Marketing Week
15 March 2007
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...as Icstis pledges aggressive stance over 'dodgy' calls
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Icstis, the regulator at the heart of the television and radio premium phone rate scandal, has admitted it must be more proactive. The premium phone line regulator says it has tended to "react" to problems but must anticipate and identify potential ...
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118 118 keeps faith with runners
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
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A sure-fire bet that there's trouble ahead
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
This week, the advertising industry has learnt the scope of a major new opportunity coming its way.
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Absolut Vodka set to air first TV ad in UK
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Absolut Vodka is preparing to embark on a major brand push in the UK as it shifts its focus from targeted experiential and events-based marketing. The Vin & Sprit (V&S) owned Swedish premium spirit brand is plotting a return to print-based advertisi...
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Aegis reports profit rise
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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Amnesty resorts to shock tactics
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
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Anheuser-Busch to launch Spanish beer in UK
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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Asda launches celeb-fronted, but not endorsed, campaign
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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Assessing the Lillywhites Brand
Tue, 20 Mar 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, while the overall rating is given at the end of the review.
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Associated Newspapers on verge of axing plans to distribute more Metros in London
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Associated Newspapers is considering axing plans to increase its distribution of the London edition of its freesheet Metro because of a negative response from media agencies. Media buyers are understood to have condemned the plans to increase its 55...
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Aston Martin buyer gets industry thumbs-up
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The sale of Aston Martin to a consortium led by automotive entrepreneur David Richards has been broadly welcomed by the car industry but raises questions about the direction in which the new owners will take the famous UK marque.
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Bainsfair's future in doubt as TBWA starts top-level job hunt
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Speculation is mounting over TBWA Europe chairman Paul Bainsfairs future at the network, following suggestions that a brief for his role has been issued.
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Bond-based Ford TV ad falls foul of ASA
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Ford is to withdraw the latest TV ad for its Focus Zetec Climate model after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled it was misleading consumers by linking the car with the lastest Bond film Casino Royale. The ASA received two complaints fro...
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Brantano in middle market push
Tue, 20 Mar 2007
Brantano, the Belgian shoe retailer, is launching a 5m national advertising campaign designed to reposition it as a stylish "middle market" footwear brand. The move is part of an aggressive expansion drive in the UK.
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BT set to be confirmed as second tier-one sponsor for 2012 Games
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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Burton's picks agency for 4m Bertolli-branded snack launch
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Burton's Food has added Hooper Galton to its roster to handle the 4m launch of a new range of Bertolli-branded snack foods. The agency won the business without a pitch. The company also works with McCann Erickson, which handles the Jammy Dodger bra...
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C4 to scale back on premium-rate quizzes...
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Channel 4 is to dramatically scale back its use of premium price phone competitions following the debacle over its You Say, We Pay quiz on Richard & Judy. The revelation comes after chief executive Andy Duncan was yesterday quizzed by MPs at Westmin...
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Cannons strengthens marketing team
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Carbon Trust splits media buying account
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Carlsberg marketer makes move to Britvic
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Britvic has poached Carlsberg UK's marketing controller for premium lagers and ales, Peter Kirby, to head the marketing of its carbonates division. Kirby will take up the newly created role of brand director for carbonates with Britvic on April 16 a...
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Cello Group sees pre-tax profits jump
Tue, 20 Mar 2007
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Chrysalis remains upbeat despite ad drop
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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Commercial director exits Kia
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Compass appoints board-level marketing director
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
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Customer care? You must be new
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Always one to be seduced by "free stuff", the Diary signed up for a complimentary trial with one of LOVEFiLM's DVD-rental-by-post clubs. However, money to the value of a month's membership disappeared from the Diary's account. Cue apologies from LOVEFi...
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D&AD chief exec in suspected exit
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Michael Hockney, chief executive of creative foundation D&AD, is understood to have left the organisation.
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Daily Mirror awards direct marketing work to DSJ
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The Daily Mirror has appointed DSJ to handle its direct marketing account following a pitch against a number of undisclosed agencies. The pitch was overseen by the AAR. The appointment comes the same week as Trinity Mirror's flagship newspaper annou...
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Dart players aim to turn back an ever-rising tide of seabass
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Marketers are needed to inject life into a campaign to preserve traditional country pubs that serve up darts and dominoes, not nouvelle cuisine
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Dennis Publishing's online magazines lead the pack
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Dennis Publishing is blazing a trail in the online magazine sector, according to the latest research from Nielsen//NetRatings. The figures reveal that Maxim is the UK's most popular online men's magazine, while Bizarre is fastest-growing online title, ...
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Digital ad expectations based on guesswork
Tue, 20 Mar 2007
Marketers are eager to jump on the digital advertising bandwagon but not enough are using analytics to measure the efficiency of their online strategy according to a survey carried out by WebTrends.
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Digital UK teams up with Countdown to raise awareness of digital switchover
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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Eat Natural doubles its marketing spend and plans first ad campaign
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Eat Natural, the fruit and nut bar brand, is doubling its marketing spend to 1m this year. It is planning to support and invest in its existing range of bars as well as developing into new categories. It is the biggest marketing spend for the compa...
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EMAP Advertising appoints radio sales director
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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EMAP hunts 'loud' marketer to head new integrated operations
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
EMAP Consumer Media (ECM) is seeking a chief marketing officer to oversee marketing across its magazine, radio, TV and online brands. The appointment is part of a move to integrate marketing efforts across the division. The newly created role will r...
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Forget smog-clogged, inner city brainstorming, why don't you try getting creative in a mobile barn?
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Ever get tired of the London lifestyle and fancied time in the country? Well prego* might have the solution for you. The Yorkshire-based integrated creative agency is bringing its "Barnstorming tour" to the capital. The idea stems from when staff st...
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Garnier rolls out new logo for global campaign
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Garnier, the L'Oreal-owned skin and beauty brand, is launching a 30m global integrated campaign featuring its first overarching strapline "Take Care. Garnier". The French cosmetics giant is rolling out a new logo as part of a global repositioning ...
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Gavin is top radio ad 'actor'
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Recently the Diary revealed that the composer of Honda's Choir ad was invited to compose a piece for the Oscars ceremony (MW February 22). Well, now another ad man has received his spoils. Last week listeners of Dominik Diamond's XFM Scotland breakf...
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Getmemedia revamps website
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Gold standard
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
The organisers of the London 2012 Olympics are tasked with raising 2bn to help cover the cost of staging the Games, but despite Lloyds TSB being unveiled as the first corporate backer, question marks remain over what sponsors get for their money. Matthew Gorman reports
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Green groups: Hummer's UK launch 'utter disgrace'
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
General Motors (GM) has been labelled an "utter disgrace" by environmental groups for launching its gas-guzzling Hummer model in the UK.
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Grolsch sets sights on Green Light Districts
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
Grolsch is launching a field marketing campaign that will see "Green Light Districts" (GLDs) established across major UK cities such as London, Manchester and Leeds.
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How Simon Blezard got ahead
Tue, 20 Mar 2007
"I want to challenge the misconception that marketing initiatives are created by marketers themselves (instead of resulting from consumer preferences)."
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ING global campaign marks F1 tie-up
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
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Jamie Oliver's company raids Patak's
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Jetix UK in Scout Association tie-up
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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JWT global chief Jeffrey unveils digital hubs launch
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
JWT worldwide chairman and chief executive Bob Jeffrey is planning to launch a series of digital hubs across the globe, as part of his plans to revitalise the network. The new divsions will not operate as standalone agencies, and will report to the ...
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K-C raids Pfizer for North Atlantic president
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Leith wins First ScotRail ad account
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Train operator First ScotRail has appointed Edinburgh based The Leith Agency to handle its multi-million-pound advertising business. The agency won the account following a formal pitch against a number of Scottish agencies, with a shortlist confirme...
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Live for less
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The benefits of live events are clear, but careful planning and sharing the platform with selected partners can reduce the cost of staging them without diluting their impact. By Pete Roythorne
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Lloyds TSB marketer defends 'overpriced' Olympics deal
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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Lottery to increase help for Olympic fund
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The National Lottery is contributing a further 675m to the London 2012 Olympics after Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, confirmed the budget had rocketed to 9.3bn. It will bring the Lottery's contribution to the games up to 2.2bn...
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McCain animates its potatoes
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
McCain is using stop-frame photography in its sponsorship of ITV teatime show Soapstar Superchef to show consumers the "painstaking" effort put into its Potato Gourmet range compared with the convenience of the end products. McCain Potato Gourmet is...
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Minister to clamp down on illegal outdoor advertising
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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Motorola marketer in Lastminute.com move
Tue, 20 Mar 2007
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No green light at take-off
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
Sometimes you get the feeling our major airlines are not taking the green issue quite as seriously as they should be. More fool them, because the pressures are only going to grow. The doubling of fuel tax and environment secretary David Milibands musings on VAT and cheap flights are simply the thin edge of a very thick wedge.
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Npower promotes brand's attributes
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Npower is to highlight the brand's attributes and move the focus away from reduced energy tariffs in its latest national advertising. The shift will aim to demonstrate to consumers that RWE-owned npower is now a major force in the UK energy market a...
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Ogilvy axes 141 brand to merge it with Active network
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Ogilvy Group is rebranding 141 Worldwide, the global below-the-line network, as Ogilvy Action to bring it in line with the rest of the group. The Ogilvy Action network already has 18 offices across the world, including France, Lagos and Poland, and ...
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PHD North scoops Orangina and Strathmore media account
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
PHD North has won the 1.5m media planning and buying accounts for drinks brands Orangina and Strathmore without a pitch.
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Phone regulator Icstis' reputation hangs in balance
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The premium phone line scandal that engulfed first television and now commercial radio has thrust regulator Icstis into the spotlight.
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Phones4U to sell broadband access through third-parties
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Phones4U is expected to sell third-party broadband packages alongside mobile phones in its stores.
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Private equity company snaps up Burton's Foods
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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Rainey Kelly unleashes its Swarm
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The mysterious cloud surrounding Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R's new offering Swarm has begun to lift following months of speculation. RKCR has at last come clean about the existence of the agency, although it remains tight-lipped over Swarm's launch client BT.
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Real people replace Yell ad characters
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Yell, the directories publisher, is scrapping its famous character-led marketing strategy by featuring real-life advertisers for the first time. The multi-million-pound campaign is the first from Mother since it won the company's 20m advertising bu...
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Red Bull UK MD to leave after 12 years
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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Rentokil division rebrands as Ambius
Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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RKCR/Y&R poaches Exon from BBH
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R has poached Richard Exon, group development director at Bartle Bogle Hegarty, to become managing director. The role has been vacant since James Murphy become chief executive in October 2004...
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S&N plans 50% budget hike for cider portfolio
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Scottish & Newcastle is increasing its marketing investment by 50% in the cider portfolio, as it attempts to further boost its market share in the category in the run-up to the crucial summer months. This year the company, which owns Strongbow and B…
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Seeing isn't always believing in the world of media metrics
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The stigma of 'watching too much telly' can make people grossly underestimate their viewing habits - consciously and unconsciously
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Shoe brand Ecco places Joshua G2 on agency roster
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Danish footwear brand Ecco has appointed integrated marketing agency Joshua G2 to handle its global integrated business as it moves to boost its style credentials. The business is understood to be worth an estimated 3m. The agency, which has previo...
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Sky calls for cable investigation
Tue, 20 Mar 2007
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SMG hires director of strategy and planning
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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SMMT warns the Chancellor not to endanger small car companies
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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Spirit of the age
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Absolut has held its own in the premium spirits sector for over 20 years and manufacturers are now preparing to battle to win the brand by taking over its parent firm. Noelle Waugh reports
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Support the US Olympic team at Bejing 2008, and for ever after...
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The Diary doesn't need to tell anyone who left their house or turned on the TV or radio during the World Cup or, first couple of matches of, the Ashes that some people get pretty patriotic about international sporting events. But Nike and the Olympi...
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Tesco sponsors boys' community sports initiative
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Tesco has signed as the title sponsor to the U13 Cup, a nationwide football tournament for boys' community football clubs. The Daily Telegraph will be the official media partner and will carry results, features and Tesco U13 Cup updates on its Teleg...
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The new broom at Virgin Radio
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Virgin Radio has a turbulent history and 2007 is shaping up to be no different. By the start of March, the station had already lost its chief executive and appointed a replacement, while owner SMG had ended a second round of merger talks with Ulster TV, dismissed its board ...
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The point of pop
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Despite increased inputs of creativity and technology, point of purchase ads are not held in high regard. Marketers must alter their directors and store managers' opinions. By Jo-Anne Flack
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The salary rollercoaster
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The latest MCCA salary survey does not make easy reading for some people in the marketing profession, but looks very appealing to others, and as such, reflects the nature of the industry
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The truth behind the privacy
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
The media and public companies view private equity businesses as asset strippers; its time the industry revealed that the opposite is true, says Rita Clifton
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Twentieth Century Fox bags UK director
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Twentieth Century Fox has poached the head of Associated Newspapers' consumer insight division to head up the marketing of its home entertainment division. Mark Horton has been appointed as UK marketing director for home entertainment for the film d...
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Valentine's day massacre for an industry already in decline
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
With four of the top US airline brands in or emerging from bankruptcy, this isn't a good time for newcomers - but Virgin is trying to join the party
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Virgin Media appoints head of sport
Fri, 16 Mar 2007
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Virgin Media confirmed as Big Brother sponsor
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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When brands pursue a political affair
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Corporate communications chiefs are increasingly gaining the upper hand over marketing directors in the struggle for control of brands.
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Widening their influence
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Niche brands such as Innocent and Green & Black's are expanding through ad campaigns or selling themselves to established global players, but are there other ways for small companies to grow while retaining the ethical credentials they were founded on? Caroline Parry reports
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Your call
Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Major strategic changes are under way in the telemarketing sector, with contact centres ditching the scatter-gun approach in favour of targeted, customer-friendly methods. Paul Gander reports
