Marketing Week
24 May 2007

  • 10m Evening Standard reviews

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    The London Evening Standard is reviewing its estimated 10m advertising business as its new managing director, Andy Mullins, attempts to reverse falling sales of the newspaper.

  • Accantia appoints marketing director

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Accantia Health & Beauty has appointed Alex Pike to the new role of marketing director. Pike's appointment follows the company's sell-off of its Lillets brand to a management buy-out team earlier this year.

  • Aegis confident about outperforming the industry in 2007

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    UK media group Aegis says it is on track for a further year of outperforming the industry. It says that it "continues to see a healthy outlook" for the advertising and market research markets.

  • Agencies risk axe from COI roster over eco credentials

    Wed, 30 May 2007

  • Albion scoops £10m eBay account

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    Ebay has appointed Albion to handle its £10m advertising business after a final shootout against Mother. The account moves from Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, which did not repitch.

  • Albion wins launch task for non-dairy dessert No Moo

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Albion has been appointed by Riviera Desserts to launch a new non-dairy dessert brand, called No Moo. The company claims the soya-based "healthy" dessert will be the first of its kind in the chilled market.

  • AOL appoints head of interactive marketing

    Tue, 29 May 2007

    Giles Ivey has been appointed as head of interactive marketing at AOL UK after overseeing the role on an interim basis for the past year. He was previously sales director at the online portal.

  • ASA raps Lexus over low-carbon statement

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    The Advertising Standards Authority has reprimanded car manufacturer Lexus over its claims of low carbon emissions for its SUV hybrid car.

  • Assessing the Comet brand

    Thu, 24 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.

  • Ballygowan - the Irish invasion part 2

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Britvic's 169m purchase of Irish beverage company C&C's soft drinks business last week could spark a review of the UK giant's mineral water brands.

  • Big advertisers driving the frenzied buying of digital media companies

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Microsoft's $6bn (3bn) purchase of US digital marketing services group aQuantive marks a step-change in the current wave of acquisitions involving digital media companies.

  • Birmingham City FC names F&C as its Premiership sponsor

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    Birmingham City football club has unveiled asset management company F&C as its sponsor following the team's promotion to the Premier League. F&C replaces budget airline Flybe, which recently pulled the plug on its four-year association with the football club.

  • Bolloré fails to make it onto Aegis’ board a fourth time

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    Aegis shareholders have rebuffed the group’s largest shareholder, Vincent Bolloré, a fourth consecutive time over his request for board representation. At the media company’s annual general meeting (AGM) today, 95% of non-Groupe Bolloré shareholders opposed its proposals for two representatives to the Aegis board.

  • BP's refinery and marketing chief to leave after 24 years

    Wed, 30 May 2007

  • Brands show true colours

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    A Marketing Week/BrandIndex survey reveals that brands with poor environmental reputations, most notably supermarkets, can turn around their public image. But brand owners beware - consumers will not be duped by false green credentials. David Benady examines the findings

  • Campaign of the month - CP Proximity

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Barcelona-based CP Proximity Interactive has won the April IAB Creative Showcase award, in association with Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions, for its campaign promoting the UK release of the film Pulse. Dedicated microsite www.iwanttoseeaghost.com taps into the popularity and influence of user-generated ...

  • Capital to launch Bam Bam bus campaign

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    Capital 95.8 is launching an outdoor advertising campaign to promote new DJ Bam Bam's evening show. It is the first show-specific activity from the GCap-owned station since the Johnny Vaughan Breakfast Show campaign in 2004. Bam Bam and sidekick Streetboy join Capital ...

  • CBS buys Last.fm for 140m

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    CBS Corporation has bought internet radio portal Last.fm for $280m (140m). The deal is the latest is a series of moves by CBS to boost its online presence after its interactive division acquired Wallstrip.com and invested in Joost and Spot Runner.

  • Channel 4 to issue Celebrity Big Brother apology

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Channel 4 will be forced to issue an on-air apology over the alleged racist bullying in Celebrity Big Brother after media regulator Ofcom ruled it contravened its broadcasting code.

  • Chivas Bros goes digital with Scotch

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Chivas Brothers-owned Scotch whisky brand Ballantine's has revamped its global online portal, as it puts digital at the heart of its marketing strategy. The new site has been created by digital agency Mook.

  • Coke signs Rooney to kick-off online street football campaign

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Coca-Cola is launching a major online football campaign in a bid to woo teen-agers to its drinks.

  • Communicatus Interruptus

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Online search is driving consumer purchasing habits and can also be applied to the offline world. Is search the new interruption model? asks David Wethey

  • Cut the gas, breathe easier

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    Becoming involved is what it is all about and there could be trouble in store for those brands that fail to appreciate the growing environmental concerns of their customers or play an active part in helping to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas CO2, reports Robert Lester

  • Cutting-edge tools avoid double customer trouble

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    De-duping is set to become the key issue in internet affiliate marketing as network managers seek to get a more accurate view of their ROI, writes Sean Hargreave

  • Dawson masterclass in damage limitation

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Sorry is indeed the hardest word, and when it comes from the managing director of Mars UK, uttering it must feel like eating glass. Let's face it: Masterfoods, of which Mars is a part, may be the academy that has produced such summa cum laude marketing graduates as Allan Leighton and Angus Porter. But a warm, ...

  • DM appeal marks National Missing Persons Helpline relaunch

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    The National Missing Persons Helpline is relaunching today (Thursday) as Missing People as part of International Missing Children's Day. The charity is sending out the first UK direct mailing to help fund the search for missing kids.

  • Dolls living the high life

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Bratz has enjoyed great success since its US launch in 2001, but changes are afoot on this side of the Atlantic. Rupi Gohlar asks whether the doll brand can maintain its strong sales

  • DTI orders Competition Commission to probe Sky deal

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has referred BSkyB's acquisition of a 17.9% stake in ITV to the Competition Commission. Its decision follows submissions made last month from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and media regulator Ofcom.

  • EasyJet to offer healthy snacks from The Food Doctor to flyers

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Low-cost airline easyJet is launching The Food Doctor snacks on all of its flight in a move aimed at boosting its healthy food offer. The products will be available on board imminently.

  • Evans in talks as Farm loses grip

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Evans, the Arcadia-owned fashion retailer, is understood to be talking to agencies about its advertising account. The business is held by Farm.

  • Evening Standard undermines positive DMGT results

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    A poor performance by the Evening Standard has undermined positive results from owner Associated Newspapers. Its national newspapers saw a 2% increase in advertising revenue to £231m for the six months to April 1.

  • Ex-Unilever man to head Orange brands

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Orange has appointed former Unilever marketer Richard Morley as group vice-president of brands. He replaces Niall O'Keefe, who left the mobile phone operator last month to join PC World as marketing director.

  • Fila returns after advertising hiatus

    Tue, 29 May 2007

    Fila is launching its first major brand advertising campaign in almost a decade to promote its men's style range. The advertising, which breaks imminently, has been created in-house and carries the strapline "Admired by many. Worn by few".

  • Ford launches Mondeo on HDTV

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Ford is shunning analogue media for the launch of its "cutting edge" new Mondeo model.

  • Former Red Bull chief to launch carbonated drink

    Wed, 30 May 2007

  • GCap announces 5.6m investment as revenues slump

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    GCap Media is ploughing 5.6m into developing its radio brands after reporting a 9% drop in annual revenues. Pre-tax profits at the Capital Radio owner fell from 22.2m to 14.4m in the 12 months to March 27, while revenues were down from 220.2m to 200.1m.

  • GCap commercial director George resigns

    Tue, 29 May 2007

    GCap Media commercial director Duncan George has resigned from the company after nearly two years in the role. It is not clear if he has a job to go to after he leaves the radio group on June 8.

  • Generation LX

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Wealthy over-55-year-olds are spending more on luxury goods than ever before, yet they are as diverse in their responses to advertising as any other generation. Marketers must not alienate them

  • Give consumers a green option they can't refuse to succumb to

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    Brands can lead the way in the eco sea-change by offering consumers innovative and aspirational products - that just also happen to be green

  • Habitat appoints Diesel retail chief as head of UK

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Habitat has appointed Diesel retail chief Ruth Dangerfield as country manager for the UK.

  • Harvest to take Care International digital

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    Charity Care International has appointed online marketing agency Harvest Digital to develop its first comprehensive digital strategy. The charity aims to recruit more monthly donors via the Net to support Care International's charity work.

  • Heineken embarks on marketing blitz

    Wed, 30 May 2007

  • Hertz signs exclusive deal with Boo.com

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Boo.com, the shopping site synonymous with the dotcom crash, has signed Hertz as the exclusive car hire advertiser on its site. The site has been relaunched as a travel and social networking site.

  • HMV calls on digital agencies to build its social networking site

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    High street music and entertainment retailer HMV is talking to a number of agencies to design, build and market its social networking site to be rolled out later this year.

  • How Helen Wylde got ahead

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    My worst job was while I was at university where I managed to talk myself into a part-time job as a gardener for a very well-off family in Cheshire; the garden was wonderful but at that stage I couldn't tell the difference between a weed and flower without a manual! I spent most of my time trying not to crash the ride on lawn mower into the garden pond complex.

  • How Rob Richardson got ahead

    Tue, 29 May 2007

    I like telling stories, I always have done. Initially I wanted to get into film but its a long road from lowly runner to being able to influence the final product and I didnt have the patience for that! Once I started designing websites, I quickly realised that working with brands was all about telling stories.

  • Hyper Happen wins Feel Good Drinks' first digital pitch in 4-way contest

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Feel Good Drinks has appointed digital communications agency Hyper Happen to its account.

  • If the public switches on, so will advertisers

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Advertising creativity is a highly valued commodity, so simply adding recycled TV spots rarely yields teh best results

  • Intel's missing ingredient - excitement

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Intel's admission that it is guilty of overcomplicating its marketing (MW last week) raises questions about how best to communicate uninspiring brands to consumers.

  • Interactive SEARCH DATA

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Once again the search engines take the greatest share of visits. Google, like last year, reigns supreme and its share has increased 0.85%. UK users are visiting the same sites as last year in the main, but of particular interest is the entrance into the top ten of MySpace and Bebo. And this year, Wanadoo's new identity as Orange has not seen it decline hugely, although it slips one spot. Within the most popular search terms, those sectors that have ...

  • Is Lindsay flogging a dead horse?

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    The following question is not meant unkindly; on the contrary, it is a compliment. Which major agency chief executive shortlist in the last year has not had Tim Lindsay attached to it?

  • It's make or break time in tv as more viewers skip the ads

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    With PVRs and on-demand services on the increase, TV advertisers are experimenting with ways of measuring and capturing audiences

  • Lastminute.com names CRM chief

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Lastminute.com has appointed Shai Eilon as its new group head of customer relationship management (CRM). He replaces Lopo Champalimaud who has taken the role of managing director of the European lifestyle division.

  • Lindsay exits for TBWA

    Fri, 25 May 2007

  • Media Contacts research disproves 'final click' value

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    MPG's digital arm Media Contacts is to publish re-search which it says shows the idea of "attributing value to the final click is flawed" and could change how the effectiveness of search campaigns are measured.

  • Microsoft UK loses chief marketer to US minnow

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Microsoft UK chief marketing officer Nick Barley has been poached by US software and technology business, CA, to be vice-president for marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

  • Military operations break cover

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Brand managers are desperate to take their marketing message into consumer environments. Jo-Anne Flack asks if conversational advertising and other ambient media is the way forward

  • More curbs on the way for alcoholic drinks sector

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Labels warning pregnant women of the risks of drinking could soon be put on alcohol bottles, as the pressure grows for further curbs on the industry's marketing.

  • New campaign - Bone books go interactive

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    ArtScience has created an interactive website as part of an online campaign undertaken by Scandinavian publishing giant Egmont. The website is based around the latest Charlie Bone book Charlie and The Wilderness Wolf which has been a bestseller in the US.

  • NMA to publish newspaper creativity guide

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    The Newspaper Marketing Agency is to publish a "mini best practice" guide in an effort to encourage creatives to be more "in tune" with newspapers.

  • No metric currency means weak selling power for online advertising

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    The lack of a system to measure and profile Web traffic threatens to hold back growth in the online ad industry. Martin Croft looks at what's being done

  • Online search is set to take a back seat behind display ads

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Even by the standards of an industry everyone describes as fast-moving it's been a busy few weeks. As we outline in our Agenda piece on page 26, the past month has seen a series of deals struck worth over $10bn (£5bn): Google bought online display advertising technology company DoubleClick; ...

  • Proceed to checkout or log out?

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    With an increasing amount of money being spent online, owners of e-commerce websites must ensure customers buy from their site and make the process as easy as possible. By Martin Croft

  • Red Mill partners Hasbro for Transformers movie

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Snack manufacturer Red Mill Snack Foods has teamed up with Hasbro to support the launch of this summer's Transformers film.

  • Renault trials Bluetooth downloads at Metro Centre

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Renault is to trial Bluetooth downloads for the first time in a dramatic change of strategy for the car marque.

  • Ribena to launch 7m ad campaign to target adults

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Ribena is launching a 7m campaign to boost sales and reposition the brand for an older audience.

  • Saatchi & Saatchi on the defensive after losing Dr Martens ad account

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    Saatchi & Saatchi has been forced to defend creative work for Doc Martens that ran in the UK, after the iconic shoe brand apologised for running a series of ads featuring dead rock stars and kicked the agency off its account.

  • Saddle up your pet pooches for a journey to heart of complaintsville

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    The most offensive elements of advertising must be the bizarre complaints from the fringes of society that are dealt with on a daily basis by the ASA

  • Save the Children appeals to Gordon Brown

    Wed, 30 May 2007

    Save the Children is launching a campaign urging all people in the UKnamed Gordon Brown to support the charity's push for free healthcare for children in Africa. It is hoped the activity will persuade Gordon Brown MP - Britain's next Prime Minister - to lobby the G8 on the issue next month.

  • Skoda ads are no mere child's play

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Long ago, Skoda was a laughing stock, a byword for cheap and cheerless motoring. It rebuilt its reputation through a self-deprecating ad campaign that humorously acknowledged its previous, low quality reputation while emphasising a new-found technical prowess.

  • SMG predicts a mixed-fortune future

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    Media group SMG has predicted its television airtime revenues to fall by 7% in the first half to June but says its Virgin Radio business will outperform the market. The television and radio broadcaster says revenues have grown by 8% on its Virgin Radio business.

  • Sorting out the future for online video advertising

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    BOth GMTV's and ITV's Web plans show that UK market is gradually taking shape. You can now see online video content and video ads on sites

  • Teletext targets the long-haul holidays

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Teletext Holidays is launching a new online brand called Inluxury to target the luxury market.

  • The Union to handle Glasgow bid drive for Commonwealth 2014

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Edinburgh agency The Union has scooped the advertising account to support Glasgow's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

  • Ticket exchange appoints head of online marketing

    Tue, 29 May 2007

    Viagogo, the online ticket exchange, has appointed Martin McNulty to the new role of head of online marketing. He joins from internet telephony service Skype, where he held the same position.

  • Travelodge ramps up UK marketing spend

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Travelodge is increasing its UK marketing budget - which stood at 2.7m in 2006 - by 20% this year as part of a 3.5bn drive to open 40 hotels each year until 2020.

  • Vodafone reports dip in pre-tax profits

    Tue, 29 May 2007

    Vodafone has reported a dip in pre-tax profits as it battles against strong competition in Europe. The mobile phone operator says it has cut costs and introduced a number of new initiatives and services to stimulate growth.

  • Watford FC signs marketing chief from Man U

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    Watford Football Club has appointed Mike Reilly as head of marketing. He joins the club from Manchester United where he was acting head of venue marketing.

  • WFA welcomes 'modernising' Euro TV rules

    Fri, 25 May 2007

    The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has today welcomed the decision of European governments to adopt the Audiovisual Media Services Directive to replace the existing Television Without Frontiers. The WFA says the new rules will modernise European Union broadcasting laws, particularly concerning technological developments ...

  • Why Cadbury is keeping healthy snack brand at arm's length

    Thu, 24 May 2007

    A new confectionery brand that claims to be healthier than its rivals launches in the UK this month. The Natural Confectionery Company (TNCC) is a range of jelly sweets, already popular in Australia, which have no artificial colours or flavours, and will be positioned firmly in the better-for-you ...

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