eMarketer.com - Don't Overlook Affiliate Shoppers

eMarketer.com - Don't Overlook Affiliate Shoppers: "Don't Overlook Affiliate Shoppers

JANUARY 31, 2007



At the dawn of e-commerce, affiliate networks were all the rage, but you don't hear much about them anymore.
Maybe you should.
According to a study from comScore Networks, commissioned by DoubleClick, consumers clicking on affiliate links tend to spend more than the average Internet shopper.
Affiliate consumers were 43% more likely to convert online than consumers directed by other referrals.
'Affiliate marketing, the oft unsung workhorse of online marketing, has been one of the most dependable, consistent and predictable merchant customer acquisition channels since the late 90s,' Chris Henger of Performics, a division of DoubleClick, told Internet Retailer.
In addition, affiliate link clickers represent a more qualified demographic. The study found that affiliate shoppers are 17% more likely than the average Internet shopper to have household incomes greater than $75,000 a year. "

Companies should ignore Web 2.0 at their own peril - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic

Companies should ignore Web 2.0 at their own peril - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic: Companies should ignore Web 2.0 at their own peril
by Charlie McCathie Brand Republic 30 Jan 2007

Web 2.0: companies need to embrace
LONDON - Companies need to embrace Web 2.0 or face being pushed aside in the battle for business, according to new research.

A study conducted by management consultants Booz Allen Hamilton found that 41% of UK internet users currently access Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube, MySpace and Facebook, to connect with others in a worldwide online community and this figure is set to increase.

Booz Allen Hamilton suggests that companies need to take advantage of the social networking and video driven developments of Web 2.0 to win customers. The consultancy also advises companies to use social communities to drive buying decisions, in particular by using online forums to generate feedback.

The survey found that 43% of UK MySpace users are happy to use purchasing recommendations from unknown peers, which the study says could signal a new trend in the way consumers make buying decisions.

Other results highlighted by the survey were that newer sites have predominantly young user communities, with 50% of MySpace users under the age of 25, but older people are also turning to Web 2.0, with 24% of MySpace users in the 35-49 age bracket. This is borne out, the research says, by the finding that 25% of Amazon users are over the age of 50.

The study said: "Unless businesses recognise and respond to such trends, the shift in consumer behaviour is likely to have an adverse effect on both customer acquisition and retention. Web 2.0 has already reached a critical mass -- companies must now adapt to the new paradigm. The need to evolve existing business models by integrating the Web 2.0 environment is urgent."

Comment: Web 2.0 and the death of the page impression - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic

Comment: Web 2.0 and the death of the page impression - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic: Comment: Web 2.0 and the death of the page impression
Paul Cook, founder of PositiveFeedback Revolution UK 25 Jan 2007

I find BBC2's Dragon's Den entertaining and a good reminder that businesses need to be built on sound principles. So, I was shocked when the panel got excited about a poker affiliate attracting 50,000 hits. No-one asked over what period this meaningless metric was counted, let alone how many people it equated to and whether any had signed up.

It seems funny that, 10 years on, people go on prime-time TV and talk about measuring a site in terms of hits. Despite the fact that it can't be done for Flash sites, people have been happy to measure site popularity in terms of pages. To double impressions you can split content from one page into a menu and sub-pages. People may stay on the pages for half the time, but you can serve twice as many ads.

The movement towards table-based web design made impressions easier to quantify, so they've been the main currency. Yet, if you redesign your site your page impressions will be irrelevant, so it follows they don't give the best answer when trying to evaluate which of two sites is most popular. However, web 2.0 will change everything.

Web 2.0 lets designers present sites in a more synchronous way. While the user accesses the page, relevant content is constantly requested from the server. The result is a page impression that lasts for minutes and generates a constant stream of hits. The solution is to accept that the web is an active medium that has more in common with TV and radio than newspapers. Unfortunately, current measurement revolves around pages, partly because the media owners who dominated the web in the early days were newspapers.

Web media needs to be measured in terms of users and hours. If a sports site has 100,000 unique users and one million user hours per week, we can evaluate that instantly. If we know one million user hours equates to a five per cent share of the total hours spent by UK users accessing sport, better still. Panel-based measurement could calculate the size of the market while site-centric measurement could be used for individual sites. Of course, measuring unique users is easier said than done, but these problems are not insurmountable and the result would be a measurement system that allows sites to be compared fairly. And, you'd be talking in terms that offline media buyers understand.

Square One wins Norwich Union customer magazine - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

Square One wins Norwich Union customer magazine - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: Square One wins Norwich Union customer magazine
by Daniel Farey-Jones Brand Republic 31 Jan 2007

Real Living: Square One title
LONDON - Square One is to relaunch Norwich Union's customer magazine after winning the account in a six-way pitch involving incumbent Halcyon Publishing, Forward, River, Redwood and Atom.

After six quarterly issues with Halcyon as Norwich Union Magazine, the title has been given a facelift, reduced pagination and a new title, Real Living. It will change frequency to three times a year. The next issue is out in February.

The issue will be mailed to an ABC-certified database of 500,000 named Norwich Union policyholders.

It will cover financial and lifestyle issues through a range of features including product news, tips, interviews, and features on home, travel and the environment.

Square One worked with the insurer to develop a "complex segmentation strategy" targeting 18 different types of customer, ensuring that customers get a magazine that is highly relevant to them.

Third parties will also be able to advertise and place inserts in the magazine.

Liz Habgood, strategy manager for the magazine and electronic e-zine at Norwich Union insurance, said: "Real Living lets us talk to our customers on a regular basis. It's a great way for us to create a dialogue with them and it adds value while also explaining some of our more complex products."

Norwich Union's e-zine is handled by Alchemy Worx.

Square One was recently appointed by RAC, Norwich Union's sister company in the Aviva Group, to produce a customer magazine after a successful trial last summer.

RavenFox

RavenFox: Alpha wins two UK airport contracts
24-Jan-2007


Alpha Airports Group has won two seven-year contracts at Bournemouth and East Midlands airports

Alpha Airports Group has won a seven-year contract to operate the duty-free concession at Bournemouth airport. It has also been awarded an extension to its retail operation at East Midlands airport for the same length of time.



The deals encompass the tax-free offer and books and news concessions at both airports, as well as catering at East Midlands airport.



Alpha expects the contract to generate sales in excess of £130m ($250.9m) at East Midlands airport, while its Bournemouth operation should achieve sales of £20m ($39m) over the seven-year period.



East Midlands airport's passenger terminal is undergoing an £8m ($15.4m) redevelopment programme which covers 11,500sq ft (1,068sq m). Alpha plans to spend more than £2m ($3.9m) developing and refitting the existing units, which will include a refurbished and extended duty-free area, a new airside newsagent, a bookshop and refitted food hall. Construction began at the end of 2006 and the changes will be completed by April.



Alpha also plans to invest £400,000 ($772,000) over the seven-year period at Bournemouth airport and revealed plans to develop a new store by 2010. Alpha will initially be operating in 1,200sq ft (116sq m), but expect this to increase to 3,000sq ft (279sq m) with the new development.



Alpha Airports Group CEO Peter Williams said: “We are committed to improving travel-retail in the UK’s leading airports and are delighted to be working with Bournemouth and East Midlands airports to provide a unique and more sophisticated shopping experience.”



The retailer released a trading update on January 24 before entering its close period for the financial year to January 31 2007. The statement said: “Alpha’s domestic UK markets remain very competitive and continue to operate on low margins. The UK security issues in August 2006 and the resulting restrictions to hand baggage allowances continued to be a factor in Alpha’s UK retail outlets throughout the remainder of the year. While airside trading has gradually returned to pre-incident levels, the impact on landside outlets, with passengers having to proceed to security more quickly, remains and is expected to continue to be a factor in the future.”

BBC NEWS | Technology | Mobile internet use 'increasing'

BBC NEWS | Technology | Mobile internet use 'increasing': "Mobile internet use 'increasing'

More phones than ever have access to simple data services
Mobile phone users in the UK accessed the internet via their handsets about 15.9 million times throughout December 2006, says the Mobile Data Association.
The association's report shows an increase of one million unique sessions over November 2006, the prior record.
However, much of the recent increase could be due to seasonal gift-giving said Thomas Husson, a mobile analyst at Jupiter Research.
In the past three months, mobile users accessed the web 45.6 million times. "

Digital should be on new DMA chairman's agenda - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

Digital should be on new DMA chairman's agenda - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: Digital should be on new DMA chairman's agenda
by Tom Morgan Brand Republic 30 Jan 2007

Tom Morgan
The DMA's new chairman Rosemary Smith should champion digital direct marketing, writes Tom Morgan, managing director of email specialist EDR.

I could not agree more strongly with Rosemary Smith, the new chair of the Direct Marketing Association, that: "If [direct marketing] didn't work, companies wouldn't use it" (reported in the Financial Times on January 4, 2007). The £17bn spent on it every year speaks for itself.

I also applaud her recognition that consumers are the other side of the coin. Her decision to devote more attention to understanding their needs and to focus messages on the benefits direct marketing brings (such as loyalty schemes, discount offers and pricing information) will help change perceptions and in turn increase spend by organisations on direct.

However, of her three stated priorities (environment, engagement and expertise), the final one should be made supreme because of its potential to advance the others.

If expertise, specifically in digital forms of direct marketing such as email, caught up with booming client demand then we could expect to see an even faster shift away from mail, with obvious benefits for the environment.

Similarly, if digital direct marketing expertise was harnessed to its full effect, a greater number of consumers would find it within their power to modify the frequency and nature of communications received from businesses.

What better way to engage consumers than with entertaining, informative and interactive messages delivered when and where they want them?

In addition to a focus on developing digital expertise, Rosemary should add two further Es to her advocacy list: expense and extension.

Return on investment is a key consideration for companies and direct shouldn't be afraid to take on other forms of marketing to claim a greater share of budgets.

Direct's fast-growing digital component can offer greater ROI than even traditional forms, which is another good reason to focus on digital.

Secondly, she should promote the benefits of direct to organisations beyond the usual suspects -- financial services providers, publishers, retailers and charities -- who might be attracted by direct's, and particularly digital direct's, targeting ability.

Direct marketing's advance into digital has hitherto been held back by vested agency interests because of the amount of money businesses have been prepared to pay to run postal campaigns.

The net result is that we're way behind other forms of digital advertising such as online display and search.

Businesses and consumers would like to see the DMA not only push the envelope further by embracing five Es, but also push the "send" button by making digital expertise supreme.

DMA report claims door-drops are more effective than TV ads - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

DMA report claims door-drops are more effective than TV ads - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: DMA report claims door-drops are more effective than TV ads
by Charlie McCathie Brand Republic 30 Jan 2007

Keywood: 'research is very encouraging'
LONDON - New research conducted for the DMA has revealed that door-drops make more of an impact on consumers than TV ads.

Most respondents, 72%, said they had taken some action as a result of receiving unaddressed door-drop items through their letterbox.

This compares with 52% agreeing with the statement that they did not take much notice of what is being advertised on TV.

The study also found that door-drops are more effective if they include a giveaway. When the door-drop included a money-off coupon 84% said they had taken action as a result.

Accubiz Research & Consulting directed the survey, which involved 400 interviews conducted in homes that were demographically selected to ensure an accurate representation.

Among other findings, the research revealed that almost 80% of respondents had taken some action as a result of receiving either a national or local government leaflet.

When respondents were asked how useful they found different media as a source of advertising, 28% said they found leaflets and free samples very or quite useful.

Free local papers scored best, with 43% of respondents saying they found them very or quite useful as a source of advertising.

Males, C2DEs and people from the South or Scotland were more likely to be happy to receive leaflets, free samples and circulars, while people aged under 35, females, ABC1s and people from the North are the most likely to notice the ads in leaflets and free samples.

DMA member Colin Keywood, managing director of research company The Front Door, said: "The research is very encouraging and shows that people do actually find door drops useful and relevant to them.

"It also demonstrates that it provides them with a degree of information that they have to actively go and find in other media -- reinforcing the role of door drops in the wider media mix."

Airports New Email Service (from Bishop's Stortford Citizen)

Airports New Email Service (from Bishop's Stortford Citizen): "Airport's new email service
By Guardian-series
PASSENGERS using Stansted Airport now have access to a text and e-mail service developed by BAA and providing the latest regularly-updated travel information.
With extra security measures in place and the possibility of some flight delays and cancellations BAA is making sure travellers, together with their friends and families have full access to all available information.
To receive the information passengers should text Stansted' to 64BAA(64222) or send an email to Stansted@baa.com.
Advertisement continued...BAA Stansted director of communications Mark Pendlington said: 'Talking to passengers is a top priority at times like this, and our new service allows people to keep in touch with us in the most efficient and timely way possible.'"

Iris adds Turner and Barber to client consultancy division - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic

Iris adds Turner and Barber to client consultancy division - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic: "Iris adds Turner and Barber to client consultancy division
by Alex Donohue Brand Republic 29 Jan 2007

Turner: joins teamLONDON - Integrated agency Iris has appointed Mark Turner as managing director and Howard Barber as director for its consultancy division to bolster its customer knowledge services.
Turner and Barber are expected to contribute strategy planning and consumer insight to Iris' core marketing accounts, which include Sony Ericsson, COI and Network Rail.
Turner is credited with having 20 years' experience in direct marketing and customer relationship management across European and US-based clients at board level.
Ian Millner, chief executive officer at Iris, said: 'Mark and Howard's experience in consulting will help our clients to deepen their understanding of the value of their customers and link this back to actionable marketing practices.'
Turner said that Iris would be continuing to develop its population-wide databases, market research and customer transactional data for the agency's client base.
He added: 'My experience coupled with that of Howard's will support the wider business objectives of Iris' clients and add value and bring true integration to any of brand's marketing strategy.'
The joining of Turner and Barber follows that of George Nimeh, a founding member of the CBS/Viacom portal iWon.com's, who was made digital managing director earlier this week."

TheMoodieReport.com

TheMoodieReport.com: Alpha captures new retail contracts at East Midlands and Bournemouth airports – 24/01/07
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Dermot Davitt
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UK. Alpha Airports Group has been awarded crucial retail contracts at two of the UK’s leading regional airports.

At East Midlands Airport Alpha has been awarded a seven-year contract to operate duty free, catering and newsagents. This contract is expected to generate sales of in excess of £130 million over the seven-year term.

The airport is currently undergoing an £8 million redevelopment of the passenger terminal, to improve facilities for over 4.4 million customers every year. Alpha has committed to spending in excess of £2 million in developing and refitting the existing units, to include a refurbished and extended duty free store, a new airside newsagent, a bookshop and a refitted food hall, totalling over 11,500sq ft.

Construction began at the end of 2006 and the changes will be completed in time for the busy summer season, which starts in April.

Alpha has also won a seven-year contract with Bournemouth Airport to operate duty free and newsagents. The anticipated additional sales are in the region of £20 million over the term.

Alpha will invest £400,000 over the seven-year period and will, in 2010, be developing a new store within the terminal. Alpha will initially be operating in 1,200sq ft, but said this would increase to 3,000sq ft with the new development.

Alpha Airports Group Chief Executive Peter Williams said: “We are absolutely committed to improving travel retail in the UK's leading airports and are delighted to be working with both Bournemouth and East Midlands airports in providing a unique and more sophisticated shopping experience. The UK air traveller wants efficiency and quality and our investment in developing new concept stores will deliver them the best possible retail environment.”

Meanwhile, The Board of Alpha also announced a trading update before its close period for the financial year to 31 January 2007. The group will announce preliminary results on 27 March 2007.

“Alpha's domestic UK markets remain very competitive and continue to operate on low margins,” it said. “The UK security issues in August 2006 and the resultant restrictions to hand baggage allowances continued to be a factor in Alpha's UK retail outlets throughout the remainder of the year. While airside trading has gradually returned to pre-incident levels, the impact on landside outlets, with passengers having to proceed to security more quickly, remains and is expected to continue to be a factor in the future.

“Performance at Alpha's international businesses remains strong despite ongoing security issues in certain markets. The group is particularly pleased with the recent successes that have expanded our international reach into India and the United Arab Emirates and strengthened our position in Australia and Italy.”

The overall trading position is expected to be broadly in line with market expectations, Alpha said.

Latest News | News | Hemscott

Latest News | News | Hemscott: "Alpha Airports sees overall trading in line; wins 150 mln stg deals
LONDON (AFX) - Alpha Airports Group PLC said overall trading for the year to end-Jan is expected to be broadly in line with market expectations, although it continues to operate on low margins in the competitive UK market.
The airport retailer and caterer said the security issues and restrictions of 2006 are still impacting on its outlets and are expected to continue to be a factor. Performance of its international businesses remains strong despite the ongoing security issues, it added.
Separately, the company also said it has won two seven-year contracts - one worth an estimated 130 mln stg in sales from East Midlands Airport and one worth about 20 mln stg in sales from Bournemouth Airport - to develop and operate retail spaces.
Alpha said it will spend over 2 mln stg in developing and refitting existing units at East Midlands, and that it plans to invest 400,000 stg at Bournemouth"

Coca-Cola settles with London band over video similarities - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic

Coca-Cola settles with London band over video similarities - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic: Coca-Cola settles with London band over video similarities
by Alex Donohue Brand Republic 23 Jan 2007

7 Seconds of Love: case settled
LONDON - Coca-Cola has reached an out of court settlement with unsigned London band 7 Seconds of Love, after the group accused the soft drinks giant of using 'substantially similar material' from its 'Ninja' song and video in an Argentinean ad for Coca-Cola Light.

The settlement, which was brokered by intellectual property firm Olswang, means Coca-Cola will avoid an expensive court action for use of the "material" in a Coca-Cola Light ad that screened in Argentina last year.

Joel Veitch, lead singer of 7 Seconds of Love and animator of the 'Ninja' video, was first made aware of the similarities between the Coca-Cola ad, which was also posted on YouTube, when South American fans contacted him about its resemblances to 'Ninja'.

The Coca-Cola ad, which was produced by Argentine ad agency Santo Buenos Aries, featured cats bouncing around in Ninja suits, and Veitch said it was similar in execution to his band's video for 'Ninja', which had dancing cats dressed as Ninjas and children.

Michael Burdon, head of intellectual property at Olswang, said: "The band was in a strong position because it owns various forms of intellectual property for the 'Ninja' song and video.

"This dispute clearly demonstrates the international nature of international property rights and enforcement. The band may never have known about the ad in Argentina if it had not been for the internet."

Veitch, who has animation credits for 'Johnny Vegas: 18 Stone of Idiot' and Virgin Trains, also owns social media site RatherGood.com.

Coca-Cola has agreed to no longer air the ad, and it is understood that 7 Seconds of Love intends to donate the money received from the drinks company to charity.

Privilege tipped to award direct brief to Personal - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Privilege tipped to award direct brief to Personal - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: "LONDON - The Royal Bank of Scotland is poised to hire direct agency Personal for its Privilege insurance account, ahead of plans to boost its below-the-line activity.
The expected appointment follows a competitive pitch handled by Creative Brief.
Privilege has previously used a number of direct shops on a project basis, but has decided to consolidate the work into a single agency. Earlier this month, a spokesman confirmed that Privilege plans to increase the volume of direct mail it sends to current and potential customers.
In May 2006, Privilege hired Joshua to create a mailing to support its 'You don't have to be posh to be privileged' campaign created by M&C Saatchi. Joshua did not pitch for the retained business.
RBS, which also owns the Direct Line and Churchill insurance brands, is the market leader in the private motor-insurance sector, with a 33% market share, according to Mintel.
Earlier this month, Privilege tied with brands including Virgin Holidays to offer a customer benefits scheme.
Personal declined to comment on the appointment."

RavenFox

RavenFox: "BAA plans own-brand travel range
18-Jan-2007
Emily Pacey


UK airports group BAA has announced plans to launch a range of own-brand travel accessories, including earphones, earplugs, travel adapters, pillows and luggage straps
The products will feature logos based on BAA airports’ black, yellow and white direction signs, including a graphic of a white aeroplane on a black and yellow background.

BAA worked with manufacturer and distributor Design Go to produce the range, which will initially be available in World Duty Free’s store at London Heathrow terminal three before being rolled out across other BAA airports later this year.

The products are the brainchild of BAA communications design manager Nigel Clarke, who said: “Our ‘wayfinding’ symbols are a prime example of iconic information design and stand out like yellow and black beacons as a visual thread through our airports. They instantly say ‘airport’, but the key is that they are simple, and universally and quickly understood by an international audience. It was time to take our wayfinding symbols directly to the consumer and explore their commercial benefits for the first time.”"

Iris recruits Nimeh as digital managing director - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic

Iris recruits Nimeh as digital managing director - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic: "Iris recruits Nimeh as digital managing director
by Charlie McCathie Brand Republic 22 Jan 2007

Nimeh: joining IrisLONDON - Integrated agency Iris has appointed George Nimeh as digital managing director.
Nimeh's background is in digital consultancy and he has advised brands including Betfair, Yahoo! and Red Bull.
Before joining Iris he was a founding member of CBS/Viacom portal iWon.com’s senior management team where he led the business development of more than 25 content and technology partnerships.
He also worked across PepsiCo, Chase Manhattan Bank and the US Navy when he was a senior strategist for US digital marketing agency Organic Online from 1998 to 1999.
Iris has hired Nimeh to expand its digital offering and attract new clients. The role also involves launching digital engagement programmes for existing clients, including Sony Ericsson, Shell, CNN, Wonderbra and Coca-Cola.
Ian Millner, chief executive of Iris, said: 'We knew we needed a big name to fill the managing director position within digital and George's credentials speak for themselves.
'George and his team will be putting digital at the heart of how we help our clients build brands, create communities and drive advocacy with our integrated approach.'
Nimeh said: 'The real winners on the new marketing battleground will be those who can understand how the relationship consumers have with digital media can be harnessed to power deeper engagement with brands, products and services.'"

Marketers to increase online direct spend as mail loses out - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic

Marketers to increase online direct spend as mail loses out - Digital Bulletin - Digital news by Email - Brand Republic: "Marketers to increase online direct spend as mail loses out
by Daniel Farey-Jones Brand Republic 23 Jan 2007

Eldridge: 'well-defined shift in spending and activity'LONDON - Only 14% of UK marketers are planning to increase their spend on direct mail this year, while 90% are planning to increase their spend on online direct marketing, according to new research from Alterian.
The data analysis software company conducts an annual survey of marketing professionals in North America and the UK.
This year's survey reveals that direct mail is set to be much more popular in North America than the UK: while 50% of US marketers overall plan to increase their spend on the medium, in the UK only 14% of marketers plan to do so.
North American marketers are slightly less keen to increase online spend: overall, 85% of marketers plan to do so compared with 90% in the UK.
In the UK, the majority of marketers do not integrate email with other channels: 64% do not and 36% do. The picture in the US is very similar.
Almost 40% of UK marketers reported difficulty integrating email marketing activity with the customer database.
Only 28% carry out full analysis of email campaigns and 72% apply basis or no analysis."

Ofcom website crashes due to flood of Celeb BB complaints - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Ofcom website crashes due to flood of Celeb BB complaints - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: "Ofcom website crashes due to flood of Celeb BB complaints
by Mark Banham Brand Republic 19 Jan 2007
LONDON - The number of complaints registered by the public to Ofcom over allegedly racist comments directed towards 'Celebrity Big Brother' contestant Shilpa Shetty by other housemates has caused the media regulator's website to crash.
The number of viewers complaining about the show to Ofcom reached more than 20,000 today, many of them online, causing Ofcom to publish an announcement on its website.
It said: 'Ofcom are currently receiving very high volumes of complaints alleging racism in Celebrity Big Brother 7. Visitors may experience delays or intermittent problems when trying to submit complaints.'"

Coke's top marketer leaves company - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Coke's top marketer leaves company - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: "Coke's top marketer leaves company
by Darren Davidson Brand Republic 19 Jan 2007

Minnick: moving to UKLondon - Mary Minnick, Coca-Cola's top marketer, is leaving the group to pursue 'personal and professional goals' in the UK.
The departure of Coca-Cola's president of marketing, strategy and innovation is a major blow to the soft drinks giant.
Minnick is credited with helping to revive Coke's performance following a period of sluggish growth. She introduced a global campaign using a new slogan, the 'Coke side of life', created by Wieden & Kennedy, which was rolled out around the world from December 2005.. She also oversaw the launch of products such as Coke Blak, a coffee-flavoured cola, and Gold Peak iced tea.
Before this, the 23-year veteran of the company served as president and COO of Coca-Cola Asia.
Minnick's departure comes just two months after her chances of succeeding Neville Isdell as chief executive of the company were severely hampered.
In November, Coke appointed Muhtar Kent as president and chief operating officer, putting him in pole position to take the reigns from Isdell.
Her decision to move to the UK, where her partner lives, is likely to trigger a race among UK-based companies to secure her services.
Isdell said: 'There is no doubt that she has the skills, experience and leadership qualities to some day run a company if that is what she chose to do.'"

Mildenhall named Coca-Cola's global marketing chief - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Mildenhall named Coca-Cola's global marketing chief - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: "Mildenhall named Coca-Cola's global marketing chief
James Hamilton Campaign 20 Oct 2006
Jonathan Mildenhall, the strategy director at Mother, has been poached by Coca-Cola, where he will oversee the soft-drinks giant's $2 billion marketing budget.
Mildenhall joins as the vice-president of global marketing. He will head the strategic and operational roll-out of its carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. He will report to the Coca-Cola chief creative officer, Esther Lee, and will relocate to Atlanta in January.
Mildenhall said: 'I'm sad to be leaving, but the scale of the job and the creative talent of the Coca-Cola team was too much of a pull.'
Andy Medd, the Mother partner, added: 'He has been amazing for Mother in the short time he's been here, but it's a stellar opportunity.'"

Pepsi creates 35 pack designs to win over youth - Design Bulletin - Design news by Email - Brand Republic

Pepsi creates 35 pack designs to win over youth - Design Bulletin - Design news by Email - Brand Republic: "Pepsi creates 35 pack designs to win over youth
by Jemima Bokaie Marketing 16 Jan 2007

Pepse: new designsLONDON - Pepsi is introducing 35 different packaging designs as part of a global brand revamp aimed at bringing younger consumers closer to the brand. It is only the 11th time the brand has changed its look in its 109-year history.
The graphics, created by US agencies, will use themes associated with teens and young adults. Images representing fashion, sport, music and cars will appear on Pepsi, Pepsi Max and Diet Pepsi packs in the UK from the end of March. The Pepsi globe logo and lettering will remain.
Each territory will have the opportunity to add designs, including promotions and links to websites where consumers can access exclusive content.
The work will be supported by a campaign that will include in-store merchandising as well as TV, radio, print and online activity.
In the US, Pepsi plans to change the pack designs every few weeks. A spokeswoman for Pepsi UK said that the designs would be alternated less often in this country. "

FSA threatens insurers with action on savings claims - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

FSA threatens insurers with action on savings claims - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: "FSA threatens insurers with action on savings claims
by Daniel Farey-Jones Brand Republic 17 Jan 2007

FSA; warning to insurance advertisersLONDON - The Financial Services Authority has contacted several insurers to warn them to stop using misleading savings claims in their advertising and has given them three months to mend their ways or face regulatory action.
The FSA singled out motor insurers as the worst culprits, having found that more than half of their ads with savings claims were misleading or unclear.
Its study focused on direct response press ads from 57 firms selling motor, home and travel insurance.
It believes insurance ads can be misleading if they give the impression that most consumers are eligible for such savings when in fact only a few are. They can also be unclear if the basis of the savings claim is not clearly set out.
A quarter of the home insurance ads gave cause for concern, but the FSA decided the travel insurance ads were generally of a higher standard.
Vernon Everitt, retail themes director at the FSA, said: 'This work demonstrates that firms in the home, travel and car insurance markets must shape up and ensure that the claims they make don't mislead.
'We will be back in three months to assess progress and will then decide whether further regulatory action is needed.'"

Return Path and e-Dialog set up EMEA alliance - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

Return Path and e-Dialog set up EMEA alliance - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: "Return Path and e-Dialog set up EMEA alliance
by Daniel Farey-Jones Brand Republic 15 Jan 2007

Simone Barratt of e-Dialog UKLONDON - Email marketing company e-Dialog and email deliverability company Return Path are collaborating to improve the delivery of client emails in the fragmented Europe, Middle East and Africa markets.
The aim is to get to grips with the increasing complexity of email delivery assurance and so help clients quickly and cost effectively launch email programmes into new markets.
The two companies have formed the Sender Score Receiver Alliance in order to provide a central point of contact between email senders and the ISP community in the EMEA area. This will help understand the specific requirements of ISPs within each market.
Simone Barratt, managing director of e-Dialog UK, said: 'With our footprint in Europe continuing to increase, we are now sending email into hundreds of different markets.
'As our clients broaden their reach and as the ISP community grows, it's very important that we have solid ISP relationships in place in these countries should a problem arise.'
The two companies have an existing relationship - e-Dialog has partnered with Return Path for more than two years to supplement its internal delivery tools and to provide reputation and certification services to its clients.
Ken Takahashi, vice-president of corporate and international development for Return Path, said: 'The ISP community has been receptive to the programme, which will greatly help companies trying to increase inbox reach abroad.'"

E-Dialog swells database team with new director - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

E-Dialog swells database team with new director - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: "E-Dialog swells database team with new director
by Joanne Payne Brand Republic 8 Jan 2007

Green: joining e-DialogLONDON - Email marketing company e-Dialog has appointed Simon Green to the newly created role of director of database, strategy and data services.
Green brings 15 years of international strategy and marketing credentials to e-Dialog after a career spanning stints at the likes of Citibank, British Airways, Star Alliance, Qantas and IBM.
Green will report to Simone Barratt, e-Dialog managing director, and will apply his database and strategic on- and off-line brand marketing expertise to lead highly targeted, next-generation multi-channel communication programmes that create customer relationships for e-Dialog's clients.
Before joining e-Dialog, Green ran consultancy consultancy 3RM Strategic Marketing. Prior to that, he was responsible for taking Qantas' Frequent Flyer communications online.
Barratt said: 'Simon is a hugely talented customer relationship marketer and we look forward to drawing on his expertise to help our clients maximise long-term customer value with contextually targeted communications.' "

Privilege hunts shop for direct business - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

Privilege hunts shop for direct business - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: "Privilege hunts shop for direct business
by Jeremy Lee Marketing 9 Jan 2007

Privilege: seeking direct agencyLONDON - Privilege, the Royal Bank of Scotland-owned insurance brand whose advertising features actress Joanna Lumley, is looking for a direct marketing agency to handle its account ahead of a planned increase in investment in the medium.
Privilege has already invited agencies to pitch for the brief and an announcement on the winner is expected later this month, according to a company spokesman.
The brand has used a number of direct marketing agencies in the past, but it now wants a single shop to handle the brief as it increases the volume of direct mail it sends, he added.
The spokesman would not say how much new investment would be going into direct marketing.
Last May, Privilege hired Joshua to create a series of direct mailings to support its M&C Saatchi-created TV advertising, which uses the strapline 'You don't have to be posh to be privileged'. Three months later, the insurer hired M&C Saatchi's sister interactive agency, Play, to create a digital marketing drive based on a competition for users who recommended the brand to their friends.
Last month RBS announced it would be increasing car insurance premiums across its brands in 2007. The move, which follows Norwich Union rate hikes of up to 40%, has led to fears that lower-priced rival insurers may follow suit and raise their premiums.
RBS, which also owns the Direct Line and Churchill brands, dominates the private motor insurance business with a 33.9% market share and gross written premiums totalling almost £3bn in May 2006, according to Mintel."

M&C Saatchi lands £4m RBS business - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic

M&C Saatchi lands £4m RBS business - DMBulletin - Direct Marketing news by Email - Brand Republic: "M&C Saatchi lands £4m RBS business
Noel Bussey Campaign 20 Jan 2006
M&C Saatchi has been handed the £4 million Royal Bank of Scotland creative business previously held by Saatchi & Saatchi.
The agency will focus on RBS's retail banking unit and is briefed to handle all of the creative tasks for the finance company's high-street banks.
RBS is the second-biggest bank in Scotland, behind The Bank of Scotland. It has 640 branches - 340 in Scotland and 300 in the rest of the UK. It services 3.5 million customers.
The win sees M&C Saatchi extend its relationship with RBS. It already works for its NatWest, Direct Line and Privilege Insurance brands.
A spokesman for RBS said: 'Following a review of our agency support last year we have decided to consolidate our retail banking unit into M&C Saatchi. The agency is already our appointed agency for the RBS Group brand and NatWest retail banking.'"

Loewy creates identity for Heathrow biometrics trial - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Loewy creates identity for Heathrow biometrics trial - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: Loewy creates identity for Heathrow biometrics trial
by Charlie McCathie Brand Republic 19 Jan 2007

MiSense: Loewy design
LONDON - Loewy has unveiled a unique identity for a new passenger screening initiative at Heathrow airport.

The brand communications agency has created a logo for the British Airports Authority's advanced passenger screening system, currently in operation at Terminal 3.

The system, MiSense, sees passengers' fingerprints biometrically scanned at the same time as their passports, allowing for quicker boarding.

The logo has been designed to reflect a blue and green petal and is whorl-shaped, with the word MiSense written in green in the space within the petals.

Loewy has also developed a range of materials alongside the logo, including a membership card, leaflets, instructional and directional signs, and stickers on barriers and scanners.

BAA's head of product development, Stephen Challis, said: "It was imperative that the communications materials were simple but also important that they reflect the technological innovation which is a key part of MiSense."

Linda McQuillan, Loewy's director of corporate communications, said: "We were tasked with creating an identity and communications materials that were authoritative and easy to understand. This is a fantastic addition to the work we do for this key client."

BAA is also experimenting with Loewy on the branding of its directional symbols and is introducing a range of own-label products for air passengers.

The products are initially available at Terminal 3 and include branded ear-phones, ear-plugs, luggage stamps, alarm clocks, padlocks, travel fans, travel socks, travel adaptors and pillows.

According to Loewy, 140 million passengers who pass through Heathrow every year use the signs an average of 30 times per trip.

BAA's communications design manager, Nigel Clarke, said: "Like Harry Beck's underground map, our 'wayfinding' symbols are a prime example of iconic information design and stand out like yellow and black beacons as a visual thread through our airports.

"It was time to take these symbols direct to the consumer and explore their commercial benefits for the first time."

McQuillan added: "The wayfinding symbols are possibly one of BAA's greatest brand assets and have huge potential to bring commercial benefits to the company."

Dunmow Broadcast - Website up for national award

Dunmow Broadcast - Website up for national award: A WEBSITE launched to inform the community about Stansted Airport expansion plans submitted by BAA to Uttlesford District Council has been shortlisted for a national accolade.

Stansted Explained went online in June and has been nominated for the Community Involvement 2007 Local Government Chronicle Awards.

The website allows people to keep up-to-date with the latest planning developments and watch live webcasts, download podcasts and read blogs.

UDC's director for communities, Tracy Turner, said: "We are extremely pleased the council's efforts to fully involve the community in the Stansted Airport planning issues have been recognised as excellent practice.

"People can register for news via text messages, email and RSS feed, submit comments, read blogs by councillors and listen to podcasts.

"The website is an effective way in keeping abreast of news as and when it happens and it takes community involvement to a fresh and different level."

Ms Turner added the website proved particularly popular during the council's public engagement week in July, when a series of meetings were held to discuss BAA's application to remove the passenger cap limiting the annual number of passengers using Stansted Airport to 25 million.

Ms Turner said: "In the first three months the site recorded more than

5000 visitors and almost 17,000 page views, mainly from the UK, but also from as far afield as Canada and Australia.

"By the end of 2006, the visitor figure was close to 10,000 and the webcast facility was of particular value, with almost 2300 visitors having tuned in to follow proceedings in the council chamber by the time the final decision was taken on November 29."

The national awards for local government are recognised across the sector as the mark of excellence, praising authorities for the difference they make in their communities.

Ruth Kelly, the secretary of state for communities and local government, said: "This is an exciting and challenging time for those in local government.

"It is clear to me that there is a lot of important and excellent work being carried out by local authorities across the country."

You can view the websiteby logging onto www.stanstedexplained.info

UDC will discover if they have won at a gala evening on March 12 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Latest News | News | Hemscott

Latest News | News | Hemscott: "Alpha Airports, Servair JV buys two catering units; to add 2 mln eur to FY sales
LONDON (AFX) - Alpha Airports Group PLC said Servair Airchef, Alpha's joint venture with Servair, has agreed to buy Ligabue Group's Marco Polo catering units in Verona and Venice airports, which is expected to add about 2 mln eur to Alpha's annual sales.
Separately, the airport retailer and flight caterer said its Alpha Flight Services unit signed a 5 year contract to provide catering and ancillary services for all of Air New Zealand's Australian flights. "

The Moodie Blog » Blog Archive » BAA = Brilliant Airport Advertising

The Moodie Blog » Blog Archive » BAA = Brilliant Airport Advertising: Every travel retailer or airport executive affected by the aviation security crisis should sit up and take notice of a new advertising campaign just launched by BAA.

The Moodie Report has been critical on several occasions about the inadequate consumer communication put in place since the 10 August terror alert and the subsequent crackdowns on what can be taken onboard from both pre- and post-security areas.

All too often, well-meaning airport communication, for example, has fallen short simply by omission of key facts. Plenty of landside messaging has outlined the limits on what can be carried through security, without adding the crucial rider that airside duty free purchases can be made as usual. No wonder the poor consumer is confused and penetration rates have fallen.

But the brilliant new BAA campaign leaves no possible room for confusion. Any traveller entering London Heathrow Airport from the London Underground is now confronted by a series of striking light box ads featuring the tagline ‘Fly with everything you buy from the departure lounge’.

That tag line is obvious enough (though for reasons of clarity I would use the term ‘after you clear security’ rather than ‘from the departure lounge’, a term that some consumers may not understand fully).

But what makes the difference is the images. In one ad a map of Europe has been created by hundreds of images of duty free items; the same is done to represent travel to the US with a marvellous ‘duty free’ version of the Statue of Liberty; and there is also a fantastic map of the world (albeit one version has the crucial omission of New Zealand, writes a suitably miffed Antipodean Editor – we’re sure two images of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Bay, appropriately positioned, would have done nicely) generated through the same method.

It’s the sort of thinking of which Andy Warhol or the original creators of the iconic Absolut advertising would be proud.

The Statue of Liberty is particularly good. It’s verging on the subliminal as it involves several views – and the right angle – before it’s completely obvious what the image represents. But I would wager that hundreds of thousands of travellers in coming months will stop and work it out for themselves – and that many of them will enter the airport shopping areas in a very different frame of mind… and buy.

TheMoodieReport.com

TheMoodieReport.com: Website of the Week: World Duty Free – 18/01/07
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Michael Fryer
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Website of the Week: World Duty Free

A wholly-owned subsidiary of BAA and the UK’s leading travel retailer, World Duty Free offers more than 17,000 products across its stores at London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton.

“We endeavour to bring you the very latest products at great value prices,” the website states. An excellent start.


A colourful home page sets a stylish tone for the World Duty Free site
Style

An elegant home page, tailored to the season courtesy of an appealing wintertime image, sets an alluring tone. The site certainly sits towards the upper end of the style scale.

Grey text is used plentifully and effectively against a white background, meaning the attention is focused on colourful, if sometimes undersized, product images.

Content and usability

When it launched in December 2005 www.worlddutyfree.com listed only fragrances and, currently containing a special section on the new Victoria's Secret range available exclusively at the company's London stores, this category remains its main focus.

With no opportunity to buy or reserve online, the site is limited in how much it can meet the customer’s needs, but its Fragrance search facility certainly has the consumer in mind. A series of drop-down menus allows users to define and refine specific criteria quickly and simply.

So, if your next flight is from Terminal 1 at Heathrow and you’d like to check what men’s fragrances are on sale there, simply select the airport, terminal and 'men's' from the relevant drop-downs.

Not sure of the terminal? Find out in seconds via direct links to the 'Which Terminal?' areas of Heathrow and Gatwick's websites.

Want to look specifically for, say, Hugo Boss? Use the ‘favourite brand’ list. Don’t wish to spend more than a certain amount? Choose, for example, the £20 to £40 price range.

Search results – this particular one returned five (see screenshot below) – show thumbnail pictures, a punchy summary (Boss In Motion: “Energetic, confident, successful”) and a link for more details. Here, you’re met with a slightly larger photo, detailed descriptions and the range on offer – in this case, 90ml aftershave, plus 90ml and 40ml edt sprays – complete with airport price, high street price and the 100ml equivalent price (all in £ only).

There’s also a link to fragrances with a similar scent.


The fragrance search is a superb tool for those wanting to check what products are available at their airport

This fake tan guide is among several features which make the site far more than just a simple product listings reference
Add in a free text search option that seems able to cope with the vaguest of requests (I typed in ‘musk’ and received six results from Agent Provocateur, Anna Sui, Britney Spears, Bulgari and Burberry) and you have an excellent tool, tailored to the large number of passengers who don’t have the time, nor perhaps the inclination, to browse any such site at length and just want to check if a product is available at their airport.

However, when navigating the rest of the site, it’s easy to bemoan the lack of a similar facility in the Beauty & Suncare, Wine & Spirits, Confectionery, Sunglasses, Fashion Accessories and Travel Essentials pages.

World Duty Free promises an “unparalleled premium selection of product ranges” and browsing the site’s extensive content confirms this. And as well as links to new items, gift ideas, special discounts, money-off vouchers of up to £15 (when you spend £100), there are several nice, category-specific, touches.

A guide on ‘How to apply fake tan’ for example, can be found in Beauty & Suncare, accompanied by well-positioned product ‘best picks’; Confectionery features ‘Winter treats’, headlined by ‘Great British favourites’ such as Christmas pudding from esteemed London company Fortnum & Mason; and there’s also a strong local feel in the souvenirs section of Travel Essentials, with models of London buses and taxis, a selection of Bonny Scotland merchandise and even a Beatles T-shirt on display.

Impressively, Wines & Spirits contains links to Customs allowances in every country in the world, though this is rather tucked away. Surely such a useful device deserves a more prominent position, particularly as its information isn’t just limited to alcohol. Why not make it a fixed link across the whole of the site?

What we like:


Fragrance search

The style: effortlessly cool

Customs allowances information for every country

What we think needs improving/adding:


Reserve/buy online

Prices in more than one currency/currency converter

Faulty links on some of the category front pages

TheMoodieReport.com

TheMoodieReport.com: BAA and World Duty Free reassure travellers with impressive new consumer campaign – 12/01/07
Source: ©The Moodie
By Martin Moodie; Treatment: S Christmas & M Fryer
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CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE CAMPAIGNS

UK. BAA and its travel retail subsidiary World Duty Free have rolled out a new consumer advertising campaign to assure travellers of their ability to buy (post security) under the new EU aviation security regulations. The campaign, featured in and around BAA-owned airports, includes (in some cases) the tagline ‘Fly with everything you buy from the departure lounge’.

But the visuals are most notable for their clever montage effect usage of familiar duty free items to make up the images being represented – variously Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, Europe and the world.



Grey Goose (centre) is the suitably high-flying brand to sit atop Big Ben

BAA UK Airport Retail & World Duty Free Retail Marketing Director Sarah Jezard told The Moodie Report: “This advertising campaign is designed to re-assure our passengers following the security changes post 10 August. The new campaign’s two main objectives aim to inform passengers that firstly, once through security that they are able to shop, eat and drink as usual and secondly, that they can take all their purchases with them onboard the plane.”

She continued: “We continuously ask our passengers about their experience of the retail offer at our airports, and post 10 August we have been able to use this research approach to gain real insight into the customer issues and concerns and what they want us to do to help.

“Therefore all our marketing activity is driven from our understanding of customers’ needs. We need to give our customers ‘permission to shop’ again and they told us they just needed to know ‘what can I do?’. Therefore the message needed to be less promotional and more educational. Our service providers have worked in a collaborative way to develop simple and effective communication tools that can be used throughout our passengers’ journeys – from web mini-educational films to in-store messaging.”

Jezard said the communication will be constantly evaluated. Any changes in customer behaviour and reactions to the existing approach will be used to improve and evolve the campaign over the coming months.

She commented: “As with any good communication, each item on the page has to play a role. The words are therefore supported by images which tell the story – i.e. what you can buy and where you can take it, etc. We have at all times sought to use terms that are well recognised by our key customer groups.”

BAA = Brilliant Airport Advertising
''It’s the sort of thinking of which Andy Warhol or the original creators of the iconic Absolut advertising would be proud"
More on The Moodie Blog
Jezard concluded: “The campaign will touch every part of our customers’ journeys; from pre-awareness to in-store, and therefore all channels will be used to maximise the opportunity to provide clarity to our passengers of what they can buy and take on the plane with them.”

COMMENT: The Moodie Report first noted the campaign when exiting Heathrow T4 and entering London Underground on Tuesday evening. What struck us was the clarity of the message and the brilliant choice of duty free items to make up the visuals.

At a stroke, BAA and World Duty Free have eliminated the often well-intended verbosity of much of the industry’s consumer communication since 10 August. And through the daring technique of using actual duty free products to make up the images, the message is brought home with both clarity and wit. Every travel retailer and airport should sit up and take notice.

TheMoodieReport.com

TheMoodieReport.com: "Ambitious Ferrovial prepares to expand its airport empire with bid for Chicago Midway Airport – 27/12/06
Source: The Wall Street Journal Europe: The Moodie Report
By Dermot Davitt
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SPAIN/US. Spanish construction company Grupo Ferrovial, leader of the consortium that acquired BAA this year, has said it is in talks with Chicago city authorities about a bid for Midway International Airport.

If its bid for the airport succeeds, it would be the company’s first move into the airport business in the US. Midway is Chicago’s second airport, after O’Hare International Airport. The privatization of Midway would be the largest for a US airport, which are almost all owned by local authorities. One of the fastest growing airports in North America Chicago Midway Airport serves over 17 million travellers each year.

Ferrovial has already laid the foundations for entry into the US. Its Cintra unit last year won a 99-year concession to operate the Chicago Skyway toll road for US$1.83 billion.

The £10.3 billion acquisition of BAA by the Ferrovial-led Airport Development and Investment consortium has dramatically changed Ferrovial’s business. From one traditionally dominated by construction and real estate, 60% of the company’s revenues are derived from services and infrastructure, including airports.

Last month the company agreed to sell its stakes in Sydney and Bristol airports to Macquarie Airports, to pay down some of the debt from the purchase of BAA. "

TheMoodieReport.com

TheMoodieReport.com: "Macquarie Bank appointed to handle sale of BAA’s Australian airport assets – 03/01/07
Source: Australian news agencies; The Moodie Report
By Dermot Davitt
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AUSTRALIA. BAA has appointed Macquarie Bank to handle the sale of its Australian airport assets. BAA’s investments include 19.8% of Melbourne Airport and 15% of Perth Airport, with significant stakes in Darwin, Alice Springs and Launceston airports.

Macquarie is expected to begin talks later this month with prospective buyers for the assets which should fetch more than A$500 million.

The Australian Infrastructure Fund (AIF), an investor in Melbourne and Perth airports, has pre-emptive rights to bid for BAA's interests.

An independent valuation last year of Australia Pacific Airports Corp, which owns Melbourne and Launceston airports, valued BAA's 19.8% stake at about A$400 million.

The valuation, commissioned by AIF, put BAA's stake in Perth airport at A$120 million.

The UK airport operator is reviewing its assets following its acquisition by a group led by Ferrovial of Spain last year. It is also finalizing the sale of Budapest Airport to Hochtief. "

Alpha - Qantas

Alpha extends with Qantas amid power plays in Australasia and Italy – 10/01/07
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Dermot Davitt
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ITALY. Alpha Airports Group has extended its inflight duty free contract with Qantas for another six years. The news comes amid a series of power plays that will enhance its position in Australasia as well as in the key Italian market.

Besides its Qantas extension, catering division Alpha Flight Services has signed a contract to provide the catering and ancillary services for all of Air New Zealand's Australian flights.

The five-year contract takes effect from 14 February 2007 and will cover the airports of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Cairns.

In the last three years, Alpha has doubled the size of its Australian business with significant contracts won with Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui and Royal Brunei in addition to some of the Pacific Island carriers such as Solomon Airlines and Air Vanuatu.

Alpha Airports Group Chief Executive Peter Williams said: "We are delighted to be working with Air New Zealand as their style of operation fits perfectly with our own. This a key geographical area for Alpha where we have scale, and we are extremely pleased with the successes that we have achieved to date."

In separate news Alpha's joint venture Servair Airchef, the Italian airline caterer and airport services company, has signed an agreement to purchase Ligabue Group's Verona and Venice Marco Polo catering units.

The acquisition, which will be effective from 10 January, is anticipated to contribute additional annual sales of €2 million to the group.

Servair Airchef is a 50:50 joint venture between Alpha and Servair providing inflight catering services from 23 airports across Italy. In addition, Servair Airchef operates 13 bars and 11 restaurants and food outlets at airports across Italy.

Servair Airchef currently caters in Venice and Verona to Alitalia, AirOne, Alpi Eagles, Air France, Eurofly and Neos. The new contract will allow expansion into Ligabue's broader customer base to include Delta Airlines, US Airways, Lufthansa and Iberia.

Peter Williams said: “The acquisition of the two catering units at these key Italian airports increases our already significant scale in the Italian market. We are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to service Delta Airlines' and US Airways' long haul flights at the rapidly expanding Venice airport.”

Tesco leads food labelling rebellion with TV push - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Tesco leads food labelling rebellion with TV push - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: Tesco leads food labelling rebellion with TV push
by Joanne Payne Brand Republic 4 Jan 2007

Food labelling: Tesco leading GDA push
LONDON - Tesco, Coca-Cola and Cadbury Schweppes are leading UK FMCG companies in a new £4m food labelling campaign, which rivals that put in place by government watchdog the Food Standards Agency.

Following government pressure to correctly label food in order to stem the rise of obesity in the UK, the group, formed of 24 retailers and manufacturers, will launch a TV and print campaign. It will break on January 8 and is due to run for 18 months.

The ads are set to go head-to-head with the FSA voluntary traffic light labelling system, which consists of red, amber and green marking dependent on how good for the consumer the product is. Many retailers did not like and resented putting a red stop sign on food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar because they feared it would stigmatise some foods and badly damage sales.

However, the FSA believe the traffic light system is easier to understand and has been backed by major retailers such as Sainsbury, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Asda. It is Tesco that has led plans for a rival labelling system using guideline daily amounts and has 4,000 products already planned for the GDA labelling campaign.

The new ads will promote a guideline daily allowance of sugar, salt and fat. Jane Holdsworth, GDA campaign director, said: "This isn't just about a label, it's about a lifestyle. We have made it simple to compare what's inside thousands of everyday foods so you can choose what best suits your diet."

Critics of the GDA system deem the nutritional information printed on the back too complicated for many shoppers to understand.

The FSA said: "Some consumers do like the extra information that GDAs provide. However, without a traffic light colour code our research showed that shoppers can't always interpret the information quickly and often find percentages difficult to understand and use. If traffic light colours were added to products with GDA labels this would reduce the confusion in the marketplace."

Tesco has previously been criticised by consumer associations Which? for confusing shoppers by rejecting the traffic light system along with other major FMCG brands. Its research showed that Tesco's GDA colour code for processed food confused nearly two-thirds of consumers.

The survey of 636 people found that 86% understood the nutrient levels shown on Tesco labels compared with 97% for the FSA system. However, only 37% understood the use of colour on the supermarket's nutrient labels.

Animator Veitch takes on Coca-Cola over video rip-off - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic

Animator Veitch takes on Coca-Cola over video rip-off - BR Bulletin - Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news by Email - Brand Republic: Animator Veitch takes on Coca-Cola over video rip-off
by Mark Banham Brand Republic 4 Jan 2007

7 Seconds of Love: video for 'Ninja'
LONDON - Animator Joel Veitch is taking on Coca-Cola, accusing it of ripping off one of his videos in an ad made by the soft drinks giant's Argentinian agency.

The advertising agency, Santo Buenos Aries, has been accused by the band 7 Seconds of Love, of which Veitch is also the lead singer, of creating substantial similarities between its television commercial for Coca-Cola and a video for the band.

The video for the song 'Ninja' features a series of dancing cats dressed as deadly Ninjas and children.

Veitch told the BBC: "Whenever someone sees something that looks vaguely like my work, usually it's simply not true.

"Usually it just looks a bit similar, or a style reference to something that we did. After a few weeks, they put it online so I actually saw it, at which point I was filled with righteous anger, and realised it was a slightly different case from the usual."

Coca-Cola said: "We have acted in good faith when retaining the agency and deciding to air the TV commercial. We are surprised by the alleged claim."

Veitch has had a varied career in online content. Last month, the EMI record label Liberty partnered with Veitch to create a viral animation to promote the release of actor Ricky Tomlinson's festive single, 'Christmas My Arse'. The work was posted on social networking site YouTube.

Veitch also works for Tomboy Films, the London-based commercials production company, as part of its viral online division Tomboy Virals, along with viral directors Rob Manuel and Ben Wheatley.

The controversy has echoes of French Connection's controversial advertising campaign last year featuring two women fighting and a lesbian kiss scene. The ad, by Beattie McGuinness Bungay, was accused of ripping off a video by dance act Groovecutters. The band said the ad, which racked up 127 watchdog complaints, was an almost scene-for-scene "rip off" of the video for their top 40 hit 'We Close Our Eyes', which was released in January last year. Both ad and video were directed by director Duncan Jones.

2006: the year of the online Christmas | | Guardian Unlimited Business

2006: the year of the online Christmas | | Guardian Unlimited Business: "2006: the year of the online Christmas


· Sales soar as Tesco.com and Amazon set records
· Premium end of high street fares best

Marianne Barriaux
Wednesday January 3, 2007
The Guardian


Shoppers seem to have spent more this Christmas than the doomsayers initially predicted, according to industry insiders, especially on the internet.
John Lewis saw its online sales soar 60% in December. Tesco.com broke all records with 1.3m shoppers buying food and presents on the site in the four weeks before Christmas - up 30% on 2005.
Amazon.com had its best holiday season, with more than 4m items worldwide ordered on December 11 - a record for a single day.

IMRG, the e-retail body, said online sales over the Christmas trading period - the 10 weeks to December 24 - were expected to have soared 50% to £7.5bn.
The organisation does not publish its official figures until January 15, but James Roper, IMRG chief executive, who had projected sales of £7bn for the period, revised the figure upward.

He said: "This has definitely been an online Christmas. We think 25 million people are now shopping online and the spike that we see at Christmas is huge. Everything combines to push people to internet shopping over the period - bad weather, bulk buying, the inconvenience of transport ..."

The number of parcels delivered is also thought to have increased to 200m from the 180m initially predicted.

The IMRG said overall online shopping now represented 10% of total retail sales in the UK, compared with just 0.5% in 2000. In 2006 as a whole, online sales were up 40% from the previous year.

The high street enjoyed a late burst and it was far from the worst Christmas in 25 years that some had predicted. Industry insiders said figures for Christmas 2006 would be good, and probably better than the previous year.

A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium, notoriously cautious about the retail outlook, said: "Last week, the indications were that things were getting better than the doom and gloom of early December. This bodes reasonably well for a good trading period."

He added that indications from high street retailers were that trading had gone well in the week after Christmas and at the weekend, when the discounts in the sales were at their fiercest.

In fact, people ignored the bad weather and came out in droves to get a good deal, with the number of consumers shopping on December 27 up 3.7% on 2005, making it the busiest sales shopping day in four years. John Lewis took £18.3m on that day, up 10% on the previous year.

But early indications are that overall performance will be very different from one retailer to another, as well as from one sector to another.

Richard Ratner, retail analyst at Seymour Pierce, believes that the premium end of the high street, which includes stores such as Liberty and House of Fraser, is going to do particularly well.

"Marks & Spencer, I think, has done well. House of Fraser has also done well, which confirms the message on the upper end of the market."

Liberty said it had had a record Christmas trading period, with sales almost 6% higher than the previous year.

But the middle market is set to be significantly tougher. HMV and Woolworths both issued profit warnings at the beginning of December, and Mr Ratner said their Christmas trading updates were likely to be bad. He said: "Debenhams has not had a brilliant time, and my gut feeling is that Blacks Leisure has had a lousy time trading-wise."

Jason Kemp, founder of management consultancy Envision Retail, said: "The fact that the middle market is tough does not mean that middle England is having a tough time. It means that middle England is changing and becoming more sophisticated as to where and how it shops."

All eyes will be on Next tomorrow as it kicks off the Christmas trading updates. Overall, though, experts agree that 2007 will be a tough year for bricks and mortar retailers as consumers come under pressure from mortgages, high interest rates and debt. Costs will also rise for retailers, and online competition will continue.