Lottery merchandising activity faces axe

National Lottery operator Camelot’s merchandise and licensing division National Lottery Enterprises has been dealt a severe blow following the collapse of a number of its deals.

The Enterprises division was set up in June 1995 to market National Lottery merchandise such as gold jewellery bearing the crossed fingers logo, key rings, pens and Christmas cards. But all these products have been scrapped this Christmas.

NLE also aimed to form “marketing partnerships” with top brand companies. But two of its three partnerships are being axed. McVitie’s says an agreement to use the National Lottery logo on its cracker brands, including TUC and Kraka-wheat, has been scrapped. The deal, signed last March, offered in-pack vouchers for Lottery tickets.

Frozen chip and pizza company McCain’s says it will not renew a deal to exploit the Lottery logo on its products, though a spokesman says this position could be reviewed.

The only deal which is certain to continue is with mail order company Freemans. There are no other marketing partnerships in the pipeline.

NLE manager Robin Bowler has been moved out of the division to take over the role of marketing manager for Instants.