Just as shopping was one of the hallmarks of the Eighties, the retail magazine is a phenomenon of the Nineties. It reflects some recent marketing concerns such as the importance of developing dialogue with consumers and adding value in increasingly competitive markets. Redwood Publishing is a leader in the field, producing magazines for outlets as […]
Jamont UK has launched KittenSoft, which it claims will challenge Andrex’s position as the premium toilet paper brand. The launch is backed by a 3m multimedia drive through Bates Dorland, starting May 1. The 40-second ad combines a hard/soft-sell approach, with technical product details being listed while the listener daydreams about a white kitten playing […]
Oftel and the MMC are imposing price controls at BT, but shouldn’t there be more freedom to operate in a so-called free market? George Pitcher is joint managing director of media consultancy Luther Pendragon.
Older professionals who are not direct mail responsive are likely to be the most loyal customers, according to new research from ICD Marketing Services. Loyal consumers are also probably Diners Club members, who opt for sailing holidays and are unlikely to support charities. Disloyal consumers tend to be younger, have up to three children under […]
Our Web site address on the Internet is:http://www.marketing-week.co.uk/mw0001. Letter of the month prize. Every month the editor will award this de luxe fountain pen to the writer of the best letter. The chrome and 22ct gold pen, made by AT C
MediaCom has won SmithKline Beecham’s 34m UK media buying and planning centralisation after a three-way pitch. The media dependent, part of the Grey network, defeated SB’s other incumbent, YMG Carat, and The Network, Ogilvy & Mather’s media operation. The centralisation had been widely expected since SB’s acquisition of Sterling Healthcare in August 1994. With the […]
I read with interest the article discussing the plight of our traditional pubs in the UK, “Inn Jeopardy” (MW March 15). It really came as a surprise to me that people seem more content to drink at home. I mean, can anybody really expect to sample the delights of warm beer served in glasses with […]
Reports of the death of the customer loyalty scheme – for petrol retailers, at least – appear to have been premature. When Esso decided to abandon its Tiger Tokens in favour of its price-cutting strategy Pricewatch, some observers suggested all petrol retailers would abandon collection schemes and loyalty programmes. In fact, the reverse appears to […]
Who said that financial services marketing is boring? Certainly not The Diary. Two weeks ago a woman was appointed to a senior marketing position in the life division of a very big blue bank. Since then, we have discovered that in her former life she was known as a bit of a party animal. At […]
McCann-Erickson’s newly formed youth division, Magic Hat, has been appointed by Bacardi-Martini to produce bespoke music tracks to promote Martini. The tracks will also be sold commercially worldwide. Magic Hat intends to create a music sound that is immediately associated with Martini and is owned by the drink makers. This contrasts with ads like Peugeot […]
Times are so hard for trade hacks, they have been selling intimate details of their tedious lives to whoever will print them. One such figure, recently promoted to editor of a leading ad fanzine, was apparently so desperate, he sold the story of his wedding to glossy magazine Bride. It turned out to be quite […]
Ad agencies hoping to get to grips with Sunday Express deputy editor Ian Birrell as he and editor Sue Douglas look for a new shop would be well advised to heed a word of advice from The Diary. According to industry sources, many years ago Birrell could be found slaving away as a junior hack […]
Associated Newspapers is continuing its move into standalone magazines with a new women’s title launching in May. Vitality, a beauty and health magazine, will be sold under the Mail on Sunday’s You masthead from May 9. The glossy will have a print run of 150,000 and a cover price of 1.95. It will be promoted […]
The macho doll Action Man, celebrating his 30th birthday this year, is being given his own TV show, starring Gladiator Mark Griffin as the hero. BSkyB is running the part animation, computer graphics and live action series on its Sky One channel from April 7. A spokesman for the Hasbro toy, first launched at a […]
GWR, the big commercial radio group, is expanding abroad. It may be wise to look at how foreign buyers in this country have fared. Torin Douglas is BBC Radio’s media correspondent