Marketing Week
19 June 2008
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Brits in line for extra bank holiday to mark 2012 Games
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
An extra bank holiday is being mooted as part of the London 2012 Olympics in a bid to make the whole country feel part of the games.
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£53.2m Virgin Radio sale is approved
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
The £53.2m sale of Virgin Radio to the Times of India Group has been backed by shareholders of parent company SMG. The sale was approved at an extraordinary general meeting today and it will be completed by June 30.
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3 Moots 30m advertising review following marketing restructure
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Mobile operator 3 is mooting a review of its 30m advertising account, following a further restructure of its marketing department.
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A Day in the Life of Martin Stead
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Im lucky to say that I cant really think of any worst days. When youre in a job which enables you to build a brand and also mobilise people to make efforts in the race against climate change, its pretty motivating!
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Admedia appoints Garry Lace to new MD role
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Admedia, the out-of-home and experiential media owner, has appointed Garry Lace to the new role of managing director. The former Lowe and Grey chief executive will take over the role on July 1.
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America for sale
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
There is no more emblematic symbol of the decline of American marketing prowess than Brazilian-controlled InBev's bid for that most star-spangled of brands, Budweiser.
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Anyone for tennis?
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Its June, it looks like it might rain; it must be Wimbledon. During the championship fortnight, as many as 460,000 souls will pass through the gates of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and coverage will be broadcast to almost 750 million homes. It is a British institution that causes an annual wave of enthusiasm for tennis, prompting thousands to dust off their racquets. For many, Wimbledon is British tennis.
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ASA censures Ministry of Sound school uniform striptease TV ad
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
The Ministry of Sound has been censured by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for using models dressed in school uniforms to perform a striptease in a campaign for a mobile download.
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BA chief marketer Tiffany Hall to leave
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
British Airways head of marketing and distribution for British Airways Tiffany Hall is leaving the airline to "explore other opportunities". Hall has been at BA for nearly 20 years and held a number of positions. She also manages the British Airways Holidays and Air Miles subsidiaries.
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Beatles video game mooted
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
Apple Corps, the company that controls The Beatles' business interests, and EMI, which owns the band's master recordings, are understood to be in talks with video games companies. It is thought that a deal for a Beatles-themed game could be completed within weeks.
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Betfair reveals world’s largest ad
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Betfair has unveiled the world’s largest ad to mark the final stages of Euro 2008. It fills an area the size of more than 50 football pitches.
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BMB pockets 5m Freeview account
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Freeview has awarded its 5m advertising account to Beattie McGuiness Bungay following a three-way pitch against Wieden & Kennedy and St Luke's. Incumbent Delaney Lund Knox Warren, which had held the business for just nine months, was not involved.
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British Gas trials prepay units in consumers homes
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
British Gas has launched the first online tariff for prepayment meters and is testing 10,000 new pay-as-you-go units in consumers’ homes.
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Business leaders call for carbon emission targets
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
Maurice Levy, Publicis Groupe chairman, is among a group of business chiefs asking political leaders to set targets for tackling climate change and to establish a global carbon market. Their blueprint for climate change is being handed to Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, ahead of next month's G8 summit.
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Calon Wen Organic Milk Co-operative
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Product:Calon Wen Organic Milk Co-operative
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Camelot launches scratch card to support 2012
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
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Car billboards must include emissions and fuel economy information
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Car adverts on billboards will have to include information on fuel economy and carbon emissions by the end of this week. The move comes after pressure from lobby groups forced the Department for Transport (DfT) to revise its guidelines.
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Channel 4 cautious but positive over BBC practical partnership
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
Channel 4 has cautiously welcomed BBC proposals to create "practical partnerships" to avoid “top-slicing” the licence fee by sharing its expertise with rival broadcasters although chief executive Andy Duncan (pictured) has warned that proposals “need to be more than warm words”. In ...
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Cheapflights price comparison site to relaunch
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
Cheapflights, the travel and airline price comparison site, will relaunch in the UK next month. It also plans to launch a European site before the end of the year.
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CheethamBell JWT wins Chicago Town ad account
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Schwan's Consumer Brands has appointed Manchester-based CheethamBell JWT to handle the advertising for its Chicago Town pizza brand. It is not know if incumbent TBWA/Manchester was involved.
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City AM shows the proof is in the profits
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
It has been almost three years since City AM's launch and it has just recorded its first pre-tax profit, answering critics who back in 2005 claimed there was no room, nor need, for yet another free London newspaper.
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Classic FM signs up as O2 concert sponsor
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Classic FM, the GCap Media-owned commercial station, has signed a deal with AEG, owner of the O2, to sponsor a series of concerts at the arena, from October until February next year.
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Creston reports 25% rise in profits
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
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Digital Cinema Media appoints Naked for strategic review
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Digital Cinema Media, the cinema company formerly known as Carlton Screen Advertising, has appointed Naked Communications to undertake a strategic review of its business.
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easyHotel relaunch website as part of expansion plans
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Budget hotel chain easyHotel has relaunched its website ahead of bold expansion plans for the company. The new site offers a booking system that aims to offer a foundation for its growth from seven hotels to 200 within 10 years.
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EBay to lead online coalition against EC trading laws
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
EBay is to head a coalition of online traders that will lobby the European Parliament to reform laws that restrict cross-border trading online. The move comes after the European Commission (EC) said it wants to break down these trading laws.
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EHS Brann wins npower direct marketing account
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Npower, the utility company, has appointed EHS Brann Group to handle the direct marketing business for its residential division. It is understood the account is worth about £1m.
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Elizabeth Arden chief exits to launch branding agency
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Elizabeth Arden communications chief Susan Taylor is leaving the company after 16 years to launch her own branding and communications company. She will leave the luxury cosmetics brand at the end of July.
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Energy companies face grilling by MPs
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
The "big six" energy companies will meet with MPs to defend price hikes imposed on households throughout the country. Energy bosses will meet politicians on the Business and Enterprise Select Committee today (June 24).
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EU to break down national retail barriers
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
The European Commission is moving to break down national borders in online retailing in a bid to allow consumers to take advantage of prices offered by companies in different countries.
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Flybe reviews 7m ad account
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Flybe, the short-haul airline, is reviewing its 7m advertising account held by Souk Communications. The airline has confirmed it is in talks with six agencies over the account, which comprises business-to-business work as well as press and poster campaigns.
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Food and clothes sales experience May boost
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Food and clothing sales received a boost last month as the UK recorded the warmest May on record. A 3.5% increase in total sales volume between April and May has been welcomed by retailers but they remain cautious about the economic outlook.
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Freeview reviews 5m ad account after nine months
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Freeview, the free-to-air digital TV service, is reviewing its 5m advertising account less than a year after it appointed Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners. It is understood that three undisclosed agencies are involved in the pitch and a decision is expected imminently.
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Game over for Ericsson?
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Sony Ericssons latest Wii-style handset was launched to a mixed reception last week. While some analysts see the F305 model as innovation in the mobile market, others see such headline-grabbing launches as a fa?e for struggling sales.
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GaydarRadio joins calls to boycott Heinz
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
GaydarRadio, the digital-only station, has joined the calls to boycott Heinz in protest against the withdrawal of an ad for its Deli Mayo that shows two men kissing. The food company withdrew the ad after less than a week following 179 complaints that it is "inappropriate" and "offensive".
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Getting Ahead: Richard Lee
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
I think its important not to look to the past, but to concentrate on the future and therefore I make a conscious decision to forget the bad and focus on the good.
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Gov't invites advertisers to join UK Council for Child Internet Safety
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
The Government is inviting advertisers to join the UK Council for Child Internet Safety to help develop its strategy on online safety.
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Guinness Red
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Product: Guinness Red
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Halfords appoints ex-Wal-Mart chief Wild
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Halfords has appointed David Wild, senior vice president of new business development at Wal-Mart, as chief executive. The role has been vacant since February this year.
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Has the Government spoken too soon about product placement?
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
When culture secretary Andy Burnham last week pronounced the Government was against introducing product placement, despite several years of "positive noises" from regulator Ofcom, the effect was so profound ITV's share price dropped almost ...
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Heinz Beanz Snap Pots
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Product: Heinz Beanz Snap Pots
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IAB Creative Showcase
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Smart win for Agency Republic
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In the mood for market growth
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
For Mates to mount a serious challenge to market leader Durex, it needs to reposition itself as the condom of choice for teenagers. Kate O'Flaherty learns that sponsorship, not advertising, is the key
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ISBA's Wootton criticises 'shortsighted' Burnham
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) has lambasted culture secretary Andy Burnham as "shortsighted" for his stance against allowing product placement.
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It really is the thought that counts
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Promotional gifts are gaining respect as marketing tools, but in order to succeed they must meet the desires of consumers who are increasingly used to bespoke, unique services. By Jo-Anne Flack
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ITV asks Generator Consulting to conduct website analysis
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Generator Consulting has been appointed by ITV to study how consumers use the broadcaster's website. The appointment comes ahead of an overhaul of the site with a view to including more rich media content.
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ITV to launch Asian entertainment channel
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
ITV is looking to extend its global footprint with the launch of an entertainment channel in Asia. The pan-regional channel will be based around Granada International's UKTV channel, which is distributed in the Middle East.
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iVillage to launch online comedy series
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
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Judge refers pub football rights case to ECJ
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Publicans have won a key judgment that may allow them to bypass costly UK broadcast licenses to show Premier League matches. The case has now been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
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JWT tipped to retain 7m Kenco account after pitch
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
JWT London is tipped to retain the 7m Kenco Coffee account after owner Kraft Foods called a "last chance" pitch against Euro RSCG and Beattie McGuinness Bungay. It is understood that only JWT's work has been put forward into research. Kraft is unde...
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Karmarama wins 5m Paramount Comedy ad account
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Paramount Comedy has appointed Karmarama to its 5m advertising account following a pitch. The agency will also oversee a refresh of the comedy channel brand, which will launch later this year.
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Keeping one step ahead
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Despite the great opportunities for advertisers online, they are finding that they have to contend with consumers who are recognising traditional forms of ads and learning to ignore them. By Martin Croft
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Kingfisher Airlines to fly to the UK
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
Kingfisher, the Indian domestic airline owned by drinks firm UB Group, which also produces the lager of the same name, is set to begin flights to the UK this summer.
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Lego Mindstorms
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Product: Lego Mindstorms
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Martin Jones steps down from AAR
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Martin Jones, director of advertising at the AAR, is stepping down in December after 12 years in the role. His responsibilities will be taken over by AAR managing director,†Paul Phillips, in early 2009.
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Michael Nutley: Digital networks have multifunctional future
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
For the past six months, as the credit crunch has moved from the US to the UK and arguments about the possibility of a slowdown have filled the media, there’s been a lot of talk about how the marketing industry might fare. A key part of that will be seen in the changing nature of mergers ...
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Microsoft buys Navic Networks
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Microsoft has bought US interactive TV company Navic Networks in a bid to drive new advertising revenue. Navic delivers and measures interactive TV campaigns.
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Microsoft launches Iconic Britain site
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Microsoft's efforts to drive traffic to Live Search have gathered pace with the launch of the "Iconic Britain" initiative. The project asks consumers to help create a "visual snapshot" of the UK.
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Murdoch announces News Group Newspapers and Times Media operations merger
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
News International chief James Murdoch has unveiled sweeping changes including merging the top commercial, marketing and managing operations of News Group Newspapers and Times Media divisions. The move will lead to "some" redundancies across the newspaper groups.
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New campaign - Suso
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Suso hits the outdoors
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New LG chief Warner unveils brand-building marketing tack
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
LG Electronics will shift its marketing strategy away from focusing on products to building the brand in the UK, according to new marketing director for UK and Ireland, Andrew Warner.
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Notting Hill 2008 to offer 'bespoke' sponsorship deals
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Notting Hill Carnival is seeking new sponsors for "bespoke packages" at the annual event, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
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Orange launches I Am advertising strapline
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Orange has unveiled "I Am" as its new strapline as part of a multi-million pound advertising campaign. It is understood that the mobile operator will spend £10m next month launch the new positioning, which breaks on July 5.
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Pigsback.com launches high-street loyalty scheme
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Pigsback.com, the online scheme that give users points for interacting with ads, is moving onto the high street with the launch of a new loyalty programme. Users will be able to redeem points in retailers such as Superdrug, Cineword and Halfords.
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Primark pushes ethical stance after child labour accusations
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Primark has launched a website to promote its ethical practices in response to charges made about its use of child labour in its sweatshops in India, in a BBC Panorama programme this week.
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Product placement is a symbol of trust
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Whether you agree with his judgement or not, one thing you can't accuse the new culture secretary of being is indecisive.
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Publicis teams up with internet giants to launch media network
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Publicis Groupe is launching a new online media buying network in partnership with Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and AOL to create a open buying network that offers what it claims is the "largest audience on demand network" in the digital advertising ...
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QPR signs Abbey as its financial partner
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Queens Park Rangers Football Club has signed a seven-figure deal with Abbey to bring the bank on board as the club's official financial services partner.
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Scrumpy Jack will sponsor 2008 npower cricket games
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Scottish & Newcastle UK has announced that Scrumpy Jack will be the official cider for the 2008 npower Village Cup cricket tournament.
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Sony Ericsson launches landmark WTA ad campaign
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Sony Ericsson has launched a "landmark" advertising campaign starring more than 30 tennis players to support its association with the Women's Tennis Association. The ad, which was launched yesterday (June 18), will break in 75 countries over the next 18 months.
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Sony plots gaming phone with PlayStation branding
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Sony is understood to be mooting the launch of a PlayStation-branded phone, calling into question its partnership with Swedish mobile company Ericsson.
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Step aside sponsorship deals, here come brand ambassadors
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Now that brands are arrogating such importance to themselves that they are appointing ambassadors, it makes one wonder where their embassies are
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The antidote to recession
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Digital media could be the goose that lays the golden egg for the advertising industry if the 'nice years' really are at an end, says Charlie Makin
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The Big Chill launches outdoor campaign
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
The Big Chill Festival is launching an outdoor campaign at Tesco stores in a bid to attract a "wide range" of new visitors to the festival. It breaks today (June 23).
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The Mail Online takes newspaper website top spot
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
The Mail Online, the website for the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, has leapfrogged Telegraph Online and long-term market leader Guardian Unlimited to become the most-read newspaper website in May, according to the latest ABCe figures.
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T-Mobile focuses on value and relationships in ads
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
T-Mobile is positioning itself as the best-value network and highlighting its focus on relationships with its new ad campaign and strapline, “Life’s for Sharing”. The £17m campaign breaks tomorrow (Thursday) during the Euro 2008 semi-final.
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TNT Post launches UK's first carbon neutral mail service
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
TNT Post is launching the UK's first carbon neutral mailing service. The service, launching next week, will target the business market.
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UK Passion for the Planet launches green directory
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Passion for the Planet, the green radio station, has tied up with Allthingseco, the environmental and ethical directory, to help listeners to reduce landfill waste by re-using and recycling products.
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UK radio to go completely digital by 2020
Mon, 23 Jun 2008
UK radio services should be migrated on to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) by 2020, according to the Digital Radio Working Group's interim report. It proposes to move stations gradually over the next 12 years rather than setting a cut-off date.
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Virgin Holidays launches viral ad
Wed, 25 Jun 2008
Virgin Holidays has launched viral as to support its "Ask for the world" campaign, featuring Charlotte Church. The viral shows the Welsh diva singing "I want it now" from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
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Was Ford right to keep the Fiesta name for its new-generation car?
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
With over 10 million units sold in its 32-year history, the Fiesta has been one of Ford's most successful brands. But the eighth incarnationof the small car, due in showrooms later this year, came very close to arriving in the market under a new name, ...
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When silver turns to gold
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Marketers who still refer to internet users aged over 50 as silver surfers are not only patronising, but are failing to differentiate sub-groups of this expanding population that includes the UK's most affluent consumers
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Which? is set to launch car magazine onto newsstands
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Which? is launching its flagship publication Which? Car as a newsstand title, for the first time in the consumer organisation's 51-year history.
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WPP Group cautious over TNS deal after scrutinising its books
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
WPP Group has begun to distance itself from a potential deal with Taylor Nelson Sofres, following closer scrutiny of the global research company's financial condition earlier this week.
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Yahoo! pushes e-mail service with Ymail launch
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Yahoo! is launching a major push behind its Yahoo! mail service, starting with a new domain main. Ymail.com, which will launch on June 19, aims to bring in new users and drive advertising revenue.
