These days, the retailer, or middleman, has it good: ownership of the customer relationship, and the facility to cream off a profit at the end of a complex supply chain. Now the information revolution has opened the way for the manufacturer to
I read Mary Lewis’ article “The personal touch” (MW September 22) on personal care products, the targeting, marketing and branding of which is far more complex than she depicts, and would like to set the record straight on a number of points. Yes, Durex is a valued client of The Pea Green Boat and we […]
Air Miles marketing director Stephen Taylor has left the travel incentive company to join Safeway and take a lead role in its loyalty card programme. Taylor will report directly to Safeway director of brand marketing Roger Ramsden. He will take the title of electronic relationship marketing controller and be closely involved in Safeway’s ABC loyalty […]
Thomas Cook is understood to be approaching retailers and financial service companies to launch a loyalty scheme that will rival Air Miles. According to a source who has been approached by Thomas Cook, the scheme works on a points system similar to the Shell Smartcard. Retailers and other companies who subscribe to it will add […]
When it comes to television sponsorship, the UK and the US
Guy Wesch, a former advertising agency boss, has been charged with murder. Wesch, 61 and unemployed according to the police, was charged at Hendon Magistrates Court on October 2 with murdering Susan McCarthy, 55, at his home in North Finchley
Two Way TV, the interactive system that allows viewers to join in with their favourite programmes, is targeting advertisers following a successful trial by drinks giant Allied Domecq. Two Way TV head of marketing Peter Cowie says the company is talking to advertisers about the service, which makes its debut in Birmingham next week in […]
Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation’s (HSBC) asset management division is on the verge of appointing TBWA to handle its global advertising account. TBWA managing director Jonathan Hoare says: “I cannot comment except to say we are talking to them.” However, it is believed that the only stumbling block to TBWA’s appointment is the size of […]
Matsushita, the Japanese consumer electronics giant which owns the Panasonic and Technics brand, is believed to be planning a network of retail outlets in the UK to bypass established retailers such as Dixons and Comet. It would follow in the footsteps of rivals such as Sony, which has built a chain of 90 stores throughout […]
National newspapers are being accused of misleading advertisers by manipulating their sales through underhand deals with wholesalers. One major media agency is investigating a practice where wholesalers can sell copies of newspapers at a discount to hotel chains and transport companies, which then give them away free. But the copies appear as paid for on […]
Lloyds’ proposal of merger t TSB seems influenced by a fashion for union, rather than sound business principles. By George Pitcher, joint managing director of media consultancy Luther Pendragon.
Sales of sanitary protection products have increased by more than 50 per cent in four years, according to a new report by Mintel. The growth of the market, now worth about 273m and divided between internal and external protection, has been largely driven by product innovation and the launch of Procter & Gamble’s Always range […]
ITV is to launch a sponsorship package for the pick of its premium drama output, including shows such as Cracker, Prime Suspect IV and Emma. The sponsorship deal would be the biggest on British TV, eclipsing Diet Coke’s 3m support for movie premieres. The channel’s most popular and upmarket shows are on offer – a […]
Last month, I wrote that the jury was out on Pearson, the media conglomerate that owns the Financial Times, among much else. City apprehension was largely attached to what life for Pearson was likely to deliver in the wake of the sale of its stake in BSkyB – and the shares hung loose as we […]
As rugby union moves into a new era of professionalism, companies are bidding for a piece of the action. But can it compete with football – steeped in commercialism – to secure long-term financial supporters?