Marketing Week
10 May 2007

  • A Day in the Life of Chris Newman

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    What keeps you busy all day? Overcompensating for the fact I can only use four fingers to type.

  • Ad watchdog clears Huggies in row with nappy rival Pampers

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    A Huggies television campaign that compared its nappies with rival Pampers has escaped censure by the advertising regulator, following a complaint from Procter & Gamble that the comparison was unfair and misleading.

  • Adidas drops Gumball 3000 rally sponsorship after fatal accident

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Adidas has pulled its multi-million pound sponsorship of celebrity rally Gumball 3000 following a fatal accident.

  • Airlines on the wrong track with rail attack

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Be careful what you wish for, because it may come back to haunt you. Transport companies, and in particular airlines, have recently been flirting with the green issue, in the belief that it can be used as a cheap, tactical means of knocking spots off the competition. Thus Virgin Trains, in an effort to cudgel the no-frills flights mob, has been running an advertising campaign which claims that a train journey results in 75% less carbon emissions than any comparable trip by air.

  • ASA bans DoH 'hooked' anti-smoking campaign

    Wed, 16 May 2007

  • Asda to remove artificial elements from own-label food and drinks

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    Asda is spending more than 30m removing all artificial colours and flavours from its own-label food and soft drinks. The supermarket chain will remove ingredients such as aspartame and hydrogenated fat and flavour enhancers from its 9,000 own-label products by the end of the year...

  • Assessing the Urban Outfitters brand

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Each week in association with retail and marketing consultancy Pragma, MarketingWeek.co.uk looks at a high-profile UK brand, assessing its performance against a range of criteria and offering suggestions to improve its overall score. Marks for each section are given out of five stars.

  • Banks are held to account

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    New customers looking to open savings and deposit accounts now favour quick, online applications. Failure to offer effective online solutions will cost financial institutions dear

  • BBH takes new tack with 5m Audi A5 launch ads

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Audi is putting more than 5m behind the launch of its A5 model with a new-look advertising campaign from Bartle Bogle Hegarty. The ad breaks on May 13.

  • Brands risk playing a losing game online

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Mattel's launch of the Barbie Girl online social network (MW last week) has ignited concerns over the early sexualisation of girls and added to fears that advertisers will exploit unregulated online media to target young audiences.

  • Brands that get caught up in the Web

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    A couple of days ago Advertising Standards Authority director-general Chris Graham was on the Today programme publicly bemoaning the wretched quality of internet regulation. The background to this ostensibly strange cri de coeur from one of its chief regulators was the soaring number of complaints about online advertising. Last year, they climbed 33 per cent enabling online to claim the dubious honour of being the third most criticised medium after television and the national press ...

  • Britvic expands international portfolio

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    Britvic has acquired the soft drinks arm of C&C Group, the Irish company that owns Magners cider, for 169.5m. The deal includes the Ballygowan water brand and the right to market and distribute the Pepsi and 7Up brands in Ireland.

  • BT launches multi-million pound campaign

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    BT is launching its biggest advertising campaign so far this year to promote its new broadband TV service BT Vision. The multi-million pound campaign features Kris Marshall as thirtysomething character Adam, who has been the face of the company's advertising for the last 18 months. Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO has ...

  • Caf裩rect raises social return payments

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Caf?rect, the fair trade hot drinks company, has increased its social return payments to its grower partners to 2.4m this year up from 1.7m last year. It comes as the company announced its highest sales to date at 21.6m for the year ended 30 September 2006.

  • Chrysalis Radio remains positive despite revenue decline

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    Chrysalis Radio says that it will see double-digit growth during the fourth quarter despite reporting a 9.1% drop in revenue to £30.1m for the first six months of its financial year. The group, which owns the Heart, Galaxy and LBC radio brands, says that it expects its full year revenue will be flat overall ...

  • Comparison site hands 8m brief to All Response

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    All Response Media has been appointed to handle the 8m media planning and buying for price comparison website BeatThatQuote.com. The agency is understood to have pitched against M2M and one other undisclosed agency to win the business.

  • Cooking Mama game aims to develop kitchen skills

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Video games developer 505 Games is to launch a Cooking Mama game for Nintendo, with the aim of helping children to learn how to cook and prepare food.

  • CTC wheels out cinema push

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    CTC, the national cyclists organisation, is launching a new cinema campaign that aims to encourage people to take up cycling because it is good for their health and the environment. It breaks at the end of June.

  • DDB to face 12m teacher training account review

    Wed, 16 May 2007

  • DIY, the dying sector

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    The popularity of DIY has fallen severely. Retailers must tailor their services to tempt consumers away from their holidays and back to their tool boxes. By Richard Perks

  • Dream Policing in awareness drive

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    Unique Creative Communications (UCC), the integrated agency, has been appointed to develop a marketing strategy for Dream Policing Support, a company that offers the expertise of retired police officers.

  • EMAP to promote Strongbow

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    EMAP and Scottish & Newcastle have signed a deal to create First Pint Friday, a radio and mobile campaign that aims to encourage people to choose Strongbow as their first drink. It will launch next Monday...

  • Euro RSCG gains 5m Yakult brief

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Yakult UK, the probiotic drink brand, has appointed Euro RSCG to handle its 5m advertising business following a three-way pitch against DDB London and JWT. It is the second win for the agency in less than a week after it scooped the 39m account for 3 at the end of last week.

  • Ex-Ofcom man to advise on City AM

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    David Connolly, the former Ofcom independent adjudicator for the Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) remedy, is working with business free-sheet City AM in an advisory role.

  • Expedia launches 3.5m ad campaign in Waterloo Subway

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    Expedia.co.uk, the online travel portal, is launching a 3.5m advertising campaign this week with a 120m tunnel wrap at Waterloo's "Peak Hour Subway". It will launch at the end of this week...

  • Feeling a bit blue today? What about a bit green and triangular?

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    What shape are you? And what does this say about your personality? Well Bupa can help you find out. The health insurance provider has tapped into the popularity of those internet quizzes that claim to reveal all your innermost truths (come on, don't pretend you've never done one) as ...

  • Fitness First supports Help a London Child

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Gym group Fitness First is teaming up with London-based radio station Capital 95.8 to support its Help a London Child (HALC) campaign. The appointment marks Fitness First's first “charity of the year” signing. The fitness chain has 58 clubs in the capital and says it wanted to support ...

  • FT only paid-for title to record uplift in ABCs

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    The Financial Times was the only daily paid-for newspaper to reveal a six-month average upturn in year-on-year circulation in another generally poor-performing month for national titles, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) figures...

  • Gamekeeper to poacher

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Brand owners of unhealthy foods are rushing to recruit former Government ministers to assist their conversion to healthier variants. But David Benady asks whether the only benefit these large companies gain from such high-profile signings is a minor boost to their public image

  • GMTV to release exclusive content online

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    GMTV, the ITV breakfast show recently hit by the phone-in scandal, has signed a deal with Roo Group to launch an online video portal at gm.tv, which will stream exclusive content from the show. It will also feature four new channels covering news, show...

  • Goodyear rejigs top ranks to bolster consumer focus

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Goodyear Dunlop has restructured its senior management team in a move that the tyre company says will allow it to focus on consumer marketing and strengthen its brand.

  • Gosper's star rises at McCann Erickson

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Four years ago McCann Erickson chairman and chief executive John Dooner appointed Rupert Howell and Brett Gosper to run the European network and McCann's flagship New York office respectively. Fast-forward to 2007 and Howell is leaving to be replaced by Gosper.

  • How Daniel Todaro got ahead

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    What is the next big brand in your view? Virgin Media for all the wrong reasons, one month in and it appears to be hitting the self destruct button.

  • How Huibert Evekink Got Ahead

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    What is your biggest achievement to date? A one-year rebranding project with 12 "sub" projects ranging from changing the company name to new product names and architecture, all coordinated like a military operation.

  • How ironic that the marketing of viagra should turn out to be hard

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Pfizer faces a dilemma/ how to advertise Viagra when regulations ban the mention of the ailment it remedies. The answer, of course, is humour

  • How Jules Rogers Got Ahead

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    What is the next big brand in your view? Leap, the conflict resolution charity. We really need them!

  • IDEAS to relaunch Forum for the Future brand

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Sustainable development charity Forum for the Future has appointed specialist agency IDEAS to relaunch its brand. The social, ethical and environmental agency won the business following a four-way pitch against undisclosed agencies. The appointment follows a strategic review undertaken ...

  • Innocent distances itself from partner McDonald's

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Innocent Drinks has rebuffed suggestions from its new commercial partner McDonald’s that there are a number of “parallels” between the two companies.

  • IPG revenues up 2.4%

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    Interpublic Group, the ad network, has reported revenue of $1.36bn (0.68bn) billion for the first quarter of 2007, up 2.4% compared with the same period last year...

  • Is there still fizz in coke?

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Coca-Cola may still reside at the head of the soft drinks' table, but times are changing. Shifts towards healthier products are turning consumers away from fizzy drinks and Minute Maid is in danger of following Dasani to oblivion. Can Coke keep abreast of the times? By John Reynolds

  • Magic 105.4 number one in London

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    Magic 105.4, the EMAP-owned station, has regained the coveted number one spot in the London radio market as Chrysalis-owned Heart slipped into second place losing reach and share in the latest radio audience figures. The Rajar figures for the first quarter of 2007 show that Magic gained just 14,000 listeners over ...

  • Marketers have it taped

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    More and more firms are filming and videoing live events not just as a record of the occasion but also as an opportunity to use the material for further marketing initiatives. Jo-Anne Flack reports

  • Marshall exits Publicis Dialog

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    Simon Marshall, chief executive of Publicis Dialog, is stepping down from the helm after seven years at the below-the-line agency to pursue other interests.

  • MCCA makes key finance appointment

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    The Marketing Communication Consultants Association (MCCA) has appointed Ogilvy group commercial and financial director Andrew Reeves to its board. The move marks the first time that the MCCA has appointed a financial director to its board with the aim to evolve the role of finance as a key component within the marketing ...

  • Media start-up Iostar goes into liquidation

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    Iostar, the start-up multi-media company that was briefly headed by Dawn Airey, is going into liquidation. The decision comes after the company failed to secure backing for the acquisitions a range of media businesses.

  • Mickey leads the pack on Disney's VoluntEARS day

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    It looks like Mickey Mouse did learn his lesson about tidying up from The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Instead of conjuring up hundreds of uncontrollable brooms, he joined 50 other Disney employees to help clean up part of the Thames as part of the first annual Disney ...

  • Mirror Group reorganises marketing at Irish division

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) has undergone a reshuffle of its Irish marketing division and appointed a new general manager following the departure of commercial director Mark Mahaffy to EMAP earlier this year.

  • Multisensory Frank lands 1m London Eye account

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    British Airways London Eye has moved its entire 1m marketing account to its roster agency, Frank the agency. Joshua, which handled its advertising, and FutureBrand, responsible for the iconic ferris wheel's corporate identity, have both lost their place on the London Eye roster. Joshua, however, is currently working on some unspecified projects.

  • New 3 ads aim to make brand more intelligible

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    3 is overhauling its advertising strategy to help the public better understand the brand following the appointment of Euro RSCG to handle its £39m advertising account last week.

  • New campaign - Ghd

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Ghd, the haircare company, is launching a limited edition travel bag for its straighteners. The ceramic heating tool has become a must-have item for many women and is branded "a new religion for hair" by the company.

  • New campaign - Strathclyde Police

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Strathclyde Police is promoting its public reassurance campaign on First ScotRail trains in carriages on Glasgow's North, South and Argyle lines.

  • New Covent Garden extends into healthy ready meals

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    The New Covent Garden Food Company is launching into chilled ready meals with a range of healthy "gastro-pub" style products. The six-strong range will be available in Sainsbury's later this month.

  • Newspaper reports of our own death are greatly exaggerated

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Newspapers are adapting to the fast pace of change in the industry but print journalists mistake this evolution for the medium's demise

  • Next reports positive results

    Wed, 16 May 2007

  • Nouvelle signs up to sponsor 'greenest ever' Glastonbury

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Nouvelle, the recycled toilet paper brand, is to be an official sponsor of the 2007 Glastonbury Festival, which organisers pledge will be the greenest to date.

  • P&G appoints UK chief as Ciserani takes up Euro role

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Proctor & Gamble has promoted its UK chief Gianni Ciserani to a European role as part of a wider global management reshuffle.

  • P&G plots Gillette-branded laser hair-remover launch

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Procter & Gamble is launching a home-use laser hair remover under its Gillette brand, which is expected to provide competition to the sales of traditional depilatories.

  • P&G to restructure global business and management

    Tue, 15 May 2007

    Procter & Gamble is restructuring its global business into three new business units, household care, global health and well being and beauty care, and is reshuffling its top-level management...

  • Palace hires Frontroom to increase its public profile

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Blenheim Palace is re-assessing its marketing strategy to emphasise its role as a visitor attraction rather than a historical site.

  • PC World and Dixons award 'core' affiliate marketing job

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    DSG International, owner of the PC World and Dixons brands, has appointed Affiliate Window to its affiliate marketing business.

  • Philips uses Metro newspapers for campaign launch

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Electronics brand Philips is launching a global brand campaign through newspaper group Metro International in an attempt to boost its health and wellness credentials. The advertising push will run across 23 different editions of Metro spanning the UK, US and Russia from this month. It will contain a month-long series ...

  • Plastic boom is on the cards

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    With the majority of retailers offering all manner of reward schemes to attract customers, it's estimated that 75% of the voucher business will switch to plastic by 2012. By Richard West

  • Post Office's barcode pay service to go live in the UK

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    The Post Office is launching a barcode payment system that it says could save businesses millions of pounds a year. Unilever and British Gas are among the companies to have trialled the Payout service, which is now being fully rolled out by The Post Office.

  • Pyramid sales

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Toblerone is undoubtedly an iconic brand in the confectionery market. But is launching a new variant enough to build the brand without increased marketing support? By Matthew Gorman

  • Radio ads need to be in tune

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    As sponsorship moves further into branded content, advertisers and radio groups are at last seeing the importance of developing a deeper relationship with their audience. By Caroline Parry

  • RBS to launch 30m sponsorship rethink

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is understood to have put its estimated 30m sports sponsorship roster up for pitch. The bank is thought to have held the first round of pitches and is expected to draw up a shortlist of three agencies from the eight that have already presented.

  • Reverse auction radio comes to UK

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    A company that auctions last-minute radio airtime by encouraging radio groups to attract advertisers by offering the lowest price is launching in the UK. Bid4Spots.com will launch on June 28 and hold weekly auctions.

  • Rough Guides rolls out podcasts for Galaxy Radio

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    The Rough Guides travel brand is to create a series of holiday podcasts for Chrysalis-owned Galaxy Radio, targeting the network's audience of over 2.6 million listeners and website users.

  • Sainsbury's in recovery as profits surge

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    J Sainsbury, the supermarket group that recently fought off a takeover bid, has seen profits surge as its recovery plan begins to take hold. The retailer has reported a 42.3% increase in underlying pre-tax profits to £380m for the year to the end of March.

  • Sky enters games market

    Fri, 11 May 2007

    Sky is the latest media company to move into the lucrative video games sector with the launch of its own online games portal, SkyGames.com.

  • Sky Networks calls 10m review

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Sky Networks has put its 10m advertising business up for pitch. The account, which includes all the Sky brands including Sky Movies and Sky One, does not have an incumbent.

  • Thinkbox wobble

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    For an organisation so keen to talk about TV, Thinkbox is remarkably coy when it comes to itself. The TV marketing body responded to mounting speculation last week that ITV was ready to pull the plug on its investment by saying nothing - publicly, at least.

  • T-Mobile looks set to win Euro distribution rights for the iPhone

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    T-Mobile has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to secure the exclusive European distribution rights for Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone. The hotly contested contract will be worth millions of pounds to the winning operator.

  • Trinity Mirror in positive mood

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Trinity Mirror says it remains confident that the advertising market will stabilise despite a 4% fall in advertising revenues across its national titles contributing to a downturn across the group in the first quarter. It also saw group advertising dip by 2.4% over the quarter but it says: "We continue to ...

  • TV diet guru McKeith eyes packaged goods partner

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Gillian McKeith, the controversial TV nutritionist and diet book author, is understood to be in talks with a number of packaged goods companies about launching co-branded organic versions of established products.

  • Virgin Media's Uma ad 'one of most successful', says Kydd.

    Wed, 16 May 2007

    Virgin Media marketing chief James Kydd has defended the company's advertising strategy after the decision to replace Hollywood actress Uma Thurman with Ruby Wax was branded "desperate"...

  • Visit Wales gears up for agency review

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Visit Wales is seeking an agency to handle its 6m advertising account after a competitive pitch. It is contacting agencies to compile a longlist for a review that will begin next month.

  • Waitrose to slash Minute Maid

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Waitrose is on the verge of axing half of the Coca-Cola Minute Maid juice brand variants that it stocks due to flagging sales.

  • Why 3 needs to grow up

    Thu, 10 May 2007

    Mobile phone operator 3 has admitted what was perhaps the worst-kept secret in telecoms and announced that UK chief executive Bob Fuller is stepping down to be replaced by his deputy Kevin Russell, as revealed in Marketing Week at the end of last year (December ...

  • Yahoo! launches climate change portal

    Mon, 14 May 2007

    Yahoo! is launching an online portal that aims to educate people about how to reduce their carbon emissions. The launch is part of the internet service provider's green initiative that aims to encourage its 500 million monthly users to help combat climate change. The portal, which launches today (Monday), will offer tips ...

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