Incentive Today articles from April 2004

Incentive Today archives from April 2004

No winners in the paper chase.(Editor's note)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... In this digital age, you'd think that the days of giving out a piece of paper as a reward or incentive would be over. But the latest data show that Britain's voucher industry continues to grow. Last month's Voucher Association conference...

Travel vouchers are alive and kicking.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Yet again David Armstrong of Aztec Marketing (Have travel vouchers had their day?, Incentive Today, February) has missed the point. Despite "discounted travel vouchers" being part of his own portfolio, he feels that they are "outdated,...

Leading industry figures.(say marketing to be valued more highly)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Leading industry figures make a plea for marketing to be valued more highly at board-room level in the new edition of the Marketing Manager's Yearbook. Stephen Cheliotis of Superbrands said: "Those that hold the budgets do not hold marketing in...

The number of consumer.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The number of consumer using multimedia message service (MMS) surged by 40 per cent in the three months to February, according to the Mobile Media Monitor from mobile marketing specialist Enpocket. This was driven by 18 to 24-year-olds, of whom...

Triangle group.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Triangle Group has brought together its different specialist companies to create one below-the-line organisation. The merger affects Storm, Perceptor and B-live, which have been built up over the past five years to focus on specific areas. But...

Promotional incentives company.(Award International Holdings)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Promotional incentives company Award International Holdings is raising money for growing the business by floating on the Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market. The placing will allow it to raise about 1.75 million [pounds sterling]...

Brand experience.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Brand experience agency RPM has strengthened its creative offering by appointing Steven Workman, previously creative head at Billington Cartmell. He will work as full-time creative consultant alongside RPM creative director Neil Hooper.

Copyright Promotions Sport.
April 1, 2004... Copyright Promotions Sport has brokered a deal for Codemasters to secure the official England football team video game rights from the Football Association. It means that the publisher can bring out the new game, England International Football,...

Flytxt.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Flytxt, the mobile technology specialist, has been working with men's magazine, FHM, to establish interactive links with its readers so that they could vote for the 100 sexiest women in the world. Voting was by post, FHM's website or by texting...

Promote only healthy food to children, says FSA.(News)(United Kingdom. Food Standards Agency)
April 1, 2004... Children should only be targeted with promotions for healthier foods rather than products containing large amounts of fat, sugar and salt, according to a government watchdog. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) calls on the promotional...

Butter brand taps into gardening craze.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... English butter brand Country Life is tapping into the popularity of TV programmes such as Ground Force by offering an instant-win prize of a garden makeover. Dynamo has developed an on-pack promotion to run from this month until the end of...

Vitamin V creates buzz about Murphy's.(News)(sales promotion)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Pubgoers had a chance to win a free pint of Murphy's if they managed to navigate a shamrock-shaped buzz-wire without it buzzing. Vitamin V devised the activity for Murphy's owner, Interbrew UK, for more than 500 pubs, launched in the run-up...

Agency focuses on promotions for babies.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Social changes have created a new market of cash-rich, time-poor mothers who have children later in life and continue to hold down a job, according to a leading marketing agency. Logistix Kids, which has carved a niche in marketing to...

Children given vouchers for turning up at school.(Be There Bonus)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Children are being offered vouchers in a random draw as an incentive not to play truant in a new scheme in Manchester. The city council's education department launched the 10-week pilot scheme, Be There Bonus, last month to tackle...

Students targeted with Ibiza holiday.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... GBL International is targeting its premium-packaged spirit, VK Coast, at students with a new scratchcard promotion offering four winners a holiday in Ibiza. Every time a student buys a bottle of the drink, they receive a free scratchcard...

SP Partnerships.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... SP Partnerships has appointed two leading figures from the promotional marketing sector as freelance consultants to "open up new doors" for the partnerships and promotions business. Matt Chambers has held senior marketing roles at Marks &...

Integrated agency Positive Thinking.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Integrated agency Positive Thinking has appointed Mip Phillips as group creative director. He has worked previously at a number of agencies, including DLKW, Euro RSCG and Biggart Donald.

Arc Field Marketing.(Tesco Plc improves)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Arc Field Marketing has helped Tesco to improve its in-store sampling and demonstrations with the new branding, "Helping you make the right choice". The new service will be refocused around new lines, ingredients, flavours, packaging, seasonal...

Product Plus International.(new licensing consultancy for companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Product Plus International, the consumer premiums division of the 4imprint Group, has launched a licensing consultancy for companies that want to use licensed characters in their promotions and brand marketing activity. Other services will...

Design Group.(marketing)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Design Group has launched the Sony PrizeVault, an online national promotion for Sony Data Media distributors and end users. They can log on to www.sonyprizevault.co.uk to exchange points gained from purchases or sales for prizes.

Hertz and Magnet.(Nectar loyalty programme)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Hertz and Magnet have joined the Nectar loyalty programme, allowing shoppers to earn points when they buy the companies' products. Customers can earn two points for every 1 [pounds sterling] when they book a car or van directly with Hertz, with...

Live brand experience agency ID.(marketing )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Live brand experience agency ID is carrying out a hot sampling campaign to promote the Sacla range of pasta sauces from this month. A team of brand ambassadors will be based in the car parks of grocery multiples, offering consumers a chance to...

Flytxt brings picture messaging to radio for first time.(multimedia messaging)
April 1, 2004... Galaxy 105 in Yorkshire, part of the Chrysalis group, has become the first radio station to use multimedia messaging (MMS)in a promotion. Its DJs encouraged listeners to use their mobile phones to send in pictures of themselves and their...

Eurotunnel drives up retail sales in terminals.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Eurotunnel is offering to give passengers cash if they find that drinks bought on board its trains or at its terminals are more expensive than those in Calais hypermarkets. Marketing communications agency Liquorice has developed the...

Sonic booms into Butlins.(Grasshopper and Butlins Skyline Ltd.'s promotion campaign for Sonic Battle)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Grasshopper has linked up with Butlins holiday resorts to promote THQ's new game, Sonic Battle, because guests represent the product's core market. It is being promoted via press and leafleting activity, which gives consumers the chance to...

Free cinema tickets aim to convert atheists to Christianity.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A group of churches hopes to convert atheists to Christianity by giving away free tickets to see Mel Gibson's controversial film, The Passion of the Christ. Four churches in Kent have block-booked 20,000 [pounds sterling] of tickets for...

Smash Martians land on high street.(News)(through clothes developed by Trademark Products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Smash Martians, created three decades ago to promote instant mashed potato, are now reaching a new generation through clothes developed by Trademark Products. The company has produced T-shirts carrying pictures of the Martians plus...

Children to enjoy 'Nectar-style' rewards.(News)(consumer loyalty program)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A web-based loyalty programme for children is set to strengthen its presence on the high street by launching a "Nectar-style" partnership with major brands. Swapits Rewards is in talks with a number of brand owners in different market,...

McCoy's tackles fans with wallaby crisps.(promotion campaign )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Brand experience agency RPM took McCoy's crisps to Six Nations rugby matches for a sampling campaign, including a limited-edition flavour of "wallaby and stuffing". It handed out the novelty crisp flavour at England's two home games at...

Danone backs bio-yoghurt with sampling.(DANONE Group's marketing campaign for Activia)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Branded scooters are travelling to stores, shopping centres and high streets to offer samples of Danone's bio-yoghurt, Activia, as part of a major new campaign. Field marketers have been offering "Inner Health" guides and product coupons...

JVC partners cereal giant for Euro 2004 promotions.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... SP Active has secured a strategic marketing partnership between consumer electronics manufacturer JVC and cereal producer Cereal Partners to leverage JVC's position as official partner of the Euro 2004 football championships. The...

Events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... April April 14 Seminar on project management 1 IPA, Belgrave Square, London Organised by the Institute of Sales Promotion 020 7837 5340 www.isp.org.uk April 20-22 Incentive World Promotional marketing...

Sol joins with Porn Star to drive on-trade sales.(Promotion of the month)
April 1, 2004... Sol, the UK's biggest-selling Mexican beer, is preparing to launch a new campaign in bars, clubs and restaurants through partnerships with cutting-edge fashion label, Porn Star, and Bacardi rum. The activity, which has been developed by...

Education, education!(ISP perspective: the latest views from the Institute of Sales Promotion)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The concern about education, or the lack of it, is of particular importance in the communications industry. The necessity for clear messages to consumers and customers is critical to the success of promotional marketing. Copywriting of...

Pubs link up for major football promotion.(News)
April 1, 2004... Leading drinks brands have been brought together for a major on-trade promotion linked to a week of high-profile football fixtures in May. Lords Marketing and Promotions has planned and created the mechanics for National Pub Football Week...

Tetley kicks off in stores.(News)(Tetley)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Tetley beer brand has been building on its sponsorship of rugby by inviting shoppers to score a try in stores. Live marketing agency Closer, part of Billington Cartmell, sent promotional teams to 12 Asda stores during the Six Nations...

Cup win pulls thousands into stores.(News)(Carling Cup)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... More than 3,000 people poured into four Asda stores in Teesside for an exclusive chance to have their picture taken with the Carling Cup. It followed Middlesbrough Football Club's defeat of Bolton Wanderers last month in the Carling Cup...

Football club rewards fans for reselling tickets.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A football club is offering its fans the chance to earn points for spending in the club or shopping if they join a scheme to buy back unwanted tickets. Season-ticket holders at Bolton Wanderers can earn 10 [pounds sterling] of points...

Shopping centres urge consumers to spend more.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Shopping centres across the UK have been increasing footfall and raising average spend in their stores through a promotion offering free European flights. MKM Marketing and Promotions has put together the incentive, which awards shoppers...

Royal Bank of Scotland rugby sponsorship: Roger Marriott, managing director of Generator, examines online activity linked to the Royal Bank of Scotland's Six Nations sponsorship.(New media file)
April 1, 2004... Not liking football is one of those things that will follow you through life like a bad hairstyle or profound body odour. It tends to halt conversations: "Did you see the game?", "What game?", silence... Rugby on the other hand is...

Arresting DVD for Starsky and Hutch.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Cinema chain Odeon is offering a free DVD of the original Starsky and Hutch TV series to people who buy two tickets to the new big-screen version. The DVD features the full-length original pilot show plus extra footage such as...

Britain not ready to lose paper vouchers, delegates told: Mark Ludmon reports from the Voucher Association's annual conference.(News)(payment card)
April 1, 2004... Britons are not ready to follow the American model of nearly totally switching from paper vouchers to stored-value cards, according to speakers at the Voucher Market conference. Ninety per cent of "prepaid transactions" in the US are now...

Nationwide to increase voucher spend.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Vouchers are set to play an increasing part in employee motivation at one of the UK's biggest financial institutions because they are "much liked" by staff. Evan Davidge, rewards consultant at Nationwide, admitted he found vouchers...

Loyalty cards 'not an incentive' for shoppers.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Loyalty cards are not a major incentive for consumers to shop in one particular store, according to research presented at the voucher conference. Only 28 per cent of people said they believed that having a loyalty card guided their choice...

Many consumers 'not interested' in vouchers.(News)(Voucher )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Voucher suppliers have been urged to be more targeted in marketing their products because most of the population is not interested in them. Nick Barker, associate director of research firm MORI Financial Services, said they should identify...

Grass Roots goes plastic with 'unique' incentive card.(Motivation)
April 1, 2004... The Grass Roots Group is preparing to announce agreements with leading high street names to support a new stored-value bonus card. It is launching its new product, Pure Card, at the Incentive World exhibition this month, describing it as...

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.(Motivation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Reward programmes need to respond to the chasm of difference between men and women, new research has highlighted. Service recognition agency Cottrills has found that jewellery is nine times more popular with women than with men, who prefer...

Public sector staff 'lack motivation'.(Motivation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... New research into public sector workers paints a picture of staff who lack motivation and ready to quit. A survey of 481 employees in the public sector found that a third of them were bored most of the time and a third again planned to move...

Marketers accept long hours.(Motivation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Young professionals starting out in marketing are not demotivated by having to work long hours, according to a new survey. Over two-thirds said they were happy with their hours despite 32 per cent working three or more nights a week and 43...

Report finds motivated staff boost companies' success.(Motivation)
April 1, 2004... Companies with happy workforces outperform their rivals, according to the annual Sunday Times survey of the best companies to work for. Its report on the top 100 businesses found that employers who invested in benefits and incentives...

Projectlink joins up with AirMiles.(Motivation)(Projectlink Motivation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Projectlink Motivation has signed a deal to provide its clients' employees with access to travel packages from AirMiles Travel Company. The agency, part of The Grass Roots Group, will offer AirMiles holidays and services across its...

Virgin grows offer with cosmetics and hotels.(Motivation)(Virgin Incentives)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Virgin Incentives has extended its offer through new deals with The Virgin Cosmetics Company Voucher and exclusive hotel group, Pride of Britain. It has added the cosmetics vouchers to its portfolio to provide cosmetics, skincare and...

Three-quarters of staff to resign.(Motivation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Employers are under increasing pressure to retain good staff, according to new research that shows three-quarters of employees want to move jobs in the next 12 months. An independent study, carried out by research company TRBI on behalf of...

Hotel group motivates travel agents.(Motivation)(Sofitel North America)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Luxury hotel group Sofitel has renewed its motivation programme which has been successfully building its relationship with travel agents. The campaign, Challenge Your Emotions, offers agents the chance to win up to 3,000 [euro] in Sofitel...

Motivation awards 2004.(Motivation)
April 1, 2004... Champagne flowed into the early hours at the 2004 Motivation Awards gala dinner, organised by Incentive Today. The awards, which were in their third year, celebrated the high standards being achieved by companies in motivating their staff and...

Cooking up creative offers: restaurateurs are increasingly taking lessons from the high street to drive sales through promotions. Mark Ludmon looks at the latest activity.(Restaurants)
April 1, 2004... Last year saw a dramatic rise in restaurant closures, including some high-profile names such as Gary Rhodes and Nico Ladenis. But, at the same time, the Harden's London Restaurants guide revealed that there was a record number of new openings,...

Bright sparks: consumers are spending more than ever on electrical goods, and supermarkets are eating up an increasing slice of this market. Jo Ellsworth looks at new directions in in-store activity.(Electrical products)
April 1, 2004... Consumers popping out for their weekly groceries today could quite easily come home with more than they'd bargained for. Among aisles laden with frozen foods and ready meals, the UK's major multiples now all stock a wide range of electrical...

Beyond recognition: recognition should be the simplest element of motivation to address, so why do so many organisations struggle with it?
April 1, 2004... Motivation programmes are built around two key components: reward and recognition. Reward is relatively straightforward: organisations provide gifts for employees either to incentivise them to achieve or thank them for their performance, or...

Thousands expected at Incentive World 2004: visitors are being promised a wealth of new ideas and solutions at this year's Incentive World exhibition.(Incentive World 2004)(National Incentive and Motivation Week)
April 1, 2004... Incentive World, which runs from April 20 to 22 at Earls Court 2 in London, showcases an industry that is estimated to be worth 20 billion [pounds sterling] in the UK. It features up to 400 exhibitors involved in premium merchandise, incentive...

Retailers target vouchers for motivation.(Incentive World 2004)(Vouchers)
April 1, 2004... Some of the biggest names in the high street will be at Incentive World to target their vouchers at organisations looking to motivate staff and customers. They include Debenhams, Halfords, John Lewis, Sainsbury's, Virgin, WHSmith and...

Motivating the motivators: agencies specialising in motivating staff and customers will be using Incentive World 2004 to target new clients, offering to improve their business performance. Mark Ludmon looks at what some of the exhibiting companies do to motivate their own staff.(Incentive World 2004)
April 1, 2004... Capital creates a buzz Capital Incentives & Motivation, which employs 92 people, mainly at offices in Chester, operates a large number of internal motivation schemes throughout the business aimed at staff at all levels. "As a leading...

Seminars to arm visitors with practical information.(Incentive World 2004)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... Incentive World is presenting three days of seminars featuring prominent players within the promotional marketing, incentive and motivation business. The topics covered were put together by event organiser Reed Exhibitions in association...

Incentive World 2004 seminar programme.(Incentive World 2004)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... Tuesday 20th April 10.30 Keynote: The Goldfish loyalty programme: Using vouchers, general services and merchandise Jonathan Harris, commercial manager of Goldfish. More details on page 44. 11.30 Nuts and bolts of motivation ...

List of exhibitors.(Incentive World 2004)(Illustration)
April 1, 2004... This list was correct at time of going to press. Go to page 51 for the floor plan. Go to www.incentive-world.co.uk for more details. Exhibitor Stand no. 2PM ...

Creative sourcing with Purple Turtle: promotional merchandise supplier Purple Turtle prides itself on its partnership approach to product solutions.(Advertisement Feature)(Purple Turtle Merchandise Company)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... The world of promotional sourcing can be a confusing one, with a bewildering array of products and suppliers all jostling for your attention. Which is why it is good to know that there is a supplier called Purple Turtle Merchandise Company who...

Valuing vouchers: whether it's for help with the weekly grocery shop or for a luxury travel experience, vouchers are an increasingly popular way of rewarding and motivating staff and customers. Catherine Chetwynd finds out why the voucher industry is continuing to grow.(Product Focus: vouchers)
April 1, 2004... The vouchers market was worth 1.21 [pounds sterling] billion last year, according to new figures from the Voucher Association, up by 9.3 per cent on the previous year, proving they still have a valuable role to play in the business-to-business...

Bhs is the ideal store for spending reward vouchers.(Advertisement Feature)(Benton Harbor Screw Co.,)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... Motivation is essential within any business. With many different kinds of incentives available, Store Gift Vouchers are a great way of motivating and incentivising employees through a flexible reward. Bhs is the ideal store to spend gift...

Bagging a gift.(Centrixx bags to hit stands)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Centrixx bag range is "set to take the imprint industry by storm", according to gift company PF Concept. It has appointed UK Leisurewear as its sole authorised wholesaler for the bag and umbrella range in the UK, aiming to build on its...

Keeping memories alive.(Discovery Concepts International launches Holiday Voices Recordable Keepsake Ornament)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A talking ornament may sound like something out of Disney, but Discovery Concepts International (DCI) is launching a promotional gift which does just that. The Holiday Voices Recordable Keepsake Ornament allows people to record a special...

It's a cool, cool summer.(Footy Fridge)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Football fans are set for a busy summer. After the excitement of the cup finals in May, it's Euro 2004. To tie in with this, Algar is promoting its retro-style portable fridge that can keep beers cool by day or burgers from the barbecue warm by...

Brushing up.(Showcase!)(Fuzzy Brush)(Incentive World show)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... One of the more unusual products making its debut at the Incentive World show in London this month is the Fuzzy Brush. It is a chewable toothbrush designed to freshen and clean the mouth without the need for rinsing. Once chewed, it can just be...

Knock on wood.(Ocean Pearl UK)(plant shows)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Giant sequoias can grow to a height of over 80 metres, but smaller-scale versions are being offered as incentives by Cornwall-based distributor Ocean Pearl UK. For the first time, it is coming to the Incentive World show in London this month to...

Pens kill germs.(pen designs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Curved designs, translucent barrels and gel inks are the hot trends for this year in the world of pens. Senator Pens and its sister company, Rou Bill, will be showing off these trends are reflected in its newest products at Incentive World. The...

All that jazz.(motivation award 2004 celebrations)(Jazz Photo Corp.,)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Thanks to the nice people at Jazz Photo, guests at last month's 2004 Motivation Awards gala dinner were able to use disposable cameras to capture some of the more relaxed moments of the event. The table responsible for the best picture, in the...

Voice of reason.(television shows)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Grant Morgan, the head of the Louis Kennedy Partnership, took the title of Channel 4 show Without Prejudice to heart. Last month, he appeared on screen as one of a panel of judges who have to decide whether individual members of the public...

Baby Boom.(maternity leave)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... As if putting on a major exhibition like Incentive World were not enough, the show's director, Versha Carter, has also been going through the joys of pregnancy. After many months of preparation, she is now on maternity leave. She fears she...

Q&A.(interview)(Brief Article)(Interview)
April 1, 2004... Stephen Bentley, chief executive, Granby Marketing Services What is your favourite promotion? Hoover free flights, as it will always remind us of what can really go wrong without trying! What was your greatest mistake? ...