Marketing Week
16 June 2005

18,500 3G users tune in to Virgin

Tue, 21 Jun 2005

Virgin Radio's launch of the first radio service for 3G mobile phones has attracted 18,500 unique listeners since it first broadcast in March (MW March 3). The service has been accessed 98,000 times, with users listening to 450,000 minutes of

A fridge too far for BSH?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Concerned that Bosch is risking its premium tag by being overstretched, BSH Group has launched a no-frills range to fill the void. By Caroline Parry

A long Marchionne to recovery for Fiat

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Your article detailing the faltering fortunes of Fiat (MW June 2) focuses on Fiat's "weak and unfocused brand", ill-judged advertising campaigns and inward-looking Italian culture. But this is only the start of the company's woes. True, the branding has been bashed, but the company has been criticised for poor-quality products and its badly run dealership and spare parts network.

A swallow brings summer?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

VCCP's partners are set for a windfall, as Chime prepares a £16m takeover deal. Selling out to a network or holding company that wants to freshen up or establish a creative reputation is an established exit for start-ups. But Tim Bell has poor

Are digital advancements costing us our privacy and our identities?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Mobile phones and credit cards may create more freedom and greater mobility, but improvements in data-capturing technology threaten the privacy of consumers using such devices

B&Q marketing director David Roth to exit after new chief joins

Wed, 22 Jun 2005

Bacardi Breezer Half Sugar

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Blackberry makers appoint marketing director

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Research In Motion, which makes the Blackberry device, has appointed Kevin Lawless as marketing director for the enterprise business unit. Lawless is the former global marketing director for mobile phone manufacturer Sendo. He will report to division vice-president Charmaine Eggbury.

Churchill leaves Selfridges

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Selfridges marketing director Bev Churchill has left the retailer. The move follows the departure of former marketing director James Bidwell, who left to join VisitLondon as chief executive earlier this year.

COI reviews The Sharp End publishing contract

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Directories aim at local targets

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Paper directories are seen by many as old-fashioned when compared to their online counterparts, but for many small or local businesses they offer a vital link with customers, says Nathalie Kilby

EMAP programming chief leads cross-network drive

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

First Group appoints Leeder

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

First Group, the train and bus operator, has appointed David Leeder as director of international development and marketing. He joins from UK Buses, where he was executive director.

Havas chief executive is finally forced out

Wed, 22 Jun 2005

Alain de Pouzilhac, veteran chairman and chief executive of Havas, the world's sixth-largest marketing services group, has resigned.

Hit40UK to be dropped in favour of separate charts

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Hitachi arm calls review of marketing arrangements

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

HOW takes a hit as Profero wins 192.com

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Digital agency Profero has won the advertising business for 192.com's latest campaign, casting doubt on the directory service's relationship with HOW.

Hyundai Car UK chief quits after Euro group takeover

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

In praise of some BARB comments

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

I was interested to read Jim Marshall's comments on the newly launched BARB consultation process (MW last week) - and to find myself in violent agreement with him. He is right: BARB is a television audience measurement system, providing users with valuable size and profile data. It should not stretch its remit beyond this. I also agree that we have, if anything, too much data; I would support his suggestion that we stop minute-by-minute measurement of the many and growing smaller channels ...

Initiative Media wins Samsonite business

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Initiative Media has won the global media buying and planning account for luggage brand Samsonite. It will launch a new global advertising campaign, created by TBWA, later this year.

'Kill Posh' film finds sponsor

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Controversy-seeking viral film and ad production house Asa Bailey has found a sponsor for its viral film, Kill Posh, in which Victoria Beckham appears to be killed after being hit by a car (MW February 24).

Lawson leaves Sunday Telegraph

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Sunday Telegraph editor Dominic Lawson has left the paper after ten years.

Lexmark plans overhaul of £14m media business

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Matalan prepares to axe head office jobs

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Matalan, the discount retailer, is preparing to axe a number of jobs at its head office following a downbeat trading statement in May as a result of the downturn in consumer spending.

MediaCom retains international P&G Prestige Beauty account

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is understood to have reappointed incumbent MediaCom to the strategic planning of its global Prestige Beauty fragrance marketing business.

Motorola calls £83m media review in bid to consolidate

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

MPG gains Craze as Havas falls to Bolloré

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

MPG's cousin craze could be skating on thin ice

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

It's been a long time since the world has seen a really good cousin-cousin double act.

New Campaigns - Travelex

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

News International starts £30m review out of Carat

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

News International is calling a review of its £30m planning and buying account, a decade after incumbent Carat was appointed to its stable of papers. The review will be handled by the AAR. Carat will be invited to repitch.

Nuts in deal to sponsor digital channel Reality TV

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Playtex appoints Publicis to £7m Wonderbra revival task

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Lingerie manufacturer Playtex has appointed Publicis to spearhead the estimated &£7m European revival of its iconic Wonderbra range. The agency will also oversee the launch of a new range of the brand, called Hi Contour.

Procter & Gamble may slash US television budget

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Procter & Gamble is reported to be slashing its US television budget.

Rhythmm Communications wins Endsleigh ad business

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Rhythmm Communications, the Bristol-based integrated agency, has been appointed by Endsleigh Insurance to handle its above- and below-the-line advertising. The account is worth about &£1m.

Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis stay in running for Fidelity account

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis are the final agencies left on the shortlist for the £5m Fidelity account.

Sainsbury's marketer to take over at McDonald's

Wed, 22 Jun 2005

T&T Beverages launches spring water for women

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

T&T Beverages is launching a spring water aimed at women.

Tandem creates TV ad for Chupa Chups

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Tandem, the Barcelona-based agency, has created a TV ad for lollipop brand Chupa Chups to support its range of sugar-free products. It breaks on June 20. Media planning and buying is through MediaVest Manchester.

The Guardian to launch "Berliner" this autumn

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Guardian Newspapers has confirmed that it will launch a smaller, "Berliner", format of the daily newspaper this autumn. Its sister Sunday paper, The Observer, will follow suit early next year.

The market says it's worth $81bn, but can Google stay on top?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Viacom creates division to handle TV ad solutions

Tue, 21 Jun 2005

Viacom Brand Solutions (VBS) is launching a new division that will develop bespoke solutions for advertisers using its MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon and Paramount Comedy channels.

Volvo picks chief to fill Olsson's shoes

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Volvo has appointed Fredrik Arp as group chief executive. Arp replaces Hans-Olov Olsson, who becomes group chairman.

When mud sticks, make sure you're covered

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Polly Devaney (MW May 26) notes the effects of fame and misfortune on brands that are endorsed by celebrities. Our - perhaps prurient - interest in celebrities makes them ideal brand heroes, especially for hard-to-reach markets, but our interest in them also makes them targets for people with a story to sell. Many brands continue to successfully use celebrities as a key to their market, but they should always ensure they have the support of a death and disgrace policy, to protect the ...

Wilkinson Sword fills UK marketing director post

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Wilkinson Sword has poached General Mills marketer Elizabeth MacGregor to be its UK marketing director. She replaces Richard Nall, who is leaving the company at the end of June. It is unclear whether he has a job to go to.

Will Ben Langdon succeed at Euro RSCG?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Word-of-mouth, or watch your mouth?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

I don't know the best way to respond to someone who is more interested in criticism than critique (Simon Maier's letter, MW May 26). The only useful suggestion I can think of is to have a look at recent thinking on word-of-mouth marketing. I found the following interesting:

Wrigley's Extra to sponsor Hollyoaks

Thu, 16 Jun 2005

Wrigley's Extra has signed up as the sponsor of Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks.