Kids Marketing Report articles from August 2000

Kids Marketing Report archives from August 2000

BBC to take on Sugar mag with new teen title for girls.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... BBG Worldwide is planning to launch a new teen magazine for girls this autumn, codenamed 'Project G' at the moment, despite recent ABC figures showing a 1.5% drop in circulation figures for teen titles overall. Whilst the BBC's Top of the...

New appointments for Nickelodeon.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Nickelodeon UK has announced the creation of two new positions in a bid to drive traffic to both its kids' TV channel. and web site. Gill Seaton, the channel's recently appointed head of marketing, is the driving force behind the appointments....

Burger King launches loyalty scheme for teens.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Burger King is launching the first national loyalty card scheme in the UK fast food sector. BK buzz, aimed at 10-16 year olds, allows customers to collect credits when they buy a value meal. The credits can then be used to get discounts on CDs...

Hasbro extends interactive sweets.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Hasbro, the UK's leading toys and games company, and confectionery giant Mars, have joined forces to launch a range of products which combine toys and confectionery. The initial products will feature the M&Ms and Skittles brands. Candy...

DENNIS BEANIES.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Dennis the Menace and chums will be available as a range of beanie-style toys from October 2000. Called Beano Dandies, the initial range features three characters: Dennis, Gnasher and Baby Bea. Other characters from Beano and Dandy will follow...

BABY DEVELOPMENT.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Abbey Home Entertainment, part of media and entertainment company Just Group, has launched a video, called Baby Bright', that helps stimulate the minds of babies in their first 12 months.

TOY SHOW FOR KIDS.(TotalFun, at Earls Court)(at Earls Court)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... TotalFun is a new toy show aimed at the under 12s and their families. The show features branded activity zones including ones sponsored by Hasbro and Lego. It takes place from 27-29 October at Earls Court.

DANGERMOUSE DEFECTS.(to Boomerang)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Dangermouse, the cult 1980s British series from Cosgrove Hall/Pearson Television International, has defected to Boomerang, Cartoon Network's recently launched classic animated TV channel.

THEME PARK PROMO.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... An on-pack promotion is running on triple packs of Ambrosia Devon Custard offering kids free entry to either Chessington World of Adventures or Thorpe Park when accompanied by a paying adult. Vouchers for Chessington will also appear on limited...

CREATE YOUR OWN CD.(Argos )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Argos is running a 'create your own CD' promotion as part of its 'back to school' campaign. The promotion, through Razorcuts, will run in three million new Argos catalogues and 420 Argos stores nationwide. It offers consumers a free...

VIRGIN APPOINTMENT.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Video games publisher Virgin Interactive has appointed The Media Edge to its [pound]2.5m media planning and buying business.

Licensees are looking to capitalise on Thunderbirds.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... A wide range of licensees are hoping to profit from renewed interest in Thunderbirds when it hits TV screens in early September in its new digitally remastered format. The new Thunderbirds web site (reviewed in the July issue of Kids...

Fox Kids in trading cards promotion.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Fox Kids is hoping to cash in on the craze in trading cards with its own promotion -- launched to coincide with the start of both the autumn school term and the channel's new season of programming. Targeted at the channel's core audience of...

CN EXTENDS NETWORK.(Cartoon Network)(Middle East)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... An extended Cartoon Network service is now available across the Middle East as a result of an agreement between Turner Broadcasting System and Arab TV network ART. Cartoon Network will broadcast as a separate 24-hour channel on ART's channel...

HAPPY MEAL FOR MR MEN.(McDonald's )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... McDonald's second Happy Meal promotion featuring the Mr Men is currently running across 1,000 restaurants in the UK. The promotion offers consumers the chance to collect nine plush character premiums, including a sneezing Mr Sneeze and singing...

PRINGLES PHONECARD.(Blockbuster)(promotion)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Procter & Gamble has launched a 'free with purchase' phonecard promotion for its new pizza-flavoured Pringles. The promotion, only available through 600 Blockbuster stores, sees consumers awarded for buying any flavour of Pringles with a...

PORTABLE DESSERT.(Yoplait - Frubes)(Frubes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Yoplait is extending its Frubes brand with a new portable fromage frais dessert pack aimed at children -- Frubes Choc & Toffee. The company predicts the launch will boost the children's chilled yoghurts and desserts sector by [pound]10m.

SIEMENS SIGNS FOR FA.(FA Premier League)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Siemens mobile phone division has signed a [pound]3m sponsorship deal with the FA Premier League, giving it a presence on the perimeter boards at Premiership grounds and allowing the company to use the Premiership logo in its advertising....

EGGS 'N' SOLDIERS.(Cadbury Trebor Bassett)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Cadbury Trebor Bassett is planning a new product launch for Easter next year called Egg 'n' Soldiers, which comprises a Creme Egg and Cadbury's Fingers.

Pre-school properties out in force at Mipcom Junior.
August 1, 2000... The Hoobs, Merlin the Magic Puppy and Honey Pot are among a number of pre-school properties making their debut at the forthcoming Mipcom Junior, which takes place in Cannes in the South of France on 2-6 October. Heading up The Jim Henson...

As teen series prove popular.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Decode Entertainment has chosen Mipcom Junior to launch its first slate of teen and teen programming. Heading up its line-up is The Zack Files, its live-action series targeting 8-14 year olds produced in association with Lancit Media....

TEEN PORTAL SIGNS WOOLWORTHS.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... mykindaplace.com, the portal for teen girls, has signed a [pound]1m sponsorship deal with Woolworths for its music channel -- mykindamusic.

E-COMMERCE FOR TOYS.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Amazon.com and Toyrus.com are developing a co-branded a-commerce site for toys and video games.

MICROSOFT'S CONSOLE.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Microsoft is setting aside [pound]333m for the global launch of X-Box, its entry into the games console market. The console is expected to launch towards the end of 2001.

TV AD FOR WAFFLERS.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Golden Wonder is supporting its new Wotsits Wafflers snack with a [pound]1.5m TV ad campaign through Bartle Bogle Hegarty targeting 14-16 year olds.

PASTA FOR FARLEY'S.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Heinz has extended its Farley's babyfood brand with Pastini Hoops and Pastini Stars.

SENSITIVE NAPPIES.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Procter & Gamble has launched a range of nappies and wipes for babies with sensitive skin. Called Pampers Sensitive, the new product is being supported by a [pound]3m TV and direct marketing campaign through Saatchi & Saatchi.

ADS FOR VIRGIN COLA.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Virgin Cola has launched a [pound]3m ad campaign for its new children's drink, Mini-V. An animated commercial featuring Rollercola Girl will air during kids' TV programming until 30 September and at cinemas during October. Press ads in women's...

FANTASTIC SHUH PROMO.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Soft drink brand Fanta is targeting teenagers in a joint promotion with shoe retailer Shuh. The promotion offers Shuh customers the chance to win a 48-hour stay at the 'Fanta House', the themed house geared towards teenagers. Entry forms are...

P&G launches web site to meet young girls' needs.(Procter and Gamble)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Procter & Gamble is the latest company to decide that the Internet is not fully meeting the needs of teenage girls. Inspired by the success of its Always and Tampax web sites, P&G has now launched BeingGirl.com -- a global magazine-style web...

Dixons drops @Jakarta retail name.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Dixons is to rebrand its @Jakarta games stores as Gameplay after taking a 12.5% in the online games site and direct-sell games retailer. The deal reflects Dixons' determination to challenge the dominance of high street games retailer...

Kids surf differently on their own.(Internet)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... The latest results for June from MMXI Europe highlight the difference in how kids surf on their own as opposed to when they surf with their parents. The site most popular when kids and their parents surf together is Shockwave.com where they can...

WEB SITE FOR SINDY.(fashion doll)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Sindy, the No. 2 fashion doll brand in Europe, has launched a consumer web site -- sindycom -- to coincide with the introduction of its UK Christmas range. The new range focuses on the themes of fantasy, party and caring.

SMART SPENDING.(card allows parents to monitor children's online spending)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Information Systems Group, a division of Hitachi Europe, is launching a smart card that enables parents to monitor their children's online spending.

ONLINE GAMERS.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... The concept of online games tournaments, already big in Korea where professionals earn $30,000 per annum, is coming to the UK. The first British 'Internet Game League Tournament' will take place at the Millennium Dome on 9 September. The winner...

FRUBES ONLINE.(children's dessert)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... 64k, the online web branding agency, has created a web site and online strategy for Frubes, Yoplait Dairy Crest's children's dessert. The site, which is due to go live in September, features a range of educational content, games and downloads....

FOOTBALL FOR FREE.(online football management game )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Freeloader.com, the world's first free premium computer games download web site, has announced the launch of Purefootball Fantasy Manager--the first online football management game that has no sign up charge. Competitors can win up to...

TEDDIES ON THE WEB.(children's television)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Link Licensing and United Productions have launched a web site to support CITY show The Teddybears. Developed by Workhouse, creators of the CITV web site, theteddybears.com features a separate section for each bear character.

Movie licensing - an unnecessary gamble?(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Ken Kemp looks at the pros and cons of movie licensing "Saturday night at the movies, who cares what picture we're seeing?" But we do don't we? When the hugging and the kissing in the back row stops, we do actually want to be entertained....

SPIDERMAN MOVIE.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... The new Spiderman movie has been confirmed for release in November 2001. Tobey Maguire has signed to play the role of Spiderman (aka Peter Parker) following his recent Oscar nomination for his role in Laurie Lee's The Cider House Rules.

BKN ACQUIRES DRI.(Design Rights International )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... BKN has acquired leading UK licensing agency Design Rights International to form BKN Consumer Products. The move will increase BKN's presence in the kids' licensing market.

SANTORO ON THE MOVE.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Santoro Licensing who handles merchandising for Bang on the Door has moved.

WIN FOR JIM HENSON.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Jim Henson Consumer Products is representing a new property -- The Hoobs. Aimed at 2-6 year olds, the programme will be screened on Channel 4 from January 2001.

LINK LANDS LOVE HEARTS.(Link Licensing)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Link Licensing has been appointed to develop a licensing programme for the popular confectionery brand -- Love Hearts. Link is looking to develop a licensing programme which will be representative of Love Hearts' brand image -- fun, quirky and...

LICENSING DEAL FOR TOLKEIN EPIC.(New Line Cinema cpmtract with The Licensing Company)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... American film production company, New Line Cinema has appointed The Licensing Company to develop a licensing programme for the film trilogy -- The Lord of the Rings. The first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, will be released pre-Christmas...

EVENT SUCCESS FOR WWF.(Event Merchandising signs 20 new licences for Worldwide Wrestling Federation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Event Merchandising has signed 20 new licences for the Worldwide Wrestling Federation, and says there are another 20 in development.

Kids exert great influence on what they eat - particularly in lunchboxes.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Andy Mitchell examines the big role that children play in choosing their own diets The increasing influence exerted by children on running the households in which they live also impacts on the food and drink that they consume. Several key...

The future of toys is techno -- or is it?(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Anna Scott looks at cyclical changes in the toy industry and shows it's not all techno Cast your mind back a mere eight years to the early 1990s -- the Dome meant nothing more than a trendy restaurant, and Robbie Williams had probably...

Health, environmental and animal welfare issues affect what kids eat.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Robin Lauffer looks at how kids' attitudes to food are governed by ethical principles The day that I was asked to write this article, I heard an ad on the radio about a new range of kids' food that had just been launched by a major...

Marketers should go back to school in order to reach kids in classrooms.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Neil Eastwood gives ten tips to brand owners wanting to get their products in schools Kids are fickle. One minute they love something and the next minute they hate it, deciding that it's 'sad' if anybody dares to suggest otherwise. ...

Girls outperform boys on exam front.
August 1, 2000... Rosemary Duff of ChildWise looks at how boys and girls fared in recent examinations This year's public examination results, at A- and GCSE-level, show that girls continue to gain ground on boys in examination success. This year, for the...

NEW BRANDS TRACK: MAY 2000.(survey of product awareness Britvic, Olop, Bernard Matthews Foods)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... The three new products ask about in New Brands Track, part of Carrick James' national children omnibus survey for 7-14 year olds were Fruit Shoot Drinks (Britvic), Supa Splat Paintball Game (Olop) and Invaders Frozen Turkey Pieces (Bernard...

The future of marketing to kids online in an 'anti-trust' environment.(growing popularity of digital entertainment among children)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Antonio Silano thinks permission-based models of data capture are the way forward Unless you've been spending your sabbatical on Mars over the last few months, anyone following current media consumption trends knows that our youth are...

Party politics is rejected by youth.(children demonstate an apathy about politics)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Research by Informer shows kids don't care about what happens at Westminster You may have heard about the recent research that claimed British teenagers are four times more likely to recognise Super Mario than Gordon Brown, the Chancellor...

BBC1 wins younger viewers over the holidays.(children's television viewing habits)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Another summer scheduling ploy from BBC1 is to repeat its teenage magazine Ukool the morning after its first transmission It goes without saying that children's viewing of television changes during the summer holidays. The table below shows...

CADBURY.(Cadbury's Snowflake marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Cadbury's Snowflake children's chocolate countline Cadbury has extended its Flake brand with a new line aimed at young females. Cadbury's Snowflake, the first brand extension for the 80-year-old Flake brand, features a white chocolate...

EHRMANN.(Ehrmann Crackle Pots marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Ehrmann Crackle Pots children's yoghurt Ehrmann has launched Crackle Pots -- fruit yoghurts containing popping candy. Four flavours are available: Strawberry; Raspberry; Cola; and Bubble Gum. A national TV advertising campaign is...

GOLDEN VALE.(Cheestrings DIY Pizza marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Cheestrings DIY Pizza children's pizza kit Golden Vale has extended its Cheestrings brand into the hot snacks market with DIY Pizza. The kit, targeting hungry 7-11 year olds who need to prepare something quick to eat, comprises pizza...

HEINZ.(Heinz Pokemon Pasta marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Heinz Pokemon Pasta canned pasta shapes Heinz has extended its pasta shapes range with a new Pokemon variant. Two different coloured cans -- red and blue -- feature a variety of characters. Heinz has a 59% share of the [cts.]12m pasta...

LEAF UK.(Green Howlers marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... Green Howlers bubblegum Leaf, the children's confectionery specialist, has extended its 'House of Terror' bubblegum range with Green Howlers -- super-sour apple flavoured bubblegum that turns tongues green. Trade marketing...

MCDOUGALLS FOODS.(CadburyLand cake mixes marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... CadburyLand cake mixes baking mixes McDougalls Foods is hoping to encourage kids to get baking with a new range of baking mixes carrying the CadburyLand name. The range comprises: Fudge Cakes mix; Creamy White Buttons Cakes mix; and a...

MCVITIES.(biscuits in tubes)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2000... McVitie's Tubes biscuits in tubes McVitie's has extended its range of biscuits in tubes by extending the format to include milk and plain chocolate Hobnobs and plain chocolate Digestives. Since Hobnobs are eaten out of home more...

NESTLE ROWNTREE.(Kit Kat Midnight Mint introduced)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2000... Kit Kat Midnight Mint limited edition chocolate countline Nestle Rowntree has extended its Kit Kat brand with a limited edition mint variant, available from 28 August. Kit Kat Midnight Mint features mint-flavoured dark chocolate...

PAYNES.(chocolate-covered popcorn)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2000... Poppets Chocolate Toffee Popcorn chocolate-covered popcorn Paynes is extending its Poppets brand with Chocolate Toffee Popcorn -- the first extension to the brand in 12 years. It is also the first time the brand has been associated...

SNACKHOUSE.(candy introduced)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2000... Titan AE savoury snack Snackhouse has launched a savoury snack in connection with Titan AE, the kids' animated film from Twentieth Century Fox. The maize snack, produced under licence, comes in two flavours: Blazing Spicy; and Cyber...

LEAF UK.(bubblegum)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2000... Eyepoppers bubblegum Leaf, the children's confectionery specialist, has relaunched its Eyepoppers bubblegum with new packaging and new mega-sour flavours: Tropical Punch; Lemon; Grapefruit; Cola; Strawberry; and Apple. A l0p pack...

MCVITIES.(relaunch of brand)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2000... McVitie's BN children's biscuits McVities has relaunched its pan-European children's biscuit brand BN with redesigned packaging and a new [pound]2m national TV advertising campaign. The updated packaging features a new logo and...