Chime Communications news feed

SFW hires top creative team as the company expands

Stephens Francis Whitson has hired one of the industry's leading creative teams, Simon Panton and Terence Bly, as part of its ongoing expansion campaign and to work on some of the agency's new accounts including Levi Strauss & Co. Europe and Morley Fund Management.

In addition, and in line with the remit to enlarge, SFW has also appointed Mel Stanley as a Senior Planner to bolster the agency's planning and strategy capabilities.

Panton and Bly have an enviable track record. Having originally teamed up at Saatchi & Saatchi under the creative influence of Trefor Thomas they subsequently left to join him at RMG:Connect where they worked on such prestigious accounts as HSBC, AXA, Dolland & Aitchison and Vodafone.

The pair also has an impressive track record in new business wins including Bird's Eye, Ford, COI, Lexus, Daewoo and Bass along with a number of industry awards such as D&AD, Campaign Posters, DMA, John Caples and IPA.

Neil Francis, Creative Partner at SFW says: "It is rare to find a creative combination as adept at winning new business as awards - it goes to show the depth and quality of their work. Terence and Simon are a special team, with experience and enthusiasm to match. They also share our ambitions and they are certainly going to be a major addition in our creative armoury."

Stanley is a former board account director at Proximity, along with, more recently, Head of Consumer Planning at BT Retail and a period at OgilvyOne, where she worked on the BT account.

Chris Whitson, Planning Partner at SFW says: "When we opened our doors we said that planning would be at the heart of the agency and, as the agency continues to grow, we want to make sure we continue to invest in this important offering by hiring real talent at a senior level."

Ends

For further information contact Neil Francis at SFW on tel: 0207 592 7459 or visit www.sfwlondon.com

NOTES TO EDITOR

Stephens Francis Whitson was founded in 2005. It now handles the Direct Marketing for clients including MORE TH>N, House of Fraser, Levi Strauss &Co. Europe, Callaway Golf Europe and The 02. It also produced the multi-award winning work for ebookers.com

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LONDON 2012 APPOINTS MARKET RESEARCH AGENCY

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games today announces the appointment of Opinion Leader as its retained market research company. Following a competitive pitch, Opinion Leader has been appointed with immediate effect.

In a joint appointment with the Olympic Delivery Authority, Opinion Leader has been tasked with delivering all of London 2012's market research requirements, which include monitoring support levels and public attitudes to the Olympic and Paralympic Games - as well as identifying public issues and concerns around the 2012 Games.

Part of the Chime Communications Group, Opinion Leader is one of the UK's leading research agencies with extensive experience of all areas of research, including working in the charity, government, consumer and environment sectors.

LOCOG Commercial Director Chris Townsend welcomed Opinion Leader to the London 2012 team, "Market research is a vital tool for us in the build up to the Games. Opinion Leader demonstrated that they not only have the credentials and expertise for the job, but just as importantly they were passionate about the journey ahead. We look forward to working with them."

Opinion Leader's joint CEO Viki Cooke comments, "We are absolutely delighted to be working with the London 2012 team, providing a full range of polling and other market research services, over the next six years. As key partners to the ODA and LOCOG we hope to help them in ensuring that their work is clearly informed by the views and opinions of those who stand to benefit most from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - the British people"

- Ends -

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our Work in Progress blog http://blog.london2012.com

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bell Pottinger North climbs high with VLM Airlines

VLM Airlines has appointed Bell Pottinger North, part of Britain's top ranking public relations group, to handle its media relations activity across the North West.

With offices in both Manchester and Liverpool, Bell Pottinger North is ideally placed to provide public relations support to the airline, which operates flights to Manchester, Liverpool and the Isle of Man.

This new regional appointment is an extension of the remit which has seen London-based sister agency Bell Pottinger Business & Brand already implement a successful national communications campaign for the airline.

John Butters, director at Bell Pottinger North comments: "Our appointment to handle VLM Airlines' media relations activity in the North West is a good example of our capability to provide local and national public relations support by seamlessly integrating consultants from across the Bell Pottinger Group as a whole.

"Working with our colleagues in London, we are not only able to support VLM Airlines on a national level, but also provide a team that has extensive media connections and experience of working with clients in the aviation industry."

Catherine Stuyck, Marketing Communications Manager of VLM Airlines says: - "With an excellent punctuality record, we offer full service flights with short check-in times at great value for money.

"Bell Pottinger North has been appointed to raise awareness of the valuable service VLM Airlines offers to North West travellers, and, based on the consultancy's success at a national level, we are confident they will achieve great results."

VLM Airlines commenced operations from Manchester in September 2002, with two flights each weekday to London City. As passenger demand has grown, so the number of services has been increased to nine return flights each weekday, with two flights each Sunday and one on Saturdays.

Together with the introduction of new routes from Manchester to Antwerp and Rotterdam, passengers can also make quick and convenient connections at London City to other points on the airline's network, including Luxembourg and Amsterdam.

- Ends -

Press information:

Please contact John Butters at Bell Pottinger North on 01625 506444 or jbutters@bellpottingernorth.co.uk

Notes to editors

Bell Pottinger North is part of the Bell Pottinger Group - voted number one in PR Week's league tables for the last four years.

Based in Cheshire with an office in Liverpool, the company works for all types of organisation. Its specialisms include construction, education, healthcare, NHS Trusts, professional services, property, technology and telecoms and transportation.

VLM Airlines commenced operations in 1993. It currently offers over 100 flights per weekday to and from London City Airport, more than any other carrier, to Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Groningen, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Liverpool, Luxembourg, Manchester and Rotterdam. Direct flights are also offered from Manchester to Rotterdam and Antwerp and from Rotterdam to Hamburg.

During the summer direct flights are operated from Rotterdam to Jersey and Guernsey. VLM Airlines also organises charter flights to various European destinations. For more information and reservations, contact a travel agent or VLM Airlines on 0871 666 5050 or at www.flyvlm.com

Rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

02 launches £4m brand campaign

The new O2 brand campaign launches on Monday 16th April on TV and in cinema. The execution, created by Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest, VCCP, is in line with the previous O2 style but introduces a new warmer and more natural environment to the familiar O2 blue world. It delivers directly to the core O2 strategy of trying to provide better experiences for its customers in order to turn them into happier ones who stay longer and are fans of the brand.

The execution retains the 'See what you can do' strapline, and has at its heart the O2 bubble.

Creative

The new TV execution follows the journey of a couple as they travel through a range of beautiful environments, such as a lake and a forest, each symbolic of the experiences that O2 offers its customers. The voice over reads: 'whether you want to capture a memory, share an experience or just listen to something, we're always thinking of ways of making things better for our customers'.

Consistent with the TV and cinema execution is the poster campaign which replicates one of the most beautiful images from the TV and cinema ad.

Media

The TV campaign launches on April 16th and runs for 3 weeks, followed by the cinema campaign which commences on the 11th May and continues for a further 9 weeks. This gives the campaign longevity and supports 02's other propositions such as Cocoon. The poster campaign focuses on London sites, using large the formats of 96 and 48 sheet posters to gain cut-through in the capital.

Ends

For more information contact Michael Sugden at VCCP on 020 7592 9331 or visit www.vccp.com

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOOD RELATIONS HIRED BY AUDLEY TO DRIVE TO CHANGE BRITISH VIEW ON USA STYLE RETIREMENT

A campaign is underway to change attitudes to retirement villages which are huge in America but are a largely untapped market in the UK.

Audley, part of the Raven Group, has brought in Good Relations to position community villages as an ideal solution to some of the challenges facing Britain's growing number of retired people.

Soon a quarter of the population will be over the retirement age. Many live in large family houses they no longer really need and struggle to maintain. They worry about security and isolation in later life. Cue the retirement village concept: premium apartments set in the grounds of heritage buildings with bar, restaurant, swimming pool and leisure facilities plus a range of services offering support and companionship.

Good Relations won the contract to promote the concept and Audley developments across the UK following a competitive pitch.

"A million people in the US enjoy this kind of living," explained Good Relations corporate senior consultant Malcolm Munro, who will lead the campaign, "they like the way retirement villages offer a high quality of life and security.

"It is fair to say that the British public need more convincing. Many still see this kind of living as 'giving up their home," which is a rather outdated way of looking at it. With Audley, you buy your apartment and you are free to do what you like. It is about living life to the full in a rather pleasant country club."

Audley are confident that as cultural resistance is overcome retirement villages will be 'the next big thing' in UK property.

"I do believe that we are on the crest of a breaking wave," said Nick Sanderson, Chief Executive of Raven Audley Court plc, "we are looking forward to working with Good Relations to achieve that critical change of mindset about property and lifestyle."

The national PR campaign is supported by targeted national and regional advertising.

- Ends -

For further enquiries please call Malcolm Munro at Good Relations Corporate on: 0207 861 3217 or 07795 013006. For more information on Good Relations visit www.goodrelations.co.uk

Good Relations is part of the Bell Pottinger Group www.bell-pottinger.co.uk and owned by Chime Communications plc www.chime.plc.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEMPLETON FOUNDATION HIRES BELL POTTINGER BUSINESS & BRAND

The John Templeton Foundation, one of the world's largest charitable foundations, has appointed Bell Pottinger Business & Brand to provide PR support in Europe.

The Philadelphia-based Foundation, famous for its annual £800,000 Templeton Prize, is looking to Bell Pottinger to highlight the 2007 winner and its major research interests.

During 2007, the Foundation is focusing on an eclectic range of issues including the impact of spiritual thinking in the 21st century, the 200th anniversary commemoration of the abolition of slavery and an examination of the new 'multiverse' scientific theory, featuring a contribution from the President of the Royal Society, Lord Rees.

Pamela Thompson, Director of Communications, said: "Bell Pottinger immediately grasped how the Foundation was seeking to encourage philosophical and scientific inquiry into the big unexplained questions. We have a varied programme in 2007 and we felt Bell Pottinger could match our ambition and do a great job promoting the Foundation and its mission to European audiences."

Kevin Read, Bell Pottinger Business & Brand Managing Director, said: "The Templeton Foundation is a fascinating and worthwhile organisation. There is an exciting programme ahead and we are looking forward to offering better insights into the Foundation. The projects it funds and the issues they raise will be of great interest to audiences in the UK and on the continent."

Ends

For further information, please contact Kevin Read at Bell Pottinger Business & Brand on 020 7861 2506. Bell Pottinger Business & Brand is part of the Bell Pottinger Group and owned by Chime Communications plc.

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAB Miller hires Resonate, VCCP Digital and VCCP Search for Pilsner Urquell global campaign

SABMiller, one of the world's leading brewers, has appointed Resonate, part of the Bell Pottinger Group and sister companies VCCP Digital & VCCP Search to handle a global integrated communications programme for its flagship brand Pilsner Urquell.

The campaign, which will be co-ordinated out of London, will deliver a unified, on and offline brand advocacy programme, across key territories including the UK, US and Western Europe.

The appointment, which follows a three month search, is a signal of further commitment and investment by the brewing giant in its international flagship brand, which is positioned in the high end premium segment. It is currently available in over 50 countries worldwide.

Resonate, VCCP Digital and VCCP Search will report to International Marketing Manager Petra Biskupova, and work closely with the Pilsner Urquell global marketing teams to build and expand on current brand communications to further boost Pilsner Urquell's profile & reputation worldwide.

Michael Frolich MD of Resonate, said: "We are delighted with this prestigious win for us and other parts of the Chime Group to provide integrated on and off-line solutions on a global basis. Pilsner Urquell will be one of the first brands using search as the primary brand building channel rather than a major above-the-line advertising campaign. We're very excited about such an innovative search campaign especially with a brand of this pedigree."

Petra Biskuopva said: "Pilsner Urquell is a brand with unique taste and unchallengeable heritage that set the benchmark for the entire lager category. It is a privilege to have an opportunity to further build its legacy through modern marketing techniques and I am very excited to welcome the teams at Resonate and VCCP into our international Pilsner Urquell team."

The newly appointed agencies will be working with Ogilvy & Mather, Pilsner Urquell's global advertising agency.

Ends

For more information on Resonate please visit: www.resonate.uk.com

Enquiries: Michael Frolich at Resonate on Tel: +44 20 7360 7878

Resonate is part of Bell Pottinger Group and along with VCCP Digital and VCCP Search are all owned by Chime Communications plc.

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Women of the Year 2007 appoints Good Relations Consumer

Good Relations Consumer (GRC) has also been appointed for the second year to work with Women of the Year Lunch to raise profile for the most significant gathering of women in the country.

The event is in its 52nd year and recognises the extra ordinary achievements of women across a variety of professions.

GRC was asked to work with the organisation following a sharp increase in broadcast and print coverage for the 2006 event where women including Camila Batmanghelidjh (Director of Kids Company charity), Jane Tomlinson MBE (Cancer sufferer who raised funds and awareness for charity following cycle ride across USA), Thabitha Khumalo, (Zimbabwean trade unionist and women's rights campaigner) and Nicky Marriage and Helen Webb (women who brought The Sultan's Elephant to London) were all nominated for special awards.

ENDS

For more information contact Christine Morgan at Good Relations on 020 7861 3030 or visit www.goodrelations.co.uk

Good Relations is part of the Bell Pottinger Group and owned by Chime Communications plc

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Relations Consumer wins Texaco FA Hall of Fame Campaign

Good Relations Consumer (GRC) has been appointed to work on a Texaco campaign to promote its FA Cup Final Hall of Fame initiative whereby customers can collect the latest in football memorabilia, a limited edition album, CD and collectable tokens on FA league teams.

In addition, GRC is raising awareness for a nationwide offer to win a footballer and WAG lifestyle for a weekend which includes VIP trip to the capital, shopping and beauty treatments, Aston Martin racing experience and lunch at the Chef's table at Claridges.

The PR campaign, which will raise awareness through discussing the collectable and investment nature of football memorabilia through spokespeople such as Eric Knowles (BBC Antiques Roadshow presenter), runs until 19th May and is designed to drive consumer loyalty by tying into customer's passion for the beautiful game.

This is the second project that Good Relations Consumer has won without a pitch from Texaco and follows a road safety campaign they ran in October 2006.

ENDS

For more information contact Christine Morgan at Good Relations on 020 7861 3030 or visit www.goodrelations.co.uk

Good Relations is part of the Bell Pottinger Group and owned by Chime Communications plc.

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VCCP launches Shark's Jaws of Justice

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the courthouse, FIVE has dispatched its latest US import, SHARK, and is supporting it with an online viral campaign by VCCP.

The launch of the Shark competition runs hot on the heels of VCCP's successful Prison Break 'Locate the 8', online viral competition for which twelve thousand people entered with the chance to win the ultimate prize.

The online viral Shark competition under the strap-line 'Jaws of Justice' seeks interns to join Sebastian 'Shark' Stark in preparing a case against one of California's most notorious businessman. To succeed, participants will need powerful deduction skills, a keen eye for details and a thick skin.

Each budding intern will first be vetted by Five and those successful applicants will then be able to read new evidence released each Thursday, commencing March 22, and build their case, and enter evidence via the 'Jaws of Justice' site on the Five website. Competitors will be tasked with seeking out answers to the case on different online sites, and bringing it back to help Shark win the case.

In return, the winning intern will win a five day trip for four to Los Angeles.

Simon Downing, Head of Marketing at Five, said: "The viral online competition demonstrates how important the digital arena is in engaging audiences in terrestrial TV. The Shark competition has been developed in a similar way to 'Locate the 8', which was hugely successful."

The new courtroom drama, which is every Thursday at 10pm on Five, premiered Stateside in September stars James Woods as Sebastian 'the Shark' Stark, a top LA celebrity defence attorney who switches sides to become a prosecutor.

The pilot show was directed by noted Hollywood director Spike Lee.

Nicki MacLean, Account Director at VCCP said: "The Shark 'Jaws of Justice' viral online competition is a great way to reach our target audience. The show has all the trappings of a successful US import to which the competition is an exciting match."

END

For more information contact Nicki MacLean at VCCP on 020 7592 9331 or visit www.vccp.com

rssfeed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND LEGAL LIABILITY WAIVER: The content of this email and any attachments are CONFIDENTIAL and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be UNLAWFUL for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information contained herein. The content of the message and or attachments may not reflect the view and opinions of the originating company or any party it is representing.

If you are NOT the intended recipient then please email back to itsupport@chime.plc.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------