Feature: Promotions under siege?

Marketers would do worse than think that their industry was under siege. New regulations came into force on April 1st 2007 prohibiting the marketing of most food and drinks to pre-school and primary children and they will be extended to under 16s in 2008.

Feature: The Blurring of the line

If asked to describe Sales Promotion, many would use the words “below the line”. However, times have changed and this phrase is now flippantly used and can often pigeonhole people’s perceptions of our industry. Where did the phrase come from and are we still restricted by the enigma that divides us and the ad agencies?

Feature: Brand Blue Peter

The phone-in scandal has damaged the reputation of many shows – but Blue Peter will rise above it all.

Name a brand and most consumers will be able to think of one adjective to describe it. This instinctive ‘feel’ for the soul and values of a product, service, person or TV show is what makes brands so powerful in our everyday lives. The ability to prioritise and reject brands based on consumers’ feelings towards them is still as empowering as ever.

Feature: Sticks and stones…..but damaging our reputation really hurts!

As Andrew Brown stood down as Director General of The Advertising Association he proclaimed that the advertising industry was under siege. His successor, Baroness Buscombe, has picked the mantle and whilst not disagreeing with the sentiment, believes that the industry must now work hard to present itself in a positive light and go on the offensive.

Feature: Marketing on the move

There are more mobile phones than people in the UK. With 95% of the UK population owning a mobile phone, penetration outstrips the PC by ten to one. The mobile phone is now one of three things, along with the wallet and keys that the majority of people will not leave the house without.

Feature: Commonsense and courtesy

Our industry is dominated to a large degree by product but we sometimes overlook the fact that service drives product.

Feature: Education: ISP Diploma

Nick Collins, BD-NTWK Senior Account Executive is among the 161 candidates enrolled on this year’s ISP Diploma in Promotional Marketing. Nick will update us monthly on his progress and how he’s applying it in the work place.

Feature: Slings and arrows… or swings and roundabouts?

Whenever Brussels ‘swings’ into action, we seem to lose a little more freedom. It’s heartening, therefore, to convey this month news of a small ‘roundabout’ turn, directed at our Teutonic SP-loving cousins: the EU having written to Germany requiring them to review their ban on internet gambling, as this is not consistent with the European Convention.

Feature: Rugby World Cup: still time to learn from football

This year’s Rugby World Cup will be more heavily sponsored, in increasingly sophisticated ways, than ever before. The question is: Will sponsors get worthwhile returns on their investments? Everyone knows that merely ‘badging’ events delivers insufficient stand-out, but this barely scratches the surface of sponsorship’s pitfalls. More alarmingly, there seems to be little difference between various brands’ communications to sports fans. This is not helped by the continual use of star endorsement.

Feature: Education, education, education!

A highly impressive and informative group of leading industry experts provided valuable insight and advice into the latest trends in vouchers, gift cards and the stored value market at The Va’s fourth annual conference at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower hotel in London.