Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

It's make or break for Optus

The Australian
Page: 27 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Michael Sainsbury

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

The large Australian telco, Singtel Optus, is facing challenging times. Optus has had to cope with a huge marketing campaign by the number one telco in Australia, Telstra. This targeted and highly effective campaign has been bad news for Optus. The number two is losing its position in the Australian mobile telephone market, which is its main revenue stream. Optus has lost both market share and earnings margins in mobile telephony and faces strong competition from smaller rivals. Telstra rolled out its big gun to defeat Optus - the "NextG" mobile telephone service. Optus was the last telco to market with third-generation (3G) mobile content. On 14 May 2008, Optus will unveil its full-year results and the market will see how it is coping

Products & Services

Optus snags Apple iPhone resale deal

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 34 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Ben Woodhead

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

After much speculation, Singtel Optus has confirmed it will join Vodafone in selling Apple's iPhone to Australians. No launch dates or pricing details were released with either company's announcement, although Optus revealed that it has an agreement to cover much of south-east Asia, and Vodafone has permission to sell the sought-after handset in various countries throughout Africa and Europe. Telstra and Hutchison's "3" have not announced agreements with Apple as of May 2008, but are said to be interested in a deal following the sale of four million iPhones since the US release

E-Business

Banks hostile to eBay's PayPal move

The Australian
Page: 29 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Fran Foo

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

eBay has until 23 May 2008 to respond to more than 350 submissions made to an Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigation. The ACCC is looking into claims eBay's plan to process all payments through its PayPal subsidiary is in breach of competition guidelines, although PayPal claims the move is aimed at increasing customer security. The Reserve Bank of Australia argued in its submission to the ACCC that customers would naturally choose PayPal if it was genuinely as safe as was being claimed

Hackers breach epilepsy forum to cause migraines

The Australian
Page: 31 : 13 May 2008

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

Hackers infiltrated the Epilepsy Foundation's web site by exposing a security hole, linking users to flickering images. The attack, exposing sites with kaleidoscopic images, triggered migraines and almost-seizure reactions to visitors who suffer from photosensitive epilepsy. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the breach, following similar incidents in early 2008 of web site hacking. Computer security researchers have labelled the attacks "mean spirited", particularly given that the hackers had a personally harmful objective as opposed to standard profit-based security breaches

MYOB snares online role

The West Australian
Page: 42 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Tracey Cook

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

Australian-listed MYOB has announced the acquisition of privately-held web site hosting firm Ilisys. The accounting software group aims to provide internet services such as domain name registration or email hosting to the users of its products, following the takeover. MYOB MD Tim Reed notes this will also mean that the back-office functions employed by small businesses will be able to be better integrated with their online presence. On 12 May 2008 the company's stock closed $A0.01 higher at $A1.33. This was still $A0.57 lower than the bid price offered by private equity firm Archer Capital in February 2008, which was rebuffed by MYOB in a decision highly unpopular with investors

Marketing Strategy

Right offer at the right time

The Australian
Page: 33 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Andrew Colley

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

Vodafone found a solution to dwindling response rates to its advertising campaigns, namely investment in new marketing software. SAS's Marketing Optimisation package allows the company to analyse and predict customer behaviour by monitoring call volumes and complaints. Use of the application has resulted in a doubling of response rates and a slowdown in customer complaints. Vodafone recognises the potential privacy concerns of clients, and has implemented stricter policy on information security and staff confidentiality

Bad news for ad agency

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 52 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Neil Shoebridge

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

Westpac's proposed merger with St George is likely to lead to a reduction in the number of marketing services suppliers used by the bank. Westpac announced plans for a merger with St George on 12 May 2008, although it said the existing brands of both Australian companies would be maintained. Westpac began a review of its advertising account in April 2008, suggesting St George's creative agencies, Whybin TBWA and OMD, could benefit from the merger and may be chosen ahead of Westpac's WPP

SA targets franchise bullies

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 54 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Damien Lynch

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

A South Australian parliamentary report into franchising has recommended the Federal Government take action against corporate bullies. The report, released on 12 May 2008, urges a Trade Practices Act definition of "unconscionable conduct". The inquiry heard from 10 witnesses who alleged bullying and intimidating conduct. The recommendations, and those from a similar Western Australian inquiry, may generate a national investigation. Franchise experts believe that other recommendations, such as "good faith" bargaining, have considerable merit

Marketing your development

Australian Property Investor Magazine
Page: 52-55 : May 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

Even a small property development has to be properly marketed. The first stage of the project should include determining what the target market is, what prices have been achieved for similar projects, and what type of project will be the most appealing to prospective buyers. Rob Andersen, of Positive Property Strategies, says the internet has made marketing much easier. Some websites allow small developers to advertise private sales

Consumer Behaviour

Blokey union seeks baby leave for dads

The Age
Page: A5 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Ben Schneiders

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union national secretary, John Sutton, called for paid paternity leave on 12 May 2008. Sutton said men were becoming increasingly involved in child care, particularly in the weeks immediately after the birth. University of South Australia professor, Barbara Pocock, said paternity leave should not be overlooked in the current maternity leave debate, particularly with research suggesting that men in their 20s and 30s expect to be involved in their children's lives

Mortgage stress splits pundits

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 63 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Michelle Singer

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Economists and property experts disagree about the level of mortgage stress in Australia. Some argue that living standards and salaries in Australia have risen in recent years, allowing more to easily carry a big mortgage. Others argue that mortgage stress does exist, because many people earning less than $A75,000 a year are spending 30% and over on mortgage repayments each month. Others argue that the definition of "mortgage stress" is unclear, that mortgage defaults in Australia are very low and the press tends to sensationalise some cases

Softer demand to hit home prices, renters

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 63 : 13 May 2008
Original article by Matthew Cranston

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

High interest rates in Australia are causing a reduction in the number of home loan approvals. Official figures show that demand for housing finance dipped by 6.1% in March 2008. Loans for investors were down by 7.2% and owner-occupied lending slipped by 4.4%. David Devine, of Devine Homes, said that rents will continue to skyrocket in 2008 if the Australian Treasury does not find a way to help first-home buyers. These buyers are now in the market at very low levels. Experts believe that the downturn in the housing market will continue for some time

Chicks in bricks

Australian Property Investor Magazine
Page: 62 : May 2008
Original article by Bernard Salt

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Single women choose a particular type of housing. They usually prefer inner city apartments. Public transport and access to restaurants play an important role in the selection process. Single women are often cat lovers and want their apartment to be cat friendly. A remote control garage is considered important because of safety concerns. An older male as concierge is also greatly appreciated