Coca-Cola’s famous neon sign in Piccadilly Circus has been
dramatically redesigned. Digital technology will now allow the display
to accommodate weather-sensitive imagery. XTV, the design arm of
Tele-Cine, used new video effects to simulate wind distortion and water
droplets in the sign. Weather sensors placed on top of the sign will
detect high winds or rain, and adapt the special effects as required. -
General release
Larry Ruff, the vice-president of marketing and development for Levi
Strauss Europe, Middle East and Africa, has been appointed
vice-president of global marketing. Ruff joined the company in 1987 and
was senior advertising manager for the US men’s jeans division for three
years. He will now be responsible for all the brand’s marketing and
brand development activities. - General release
Sky Digital has linked up with the UK house-builder, Wilcon Homes, in an
initiative to install SkyDigital in all its new homes. During 1999, all
Wilcon Homes’ property will include a Sky mini-dish, but home-owners
must buy a decoder box to receive the programmes. - General release
Emap Radio has appointed Stuart Pinches as acting managing director of
the Box Music Channel in the UK. He takes over from the Box’s founders,
Liz Laskowski and Vince Monsey, who are leaving the company to pursue
other projects. - CampaignLive
Kellogg is to increase its UK ad budget by 40 per cent and has cut the
price of half a dozen of its leading brands, including Rice Krispies and
Frosties. A TV and press campaign through J. Walter Thompson breaks in
early January. The price cuts come into effect on 18 January. - General
release
Virgin Radio is to launch its first TV campaign in the new year,
featuring its owner and star presenter, Chris Evans. The TV campaign
will consist of more than 30 different executions, created in-house. The
budget for the two-month push is #3 million. - General release
The Disney Channel has poached Thom Noble, Diageo’s regional
vice-president of Pierre Smirnoff, as its new director of marketing.
Noble will take the place of Michael Spencer, who is leaving the company
to set up a marketing and advertising company. Noble will report to the
channel’s vice-president and managing director, Paul Robinson. - General
release
The Identica Partnership has merged with Tango Design, Bartle Bogle
Hegarty’s design arm. BBH will relinquish its 100 per cent ownership of
Tango Design and instead take a 21 per cent holding in the Identica
Partnership. Tango Design will remain a standalone brand. The Identica
Partnership will operate independently of BBH and there will be no BBH
representation on its board. - General release
The pools operator, Vernons, is reviewing its National Lottery football
game, Easy Play, as sales have slumped by two-thirds since its August
launch. The game, which is advertised through BMP DDB, has been dogged
by allegations that Camelot representatives have suggested Lottery
retailers shouldn’t promote the game, which is sold through Lottery
terminals. - Marketing Week
Panasonic is sponsoring a showcase of programmes on ITV for the second
year running in a deal worth #500,000. The company will sponsor
programmes such as The Bill and Des O’Connor Tonight. It will also be
one of the first sponsors on ITV2 with Jack and the Beanstalk, starring
Denise Van Outen and Martin Clunes. - General release
Walt Disney Attractions wants to bring its new interactive theme park,
DisneyQuest, to the UK as part of its international expansion strategy.
DisneyQuest, which opened its first site in Florida this summer,
combines motion simulators with virtual reality and hands-on arcade
games. The news follows speculation that Disney was looking to buy the
Millennium Dome after the year 2000 celebrations. - Marketing Week.
