FISHING?
June 29, 1998... DreamWorks is said to be looking for resources to help with its $75 million media budget. The word is that the film company is looking at an agency for help but the menu could change to read media only. "They are looking for an agency but the way...

PRESIDENTIAL TIMES
June 29, 1998... Several major New York ad agencies looking around for President of flagship NY offices include Lowe/SMS, Ammirati Puris Lintas. Lowe/SMS Co-CEO Marvin Sloves hopes to have the search over sooner rather than later. "We would like to find one...

MERRILLY ROLLING ALONG
June 29, 1998... The Merrill Lynch review is bringing in some big guns but top creative gun Bill Hamilton will not be taking a top job at J. Walter Thompson. "Bill was available and he's a major league talent but he's not going to be heading up domestic...

ZENITH GETS SLAMMED
June 29, 1998... The failure of Zenith and Bates management to quietly close the chapters on its media buying problems for Miller Beer is a simple lesson ignored. Zenith's original problems exacerbated by the ton of freelancers the company hired when it started...

MICROSOFT MISSES THE BOAT
June 29, 1998... There are very few technology companies that have consistently done a good job of marketing. Take a look at the upheaval within Compaq and take a look at Microsoft. Microsoft's advertising is not very good. The reality is there are very few...

POLAROID - A HORSE WITH NO LEGS
June 29, 1998... The Polaroid Company may be worth more dead that alive. The problem is that Polaroid keeps on looking for new ways to re-invent itself despite the fact that the company has problems that just won't go away. Polaroid's instant imaging business...

BT - SPRINTING FORWARD
June 29, 1998... Observers are waiting for British Telecom to launch a takeover drive for Sprint or a major deal in the U.S. in the near future. "BT needs to do something and they have been looking around seriously for a while. Sprint has made some solid moves...

KIMBERLY's CHAINSAW
June 29, 1998... Another company that is suffering from the after-effects of Al Dunlap is Kimberly-Clark. K-C, a strong performer for many years, has recently slipped a little and Kimberly Clark's CEO Wayne could easily be called for piling on and denigrating...

ADIDAS REVIEWS
June 29, 1998... Sportswear marketer Adidas-Salomon AG is looking to add a new creative resource, the first time in five years that the company has looked outside its agency-of-record, Leagas Delaney. While committed to the agency, Adidas Global Advertising...

DOESN'T COMPUTE
June 29, 1998... NEC Packard Bell, the computer company, is trying to pull off a couple of slick moves. The company, owned by NEC, Bull and Benny Elegant, is looking for a veteran executive to lead the troubled $4.5 billion (annual sales) computer firm. Sources...

COSMAIR's SHUFFLING
June 29, 1998... Look for a reconfiguration of the Cosmair brand portfolio near-term. "Discussions are underway about shifting some brands around. Some brands will be moved from one division to the other," said a source close to Cosmair.>

BARKING AROUND AT BIG G
June 29, 1998... General Mills is flipping the acquisition switch on in an attempt to jumpstart its business. Industry sources report General Mills CEO Steve Sanger is aggressively pursuing major deals now. "Sanger is pushing for them to look outside the box on...

Ad Libs:
June 29, 1998... Ad Libs: GT Interactive, a software company is looking for a CEO. Iomega also on prowl for CEO.&Thomson looking for CEO to head up web TV box business & Carat expands in North America via buy of Strategeum, largest media company in Quebec&...