Aer Lingus recruits 999 nudes for fare publicity stunt

Aer Lingus had 999 people strip down to shamrock underwear in central London yesterday for a publicity stunt promoting £9.99 fares with no hidden extras from Gatwick to eight new European destinations ahead of St Patrick’s day tomorrow.The airline’s PR agency Golley Slater recruited the members of the public using a social media campaign, including Facebook and Twitter, and the offer of two free return flights to one of the destinations.
The stunt was designed to grab media attention for the brand’s move into the cheap flights arena where it will compete with big advertisers Easyjet and Ryanair and timed to coincide with St Patrick’s Day.
Participants walked a short distance along the Thames from the Albert Embankment to the London Eye, attracting the attention of thousands of sightseers.
While organisers called the event 999 Nudes, the police warned there could be fines for people going completely nude.
Enda Corneille, corporate affairs director at Aer Lingus, said: "We had a police visit this morning [yesterday] where we were warned that if any of the participants were completely nude, they would be liable to a fine for ’indecent exposure’.
"However, once out of sight of the cautious police, many of the participants ignored police warnings and stripped off for the bewildered, but eager, on-looking crowds, who captured the event on their camera phones."
Aer Lingus hired Golley Slater as its first UK PR agency in February and has also just started a six-month sponsorship of Capital Radio’s breakfast show.

Zombie game marketing stunt goes awry after body parts disappear

A marketing stunt involving a "treasure hunt" for convincing-looking human remains across central London has gone awry, according to organisers, with a number of bloodied body parts (and chicken livers) going missing.The stunt was orchestrated by Monument PR to promote tomorrow’s Friday the 13th launch of console game ’Resident Evil 5’, a zombie and gore-focused title.The stunt involved a treasure hunt in which around 50 members of the public had to retrieve various legs, arms, heads and torsos from a number of secret locations.
A Monument PR spokesman insisted that the loss of the body parts was not a publicity-seeking appendage to the campaign’s main body.
In the early hours of this morning, the parts were hidden in locations across a square mile of London, in places such as rubbish bins and on window ledges. More than 100 people signed up to participate in the event, which culminated in two of the heads, one torso and six limbs being returned by participants across the finishing line on Westminster Bridge.
However, one head, two torsos, and six limbs remain unaccounted for. A number of chicken livers, which were used for added gore, are also missing.
Before it transpired that body parts had disappeared, the stunt had already taken a turn for the worse when horrified passers-by complained to police. Officers were called to the finishing line, and organisers moved on, although no charges were made.
Monument is posting notices on various websites, as well as contacting media, encouraging anyone who finds body parts to return them.
A Monument spokesperson said: "If there is no news of them, we will have to inform the police."
The campaign reached its crescendo this week, when various websites targeting gamers posted information about the forthcoming treasure hunt. The competition was won by Steve Long, a 26 year-old IT consultant, who was awarded a prize of a holiday for two to Africa (where ’Resident Evil 5’ is set).

Google cuts 200 sales and marketing roles

Google is cutting roughly 200 sales and marketing positions globally after revealing it had over-invested in some areas of its business.
The internet giant said it had grown "very quickly in a very short period of time" which resulted in overlapping organisations and duplicated roles, making teams less effective and efficient.
Google said the affected employees would be able to apply for other jobs at the company.
The cuts are the company’s biggest round of layoffs not associated with a merger or acquisition. They come as global adspend growth continues to weaken with the economy.
Omid Kordestani, senior vice president of global sales and business development, said in a Google blog post: "When companies grow that quickly it’s almost impossible to get everything right-and we certainly didn’t."
Google has nearly 21,000 employees but it does not disclose how many work within its sales and marketing division.
Separately, Google is reportedly developing technology to connect its TV-ad brokering business to YouTube and eventually video on other websites, according to a report on WSJ.com.
The service, called Google TV Ads Online, would reportedly allow advertisers to buy ads across Google TV, YouTube, and video on other websites through the same interface.
Google is believed to be testing the service with plans for an official roll-out in the coming months.

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Iris Digital tries no advertising conversation-only strategy

Iris Digital is experimenting with bypassing traditional media buying and using only social media conversations to promote a competition for football fans to win tickets to a Sony Ericsson VIP party.

Iris Digital is experimenting with bypassing traditional media buying and using only social media conversations to promote a competition for football fans to win tickets to a Sony Ericsson VIP party.

The strategy involves the agency seeking people out on Facebook, Twitter and football forums and blogs instead of buying targeted media.

The invitation-only April 1 party is based around the Fifa World cup trophy coming to London for a few hours. Tickets to the party can be won at a competition taking place at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex on Saturday.
The Kiss The Cup competition will involve 25 people pressing their lips to a World Cup structure for as long as they can; the last three left will win a phone and tickets to the party.

Iris’ work has been led by digital strategist Luis Carranza, who has been communicating with people through a Kiss The Cup (KTC) Twitter account and Facebook group.

The Facebook group has just 180 followers but Carranza’s updates are being picked up by another group, called Essex, which has 23,000 members.

On Twitter KTC has 671 followers and Carranza has just recruited an official Twitter journalist who will cover the VIP party free of charge.

Carranza said: "Twitter is misunderstood by many, but if you look at the growth rate, you can see that many people are starting to get it. It’s not all about what you had for breakfast."
He said that the strategy was great for fuelling engagement but one key issue is estimating the time required is very difficult. "Social media campaigns don’t start at 9 and end at 5. Constant monitoring is required."

Carranza’s list of advantages and disadvantages of the campaign.

Advantages:Knowing that there is a person, someone with a heartbeat behind a brand is good for business. People will look for you if they like what you have to say. People have names, and too often we simply refer to them as consumers. It’s more difficult to think of someone as a consumer, when they tell you their name. This approach is more human. Reaction time is faster. You can make adjustments on the fly if something isn’t working. People opt-in and out as they wish. Engagements and experiences more memorable than page views. Consumers have more control and input.

Disadvantages: Finding the right people takes time. You can’t talk to every single person, so you have to spend time finding the right ones. Social media campaigns don’t start at 9 and end at 5. Constant monitoring is required. It’s not easy. You can’t just say you want to use Twitter and just start doing it. Expect obstacles and set backs, but push forward. Bud Caddell said it best in his slideshare presentation: "Digital Media isn’t Mass Media for Cheap". It’s complex. Much of the value added by a campaign like this isn’t measurable in the traditional sense. An offline conversation as a result of something online doesn’t register until after the campaign is over. What worked today doesn’t always work tomorrow. There’s no cookie cutter way to be honest with your audience.

2012 Olympics advertising pitch in sponsorship furore

The pitch for the 2012 Olympics advertising account has been plunged into controversy after it emerged that the winning agency would be expected to sign up as a sponsor of the games, at a cost of almost £10 million.

Two agency groups have already said they will withdraw from the pitch unless the sponsorship stipulation is removed, according to reports over the weekend.

Agencies have also suggested that the approach is unlikely to ensure the games receive the best possible marketing support.
Other Olympics sponsors that have made "value in kind" deals include the chewing-gum brand Trident, the technology group Airwave, Boston Consulting Group and the solicitor Freshfields.
The advertising pitch is scheduled for mid-April.

24th March The Risk Management Expo – Excel – London

29th March British Summer Time begins

29th March 155th Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race, London

1st April April Fool’s Day

2nd April The John Smith’s Grand National

10th April Good Friday – Holiday (UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia)

12th April Easter Sunday

13th April Easter Monday Holiday (Uk, Ireland, Canada, Australia)

17th April The Scottish Grand National

Event Director, PennWell Publishing (UK) LimitedEmployer: PennWell Publishing (UK)

Limited Contact: Mrs Stanna Brazeel

Location: North London Salary: Basic + Bonus + Benefits

Set events business line vision, strategy, and annual budget, this includes:

o Event Execution

o Maintain budgets and time schedule of events

o Work collaboratively with internal resources to implement creative, proactive event marketing strategies and tactics to achieve revenue and client objectives.

o Work with internal marketing department to oversee preparation of major promotional and support materials, including letters, logos, tag lines and welcome kits.

o Meet with top level executives to sell sponsorships Event sales team leadership

o Manage events sales team and drives decisions around the event’s sales team training and development, performance appraisal, and related personnel issues.

o Maintains regular, proactive contact with all constituents’ to ensure proper plan execution and client satisfaction.

o Maintain a cost effective lens on all revenue and expenses within your operation.

o Prepare budgets and effectively allocates time and staff resources.

o Provide proactive career guidance to events sales team. Business Leadership o Engage the senior leadership team to ensure effective collaboration between events and the business.

o Contribute to the discussion on the broader growth objectives of the business.

o Grow the Business

o Actively participate in new business activities, including meetings, proposals and presentations.

o Educate self and keeps abreast of clients, technologies, vertical markets, client competition and industry trends

Requirements:

• Higher learning degree in events planning, communications, business or a related field.

• Successful large scale and influential event planning or events sales experience; sufficient to meet the requirements of the role.

• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communications, time and project management skills.

• Ample budgeting experience

• Excellent leadership and people management skills. Excellent compensation package available.

Qualified candidates please apply online at Stannab@pennwell.com

MARKETING MANAGER – LIVE EVENT AGENCY – LONDON N1, Regan & Dean Recruitment Limited

Location: City of London

Salary: £28-£35

Marketing Manager is needed for a highly creative, innovative and independent event creation and production agency who deals with many prestigious clients in the lifestyle and fashion industries.

The Company: Creative, innovative, independent event creation and production agency. Specialise in creating and producing high profile events, live communication programmes and brand experiences throughout the UK and Europe. Their services include strategic planning, event design and creation, event production and project management, technical production, logistics, design and business development. Prestigious client list – from FMCG to fashion.

The Role: Marketing Manager

Looking for a creative and dynamic individual to develop and implement a PR and marketing strategy.

Report to Creative Director and work alongside BD Manager and team of event managers.

Create and present credentials for pitches and presentations. Identify new business opportunities

Responsible for portraying company profile and image to the outside world.Explore strategic partnerships

Write press releases and identify news angles

Manage and develop website

Develop and maintain marketing material

ource and create ideas to promote the company

The Person: Need to have a background in fashion and luxury goods markets and knowledge of the events industry

A strong network of contacts to help facilitate role

Marketing background in events with good PR experience.Excellent presentation skills

First class communicator An imaginative and creative approach

Self motivated

So if you want to work with exciting people on exciting events and produce exciting marketing…..Send your CV urgently to marketing@regananddean.co.uk, or call Lisa or Jo on 0207 409 3244 for a chat.

Event Manager, Xchangeteam

Contact: Kate Kentish

Location: London

Position: Event Manager

Salary: £29000-£35000

The purpose of this role is to be the main point of contact for event organisers and to ensure that all allocated events are run a customer friendly environment. To ensure that customer requirements are effectively obtained, documented and communicated to all relevant parties. In conjunction with the Facilities Manager and the Catering Manager, to ensure that support services are delivered in a safe, efficient, timely and customer focussed manner.

The position reports to the Conference Services Manager who manages the department.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

*To act as the customer’s primary point of contact for all planning activities for allocated events.

*To meet and greet Conference Services customers to explain and demonstrate the services as necessary

*To deal promptly with any customer complaints and last minute requests for changes and support.

*To manage the activities of the technical services officers that report to the position.

*To liaise with the Senior Conference Services Officer to ensure that any factors effecting the selling of rooms/spaces are communicated to the Conference Services team prior to the letting of the room.

*To create and develop productive relationships with existing and new Conference Services customers.

*To conduct site visits for new and prospective clients to show them the facilities, explain the services, terms and conditions and negotiate any resulting booking including up selling to maximise opportunities where appropriate.

*To ensure that all planning activities and chases are completed within the approved time periods in an efficient, organised and professional manner.

*Proactively contribute to the improvement of venue facilities and services for events and event customers, monitoring and logging service requirements and faults.

Experience

*Sound experience of conference and meeting room events management preferably in a busy venue environment.

*Understanding and empathy with the needs of event organisers.

*Practical knowledge of how to plan, execute, manage and trouble shoot the organisation of events

*Experience of customer liaison and commitment to customer care and satisfaction.

*Leadership and management skills including experience of duty management functions.

*Experience and knowledge of customer relationship management systems and room booking systems.

*Health and Safety and risk management knowledge

*Catering and hospitality experience

Event Account Manager, Xchangeteam

Contact: Garth Leadley

Location: London

Salary: £30000-£30000

A world leading IT research and advisory company with an incredibly strong events arm that hosts the world’s most exclusive gatherings of senior IT and business strategists is seeking an Account Manager in order to generate sales for their Florida based events.

The role will involve responsibility for the retention and growth of attendees for Summits other Events. Success in this role relies on the ability to work strategically with the Sales team and develop relationships with key decision makers in client and prospect organisations.

Group Account Director – Brand, Events, Marketing -50,000, Regan & Dean Recruitment Limited

Location: London

Salary: £50000-£50000

Account Director is needed to join successful live event, brand marketing agency. This creative hot shop will give you the opportunity to work on cutting edge, event marketing projects. You’ll need to be a true brand visionary!

The Company: Experiential marketing agency who are specialists delivering creative marketing campaigns through Events, Production and Design

Fabulous client base in media and entertainment, drinks, and youth markets

Offer clients strategic direction, design and marketing services Offer exceptional live events and experiences

Based in Central London, stunning offices, great atmosphere to work in

The Role: Overall responsibility, development and direction of experiential marketing for accounts The role is as much about developing your clients and your teams and in doing so you will be involved with planning and development of strategy, communication, creative input into designs and event marketing concepts as well as creative processes internally

Financial responsibility covers Budget management, delivery of agreed targets, setting team targets and presenting to the board.Client Service responsibilities will range from Continual management and development of business relationships as well as motivating and enabling team to proactively manage accounts

This role is about inspiring and leading your team whilst delivering the creative and engaging event marketing!

The Person: Have a solid experiential agency background

Must have both event and marketing experience and ideally a professional qualification e.g. CIMA or CIM

Be a very strategic marketer who loves brands and has a clear creative vision

Experience of managing a team

Experience of producing innovative, integrated creative campaigns

Strong budget control and management

If you feel you have the strategic and creative background in experiential marketing that this role requires please call Lisa or Jo to discuss in more detail. Or email CV to marketing@regananddean.co.uk

The ideal candidate will have strong business, sales and relationship management acumen with proven experience and track record preferably within the Conference, Exhibitions and Tradeshow arena. Excellent communication skills and good time management are a must.

Guinness to offer free 250th anniversary t-shirts

Guinness is planning to giveaway branded t-shirts as part of an on-pack promotion to celebrate its 250th anniversary. A radio and in-store campaign to support the promotion, running on packs of cans, for three weeks either side of St Patrick’s Day (17 March). The t-shirts will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first brewing of Guinness’s in Dublin. Additionally a free 16oz branded glass will be given away with each 18-pack of Guinness Draught. Marketing activity around this offer will run later on in 2009.

To win the watch consumers needed to fill out quiz cards, which were given out with every purchase. Once five were collected people could send them into win a watch.

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MasterCard ties up with Sony Pictures to promote Da Vinci Code prequel

MasterCard has become one of the first brands run a promotion around the upcoming prequel to the Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons. MasterCard’s move is part of a new strategy to align the credit card brand with movies and follows its sponsorship of The Times BFI London Film Festival last year.

The film, which features Da Vinci Code actor Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon aiming to halt a terrorist attack against the Vatican, launches 15 May.

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ZooQoo.com launches user-generated quiz game

Multimedia publisher Zoo Qoo has launched a Flash-based user-generated quiz game called PixelZoo as part of a brand awareness campaign designed to attract new users.PixelZoo, created by digital agency Kerb, allows users to customise their own quiz games using images that they have developed themselves.

The game, which goes live today, features animated characters called Zookons that roam the Zoo Qoo website. Players have only a few seconds to identify a pixelated image as it resolves into a clear picture before one of their Zookon avatars is crushed to death.Users can increase their chances of success in the game by reducing the number of options, getting hints or skipping questions using various lifelines. PixelZoo will be hosted by ZooQoo.com and Kerb will also be seeding it to third-party sites.

Zoo Qoo, which allows users to upload creative content for free to be rated and reviewed by other users, is hoping the game draws its target audience, men and women aged 18-35 with an interest in creativity, to the website. Users who upload content onto Zoo Qoo have the choice of selling their work for a small commission fee.

Jim McNiven, managing director of Kerb, said: "We wanted to reflect Zoo Qoo’s commitment to nurturing a community of bright young talents across a wide range of creative disciplines with PixelZoo, which is a fast, funny and addictive game that Zoo Qoo’s community can develop easily with their own content."

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Peta hits back at Burger King perfume with a parody called Gore

Peta, the animal rights charity that campaigns to get people to turn vegetarian, has hit back at the news that Burger King has launched a meat-scented fragrance with its own parody.Burger King hit the headlines last week when it launched a meat-scented cologne called ’Flame’, which is being sold in New York and online, and is touted as "the scent of seduction, with a hint of flame-broiled meat".Peta’s version of the scent, which it’s dubbed ’eau de mort’, is called Gore by Murder King.

The charity boasts the scent will "awaken the senses, including the conscience".It has created mock packaging for Gore that shows a cow’s intestines, and claims that the fragrance evokes the aroma of rotting flesh. To complete the imagery, it says that every bottle contains a floating maggot to remind users of what else is attracted to a dead body.Tracy Reiman, executive vice-president of Peta, said: "Peta’s Gore perfume is so intense that it might open people’s eyes to the suffering of animals — and even bring a tear to them."If the picture of a dead cow on the packaging doesn’t jolt someone into remembering what dead meat is all about, maybe the stench of guts will."

Peta campaigns against meat-purveying fast food chains including McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King, critical of their records on animal welfare.It also campaigns against the use of fur in fashion, but has a wider agenda of promoting vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

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LBi launches digital PR division

Digital marketing agency LBi has launched a specialist digital PR division.Based in the company’s new Brick Lane headquarters, LBi Digital PR will work across all online media outlets, devising stand-alone campaigns and working to complement digital marketing activity run by LBi.

Jill Lloyd, former UK PR manager for Yahoo!, has been appointed to head the new division, which sits within the existing LBi media team directed by LBi’s global media director, Caroline McGuckian.Initial clients include the Starwood Hotel Group, the British Red Cross, and Volkswagen.The service also integrates the Search PR offering currently provided by SEO specialist LBi Netrank. LBi acquired Exeter-based Netrank in January 2008.Lloyd said: "LBi has a vast pool of resources to draw on, from analytics to SEO to media planning, all of which will be integrated with PR to significantly increase our clients’ online visibility."It is our belief that a creative yet results-oriented strategy will deliver PR that is more targeted and measurable, as well as having long-term, enduring value."The in-house department is the final step in LBi’s move towards the delivery of a full-service digital media offering.

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