BT hunts for conferencing top marketer
BT is searching for a marketing chief for its conferencing division to spearhead an expansion of the business.
The successful candidate for the new position of global general manager for product and marketing will be responsible for developing the division’s commercial strategy, creating new services and developing the marketing plan, and will report to BT Conferencing chief executive Nigel Stagg.
BT Conferencing is part of the enterprises division of BT Retail and offers conferencing solutions to global businesses.
BT is holding an advertising agency roster pitch to find a consumer idea for its portfolio of businesses (MW April 14). Last week, the company parted company with roster agency Fallon, citing “differences in opinion with regard to the way the new consumer campaign should be developed” (MW last week).
It is believed that either Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO or St Luke’s will be appointed to create the consumer campaign, although it is possible that both agencies will continue to work with BT.
There have also been suggestions that external agencies could get involved (MW May 12) and there is a growing feeling in the industry that BT will hold a full-scale holding company review later in the year regardless of the outcome of the roster pitch.
It is thought the holding company pitch was the brainchild of former BT Retail chief executive Pierre Danon, but that it was delayed after he left to take over as chief operating officer at IT services group Cap Gemini (MW December 2, 2004). Computer manufacturer Fujitsu Siemens is launching a range of “green” computers that have been designed to meet new European Union regulations on pollution. The Esprimo computers will be available this month.
The PCs have lower levels of poisonous chemicals and metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, all of which are found in ordinary computers. This, it is claimed, makes the computers safer to assemble and easier to dispose of.
Fujitsu has also reduced the level of lead in the motherboard from 12g to 1g, and has made changes to its manufacturing processes in an attempt to reduce pollution levels. The changes include the removal of potentially dangerous chemicals and a reduction in the amount of water used.
The company is planning to launch Esprimo globally, making this the first time it has aspired to a global PC brand. It will support the launch with an advertising campaign targeting the business community, which will be developed by strategic marketing agency Gilroy.
Fujitsu’s environmental credentials have helped it to win a contract to supply charity Christian Aid with PCs and laptops. It has provided the charity with 350 computers from its Scenic range.
