Your article on category management (MW February 1), whilst getting to some of the facts, missed a crucial point. The whole reason for developing a category management approach is to place the consumer at the heart of the decision-making process. By understanding their needs and developing strategies and tactics to meet those needs you will […]
Freeloader.com, the website offering free computer games in return for strategically placed ads, has signed up two big advertisers and announced 600,000 registered users. Unilever’s deodorant brand, Physiosport, can now be seen on the virtual advertising hoardings of Viva Football, a game which retails for more than £30 on the high street. Freeloader users are […]
Some people will nick anything. Watch company Swatch’s educational programme has been strapped by the theft of one-half of its teaching team, known as Flik Flak. Flik, who travels the length and breadth of the country helping kids to learn about time, was abducted from the back of a car in Coventry. West Midlands Police […]
Those of you who keep abreast of the woes of the dot-com world may have noted the demise of youth portal Lifebyte.net, reported elsewhere in these pages (MW February 1). The Diary was invited to Lifebyte’s wake, at Deux Beers in Farringdon, and few people could believe their eyes when in walked actress Claudia Harrison, […]
Man Utd’s mold-breaking alliance with the Yankees has captured the industry’s imagination. But is it a leap too far for the Premiership side?
Excite UK, the Internet search engine and portal, has launched an advanced search function, alongside a redesigned homepage. The company says both users and advertisers will benefit from the “enhanced interface”. The new search function offers a number of new and improved features, including Web search, directory, audio and video search, MP3 search and photo […]
Toys ‘R’ Us has signed a deal with BTinternet to offer free Web access to its customers, following the collapse of its previous Internet service provider (ISP) partner Breathe.net. Free registration disks will be available in Toys ‘R’ Us stores across the UK as well as in its in-store Family Internet Communications Centres from today […]
Political parties are warming up for the general election, even before Tony Blair has named the big day. And the Diary can reveal the first dirty trick of the campaign has been launched. Labour supporters north of the border might be disgruntled to discover that if they search for the party’s website at www.scottish-labour.org.uk, they […]
Maverick drinks marketer Harry Drnec, managing director of energy drinks company Red Bull, has launched a scathing attack on rival launches by Coca-Cola and Budweiser. Red Bull has 70 per cent of the UK energy drinks market and sells 1 billion units a year in 30 countries. Coke’s energy drink Burn was launched in the […]
Telegraph.co.uk is launching a new online travel channel, featuring an online booking facility with information on more than 3,000 holiday destinations. The online newspaper has signed a deal with Internet travel service provider Online Travel Corporation (OTC) to offer users a full range of travel services, including bespoke package holidays, flights, hotels, car hire, late […]
The PCC showed uncharacteristic flippancy last week, as did the DTI by giving the go-ahead for Northern & Shell’s take-over of the Express group.
Lycos UK is launching a £2.3m television ad campaign to promote Lycos Link Directory, a list of personally recommended Internet sites.
GWR chief executive Ralph Bernard has launched a public attack on the Radio Authority, accusing it of “nannying” the independent radio sector, and behaving like a dictator. In a speech this week at a seminar to debate Access Radio – a new sector of non-commercial, private radio services – and hosted by the Radio Authority, […]
Regarding your article on salaries and incentives offered by direct marketing agencies (MW January 25), it is unfortunately just a sad case of supply and demand. Back in 1990 and nearly every year since it has been the same story. Shortage of skilled staff and spiralling wage bills for the talented few. Meanwhile, many agencies’ […]
McCann-Erickson has won the £10m global account for Southcorp Wines, the parent company of leading Australian brands Lindemans and Penfolds.