The BBC has appointed a consortium made up of three WPP companies,
the Post Office subsidiary, SSL, and Bull Information Systems to collect
the television licence fee from next year. Known as Envision, the
consortium has been appointed on a seven-year contract which will
include a direct marketing and PR brief to be carried out by the WPP
companies, OgilvyOne, Coley Porter Bell and Ogilvy Public Relations. -
Campaignlive
TBWA GGT Simons Palmer’s creative director, Trevor Beattie, has launched
an advertising offensive on behalf of Sir Cliff Richard, hitting out at
the Virgin Radio DJ, Chris Evans. A one-page ad, running in this week’s
Music Week, lists great world events that have happened during Sir
Cliff’s 40-year career, such as Elvis Presley being drafted into the US
army in 1958 and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990. The 1998
entry reads: ’Small ginger DJ refuses to play new Cliff single.’ - Mail
on Sunday
The Independent has slashed its cover price in the North and Midlands in
a bid to attract new readers. The paper, traditionally a fervent
opponent of predatory pricing, has cut its price from 45p to 30p to
coincide with a branding campaign that broke at the end of last week. -
Marketing Week
Unilever has sold its Harmony haircare brand to a start-up vehicle,
backed by venture capitalists, for less than pounds 25 million. EVMI,
which is backed by Alchemy Partners and the Jatania family, is looking
to develop a broad portfolio of brands in the personal care market. -
Sunday Telegraph
The Monopolies and Mergers Commission may investigate BSkyB’s pounds 623
million bid for Manchester United Football Club following confidential
advice given to Peter Mandelson, secretary of state for trade and
industry, by the Office of Fair Trading. Insiders believe the OFT has
advised Mandelson to refer the bid to the MMC following the political
and public opposition to the deal. - Financial Times
Dyson vacuum cleaners is reviewing its pan-European media buying
account, which is currently handled by Concord. The company spends
pounds 5 million in the UK but is looking to expand into Europe with a
coherent media strategy. It is understood to have approached a number of
media companies. - General release
United Biscuits is launching a low-fat rival to Procter & Gamble’s
Pringles crisps brand in an attempt to further extend its Go Ahead range
into the snacks market. The new Go Ahead crisps are scheduled to appear
in shops in January, supported by TV ads through Leo Burnett. -
Marketing
Barclaycard has launched a pre-Christmas advertising campaign with a
shopping promotion that will be publicised in a 30-second TV spot and
press executions through BMP DDB. In the ad, shoppers are seen carrying
high stacks of gift-wrapped packages in a shopping centre. The work
retains the endline, ’Don’t put it off, put it on.’ - General
release
MasterCard has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the Brit Awards,
replacing Britannia Music Club. MasterCard is known for its sports
sponsorship, having sponsored the past three World Cups, the UEFA
Champions League and the past three European Championships. -
Marketing
The beleaguered England and Middlesbrough footballer, Paul Gascoigne,
has had his pounds 2.5 million sponsorship deal with Adidas terminated
after being spotted wearing boots made by the rival sports goods
manufacturer, Puma. - Marketing
Procter & Gamble is to develop a series of websites targeting groups of
consumers, from teenagers to pensioners, in what is believed to be the
first example of its stated intention to shift marketing spend from
traditional mass media to digital. Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper has been
appointed to develop the first initiative, a website aimed at European
teenagers. - Marketing.
