Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Sweet 'n' sour for investors

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 32 : 8 August 2008
Original article by George Liondis

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will allow Chinese companies to showcase their brands on the international stage. Karma Wilson of AMP Capital Investors notes that Chinese athletes are being sponsored by Li Ning and Anta, two China-based makers of sporting goods. Wilson says these brands could become attractive to investors if they become China's equivalent of global brands such as Nike and Adidas. However, Wilson acknowledges that the potential for terrorist attacks during the Games could dampen investors' enthusiasm for China

Putting fibre into Singapore

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 65 : 8 August 2008
Original article by Christopher Jay

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Sanitarium launched its aLIVE co-branded range of cereal products in Singapore on 1 August 2008. The company partnered with Singaporean giant, Fraser & Neave, to introduce the products, in the hope of gaining additional market traction. Sanitarium group export manager, Matthew McKenzie, said he expects the range to meet with consumer demand for products that are both healthy and convenient. Austrade helped 568 local companies export products to Singapore in 2007-08, and 169 of these were new exporters

Products & Services

Paper maker takes up the greenhouse challenge

The Age
Page: B2 : 8 August 2008
Original article by Philip Hopkins

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

PaperlinX subsidiary Australian Paper has launched a range of environmentally-friendly paper. The ENVI product has been certified as "carbon-neutral" by the Greenhouse Friendly scheme operated by the Department of Climate Change. The company will manufacture about 60,000 tonnes of the ENVI paper each year at its Wesley Vale paper mill in Tasmania. Australian Paper has achieved a significant reduction in the mill's greenhouse gas emissions by converting its boilers to gas power rather than oil. The mill also uses electricity sourced from hydro-electric power plants rather than coal-fired plants

Shops woo luxury brands

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 22 : 8 August 2008
Original article by Brook Turner

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Myer has confirmed that it is in discussions with luxury brands, as its Melbourne store undergoes a $A300 million redevelopment. When construction is complete in late 2009, Myer will establish in-store concept shops for brands such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier if talks are successful. Myer has developed a new strategy with assistance from its owner, TPG Capital, which has extensive experience in the US department store sector. David Jones's Melbourne store will also undergo redevelopment in coming months, and the group has confirmed that it will also distribute several new luxury brands

Marketing Strategy

Bragging rights go to Aldi after grocery report

The Sydney Morning Herald
Page: 23 : 8 August 2008
Original article by Julian Lee

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

German discount grocery chain, Aldi, will capitalise on the results of the Australian grocery inquiry. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission found that a basket of goods costs an average of $A19 less at Aldi than at the other large supermarkets. On 6 August 2008, Aldi said that it is preparing advertising to publicise the report. Coles and Woolworths said that they do not plan to change their advertisements. Luke Dunkerley, of Woolworths, said that value involved more than cheaper prices

Consumer Behaviour

ConnectEast in half a jam

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 59 : 8 August 2008
Original article by Vesna Poljak

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Australian-listed ConnectEast Group has released data pertaining to the first week of tolling on the EastLink motorway in Victoria. The toll road recorded average daily patronage of 133,722 vehicles, with an average toll per trip of $A3.10 for the period between 27 July and 2 August 2008. The number of average daily trips on the road during the first month of toll-free use was in the range of 270,868. Goldman Sachs JBWere had anticipated a 30 per cent reduction in traffic on the road once tolls were introduced, but patronage has effectively halved. ConnectEast shares closed $A0.145 lower on 7 August 2008, at $A0.85

One skinny cap to go

BRW
Page: 17 : 7 August 2008
Original article by Jane Lindhe

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Starbucks' presence in the $A1.8 billion Australian coffeeshop market was reduced significantly in the week ending 1 August 2008. The US-based chain closed 61 of its 84 stores, putting around 685 people out of work. Nabi Saleh, the executive chair of rival Gloria Jean's Coffee, said he was not very surprised by the decision, stating that Australian consumers do not like the taste of Starbucks' coffee, while its stores were located in areas where it was hard to make a profit

Calling, not listening

BRW
Page: 57 : 7 August 2008
Original article by Adam Goodvach

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

A consumer is generally ringing a call centre because he or she is seeking information, but a recent survey by Global Reviews suggest this need is rarely met. Global Reviews undertakes a benchmarking study of Australia's largest call centres every three months. Its survey for the June 2008 revealed that 87 per cent of call centre operators were failing to find out what the caller needed, while 53 per cent did not bother to use or find out the caller's name. Global Reviews rated ING Direct, Telstra Big Pond and Australian Unity as being the three best call centres, while National Australia Bank and Citibank were among the poorest performers