Responsible marketing is no oxymoron. Companies that recklessly plug insufficiently tried and tested products soon discover why. They are assaulted with a crescendo of lobbyist pressure and media criticism, which eventually results in drastic loss of public confidence and shareholder value, possible prosecution, not to mention the termination of a few boardroom careers. So, when […]
Royal Canin to lose its bulk brands and concentrate on upmarket and specialist sales
As an illustration of how hard the marketing industry has been hit by the economic downturn, the Diary would like to offer an anecdote by Spirit managing partner Mike Berry. While giving a lecture to students on a marketing diploma course, a curious Berry asked how many worked for agencies. About 20 per cent raised […]
Mintel’s latest research (MW February 7) raises significant doubts over the efficiency of TV advertising aimed at children. With only 38 per cent of those surveyed responding that they “like to buy things they see on TV”, it is time for marketers to explore more cost-effective and result-focused methods of capturing children’s interest. The answer […]
The media criticism over Sunny Delight was a disaster for P&G. It plans to relaunch the drink and is re-evaluating its marketing, says Alan Mitchell
Marketing Week will award the writer of the best letter of the month £300 of Thomson Holiday vouchers provided by Landround.
Time Out Magazine, the weekly arts and entertainments listings title, is reacting to its falling circulation figures by changing to a “portable format” on February 27. The July to December 2001 Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABCs) posted a decline of 6.9 per cent year on year and a drop of 2.5 per cent in the […]
Last month Sony launched a Net-based MiniDisc to combat the rise of MP3, but it will be a struggle for a product that has never taken off.
Beatrix Potter’s children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit is being relaunched to mark its 100th birthday and will be backed by a national poster campaign created by Mustoe Merriman Levy. The campaign moves away from Potter’s original illustrations, which have until now been the only imagery used to represent Peter Rabbit. Using the strapline […]
As a dinosaur in Peterborough can attest, some habits die hard. But there now exists something unavailable to scaly old reptiles: a good ad campaign, says Iain Murray
Media buyers’ calls for accountability and fairer prices from cinemas are unlikely to gain much support since the sector is pulling in customers
The price war between Boots and Tesco intensified this week after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Boots was right to claim consumers could save £51 a year by buying toiletries at its stores rather than at Tesco. Tesco objected to a Boots press campaign in regional newspapers that claimed consumers could save money […]
When it comes to organising an event, co-ordination and a personal touch are key to success. If communication is lacking, it may spell disaster
It’s true that the markets can’t be held responsible for managements’ imprudent spending, but neither are they blameless when companies sink, says George Pitcher
Allied Carpets has appointed Fraser Design to handle its £5.2m advertising account, previously held by Bds Beechwood. Following the resignation of Bds Beechwood over a clash on strategy, the company invited Fraser – its incumbent on its below-the-line business – and several other agencies to pitch for the above-the-line account. Allied Carpets marketing manager Drew […]