The week in marketing

Marketing, Tuesday, 17 February 2009, 12:00am,

- Domino's halal hit.

Domino's has defended its decision to launch a halal-only outlet following complaints from customers objecting to having their choice limited. The branch, which is based in Hall Green, Birmingham, will offer no ham or bacon on its pizzas, but will provide replacement menu items, including halal pepperoni.

- McCain seeks agency

McCain Foods is looking to hire a sales promotion agency to add to its existing roster. It is understood that an appointment will be made soon. According to Nielsen data, sales of McCain's Home Fries, Oven Chips and Micro Chips declined in 2008. Oven Chips and Micro Chips were down 4.4% and 11% respectively, compared with 2007.

- Warner Bros' cat suit

Warner Bros unleashed a group of black cats wearing branded jackets across London last Friday to promote the launch of its computer game, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin. The game was released on Friday 13th to reflect its horrific content. A hotline for cat owners wanting to turn their own pets into walking ads for the video game was inundated with calls requesting the branded cat jackets.

- Walkers alters logo

Walkers is changing its on-pack Carbon Reduction logo from an arrow to a footprint as it believes this will be understood better by consumers. This follows the announcement that the crisps brand has retained its Carbon Reduction certification, after cutting its carbon footprint.

- Hanson exits Lloyds

The former director of marketing at HBOS, Philip Hanson, is to leave Lloyds Banking Group at the end of April. Hanson lost out on the top marketing job at Lloyds to incumbent Nigel Gilbert, following the merger between Lloyds TSB and HBOS in December. He has occupied an interim position, overseeing the marketing of the former HBOS brands. Hanson is not believed to have another role to go to.

- C&C replaces Breen

C&C, the owner of cider brand Magners, has parted company with marketing director Maurice Breen. He will be replaced by Paul Bartlett, a former Scottish & Newcastle executive, next month. The move is part of a restructure being undertaken by chief executive John Dunsmore.

- Diet Coke ad to air

Coca-Cola will unveil the latest TV spot for Diet Coke today (Wednesday). The ad, which stars singer Duffy, will air for the first time during the broadcast of the BRIT Awards on ITV1. The 60-second spot shows Duffy singing I've got to be me, originally sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.

View it at marketingmagazine.co.uk

- John Lewis hires

John Lewis has hired John Brown to create its customer magazine following a pitch. John Brown previously published Source magazine for John Lewis' direct arm, greenbee. The new title will showcase the brand's 'entire breadth and range of products'.

- John West on TV

John West is rolling out a TV ad campaign to support what it claims is the category's most significant innovation, No Drain Tuna. The product uses patented technology that allows the tuna to be canned without excess liquid.

- Johnson's 50th

Johnson's Baby is running a TV campaign to mark its 50th anniversary. The 'Touch of Magic' ad, created by Lowe London, features a mother and child with a bottle of its baby lotion, packaged as it was in the 50s, which morphs into the pink packaging it uses today. It carries the strapline 'The original baby softness' and aims to reinforce the brand's heritage. The ad will be supported by print and online activity.

To watch the ad, visit marketingmagazine.co.uk

- Epsom seeks sponsor

Epsom Downs Racecourse is offering standalone sponsorship for the Epsom Derby for the first time, as it struggles to secure a backer for the entire two-day horseracing festival. Previous sponsor Vodafone pulled out in 2007, only to agree a one-year extension last summer.

Ed Kemp on sports marketing at marketingmagazine.co.uk

- FSA plots online work

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is developing a series of online activities, having appointed LBi to work on its eatwell.gov.uk and food.gov.uk sites over a three-year period. LBi has created a recipe finder for the FSA which promotes the traffic light food-labelling system. The agency is also working on the promotion and online support of Food Safety Week, which takes place in June.

- SA Brain's word play

Brewer SA Brain will evade the ban on alcohol branding at sports events in France when the Welsh rugby union team, of which it is the shirt sponsor, travels to Paris to play in the 6 Nations tournament. The Welsh side's shirts will carry the words 'Try Essai'. Essai means try in French, but the phrase works as a homonym, and could be construed as an invitation to 'try' the brewer's 'SA' beer.

Ed Kemp on sports marketing at marketingmagazine.co.uk

- Coty reviews media

Fragrance and cosmetics brand Coty is understood to be reviewing its £14m media account currently held by OMD. The brand is behind several fragrances including Kylie Minogue Darling, Celine Dion Perfume and the Adidas toiletries range.

- Five USA takes Tube

Five is screening live footage of people in Times Square in New York at London's Oxford Circus Tube station to back the refresh of its US-themed digital channel, Five USA. The footage for the week-long push, a media first, will be streamed onto CBS Outdoor's cross-track projection system. The work carries the strapline, 'Are you watching America?' The activity was created by The Brooklyn Brothers.

Jeremy Lee on media at marketingmagazine.co.uk

- Marley gives license

The estate of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley has licensed his likeness and name to retailers and brands.

Companies will now be able to acquire the rights to produce products under the name of Bob Marley, Tuff Gong, Catch a Fire and One Love.

According to various reports, private equity company Hilco Consumer Capital paid more than £13m for a half-share of the rights to The House of Marley, a venture with the Marley family.