Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Campaign interruptus: watchdog withdraws ads

The Sydney Morning Herald
Page: 5 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Julian Lee

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

The Advanced Medical Institute (AMI) has agreed to remove billboard advertisements that promote its treatment for male impotence. The AMI displays the advertisement on about 120 billboards throughout Australia, but the campaign has prompted public concern about the sexualisation of children. The Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) had dismissed the complaints earlier in 2008, but elected to take the unprecedented step of reviewing its decision. ASB CEO Alison Abernethy says changing community standards means the advertisements are not appropriate

Games over, now the ratings contest begins

The Sydney Morning Herald
Page: 19 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Miriam Steffens

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Seven Media declared its Beijing 2008 Olympic Games coverage a success on 25 August 2008. CEO, David Leckie, said the Australian TV network surpassed its coverage of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Seven is believed to have booked $A142.5 million in advertising sales during the 17-day event, after spending $A90 million on rights and production costs. Goldman Sachs JBWere said Seven will be tested in the coming weeks, as it attempts to capitalise on its Olympic success

Unions use warchest to attack ALP

The Australian
Page: 1 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Matthew FranklinPaul Maley and Patricia Karvelas

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, refused to bow to pressure from unions on 25 August 2008. Rudd said he intends to leave the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC) in place until the end of 2010, despite threats from a coalition of unions. The pledge came as union leaders unveiled plans for a TV advertising campaign similar to the one that was credited with bringing down the previous federal government in late 2007. The three-week campaign is aimed at undermining the ABCC

'Infrastructure' becomes a dirty word at election time

The Australian
Page: 8 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Amanda O'Brien

LexisNexis Summary: Advertising & Promotion Campaigns

Western Australian (WA) voters are sick of the WA Government using the word "infrastructure" in reference to roads, hospitals and schools. The "worm" technology used in the political debate between WA Premier Alan Carpenter and WA Opposition Leader Colin Barnett will likely prompt some changes in strategy with 12 days to go before the state election on 6 September 2008. The worm results may prompt more positive advertising from the Australian Labor Party to replace the negative campaign criticising Barnett. Both leaders performed well when they spoke positively about the state. The studio audience declared Carpenter the winner of the debate, 57% to 43%

Products & Services

Retailers spark credit card battle

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 1/61 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Nina WanAndrew Cornell and Sue Mitchell

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

On 26 August 2008, Woolworths will become the latest group to offer its own credit card. The official launch of the Everyday Money MasterCard will precede the September launch of the David Jones credit card, which that retailer is offering in conjunction with American Express

E-Business

Admen enlist public help

The Age
Page: B7 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Lia Timson

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

A number of Australian companies have utilised a new online marketing strategy that capitalises on the trend toward user-generated content. The supervirals.com website allows internet users to submit ideas for advertising campaigns for well-known brand products. Users of the supervirals site then vote for their favourite advertising campaign, and the creators of the most popular campaigns receive rewards. Companies that have made use of the site include the Victoria Bitter beer brand, Krispy Kreme and the "3" mobile telephone network

Marketing Strategy

REA makes virtual estate agency real

The Age
Page: B3 : 26 August 2008
Original article by Natalie Craig

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

The operator of the realestate.com.au classifieds web site, REA Group, has posted a 2007-08 full-year net profit of $A22.3m. The rise by 48% was based on growth of 15% in its monthly audience for its 22 online operations in 10 nations, to reach 8.2 million users. Georg Chmiel, the acting CEO, said the Australian-listed company was content to incur losses in new markets where it is trying to focus on brand recognition before tackling the issue of profitability. REA has not declared any dividend, and on 25 August 2008 its shares closed $A0.02 lower at $A4.18