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Marketing News: Subject60 experiment reveals the naughty side of London

Volvo conducted a Pan-European behavioral experiment, disguised as a launch party for the all-new Volvo S60 to find out. The Naughty City Study appointed Paris as the naughty capital of Europe. "I observed people's behavior during all five events, and the Parisians clearly came out as the most self-centered, natural exhibitionists. The Parisians were flirting and posturing, making an effort to be caught by the cameras. They disrespectfully walked over arranged flowerbeds, and they sang naughty songs out loud in our karaoke car. It was quite lovely to see them act out their naughtiness", says Dr Katarina Graffman who has been traveling together with Lykke Li and Face Hunter around Europe with the Volvo Subject60 tour hitting Berlin, London, Milan, Paris and Madrid.

Marketing News: Strawberry Frog Amsterdam pitched for the worldwide Emirates account and won.

Congrats to Strawberry Frog Amsterdam! The agency pitched for the worldwide Emirates account and won. The other pitch contenders were Team WPP (which didn't sound very creative from the start), VCCP (a London based agency), and 180 Amsterdam. Emirates and Strawberry Frog are not new to each other. Already in 2004 the agency – that recently re-opened an Amsterdam office – won the Emirates account.

Marketing News: UKTI Announces Trade Mission to Tokyo Games Show

The trip is centered round the Tokyo Games Show and is designed for both traditional games development companies and those focusing on social gaming, mobile gaming and serious games.

Marketing News: Archant has appointed Mick Hurrell as managing director of its customer publishing agency, Archant Dialogue

Archant has appointed Mick Hurrell as managing director of its customer publishing agency, Archant Dialogue. Mick joins Archant Dialogue from the board of London-based publishing agency Wardour, where he was Publishing Director and worked with world-leading clients in the fields of finance, technology, professional services and tourism. He previously worked for advertising agency owned publishers Publicis Blueprint and Interfocus Publishing, part of the Lowe Howard Spink group. Leading Archant Dialogue, Mick brings a wealth of experience from a rich and varied client portfolio including businesses in the finance sector: HSBC, BNP Paribas, Ernst & Young, and Lloyds TSB; as well as Microsoft, ITV and Visit Britain. Formerly a specialist writer, magazine editor and radio broadcaster, for the past 11 years he has been a successful publishing director at leading multimedia customer publishing agencies in London.

Marketing News: A nationwide search to find the 'Voices of the Races'

Racing for Change, an initiative set up to broaden the appeal of British horseracing, has today announced the launch of a nationwide search to find the 'Voices of the Races'. The chosen 'Voices' could soon become stars in their own right, as they document their racing experiences using the latest in video, photo and blogging technology.

Marketing News: Bigmouthmedia : More than three quarters of the UK's big brands do not understand the value of a visitor via mobile compared to other digital channels

A bigmouthmedia survey has revealed that more than three quarters of the UK's big brands do not understand the value of a visitor via mobile compared to other digital channels. The research, which polled the views of key decision makers at a raft of leading UK companies, shows that despite a significant 89.2% of respondents sharing the belief that mobile marketing will become increasingly important over the next 12 months, very few have fully embraced the channel. Reflecting the uncertainty with which many businesses regard the emerging the field, 70.3% of those surveyed currently don't have any engagement with mobile marketing at all. "We are at a critical point in the evolution of mobile marketing. A growing group of organisations are starting to derive competitive advantage from their early mover status in the channel, yet the vast majority of companies have yet to gauge the impact it is likely to have on their business," said Simon Heyes, Head of International Sales Operation

Marketing News: Christmas is set to include a little more festive fun this year thanks to a new range of lifestyle accessories by Waldo Pancake

Christmas is set to include a little more festive fun this year thanks to a new range of lifestyle accessories by Waldo Pancake. The brightly coloured products are emblazoned with quirky, ironic messages such as 'Snappy slogan goes here' and 'Live. Believe. Worry a bit'. The eccentric range is full of great gifts for him, for her and for anyone that likes a good giggle – t'is the season to be jolly, after all! Home Store your Christmas treats in the tin inscribed with 'Biscuits *unless eaten' and don't forget to use the 'Service not included' apron whilst baking. You can serve eggnog in the range of Waldo Pancake mugs that include phrases such as 'Do ahh after every sip,' 'Tea. Coffee. Spider' and 'Upside down mug design.' Plus, you can use your 'Beach towel for a cat' tea towel for any spillages.

Marketing News: "We're Very You" Radisson Edwardian Hotels

A new advertising campaign for Radisson Edwardian Hotels celebrates both the individuality of the group's twelve London and Manchester city centre hotels and the huge number of regulars who return time after time for a highly personalised service where they feel really cared for. The campaign launched at "heart of the arts" Cork Street - takes the form of portraits of ten of these "regulars" created by up and coming artists. "We've turned the normal "endorsement" campaign on its head," says Linda Plant the hotel group's Marketing Director. "The campaign is less about photographs of our interiors but rather focuses on our guests, demonstrating that we specialise in really knowing them. "Our staff are trained to take a very individual approach to each hotel guest –whether it's their first, or their fiftieth stay with us. "We're Very You" is not so much an advertising slogan, as part of our DNA. It might be as simple as knowing which paper a guest prefers and what kind of breakf

Marketing News: Salon, Bar and in.design Magazines : three new managed lists from Intermedia Global

Intermedia Global is pleased to announce management of three further Corporate Image Media files: the Salon, Bar and in.design Magazines, available via telephone, email and postal. These highly specialist and fully up-to-date files cover key decision-makers within their particular industries appealing to a broad range of companies and complements perfectly our other Corporate Image Media file, Stand Out Magazine.

Marketing News: Ipsos MORI has restructured its operations team : ,Rowland Lloyd ,Jane A'Court and Sarah Michell

Ipsos MORI has restructured its operations team. Rowland Lloyd is promoted to the post of Regional Director, Western Europe and South Africa Operations, while Jane A'Court and Sarah Michell become Joint MDs of Operations in the UK. In his new global position, Lloyd will focus on developing and implementing the firm's international operations strategies. He commenced his career in fieldwork with Millward Brown, and then moved to BMRB as Head of Operations, before joining Ipsos as MD of Operations. In 2008, he was appointed Chairman of the Market Research Society (MRS), having previously chaired the MRS Standards Board. A'Court began her market research career in South Africa, working for Research International in various operations and client services roles. On returning to the UK, she served in operations and client services positions at TNS and GfK NOP, before joining Ipsos MORI in 2004.

Marketing News: Licensingpages® are at stand CO76A in the Advice Centre - Brand Licensing Europe 2010

Please do come and see us at Brand Licensing Europe 2010 from 28th to 30th September 2010 at Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, UK We are at stand CO76A in the Advice Centre. We are offering 1 years Standard Membership to Licensingpages at £60+vat . On 1st October 2010 Standard Membership will be increasing to £83+vat. when we will be adding a new membership benefit.

Marketing News: Dan Hawtrey asks... Why do medical device companies not use the communication techniques that have been proven, refined and perfected by consumer goods companies?

Dan Hawtrey from Content Formula says... A client asked me the other day to provide a cost estimate for some creative work. He wanted a concept that clearly communicates the unique benefit of his product. Something simple, powerful and persuasive. Something like the old Araldite ad with the car stuck to a billboard (ok, we might not come up with something quite as iconic as this but who knows?). This concept would be used on the website, on newsletters and potentially offline too. Nothing strange in that… but then I realised that this request was actually quite unusual. The product in question was a medical device to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospital patients. I thought I'd try and find some other examples of medical devices that use a creative concept to get across their USP. I found very little indeed (there's a list of the best examples below). Most medical device websites launch straight into the product features, often ignoring the benefits. If you're lu

Marketing News: Oita Bank selects SAS® Marketing Automation on Teradata to revitalise its business intelligence capacities

Japan-based Oita Bank has selected SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services, and Teradata (NYSE: TDC), the world's largest company solely focused on data warehousing, to help revitalise its business intelligence capabilities. With the help of SAS Marketing Automation, Teradata Active Enterprise Data Warehouse platform, and the Teradata AccessNavigatorWeb query tool, Oita Bank can store six times the previous volume of data and process that data three times faster to meet ever-changing marketing needs.

Marketing News: Titan launches international comic book site to create sense of community

Leading popular culture publisher, Titan Publishing, launches its new international website www.titanbooks.com on July 21st. The site, created by the leading digital content agency, Zone, represents a step forward in Titan Book's digital strategy, raising the publisher's profile in the digital world. The vibrant new site is designed to more effectively merchandise and showcase much-loved cultural brands including The Simpsons, Supernatural, Batman, Star Wars and Mark Millar's Kick-Ass in more exciting ways such as the use of exclusive content and interactive features. New functionality includes a blog allowing Titan to guide users in their purchasing decisions and for Titan's passionate fan base, to create user generated content. Featured guest blogs will be compiled by authors and experts in the sci-fi and comics arena, such as spoken word artist Scroobius Pip and Zodiac author Robert Graysmith.

Marketing News: Nationwide is Britain's most trusted financial service company according to a new online YouGov survey

Nationwide is Britain's most trusted financial service company according to a new online YouGov survey commissioned by integrated marketing communications agency Baber Smith. The Insight Survey by Baber Smith, which this year explores consumer trust in the retail and financial services (FS) sectors, reveals Nationwide as the most trusted financial services company in Britain with 15% of consumers rating it as one of their top three most trustworthy financial services companies. Co-operative Bank (12%) and Barclays (10%) complete the top three most trusted companies within the FS sector. Northern Rock and Admiral Insurance came out bottom of the survey with just 1% (please see appendix for the full list.)

Marketing News: Responsys and eCommera : Campaigns for major online stores

London, UK – 20 July 2010 – Responsys, a leading provider of on-demand email and cross-channel marketing solutions, today announced it has partnered with eCommera, a leading e-commerce technology and services company. eCommera will use Responsys Interact® Suite to enhance the online trading performance of its customers by delivering the most advanced cross-channel marketing campaigns. The first eCommera customer to use Responsys will be the online store of the London 2012 Olympics. eCommera will use the innovative suite of solutions within the Responsys Interact Suite including Interact Program™ for programme design and automation, Interact Insight™ for marketing reporting and analytics, and Interact Connect™ for data transfer and automation. In addition, Responsys' easy integration with other marketing solutions in eCommera's partner ecosystem including leading web analytics and social commerce technologies will enable the company to deliver more personalised messages, as well

Marketing News: Abandoned? Duncan Bannatyne swaps spreadsheets for spades as he sets about revamping Britain's Seaside Resorts

Dragons' Den star and serial entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne has been accused of abandoning a television seaside regeneration project. The Scottish entrepreneur's show on Virgin 1, Duncan Bannatyne's Seaside Rescue, saw the Dragon attempt to revive struggling UK seaside resorts.

Marketing News: Parallel Project Training appoints Jargon Public Relations

Parallel Project Training, an innovative project management training company accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM), has today appointed Jargon Public Relations as its retained UK public relations agency after a competitive pitch. The brief involves the promotion of public sector and corporate project management training as well as publicising the certified training courses offered by Parallel Project Training. Jargon Public Relations will also promote the Project Management Study Guide, developed and written by Parallel Project Training. The study guide is designed to help individuals preparing for the APMP (Association for Project Management qualification) and explains the APMP Body of Knowledge in simple steps, including sample exam questions and helpful templates

Marketing News: RPM reaches out to 16-24 year old sun worshippers for Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign

RPM has created the Sun Damages campaign, a touring Cancer Research UK roadshow that engages with young people and allows them to see the unseen damage that has been caused to the skin by overexposure to UV given off by the sun and sunbeds. The interactive experience will give Cancer Research UK the opportunity to engage with the hard to reach audience, and is specifically designed to engage with sun-worshipping 16 – 24yr olds on the simple steps they can take to protect their skin from sunburn using shade, clothing and sunscreen.

Marketing News: Qype application : Want to find a new restaurant near you that you'll be sure to love?

A brand new version of the popular, free Qype iPhone application is now available on the App Store, offering users on-the-move recommendations for restaurants, bars, hotels and many more types of businesses based on their likes and dislikes. "This is an exciting development for iPhone users, combining the power of Qype's recommendations with the convenience of mobility," said Stephan Uhrenbacher, Founder & Chairman of Qype. "By using your preferences for places you've already been, the app can suggest similar places near you right away, so you'll easily find bars, restaurants and other businesses you're sure to love, while you're close to home, elsewhere in the UK or even travelling abroad." For the first time, social network enthusiasts will also be able to check-in to places using Qype and publish their whereabouts to their Facebook and Twitter pages, making it easy to share recommendations with friends. The app includes new social features like an activity feed that displa

Marketing News: Ricoh Japan partners with Hotcow to promote the '2010 Ricoh Women's British Open

Ricoh, the Japanese global solutions provider, has appointed Hotcow to handle its experiential marketing campaign around its title sponsorship of the 2010 Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale at the end of July. As part of their marketing activity, a series of initiatives to highlight Ricoh's support for this world class event are being undertaken in the run up to the championship. From 26-30th of July, Broadgate Circle, London will be the main focal point forevents with golf enthusiasts and general members of the public encouraged to swing by and have a shot at a 'Hole-In-One' competition, with winners having the chance to take home a selection of golfing prizes including a top of the range CX3 Ricoh camera, RWBO Caps and golf markers.

Marketing News: Conferences : APA Launches International Content Summit 2010

The APA has announced the launch of the International Content Summit, to be held 24th November 2010. The summit, entitled 'The Power and Future of Content', will be the world's leading conference on branded editorial content. The Summit takes the form of a one-day conference gathering some of the world's leading experts in digital and print to define and discuss the revolutionary concept of 'Content'. The event will bring together international marketers, media leaders and content makers to give unrivalled insight into the industry to both brand marketers and agency professionals alike. An interactive format of roundtables, Q&A sessions will see industry leading lights debate the burning issues of the day. Confirmed speakers to date include David Seers (COI), Ben Hammersley (Wired Magazine), Julia Hobsbawm (CEO Editorial Intelligence), Julie Meyer (CEO Ariadne Capital), Lorna Tilbian (Numis Securities), James Pimentel-Pinto (Agency Mobile), and Susan Aubrey-Cound (M&S)

Marketing News: Intela Appoints Luke Pursey as UK Managing Director

Intela, a leader in online lead generation and email marketing, announces the appointment of Luke Pursey as UK Managing Director. Luke has over 12 years experience in online marketing having previously worked at Webgravity, DealGroupMedia and co-founded Clash-Media in March 2006 where he was MD. Jim Mansfield, CEO of Intela said: "Luke's experience will be invaluable for Intela at a time when the online lead generation market is going through a period of strong growth. "Putting in place a strong director-level team will enable Intela to continue with its growth drive while maintaining its position as field leader. Intela has enjoyed significant year-on-year growth since its launch and the UK remains its biggest country. Luke will play a pivotal role in supporting our expansion," continued Jim Mansfield.

Marketing News: England football team : Total, fcuk and UPS in joint sponsorship deal

The Football Association today proudly unveiled Total, fcuk and UPS as the new sponsors of the England football team. 'The combination of these three corporate giants perfectly captures the ethos of the England side,' said an FA spokesman. 'After all, they had nothing in the tank when it counted, and they've proved themselves to be a bunch of expensive posers who always fail to deliver.'

Marketing News: Usain Bolt has announced he will not compete at August's Aviva London Grand Prix because of Britain's tax laws

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt has announced he will not compete at August's Aviva London Grand Prix because of Britain's tax laws. The 100m and 200m world record holder may not now compete in the UK again until the 2012 Olympics. New regulations mean the 23-year-old Jamaican could lose more money than he would earn from competing at the Crystal Palace Diamond League event. Athletes competing in the UK are liable for a 50% tax rate on their appearance fee as well as a proportion of their total worldwide earnings - which for Bolt, who earns millions from endorsements, could be hugely costly. HM Revenue & Customs won a case in 2006 brought by tennis star Andre Agassi. "I am definitely not going to run [in London]," Bolt told a news conference. Crystal Palace organisers had hoped to stage a three-way showdown between Bolt and his sprint rivals Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay.

Marketing News: Primary market research vs secondary market research: a comparative analysis : Eric Brandenburg

Market research is an essential part of any business plan, whether a fledgling business or a multinational organisation. Knowing that there is a sustainable market for your product and understanding what your audience expects from you is vital to a successful business launch. Market research can generally be split into two categories; primary and secondary, and during this article I will explain both and discuss their respective merits and appropriate uses.

Marketing News: RIP Business Link; gone but happily forgotten : Business Link's demise

According to the survey of 516 entrepreneurs, 61% said the axing of the system which supports SMEs in England is a good decision compared to 39% who believed it is a bad move. Comments posted in response to the study included: "Business Link was run in a misguided way by people who didn't know what they were doing. They were all about looking like they were doing the right thing, rather than actually doing something useful." Another business owner said: " I tendered for a web development project, with search ranking added and they made a complete hash of it. RIP Business Link; gone but happily forgotten." Not all responses were negative however with one entrepreneur saying: "Without our Business Link advisors we would have struggled to have secured training for our staff. I'll miss our advisors and just wonder how the new system will work." Another added: "Having had first hand experience of working with Business Link on a number of projects, I can honestly say that it does

Marketing News: Differencis will unveil its new online advertising format at the London AdTech, September 2010.

Differencis will be on stand 227 with live product demos and presentations of the new ad format which takes a company's website and puts it in a banner. The ad format allows a company to put all its website functionality and content into a banner that is fed live by an API. The result is that ads are easily changed, always up to date and can even allow secure transactions in the banner.

Marketing News: Late Opportunity : A Premier League club is looking for a sponsor for the new season.

A Premier League team is looking for a sponsor for the new season. The club is blessed with one of the largest and most fanatical fan-bases of any sporting institution, and offers exclusivity and a wide range of advertising, promotion and hospitality opportunities for the sponsor of the club. Find out more by calling Will Corry, theMarketingblog at 01784 434 412

Marketing News: Online games publisher We R Interactive launched by production company Bigballs with former Eidos and ITV executives

New venture backed by Peter Mead, Fru Hazlitt and Eric Fellner LONDON, July 2010: We R Interactive, an online games publisher with a mission to revolutionise gaming, has launched this week. It is headed by former PlayStation and Eidos executive David Rose, ex-ITV Interactive Commissioning Editor Oli Madgett and leading Media Analyst Richard Dale. Joining founders David Rose, Oli Madgett and Chairman Richard Dale are two of the Directors of acclaimed production company Bigballs Films, Tom Thirlwall and Chris Kelly. We R Interactive also launches with the backing of Peter Mead, founder of legendary London ad agency Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, and Fru Hazlitt, former Yahoo! and Gcap Media boss, and ITV's new commercial and online director. The founders are committed to a gaming revolution, finally bringing together the film and games industries to develop products the like of which have never been seen before. We R Interactive will take branded content to a whole new l

Marketing News: Social Media Results For PR & Comms: Tried & Tested Social Media Strategies For PR & Comms To Genuinely Engage Audiences

Social Media Results For PR & Comms: Tried & Tested Social Media Strategies For PR & Comms To Genuinely Engage Audiences, Fully Embed & Integrate Social Media Practices & Clearly Demonstrate Real Results A One-Day Conference & Networking Event, 30th November 2010 – Social Media Results Two Separately-Bookable Workshops, 1st December 2010 – AM) Monitoring Tools and PM) Harnessing Twitter www.prsocialmediaconference.com

Marketing News: Tesco Customers To Get New Car Discounts As Inchcape Partnership Revs Up

Tesco Clubcard customers can now obtain significant discounts on new cars following Tesco's decision to form an exclusive arrangement with leading car retailer Inchcape. Tesco's fifteen million Clubcard customers can now use up to £2,000 worth of Clubcard rewards tokens as payment towards a new car. Tokens can currently be used as part payment for a Ford, Toyota or Volkswagen model through Inchcape, the UK's second largest franchise dealer with 126 Retail Centres. Steve Archer, Director of Innovation and Strategy for Inchcape UK, said: "Tesco's Clubcard holders can now obtain incremental discounts on new cars above the level they would be able to get in showrooms.

Marketing News: A custom research panel provides WHSmith with an opportunity to directly engage with their current customers at pace

EasyInsites today announced they are to build and maintain an online custom research panel (EasyPanel) for well-known British retailer WHSmith. Best known for its chain of high street, railway station, airport, hospital and motorway service station shops selling a range of books, stationery, newspapers and magazines, WHSmith has the perfect customer base to use as the source to build a robust consumer panel. The company currently operates a 'Privilege Club' reward system. As a member, customers already receive regular emails, store offers and news. This substantial members' database, will be used as a source for building the EasyPanel initially. The WHSmith panel will be open to other researchers through the EasyExchange, also known as CPX powered by Cint AB. Researchers/sample buyers across the world will be able to go directly to this panel by establishing an account with Cint AB who provides access, or clients can come directly to EasyInsites who can also provide research

Marketing News: The launch of the latest marketing 'vehicle' by logistics firm Palletways

Pan-European logistics provider Palletways has unveiled a new marketing 'vehicle' – the world's biggest hot-air balloon of its kind, a 61ft-tall smoke-breathing dragon. The dragon, which features a giant pallet on its back, is also the only balloon in the UK with a glass bottom 'basket'. The dragon, known as Slick to reflect Palletways highly professional and seamless national and European express distribution services, is taller than an eight-storey building and higher than five elephants standing on each other's shoulders. It has size 116 feet, a wingspan of 14 metres and a 44-metre-long tail – longer than five double-decker buses parked end to end. Advising Palletways Europe GmbH on the design and marketing of the balloon have been Bristol-based JBP Public Relations, Dunwoody Design from Newbury and balloon marketing specialists LSB PR, based in South Wales.

Marketing News: Marketing Week Live! : Visitor numbers climb at the UK's biggest marketing event

Marketing Week Live! came to a close last Wednesday after drawing more than 10,000 marketing professionals to London's Olympia over its two days. In its second year, the UK's largest, fully integrated marketing event grew by 7 per cent on the 2009 show and brought together over 350 exhibitors from across the marketing mix. From specialised data marketing, to global market research companies, the breadth and depth of exhibitors this year put 2009 in the shade. With marketing professionals from some of the biggest brands in the UK and Europe in attendance, exhibitors came away with some major new business leads. With four distinct areas - Data Marketing, In-Store, Insight and Online Marketing - marketers were able to get to the disciplines they were looking for quickly and easily.

Marketing News: How to get five, eight or ten quality 'result driven' articles created for your company in www.themarketingblog.co.uk

It's so easy. We create quality stories for your company which can be published in the 67,000 reach theMarketingblog over a period entirely decided by your marketing needs. We back this up by loading your stories into as many Social Media sites as possible.

Marketing News: Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they'd be more likely to buy a product after receiving a marketing e-mail about it.

Despite all the complaints one hears about e-mail spam, a survey in the U.S. and 12 countries in Europe and Asia/Pacific finds plenty of consumers willing to act on marketing e-mails that catch their fancy. Released this week, the study shows 58 percent of respondents saying an e-mail marketing message has prompted them to make a purchase at an offline store or via a call-center order desk. The survey was commissioned by e-Dialog, a company that provides services to e-mail marketers. Polling was conducted in April among respondents who'd opted in to join consumer online panels in the 13 countries.

Marketing News: Specsavers fires viral depth charge

BRITAIN'S most trusted optician¹ has slipped silently beneath the waves to launch its latest viral marketing campaign. Specsavers has created a 60 second pastiche of Wolfgang Petersen's classic 1980s U Boat epic Das Boot as the latest vehicle for its award winning² 'Should've gone to Specsavers' catchphrase. The subtitled film sees a grim-faced WW11 German submarine crew go to actions stations as they get a bit more than they bargained for. The viral short was directed by Cris Mudge of Mustard and shot on 16mm film at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, in Gosport³. Specsavers Art Director Mark de la Rue explains: 'The script was written about 18 months ago but we didn't present it as we were focusing on other messages at the time. Cris was looking to do something different for a show reel, so we teamed up to create Sub.' The film has a cinematic feel, with the starring whale created using CGI. Specsavers copywriter John Crocker says it was a late decision to include German dia

Marketing News: R&B Group invest in staff

Marketing Manager Kate Lambert sent us this update...Events, Production and Communication specialists, R&B Group welcome new staff at both head office in Newcastle and their Yorkshire branch in Harrogate.

Marketing News: New business : Talk to theMarketingblog today 01784 434 412

New business for you - a five week blast for your company in theMarketingblog designed to get you through to winning the final. Call today - you will be more than pleased with this winning combination (five great articles) theMarketingblog / Social Media package. Will Corry 01784 434 412

Marketing News: UK consumers care most about price when making a purchase

Pan European research from affilinet says UK is the most cost-conscious market in Europe 71 per cent of UK consumers cite price as a key factor when making a purchasing decision 95 per cent of Europeans state that voucher codes do not negatively impact brand perception Nearly half of Europeans find trying products for size a major obstacle when buying online affilinet, the specialist affiliate marketing company, today announces results of a major piece of European research exploring the online purchasing habits of consumers and how they respond to the techniques brands are adopting to better engage with them. UK consumers care most about price when making a purchase 71 per cent of UK consumers marked price as a major factor when making a purchasing decision, ranking the UK as the most cost-conscious market in Europe. In contrast, only half of French consumers (53 per cent) cited price as a major factor, highlighting product features (76 per cent) as the most importan

Marketing News: How you can get more 'pinpointing profit' business with theMarketingblog

Get quality exposure of the 'new proposals' kind for your company with editorialised branded content - theMarketingblog fact sheet

Marketing News: Half of all consumers recently surveyed are interested in buying annual membership packages that provide insurance, travel and lifestyle benefits

73% of consumers interested in annual membership packages are getting away: Half of all consumers recently surveyed are interested in buying annual membership packages that provide insurance, travel and lifestyle benefits, when informed that these would be priced significantly below market value compared to purchasing the individual benefits alone. Such memberships are proven to boost customer retention, and the new research carried out by incremental revenue specialists Collinson Latitude, confirms an untapped consumer need. In today's fierce commercial environment, businesses across every sector need to establish what their customers value and how to adapt their brand offering to become relevant to every aspect of their customers' lives. Offering annual membership packages is a highly effective way of increasing consumer involvement and maximising the revenue generated from your wider customer base.

Marketing News: Here's a great new idea for you : The awesome promotion that Wheat Thins launched

By now you've hopefully seen the awesome promotion that Wheat Thins launched the other day, which is already approaching a quarter of a million views! Some people began to wonder if the piece was staged, and that maybe the Wheat Thins recipient didn't actually tweet about Wheat Thins...

Marketing News: Skillweb : Streamlining the home delivery process with the launch of a text and email alert tool

Skillweb is set to streamline the home delivery process with the launch of a text and email alert tool which can automatically update the consumer on the progress of a parcel including when a consignment is 30 minutes away.

Marketing News: Business People Urged To Be More Vigilant With Their Online Profiles

Nearly half of key decision makers in the UK do not proactively manage their online reputation according to new research by Profiled.com. 44 per cent of business people said that they didn't take any measures to control the information available about them on the internet leaving their reputation open to interpretation from others. Surprisingly, Brits are keeping pace with tech savvy Americans when it comes to online reputation management, with the latest research coming out of the US by Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life project showing that 57 per cent of adult internet users admitted to 'Googling' themselves compared with 56 per cent in the UK survey. However, Steve Wainwright, chief executive of Profiled.com, a website that helps business professionals manage their online reputations, says that British business people are still not doing enough to control their online profile.

Marketing News: Delighted to be appointed by the Welsh Assembly

It is a great day at d2 Digital today, we are delighted to have been selected by the Welsh Assembly to deliver Creative Execution, Education & Training Materials under its new digital framework. Congratulations to the other agencies who have also been appointed to the roster for the next three years, we're certainly looking forward to cracking on. Digital work with a positive social goal? That's right up our street...

Marketing News: Tide Basic - Test stopped after almost 1 Year

Procter & Gamble Co. is no longer making Tide Basic, the cheaper version of Tide it started testing during the recession. According to P&G the test on Tide Basic ended recently, but the company declined to comment on why it has stopped making the product or what its findings from the test were. The company is, however, in the process of reformulating many of its existing Tide varieties to improve the product performance. It is not clear, if the basic range cannibalized too much of the existing regular range or if the concept is not needed any longer. Basic Tide powder cost 20 percent less than regular Tide but lacked the latest cleaning technologies. P&G was testing it as a way to keep budget-strapped customers from defecting to store brands and other cheaper competitors during the recession. When P&G announced the Tide Basic test about a year ago, there were concerns that by launching a lower-priced version of a premium brand it risked cannibalizing its own sales.

Marketing News: Leading companies to debate future of marketing at Coventry University Conference

This summer IBM, Ricoh, Emirates and Seven Trent Water will come together to debate the future of marketing. As part of the Academy of Marketing Annual Conference, held by Coventry University (6th-8th July, 2010) there will be a Roundtable discussion based around the conference theme of Transformational Marketing. This discussion will cover areas such as corporate social responsibility and environmental marketing. The Roundtable discussion, held on the 7th July 2010, will be chaired by entrepreneur and star of the BBC's Dragons' Den business show, Rachel Elnaugh.

Marketing News: Charles Tyrwhitt tailors data quality initiative with Experian QAS

Experian QAS today announces that it is working with Charles Tyrwhitt, the fine menswear retailer, to improve its contact data management strategy. The deal supports the retailer's increasingly multichannel approach, helping to ensure customer contact details are accurate and validated for Charles Tyrwhitt's offices in the UK, US and Germany. Charles Tyrwhitt has implemented a range of products from Experian QAS's to help meet growth targets that forecast sales of £55 million in 2010. The company's menswear range, which includes formal shirts, suits and ties, is currently sold through a combination of 12 European retail outlets, a call centre and a dedicated website. At the front-end, QAS software is used to add accurate data to its database for order fulfillment and future marketing communications. In the UK, it is also used to cross-reference customer addresses against the edited Electoral Roll to verify that a person claiming to live at a given address actually lives there.

Marketing News: Book now for Retail Fraud - on the road from Retail Knowledge

With outstanding speakers, fantastic networking, an interesting venue and not a broken tube line in sight delegate feedback was outstanding for our first Retail Fraud - on the road conference, and so for 2010 we are back again at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester with an even bigger event!

Marketing News: ad:tech London : Now Apple's latest progeny has been officially launched in the UK, what are the marketing implications for search, advertising and your website?

We have lift off! Apple has released the iPad in the UK and with it the arrival of the first legitimate wave of tablet devices. Two million have already been sold in the first two months of release. Earlier this year I wrote the report a report on tablet advertising called: "Tabvertising: the advertising and marketing opportunities on the iPad and other tablets". Here, I'll summarise the report's implications and opportunities for what tablets and the iPad offer in terms of display advertising, video, social media and search. One of the first conclusions of the Tabvertising report is that search will, understandably, play just as important a role on tablets as it does on any other internet ready device. For ad:Tech I have decided to focus and explore the search opportunity on the iPad in a little more detail than the report went into.

Marketing News: Internet Advertising Bureau at ad:tech London : The three Ps of online lead generation: The past, the present and the plan

Online lead generation has a dubious background and with good cause -- In the past campaigns have been short-sighted, generating high volumes of leads but without substance. Here, we look at how to do it properly to get long-term quality results. The U.K. online lead generation (OLG) market is building up momentum -- fast! At the IAB, we formed a small group consisting of OLG specialists in 2008 (Goallover, Dianomi, Magnetise Group and LeadPoint). The aim was to use the expertise around the table to create educational material about OLG and how to use it successfully. Since then we have created four white papers and are about to release a buyer's guide for advertisers. The IAB OLG Council now has 26 member companies and has some big plans for the future. Although this channel is growing and education is still at the forefront of the IAB's mission, it is important to take and step back to see how it has evolved.

Marketing News: Will King talks to ad:tech London about tweeting, Harrods and a £200m turnover by 2012

Will King founded King of Shaves in 1993 with the aim of selling shaving oils that would combat remedy razor rash. His brand is now stocked in around 30,000 shops in countries from around the world, including the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Despite his success he must have been nervous entering into a market that was already clearly dominated by the big boys, Gillette and Wilkinson Sword? "It was intimidating, in terms of us entering the market we had to come up with something different. We had to market it with a personality." King is no stranger to personalising his products – his company is named after him. He has a personal blog www.shave.com and is a regular on the Twitter circuit. When comedian Dom Joly recently tweeted about looking for a new razor, King of Shaves' fans tweeted that he should contact King. He did and King tweeted back personally and sent Joly a razor in the post. Now there's consumer advocacy. "I call it C-to-C marketing (consumer-

Marketing News: ADTECH : traffic figures for European World Cup websites dropped by up to 20 percent during each countries first two games

ADTECH has revealed in a survey that traffic figures for European websites are, on average, dropping by up to 20 percent during each countries first two games and by up to 30 percent in their third games of the FIFA World Cup tournament. In contrast, US websites are dropping by just 3-5 percent during its own games, which could be attributed to time difference and different viewing habits than in Europe and the rest of the world. European banner figures underline the fact that European football viewers still prefer to cheer their teams through matches in front of their televisions or at public viewings than across the Internet. When the group stage is finished and the games move onto the first knock out stage, ADTECH predicts the industry will see drops of more than 50 percent in web traffic. It is expected that this may go even higher as the games intensify.

Marketing News: RPM has been tasked with managing and implementing E.ON's experiential strategy

E.ON, one of the UK's leading energy suppliers, has appointed RPM as its experiential marketing partner to help shape its direct to consumer strategy. RPM has been tasked with managing and implementing E.ON's experiential strategy and will kick off this activity with the 'Talking Energy Live' tour, where members of the public are invited to talk about energy and the issues that matter to them most. The events will see a number of organisations from the fields of energy efficiency and fuel poverty, as well as those from the political arena, sit alongside E.ON, to help answer people's energy-related questions. Philippa Forrester, leading conservationist and TV presenter, will host the sessions where customers will be invited to pose questions to a panel of experts on what concerns them the most about energy in the UK.

Marketing News: Ciao has revamped its mobile shopping channel

Shopping community Ciao has revamped its mobile shopping channel, as the Microsoft- owned firm looks to expand into the growing smartphone channel. The new optimised offering enables users of most smartphone handsets to take Ciao in their pocket, getting the most competitive deals whilst out on the high street and reading thousands of user reviews wherever they may be. The update has just launched in the UK and is expected to be rolled out in all Ciao countries over the coming six months and additional functionality is also expected. Commenting on the announcement, Sebastian Roehrich, Group Manager of Ciao Commerce Division said: "From the staggering uptake that we have experienced since our initial launch last year, it's clear that consumers are increasingly using their mobile to make purchasing decisions. We want to empower the user by giving them all of the information that they need to make the right decision, wherever they may be."

Marketing News: Augmented Reality iPhone app will set the benchmark for the UK's largest marketing event

Ground breaking iPhone app sets the benchmark for the UK's largest marketing event The first ever augmented reality iPhone app, designed exclusively for a live exhibition, is being launched in conjunction with this year's Marketing Week Live (MWL2010) at Kensington Olympia, from 29th – 30th June.. This new app will enable visitors at MWL2010 to keep up-to-date with real-time feeds and provides a wealth of practical information on exhibitors and itineraries. Furthermore, augmented reality geotagging offers detailed information on the best places to grab post-exhibition dinner, drinks and hotels. Combining image recognition with augmented reality, the revolutionary MWL2010 iPhone app is packed with the latest digital technology. The app's image recognition function enables visitors to source exhibitors' Twitter feeds, websites and contact numbers, simply by pointing their iPhone at the exhibitor's logos.

Marketing News: ASDA : 'Make a Save'puts you in the position of a world class goalkeeper

A new online advergame for ASDA. A football game for all the family! A great, addictive penalty shoot- out game! Try to stop as many balls as possible over 7 rounds of 5 penalty kicks. Control the goalie with your mouse. Click on him, drag and release your mouse in the direction you want him to jump. Watch out for curve balls and different ASDA products used as footballs. (cuddly toys, beach balls and turnips!) It is called 'Make a Save' and it puts you in the position of a world class goalkeeper.

Marketing News: adidas continue to support British Basketball through to 2014

Global sports apparel manufacturer adidas has shown its support to British Basketball by agreeing to continue its association as the Official Apparel Partner through to 2014. This agreement will see all GB teams playing in adidas kit at all major championships for the next 4 years. British Basketball, who also recently secured deals with Butlin's Holiday Camps and IT equipment provider Hire Intelligence, were thrilled with the agreement and James Tombs, Head of Commercial and Business Operations for British Basketball commented, "We are delighted that adidas will continue their commitment to British Basketball as the Official Apparel Partner for a further 4 years. Since adidas became our partner in 2008 the Standard Life Great Britain team has continued to impress on the European stage and we look forward to working proactively with adidas in the build up to London 2012 and beyond."

Marketing News: Sponsors shun France after World Cup meltdown

Financial services company Credit Agricole and fast-food company Quick have suspended ad campaigns based around the French national football team, and other sponsors have expressed dismay after the turmoil in the team's World Cup camp over the weekend.Reuters reports that Credit Agricole cancelled a television campaign featuring the team, and Quick stopped using an advertising film featuring Nicolas Anelka, who has been sent home from the World Cup after a row with the team's management. Utilities company GDF Suez said it would review its sponsorship of the team, which is supposed to run until 2014, after the World Cup. "We will certainly, once the World Cup is over, discuss the form of this partnership. You must know that for 100 euros given to the Federation, 70 euros go to non-professional soccer," a spokeswoman for the company said.

Marketing News: Future Constructor and Architect Magazine file now available from Intermedia Global

Intermedia Global are pleased to announce management of the Future Constructor and Architect Magazine file, available via telephone, email and postal. This highly selectable database covers key decision-makers within the construction and architectural industry. The list will appeal to a broad range of companies and is an excellent direct channel to the UK's foremost architect decision-makers. Along with principal, senior and associate architects, other job titles include: estimator, site manager, surveyor, purchaser, contracts manager and project manager all in small, medium and large organisations. This list would be suitable for anyone trying to reach contacts responsible for purchasing or influencing purchasing behaviour of others.

Marketing News: "Photography for us is the hook" : SteelMaster found that social networks like Twitter and Facebook gives it exposure

As a manufacturer of prefabricated steel buildings, SteelMaster was initially hesitant to get involved in social media. "It's steel buildings," explains Michelle Wickum, director of marketing for the US company. "How is that going to tie to Facebook? It doesn't make a lot of sense, but when we looked at the growth in Facebook and social media, we felt we had to get our arms around it." About a year ago, SteelMaster put its first toe into the social media water. The company discovered two important applications for their business. First, they found that Facebook is an excellent way to post pictures of customers' steel buildings. Not only do the pictures engage existing customers — they also demonstrate to prospective customers the range of uses for SteelMaster buildings. "Photography for us is the hook," Michelle explains. Perhaps more importantly, SteelMaster found that social networks like Twitter and Facebook gives it exposure to and create demand in specific verticals where

Marketing News: England will progress to the semi finals to be knocked out by eventual winning finalists Brazil.

With the FIFA World Cup 2010 now well underway, Experian has used its economists to predict who is most likely to win the World Cup and explore how marketers and brands in the UK may have to adapt to the potential prospect of an all-South American final. Experian's economists have simulated the World Cup tournament match by match, by creating a statistical model incorporating a number of factors including FIFA rankings, home country and home continent effects, and controlling for football confederation effects in the FIFA rankings, to calculate the probability of a win in each match in the draw. The company simulated the tournament 10,000 times to produce the most likely outcomes. Based on this model, England will progress to the semi finals to be knocked out by eventual winning finalists Brazil. Brazil will wind up World Cup winners beating Argentina to lift the trophy for the sixth time. The prospect of an all South American final does have some implications for those

Marketing News: Content on the web will double every 72 hours

Content on the web will double every 72 hours. We will no longer be enough to find what we are looking for. To satisfy the people's hunger for great content on any topic imaginable, there will need to be a new category of individual working online. Someone whose job it is not to create more content, but to make sense of all the content that others are creating. To find the best and most relevant content and bring it forward. The people who choose to take on this role will be known as Content Curators.

Marketing News: ForeSee Results has introduced a tool to enable clients to understand the impact of their social media marketing on revenue

US customer satisfaction measurement firm ForeSee Results has introduced a tool to enable clients to understand the impact of their social media marketing on revenue. Last year, ForeSee launched CS SessionReplay, which records what web site visitors are seeing and doing online in a real-time movie format. The firm's new 'Social Media Value Calculation' system uses methodology created by the University of Michigan, to link influences on customer visits to a web site, store or call center, with what they actually spend. Using methodology already provided by ForeSee surveys, the system can uncover what influenced a customer, and link this information to behavioral data tracking how much that customer did or didn't spend. In turn, this can be tied to other business-specific outcomes, such as opening a new account, signing up for a newsletter, requesting more information, etc. 'Linking what drove a customer to visit with what they actually spent or did as a result allows

Marketing News: Procter & Gamble and Dry Max : Facing a social media-fueled fire that is starting to burn,

Procter & Gamble, facing a social media-fueled fire that is starting to burn, is now budgeting emergency marketing funds, the Wall Street Journal reports today, to extinguish the furore over its Pampers Dry Max diaper brand. A month after mommy bloggers started hounding P&G on popular social media sites, the criticism continues with moms complaining the new diapers lead to rashes and are prone to leaks. Will P&G's new marketing moves be enough to avoid a nasty PR burn? Last month, we reported that P&G's marketing response to a mommy blogger-driven social media attack on its Pampers Dry Max was a big success. But it's clear the moms still aren't happy. They are storming the parent discussion forums such as Mumsnet, complaining of diapers that last just one hour or to Facebook calling P&G out for its failure to address the problems (and even its perceived apathy towards its customers). To hear the protests, it sounds as if moms have had enough. As one writes on Pampers Facebook page

Marketing News: VisitBritain launches new interactive travel website

VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, has today launched a ground-breaking new website that gives customers from around the world a unique opportunity to be inspired to come to Britain. VisitBritain.com will be VisitBritain's main platform for communicating with its customers, focusing on serving up dynamic and personalised content tailored to the country the visitor comes from and written in their language. The site is a key part of VisitBritain's innovative digital strategy using social media, online content and mobiles to enthuse potential visitors to Britain. With 95% user generated image content throughout, the engaging new version of visitbritain.com will provide an immersive, multilingual online experience, including the latest social media platforms and magazine-style travel features which will showcase the wonderful experiences Britain has to offer the overseas visitor.

Marketing News: Ignis opts for new Web Content Management platform to create multiple European sites

SDL, the leading provider of Global Information Management solutions, today announced that it has added Ignis Asset Management to its string of new business wins following the news that the asset management company has purchased its Web Content Management solution (WCM)and Archive Manager system to help launch its European expansion programme.

Marketing News: Experian Hitwise identifies the brands topping the World Cup sponsorship league

South African Airways tops the list for the w/e June 12th Heineken in second place; beer companies make up 4 of the top 5 performers 12-fold increase in searches for England goalkeeper Robert Green 13% increase in UK Internet visits to Gambling websites 1 in every 144 UK Internet searches currently World Cup related London, 15 June 2010 - Experian Hitwise, the leading online competitive intelligence service, today reveals that South African Airways was the brand that benefited most from its sponsorship of the FIFA Football World Cup last week. UK Internet searches for the South African Airways brand (one of the South African team's official sponsors) increased by 129.2% between the week ending June 5th and the week ending June 12th. South African Airways' Experian Hitwise World Cup Brands Index score increased from 109 for the week ending June 5th to 250 for the week ending June 12th.

Marketing News: On4 enables retailers to instantly set up and run their online business and process both e- and m- commerce payments using VoicePay

Voice Commerce have announced the launch of On4, the first e-commerce platform with VoicePay® capability and a fully integrated m-commerce application. Aimed at new and existing on-line retailers, the innovative On4 system is easy to use, highly customisable and enables both e- and m- commerce from the same store front, incorporating an instant merchant account for processing payments and card transactions. A step by step process allows retailers to quickly set up and build a fully functioning store that will process Level 1 PCI compliant payments through the Voice Transact Payment Network. As well as accepting Visa, MasterCard and American Express payments, retailers can also automatically deploy the VoicePay® biometric payment system to process secure mobile payments. The patented VoicePay® network guarantees all payments made on an individual e-account against fraud or personal information loss and offers a simple and secure way for e-retailers to process any type of e-money tran

Marketing News: You've been on LinkedIn for months and you haven't gotten one shred of business

You've been on LinkedIn for months and you haven't gotten one shred of business … except maybe a few inquiries here and there that didn't pan out; a couple nibbles from companies that were wrong for you; and those endless MLM offers you won't even consider. That leaves you wondering what all the fuss is about. Who are all these people who claim they have gotten new, profitable business on LinkedIn? Bad news: It's not LinkedIn. It's you.

Marketing News: Mindspace : How to get an important guide to online audio focus groups from Clare Wade

Qualitative market research agency Mindspace provides in-depth customer insight using Online Audio focus groups and depth interviews. Respondents take part in the research from their own homes via a pc link to the moderator's screen and at the same time talk together on the phone. The moderator uses the screen to show concepts, visuals, websites or whatever materials are required, and guides the conversation just as you would in a face-to-face group. It's highly effective, flexible and convenient and a major addition to our repertoire of qualitative research methodologies.

Marketing News: The 7 Biggest Internet Marketing Mistakes UK Businesses Are Unwittingly Making

Thousands of UK businesses are struggling to attract new prospects and customers because they are committing deadly marketing errors on their websites - losing out on leads, sales and profits. Lee Gilbert says, "If your business has struggled to make the internet work and want to turn that around right now, the '7 Biggest Internet Marketing Mistakes'" is just what you've been looking for. Internet Marketing Expert Lee Gilbert, known by many as "The Serious Players' Webmaster", is now giving away his recently published Special Report '7 Biggest Internet Marketing Mistakes' You can't just create a website and hope people will flock to it. It needs to be marketed, shown to the right people in the right places, and developed so that it is exactly what your target audience is thirsting for. This 'hot-off-the-press' FREE special report by the UK's leading Internet Marketing Consultancy is perfect for maximizing your results and minimizing your mistakes in

Marketing News: Gary Savage is the MD of Mercedes-Benz Cars

Gary Savage is to take over from Dermot Kelly as managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars at the end of June 2010. Kelly is retiring. Savage, 48, was most recently managing director of Citroen UK, which he only joined a year ago on 16 June. His appointment at the French company, which was unusual for a Brit, followed the promotion of Xavier Duchemin to head of marketing and communications in Paris. Savage has a wealth of UK and European sales experience, having been most recently head of marketing and brand development for Audi in Russia. Previously in the UK he held a variety of senior roles including head of sales and marketing within Volkswagen group's UK operations along with senior positions in Seat and Audi, where he was head of operations for Audi UK.

Marketing News: Digital content agency Zone has been appointed by Coca-Cola to re-launch www.coca-cola.co.uk

Digital content agency Zone has been appointed by Coca-Cola to re-launch www.coca-cola.co.uk, its main corporate digital presence in the UK. The new website, which launches in Beta today, will replace a number of existing websites with a single digital hub, creating a comprehensive source of information for consumers, media contacts and stakeholders. The site will host multi-media content about Coca-Cola Great Britain and the company's range of brands, including text, videos, photography, tools and applications. The new site launch is the first milestone Coca-Cola's digital corporate communication strategy, which is focused on engaging with mums who are responsible for key household purchasing decisions. Zone's remit includes distributing content and functionality beyond the Coca-Cola website, using social media to engage with the target audience in innovative and interactive environments.

Marketing News: Starbucks arrives in South Africa in time for the soccer World Cup 2010

What do coffee and the soccer World Cup have in common? As of today... Starbucks. Thats right. Starbucks has grabbed a golden opportunity to increase sales and spread brand awareness globally. The Seattle-based company will serve its coffee in select Southern Sun Hotels and Tsogo Sun Casinos in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Starbucks Coffee International has entered a foodservice agreement with Emperica Marketing (Pty), Ltd. to "caffeinate" soccer fans through its We Proudly Brew Starbucks coffee program.

Marketing News: ON24, Inc., announces the opening of new offices in Paris, France, and Hamburg, Germany.

ON24, Inc., the global leader in webcasting and virtual event solutions, announced today the opening of new offices in Paris, France, and Hamburg, Germany. With an established presence in London, the new offices will enable ON24 to more effectively and efficiently meet customer needs in the growing European virtual events market and provide local support for global clients, enhancing the support provided by European partners. In addition, ON24 is further strengthening its European market presence with new multi-language product capabilities. "Global expansion is a key component of our value proposition and growth strategy," said ON24 CEO Sharan Sharat. He stressed that ON24 is committed to further developing the European virtual events market by offering innovative virtual communication solutions and dedicated local support teams. "Our goal is to expand globally through a regional focus." Recent product innovations include ON24 Virtual Show multi-language support, with simultaneous,

Marketing News: A very different World Cup offer. We are convinced England will win the World Cup in SA

A very different World Cup offer. We are convinced England will win the World Cup in SA. So much so that we are prepared to create a special Marketingblog story for your company each week that England stays in the running. That should be seven weeks. You get different success stories appearing each week going out to our 70,000 reach. The objective : Results! Getting more new business. There is the very best of tracking so that you get a full reader results report each time for your people to capitalise on. All of this comes in at a very low pre - arranged fixed cost which will not rock your marketing budget. There's only one spot now available (the rest have gone) so call Will Corry 01784 434 412 to secure it. So here are the best of the recent stories in theMarketingblog

Marketing News: Baidu and Symbian Foundation Co-Establish Joint Laboratory

Baidu, the world's largest Chinese search engine provider, and the Symbian Foundation, the non-profit organization responsible for the world's leading open source smartphone platform, today announced a strategic initiative where the two parties will co-establish a joint laboratory to stimulate the development and launch of wireless "box computing" tightly integrated with the Symbian platform. Combining Symbian's wireless expertise in smartphone platforms and Baidu's R&D strength in search engines, the two will drive the joint development, integration and launch of wireless "box computing" within the Symbian platform architecture. This will enable application and web developers to incorporate robust search functionality into their applications and leverage this 'platform within a platform' to expand the Symbian/Baidu ecosystem, bringing new applications and user experiences to Symbian devices and extending the reach of Baidu in the mobile marketplace.

Marketing News: Waitrose scoops the top prize of the night

Last night's Marketing Society Awards for Excellence saw Waitrose scoop the top prize of the night, the highly coveted Grand Prix. The award was won for the year's best demonstration of marketing excellence – for its essential Waitrose brand. In spite of concern that a 'entry level offer from Waitrose would undermine its premium credentials, essential Waitrose found exactly the right tone for its customers. A bold marketing initiative, strong product offering and a stylish brand identity, delivered the most impressive results in Waitrose's history. The success of the brand perception has translated into commercial results. essential now accounts for 16% of total sales, with sales of products within it running on average 17% ahead of previous levels. Commenting on the awards, Hugh Burkitt, Chief Executive of the Marketing Society, said: "What really stood out for the judges was the skill with which essential Waitrose has offered consumers an everyday option for shopping bask

Marketing News: mindspace : What online audio groups are really good for

What online audio groups are really good for •Pre-testing creative work, direct mail, all written materials Respondents can see the work really clearly on their screens and focus in on the detail. •Website usability The moderator gives control of the screen to a respondent and observes and chats through the way they use a website. •Developing and piloting questionnaires The respondent is asked to give a commentary on how they find answering a questionnaire, which is edited as they go. •Qualitative Panels The ease of access to the sample means that the same respondents can be brought in on a repeat basis to take part in group or individual sessions.

Marketing News: "It's bonkers to pay people so much money just to set out the desks." 20,000 pounds paid to an interior designing firm

The 2012 London Olympics chiefs have shelled out 20,000 pounds to an interior designing firm, Pringle Brandon, that tells them where to put desks in their offices. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has paid Pringle Brandon around 5,000 pounds a year for four years for its advice on how to divide up open-plan workspaces, and where it would be best to put desks. "These payments date back to 2006 when the ODA was first established. The payment was made for work on the configuration of our offices in Canary Wharf," The Daily Star quoted an ODA spokesman, as saying. Meanwhile, Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, slammed the decision and said: "It's bonkers to pay people so much money just to set out the desks."

Marketing News: Topps Tiles in a row with floorings retailer Floors-2-Go

Topps Tiles has become embroiled in a row with floorings retailer Floors-2-Go over allegations that an email was circulated by a Topps employee making allegations about Floors-2-Go's performance. A Topps Tiles staffer, believed to be junior, is thought to have made the suggestions in the email to other employees. Floors-2-Go director Michael Coleman said: "We will be suing them for damages and costs. It was a major attack on our business. Our lawyers are instructed to issue proceedings against Topps Tiles in respect of unlawful actions of Topps Tiles." Topps Tiles chief executive Matt Williams said: "We did have communication with Floors-2-Go last week. We responded to it and consider the matter dealt with."

Marketing News: Headshift is delighted to be the Title Sponsor of this year's Social Media Influence Conference on 22nd June at the London Marriot Hotel, Mayfair

With a view to continuing conversations around Social Business (from our Social Business Summit back in March) Headshift is delighted to be the Title Sponsor of this years Social Media Influence Conference on 22nd June at the London Marriot Hotel, Mayfair. The event will bring together industry leaders from Dell, PepsiCo, Sony, Starbucks, Omnicon, Brew, The Guardian, London 2012 - to name a few. For the full list of speakers of the day please see here. The Social Media Influence Conference is one of the longest established conferences on Social Business and always prove to be educational, thought provoking and an excellent occasion to network. The speaker list this year speaks for itself, and looks to make this conference the most successful yet. Tho conference is run by Social Media Influence, a portal for business professionals whose industry reports and best practice white papers on Social Media provide invaluable insights into the world of online communication.

Marketing News: ITV : former GCap CEO Fru Hazlitt to be MD of newly-combined commercial and online operations

ITV's new CEO Adam Crozier is doing a significant restructure, bringing in former GCap CEO Fru Hazlitt to be MD of newly-combined commercial and online operations. She's effectively replacing outgoing commercial MD Rupert Howell and online MD Ben McOwen Wilson, who is also now leaving. Crozier: "We need to get better at exploiting our brands fully across all platforms and reducing our reliance on a single volatile revenue stream." Hazlitt says she wants to "effectively leverage the content so that it has multi-platform appeal and functionality".

Marketing News: Design Inc. UK : Olympic marketing – be careful what you say!

With 850 days to go til the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, many companies have planned their marketing and advertising strategies. The closer we get to the event, we will inevitably see more and more advertising by brands and companies hopingto associate themselves with such a sensational & prestigious event. But businesses should bear in mind that a legal minefield awaits the unwary, and it's crucial to get the publicity just right. The Olympic organisers and 'official partners' have invested heavily to create the event, and the law aims to protect that investment and the value of licensing deals.

Marketing News: Differencis : The Ad banner as a signpost has had its day and rich media has pointed advertisers towards the alternative possibilities

Differencis allows online display, classified ads and affiliate ads to contain any or all of a company's existing web functionality and content and even brings additional functionality via a range of plug-ins as part of the ads own CMS.

Marketing News: How to create a social media survival plan that works

Is it survival time for your company thats the question you must ask? "Social networks have a powerful impact on your business. But few businesses are able to focus the appropriate resources on monitoring those networks, or manage the content supplied to them. We can manage your social networks for you" Manchester United survived after selling Christiano Ronaldo, Juventus survived after selling Zidane, and Arsenal will survive after selling Fabregas.

Marketing News: TORA : 60% Of Fans Think England Can Win The World Cup

Passions run high as World Cup 2010 approaches Brazil most feared opponents. Crisps and lager top the armchair menu The English football team heads off to South Africa in fine form and with expectations set to soar, but fans are keeping their optimism in check. 60% of us in England agree with the statement 'my country has a good chance of winning the World Cup', but that's some way behind Brazil, where 94% of their supporters are confident of winning a sixth World Cup crown. 76% of German fans are confident too. French fans may believe their team needs a helping hand, as just 32% of them are confident of winning the Cup. The findings are part of a survey of 1224 football fans from England, France, Germany, the USA, South Africa and Brazil, conducted by The Oxford Research Agency (TORA). The report entitled World Cup 2010: from Brasilia to Blackburn, Berlin to Baltimore, examined the way in which fans will watch the forthcoming tournament, along with their superstitions, ri

Marketing News: Bailey's hands £40m account to BBH

Bailey's has appointed Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) to handle its £40m global advertising account as part of a shake-up of its global marketing strategy. The Diageo-owned drinks brand hired BBH as its lead creative agency after what the drinks giant labelled 'a comprehensive review of Bailey's global advertising'. BBH pitched against Diageo roster agencies AMV-BBDO, Saatchi & Saatchi and Mother to handle the account for the Irish liqueur brand.

Marketing News: Smoking Gun PR finds its perfect BBQ

Look out for Nando's marinaded steaks and veggie kebabs being fired your way soon!

Marketing News: New Johnston Press ad campaign planned and bought by Feather Brooksbank

Johnston Press is kicking off a four-month ad campaign to extend the reach of its Scotsman.com/jobs recruitment site. The campaign, which has been planned and bought by Feather Brooksbank, will run across a number of media, including radio, outdoor, online, search, print and email. The ad campaign has been created by 60 Watt. The campaign will initially target the Edinburgh and Lothian area, before being rolled out across the rest of Scotland.

Marketing News: Chemistry has created a striking and colourful ambient campaign that will dominate the exterior of Birmingham International Airport for a whole year

Emirates Airline has launched a striking year-long campaign, which dominates the exterior of Birmingham International Airport. The campaign, by Chemistry Communications, promotes Emirates' twice daily services from Birmingham to exotic destinations in Africa, Australia, China, the Far East and Dubai. It targets people who visit the airport but may not be aware of the variey of flights available to them with Emirates. The two Birmingham AirRail Link trains, which run along a 585m long monorail track every two minutes between Birmingham International Airport's passenger terminals and the airport rail station, have been completely wrapped, internally and externally, with designs featuring icons relating to each region. Complementary footage is also displayed on digital screens in each train.

Marketing News: The very best of the stories from theMarketingblog

Enjoy the best of theMarketingblog. If you want your story to appear here call or email Will Corry 01784 434 412 will@themarketingblog.co.uk

Marketing News: CHEWIE READY TO ROAR WHEN ENGLAND SCORE!

As football fever grips the country, kids' confectionery brand Chewits has announced that it will sponsor Match magazine's World Cup fantasy football game. The deal will see Chewits secure a World Cup video blog from South Africa and be the official brand partner for the magazine's fantasy football game which is expected to have over 50,000 players. The objective is to strengthen Chewits' growing online fanbase and help the brand reach a key audience of boys aged 6-16. Chewie, the brand's iconic dinosaur, will have his own fantasy football team, playing against Chipmunk's, Tinchy Stryder's, Anthony Quinlan's (who plays Gilly in Hollyoaks) and Ross Millard's (from The Futureheads) own dream teams.

Marketing News: Chris Savage appointed as MD by Callcredit Marketing Solutions

Today Callcredit Information Group announced that Caroline Worboys will be leaving the Group and Chris Savage will become Managing Director of Callcredit Marketing Solutions on June 1st. Chris joined Callcredit in June 2009 as Corporate Development Director and played a key part in the MBO of Callcredit in December 2009, which was backed by private equity firm Vitruvian Partners. Prior to Callcredit he had leadership roles in credit management services and credit information services businesses, including over 20 years with Experian where he was Managing Director of its Marketing Services business. John McAndrew CEO of Callcredit Information Group said "Chris joined us at an exciting stage and has made a big impact in a short time. His experience and enthusiasm are just what we need to capitalise on the opportunities we have as a growth oriented business.

Marketing News: Zinio App Extends its Buy-Once-Read-Anywhere UNITY Platform to iPad with International Rollout

Zinio, a global leader in digital publishing technology and services, has extended its top-rated U.S. app for iPad and today announced localised versions to enhance reading experiences in a customised manner. Designed to create a high-definition experience for reading fans to explore, enjoy and buy content once and read anywhere, the Zinio App will provide access to more than 2,500 full-colour magazines, worldwide. Starting today, iPad is available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. The free Zinio App offers popular magazines ranging from Wallpaper* and T3 to MacUser and HELLO, all leveraging the iPad's Multi-Touch display and extending the pay-once-read-anywhere ZINIO UNITY™ reading platform. This approach uniquely allows readers to pay once for a magazine subscription or single issue, which then can be accessed cross-platform, including the iPad, iPhone or Mac.

Marketing News: ITV is parting company with managing director of brand and commercial Rupert Howell

ITV is parting company with managing director of brand and commercial Rupert Howell. Howell is stepping down from his position on 1 June. His departure comes shortly after the arrival of new ITV chief executive Adam Crozier and the appointment of Peter Finch as director of ITV and online.

Marketing News: Research : Omniture Debuts Social Media Measure

Online analytics firm Omniture has launched its social media display advertising solution, SearchCenter Plus, which allows marketers to measure, manage and optimize targeted display advertising buys on Facebook. It also released EMEA results from a survey of marketers' new media usage and ROI capability. The new release aims to improve clients' understanding of how social media users are engaging with their content, and allow them to capture rich, demographic segment data and target high-value users.

Marketing News: Heather Mills' veggie food company wins ethical award for fifth time

Multi award winning vegan food business congratulated by The Ethical Company Organisation for setting "such a positive example" to others The Redwood Wholefood Company, the pioneering vegan food firm bought last year by charity and animal rights campaigner Heather Mills, has been named the UK's most ethical vegetarian foods supplier for the fifth year running. Redwood, producer of more than 50 different 100% natural plant based foods under the Cheatin', Vegideli and Cheezly brand names, received the highest score in the latest ethical audit carried out by the Ethical Company Organisation (ECO), which sets the benchmark for corporate social responsibility (CSR). After examining the CSR records of all the leading vegetarian foods suppliers, the ECO awarded Redwood an impressive overall rating of 92% in its Ethical Company Index, 1% up from last year. Other brands audited included Realeat and Linda McCartney,which scored 75%, Cauldron, Quorn, Dalepak and Grassington's, which

Marketing News: JWT LONDON DECLARES WAR ON ALLERGIES WITH INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN FOR BENADRYL

JWT London is launching an integrated advertising campaign for allergy medication brand Benadryl, as part of its ongoing relationship with brand owner Johnson & Johnson (J&J). The work will be the first integrated campaign for J&J since JWT's merger with RMG Connect last year. This campaign continues Benadryl's 'War on Allergies' drive which launched last spring with an award winning TV spot. The second phase is made up of TV, online banner ads and social media. The digital elements of the campaign will drive visitors to a new website offering consumers a safe haven against the suffering caused by allergies. The main objective of this latest push is to position Benadryl as a brand that clearly understands the true needs of allergy sufferers and offers resources to help them fight the problem. The creative idea is based on the concept of a 'war on allergies', showing allergy sufferers as being under attack from pollen and other allergens. Benadryl is presented as the weapon with w

Marketing News: Cougars Get Some Late Night Love

Thanks to the media attention sites like ToyBoy.com have been getting recently it's not surprising that the subject of cougars has been brought to light within the media once again. Not only are magazines and newspapers lapping it up, now the radio has started to get involved. The very popular Graham Torrington show, late night love did a special feature on cougars - older women, younger men which was live on BBC radio on Sunday 9th May at 10.00pm. On the show Graham spoke to an older women of 35 about her experiences with younger men, asking her how she came about dating younger men, what it is about them she likes and what her family and friends think of her antics. He also spoke to a younger gentleman of 23 about his dating and relationship experiences with older women. He went onto say the oldest age gap he had ever had was 20 years. Having a whole radio show dedicated to discussing cougars and toyboys just shows how much of an impact this whole phenomenon has had on the medi

Marketing News: Powergirls Field Marketing has been selected by Bourjois Paris to handle field marketing for the debut of its new Elastic Mascara

Powergirls Field Marketing has been selected by Bourjois Paris to handle field marketing for the debut of its new Elastic Mascara. Taking place in selected Boots stores on 26th and 27th May, Powergirls brand ambassadors will be providing in-store demonstrations to allow customers to experience the unique benefits of this revolutionary new product. Bourjois Elastic Mascara is a truly innovative mascara that boasts an ultra-lengthening elastic formula paired with a lash-extending brush. The result is a mascara that goes beyond the natural length of the lashes to achieve 130% more visible leng th. Coming just a week after the product's launch on 19th May, the in-store activity aims to offer customers the opportunity to experience the complete range of Bourjois mascara products via a £5 money-off coupon (redeemable against all Bourjois mascara products) and the chance to win a Bourjois Goody Bag and fashion t-shirt.

Marketing News: Selfridges has unveiled two touch-screen window displays which will allow shoppers to "try on" virtual 3D watches without even entering the store

Selfridges is to display an augmented reality promotion in its London Oxford street store, showcasing the Tissot luxury watch brands. The display has been created by Holition, a 3D augmented luxury retail brand technology provider. The campaign will promote Tissot's new Touch collection of watches. The two week interactive touch screen window display will feature at Selfridges department store on London's Oxford Street, one of the highest footfall areas in London. From this week consumers will be able to virtually `try on` a 3D watch and interact with the innovative features of the entire Tissot Touch range without even entering the store.

Marketing News: Research : The Healthcare NarrativeTracker Index™ (NTI) is launched

Process efficiency specialist OpenConnect and media analytics firm the Global Language Monitor (GLM) have teamed up to launch the Healthcare NarrativeTracker Index™ (NTI), which will use social media-based monitoring to better understand the issues driving healthcare reform. The firms say the Healthcare NTI 'provides a real-time, accurate picture of what the public is saying about any topic related to healthcare, at any point in time'. An additional service, the Narrative Tracker Arc, will follow sub-stories within the main narrative to round out an overview of opinions. The Healthcare NTI will be released on a monthly basis beginning Thursday, May 13. The tool uses the GLM's Predictive Quantities Indicator (PQI), which tracks the frequency of words and phrases in global print and electronic media on the Internet, weighting them and factoring in long- and short-term trends and momentum.

Marketing News: Research : James Lovett and Mark Pugh have launched Immerse

UK researchers James Lovett and Mark Pugh have launched Immerse, an agency promising a 'refreshing & rejuvenated approach to the traditional client-agency relationship'. Co-founders Lovett, formerly of Ipsos MORI, and Pugh, formerly of Grass Roots, share the belief that research is 'a powerful tool in facilitating business change but is often under-utilised.' Based in St. Albans, Immerse Research & Consulting Limited will support research with 'creative & vivid communication' and 'thoughtful & inventive consulting'. The pair's main areas of expertise are financial & professional services, telecoms and retail research.

Marketing News: Exhibitions : The UK Gift Card and Voucher Association (UKGCVA) has agreed to give its support to Incentives & Promotional Marketing-Live!

In news that underlines the event's importance to the incentive and motivation sector, the UK Gift Card and Voucher Association (UKGCVA) has agreed to give its support to the latest landmark event in the industry, Incentives & Promotional Marketing-Live! which will takes place at the NEC, 21-22 Sept.

Marketing News: "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the dynamo that drives the British economy.

Established by the Dragons' Den entrepreneur The Enterprise Business Challenge is designed to support and encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and fledgling start-ups by making sure that those with innovative and robust business ideas get the support they need to progress. The Enterprise Business Challenge, which closes on July 2nd, requires each entrant to submit a written online proposal outlining their business case at www.peterjones.tv. Those looking to really impress have the option of completing a three minute online video pitch. Ten shortlisted candidates will then be invited to take part in Dragons' Den style face-to-face pitch, led by Jones and be made up of key investors and experts from the worlds of finance, marketing, human resources. The winner will receive £10,000 in working capital as well as advice and consultancy from leading firms including Olswang Legal, accountancy firm Grant Thornton U.K LLP, International trading advice from Alibaba, PR consultancy from B

Marketing News: US launch for Asos

Asos.com, the online fashion retailer, is poised to launch in the US, as part of its international expansion, according to reports. The retailer is reportedly planning to launch a tailored US site, in September. French and German sites will follow after the US launch.

Marketing News: Tora stands up for the fuller figure

Gloucestershire girl Tora Atkinson has flaunted her figure into the Top 30 of the National Star in a Bra competition. With nearly 1000 entrants from all over the UK, 30 girls have been chosen to take part in the first public vote of the National Star in a Bra competition run by lingerie company Brastop.com The UK's average bra size is now above a DD according to Brastop and the average dress size is a 16 but the company says many fashion brands still don't choose models that relate to these statistics.

Marketing News: New social network connects bands and music fans

NME has launched a new social network in a bid to connect bands and music fans.

Marketing News: Clipper Teas has long been the forerunner in the UK Green Tea market.

Now in its 25th year, ethical hot drinks company, Clipper Teas, has long been the forerunner in the UK Green Tea market. While mainstream tea still remains by far the most consumed hot beverage in the UK, the Green Tea segment is the biggest growth segment and has, over the past 2 years, grown to an extent where it has attracted the attention of larger mainstream producers. As more consumers are attracted to Green Tea, rival companies have launched Green Tea variants into the market place backed by significant advertising spend. The challenge for Clipper is to become synonymous with the category, making it the consumer's first choice in Green Tea.

Marketing News: As many cities as possible on one tank of fuel : iQ city car

During 2008-09 iCrossing UK, a global digital marketing agency, ran a programme of social media activity for Toyota GB to help raise awareness of its iQ city car.

Marketing News: Mr Sleep is not the only one in the spotlight

The message of the Travelodge campaign is simple enough – the hotel chain has long branded itself as a retailer of sleep – but this cuddly toy holds quite a weight on his shoulders. And Mr Sleep is not the only one in the spotlight. Guy Parsons, the UK managing director of the 390-strong hotel chain, is also stepping into the public eye. On July 1, Parsons will become Travelodge's chief executive, part of a series of changes designed to push the chain back to strong growth and ultimately ready the group for sale. Parsons' office in London's Holborn district is much in keeping with the hotel chain's low cost, no frills approach. A Travelodge sign above his desk does for decoration as the 46-year-old, dressed in open neck shirt and jacket, explains why things are changing at the group.

Marketing News: Hunky Dorys campaign : Scantily clad girls playing rugby has triggered complaints

An ad campaign for crisps featuring scantily clad girls playing rugby has triggered complaints to the advertising regulators, in both North and South Ireland. Hunky Dorys campaign The campaign for Hunky Dory Crisps, from Largo Foods, shows female rugby players in revealing poses and has been branded sexist. The campaign for the Irish brand of crisps campaign features women in revealing tops playing rugby under various straplines including: "Are you staring at my crisps?" and "Tackle these" has attracted complaints to the advertising watchdog since it was launched on Monday. The Advertising Standards Authority says that it has already received 80 complaints and the ASA in Ireland has also received more than 70 complaints. A spokesman for the ASA says: "we are assesing the complaints, though an investigation has not been launched."

Marketing News: Eight new business meetings in the three weeks by using theMarketingblog

Are you serious about getting more new business meetings in place? Jeff Deighton of insight engineers http://www.insight-engineers.com/ used a special guest edit issue of theMarketingblog to set the wheels in motion for more new business thrusts. After a special issue featuring insight engineers and The Twelve Consultancy was sent out to over 11,000 corporates and SME's he sent a well constructed letter to his own list directing the prospects to this special issue. The right follow up gave Jeff eight new business meetings in the three weeks after his January issue went out. If you want more information on how this double barrelled approach can help your company call Will Corry now 01784 434412. will@themarketingblog.co.uk All this is at a cost which will not break your budget wide open. Call or email now!

Marketing News: Confusion, muddled results and, frankly, disappointment for British voters

The United Kingdom's general election this week was a fascinating study in political parties attempting to reshape their brands. Rather than the palpable excitement that accompanied the last US election or even the last UK general election in 2005, the 2010 race for Downing Street was promised to be Great Britain's first social media election.

Marketing News: E Commerce Expo North will take place at the Manchester United Football Club on Thursday 27th May.

E Commerce Expo North will help you to... Deliver the right traffic to your site Convert visitors into customers Optimise delivery, service and warranty Align your online and off-line businesses Achieve and maintain 24/7 availability Win customer loyalty

Marketing News: Angel de Juan Named Retail Sales Director at TOSHIBA TEC Europe

TOSHIBA TEC has recently announced it has named Angel de Juan as sales director for the Retail Division in Europe. Reporting to Nobuhiko Takao, CEO of TOSHIBA TEC Europe, Angel de Juan will be responsible for sales leadership and strategic direction in the EMEA region. Angel de Juan, 45, has more than 20 years of experience in technology sales at TOSHIBA TEC, the last 10 as branch manager for Spain and Portugal. He most recently served as EMEA sales director at TOSHIBA TEC Europe's Auto ID & Printing division, where he helped build the company's new organisation and market approach to value solutions selling. Combining the European Auto ID & Printing Sales Director function with the Retail Division's sales directorship, Angel will build on the existing synergies to maximise the commercial strategy of TOSHIBA TEC at a European level.

Marketing News: Coca-Cola launches longest-ever goal celebration digital campaign

The Coca-Cola Company is celebrating the countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa by encouraging people around the world to take part in the longest-ever online goal celebration. The 'Longest Celebration' competition will offer fans the opportunity to win a range of prizes, including tickets to 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. The 'Longest Celebration' extends the global marketing campaign by Coca-Cola that includes advertising featuring the iconic goal celebration by Roger Milla, the African footballer whose corner flag dance at the 1990 FIFA World Cup encouraged a new generation of football moves.

Marketing News: New appointments : iris has appointed Christian Purser as digital planning director

iris has appointed Christian Purser as digital planning director. Purser leaves LBi, where he was director of strategy and planning. He joins managing director of iris' digital operation for the UK Tom Poynter, who joined in December as part of a wider restructure which saw the agency strengthen its digital operation globally. Purser's new role will see him expand the agency's digital strategy capability, as well as leading integrated client engagements for iris' extensive list of global blue-chip clients in the UK, which includes Sony Ericsson, Barclaycard, Hertz, Speedo, Philips and Volkswagen. In his role at LBi, Purser was responsible for the Planning, Business Consulting and Research departments, as well as working on the Unilever and BT accounts. Purser said: "Digital is no longer solely the preserve of digital agencies, as it is now at the heart of almost every client marketing programme and initiative. The way that digital is integrated with other disciplines at iris i

Marketing News: Robinsons will remain the Official Still Soft Drinks Supplier to the Championships

Britvic has announced that Robinsons will continue its long-standing association with the Wimbledon Championships for a further five years.

Marketing News: The Powergirls Team were eye-catching in their white Auto Trader branded boiler suits

Powergirls Field Marketing conducted a leafleting road show to early morning commuters at major UK railway stations during February 2010 for Auto Trader. Auto Trader is the number one place to buy or sell a car and the number one automotive website in the UK. The Powergirls teams distributed Golden Leaflets in the shape of a key. The leaflets highlighted the chance to win £1,000 a day and contained a clue to finding one of the lost keys which are hidden within Auto Trader's search results. If you would like to learn more about promoting a new product, brand or service and have a free consultation and quote, please contact Caroline@powergirls.co.uk today For more information visit www.autotraderlostkeys.co.uk. Powergirls sales manager, Caroline Garbis says, "This was a fantastic promotion and the Powergirls Team were eye-catching in their white Auto Trader branded boiler suits"

Marketing News: MORE2 TASKED WITH BRIEF FOR MICRO-SCOOTERS LTD

Data and mail order specialist more2 has been appointed by online retailer Micro-Scooters Ltd to advise on their website redesign, develop a catalogue and implement an acquisition strategy. more2 will also help Micro-Scooters, which sells children's scooters and accessories, to identify and segment its customer base and use this information to drive both customer retention and acquisition. The brief was won following a non-competitive pitch earlier this year and work will begin immediately. more2, which specialises in working for owner-managed brands, will act as consultants to Micro-Scooters and advise the company on the best way to introduce catalogues into its portfolio.

Marketing News: Five-minutes highlights package of every match in next three seasons to run on Yahoo.co.uk, with syndication an option

Yahoo has struck a deal with the Premier League for the UK online highlights for the next three seasons. From the start of next season in August Yahoo, which is in final contract negotiations with the Premier League, will run a five-minute highlights package of every match on Yahoo.co.uk. Highlights will be available from midnight on Sunday after weekend matches and at midnight the same day for midweek fixtures. Virgin Media currently have the rights. Before that they were held by BSkyB, and before that by 3 and Vodafone jointly.

Marketing News: Sony task HS&P with World Cup TV ad campaign

Relationship marketing experts HS&P and retail specialist agency Live and Breathe have been appointed to create this summer's TV ad campaign for Sony UK. The 60 second spot will focus on Sony's trade-in promotion around the World Cup which will enable people to be able to trade in any old electronics product for a discount on a brand new Sony one. The humorous ad features former England football managers Terry Venables, Graham Taylor and current England Under-21 Manager Stuart Pearce, ex-Scotland player Kenny Dalglish and Kelly Brook who plays their nurse. Venables and Taylor play themselves as residents of Bisham Abbey retirement home, whilst Pearce plays the role of a mystery handy man. As Venables and Taylor settle down to watch England's first World Cup game vs USA on an old TV in a 1970's cabinet complete with an old VCR, Hi-Fi system and Polaroid camera, Pearce arrives to take the TV away, much to the annoyance of Venables and Taylor. He then reveals a brand new entertain

Marketing News: Market share rise for Premier Foods

Premier Foods, owner of brands including Hovis, Quorn, Hartleys and Sharwoods, has posted a 5.1% fall in group sales for the first three months of the year, but says its brand market shares are continuing to increase in a challenging environment.

Marketing News: Flybe launches 'Smile' campaign

Flybe, the UK's Number One Domestic airline, is this weekend launching its 'Smile' campaign with a 7-million seat sale that demonstrates its continued commitment to getting Britain back on the move again following the unprecedented disruption caused by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano.

Marketing News: Malcolm Skinner to drive LogRhythm messaging

LogRhythm, the company that makes log data useful, has announced the appointment of a new international marketing manager to continue driving the company's success story around the globe. Malcolm Skinner, a technology industry communications professional with 20 years' experience in the field, has a remit to promote the LogRhythm word throughout the AsiaPac and EMEA regions. Malcolm Skinner joins LogRhythm having amassed a wealth of marketing and PR experience in the IT security sector in which he has operated for the past 15 years. His background includes the role of director of international marketing at security specialist Cybertrust where he helped raise the company's profile to Global 2000 companies ahead of the organisation being acquired by communications giant Verizon Inc. He has also operated as international marketing director at French web application security vendor Bee Ware.

Marketing News: Billington Cartmell : Kingsmill has signed a partnership with ITV's Britain's Got Talent

Kingsmill has signed a partnership with ITV's Britain's Got Talent to launch an on-pack promotion offering consumers the chance to win a prizes, including tickets to the live show and live tour.

Marketing News: Microsoft collects the Grand Prix; Activision, Nintendo, Ubisoft and HMV all win big too

Over 650 retailers, publishers, developers and distributors jammed into The Brewery in London to see 60 firms compete for key accolades at last night's MCV Industry Excellence Awards. The big winner was Microsoft. Xbox took home both the Sales Team prize and the prestigious Grand Prix.

Marketing News: The Marketing Store boosts senior planning team

The Marketing Store has made two senior appointments to the planning department, Phil Dearson as Associate Planning Director-Digital and Simon Wingfield as Associate Planning Director-Shopper Marketing. Both will report into Wendy Lanchin, Planning & Strategy Director. Dearson will lead the development of The Marketing Store's digital positioning and offer. He will develop digital strategies for clients and also be responsible for driving new business for digital. Dearson joins The Marketing Store from 23red, where he was Digital Director responsible for developing their overall digital offer and for the digital strategy for their key clients - Arts Council, Bacardi Ltd, HM Revenue and Vodafone. Prior to 23red, he was at Blonde Digital, the digital arm of the Cello Group plc, where he headed up their new London office. Dearson worked across accounts including Coors Brewers, Sadler's Wells Theatre and British Heart Foundation.

Marketing News: Callcredit Marketing Solutions releases new datasets for 2010

Callcredit Marketing Solutions has rebuilt a number of its data products in order to reflect continuing changes to the UK market. Amends include an updated version of the CAMEO Unemployment consumer classification, in response to recent shifts in the UK workplace and rising unemployment levels. CAMEO Unemployment splits the UK population into 20 equal bandings based on the number of economically inactive households. For the second year in a row, each of these bandings has been revised to take into account the rising numbers of people out of work in the UK. The lowest band in 2009 was "Less than 1.0% Economically Inactive Households" but considering the current economic climate, this banding contains much fewer households and thus less useful. This has been stepped up to "Less than 2.0%" in March 2010 in order to contain enough households to be of use to marketers. The top banding has shifted from >15.7% in 2009 to >21.8% in 2010.

Marketing News: The Marketing Services Awards (The COGS) sponsored by Incentives and Promotional Marketing live!

Earlier this month the ISP and Sales Promotion magazine launched The Marketing Services Awards (The COGS), and they've seen a great response already with nearly 200 people voting.

Marketing News: It's British Sandwich Week 2010

Next month sees the launch of British Sandwich Week 2010 (May 9-15) – an occasion designed to recognise the importance of one of Britain's greatest food inventions. And it's not just we British who are discovering how well this gastronomic creation fits today's busy lifestyles – its popularity is spreading across the world, from the United States to Japan. Even those haughty French, who so often deride British cuisine, are having to eat their words as the sandwich is taking the streets of Paris by storm. They now even have dedicated exhibition for sandwiches in the city! Never, since 1762 when the fourth Earl of Sandwich first dubbed two slices of bread with a filling as 'a sandwich', has this great British food been so popular - and British Sandwich Week gives us all an opportunity to shout about it. Throughout British Sandwich Week 2010, retailers and caterers across the UK will be celebrating the occasion in their own way with promotions and new product launches.

Marketing News: Listen to your customers and give them what they want - when they want it

Marketing technology specialist provides event-driven capability on 'pay-as-you-go' basis CRM-based digital marketing tool, Clang (www.createaclang.com), has been launched in the UK to provide organisations with a new, customer-centric approach to email marketing. Developed by marketing technology specialist E-Village (www.e-village.eu), Clang is available as a 'no strings attached', pay-as-you-go offering, in addition to the traditional contract-based model.

Marketing News: 'Brands being "burnt" in music'

Did you know that sport picks up about four times the sponsorship investment that music does? Why should that be? It's not like music isn't popular with consumers. In fact, as a passive leisure activity our research says music is three times more popular than watching sport. The problem is that music is much more tricky to navigate for associating brands. It's also a lot less organised, which means getting what you want can often seem impossible. We've heard plenty of stories of how brands have been "burnt" in music. Sometimes you need someone who understands the ropes on your side.

Marketing News: Payment Experts PacNet Services to Speak at Internet World 2010

Brian Weekes of international payment services provider PacNet Services has accepted a speaking engagement at Internet World 2010 in London, 27-29 April. PacNet Services is a full-service payment processing company that offers international transaction processing to electronic retailers and e-commerce professionals. The informative seminar will give attendees access to PacNet's specialised knowledge of international payments as they relate to e-commerce specifically. Weekes, a career banking expert and VP of Business Development for PacNet Services Europe, promises to teach e-commerce merchants 5 ways to improve international revenues through smart consumer payment strategy. The talk offers important insight on how payment strategy can affect sales, overhead and your bottom line when marketing at home or abroad, and is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 April at 3:45 pm in the eCommerce Theatre.

Marketing News: Doxdirect.com Delivers Desktop to Door Professional Printing Service

For many of us - businesses and consumers - printing, binding and delivering documents can be a tedious task that ties up time, people and resources. However, it doesn't have to be that way as Doxdirect Limited is launching Doxdirect.com (http://www.doxdirect.com ), an online desktop-to-door service for printing professional-quality documents at low cost. A privately owned company, founded by a small group of entrepreneurs, Doxdirect Limited has developed software to simplify the document management and printing process for home and business users alike. At Doxdirect.com, customers can order documents to be printed, bound and delivered directly to their door. Available to anyone with a print job, the service is ideal for students, the self-employed and SMEs. In three simple steps, the user can upload their document to Doxdirect.com's secure servers, choose from a variety of printing and binding options, pay online and wait for delivery to their chosen address. Doxdirect.com can

Marketing News: Franchise Direct Releases Annual Top 100 Global Franchises

Franchise Direct has again pooled its extensive knowledge of global franchising to compile a list of the world's best franchises. According to the second annual list of the Top 100 Global Franchises, international franchising has gotten both more profitable and diverse throughout 2009 - 2010. Few companies working in franchising have the capabilities of Franchise Direct to analyse the state of global franchising. Its main offices are in Atlanta and Dublin and its seven national portals operate in the world's most active franchise markets. Franchise Direct has witnessed, and indeed accommodated, the rapid expansion of international franchising over the last decade.

Marketing News: T-Mobile dongle triumphs in the Broadband Genie Road Trip 2010 Awards

T-Mobile has triumphed in the most rigorous mobile broadband battle on the calendar, being named Dongle on the Move Winner in the Broadband Genie Road Trip 2010 Awards. Last years victor, Virgin Media, took the overall runner-up award. Mobile broadband is often advertised as a way to access the internet 'on the move', but most reviews tend to rely on static tests, or don't directly compare the products in real life conditions. The Broadband Genie road Trip sees dongles from the six leading mobile broadband suppliers (O2, Orange, 3, T-mobile, Virgin Media and Vodafone) taken out of their safety zone, simultaneously fighting it out throughout a two-day 350-mile rail trip. Ralf Pearson, senior propositions manager for mobile broadband at T-Mobile, said: "We're delighted that T-Mobile has been crowned overall winner of the Broadband Genie Road Test 2010.

Marketing News: Cate Anderson and Emily Churches : wanted ads Young Team of the Year by the Newspaper Society

Cate Anderson and Emily Churches from relationship marketing agency HS&P have been awarded the wanted ads Young Team of the Year by the Newspaper Society for their work on Strongbow for local press. In its 8th year, the annual Newspaper Society competition is designed to recognise the best of original creative thinking, innovation and execution across young creatives with less than three years' agency experience. Junior Copywriter Cate Anderson and Junior Art Director Emily Churches triumphed at the awards show at the London Art House on Friday 16th April to be named the UK's best Young Team of the Year. Following a briefing from a national client, the HS&P team were tasked to create the best local media campaign in just one day. Battling against 20 teams of the finest young creatives, from agencies including M&C Saatchi, Inferno and Leagas Delaney, the teams were under the scrutiny of an industry expert judging panel including: Al Young, Creative Director of St Luke's, Jim Bolt

Marketing News: iris PR named 'one to watch' by PR Week

iris PR, the integrated consumer communications agency, was today named 'Ones to Watch' by leading UK PR industry publication PR Week. The agency, which was launched in 2005 as part of the iris Worldwide marketing network, appeared in the publication's 'Top 150 PR Consultancies' league table for the first time, ranking at 116. The 'Ones to Watch' accolade was awarded to iris PR as part of the publication's annual industry review. The league table is the definitive industry survey recognising the UK's leading PR firms. Nick Porter, joint managing director of iris PR said, "The team at iris are all delighted to be recognised by PR Week just five years after our launch. In that time we're proud to say we've attracted an incredibly talented team from a variety of backgrounds, which has helped us build an enviable client base. We're looking forward to continuing that growth".

Marketing News: TOM CHARLES JOINS POSITIVE THINKING GROUP

The Positive Thinking Group has appointed Tom Charles as associate director for Positive Thinking, where he will head up a number of offline accounts and business development across the Group. Charles joins from Haygarth, where as a board director, he headed up the agency's digital and direct department, working on clients such as Nokia and Kia Motors. He will report into managing director Julian Reiter and will be responsible for offline work for the City Index account, as well as a number of other client accounts and business development projects. The news comes as the Group's Positive Digital offering, which specialises in online campaigns for clients across the financial, travel and retail sectors, won two prizes at this month's Travel Marketing Awards for its work for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Marketing News: More brands turning to product enhancements to engender loyalty

70% of all brands are now offering enhancements or add-ons to their core products and services in order to drive both customer loyalty and revenues, according to new research by global incremental revenue specialists Collinson Latitude. The research suggests that an increasing number of brands are diversifying their core offerings by forming valuable brand partnerships or developing new products and services, in order to differentiate themselves from the competition and become more relevant to consumers. 49.6% of respondents from global brands across eight different sectors cited 'adding extra value' to the customer proposition as the main reason for developing products that enhance their core offering; followed by 25.4%, who said that creating additional revenue for their business was the main motivation. Airlines were found to be most likely to offer enhancements to their core business than any other sector (85.7%); followed closely by travel (83.3%) and financial servi

Marketing News: Nokia has promoted John Nichols to the role of head of marketing

Nokia has promoted its head of trade and customer marketing, John Nichols, to the role of head of marketing for Nokia UK and Ireland Nichols has been looking after the role on an interim basis following the departure of Nokia's UK marketing director, Will Harris. His official job title will be head of marketing and go to market for Nokia UK and Ireland.

Marketing News: STV is to sell its cinema advertising business Pearl & Dean for £1

The media group STV is to sell its cinema advertising business Pearl & Dean for £1. The sale to Image Ltd, a newly formed company backed by Empire Cinemas director Thomas Anderson, is subject to shareholder approval. STV said the deal would allow it to refocus on its core television business. In a trading update, the company said it had seen a strong improvement in advertising. It said this would allow it to increase its investment in high definition TV services which it hopes to have in place for the 2010 World Cup. Pearl & Dean was put up for sale by the group nearly four years ago.

Marketing News: Net Promoter Conference, 17-18 June in London

The agenda for the next Net Promoter Conference, 17-18 June in London is now available online, with breakout tracks focused on how leading companies deliver a "delight factor" to generate more promoters in their business. Hear perspectives from Abbott Diagnostics, Ball Packaging, Colt, eBay, Maersk Line, Sony Europe, Symantec, Travel Counsellors and other leading companies.

Marketing News: Conferences : Yasmina Siadatan, winner of the 2009 series of 'The Apprentice', is to speak at this year's Media Week DOOH Media Summit on 6 May.

Siadatan, a business development manager at Sir Alan Sugar's digital outdoor company Amscreen, won the fifth series of the hit BBC show and as winner was offered a job working as a business developer for Amscreen. The event will feature presentations from Camelot, Virgin Trains and Five, and a debate about the future of DOOH featuring The Sunday Times, agencies Posterscope, Mediavest and Glue, and media owner Clear Channel. Research by JCDecaux Airport will assess the creative impact of DOOH and provide pointers for future innovations.

Marketing News: Rowperfect : Have you got a 'Social Media Success Story' that beats this one?

Rowperfect "awareness has driven sales and that awareness has come from social media contact" www.Rowperfect.co.uk We are revealing our 'Social Media Success Stories' survey in just over two weeks time to our 70,000 plus readers. You can have your Success Story for your company included if you send it to us today. Is it better than this one?

Marketing News: Social Media Marketing : Need assistance with your business's Facebook, LinkedIn or Posterous channels?

Get more new business from the Marketingblog's 'Listen….Share...Befriend...Don't Sell' plan. Two new sites for your business filled up each month with the right type of editorial which jumps out of the page and grabs your prospect. Create B2B social media page platforms using Facebook Group page like this one and your own bespoke site on posterous. This will give you an edge over your competitors and allow you to have regular conversations with your existing clients and future prospects. We will project manage both sites for you

Marketing News: Get more new business from the Marketingblog's 'Listen….Share...Befriend...Dont Sell' plan.

If you have been hearing all the talk about the importance of B2B social media don't hesitate - claim the high ground today in the B2B Social Media mix. Get more new business from the Marketingblog's 'Listen….Share...Befriend...Don't Sell' plan.

Marketing News: Businesses with blogs of 24-plus articles (like this one) generate significantly more leads

Business blogs begin generating significantly more leads when they have a median of 24 or more articles posted, according to research by internet marketing firm Hubspot. Businesses with blog article numbers above this critical threshold are likely to have enough content to make a significant impact on search engines through additional indexed pages and new keywords with which to associate. In addition, other sites are more likely to link to a blog that offers a steady stream of content. Businesses with blogs of 24-plus articles are more likely to be committed to updating their blog frequently and, thus, are likely to generate more traffic from referring sites.

Marketing News: Two new sites for your business filled up each month with the right type of editorial

Drive more business fast by creating your own B2B social media sites

Marketing News: New research : Facebook is becoming a major attraction for a broad swathe of the population

New research shows that social media use has become a regular habit for three quarters of the online population. In a survey of 1,700 U.S. Internet users, Nielsen Online found that 73 percent engaged in social media at least once per week. Engagement was defined as reading a blog, visiting a social network or reading (and/or commenting on) a message board. The research pegs the total U.S. social media audience at 127 million.

Marketing News: Billington Cartmell : The United Biscuits"Are You a Real FAN?" instant win and prize draw campaign will run across 125 million packs

United Biscuits is capitalizing on this summer's FIFA World Cup with a promotional campaign for McCoy's crisps with a chance to win one of 10 football trips to destinations around the world. The "Are You a Real FAN?" instant win and prize draw campaign will run across 125 million packs, including two new limited edition flavours, Sausage Striker and Chicken Winger, from mid-April to the end of August, supported with in-store point of sale. Consumers can enter online or via text to win one of 10 football trips to venues such as Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Spain and Holland. The prize includes flights, accommodation, entry and tickets to a domestic football match, plus spending money. The campaign has been devised by UB's integrated agency Billington Cartmell. In addition there will be 'Football Survival Kits' to be won instantly every 90 minutes. The prize includes an inflatable chair, horn, can cooler sleeve and a McCoy's snack bowl.

Marketing News: tic tac target football fans with new campaign

tic tac has partnered with the England Supporters Band to launch a new interactive campaign, 'Shake Some Noise'. The campaign invites England supporters to find imaginative ways of using limited edition tic tac packs to record their own rendition of a favourite footballing jingle, an infamous goal celebration, or a self-composed football anthem. Supporters are then asked to upload footage to the new website, www.shakesomenoise.co.uk.

Marketing News: GlaxoSmithKline set to review its digital account for energy drinks brand Lucozade

GlaxoSmithKline is set to review its digital account for energy drinks brand Lucozade. The account has been held by Leicester based Fuse Digital since 2004. The review, which is not yet thought to have taken place, follows closely on the heels of Fuse Digital's video for Lucozade Alert Plus, a parody documentary of an encounter with an ancient rainforest tribe. A spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline said that the company would not comment on rumour and speculation when asked for a reason for the review. At the time of the documentary's release Alex Saunders, brand manager for Lucozade Alert Plus, praised the work of Fuse Digital: "Fuse has produced a digital solution that does much more than simply answer the brief. It's engaging, thoroughly entertaining and addresses some of the consumer feedback in an extremely creative way." It is also not known whether Fuse Digital will take part in the pitch at the time of writing.

Marketing News: The Bank strengthen SAB Miller relationship with Nastro Azzurro appointment

The Bank have been appointed by Birra Peroni, Italian subsidiary of SABMiller, to handle the €10 million advertising business for Nastro Azzurro, its local premium beer brand. The appointment recognizes The Bank's understanding of Italian brands following their iconic and highly effective global work for Peroni Nastro Azzurro with whom they have worked with for five years. The Bank will be tasked with maximizing advertising campaign effectiveness for Nastro Azzurro in the Italian market, building on their successful Blue Ribbon campaign and positioning the beer as a fashionable and stylish brand. The Bank also works on the global campaigns for Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell, both part of the SABMiller brand portfolio.

Marketing News: Mars, Incorporated Assigns TWIX® Brand Global Agency Partner

Mars, Incorporated has awarded the global TWIX® brand business to TBWA. As indicated last September 2009, Mars set in motion a plan to align its core global brands in major markets under a single creative agency. This is expected to advance global brand development and increase efficiency in application of strategy and creative across markets.

Marketing News: How you can sell on Facebook : The use of Facebook as a retail outlet

Your Facebook fans are likely loyal customers who already spend more on your product than the average consumer. But what if they could make that purchase without ever leaving Facebook? When Pampers recently offered its new line of Pampers Cruisers through a storefront on its Facebook Fan page, the limited supply of 1,000 packages for $9.99 each sold out in less than an hour. For eager would-be diaper-purchasers who missed out, the company offered the chance to pre-order the Cruisers with Dry Max from online retailers Amazon.com and BabiesRUs.com. Also listed were outlets where the diapers would be sold once they hit shelves. That Pampers can create buzz for a diaper is indeed testimony to the power of Facebook and social media as business marketing tools. But that's not news to most businesses, which recognize Facebook Fan pages as inexpensive yet highly effective means to boost business. What's telling about the Cruisers is the use of Facebook as a retail outlet.

Marketing News: THE RUBICON PROJECT LAUNCHES PERMISSION CONTROL 2.0 TO EMPOWER PUBLISHERS TO REGAIN BALANCE IN THE DIGITAL ADVERTISING ECOSYSTEM

LOS ANGELES – April 14, 2010 – the Rubicon Project, the digital advertising technology and data company, has launched Permission Control 2.0, sales rights management and pricing control technology that delivers efficient and safe access to the most sources of advertising revenue for publishers. Permission Control 2.0, within the Rubicon Project's REVV for publishers™ advertising technology platform, is the infrastructure that gives premium publishers complete visibility and control over which demand partners can sell their inventory, at what level of transparency and at what price. With Permission Control 2.0 now in place, the company is also launching its real-time bidding (RTB) beta program with a limited number of industry-leading partners, designed to ensure publishers will be able to safely capture all potential ad revenue, from all buying methods.

Marketing News: DIGITAL MARKETING GROUP PLC LAUNCHES 20:20

Digital Marketing Group, the UK's leading digital business, is launching a new agency this month called 20:20 (www.WeAre2020.com). 20:20 unites a team of 300 digital experts who work with over 220 clients, in 12 sectors and across 12 disciplines. It is the only UK agency to employ over 80 data analysts, and will have three specialist divisions: 20:20 – the full-service strategic and creative digital agency, run by Managing Director Matt Ramsay and Chief Creative Officer Peter Riley. Ramsay was previously CEO of InboxDMG, and will now operate out of London to run the 20:20 agency business. 20:20 incorporates the digital agencies previously known as InboxDMG, HyperlaunchDMG, GraphicoDMG, and 20:20 London. It will combine with the skills and capabilities of the other two divisions within the group, to present clients a unique offering: Access to over 300 digital specialists, with experts in digital creative, marketing, design & build, mobile, email, CRM, social media, viral m

Marketing News: Ann Elliott : People will talk, if you are prepared to listen

I was asked, before Christmas, to develop a training scheme for waiting staff on a subject I didn't know a lot about. I decided the best way to write the course was to ask waiting staff themselves for their views and input. What did they want to learn? Where were the gaps in their knowledge? How did they want to learn?

Marketing News: TORA : International Expansion For The Oxford Research Agency - new offices in North America and mainland Europe

The Oxford Research Agency (TORA) has revealed plans to open new offices in North America and mainland Europe. Chris Sinclair becomes chief executive officer of the expanded group, with the remit of driving international expansion. Meanwhile Andrew Tharme becomes managing director of the UK business. Sinclair and Tharme led a management buy-out of the company in April 2008, backed by venture capital support from Next Wave Ventures and Clydesdale Bank.

Marketing News: 4Networking : Think about profit in your daily routine and learn to sell for profit. Remember - Turnover is vanity - profit is sanity

Profitable behaviour can lead to sustained business success. Think about profit in your daily routine and learn to sell for profit. Remember - Turnover is vanity - profit is sanity. Develop a highly disciplined approach to your sales process. Many companies sell their product or service but do not focus on the profitability of the sale. Here are some tips to help you maximise your effectiveness in profitable selling:

Marketing News: New appointments : Fast Track appoints top Adidas PR man

Fast Track, the UK's leading sports marketing consultancy, has hired communications expert Jon Deacon who leaves sportswear brand adidas after a ten year stint at the global super brand, having risen to Head of PR last year covering maternity. Fast Track, who now have offices in London, Abu Dhabi and Madrid, are the UK's leading sports marketing agency representing a number of blue-chip clients including HSBC, Land Rover, Heineken, Emirates Airline, LTA and IHG (Intercontinental Hotel Group). Deacon, who will join Fast Track later this year as Business Director, oversaw numerous high-profile UK & Ireland campaigns during his tenure at adidas including exploitation of the FIFA World Cups in Japan and Germany as well as overseeing the PR relationships with both Chelsea and Liverpool Football Clubs. Away from football Deacon was closely involved in the brand's sponsorship of the British Olympic Association in Athens and Beijing, Lions Tours of 2001, 2005 and 2009, the England cr

Marketing News: Inspiration In Action 2010 : tangible suggestions for re-working and re-purposing qualitative practice for this connected, social world

Strategist Mark Earls, globally recognized for his book HERD: How to Change Mass Behaviour by Harnessing Our True Nature and keynote speaker for Inspiration In Action 2010 the AQR/QRCA bi-annual conference to be held in Prague from 19th to 21st May this year has given us a peek into his all-new conference keynote that's sure to inspire all who provide or use qualitative research. Widely regarded as one of the leading thinkers about brands, marketing and mass behavior, Mark has held senior positions in some of the largest and most influential communications companies in the world – his last job was as chair of Ogilvy's Global Planning Council, prior to which he was Planning Director at the revolutionary St. Luke's Communications in London.

Marketing News: AYMTM appoints new business development manager

Incentive & motivation agency AYMTM has appointment Natasha Ryton as business development manager. Natasha joins AYMTM's motivation team following five years at Red Letter Days, and has previously worked in the IT reseller industry. Natalie Gunson, managing director of AYMTM, commented: "Natasha brings new energy, passion and drive to our growing motivation team, and her background in the IT reseller environment will only build on the many programmes we create for this channel."

Marketing News: Kerry Foods to launch nationwide trial drive

Kerry Foods is to launch a nationwide active trial campaign this month through iris for its new range of freshly prepared meals 'Mumbai Spice'. The activity will see experiential arm iris Experience launch a targeted trialling drive in supermarkets and a selection of train stations across the UK, which will give consumers the chance to win a holiday to India. The campaign will encourage consumers to sample the products en route home and en route to purchase, as well as providing them with the opportunity to purchase there and then. Nico Tuppen, joint managing director of iris Experience, said: "Sampling is often an extremely passive experience. Our campaign for the Mumbai Spice launch is more of an 'active trial' - something with a genuine, context-laden experience at the heart of it. It'll deliver real, memorable value to consumers, as well as see us retail directly at train stations, which is in itself unusual."

Marketing News: Retail Fraud 2010 - 20th April 2010 at Novotel London West

Retail Fraud 2010 - 20th April 2010 at Novotel London West http://www.retail-knowledge.com/RF2010/index.html The definitive event for all aspects for all aspects of physical and technological fraud prevention within the retail and online environment. Now in its 7th year Retail Fraud is the largest retail fraud and loss prevention conference in the UK, attracting over 470 delegates in 2009, which includes over 160 of the top 250 UK retailers by turnover, this flagship event continues to attract the very best vendors, speakers and retail delegates.

Marketing News: Conferences : A New One Day Event - Wealth From Marketing

Social media is a tremendous opportunity to make money also because of the trust that's developed. On social media you develop a relationship first. So when you recommend a product you're doing it as a friend. And that means your followers trust you. No need for "hard sell" tactics or gambits. No need for cutting edge web design. No need to craft compelling sales pitches. This only tells a fraction of the story though. There's three more reasons why social media is so lucrative:

Marketing News: Marketing Clout : 16 UK marketing blogs you must follow (we are right at the top of the list)

We get special mention - and even better we are right up at the top of the page. Thanks Simon. You are our man! Marketing Clout editor, Will Corry, takes enormous pride in stitching together this wonderfully tumultuous tapestry of random postings, managing to capture the essence of the complete marketing mix through well-penned-pieces, videos and pod-casts. If you want to see your 'well-penned-piece' in Marketing Clout simply register here. It's so easy.

Marketing News: Gift Cards & Gift Vouchers- all you need to know in 1 day.

Taking a day out of the office and attending the UK Gift Card & Voucher Association Conference will give you all you need to develop your gift card and gift voucher strategy, you also get to know about the future- e-vouchers and mobile vouchers. Speakers include senior representatives from WHSmith, Debenhams, Asda, Ticketmaster and National Garden Gift Vouchers; JCPenney department stores in the USA, Mastercard and Visa. With over 250 industry professionals attending the event you'll also benefit from networking during conference breaks.

Marketing News: JWT WINS 6 PRIZES AT THE 2010 ANDY AWARDS

New York, N.Y. – April 7, 2010 – The 2010 International ANDY Awards, one of the most renowned advertising awards shows that sets the tone as the first of the creative awards season, announced last night this year's recipients at the Show & Party at The Times Centre in New York City. JWT tied with Leo Burnett as the biggest network winners of the night, with 6 awards each, and JWT London also walked away with a bronze prize for its work with Kimberley Clark.

Marketing News: Listen..Share...Befriend...Don't Sell

Do you want your social media success story featured in theMarketingblog? We're looking for organisations and case studies to feature editorially in an upcoming special issue of theMarketingblog on social media

Marketing News: Customer loyalty 'vital for post-recession success'

Companies need to concentrate on customer loyalty if they are to achieve success in the economic recovery, an expert has claimed.Business guru Sahar Hashemi, founder of Coffee Republic, suggested that some firms are "too internally focused" and said concentrating more on the customer can reap rewards. "Be out there where your stimulation is - the customer and competitor. My big advice would be for bosses to delegate their time, get rid of bureaucracy and meet customers for fresh ideas," she explained. Ms Hashemi also predicted that successful businesses in the future will not confine their creative workers to the office and will encourage them to build relationships with customers and other stakeholders.

Marketing News: Twitter : Research shows that technology marketing professionals either love it or hate it - with very little in between

A new study(1) has found that marketing professionals in the IT sector still can't agree on whether Twitter is a valuable marketing tool or simply an overhyped, narcissistic craze that has no place in the professional world. The survey of 100 B2B technology marketing professionals was conducted by tech PR specialist Johnson King to shed light on how Twitter is being used, how it is regulated in a corporate environment and gauge the general attitude toward the effectiveness of the tool as a marketing aide. Key findings from the survey include:

Marketing News: P&MM appointed to handle Bose experiential brand launch roadshow

High-end consumer electronics brand, BOSE has secured the services of P&MM Events and Communications to provide an experiential brand launch roadshow to their dealer network across the UK and Ireland. P&MM will be providing BOSE with a fully managed and branded, production-led VIP event to 'launch' their market leading products to their eagerly awaiting dealer network. The event will take place over three weeks and will be hosted in boutique hotels where P&MM will fully dress the meeting space and transform them in to 'virtual living rooms'. This idea was conceived so that BOSE would be able to demonstrate their new products in an ideal context, thus providing an optimum sound and vision experience.

Marketing News: Waitrose Case Study from Brandbank

Background: Waitrose Ltd, part of the John Lewis Partnership, prides itself on combining the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and dedicated service of a specialist shop. Their reputation is built on the quality and freshness of their food. Their online service, Waitrose Deliver, has the same high standards and includes grocery items along with Fresh Service Counter goods and a range of prepared foods for entertaining. Brief: Waitrose wanted to launch a consumer shopping website and needed images captured and hosted for the entire range of own label and branded products. Brandbank was asked to develop a plan to rapidly populate the site and produce a product art direction to meet the exacting standards of Waitrose. Furthermore a system had to be in place to allow management of the Waitrose range, product change and deletions files and allow the ongoing population of the site with new products.

Marketing News: P&G are predicting 30% more innovation through core categories in 2010 and 2011

2010 is already promising to be a bumper year for high quality NPD. P&G are predicting 30% more innovation through core categories in 2010 and 2011. Consumer Product manufacturers need to innovate more and get to market quicker than ever before. Are you ready for the next revolution in NPD? In The Grocer (6th March), Liz Hamson highlighted a number of brands who are leading NPD in 2010 with a host of innovative launches, including brands such as Warburton's who have launched new innovate snack products ChippidyDooDaa and SnackaDoodle, and Kellogg's who launched Krave in January.

Marketing News: ELLEN BRUSH IS ELECTED NEW APA CHAIR

Ellen Brush, managing director of Axon Publishing, has been elected the new chairwoman of APA (Association of Publishing Agencies), which in January of this year became independent from PPA. Ellen takes over from Martin MacConnol, CEO of Wardour, who has held the position since 2008. With over 25 years of experience in the customer publishing industry, joining Redwood as a fledgling agency and going on to found Axon with Paul Keers in 1994, Ellen has led the company to achieve a £3 million turnover, working with a wide range of clients from Marks and Spencer to the NCT. Axon Publishing is a long established member of APA and Ellen has been an active member at council meetings and various APA committees.

Marketing News: Research : 48% of shoppers believe they get better service online compared to when they shop in-store

88% of UK consumers have shopped online in the past year - just 8% less than those that shopped in-store, according to new research released by communications agency Likemind. The study, which surveyed over 2000 UK consumers and was conducted by independent market research company Vision Critical, demonstrates that the popularity of online retailers is fast catching up to their high street counterparts. 48% of shoppers also believe they get better service online compared to when they shop in-store, a clear indication that e-tailers have made stronger efforts to deliver against shoppers' expectations of service than traditional retailers do. Surprisingly, those aged 55+ most strongly believed the online experience to be better than an in-store.

Marketing News: Search marketing : Efficient Frontier's team will be tasked to substantially build out the long tail for The Holiday Place

The Holiday Place has appointed Efficient Frontier, a leading online performance marketing firm, as its new search marketing partner after a competitive five way pitch. The Holiday Place is a specialist tour operator providing affordable holidays for the discerning traveller to a diverse range of great value hotels & resorts in some of the world's most exotic locations, including: The Caribbean, The Mediterranean, The Indian Ocean & Africa.

Marketing News: "Torture numbers, they will confess to anything", Jonathan Beeston, Efficient Frontier

Efficient Frontier was a proud sponsor of the IAB flagship "Search for Brands" event recently in London. Speakers were members of the IAB UK Search Council for the half day conference and the 70 person delegation was buzzing with a mix of familiar faces and newbies. The quality of this year's presentations reflects the fast moving pace of the search space. The event began with Jack Wallington, the IAB Chair of the Search Council, as he reflected on the reasons why search marketing is so amazing including: the rate of change; its importance to reaching and building brands online; and the overriding idea that search marketers are a genius combination of data analysts, behaviour experts and communicators. The theme for the event, as the name suggests, focused around building a brand through search and, appropriately, Shuvo Saha, Industry Leader at Google presented on that very topic.

Marketing News: Has your company had success using social media?

We're looking for organisations and case studies to feature editorially in an upcoming special issue of theMarketingblog on social media. We want to see your company and its social media success story featuring strongly.Get your PR people moving on it! Another huge readership bonus - we will be revealing the results of our survey on 'Do you see social networks as an essential part of your marketing plans? in this issue. Important : We welcome any calls about solus sponsorship for this special on 01784 434 412

Marketing News: 2,000 people have now pre-registered online to visit Screen Media Expo on May 5th & 6th in London, have you?

"We look forward to seeing you at Screen Media Expo 2010 for what is anticipated to be the biggest and best ever – with more innovative campaigns, an exceptional learning programme and a dramatic increase in exhibiting companies and volume of visitors." - Mark Pigou, Director of Screen Events Ltd

Marketing News: Clicking With Your Customer — Making Online Banking Work

The core objectives of effective online banking and the way banks are looking to build a more stable and consistent customer relationship are examined in a new Business Paper by SDL Web Content Management Solutions, entitled "Clicking with your customer – Making Online Banking Work". The Paper explores the reasons customers remain loyal to their choice of banking institution, and how an online banking experience can increase a customer's trust and loyalty by providing integration, personalisation and relevance – the three pillars of successful online banking.

Marketing News: European Technology Executives More Confident - Eurocom Worldwide Survey

Two thirds (67%) of senior global technology executives are more confident about prospects for the sector over the next 12 months, according to the latest annual IT confidence survey conducted by Eurocom Worldwide, the Global PR Network in association with UK partner agency Six Degrees. Last year just 13% were more optimistic about prospects with almost half (48%) less confident facing into 2009. "The survey suggests an encouraging bounce in confidence compared to last year with more optimism on revenues and jobs. However, many remain cautious about whether the recession has bottomed out in their own market," commented Amanda Hassall, Director, Six Degrees. The survey, which was conducted during January and February 2010, surveyed 286 senior level executives in technology companies mostly across the European region. 43% believe that the global recession has bottomed out although almost a third (32%) believe it has not. A quarter (25%) are not sure. 48% of the respondents d

Marketing News: The Interior Fit-Out show : From a total investment of £4,550 in the 2009 show, sales worth over £1million have been generated

Simon Anderton, director of Closewood Air Conditioning, explains: "We were out of our comfort zone and needed to get ourselves known, and quickly. The easyFairs Interior Fit-Out show, as a key date for out of office fit-out and retail companies, was identified as the ideal place for us to showcase ourselves." Months before the event, Simon began preparations. Firstly he met with his design agency, Square Bear, to agree the design of the stand. Simon later met with Mitsubishi Electric, Closewood's support manufacturer to discuss the content for the stand and finalise a presentation the he'd give during a seminar at the event. The staff of Closewood also attended easyFairs' exhibitor training days to ensure the business was well prepared to maximize the power of the live event. To this end a client database was created with invitations and tickets to the show emailed and posted to the relevant contacts. "Ensuring we were fully primed was key to our success. The show was th

Marketing News: NetBooster and Guava to merge UK operations

Digital marketing specialists NetBooster and Guava A/S announced that they have decided to unite the operations of their respective UK businesses under the Guava brand. The combined business will employ 50 people across offices in London, Cornwall and Berkshire, enhancing its ability to serve UK and international clients across the entire spectrum of online marketing services. Nils Carlsson, Guava Group CEO, (pictured)said: "We are very excited about the opportunity to merge both of our businesses as it will be a positive move for both Guava and NetBooster. NetBooster will benefit from Guava's strong structure and excellent reputation in the market, while on Guava's side a closer relationship to NetBooster will put us in a strong position to service and win international projects Guava will also get some large international client accounts from NetBooster UK and be able to expand offerings in areas such as affiliation and Display Advertising."

Marketing News: Joanna Lumley to front £2m Müller Vitality campaign

Actress Joanna Lumley will front a new £2million marketing campaign to promote probiotic yogurt Müller Vitality. The campaign will run from next week over a three-month period through to June, including TV and press and is developed to appeal largely to the 55-plus age group who enjoy a full and active life and for whom maintaining good health through balanced meals is the priority. Jonathan Dee, Müller Dairy's interim marketing director, explained: "The key to releasing the full potential of the functional yogurt and yogurt drink sector is to cut through the confusion and scepticism which has been holding back the sector. We need to ensure consumers understand what's different about the brand and what the benefits are and this is exactly what the new Vitality campaign sets out to do."

Marketing News: More than 200 big brand case study-led seminar sessions will be on offer to Internet World visitors

The brand new Seminar Programme at Internet World has just been confirmed. More than 200 big brand case study-led seminar sessions will be on offer to Internet World visitors as part of the free education programme at this year's event at Earls Court 2, London from Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 April 2010. Alongside the 20 keynote sessions from industry experts including LinkedIn, the Conservative Party, BBC and Unilever, visitors will hear from big brands such as British Gas, Facebook, Barclaycard, eBay, The FT and Lonely Planet across 6 themed theatres – as well as welcoming the return of the IDM Academy and CIM and Mobile Marketing Asociation thought-leadership. Europe's largest trade exhibition for the online business & digital marketing industry boasts its biggest ever line-up of seminars for 2010.

Marketing News: LAUNCH OF AGE UK

Age UK is launching its new brand on 5th April, following the merger of several charities and subsidiary companies last year. The launch is being supported by a multi-faceted marketing campaign to build awareness of the services Age UK provides, what it does and how people can get involved and benefit. This will include an extensive direct mail campaign, national TV and print advertising and a media relations campaign. The introduction of the Age UK name and brand marks a major milestone in the journey to create a single new organisation that will improve the lives of people in later life. This journey has been driven by the belief that alongside climate change, population ageing is the greatest global transition to face society this century and that change is needed to meet this challenge.

Marketing News: Three quarters of marketers say domain names are growing in importance

New research from Sedo, the leading global domain marketplace and monetization provider, released today, reveals the industry's views on the key trends defining the digital marketing sector. The results paint a positive picture for the digital marketing sector with over half (52 per cent) of respondents predicting that budgets will increase and almost three quarters (73 per cent) stating that owning the right domain name is a determining factor in the success of a marketing campaign.

Marketing News: CEBRA WILL HELP MARKETERS AND MEDIA AGENCIES FIND BRAND AND CELEBRITY MATCHES WITH GREATEST POTENTIAL

Pop star Kylie Minogue and X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole were named as the UK's most powerful celebrities today in Millward Brown's latest UK research study that analyses celebrity and brand equity to identify appropriate brand partnerships. The study leverages the leading market research agency's new Cebra (celebrity + brand) research tool which is the first to go beyond existing ratings of how well a celebrity is known by consumers (Familiarity) to include measures of Affinity (how well they are liked) and Buzz (how much they are talked about online and offline). The FAB ratings produce an overall Cebra score, which, combined with additional analysis of brand and celebrity personality, identifies brand and celebrity partnerships with the greatest marketplace potential. "Choosing which celebrity to work with is a tricky business for brands," said Mark Husak, head Millward Brown's UK media practice. "And since millions of pounds are often invested in the association, getting it

Marketing News: Miles Couchman, Survey Solutions on the many advantages of customer surveys

The success of any business depends on customer satisfaction - if the customers are satisfied with the products and services that are offered, then the existing clients will stay and new ones are more likely to sign up! And if the customers remain satisfied, the company is more likely to sustain its position and, importantly, survive (in spite of competition from others). It all makes total sense! Customer surveys play a major role in measuring and understanding client satisfaction - and also what could be done to improve service delivery, including the quality and range of what's on offer. They enable you to get an insight into what customers really think, also their preferences and behaviours. Another benefit, that's often overlooked, is that surveys demonstrate to customers that they are really important to the company, and their opinions are valued - and the more that they feel this, the more loyal they will be.

Marketing News: Liberal Democrats launch further online push as part of 'Labservative' campaign

A short film featuring a 'Labservative' candidate canvassing public opinion on his party's new ad campaign is launching today as part of an unbranded guerilla marketing and social media push for the Liberal Democrats.

Marketing News: Ryanair uses social media for businesses travellers

Ryanair is about to embark on its first foray into social media in an attempt to engage more business customers. The budget airline has shunned established social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn in favour of developing its own online travel community hosted on ryanair.com. The new content is set to launch in the coming month and hopes to build incremental revenues for the airline by offering ad spaces to local businesses on the site and confirmation pages. Ryanair recently began selling advertising on boarding passes. Content on new community will include a flight comparison engine and a commercial tie-up with travel specialist Frommer's. Users will be able to post comments on recommendations and attractions.