Michael Kavanagh’s article highlights pseudo market research (MW October 15) but the growth of “frugging” (appeal letters in the form of questionnaires) is not without its critics in the charity sector. My view is that the practice is misguided, making it more difficult for all of us to carry out the legitimate market research we […]
TBWA GGT Simons Palmer has created a TV ad to support the launch of Sony PlayStation’s latest game ‘Spyro the Dragon’. The ad, which breaks next week, is set in the game’s ‘commutersville’ and features flame-breathing commuters in a train station staring at the departure board. The commercial was shot in a train station in […]
The introduction of pre-paid mobile phone packages has had an enormous impact on the market. Over the past year, 2.5 million new subscribers have been added, taking the total number of subscribers to 10.5 million – one in four of the UK population. And of that 2.5 million extra mobile phone users, nearly 1.5 million […]
CHBi Razorfish, the London-based agency acquired by US agency Razorfish earlier this year, has bought out new media creative shop Sunbather for an undisclosed sum. Mike Bennett, managing director and creative director of Sunbather, says growing consolidation in the sector prompted the company to look for a buyer. Sunbather, founded in 1995 under independent ownership […]
The Diary concedes that sexy models are a better advertisement for denim than some frizzy-haired Top Gear presenter who favours a pair of tight jeans coupled with scuffed cowboy boots. But fancy Falmer’s administrators citing the “Jeremy Clarkson effect” as a reason for the jeans maker’s downfall. This was the unkindest cut of all, as […]
The media’s obsessive interest in new sponsors of the Millennium Dome has tailed off now, but not so very long ago, things were different… The Diary’s source in the Dome’s press office tells of the heyday when one very keen reporter on a national newspaper thought he had got the scoop of the week. He […]
Sixties model Twiggy has set up a company which will license her name as a brand. According to David de Vall, intellectual property director for Twiggy & Co, the company has received requests from a variety of manufacturers who want Twiggy branding for their products. Twiggy & Co chief executive David Hutton says: “She stands […]
The assessment of direct financial services marketing, “Jargon Busters” (MW October 15) has sometimes been described as “confusion marketing”. This is often the result of regulators who perceive their primary role as preventing fraud – by virtue of extensive regulation rather than encouraging customer education. This is in stark contrast to the US Securities & […]
Western International Media has been rocked by Vauxhall’s dec ision to review its entire 86m UK business. The move will determine the future of parent company InterPublic Group’s UK media operation. InterPublic has already revealed plans to merge its two international media brands, Western and Initiative Media, into a new company called Western Initiative Media. […]
Greenpeace is putting its logo on a new range of fridges and freezers to be sold at Iceland Frozen Foods outlets – the first time the environmental group has been involved in product endorsement. Iceland is using the launch of the eco-friendly Kyoto range as a call for the refrigeration industry to follow its lead […]
It was a game of two halves for the BBC, played over two days. On Wednesday, culture secretary Chris Smith announced a five-year extension of the licence fee, backing it with a ringing endorsement of the Corporation’s current strategy. Sir John Birt could hardly restrain his delight: “We wouldn’t change a word,” he said. On […]
Tour operator First Choice has appointed Walker Media to handle its 4m media business after a four-way pitch between incumbent Media Insight, BMP Optimum and New PHD. The business includes about 1m worth of business for Eclipse, the company’s direct arm. The company is putting extra money behind this brand because it believes this is […]
Clark & Taylor has won the 2m advertising account for the Ideal Home Exhibition, which is to relaunch next year with new branding.
Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia is extending its brand with a range of merchandise to be sold through its new London flagship store. The first “100% Nokia” shop opened on London’s Regent Street last week as part of a pan-European push to establish a consumer brand. As part of the strategy, it has produced a range […]
The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) is launching a sponsorship scheme for the first time in the union’s 90-year history. The programme, called the PFA Business Partnership, will offer access to premiership players, hospitality, and the use of the organisation’s logo. The PFA is the professional players union, it has 3,500 members and looks after their […]