Twiggy had been airbrushed!!

Before Christmas, Ad regulators upheld more than 700 complaints about an ad for an Olay product after Procter & Gamble admitted that a photo of Twiggy had been airbrushed and were therefore ‘socially irresponsible.’ The ad, for Olay Definity eye illuminator, claimed the product could help women achieve "younger looking eyes". The ASA ruling said: "We considered that the post-production re-touching of this ad, specifically in the eye area, could give consumers a misleading impression of the effect the product could achieve." P&G said that it was routine practice to use post-production techniques to correct for lighting and other photographic deficiencies, but also admitted there had been some minor retouching around Twiggy's eyes and had now replaced it with an ad which was not airbrushed. However, the ASA rejected complaints that the ad was socially irresponsible because the use of post-production techniques could have a negative impact on people’s perceptions of their own body image. It said: "We concluded that, in the context of an ad that featured a mature model likely to appeal to women of an older age group, the image was unlikely to have a negative impact on perceptions of body image among the target audience." Bath Marketing still think she looks amazing airbrushed or not!

Four little things worth remembering for 2010...

I came across a number of marketing 'facts' this morning some of which caught my eye: The more data you have, and the more you know about your customers, the better your marketing will be. This data is available from many published sources, or you can collect your own by asking your customers lots of questions. Marketing should be changed every few years to keep it fresh and new. Fact: The longer your marketing promotes your product or service, the better, e.g., things go better with … Your customers will be buying a lot more than merely your product or service. They are buying your personality, your reputation, your service, and your status in the community It makes a lot of sense for a small business to retain the services of an advertising agency. Fact: No it does not. Better work at more reasonable prices is available from marketing consultants. If you need someone to help you plan your markeitng activity for 2010, please get in touch with me.

Bathstore launches £1.5m campaign

As the 'January Sale' battle starts in ernest today, Bathstore, the bathroom specialist retailer, has launched a £1.5m January sale campaign rolling it out across TV, press, leaflet and POS to highlighting the up to 50% off offer. Featuring the voiceover of Spooks actress Hermione Norris, the TV ads break today and will run until the end of January using the strap line ‘Value that makes you look twice'. The retailer, which has over 160 stores nationwide, will also run press ads will in national press and regional titles including: The Times, Metro, The Evening Standard and Aberdeen Evening Express. Localised London magazine press ads show a still from the TV to communicate quality and value messaging. 7m inserts will also run in The Guardian, Mail on Sunday, Radio Times, The Independent, Ideal Home, 25 Beautiful Homes and Elle Decoration. Is there any particular area of marketing news that you would like me to write about? Happy Christmas all from Bath Marketing Consultancy.

Comedy to outsell film DVDs says Tesco

Tesco claims sales of comedy and TV DVDs will outsell its film chart for the first time, attributing the change to the success of stand-up comics such as Michael McIntyre and TV shows like Gavin and Stacey. Tesco said that Michael McIntyre looks set to see off competition from blockbusters including the latest Harry Potter and Transformers film, to become the number one-selling DVD. (he must be loaded that bloke! BMC) Sales of classic comedy box sets grew by 800% year-on-year, with Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley and Fawlty Towers among the top sellers. Tesco’s DVD buying manager Keith Metcalfe, said: 'Customers are clearly looking to have a laugh this Christmas and in these gloomy economic times who can blame them?’ Let's be honest, it is not as if we can rely on terrestrial television over the festive period either is it Bath Marketing Consultancy says?!

Marketing for Chrome

Although it has not been around for long Google Chrome is getting a major marketing boost in the UK. Today there are wrap-around cover adverts in the free Metro newspaper which circulates across the UK to morning commuters. We’re also getting reports on billboards appearing all over the country and online marketing on Facebook and other sites. We’ve seen Twitter reports of the newspaper ads appearing in London and Manchester, but it looks like it’s across the whole country, which would give the campaign a total Metro circulation of over 1.3 million. Google is also doing Billboard ads. The advert describes Chrome as “A fast, new browser. Made for everyone.” (Bath Marketing - arent they all?!) Chrome is obviously a minority browser in comparison to Internet Explorer and FireFox, but it’s clear Google is going all out to give it exposure in a key market. Do you use Chrome? Let me know - paul@bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk

10 more brands not involved with Tiger Woods!!!

As Bath Marketing pointed out in Twitter recently, several of Tiger Woods' sponsors such as Accenture and Gillette, are distancing themselves from the golfer as a brand ambassador. Taken from Brand Republic, below is our list of sponsors who are unlikely to step in! Volkswagen: "Drivers wanted" Tiger Balm: "Dwell not upon thy weariness, thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire" Brylcreem: "Control yourself" Hanes underwear: "A man can't swing if his underwear doesn't" Duracell Bunny: "It keeps going, and going and going" Butlins: "Play Happy Families" Trust House Forte: "Yours Faithfully" Vauxhall: "Put the fun back into driving" Greggs: "Ready when you are" Peugeot: "The drive of your life" I personally think he will return to the game and am actually not sure how it is possible to have so many off the course commitments and still have the strength to be so far better than anyone else!

Susan Boyle dominates YouTube in 2009

Even though I am not a huge fan of his, Bath Marketing Consultancy thinks that you've got to give credit where credit is due. Simon Cowell; the saviour of ITV to some, the destroyer of music to others, is now responsible for the most watched online video of 2009. In what has been the biggest year yet for online video, Google’s YouTube has unveiled its first official Most Watched listings, and it’s led by Susan Boyle’s audition on ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent back in April. The clip of Boyle singing ‘I dreamed a dream’ from Les Mis attracted more than 120 million views from around the world. Put into some kind of perspective, that’s the equivalent of two “view counts” for every person living in the UK, or more than the entire population of Mexico!! None of YouTube’s staple user generated content – cats on skateboards, dogs up trees, or wedding dances, made an appearance in the top 5. But as Google continues to broker deals with established publishers and broadcasters around the world, YouTube appears to be moving towards a business model based on sourcing strong content producers that can attract audiences, which in turn advertisers want to be in front of.......in other words, a traditional media business. Any thoughts on this readers? paul@bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk

Domino's Pizza sponsors new ITV show

Just as we all thought it was safe to turn on our TV’s again at the weekend there is ANOTHER reality show called 'Take Me Out', due to air in early 2010. Domino's Pizza has quickly signed a sponsorship deal with ITV1 for its new dating series. The program is presented by comedian Paddy McGuinness (is this a step up from being the face of Greggs?!) and produced by Talkback Thames. It is studio based and will feature 30 ladies from across the UK looking for ‘Mr Right'. (let’s hope Ulrika doesn’t get involved again!!) One ‘single’ man will walk into an arena of 30 single women; announce his name and where he is from. Each of the girls have a light in front of them and if at any point they decide this guy is not for them, they switch him off. The deal was negotiated by ITV commercial and the sponsorship idents will be created by Big Communications. I can’t wait can you?! All comments to Bath Marketing Consultancy please.

Ann Summers hijacks online BA strike interest

A cracking bit of intuitive, online marketing took place yesterday that I thought you would be interested to know.

Basically, Ann Summers, the adult retail shop selling lingerie and sex toys etc.........(so I am told!)........ took advantage of the publicity surrounding the proposed BA strike with a sponsored link on Google featuring a gag about the mile high club.

iCrossing, Ann Summers' digital marketing agency, bid on BA strike-related keywords so that when users searched, it read: "The planes may be grounded but you can still join the mile high club!" A link through to Ann Summers Online is also provided.

Very clever if you ask me!

Google could sell own-brand phone direct by early 2010

The word on the street is that Google has given employees a prototype mobile phone to test, which it is reportedly planning to sell directly to consumers early next year. The web giant handed out the mobile phone, called Nexus One, to its employees late last week, but no details are being released to the public. Mario Queiroz, vice-president of product management confirmed that Google researches its products via its employees saying and rumours are that the Nexus One is set to launch in early January 2010. (why wait until after Christmas?). Google plans to sell the phone itself online and not through a wireless carrier. If this were to be the case, users would have to buy their wireless service separately via suppliers such as Orange, but in my opinion it is hard to see O2 supplying such a product as it would surely compete with the iphone. The phone will run on Google's Android mobile operating system, which the web giant has already implemented on various mobile phones through partnerships with hardware makers and wireless carriers over the past two years. Manufactured by HTC, the Nexus One is thinner than the iPhone, has no keyboard, and features a voice-to-text service. Bath Marketing Consultancy says watch this space, but it would have to be something major to prize my iphone 3Gs out of my hands!

Durex launches online community

This news snippet has been taken from a leading marketing related website and I thought it was something that needed discussing as I am thinking that this could seriously backfire on the company doing irreparable damage to the brand. What do you think? Sexual health brand Durex is launching a global online community for people to share their sexual experiences and 'celebrate healthy sex lives'. (Bath Marketing say – what happens if this gets abused and people share more than this?). The site, called Ora!, will initially launch by invitation only before a full launch in early 2010. The project is being led by marketing agency Code Computerlove. Web content was created by Sticky Content, while The Good Agency and Youth Conspiracy handled audience research. The site will also feature sex bloggers and writers from around the world. Peter Whitehurst, Ora! project sponsor at Durex, said: 'Ora! will also contain articles from Durex and boast industry-leading digital functionality and interactive tools to maximise the user experience as part of our planned development.'

Morrisons launches £4 festive meal-deal for four

As we approach Christmas Day the supermarket chain Morrisons is attempting to help consumers spread the cost of the Christmas period by launching a festive dinner four people for £4 which will be advertised via a national press campaign promoting the deal. The meal will consist of tomato soup, a loin of pork, a seasonal vegetable pack and also trifle. When bought separately the items would be worth £12. Angus McIver, group marketing director at Morrisons, said that festive meals before Christmas Day were becoming more common and the deal allows households to budget during an expensive period. Last month the supermarket released research which stated that 72% would not be cutting Christmas budget this year, while 28% are actually planning on spending more. A nice idea, but what about the quality of the food? What do you think? Email me at paul@bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk For all other marketing enquiries, please fill out the contact form on our website

More than just marketing facts.....

Bath Marketing Consultancy is not just a organisation bursting with marketing trivia. As golf seems to be in the public domain at the moment; how about a golf fact?

The longest drive in the history of golf was hit by a British man by the name of Edward Bliss in 1913. He was only 182 pounds at the time, and more impressively, was just 50 years old. This drive went 445 yards.

Would you like more of these snippets? If so, email me paul@bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk

Blogging for search engines

I write daily articles and stories on my Blog abouthings t that I feel will be interesting to the marketing community, my clients, prospects and other 'traffic,' but there is (I am afraid to say) another reason. Search Engine optimisation. Filling a Blog with regular, fresh content is a great way for Google to notice your Blog and I came across an excellent article by Kevin Gibbons on Brand Republic's website detailing the steps to take when Blogging for search engines. Have a read

Article Marketing

Did you know that getting your articles circulated free on the internet doesn't just bring you an ongoing stream of new customers, it also brings you valuable incoming links to your website - and it's these links than can really propel you to the top of the search engine listings?? If you're willing to spend a few moments getting your information spread across the world online, you could be reaping the benefits in your business and profits for months and years to come. Let me know any initial thoughts paul@bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk

The perfect Chrisrtmas present?!

Priced at £1.92 million and 10 months in the making, the iPhone 3G S Supreme is the perfect Christmas present for the person who has everything!

The top designer Stuart Hughes has worked tirelessly on the phone and the whole casing was created with 271 grams of 22ct solid gold. The front bezel houses 136 flawless diamonds colour F, which total to a massive 68cts. The rear logo in solid gold has 53 flawless diamonds amounting to 1ct and the front navigation button is home to a single cut very rare diamond at 7.1 cts.

The chest which houses this unique handset is made from a single block of Granite, in Kashmir gold with the inner lined with Nubuck top grain leather, which weight is a massive 7kg.

I am not sure Bath Marketing Consultancy can stretch to sending these to my clients so you might have to do with a Christmas card this year! Sorry.

'Clean' Advertising?

We wrote an article on the 24th November about Waitrose and its teaming up with Shell. We have just come across another article describing a new advertising initiative by the food chain that may well interest you. The article describes how Waitrose's new Clerkenwell store is to use a technique called ‘Clean Advertising,' which involves creating eye-catching stencilled adverts on the pavement. In addition, the retailer will project a 50 ft image of baguettes onto a nearby building. What a cracking couple of ideas. What do you think? Are these initiatives that would encourage you to shop at Waitrose? Email me at paul@bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk and let me know.

Marketing and your business plan

How does marketing fit into your business plan? There are a number of companies that can help you construct a business plan and provide a free online template which can also be broken down by sector. But what I am interested in speaking to clients about is how they perceive marketing. What time and budget allocation does marketing have in the overall scheme of things? One mistake that businesses can make is having a poor understanding of marketing. Communicating your products to your prospects is a critical success factor for every business owner. You need to show you understand your target customers, what their needs are, why they will buy from you and how you will communicate with them. Key areas to look at when looking at marketing are: Marketing & Sales SWOT Analysis Competitive Analysis Target Customer Groups Customer Demographics Sales Strategy Pricing and Positioning In-depth Marketing Plan Advertising and Promotion Get in touch with Paul at Bath Marketing Consultancy on 01373 814696.

What should you pay a marketing officer?

With a typical salary of £27,397, a marketer at this level is also likely to be paid a bonus of £1,800. A marketing officer working in the food, drink or tobacco sectors can expect to take home a slightly bigger annual salary of £32,000, while those working in transport can earn £41,215. Those with marketing officer roles in the hotel, catering or travel industry are likely to get a smaller pay packet of £26,000. Their job will generally involve assisting in the collection and analysis of market research information as well as looking after direct mailings, advertising campaigns and point-of-sale material. Bath Marketing Consultancy asks, why employ a marketing officer at all and get lumbered with that salary!?! Employ us to come in and do the job, but at a fraction of the costs? Plus you dont have to provide us with an Audi A3, pay NI or provide a pension either!