Feb 1, 2004 12:00 PM

1/13

Kraft Foods announced a global reorganization to streamline U.S. and international operations. Former co-CEO Betsy Holden, demoted as president-Kraft Foods North America in December, takes on the newly formed top marketing post: president-global marketing and category development.

Grey Global Group's promotion agency, J. Brown/LMC Group, merged with food broker Crossmark's marketing division, Crosscut Marketing. The merger forms a new shop, The J. Brown Agency in Stamford, CT. The deal combines J. Brown's promotion and account-specific marketing expertise with Crosscut's in-store merchandising and retail research expertise.

The Arena Football League and Regal CineMedia plan to run a mini-movie, produced by The NBC Agency, in 400 Regal Entertainment Group theaters from Jan. 9-29. The two-minute mini-movie stars Philadelphia Soul co-owner Jon Bon Jovi and Colorado Crush co-owner John Elway, and promotes the upcoming 2004 Arena Football League season.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's will feature Yu Yu Hakusho toy figures in their Kids Combo meals, along with a sweepstakes giveaway, from March 3 through April 20. The QSRs expect to give away about 4 million premiums and 495 prize packages.

Starbucks Coffee Co. has decided not to charge a monthly inactivity fee for its branded cards. The announcement came just weeks after Sen. Charles Schumer (D. NY) said he plans to propose federal legislation to ban monthly fees automatically deducted from gift cards. Starbucks said the plan to eliminate the fee had been in the works prior to Schumer's announcement.

FDS plans to distribute 250,000 samples of its new feminine deodorant spray this month to health clubs nationwide. FDS Pursonals is a portable spray in a petite 0.5 oz. package.

The Schwan Food Co., Marshall, MN, begins its first long-term, loyalty-based program with the Home & Gifts Store. Customers can redeem points acquired with online or phone purchases to receive discounts on premium appliances and cookware.

Advertising sales and marketing company Interep has formed a new division offering a database of 20,000 events and promotions to the event marketing industry.

1/8

Time Life, Inc. will pay $30,000 in civil penalties following charges that it violated Pennsylvania's Do-Not-Call law, the state said. Thirty complaints from consumers claimed they had been contacted illegally with telephone solicitations for magazine subscriptions, books and music CDs. Time Life admitted no wrongdoing.

Pepsi products will start appearing on store shelves in Iraq for the first time since 1990 in an agreement with PepsiCo International and Baghdad Soft Drinks Co. (See p. 11.)

Estée Lauder Cos. has named William Lauder, the grandson of the company's founder Estée Lauder, as chief executive. The appointment takes effect July 1. Lauder, 43, replaces Fred Langhammer, who will retire as CEO and director, but will assume the newly created position of chairman, global affairs.

Chrysler Corp. announced its sponsorship of NBC's new prime-time reality show, The Apprentice, which premiered Jan. 8. The sponsorship included automotive exclusivity.

Some British Airways ads raised the ire of Israeli police after hundreds of road signs directing consumers to London landmarks were placed in Israeli cities. They looked too similar to official road signs, cops said.

Yahoo's new campaign for its Yahoo Personals classified ad site uses “real” people as models. One subject, Los Angeles resident Julie Koehnen picked three men to join her for a date on top of a Sunset Strip billboard.

1/6

Restaurant chain Chick-fil-A put a temporary stop to its ad campaign featuring cartoon cows persuading consumers to choose chicken instead of beef, citing sensitivity surrounding concerns over mad cow disease.

South Dakota cattle producers planned to give away $5 discount coupons, known as Beef Bucks, at Kessler's Grocery in Aberdeen and will speak with consumers to encourage beef consumption.

General Motors Corp. dropped $50 million on a give-away promotion to generate traffic in its showrooms and build awareness. (See p. 12.)

Slim-Fast announced the 2004 Slim-Fast Challenge exclusive to Wal-Mart stores. The promotion kicked off Jan. 10 with in-store weigh-ins at 3,500 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores. An estimated 500,000 consumers are expected to participate. (See p. 24.)

Richard H. Leeds, the co-founder of Thomson-Leeds P-O-P advertising agency, died Christmas morning of heart failure at North Shore Hospital in Manhasset, NY. He was 82.

12/30

A federal judge denied the Federal Trade Commission's request to block software firm D-Squared Solutions, San Diego, from sending pop-up ads online. The case goes to trial on March 8, 2004.

Law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips will merge with litigation boutique Parcher Hayes & Snyder, beefing up Manatt's roster of entertainment clients and its litigation expertise. Los Angeles-based Manatt brought over 10 staffers from Hall Dickler Kent Goldstein & Wood in November after merger negotiations between the firms fell through (December PROMO).

Burger King Corp. named Dr. Joanne Lichten, Ph.D, RD, to the post of chief nutritionist. She will be responsible for bringing a consumer-driven, nutritional sensibility to the current Burger King menu, as well as future product innovations. (See p. 24.)

12/23

DaimlerChrysler Corp., under pressure from its dealers, female buyers and women who work for Chrysler, cancelled its sponsorship of the Lingerie Bowl, a controversial television show involving scantily-clad women.

Darden Restaurants, Inc., Orlando, FL, blamed much of the recent sales slump at its Red Lobster chain on the brand's marketing. Promotional offerings at the restaurants were “not as compelling,” CEO Dick Rivera told analysts.

Wal-Mart stores will begin offering 200,000 songs for download on its Web site, www.walmart.com, selling songs for 88 cents each. The decision placed the retailer in direct competition with other online music download services like Apple's iTunes and Roxio, Inc.'s Napster 2.0, currently offering music downloads for 99 cents apiece. (See p. 21.)

To subscribe to PROMO Xtra, visit promomagazine.com

:: Renew / Subscribe to PROMO Magazine::

DON'T MISS AN ISSUE! PROMO Magazine provides insights into using promotion marketing as strategic, measurable component of an overall marketing mix. DON'T MISS OUT on "how-to" information on strategies and tactics successful marketers use to improve product sales and brand image. Renew your subscription Subscribe to the magazine Sign up for email newsletters

A panel of professionals answers your questions. Submit your questions.
		Michael McKelvie Gift Cards and Reward Cards
		Bob Bell Tie-in Partnerships
		Dave Hunt Rebates
		Bruce Hollander Sweepstakes
		Joel Parent Interactive
		Become an Expert More Info