Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Brand new concept for industry to develop

The Australian
Page: 8 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Vanessa Stoykov and Antony Perring

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Brand loyalty is an imperative factor of superannuation funds' success. Most are expected to post negative returns to members after the global credit crisis in early 2008, therefore marketing strategies that engage members and create increased brand awareness are fundamental to ensure members are loyal. It becomes even more important when considering in June 2008 that economic conditions may not yet improve for some months. Industry funds, ING and AMP have all released major campaigns in recent months, but those without a large marketing budget can still retain loyalty by actively working on member engagement

Products & Services

CFDs the flavour of the month as trade numbers explode

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 8 : 18 June 2008
Original article by John Wasiliev

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Business in listed contract for difference products (CFDs) is increasing but still remains well behind the over-the-counter alternative. On 17 June 2008, the increasing demand by Australian clients for CFDs was identified as a motivation for the development of new platform-promotable offerings that borrow characteristics from derivatives and the warrants market

Providers offer protection for nervous CFD players

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 15 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Simon Davey

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Contract for difference (CFD) providers are offering new products that reduce risk to investors. New products have been launched by CMC Markets, MF Global and First Prudential Markets. CFDs now allow investment in a range of underlying products, such as foreign shares, currencies, indexes and commodities. There are costs associated with the reduction of risk, but CFD providers believe that the benefits are greater than the costs

Sneak peak: under the hood of ACP's "Top Gear"

Mediaweek
Page: 9 : 16 June 2008
Original article by James Manning

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

The first issue of "Top Gear" will go on sale in Australia on 30 June 2008. Sales of the magazine, which is being produced under a joint venture between ACP Publishing and BBC Worldwide, are expected to be around 75,000, while it will have a retail price of $A7.95. Its editor-in-chief, Ewen Page, is not prepared to say how many pages will be in the first issue of "Top Gear", nor what stories. Page has previously edited magazines such as "Wheels" and "Motor" and was most recently editor-in-chief of "FHM"

Marketing Strategy

Brand new concept for industry to develop

The Australian
Page: 8 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Vanessa Stoykov and Antony Perring

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

Brand loyalty is an imperative factor of superannuation funds' success. Most are expected to post negative returns to members after the global credit crisis in early 2008, therefore marketing strategies that engage members and create increased brand awareness are fundamental to ensure members are loyal. It becomes even more important when considering in June 2008 that economic conditions may not yet improve for some months. Industry funds, ING and AMP have all released major campaigns in recent months, but those without a large marketing budget can still retain loyalty by actively working on member engagement

NDM surveys online behaviour

Mediaweek
Page: 6 : 16 June 2008
Original article by Marc Andrews

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

News Digital Media (NDM) will release the results of a major survey of users of its various web sites in July 2007. Ed Smith, the COO of NDM, says the survey aims to find out a range of information about its users, including what other media they use, their spending habits, and how they use the internet. NDM will issue the results as the "NDM Digital Insight Report", and Smith says he expects to release the report at least every six months. NDM launched its survey in May 2008 and it has so far received over 10,000 responses

Consumer Behaviour

Rising costs spark retail gloom

The Age
Page: B1 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Ari Sharp

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

The Australian retail sector is experiencing a deterioration in sentiment, both among small and medium businesses as well as in consumers. Two new indices by the Sensis information provider show that the higher cost of petrol and rising interest rates have had a damping effect on spending that is unlikely to be counteracted by income tax cuts due in mid-2008. The Sensis Consumer Report notes a decline in confidence by 26 points over the six months from November 2007, while a mere 2% of retail businesses now expect profits to expand. The Australian Retailers Association warns its members must contain costs and may be forced to announce discounted prices

Best-laid plans: how you can make them

The Australian
Page: 6 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Tony Kaye

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

It is a difficult task for investors to find the right financial planner. This may explain the finding of research commissioned by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) that 70% of Australians do not use a planner. The FPA says investors who do have a more diverse portfolio and are better prepared for retirement. A report by Industry Fund Services found 84% of people support stricter laws requiring planners to act in the best interests of clients. There are strong perceptions of conflicts of interests in the financial planning industry, particularly in regards to remuneration and commissions, but the sector and the Australian Government have made significant efforts to improve standards. FPA CEO, Jo-Anne Bloch, noted 82% of its members offer a choice of fees or commissions

The right time to make plans

The Australian
Page: 2 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Geoffrey Newman

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

The Australian financial planning sector has benefited from the current pressures on investment markets. Although client satisfaction has declined as investments fail, planners are working harder to please them, with more regular contact between the two groups. The Financial Advice Satisfaction Index of Lifeplan Financial and the International Centre for Financial Services declined from 74.3 points to 73.2 in the six months to April 2008. Client perceptions of planners' technical ability fell, while the measure of performance rose 7%. A more realistic assessment of the role and abilities of planners may mean investors will be less inclined to be convinced by promises of unrealistic returns

Labor resists home grant reform

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 7 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Mark Phillips

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

The Australian Government has downplayed expectations the first-home owner's grant (FHOG) will be revised to favour new housing. The Senate Select Committee on Housing Affordability in Australia has recommended that the $A7,000 FHOG be reduced for buyers of existing homes and increased for purchasers of new ones. The committee said this would act as an incentive for increased supply of new housing. Australian Housing Minister, Tanya Plibersek, said she does not believe this is necessarily the best way to stimulate new supply

Fools can now rush in - thanks to the internet

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 13 : 18 June 2008
Original article by Michael Pollak

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Online investment services will always reward those who trade frequently and in large amounts. On 17 June 2008, several online broking firms disclosed their sliding fee rates and admitted to discounting rates for select traders. Academics believe that online broking encourages people to trade rather than invest. They see a vulnerability to margin calls and a likelihood for ill-informed decisions. The Australian Securities Exchange has estimated that 1.5 million Australians invest online

Pills and soap

New Scientist
Page: 6 : 7 June 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

US scientists looked at how drugs are advertised, to see if the advertising is effective. Drugs can only be legally advertised in the US and New Zealand. The researchers looked at the advertising of anti-depressant drugs and sales of these drugs in the two nations between 1996 and 2003. They found that advertising of these drugs led to more demand for the drugs, just as washing powder advertising increases demand for the brands advertised. The researchers argue that this type of advertising should be supplemented with more information about each drug