The week in marketing

Strongbow has launched two TV spots that continue its 'hard graft' theme aimed at working men. Created by St Luke's, with media planning and buying through MediaVest, the ads, entitled 'Bakers' and 'Trawlermen', broke this week. The 'hard graft' theme was introduced earlier this year.

- Monkeys' charity 7in

Arctic Monkeys are to release their next single, Crying Lightning, on 7in vinyl through Oxfam shops. The record, priced £2.99, will include a code to download an MP3 version. Proceeds will fund Oxfam projects worldwide.

- Co-op YouTube song

The Co-operative Bank has released a song on YouTube to thank its customers for voting it Best Financial Services Provider in the recent Which? Awards.

Watch the video at marketingmagazine.co.uk

- Snoopy is 60

Children's cartoon Peanuts is preparing to mark its 60th anniversary with a brand revamp and collectable products including a Snoopy in a display case. Charles Schulz's story of the Peanuts gang was first published in 1950. The brand went on to gain global popularity as a syndicated comic strip, TV specials and books.

- Mars drinks on TV

Mars Consumer Drinks has launched its first TV ad for Mars, Galaxy, Maltesers, Twix and M&Ms chocolate milk drinks. The ads will run throughout the summer around programmes including Coronation Street.

- Travelodge hiring

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has appointed Charlie Herbert to the position of e-commerce director. Herbert, who has previously worked at The AA, British Gas, Motorola and NatWest, will oversee the company's marketing functions. Travelodge scrapped its marketing director position earlier this year. Incumbent Daniel Heale left the company.

- P&G sponsors NFL

Procter & Gamble has become an official sponsor of the NFL in the US after agreeing its biggest-ever sponsorship deal. P&G brands will be promoted as the 'official products' of the league. The tie-up will focus on four brands, including Old Spice and Gillette.

Ed Kemp on sports marketing at marketingmagazine.co.uk

- Tower nets airline

Continental Airlines has agreed a headline sponsorship deal with The Tower Festival 2009 in an attempt to better engage with business travellers. The event comprises 10 nights of live music, art and culture at the Tower of London in September.

- Simple freebie

Skincare brand Simple has teamed up with TUI Travel to give consumers free products worth £25 when they exchange currency in First Choice or Thomson outlets. Customers will be offered the gift when they exchange at least £500.

- Marsella takes uni job

Anthony Marsella, former chief marketing officer at Samsung, has joined Lancaster University as director of marketing. He will aim to increase global awareness of the university as an international research and teaching institution. Marsella was responsible for building Samsung's retail presence and strategic marketing alliances.

- School-meal tweets

The School Food Trust is trialling Twitter as a means of telling parents what their children are eating during their school day. Parents in Somerset will be able to subscribe to a daily update from September.

- 'Bikini cafe' launches

A US firm is planning to launch a chain of international coffee shops staffed entirely by bikini-clad women. The first Bikini Espresso Cafe opened in Los Angeles last week.

- Jacko toys

The estate of Michael Jackson has applied to create merchandising deals for products such as stuffed toys and clothes. The products, ranging from T-shirts to plastic figures, will be licensed between AEG Live and Bravado International Group Merchandising Services.

- ActionAid uses Brahm

ActionAid has hired Brahm to create an integrated regional campaign to recruit child sponsors. The activity will be the first time the international development charity has focused on regional work. The first tranche will target potential child sponsors in Yorkshire. If it is a success, further campaigns around the UK could follow.

- Rustlers tie-up

Kepak Convenience Foods, which owns the Rustlers snack brand, has teamed up with Thorpe Park for a series of summer events. Rustlers will initially support Thorpe Park's 'extreme summer' event, SunSCREAM. As part of the deal, rustlersonline.com is offering consumers the chance to win tickets to the event. Other events this month include the Moto-X stunt show and a selection of live music performances.

- ECB hires The Team

The England & Wales Cricket Board has hired The Team to oversee its marketing strategy for domestic cricket internationals. The agency, which was appointed following a four-way pitch, will create all marketing domestically and at Test match venues to promote England games.

- Premier's £20m push

Premier Foods is to back its brands, including Ambrosia and Bird's, with a three-year, £20m TV, press and cinema ad campaign created by MCBD. As part of the drive, the food group is launching Ambrosia ranges Crumble Puds and Jelly Puds.

- Radiohead's WWI tribute

Radiohead have released a song in tribute to World War I veteran Harry Patch, whose funeral took place last week.

The song, Harry Patch (In Memory Of), can be downloaded from Radiohead's website for £1, with proceeds donated to The Royal British Legion, which has praised the song and the band's support.

'Radiohead have picked up the torch from Harry Patch to hold it high,' said Peter Cleminson, national chairman of The Royal British Legion. 'His was meant to be the war to end all wars, yet the Legion is still needed today by the Afghanistan generation, just as we were formed nearly 90 years ago to care for Harry's generation.'

MOST READ

Marketingmagazine.co.uk's most clicked-on stories for the week ending 7 August 2009

1. Manchester United fans hit back at Tevez taunt ad
2. Sky Sports plots ESPN response
3. WWE star Randy Orton to feature in HMV's 'My inspiration' ad
4. Top Gear's Clarkson and May try to make their own Volkswagen ads
5. Npower and Marstons in Ashes promo girls bust-up
6. FC Barcelona and Microsoft set for sponsorship deal
7. Nivea takes issue with Wan's Boots tie-up
8. Bikini-themed coffee shop to launch in the UK

This article was first published on Marketing