Kids Marketing Report articles from December 2000

Kids Marketing Report archives from December 2000

Virtual shopping for kids.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Research into how kids shop offline and how they use the Internet has led to the development of a new 3D Internet shopping and entertainment site for 7-15 year olds. subclub.com has created a virtual shopping mall that allows children to shop...

WHSmith backs education web site.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Spark Learning has signed a one-year sponsorship deal with WHSmith.co.uk to drive parent and school subscriptions to its recently launched online education channel, sparkisland.com. The site aims to help children aged 3-12 succeed in Key...

Sports sites for children.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Fox Kids Europe has joined forces with Sportal, the leading global provider of interactive sports content, to launch dedicated children's sports web sites. The aim is to create the world's largest online sports service for kids aged 6-14. ...

CD: UK to appear as mag for teens.(television show)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... CITV's popular children's television show CD:UK is to be launched as a magazine, targeting teenagers aged 11-16 with a 70% female bias. It will join a number of teen magazine titles based on television programmes. The magazine, which will...

The Pink Panther strikes back.(children's television show)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Cartoon Network has signed a deal with MGM for The Classic Pink Panther Show, which will start screening on the UK children's TV channel in spring 2001. The show is already available on Boomerang, Cartoon Network's channel dedicated to...

HAMLEYS FOR SALE.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Hamleys, the 240-year-old toy retailer, has put itself up for sale. Merchant bank Close Brothers has been appointed to find a buyer.

LOGISTIX WINS YOWIE.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Premier International Foods has appointed Logistix Kids Worldwide, a leading UK children's marketing consultancy, to work on its Cadbury Land Yowie Hot Chocolate brand for a three-month trial. Logistix will identify promotional opportunities as...

STARBUCKS GETS READING.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Starbucks Coffee Company has joined forces with the National Literacy Trust (NLT) to promote reading. It will make an initial [pound]50,000 donation to a scheme involving Starbucks employees and local librarians to help disadvantaged kids...

BOB CONSTRUCTION TOYS.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Lego plans to launch a range of Bob the Builder construction toys next year while Brio is introducing a range of garden tools for children.

DIY LEGO KITS.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Lego is offering consumers the chance to design their own construction kits. Consumers visiting the Lego web site (www.lego.com) are being invited to submit a digital image, which is then converted into a building map.

SPOTTY SPONSORSHIP.(Walt Disney promoting one of it's movies)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Disney is promoting its forthcoming film 102 Dalmatians by sponsoring a Eurostar train with images of Dalmatian puppies.

WALKERS RETAINS GARY.(Walkers Crisps, cereal manufacturer, Gary Lineker, soccer player)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Gary Lineker has extended his advertising deal with Walkers Crisps for another five years, worth [pound]1.5m to the former footballer.

LEMON FANTA FOR THE UK.(Coca-Cola product)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Coca-Cola is planning to launch a lemon variety of Fanta in the UK. Fanta Lemon, which is already available in France, Italy and Spain, will be introduced in the UK next summer.

Interactive entertainment channel on Sky digital.(England)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Visual media company Static 2358 has launched its interactive entertainment channel PlayJam on Sky digital, which is currently available to more than 10 million viewers in over four million UK households. All digital satellite viewers can...

Netgames targets online gamers with free Internet access package.(company from the United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Netgames UK, the online gaming service provider, has launched an 0800 unmetered Internet access package dedicated to online garners who specialise in playing popular multiplayer games like Half Life, Quake 3 Arena and Unreal Tournament. While...

EDUCATION WEB SITE.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Go Education has appointed Media Moguls and new media agency Internet Gurus to handle the launch of its new education-based web site, Go-Eddy.com. The campaign, which will break in January, will include a direct mail campaign targeting UK...

MIDWAY PLANS MEDIA.(software company hires planning services firm)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Midway Games, the US company that markets games for Nintendo 64, PlayStation and Dreamcast consoles, has appointed Total Media to handle its UK media planning and buying. Media spend for 2001 is likely to exceed [pound]300,000.

LEGO GAMES ONLINE.(software company)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Lego Software has launched a promotion on Kellogg's web site. Visitors to the site are being offered the chance to win 200 Lego games online. An interactive e-postcard is being sent to Kellogg's consumer database to drive traffic to the site....

DIGITAL DEAL FOR EIDOS.(computer games company)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Computer games company Eidos has signed a deal with digital media company Tornado to handle trials for the digital distribution of its interactive games, which will enable users to download games onto their PC, mobile phone or PDA.

NEW GAME FROM DISNEY.(102 Dalmations, video and computer game)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... A [pound]400,000 TV and press campaign through Curio is romoting Disney's 102 Dalmatians game on PC, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Nintendo and Game Boy. The game is being produced by Eidos.

AGENCY FOR GAMECUBE.(marketing of video game console by Nintendo of Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Nintendo of Europe is looking for an ad agency to handle the UK launch of its games console Gamecube next year. From February 2001 its UK marketing will move in-house.

GameLoft to develop web-based games in-house.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... GameLoft.com, the recently-launched global computer games portal, has diversified its operation by launching a web-based games development studio. The company, which currently features 731 web-based games on its UK site (the majority of which...

Kids like to chat online, says MMXI.(children's Internet use report by MMXI Europe, Internet audience research company)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Latest research from Internet audience measurement company, MMXI Europe, reveals what kids get up to when they're online. From its most recent data of UK at home panels, analysis of surfers behaviour in October 2000 shows that children aged...

SEGA'S SEARCH.(Sega Entertainment Industry's search for ad agency for European product marketing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Sega is looking for a new ad agency after Bartle Bogle Hegarty resigned the [pound]60m pan-European account in order to pitch for rival Microsoft's X-box account, worth [pound]357m -- the bulk of which will be spent in Europe. BBH was only...

GAMEPLAY CLOSURES.(office closure by on-line entertainment entity)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Online entertainment company Gameplay will close its Colchester and Wimbledon offices next year in order to create a more focused, cost-effective operation. It will consolidate its UK activities into its Leeds and London offices.

SEASONAL CONTENT.(holidays-related informational material provided by publisher to Web site mothercare.com)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... eSubstance has supplied mothercare.com with seasonal content, including stress buster ideas for parents, and a selection of themed activities aimed at children. www.mothercare.com

WWF TOPS VIDEOGAMES.(sold copies of wrestling video game in United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... THQ/JAKKS Pacific's WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role has become the fastest selling videogame in the UK. The PlayStation game sold more than 100,000 copies in its first week, according to the weekly Chart-Track UK retail panel. The WWF title...

FESTIVE FARE.(survey on children's preferences for Christmas dinner)(Brief Article)(Polling Data)
December 1, 2000... An online survey of more than a thousand British children has revealed that today's generation of Internet-savvy seven to 12 year olds would like to see mast turkey off the menu this Christmas. In place of the traditional festive feast it seems...

Superdrug to sponsor slot on mykindaplace.com.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... mykindaplace.com, the leading i-mag for teen girls, has signed a sponsorship deal with leading health and beauty retailer Superdrug.com for its 'My Life' slot, which includes stories, reports, quizzes, surveys and a careers section....

Birds Eye sponsors Fox Kids' new UK web site.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Fox Kids Europe, the leading pan-European integrated children's entertainment company, says its recently-launched next generation UK web site scored 2.25 million page impressions during its first month. The site, which went live in October,...

CHRISTMAS MOBILES.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2000... Ten percent of adults expect to give a mobile phone as a Christmas present, equating to 4.7 million new mobile phones -- according to latest research by NOP. Sixteen percent of buyers say they are very or quite likely to buy a WAP phone (equal...

CHANGES AT VIRGIN.(Virgin Interactive Entertainment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Video games company Titus Interactive, the holding company of Virgin Interactive (VI), is looking at the management arrangements for VI after its European chief operating officer Sean Brennan quit to establish a new technology company.

GET CHATTING WITH MTV.(service by Dobedo.co.uk, web site)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Dobedo.co.uk, the online chat site, is providing MTV UK with a chatroom function for its new site. The new MTV chatroom will feature four branded rooms, together with competitions and high-profile celebrity chats.

SAVING AT MOTHERCARE.(online information services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Barclays has formed an online partnership with children's retailer Mothercare. The bank will create and sponsor a section called 'Family Finance' on Mothercare.com by the end of the year. Content will be specially-tailored towards parents,...

TEXT MESSAGING WORKS.(BBC Worldwide's TOTP magazine wins prize)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... BBC Worldwide's TOTP magazine took top prize at Marketing's first 'Connections Awards' for a text messaging campaign. The campaign, created by Aerodeon, won the Grand Prix for attracting registrations from more than 10% of the magazine's...

Pokemon's popularity starts to slip but still equity in the property.(Logistix Kids report)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Logistix Kids' tracking of Pokemon shows interest in the character is starting to wane Without doubt 'the' big craze for children during 2000 was Pokemon -- but has the Japanese cartoon, which has spurned video games, trading cards and a...

Posthouse Hotels uses cartoons to promote family weekend breaks.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Themed weekends using Cartoon Network characters prove big hit for Posthouse In a bid to position itself as the family leisure desination for weekend breaks, Posthouse Hotels has been working with Cartoon Network over the summer to create...

The dangers of kids shopping online.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... UK Internet surveillance specialist warns of number of sites selling counterfeit goods The December shopping spree is forecast to see over three million of us taking the armchair option and purchasing online, according to a recent NOP...

The Lampies--a new toy story.(Brief Article)(Column)
December 1, 2000... Ken Kemp continues his report on a live licensing case study If your recall last month's episode in what is becoming a licensing docu-soap, my company Character Marketing Solutions has been appointed to manage the licensing programme for...

3D TO HANDLE DR OTTER.(3D Licensing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... 3D Licensing is developing a licensing programme for a new stop-frame animation series, Dr Otter. The programming consists of 26 x 10-minute episodes and will be screened on BBC1 from September 2001. The series is produced by Red Balloo...

SABAN'S MAGIC PUDDING.(Saban Entertainment contract)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Saban Entertainment is to develop a licensing programme for the new film, The Magic Pudding. Based on the successful Australian book, the film will be released in the UK on 25 May 2001. The film includes the voice talents of John Cleese and...

POP ACTS FOR BRAVADO.(Bravado International Group)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Bravado International Group has acquired a number of new pop acts. Recent signings include Kylie Minogue, Savage Garden and Eminem. All will have a very high profile in the music industry over the next year, and are aimed at the teenage market....

SPIDERMAN PUT BACK.(Spiderman: The Movie)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... LCI reports that the release date for Spiderman: The Movie has been put back to May 2002. It has confirmed that Willem Dafoe will starring opposite Tobey Maguire as his enemy, The Green Goblin. Licensing opportunities are now being explored.

INTERACTIVE LICENCES.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Max Steel: Covert Missions is now available on Sega Dreamcast, whilst Infogrames has released Looney Tunes for the Dreamcast. Mattel Media is launching Nickelodeon's Blues Clues for the Game Boy Color and Konami has launched The Grinch and The...

BOB TOPS THE CHARTS.(Bob the Builder)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... HIT Entertainment's Bob the Builder has launched his musical career. His new single based on the theme tune of the series went straight into the number two slot in the music charts.

Making retailing for kids a pleasure.(Column)
December 1, 2000... Su Davies on how in-store designs for children's merchandise affect sales It takes no more than a five-minute walk down any high street or shopping centre to realise that retailing and children do not mix. However, Marks & Spencer is one...

Pokemon gives way to electronic dogs in the run up to Christmas.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Anna Scott takes a look at sales of toys across Europe and the US during 2000 The year 2000 is drawing to a close and the second year of the millennium beckons. The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness has slushed by in a watery haze...

Pre-conference research reveals issues for marketers targeting kids.(Kid Power World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Charlotte Nutt of IQPC says the Internet is a key challenge for those selling to children What are the true challenges facing children's marketers today? As part of our groundwork for our forthcoming conference -- Kid Power World -- we...

Why promotions aimed at children should satisfy the entire family.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Jenni Smallshaw says involving parents in kid-focused promotions is key to success Children of today have been born into a world, chock-full of media and brand choices. Unlike us, they do not remember a life with three television channels...

From Pokemon to Harry Potter.(marketing to children)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2000... Rosemary Duff takes a look at the key trends for children during the year 2000 Children entered nonchalantly into the new millennium, happy to have an excuse to celebrate, but in no way overawed by the transition. And as the year...

Research Data.(popular children's products)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2000... The four new products asked about in New Brands Track, part of Carrick James national monthly children's omnibus survey for 7 - 14 year olds were Pokemon Yellow Gameboy game, Noddy Fruit Squash drink, WAP mobile phones and Squeggs square Easter...

Adult shows are the big hits for kids during 2000.(television programs)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2000... This year's output for kids was overshadowed by mainstream programmes Looking back at the year 2000, with just a few weeks of BARB data still to be supplied means analysing two different sets of audience figures. First, there are the...

Trash.(cosmetics for teenage girls from Boots the Chemist)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2000... Cosmetics Boots has extended its 17 cosmetics brand with a new range aimed at teen girls. Called Trash, the range of 51 products is being aimed at clubbers. The range will be revised every three months. Design: Williams Murray Hamm ...

Pokemon juice drinks.(from Calypso)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
December 1, 2000... children's fruit drinks Calypso, the soft drinks character licence specialist, is launching a range of Pokemon-branded juice drinks. The drinks come in two varieties -- Citrus Blast and Berry Blast -- featuring the Genger and Charizard...

Right Guard Xtreme Sport.(from Gillette)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
December 1, 2000... male toiletries Gillette is launching a new sub-brand under its Right Guard banner in a bid to attract a younger audience. Right Guard Xtreme Sport consists of four variants: antiperspirant deodorant aerosol; body spray; roll-on; and a new...

Games Key Chains.(from Hasbro)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
December 1, 2000... children's games Hasbro is launching a range of key rings featuring miniature versions of its popular games. Games offered include Boggle, Operation, Mouse Trap, Monopoly and Game of Life. Design: In-house Advertising: None...

Man United action figures.(from Hasbro)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
December 1, 2000... children's action figures Hasbro has launched a range of three Manchester United action figures on its online shopping site, www.funstore.co.uk. The figures of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Dwight Yorke have been produced to commemorate...

Bob the Builder.(chocolate confections from Kinnerton)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... chocolate confectionery Kinnerton is extending its range of brand licensed confectionery with new chocolate and jelly ranges based on Bob the Builder, Chicken Run, Teletubbies, The Simpsons, Purple Ronnie and Manchester United. It is also...

Santa's Little Helper/Christmas Mice/Themed Christmas lollies/Christmas Finger Puppets on Strawberry Candy Canes.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
December 1, 2000... children's confectionery Starbucks Coffee, the US coffee chain, has launched a festive range of confectionery and biscuits especially for children. The range includes: Santa's Little Helper -- a ginger snap biscuit in the shape of a person...

Fruit Bowl.(product by Stream Food)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... children's fruit snacks Stream Food has launched a range of fruit snacks aimed at children under a new brand called Fruit Bowl. The range includes: Fruit Bowl Fruit Flakes -- which come in 20g individual bags in strawberry, blackcurrant,...

Pokemon vitamins.(by Sundown Vitamins Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... children's vitamins Sundown has launched a range of Pokemon-branded children's multivitamins. Three variants are available: multivitamins; with iron; and with extra vitamin C. All come in packs of 60 in four flavours. Design: Not...

T&T Tropicombo.(fruit drinks for teenagers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... children's fruit drinks T&T is launching a range of fruit drinks aimed at teenagers. The company has signed a [pound]1.5m sponsorship deal, which will see the drink sponsoring the new teen docusoap Popstars. The new soap will start...

Kitty Kitty Kittens/Picnic Pals.(new toys by Toy Options)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... children's toys Toy Options is launching a range of toys for Boxing Day. Kitty Kitty Kittens are a range of four interactive toy kittens -- Calico, Tiger, Tawny and Fluffy. Picnic Pals are six interactive plush toys, while Tagga Boys are...

Pokemon Tempest Gift Box.(by Wizards of the Coast)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... trading cards Wizards of the Coast has extended its range of Pokemon merchandise with the Tempest Gift Box, a CD-Rom that gives consumers an opportunity to learn more on how to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game and gives tips on how to build...

Chilli Dogs.(new products by Ye Olde Oak)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... flavoured hot dogs Ye Olde Oak is launching what it claims is the UK's first flavoured hot dog. Chilli Dogs come in a 560g ringpull containing six large chilli spiced sausages. Design: Not available Advertising: None planned PR:...

Rowntree's Tooty Frooties.(Product Information)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... children's confectionery Nestle Rowntree has relaunched its Tooty Frooties fruit-flavoured chewy sweets. The sweets now have different flavoured centres to give them a sharper and longer lasting flavour. The brand will appear on sponsorship...

Ready Brek.(Weetbix product)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... children's breakfast cereal Weetabix has relaunched its Ready Brek cereal brand with new packaging. The new pack designs aim to appeal to the brand's core audience of 6-11 year olds and their mothers. The brand recently introduced a new slogan...

WAP AD FOR SONY'S AIBO.(electronics company)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2000... Sony has launched an ad campaign on WAP entertainment site XY Network for its robotic dog Aibo. The ad, which is connected to the Sony call centre, is supported by audio and visual content. www.xynetwork.com