Products & Services

Woolworths Everyday Money Credit Card

The Sydney Morning Herald
Page: 7 : 3 September 2008
Original article by John Kavanagh

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Woolworths has teamed up with HSBC Bank Australia to offer a branded credit card for its customers. The MasterCard product features an interest rate of 18.99 per cent and an annual fee of $A49 after the first year. It can be used at a range of stores in the Woolworths group, and the associated reward program provides customers with shopping vouchers based on the amount spent. Michael Ebstein of MWE Consulting notes that the Woolworths loyalty scheme is not as flexible as some rival products

ANZ flexible term deposit fund

The Australian
Page: 9 : 3 September 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Investors can expect returns in line with term deposit accounts from ANZ Banking's new Flexible Term Deposit Fund. The fund allows investors to maintain a high level of capital security and does not include a lock-in period or pre-set maturity. The fund was launched by ING Australia in July 2008 and is available through the Australian fund manager's OneAnswer platform

Chrome browser reflects Google's ambitions

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 59 : 3 September 2008
Original article by Chris Jenkins

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

The beta version of Google's web browser will be released in early September 2008. However, David Holmes of iProspect says competition concerns may arise with regard to the Chrome browser's interaction with other Google products

Mobile advtg "evolves"

Adbrief
Page: 3 : 28 August 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

A mobile phone plan subsidised by advertising has been issued by ComTel. The service is the first of its kind in Australia. People who agree to receive ads on their handsets also get reward points that can be used for auctions, travel discounts and movie passes. These customers effectively obtain a 65 per cent discount on the telco's base fee structure of $A29 per month

E-Business

The winter of journalism's content

The Australian
Page: 23 : 3 September 2008
Original article by David McKnight and Penny O'Donnell

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

Newspapers face a difficult future. Quality journalism has been subsidised by advertising, but advertising is moving to the internet. An optimistic view is that news will be available from other sources. However, newspapers are the main source of news, internet sites gain their content from newspapers, and cheaper online advertising will not support the same amount of journalism. The nature of internet use favours popular stories, rather than serious journalism. Newspapers are not regulated like electronic media, allowing political comment

Behavioural issues no advert for security

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 59 : 3 September 2008
Original article by Ben Woodhead

LexisNexis Summary: E-Business

There is growing concern over the use of data on internet users' browsing history to provide advertising that more closely matches their interests. Nicole Heller of law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques notes that proposed changes to Australia's Privacy Act include measures aimed at protecting internets users

Marketing Strategy

Newest greenwash whitewash warning

Adbrief
Page: 2 : 28 August 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Marketing Strategy

Warnings that "greenwashing" will not be tolerated have reiterated by the competition watchdog and green groups. "The End of Greenwash - how to unlock the consumer potential for sustainability" and "The Green Checklist" have been issued by the green capital program at the Total Environment Centre. Companies including Saab, Woolworths and Origin Energy have been subject to greenwashing accusations over the last 12 months

Consumer Behaviour

Fashion hopes for some high times

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 3 : 3 September 2008
Original article by Hannah Tattersall

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Melbourne Spring Fashion week began on 1 September 2008. Designers expect spending on high-end fashion to continue despite deteriorating economic conditions, although designer Jayson Brunsdon said consumers may be more discerning. White Suede designer Jacqui Demkiw said they will continue to seek out brands but will also seek value

Investment to limit slowdown

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 14 : 3 September 2008
Original article by Adrian Rollins

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

National accounts data on the Australian economy is expected to show an annual growth rate of 2.9 per cent in 2008, almost two per cent lower than for mid-2007. Household spending and residential construction have slowed but solid investment has minimised this impact. Government spending on infrastructure increased by 32 per cent which, by September 2008, represented 22 per cent of domestic production

Retail banks fear rise of online offspring

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 59 : 3 September 2008
Original article by Julian Bajkowski

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Peer-to-peer banking looms as a potential threat to the market share of Australian banks. Dave Williams of BankWest has acknowledged that the banks themselves have contributed to the trend toward peer-to-peer banking by encouraging customers to use online banking rather than branch banks

Head-to-head: Credit-Reporting

Ethical Investor
Page: 26-27 : August 2008

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

GE Money in Australia is keen for laws to allow lenders to gain more information about credit histories. The Consumer Action Law Centre is not in favour of more credit history information being available. The Centre argues that some lenders may use the extra information to lend even more money to vulnerable consumers. GE Money argues that more information about a borrower's credit history will enable the lender to avoid people who cannot repay money. GE Money believes that lenders do not want to target those who cannot or will not repay a debt