Frohlinger's Marketing Report articles from March 1998

Frohlinger's Marketing Report archives from March 1998

SPLISH, SPLASH, TAKING A BATH.
March 25, 1998... Two of the largest trademarks in the marketing world-Coca Cola and Nike-are reeling from top marketing changes and insiders are bracing for additional shuffling. The departure of Sergio Zyman as Coke's chief marketing officer, replaced by...

THE BUNNY TAKES ITS GLOVES OFF.
March 25, 1998... Ralston Purina is turning up the heat on its battery business, especially in the light of new product introductions and cost savings from arch-rival Duracell, now owned by Gillette. Ralston's battery business consists of four units and the...

SEARS LOOKING AT NEW ARENAS.
March 25, 1998... Sears is looking at two major new business areas as significant long-term initiatives. Great Outdoors. Sears has been testing a new retail concept in Denver which has opened to strong reviews. The division tracks online with current consumer...

WELLS RICH - DID IT REALLY HAVE TO FOLD?
March 25, 1998... What is a brand worth? What is an agency worth? Could Wells Rich Greene have been saved? The quick RIPs given to Wells Rich Greene and the way Omnicom and Wells Rich management sliced up the agency is a bloody shame. There is no reason that...

CHANGES, CHANGES.
March 25, 1998... There has been a lot of speculation about two good friends working together but for the time being Goldsmith Jeffrey will stay a few blocks apart. Gary Goldsmith will remain at Lowe & Partners/SMS, unaffected by the departure of his "dear...

TRICON ADDS SIZZLE.
March 25, 1998... Tricon, the restaurant spin-off from PepsiCo, is open to new ideas and new companies. "Our focus right now is to keep results up for all three of our restaurant divisions, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. But we've made great strides in...

LEN'S LOOKING AROUND.
March 25, 1998... Alberto-Culver top management is casting about for a President for its International operations. "The company wants to push its International sector and it is a normal retirement scenario but they are looking at some very serious candidates,"...

HAMMER GUMS IT UP.
March 25, 1998... In a highly unusual twist, the Arm & Hammer Company is rolling out the Baking Soda Gum, a new oral care product, which will be positioned in the dentrifice aisle of the store as a companion product to the company's toothpastes. Product...

AT&T RINGS THE BELL.
March 25, 1998... Spencer Stuart is the search firm tapped to handle the recruitment process for the senior marketing position open at AT&T. The candidate will report to AT&T CEO Mike Armstrong. "There is a lot of conjecture about how AT&T's brand objectives...

THE COW BREAKS LOOSE.
March 25, 1998... Gateway 2000 is in the midst of management changes which could impact on the marketing and ad agency ranks. The company has apparently hired a top marketer who oversees Jim Taylor and reports directly to CEO Ted Waitt. "The winds are blowing...

MAKES CENTS.
March 25, 1998... While the ad community may not have fallen head over heels with the acquisition of Bozell by True North, the stock market certainly is a big fan. True North's stock has climbed from $25 this month to the $32 range. Considering the stock was...

MAURICE KEEPS FIRE BURNING.
March 25, 1998... Publicis CEO Maurice Levy is still in the U.S. trying to nail down an ad agency acquisition of size. Levy has had get acquainted conversations recently with Fallon McElligott, Arnold Communications and Jordan, Case McGrath, report informed...

FOOT LOCKER TRIBULATIONS.
March 25, 1998... Kirshenbaum & Bond and Deutsch, the winners recently of a divided Foot Locker account, will be playing some hardball against each other in the future. "They are matching the two agencies up against each other to see how they do. Eventually...

CABLEVISION LOOKS TO BUY.
March 25, 1998... Cablevision CEO chuck Dolan is looking for more than pinstripes. The former HBO chieftain is looking at swapping cable asserts in the Northeast with his old company, Time Inc. Discussions include consolidation maneuvers. Talks come on heels...

BAG IT.
March 25, 1998... Observers are waiting to see if one of the top three cereal manufacturers will move into the bagged cereal business. Look for Kraft, under new management, to weigh in with some major changes. One area of development: bagged cereals. Since...

GLASSBREAKER.
March 25, 1998... Onward and upwards as top headhunter John Wood switches to Spencer Stuart. "This is a terrific opportunity. I look forward to working with the strong management team at Spencer Stuart," said Wood. The former Egon Zehnder pro and advertising...

TOUGH TIMES FOR PETE'S.
March 25, 1998... It has been a slow sales process for Pete's Wicked Ale beer. The beer company has slipped from a high of $25 and is now stuck below $5 in the stock market. Brand and company stuck. Possible bidders include Seagram's beverage unit.

Ad Libs:.
March 25, 1998... Great work done by Leo Burnett on the new cheese spots. Netscape should hire an ad agency to develop an identity. BellSouth is the first telcom to sell second phone lives (packaged in boxes off store shelves). Company is selling it through...