Coca-Cola is to use data compiled since the 1994 World Cup and from its
Euro 96 ring-pull promotion to launch its largest ever direct marketing
campaign in the UK. Several agencies are involved in talks to handle the
drive. A relationship marketing strategy would fit in with Coke’s ‘for
the fans’ theme.
Marketing
Three senior executives have resigned from ISL, the leading sports
marketing company, over a restructuring plan. Their departure comes as
Fifa and ISL prepare to invite tenders for key marketing contracts
covering the World Cup tournaments in 2002 and 2006. The three
executives - Peter Sprogis, Steve Dickson and Tom Hipkins - were key
figures in ISL’s successful bid with the German media group Kirsch for
TV rights outside the US to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
The Financial Times
Seagram is understood to have offered the former senior Mars marketer,
Mary Anne Donovan, its senior European marketing role. Donovan, who ran
a major Mars petfood brand across Europe until a year ago, left
following a restructure. She will oversee a range of brands including
Absolut vodka, Glenlivet and Martell cognac.
Marketing
Freemans, the Sears-owned mail-order business which is up for sale, is
losing its marketing director, Rosemary Astles, who is taking a
sabbatical to travel. Astles was responsible for mail-order titles such
as One to One, a trial cable TV operation, TV Home Shopper, and the main
Freemans catalogue.
Marketing Week
British Airways’ general manager for brands, Hamish Taylor, is to quit
the airline to become managing director of the Channel Tunnel operator,
Eurostar. Taylor works alongside Derek Dear, BA’s marketing services
director, who has assumed the job of acting marketing director since the
abrupt departure of Ford Ennals in May.
Marketing Week
Derwent Valley Foods, the maker of Phileas Fogg snacks, is to lose its
managing director, Paul Revell, following clashes with its parent
company United Biscuits. Neil Mernock, currently marketing controller
for nuts at KP, will replace Revell, who will work on special projects
until he leaves the company next spring.
Marketing Week
Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, has accused Coca-Cola and
Schweppes Beverages of using anti-competitive sales practices to attack
his Virgin Cola brand. Branson drew comparisons with the attacks on
Virgin Atlantic Airways by British Airways, but other drinks
manufacturers have dismissed his criticisms as ‘naive’.
Financial Times
Bass Brewers is seeking a senior brand manager for its Carling Black
Label brand following the resignation of Andy Fennel, who is joining
Guinness. As marketing controller, Fennell will oversee all stout
brands, including Guinness. Fennel joins as part of a restructure at the
group’s Park Royal headquarters, which has been carried out by the
Guinness marketing director, Julian Spooner.
Marketing
Chris Evans’s TFI Friday TV chat and music show is set to go on air five
nights a week, according to reports. The controversial show, which
originally went out live, pulls three-and-a-half million viewers each
week. The extended deal would net Evans more than pounds 2 million a
year.
The Sun
Virginia Bottomley, the national heritage secretary, has headed off a
privatisation threat to Channel 4, at least until after the General
Election which has to be held by May 1997. Michael Grade, the Channel 4
chief executive, has also argued vociferously that the channel’s
innovative programme remit could not be protected if the channel were
turned from a state corporation into a private company.
The Financial Times
