Marketing Week
2 February 2006

  • £1.3m campaign for New Zealand Lamb

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    First City Advertising has created a £1.3m campaign for New Zealand Lamb to raise awareness of the new season of chilled and frozen cuts of meat. The campaign will launch later this week with the strapline 'New Ideas, New Recipes, New Zealand

  • Agent Provocateur launches microsite

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Agent Provocateur has launched a microsite designed by RealNetworks and a viral teaser campaign to promote 'Tied up at the Office'. The eight-minute video was created by Mike Figgis, director of Internal Affairs and Leaving Las Vegas. A clip has been seeded on viral sites and viewers invited to provide e-mail addresses for friends. The objective is to drive registration for the lingerie company's Club AP in advance of the film's official online premiere on February 9.

  • ASA gives go ahead to D&G 'gay kiss' ad

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that an ad for Dolce & Gabbana watches featuring two men kissing were not inappropriate.

  • Audi launch to catch web users with integrated drive

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Audi is to launch an integrated digital campaign involving a video podcast to back up the BBH-created television ads for its new RS4 model, which casts the RS4 as a spider, devouring other cars.

  • Black & Decker reviews pan-European media planning and buying account

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Black & Decker, the tool manufacturer, is understood to be reviewing its £25m pan-European media planning and buying account.

  • Brands reap benefits in events off the beaten track

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    There is a growing feeling in the sponsorship industry that more brands will shun expensive headline deals in favour of creating their own events (MW last week). An increasing number of companies have turned to event creation in recent years because they do not want to "compromise" on an existing tie-up, according ...

  • Campaign for 24

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Beattie McGuinness Bungay has launched a campaign for Sky One's cult series 24.

  • Carat wins media planning and buying for launch of Love It!

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Carat has won the media planning and buying for the £8.5m launch of Love It!

  • Chariot UK launches a "charity" lottery

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Chariot UK, the start-up lottery company led by former Camelot chief executive Tim Holley, is launching a "charity" lottery. It will operate online and will donate 30p of every pound spent by players to selected charities.

  • Chris Pilling to leave Asda

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Asda marketing director Chris Pilling is leaving the retail giant after four years without a job to go to. His responsibilities will be taken on by former brand director Richard Hodgson, whose title will change to brand and marketing director.

  • Chrysalis Radio promotes Tina Finch

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Chrysalis Radio has promoted Heart 106.2 head of marketing Tina Finch to Heart brand marketing director. She will oversee marketing for the London, Midlands and digital Heart stations.

  • Coaching will lead to greater accountability

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    I read with interest Gary Eastwood's article "Naturally trained leaders" (MW January 19). I believe coaching represents the future cornerstone of management and leadership, in a world where people are giving up on traditional methods and searching for something new. It is a phenomenon that the business world has an opportunity to proactively embrace, but risks ignoring at its peril.

  • Coke set for further energy drink launch

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Coca-Cola is launching its second energy drink in less than six months with a third likely to launch before the end of the year.

  • Coming soon to save the world - after a belly rub with roddick

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Dame Anita Roddick's unorthodox way of handling complaints is not overly appealing in the wake of her change of heart over giving away her millions

  • Content is the 'must-have' in a multi-format newspaper future

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Pundits have long been predicting the demise of newspapers, but their long-term survival could lie in that classic marketing concept - brand extension, says Chris Ingram

  • Content with fun on the go

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The younger generation are keen to use their mobiles for take-anywhere entertainment but are so intimate with their phones that brand owners must tread carefully with content. By Martin Croft

  • Daily Star turns away ads from Nuts and Zoo titles

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The Daily Star is understood to be turning away advertising by men's weekly magazine titles such as EMAP's Zoo and IPC Media's Nuts because they are seen as direct competition.

  • Dispel the Cinderella myth

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    For researchers to enter the decision-making inner circle, they must upgrade their business skills and shed their 'poor relative' image of mere project-based, research debriefers. By Alicia Clegg

  • DSG reported to be considering a bid of £90m for Dabs.com

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    DSG, owner of Dixons, Currys and PC World, is reported to be considering a bid of &£90m for online electronics retailer Dabs.com. Dabs.com sells around 15,000 hi-tech products and claims 1.4 million registered users.

  • Emerging onto the world stage

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Set to add almost 2 billion new consumers to the global economy within a few years, the markets known as BRICs represent huge business opportunities to those who get their communications right

  • Ex-Shell boss heads university forum

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    A former global head of brand management for oil giant Shell is behind the launch and marketing of a new website aimed at helping 15 to 19-year-olds decide on further education choices.

  • Fagan takes DSG media role

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    DSG International, the electrical retailer, has appointed Elizabeth Fagan to the newly-created role of group media director.

  • Failure to follow up is a waste of DM money

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    I am dismayed to find that too many companies are continuing to throw money away on direct marketing, by failing to follow up the enquiries generated by their campaigns.

  • Fifa vows to stop unofficial World Cup sponsorship

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Brand owners are being warned that they may have to pull marketing campaigns planned for launch ahead of this summer's football World Cup, following a raft of trademark legislation by Fifa.

  • Ford Motor Company hires Accenture

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Ford Motor Company has hired management consultant Accenture to review its marketing plans for forthcoming launches in the US. The company has just announced sweeping job cuts in its home market.

  • Ford promotes UK MD to European marketing role

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Ford of Britain managing director Paul Thomas has been promoted to vice-president of marketing at Ford of Europe.

  • Francesco Caio leaves Cable & Wireless

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Cable & Wireless chief executive Francesco Caio is to leave the struggling telecoms company as part of a major restructure that could lead to more job losses.

  • GCap Media close to finalising a shortlist

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    GCap Media is said to be close to finalising a shortlist for the sale of its nine local stations, including Coast FM in south Wales. UTV Radio and The Local Radio Company are thought to have been included on the list of buyers.

  • General Motors announces net loss

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    General Motors has announced a worse than expected $4.78bn fourth quarter net loss. The deficit took the total loss for 2005 to $8.6bn prompting the company to admit it was "one of the most difficult years" in its history.

  • Graham Duff joins Universal McCann

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    ITV Sales former managing director Graham Duff is joining Universal McCann as president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, following the departure of Chris Shaw in December.

  • High Court orders a number of ISPs to provide pirate details

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The UK High Court has ordered a number of internet services providers, including BT, Telewest, Tiscali and ntl, to provide personal details of 150 alleged software pirates. The ruling follows a case brought by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) in its campaign against selling or sharing illegal copies of software packages.

  • If agencies want to increase profits should they look at salaries?

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Reports last week that Lowe London is putting "platinum handcuffs" on creative chief Ed Morris to stop him leaving came as the advertising industry's trade bodies called for agencies to almost double the profit margin they charge to clients.

  • Interpublic, Sir Frank Lowe close to a deal over £50m Tesco work

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Interpublic Group and Sir Frank Lowe's new start-up Red Brick Road are thought to be close to a resolution to the fierce tussle over the &£50m Tesco advertising business.

  • Is Tesco's new VoIP service just hype?

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Tesco's bid to join the voice over internet protocol (VoIP) race seems to be a mad dash to get into the IP telephony market while the going is good, and other telecom services it provides are not doing so well.

  • JCB to build its first major sponsorship programme

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    JCB, the construction equipment company, is looking to build its first major sponsorship programme, hoping to become a local partner for the London 2012 Olympic Games. JCB is expected to seek a contra deal, giving it sponsor status for carrying out work at the facilities.

  • JCDecaux rule out bid for rival Maiden Group

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    JCDecaux, the French-owned outdoor company, is reported to have ruled out making a bid for rival Maiden Group.

  • Karmarama lands Kickers ad task ahead of relaunch

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Karmarama is understood to have won the multi-million pound advertising business for footwear and clothing company Kickers, ahead of a brand relaunch planned for later this year.

  • Key radio industry figures to put RAB funding under the spotlight

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The funding of the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) will come under the spotlight at a meeting of key radio industry figures and trade bodies, expected to take place in the next two weeks.

  • Kraft Foods picks UK chief and reorganises portfolio

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Kraft Foods has appointed Ben Clarke, the head of its Australian operation, as vice-president and area director for the UK and Ireland. He replaces Thibaud de Saint-Quentin, who has been promoted to vice-president of coffee for the EU region.

  • Kraft rejigs roles and reorganises

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Kraft Foods has appointed Ben Clarke, the head of its Australian operation, as vice-president and area director for the UK and Ireland. He replaces Thibaud de Saint-Quentin, who has been promoted to vice-president of coffee for the EU region.

  • London gaming group begins £5m hunt for an agency

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    London Clubs International (LCI) is looking for an agency to handle the advertising for the launch of seven casinos around the UK over the next two years. The business is thought to be worth &£5m.

  • L'Oréal tests 'tummy-tuck' gel for males

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    L'Oréal is set to extend its Men Expert range of mass-market male grooming products with the launch of a "stomach sculpting" gel.

  • Loyalty Management UK rules out flotation

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Loyalty Management UK, the parent company of the Nectar loyalty scheme, has ruled out a flotation following a strategic review. It intends to focus on organic growth such as rolling out the scheme overseas. (MW Jan 19).

  • Magazine ads are more effective than TV spots

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Torin Douglas quotes MindShare Worldwide's Dominic Proctor ("Why TV advertising is set to lead the new media revolution", MW last week). "In our relationship with the consumer," says Proctor, "we're moving away from the age of interruption - built on the ad break and the 30-second spot - to the age of engagement."

  • Marketers fail to convert online browsers

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Marketers of financial products and travel services are losing business because they are not integrating the internet with other communications methods, new research suggests.

  • Michel Combes leaves France Telecom

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    France Telecom chief financial officer Michel Combes, is leaving the company as part of a management reshuffle.

  • Nestlé appoints Aprais

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Nestlé has appointed agency evaluation service Aprais to measure and manage the performance of its 300-strong global agency roster, which includes JWT, McCann Erickson, Publicis and Lowe. Aprais' online system will also allow agencies to evaluate Nestlé's performance.

  • Net value judgements

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Reaction to Google's move into China highlights the challenges faced by global brands when entering new markets - particularly how to manage their image, an issue that rival Microsoft is all too conscious of. Perhaps it's time Google returned to marketing basics. By Nathalie Kilby

  • New Campaign - Fellowes

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    American office products company Fellowes is launching a multi-million pound consumer campaign focusing on the "shredder revolution" following a rise in people's fears of identity fraud, the UK's fastest growing crime.

  • New Campaign - Metropolitan Police

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The Metropolitan Police has launched a new campaign to highlight the benefits of its Safer Neighbourhoods local policing initiative .

  • New campaign for Clairol's Nice 'n' Easy ColourSeal Gloss

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Grey London has created a new campaign for Clairol's Nice 'n' Easy ColourSeal Gloss. The ad, which breaks next month, features Desperate Housewives star Terri Hatcher.

  • News Magazines picks former Murdoch marketer for launches

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    News Magazines chief executive Camilla Rhodes has appointed Scott Williams as marketing chief. An Australian marketer, Williams worked on Rupert Murdoch-owned titles in Australia.

  • Northern Foods appoints Stefan Barden

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Northern Foods has appointed former Heinz UK chief Stefan Barden as executive director of its chilled division. Barden, who took over the role this week, was the managing director of Heinz UK and Ireland until May last year and has already held roles at Unilever and McKinsey.

  • Norway sets its sights on tourist boost

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The Norwegian tourist and development body Innovation Norway has embarked on a review of its brand strategy, in an attempt to boost the number of visitors to the Scandinavian country.

  • Ofcom to introduce watchdog

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Ofcom is understood to be considering introducing plans to introduce a watchdog to monitor the &£45m telephone and broadband market.

  • Paul Gratton to leave Egg

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Egg chief executive Paul Gratton will leave the business when the internet bank delists later this month. He will be succeeded by finance chief Mark Nancarrow.

  • PETA adopts crude tactics to attack milk production

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    A viral ad featuring scantily clad women with cows udders instead of breasts is being distributed in the UK by animal rights charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

  • Piaggio trawls Europe for agency to launch scooter

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio is holding a pan-European pitch for the multi-million pound launch of a new three-wheel scooter.

  • Platinum handcuffs muddy salary issue

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Just as the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) was congratulating itself on a thoroughly professional appraisal of agency remuneration - in conjunction with other august industry bodies such as the ISBA MCCA and PRCA - along comes the Ed Morris affair to rain on their parade.

  • Price comparison site in £5m agency talks

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Independent price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com is understood to be talking to a number of advertising agencies about a &£5m ad task as it seeks to increase its advertising and expand its services this year.

  • Pringle reviews £2m media buying

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Fashion brand Pringle of Scotland has put its media planning and buying up for review. The business is held by Starcom, who won the &£2m business from Red Media in 2004 (MW April 8, 2004).

  • Ribena 200ml multi-packs dropped after poor sales

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    GlaxoSmithKline has decided to drop production of its 200ml multi-pack Ribena, less than two years after its launch. The product has been struggling in the children's lunch-box market against the success of market leader Robinson's Fruit Shoot.

  • Sanyo director quits after management clash

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Sanyo sales and marketing director Peter Eldon has resigned from the consumer electronics company after clashing with management over the company's strategic direction.

  • Saving one's own skin

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    With more men taking an active interest in their appearance and skincare, KoS is launching a line which protects the skin's surface. By Barny Stokes

  • SCA Hygiene unveils Baby MD character in £15m push

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    SCA Hygiene has unveiled its new brand icon for Velvet toilet paper - the Baby MD.

  • Self-help books to offer motivational SMS messages

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Hodder Education, the publisher, has launched a series of self-help books called Get A Life! which offer the option of motivational SMS messages. It is hoped that the texts will help readers stay motivated.

  • Smarter Communications wins £4m Travelocity task

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Online travel firm Travelocity.co.uk has shifted the media planning and buying business for its UK operation into Smarter Communications.

  • Soft-drinks makers' 'wide ranging reforms' still lack fizz

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Soft drinks manufacturers do not appear to be taking the current debate on child obesity as seriously as consumers would like. While the commitments made by the beverage industry last week look, at first glance, to be a step in the right direction, more detailed investigation suggests the changes are ...

  • Sports sponsorship 'needs local heroes'

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Marketers should consider sponsoring local sporting heroes, instead of always thinking in terms of national signings, according to a leading sports marketer.

  • T&T launch upsets Britvic over name clash

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    T&T Beverages has launched a still flavoured spring water aimed at women called h2eau Plus.

  • Teenage plastic kicks

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Teenagers are being targeted with a series of pre-paid cash cards. While some fear it will encourage youngsters to get into debt, others believe they are safer and easier to use than carrying cash and are bringing pocket money into the 21st century. By Catherine Turner

  • The National Lottery Commission appoints April Strategy

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    The National Lottery Commission has appointed consultants April Strategy as marketing advisors after a four-way pitch to help evaluate the marketing plans of bidders during the forthcoming competition for the National Lottery licence.

  • Unilever in conditioner tie-up with Adams Kids

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Unilever is rolling out in-store "zones" for its fabric conditioner brand Comfort Pure as part of a tie-up with childrenswear high street retailer Adams Kids.

  • US motor manufacturers face fierce international competition

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    American consumer tastes are changing - with many shying away from the gas guzzlers, the big three appear positioned at the wrong end of the market

  • Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest appointed by Skinny Cow

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest has been appointed to handle the advertising account for the low-fat ice cream brand Skinny Cow. The agency will develop a TV campaign to promote the manufacturer's range of frozen puddings.

  • VBS brokers airtime deal for Ella's Kitchen

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    TV sales house Viacom Brand Solutions (VBS) has brokered a pioneering deal that gives a small family-run soft drinks brand on-air advertising and a distribution deal with Sainsbury's.

  • Viacom Brand Solutions to launch branded shows on Freeview

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Viacom Brand Solutions is launching two-hour branded children's shows on Freeview through its TMF family music channel. It is the first time a branded show on Freeview has targeted pre-school children.

  • Warner Brothers to use a legal peer-to-peer, computer file-sharing network

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Warner Brothers is to start selling films and TV shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland using a legal peer-to-peer, computer file-sharing network, developed by German technology firm Arvato, a subsidiary of Bertelsmann. Called In2Movies, the service launches in March. In Germany during the first half of 2005 in Germany, 1.7 million internet users illegally downloaded 11.9 million films.

  • Web application tools essential for success

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Media companies are increasingly relying on internet-based services to deliver information and news as it happens. Speed of delivery and accuracy are key differentiators in this highly competitive sector, yet companies are still enduring poor performance and service failure in critical Web-based systems.

  • WH Smith trials standalone stationery and book stores

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    WH Smith is testing standalone book and stationery stores in an attempt to "rebuild its authority" in key categories.

  • Which? identifies "top 12 tricks" used by advertisers

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Which?, the consumer protection group, has published a report, which claims to have identified the "top 12 tricks" used by advertisers such as text campaigns and games. The report, Childcatchers: the tricks used to push unhealthy food to your children, was published earlier this week.

  • Wilkinson to take on rival with 'his' and 'hers' razors

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Wilkinson Sword is gearing up for its latest assault on Gillette with the launch of two new four-bladed razors.

  • Will service become the selling point for low-cost airlines?

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Ryanair took the idea of low-cost flying to a new level when it announced last week that passengers will now have to pay to take bags on flights. The introduction of baggage charges for items over 10kg will, for many passengers, add another layer to the cost of flying, but it should enable Ryanair to keep ticket prices down for those without suitcases.

  • Xfm hands Mediacom North Manchester launch account

    Thu, 2 Feb 2006

    Xfm, the GCap-owned alternative radio station, has appointed Mediacom North to handle the &£1m planning and buying account for its new Manchester station.

Job of the Week

Latest Jobs

Top Jobs

social+media Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
knowledge+bank