The Newspaper Publishers Association is streamlining to become a
more cost-effective organisation that is better able to concentrate on
lobbying its members’ interest on national and European issues. It will
cut down on the number of committees that operate under the NPA umbrella
and outsource non-core activities such as issuing press and rota passes,
which it is discussing with the Press Association.
IPC Magazines has launched a subscriptions drive, targeting 17 million
magazine readers as it moves to build customer loyalty through database
marketing. The IPC Christmas campaign offers gift subscription to 42 IPC
titles which will be promoted through direct mail, inserts and
advertising in IPC titles.
Poster Publicity Ltd has scooped the media planning and buying task for
Prudential’s outdoor advertising. It will handle all poster campaigns
for Prudential’s main retail products, including life insurance,
pensions, mortgages and home and motor insurance. PPL will work
alongside Prudential’s media buying agency, New PHD.
The soundtrack to the BBC’s new promotional video, Perfect Day, is on
sale as a single to raise money for BBC Children in Need. The CD,
cassette and 7-inch single was released by Chrysalis Records, and
features three versions of the song written by Lou Reed: the promotional
line-up and versions separating the male and female artists.
TMD Carat Manchester scooped the gold and silver awards for Best
Strategic Use of Media in the latest Cream of Manchester awards. The
gold was awarded for TMD’s work for Triangle Glazing, while the silver
was won for the agency’s work for Little Chef.
Emap Elan has appointed Paul Keenan to the new position of executive
publishing director for its glossy magazines. Keenan, the managing
director of Emap Fashion, takes up the position on 10 November and will
be responsible for Elle, New Woman, Elle Decoration and next year’s
Project Miriam launch.
Wagadon is following its launch issue of Frank with a nationwide poster
campaign for the November issue, targeting retail trade through CTNs,
service stations and convenience stores. The first issue of Frank sold
115,000 copies, according to its publisher, Lou McLeod.
Entertainment media has overtaken motors to become the biggest category
spender on outdoor according to a new study by the poster contractor,
Maiden Outdoor. Spending on entertainment/media was up 46 per cent to
pounds 62.3 million in the 12 months to June this year, with motors on
pounds 61.5 million.The TV companies, Channel 4 and Sky Television, and
the film companies, Polygram and Buena Vista, helped fuel the
growth.
The medical drama, ER, which has transferred from Channel 4 to Sky, is
to get its first sponsor. Persil has signed up for 22 episodes starting
on Thursday. It marks the first time Lever Bros has sponsored a Sky
programme. The deal was put together by the sponsorship consultants, MGA
Broadcasting.
Total Media has picked up the media planning and buying account for the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The account was previously handled by
Dewynters and involves national and local campaigns to promote a number
of forthcoming concerts.
Readers of the Times who collect six tokens from the newspaper can
receive a free copy of GQ Active as part of the newspaper’s Adrenalin
Rush promotion which starts on Monday and runs for two weeks. The Times
is targeting readers aged between 25 and 45 years who have an interest
in sport.