Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Ads not the answer for organ donation

The Australian
Page: 8 : 9 July 2008
Original article by Pia Akerman

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's $A13.4 million organ donor advertising campaign was brought into question on 8 July 2008. Spanish national transplant organisation director, Rafael Matesanz, said the campaign may not be the best way to spend the money and could prove an exercise in preaching to the converted. Matesanz said it would take "a lot of money and a very constant campaign" to change even "a little bit of opinion". A spokesperson for Health Minister Nicola Roxon's Parliamentary Secretary, Senator Jan McLucas, said the campaign would help dispel the myths surrounding organ donation

Troubled waters for Pope's visit

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 3 : 9 July 2008
Original article by Tracy Ong

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

The Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industry Union has agreed not to strike during the Sydney visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Sydney Ferries Corporation will argue in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission that the Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers is threatening to strike during the papal visit, part of World Youth Day celebrations. Both unions are seeking wage increases above the New South Wales Government's 2.5% wage cap

Grand Prix winner

Ad News
Page: L3 : 27 June 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

The Australasian Promotion Marketing Association (APMA) announced the winners of its 2008 Star Awards on 26 June 2008. The awards acknowledge excellence in promotional marketing in Australia and New Zealand. The Grand Prix award went to Leo Burnett for its promotion of Earth Hour 2007 on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund. In an attempt to highlight the issue of global warming and to show how even simple steps can help to address the problem, Sydneysiders were asked to turn off their lights for one hour on 31 March 2008, with 2.2 million people and more than 2,200 businesses doing just that

Products & Services

Recycled food packaging used to stave off drought

The Australian
Page: 2 : 9 July 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Aqua Guardian Group hopes to market an innovative product that will conserve water. It has the exclusive rights to AquaArmour, a hollow hexagonal-like shape made of recyclable materials. It is spread over the surface of water to reduce evaporation. It can also suppress algal growth by reducing light and temperature. The product involves risk, as further testing is being undertaken and rivals may emerge. The company plans to issue 18,750,000 shares and list in Australia on 31 July 2008

E-Business

Bill Express pulls the plug

The Age
Page: B1 : 9 July 2008
Original article by Mark Hawthorne and Jesse Hogan

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

Australian electronic payments company, Bill Express, has failed. The cancellation of a recapitalisation deal prompted a creditors' meeting on 8 July 2008, which led to the appointment of an administrator. ANZ Banking will write off $A53 million of debt owed by Bill Express. It also revealed that it owns 13.2 per cent of the company, through its dealings with Chimaera Capital. ANZ is installing 2,600 eftpos machines over 48 hours to retain control of Bill Express's electronic payments network

Marketing Strategy

Hijacking kudos in media

Ad News
Page: 5 : 27 June 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

Anne Parsons, the CEO of Australia's MediaCom, was one of the judges at the recent Cannes Media Lions. Parsons told a press conference on 17June 2008 that the judges, all of whom were media agency executives, were very unimpressed that most of the submissions they were being asked to judge were from creative rather than media agencies. She also said that the judges would not have awarded any Grand Prix if it had been left up to them. Ironically, one of the two Grand Prix they decided to award went to a Swedish creative agency for a campaign for which media agency MindShare did most of the work but had elected not to enter for the competition

The balls to succeed

Ad News
Page: 16-17 : 27 June 2008
Original article by John Davidson

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

The improved performance of the Nine Network in the ratings for Australian commercial television can be in part attributed to increased marketing. David Gyngell, the CEO of Nine, spent $A9 million on main media marketing in the six months to April 2008, compared with just $A4.7 million for the previous corresponding period and not far short of the $A9.9 million spent by its main rival Seven. Nine's marketing included a major promotion of "Underbelly", arguably its most successful program so far in 2008

Consumer Behaviour

Internet becomes the go-to information source

The Age
Page: B1 : 9 July 2008
Original article by Matthew Ricketson

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Swinburne University's Australian Research Council Centre for Creative Innovation will release its detailed study of Australian internet usage in July 2008. According to the survey, 61 per cent of those aged 18 to 29 with access to broadband watch less TV now than in the past, while just three per cent watch more. One-quarter of the 1,000 respondents said they watch fewer shows on TV because of their ability to download them, while 30 per cent of 18-to-29-year-olds said they read fewer newspapers and magazines as a result of the internet use

Is it good for your wealth?

The Age
Page: 12 : 9 July 2008
Original article by Lesley Parker

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Recent changes to the Medicare levy surcharge may prompt some Australians to cancel their private health insurance. However, Monash University's Charles Livingstone says the financial penalty for those over the age of 30 who do not have private coverage will act as a deterrent for many people who might otherwise have opted out of a private health fund. Michael Johnson of Choice says Australians need to review their health insurance each year, taking into account any changes to their circumstances. Issues to consider when choosing a health fund include "gap" payments for medical procedures, any restrictions or exclusions, and the waiting period before a member is entitled to make a claim

A question of performance

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 40 : 9 July 2008
Original article by Barrie Dunstan

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Superannuation funds may find that members change funds after the revelation of poor returns. The Heron Partnership has rated 160 funds for 2008-09. MD Chris Butler said that, when fund returns are available, fund members will discover that investment results vary widely. He said that this will prompt people to compare funds, and many will decide to switch funds. Members tend to focus on short-term investment performance in uncertain conditions, but costs and fees will also be considered

Consumer loyalty hinges on trust, respect

Independent Financial Adviser
Page: 10 : 7 July 2008
Original article by Victoria Papandrea

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Consumers are most likely to lose their trust in their bank if it shows disrespect for them or engages in dubious business practices. This is according to a survey of over 2,000 Australians that was conducted for Unisys. Consumers stated that their bank needed to anticipate what their needs were if the bank wanted to gain their trust. Robert Dewar, of Unisys, said that the desire for a good "customer experience" was even more important for clients of a bank's wealth management arm, as relationships tended to be much more enduring in that sector