10 Dec 2008 – Mention of MPG's success by Editor

Also worthy of an honourable mention is Media Planning Group (MPG), which has won 15 clients and £90m of additional billings in 2008. MPG has added brands including Thresher, BMI, Hugo Boss and Gola to it’s books, while also building on relationships with existing clients such as the BBC, P&O and Magners. The agency has also invested in integrated and digital planning, with a host of appointments in various offshoots. It hired a head of search, head of affiliates and a head of direct, and created a mobile division Mobtext.

14 Nov 2008 – Craze to lead Havas Media by Ian darby

Mark Craze, the managing partner at it’s MPG agency, is stepping out to the role of Cheif Executive, Havas Media UK, while Marc Mendoza, also a managing partner at MPG, becomes the Cheif Execuvtive of the media agency.

30 Oct 2008 – Teaching the old network new tricks by Pip Brooking

“The new addition to EMS allows a detailed and granular look at how Europe’s most influential consumers interact with different media channels through the day. It’s still early days with the data, but this is perfect for adding additional insight to our planning for clients such as Credit Suisse – definitely a step in the right direction.”
Davod Goodall, Managing Director, MPG International

21 Oct 2008 – Is the television ad market in long-term structural decline? by Editor

“I don’t believe TV will fall into irreversible structural decline, but it will most definitely have to irreversibly change shape. IPTV, AFPs, sponsorship and client involvement with programming with proliferate.
Programmes will evolve in to brands that clients associate themselves with and will be used to reach ever more discrete audiences with diminishing regard for channel platform. Advertisers will still require brand fame and product sales and TV will remain a key delivery mechanic. However, the medium can no longer rely on being the first on the media agency schedule.
Sales operations will have to adapt by using intelligent, integrated approaches that recognise client business challenges rather than introspective market criteria that reward agencies for annual share.”

Marc Mendoza, Managing Partner

15 Oct 2008 – Outdoor raises it's game by Nicola Clark

Simon Jenkins, strategist at MPG, says the key challange for outdoor contractors is ensuring that the digital platfroms do not cannibalise revenues from products such as six-sheets. ‘In harsh economic climate, it is all too easy for brands to invest in the sexy digital products at the expense of traditional campaigns,’ he warns. ‘Contractors need to ensure that they are getting incermental revenues from other media.’

02 Oct 2008 – China in your hands by Kate O'Flaherty

MPG International managing director David Goodall says brand owners are “falling over themsleves to grab a piece of the action.” He adds that and advertising gold-rush has increased by 20% year on year. The media environment in China has mirrored dramatic changes within the country as a whole and,as Goodall pointsout,”Economic reforms have led to an explosion in the number of media channels and partial loosening of centeral Government control has encouraged a new climate of editorial independence.”

14 Sep 2008 – Britons stay out of shops but won't quit smoking by James Robinson

The Credit Crunch is forcing British consumers to change their spending habits, according to research by media planning group MPG.
Over a quarter of respondents say they are worried about redundancy in the next year, but, perhaps surprisingly, on 64 per cent say they believed the value of their homes had fallen since the start of the current economic crisis.

16 Sep 2008 – MPG wins UK account to launch The Style network by catherine Turner

MPG has scooped the £1m UK launch account for Lifestyle TV Channel The Style Network without a pitch. It will launch a heavy-weight press campaign across celebrity magazines as well as TV spots. The Channel, owned by the US media group Comcast, will launch in the UK on July 7, as part of BSKYB’s pay-TV lifestyle and culture package.

1 Aug 08 – MPG Lands £2m Wrangler media planning and buying by Ian Darby

MPG has been appointed ahead of advertising activity, around a press campaign, which is set to break in the UK to support the brand. Marc mendoza, the managing partner of MPG, said: “Wrangler has a huge global presence and we will be part of helping the brand reach even higher heights.”

17 Jul 08 – Money tales louder than words by The Editor

Not everyone is impressed by Live Search Cashback, however, Tharien Pieterese, Head of search at Havas-owned digital agency Media Contacts, says “It may well drive Live Search’s search volume up in the short term – but I would question whether it will work against Google’s dominance in the longer term.”

25 Jul 08 – MySpace by The Editor

“As an advertiser, I should be delighted that the MPU position is now at the top of the page, and the ‘Today at MySpace’ just above the fold gives us a great spot for promoting our wares, as this is likely to yeild a far better response/conversion rate. In short, MySpace’s change from seedy pub to Soho wine bar might be great for advertisers, as long as it doesn’t have a negative impact on it’s fickle user base.”
Dave katz, Head fo trading, Media Contacts

Jul/ Aug 08 – Power 50 2008 by

Frampton si widely regarded a sone of the most knowledgable agency figures in the UK, having worked his way up to the ranks of MPG’s digital arm Media Contacts to become head of digital. He is also a loyal company man and digital native, having joined MPG in 1997 as an online planner/buyer. The factors put Frampton in a strong position to benefit from developments at parent network Havas Digital, which has major plans to expand it’s digital offering in the next 12months.

24 Jul 08 – TV Data by The editor

”...These insights support Media Contatcs’ long-held belief that online video ad formats will be a fraction of the length of those on TV, with the optimum being 5-10 seconds. Shorter ads call for a new form of creativity.”
Paul frampton, Head of digital media, Media Contacts

Jul/Aug 08 – Who's watching you? by The Editor

Paul Frampton, head of digital media at Media Contacts believes that data is intrinsic to the trading of online media and argues that even if Phorm fails by the wayside, others will continue along their lines.

3 Jul 08 – Can Microsoft be Yahoo's white knight? by The Editor

“To my mind, Yahoo has a strong strategy for the future, with it’s more developed ‘network’ aspirations and moves into the area such as it’s Right Media perchase. The integration if aQuantive by Microsoft is still in it’s infancy, while Righ Media is already live.”
Paul Frampton, Head of digital, Media Contacts

22 May 08 – Champions League Final viewing peaks at 12.7m by Branwell Johnson

Media Planning Group predicted that ITV would make morwe than £10 million from the match if it went to extra time and penalties.

26 Jun 08 – Don't throw in the towel just yet by The Editor

For those sponsors that have nailed their colours to the Olympic mast, the latest research from MPG’s Fabric panel shows there is cause for optimism. A week before the Torch Relay came to London, the survey asked families across britain: “Do you think it’s OK for Beijing to host the Olympics?”. The same panel of families were then asked the same question a week after the London and Paris legs of the relay. The results were suprising.

9 Jun 08 – For Internet business, the strategic battle to rank high web engines is critical by The Editor

Tharien Pieterse, head of search at the Media Contacts agency, says clients have begun to seriously get to grips with SEO in the past two years: “It is the centre of all the media activity, because most channels drive people to search for those brands, catchphrases and promotions,” she says.

May 08 – FT Weekend Magazine by The Editor

“It’s not a relaunch, it’s a refresh. The feeling of the relaunch/refresh – call it what you will – that is the FT has decided it’s high time to capitalise on the younger weekend audience. Currently, the average age of the FT’s weekend reader is 53, with 23% of it;s total readership in retirement. It will be interesting to see whether changes will stimulate the growth of FT desires.”
Peta Corsan, Group account director,MPG International

25 Jun 08 – It's time to test the water by The Editor

Media Contacts marketing director John Thekanady believes that with measurment systems, media-owner buying processes and brand appetites converging this year, mobile is ready to become part of the mainstream marketing mix. He says the time when major brands invest significant budgets in landmark campaigns is only 12 months away.

21 May 08 – ITV hope for £10m Euro final payday by Mark Sweney

ITV will make close to £9m from TV advertising during the final, and more than £10m if the match goes to extra time and penalties, according to HAvas-owned media agency MPG. The advertisin bonanza compares with between £2m and £3m in ad revenue for a typical Wednesday night schedule and between £3m and £4m for a Champions League final with no british presence, said MPG.

Jun 08 – Learning to tame the Chinese Dragon by The Editor

“The media environment in China has mirrored dramatic changes within the country as a whole. Economic reforms have led to an explosion in the number of media channels and a partial loosening of central government of editorial independance.” Marc Mendoza, Managing Partner, MPG.

3 Jul 08 – media Contacts launches UK mobile marketing agency by The Editor

Havas Media-owned digital agency Media Contacts has launched a mobile marketing agency in the UK. Mobext will provide Media Contacts’ UK clients,including the BBC, Nationwide, Nike and Volkswagen with mobile planning,buying and creative services.

May 08 – Print Bends the Rules by The Editor

Papers are looking to the web to provide new readers and income. “The issue is that circulation is declining, so they have to look at other revenue streams,” says Patrick Melvill, account director at MPG. “They’ve tried very hard for their online property to be very competitive and the whole point is that news is free now, so anyone can get a story.”

25th jun 08 – The hot key generation by Caroline Parry

Danesh Shetty, affiliate accounts director at media Contacts, says hot key transfers also benefits affiliates, as sales that are started online, but completed through a call centre can be tracked by the affiliate it came trough. He says that by using a tag on each pag e on a client’s website, a consumer’s journey can be tracked throughout.

18 March 08 – MPG Online strategy lures Nationwide into £20m deal by Andrew McCormick

Media Planning Group has scooped the £20m media account for Nationwide, edging out Carat and incumbent Mediaedge:cia with its digital plans for the banking group.

14 March 08 – Media Planning Group snares £20 by The editor

Nationwide Building Society has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £20 million media planning and buying account after a three-way pitch against Mediaedge:cia and Carat.

10 March 08 – Media Planning Group has won media account for Nationwide by Catherine Turner

Media Planning Group has scooped the £20m Nationwide media account from incumbent Mediaedge:cia, which had held the business for 12 years. Head of brand strategy Peter Gandolfi says MPG’s digital credentials were “key” to the appointment.

26 Feb 08 – Online and outdoor expand research by Isabella Piasecka

Simon Jenkins, strategist at media agency MPG, says the quality of outdoor data at the moment is inferior, relatively to other media.

5 feb 08 – Pull me Factor by Isabella Piasecka

...Media Planning Group managing partner Marc Mendoza describes it as a “pull me” factor, tempting senior talent out of the industry. But there are other “push me” factors at work.He says: “Agencies are driven by numbers and experienced people are the easiest people to cull to make those numbers. If you’re over fourty and any good, then you’ll be earning a reasonable amount of money; your an easy target.”

29 jan 08 – Is there a future for digital specialists? by Isabella Piasecka

John Mcloughlin, managing directore of Media Contacts, agrees that the gap is closing. He says: “Traditionally, there has been a gap to exploit; many big offline agencies didn;t get digital, invest in it, or prioritise it. But most have recognised the need for a proper offering.”

22 Jan 08 – Can display close the gap on search? by Andrew McCormick

Grant McFarlane,head of search at Havas agency Media Contacts and previosuly head of client services at Google, agrees.”Search often takes the glory for the purchase, as a lot of agencies can’t track back to see where someone saw a banner ad that got them searching in the first place,” he says.”We;ve seen a 15% or 20% uplift when you run display and search tandem.”

22 Jan 08 – Men's Mags await some good tidings by Fiona Ramsay

Alan Brydon, hea dof press communicationf at MPG, says “Certainly for clients in the area of fashion, fragrance or any other category for which environment is a consideration, some titles are getting to a dangerously low level.”

15 jan 08 – Agencies go Global by Editor

Ian Rotherham, head of international at MPG, says “There will always be an element of tension between central and local across all industries; likewise on the advertiser side.”

15 Jan 08 – Why quality content is King by Editor

Paul Frampton, head of digital at Media Contacts, says “What I search for is exaclty what I want to get back, and in an ideal world should address 100 percent of my needs.A search engine’s lifeblood is it’s quality.”

14 Jan 08 – Havas expands UK presence by Suzie Warner

Havas, one of the world’s leading advertising groups, today announced a further expansion of its UK operations with the acquisition of BLM, the market’s number one independent agency.

The transaction forms part of Havas’ strategy to consolidate growth in core mature markets and build on the success of its brands, which have seen a turnaround over the past three years.

13 Jan 08 – Ant and Dec lead presenter figures by Editor

Martyn Stokes, MPG strategy director, said: We predict their popularity will carry on growing throughout 2008 due to ITV’s continued investment in Saturday evening TV, leading to further fame and higher possibility of success in the US.”

11 Jan 08 – Ant and Dec lead presenter viewing figures by Editor

Martyn Stokes, MPG strategy director, said: “Our analysis shows that Ant and Dec are the new kings of british TV presenting…”

11 Jan 07 – Ant and Dec top list by Editor

Martyn Stokes, MPG strategy director, said: “Our analysis shows that Ant and Dec are the new kings of British TV presenting…”

Dec 07 – What will 2007 be remembered for? by Editor

“This year was the year that digital delivered the global citizen. Social networking sites celebrating people’s inquisitive tendencies, as well as the exhibitionist in us all, will ensure that media owners and advertisers continue to fall over one in another attempt to own and engage with today’s one true global audience.
It is the type of intergration between old and new, albeit commercial, planning or advertising format, which will continue to influence the front pages next year.”

Ian Rotherham, Head of international,MPG

14 Dec 07 – Getting straight by Adam Woods

Media contacts runs a client-satisfaction survey twice a year assesing the level of service offered by the agency.
Whatever the frequency of performance reviews, it is important to distinguish them from other regular catch-up meetings and reviews of campaigns. This helps both agencies and clients to assess the workings of the relationship, performance levels achieved so far and what is expected of both parties until the next major review beyond.

14 Dec 07 – Where did the love go? by Adam Woods

John McLoughlin, head of MPG digital agency Media Contacts, says expending effort to get to know an agency is crucial to the relationship working long term. “It’s very important that agencies understand the nature of the business that they’re going to be working with, ” he says, ” Some clients are relitively happy with the top-line reports but it’s still useful to delve deeper and chemistry meetings are absolutely crucial.”

With the pitch process out fo the way, clients need to inform agencies to as great an extent as possible what they expect from their agency.McLoughlin says: “Once the client has identified and agency, it neededs to make them understand what the current campaign performances are like and what improvements they expect.”

12 Dec 07 – Bets of the Rest by Editor

Media Planning Group had an exceptional year, raking in £118m of new business, including the £20m BBC account. The agency also scooped the EDF and National express accounts, and retained it’s existing clients.

5 Dec 07 – Broadcasters serve up festive fare by Nicola Clark

Jim McDonald, broadcast director of Media Planning Group, says most gift-orientated brands, such as fragrances and chocolate, scale back to their campaigns by about 21 December, making the Christmas ratings wars more about egos than geniune commercial gain.

Nov 07 – Independents top with families by Editor

Consumers see local independent pharmacists as more trustworthy than high street multiples and supermarket pharamacists, an independent report from media planning agency MPG has shown.

27 Nov 07 – 'Little Brits' do a great good turn for charity by Editor

Dressing up obviously brings out the best in Mendoza – with such an impressive return on investment as Andy, perhaps the outfit could come out for client meetings too?

23 Nov 07 – On the QT... by Editor

Last week saw Media Planning Groups managing partners Marc Mendoza and Mark Craze posing as Lou and Andy from Little Britain to publicise MPG’s fundraiser for the Pepper Foundation. After flogging through 60-odd lots, Mendoza coaxed a phenomenal £220,000 from the crowd.

22 Nov 07 – Tracking back beyond the last click is crucial by Mark Patron, CEO, RedEye

I completely agree with Paul Frampton’s letter ‘Last click isn’t last word in purchase decisions’ (NMA 15.11.07) It’s wrong that the last click continues to get all the credit for the sale.

16 Nov 07 – best New Client by Editor

The result demonstrates how successful Magners campaign was founded on the combination of a solid product and proposition, which identified an opportunity in the market for “premium” cider, and an intergrated sales and marketing programme. In the three years since it launched, Magners has become the top-selling packaged,long,alcoholic drink in the UK on-trade and has rejuvenated the cider category.

16-23 October 07 – ITV to land £2m ad bonanza as England make rugby final by Emma Barnett

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at MPG, said: “Ir’s difficult to say, but the total value of airtime is worth a lot more than ITV originally predicted.

15 Nov 07 – Last click isn't last word in purchase decisions by Paul Frampton, Media Contacts

Digital media spend continues to grow faster than that of any other channel, fuelled by the accountantability of the medium.

1 November 07 – The great Google rebate debate by David Benady

Media Contacts head of digital Paul Frampton believes that axing the BPF will create a level playing field but risks making a medium less attractive for advretisers.

7 September 07 – Mindshare to split £15m Axa with MPG by Ian Darby

The financial company Axa has split its £15 million media planning and buying betwenn Media Planning Group and Mindshare.

7 August 07 – Lineker is fans' fave by Mark Jefferies

Marc Mendoza at Media Planning Group said “Lineker consistently attracts high ratings despite the alternatives at 10.30pm on a Saturday.

5 September 07 – Mindshare and MPG share £15m AXA media by Ian Darby

LONDON – AXA, the insurance and pensions provider, has split its £15million media planning and buying account between Media Planning Group and Mindshare.

25 October 07 – A nation of shopaholics by The editor

As part of MPG’s Fabric research programme, a survey among a panel of 50 UK families about their retail habits shows that only 22% of them say interest rate rises make them shop less.

20 October 07 – Independents first choice for health advice by James Clegg

Fifty families partipated in the survey for market research and media agency Media Planning Group.

19 October 07 – Rubgy score already shows £150m in Britain's favour by Alistair Osborne

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at media agency MPG, notes the ads from Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer for flat screen televisions.

October 07 – Work/life balance by Ian Rotherham

“It is good to see that the Economist has relaunched its lifestyle quarterly ‘Intelligent Life’ in recognition that business people are clamouring for non-business media.”
Ian Rotherham, Head of International, MPG

17 October 07 – The retail connection by Andy Fry

Media Planning Group’s Simon Jenkins shares the view that retail outdoor is important because of its premium audience.

15 October 07 – ITV hits jackpot on rugby punt by Ben Fenton

With advertising revenue linked to the number of people who watch programmes, the wilkinson-inspired England victory over France in Saturday nights Rugby World Cup semi-final has already boosted ITV’s income by about £2m, according to Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at MPG, the Media Planning agency.

13 October 07 – ITV cashes in on England's march to rubgy semi-finals by Dan Sabbagh

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at MPG, the media buyer, said: “The extra audiences mean ad breaks that would have cost £50,000 will cost more like £100,000.

25 September 07 – Y! Mash by Katrin Ribant

I was eager to trial Y! Mash – Yahoo!’s answer to social networking – after its launch in public beta last week, and I was happy to get an invitation from a Web 2.0 invites exchange community that I subscribe to.
Review by Katrin Ribant, Research Manager, Media Contacts.

19 September 07 – Monkey business, not marketing by Kate Cox

Cadbury’s Drumming Gorilla breaks all the rules of category advertising and, as a result, has won much attention. But will it sell Dairy Milk? asks Kate Cox, Strategy Director, MPG.

7 September 07 – Do the freesheets work? by Ian Darby

“Both titles will be around for a long time since both proprietors have shown they are willing to run loss-making elements in their empires.” Alan Brydon, Head of Press, MPG

2 September 07 – ITV betting on an England win by James Robinson

Media buyer MPG estimates that the broadcaster, which has the UK TV rights for the event, could pocket an extra £7m in advertising revenue this month if the unfancied side reaches the final, in Paris on 20 Otcober.

10 August 07 – Can the WSJ take on the FT? by Editor

“The deal will allow Murdoch to take on the FT, but not necessarily with the WSJ. If he can retain the WSJ’s intergrity and use the content to feed into other areas, News Corporation can take on the FT.” Mark Mendoza, Managing partner, Media Planning Group

7 August 07 – Lineker is Fan's Fave by The editor

Media Planning Group researcher Marc Mendoza said
“Lineker consistantly attracts high ratings despite the alternatives at 10.30pm on a Saturday. He is the only presenter who accomplished the feat of being watched by most of the UK population at least once.”

6 August 07 – Top of the League by The editor

Using Broadcasters’ Audience Research Broad (BARB) data, television experts at media planning agency MPG have deduced exactly who has pulled in the most viewers and who has helped to maintain a regulary fan base for his (or her)show.

6 August 07 – Inside Story - Top of the League by The editor

At the start of the new football season, media analyst Marc Mendoza picks out the game’s most successful presenters, while Richard Gillis reports on how clubs are themselves becoming broadcasters.

25 July 07 – Magazine equity given away by editor

The growth of free titles has already been seen in the newspaper market, where Metro has had substantial success in selling a captive audience of upmarket commuters to advertisers. However, Alan Brydon, head of press at MPG, believes the potential of the free market has been overlayed.

24 - 31 July 07 – Strategy Verdict - Associated Newspapers by Alan Brydon

What’s the view of the strategy that sold extra copies of the newspaper in massive numbers, and all at full price; that generated hugs publicity across all UK media across the weekend…

18 July 07 – E*Trade hands £8m brief to Media Contacts by Nicola Clark

Online share-dealing service E*Trade has hired Media Contacts, the digital division of Media Planning Group, to handle its £8m European digital media planning and buying.

17-24 July 07 – MPG signs Deykin to new head of effectiveness role by Ellen Bennett

MPG has appointed Andrew Deykin to the newly created role of head of effectiveness.

July 07 – Research puts consumer habits to the test by editor

Recent independent research has identified that more families have long-term relationships with banks compared to insurers, and that the insurance market continues to be driven by price.

6 July 07 – MPG scoops £60m Credit Suisse brief by Danielle Long

Media Planning Group has scooped the £60million global media planning and buying account for Credit Suisse.

5 July 07 – Credit Suisse appoints MPG to handle £60m account by editor

Financial services company Credit Suisse has appointed MPG International to handle its global media planning and buying account, worth an estimated £60 million.

5 July 07 – Credit Suisse appoints MPG to £60m account by Isabella Piasecka

LONDON – Media Planning Group has won the global £60m media planning and buying account for Credit Suisse, the financial services company.

5 July 07 – MPG scoops £60m global Credit Suisse account by Danielle Long

LONDON – Media Planning Group has scooped the £60 million global media planning and buying account for Credit Suisse, the financial services company.

5 July 07 – MPG wins Credit Suisse global media account by editor

Financial services giant Credit Suisse has awarded its £60m global media planning and buying account to Media Planning Group (MPG).

5 July 07 – Web and phone combine for insurance-buying trends by editor

Research into British families’ attitudes to insurance from Media Planning Group’s Fabric division shows that just 14% of families buy their insurance online, while 32% conduct the process solely on the phone.

25 June 07 – Advertisers realise they must innovate to accumulate by Jennifer Whitehead

Natasha Murray, head of media at MPG believes the secret of success in this kind of advertising is going back to basics and using the consumer insights advertisers already have about their products

4 July 07 – Big Brother, little interest by editor

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at Media Planning Group says that while the show remains a ‘huge property’ for Channel 4, retaining interest is challenging.

8 June 07 – Consumers swayed by businesses' environmental credentials by editor

The survey, conducted by media agency MPG UK, also found that 66 per cent of families now consider the environmental impact of products before making a purchase, while 96 per cent said they were concerned about environmental issues.

19-26 June 07 – Media on trial by Dave Katz

Babelgum, which brings audiovisual entertainment online, is an ad-supported platform currently at betatesting stage, where web users with the requesite software (available from babelgum.com) can view content from professional producers and distributors.

29 June 07 – Should quality cost more by editor

“In the quality market, if they all put their prices up by 20p and held their nerve, I don’t think there’d be too much damage to circulations…” Marc Mendoza, Managing Partner, Media Planning Group

28 June 07 – Taking part by Jennifer Whitehead

“All measurement systems have their flaws, and comparing across different systems and methodologies is always a challenge”. Katrin Ribat, Media Contacts

25 June 07 – These posters show Britain's most wanted by Jennifer Whitehead

According to Natasha Murray, head of media at the Media Planning Group, this is a spectacular landmark site.

22 June 07 – Will Virgin 1 be a a success? by Alasdair Reid

“It will have to unearth some undiscovered gems if it is to make a £40 million programme budget work…”

3 July 07 – Strategy by Phil Livingstone, Media Conacts, MPG

Conde Nast has launched two channels (Vogue and Glamour) on video sharing giant YouTube. Brand suicide? I think not.

8 June 07 – CNBC Europe hires MPG Iinternational by Ian Darby

CNBC Europe, the business TV channel, has appointed MPG International to handle its media planning and buying across Europe, the Middle-East and Africa.

Summer 2007 – General Insurance by

The study from media agency MPG (Media Planning Group), part of Havas, shows that some of the attraction of the web for consumers is to use price comparison sites.

6 June 07 – Change is in the wind as business climate turns green by Terry Macalister

Almost three in four British families would boycott firms that do not take real steps to cut their environmental impact…revealed in the study by MPG, part of HAVAS.

4 June 07 – Families support green boycott by editor

The study from MPG UK, showed that two in three families say that they do think at least “a little” about the environmental impact of the packaging on a product they ar about to buy.

31 May 07 – Consumers back boycott of brands that fail eco test by editor

Findings from Fabric, at Media Planning Group’s research programme capturing the opinions of 50 families in the UK, show that 56% of respondents are cynical about companies’ environmental concerns, but a healthy 26% say they do not take company claims seriously.

30 May 07 – Big Brother's big money by Mark Sweney

The good news for Channel 4 is that research released today by media agency Media Planning Group predicts that the franchise has plenty of life left in it yet.

25 May 07 – Search pays off by Jennifer Whitehead

New Artemis software from Media Contacts, the digital arm of the media agency Media Planning Group, is claimed to track the entire route a customer takes from the beginning of an online search to making a purchase.

24 May 07 – Media Contacts research disaproves 'final click' value by editor

MPG’s digital arm Media Contacts is to publish research which it says shows the idea of “attributing value to the final click is flawed” and could change how the effectiveness of search campaigns are measured.

10 May 07 – Energy company EDF has moved its €8.5m planning and buying to MPG from Manning Gottlieb OMD by editor

Energy company EDF has moved its €8.5m planning and buying to MPG from Manning Gottlieb OMD.

10 May 07 – MPG gauges family opinion with new consumer panel. by editor

MPG gauges family opinion with new consumer panel.

24 Apr 07 – Mobyko signs up Media Contacts by editor

Mobile start-up Mobyko has appointed interactive media agency Media Contacts following a pitch. The Havas-owned digital specialist will raise online awareness of
Mobyko’s website and help build a mobile social networking service.

24 Apr 07 – The cream of the crop by editor

BEST USE OF OUTDOOR IN A MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN/GRAND PRIX
Winner: MPG and Posterscope, for Magners Cider, “GB Launch”
The winning campaign for Magners used outdoor as the call to action, alongside television spot ads.
MPG and Posterscope used national outdoor sites to catch consumers and trade near points of distribution, in targeted towns and cities.

24 Apr 07 – The Jazz by Simon Blackburn

With more than six million people in the UK registering an interest in Jazz music (Source: TGI), there’s a market here to be exploited.

24 Apr 07 – The power of the poster by Maria Esposito

“Let’s be real,” says Natasha Murray, head of media at agency MPG. “Digital is still relatively London-centric; there is not enough understanding about consumers’ consumption of it yet and clients and creative agencies aren’t quite sure how to use it to its full potential.”

20 Apr 07 – Magners to sponsor Paramount comedy by editor

Magners Irish Cider has signed a year-long deal with Viacom Brand Solutions, the sales house for the MTV UK Networks – MTV, Nickelodean, VH1 and Paramount Comedy – to become the headline sponsor for stand-up comedy output on Paramount Comedy.

20 Apr 07 – MPG launches nationwide families research survey by editor

Media Planning Group is launching a research programme designed to provide insights about British family life to advertisers and the media.

20 Apr 07 – Should C4 get public subsidy? by Alasdair Reid

Mark Craze, managing partner, Media Planning Group “There should be a watching period where Channel 4 is put under more commercial pressure, tasked with tightening its being more innovative.”

19 Apr 07 – Big is not always best by Ian Rotherham

Following your leader last month, we at MPG International agree that the relevance of Europe to the media world is diminishing, but it is being replaced by new opportunities.

5 Apr 07 – Media Contacts hires international head by editor

Media Contacts has hired its first head of international based in the UK. Anna Gracie has joined from rival media agency neo@ogilvy. She previously worked at media agency Carat and affiliate network TradeDoubler.

4 Apr 07 – InterContinental Hotels runs NatGeo photo comp by Graham Hayday

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is running a photographic competition in conjunction with National Geographic. The ‘Insights’ competition is designed to encourage and showcase amateur photographers’ appreciation and knowledge of a special location.

3 Apr 07 – Outdoor successes praised at planning awards debut by Sarah Crawley-Boevey

MPG and Posterscope won the overall Grand Prix award for their Magners Cider launch in Great Britain, also winning the prize for the best use of outdoor in a multimedia campaign.

3 Apr 07 – Why C4 sounds upbeat about DAB bid by Sarah Crawley-Boevey

MPG’s head of radio, Simon Blackburn, is impressed by the range of companies involved in the consortium, which “will complement Channel 4’s reputation for unique, cutting edge programming”.

30 Mar 07 – EDF Energy has appointed Media Planning Group to its £3 million media planning and buying account by editor

EDF Energy has appointed Media Planning Group to its £3 million media planning and buying account. The energy company has also signed on as the joint broadcast sponsor with Peugeot, for ITV’s coverage of the IRB Rugby World Cup 2007.

30 Mar 07 – Strategy Verdict by Marie Oldham

Wasn’t Grolsch the brand that redefined the bottled beer category by making the bottle as important as the beer? This was my (rather dated) perception as I sat to read this strategy.

28 Mar 07 – MPG scoops top prize in outdoor planning awards by Sarah Crawley-Boevey

MPG and Posterscope are among the winners of the inaugural Clear Channel Outdoor Planning Awards, held last night (Tuesday) in association with Media Week.

27 Mar 07 – EDF Energy adds MPG to its agency roster by editor

EDF Energy has appointed Havas-owned Media Planning Group to handle it’s £6m media planning and buying account. It is not clear if the energy company held a competitive pitch, Manning Gottlieb OMD was incumbent on the account.

27 Mar 07 – EDF Energy signs MPG for media work by Ian Quinn & Olivia Solon

EDF Energy has appointed Media Planning Group to its £6m planning and buying account, and signed up as a sponsor of ITV’s Rugby World Cup coverage.

27 Mar 07 – MPG secures £6m EDF media account by Ian Quinn & Olivia Solon

EDF Energy has appointed Media Planning Group to it’s £6m planning and buying account, and signed up as a sponsor of ITV’s Rugby World Cup coverage.

27 Mar 07 – Strategy Verdict - Media Week by Martyn Stokes

Virtually everyone who uses a computer has heard of Intel, but what is the average consumer’s knowledge of the benefits of having an Intel inside, let alone a Dual Core processor?

23 Mar 07 – Has the Indie got a rosy future? by Alasdair Reid

Marc Mendoza “From a media agency point of view, The Independent is an irrelevance. It has become an exercise in vanity publishing and the only question is how long Tony O’Reilly is going to keep pumping money into it.”

21 Mar 07 – The BBC hands account to the Media Planning Group by editor

The BBC has handed its £20m media planning and buying account to the Media Planning Group. The agency pitched against ZenithOptimedia and WPP’s Mediaedge:cia.

16 Mar 07 – Media Planning Group £20m BBC account by Robert Lester

The BBC has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £20m media planning and buying account.

16 Mar 07 – MPG wins £20m BBC media account by Ellen Bennett

Media Planning Group has beaten Zenith Optimedia and Mediaedge:cia to the £20 million BBC media planning and buying account.

15 Mar 07 – MPG wins £20m BBC media planning and buying account by Mark Banham

LONDON – Media Planning Group has won the £20m media planning and buying account for the BBC.

9 Mar 07 – Media Planning Group has hired Alan Brydon by editor

Media Planning Group has hired Alan Brydon, the former ad director of the Evening Standard, as its head of press communications.

6 Mar 07 – Brydon to replace Russell as head of press at MPG by Ben Bold

Media Planning Group has made a high profile appointment, hiring former Evening Standard advertisement director Alan Brydon as head of press communications.

23 Feb 07 – Salter appoints Media Planning Group by editor

Salter, the company that makes bathroom and kitchen scales, has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £1 million media planning and buying account.

22 Feb 07 – MPG wins Salter business by Nikki Preston

UK media agency Media Planning Group (MPG) has snapped up the £1 million business for HoMedic’s homewares brand Salter. Salter joins MPG’s client roster, sitting alongside US-based wellness company HoMedics.

20 Feb 07 – Starcom head of marketing Thwaite moves to MPG by Mark Banham

Emma Thwaite, marketing director at Starcom, has been poached for the role of head of marketing at MPG. Her new role at MPG will involve her taking responsibility for driving all marketing and new business activity across the agency and its associated divisions – MPG, Media Contacts and MPG International.

16 Feb 06 – Smart agencies can unlock the secrets of search by Grant MacFarlane

Search delivers the best ROI and is the most flexible medium of all time, but it cannot exist alone; integration is the key.

07 Feb 07 – Media Analysis: Five digital down in the dumps by Nicola Clark

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at Media Planning Group, says the channels are a ‘qualified success’ but have a number of ‘unknown’ shows many consumers will not have heard of.

2 Feb 07 – The future belongs to the kids by Marie Oldham

Children are much more comfortable with evolving technology than older generations. How they use it can teach us several lessons.

30 Jan 07 – Comment on Sir Martin Sorrell's Predictions by Marc Mendoza

We base our ethos on challenge and innovation, so we tend to attract like-minded clients. Magners saw a market opportunity and gained first mover advantage by swiftly and decisively putting significant investment behind its brand, subsequently achieving enormous success.

30 Jan 07 – MPG scoops National Express Group brief by Ben Bold

National Express, the coach, bus and train firm, has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £7m media planning and buying account following a competitive pitch.

30 Jan 07 – MPG wins £7m National Express media account by Ben Bold

National Express Group, the coach, bus and train firm, has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £7m media planning and buying account following a competitive pitch.

19 Jan 07 – Google's MacFarlane quits to join Media Contacts by Andrew McCormick

Google’s head of agency client services Grant MacFarlane has quit the search giant to join Havas agency Media Contacts as head of search.

16 Jan 07 – Media Contacts appoints Macfarlane as search boss by James Livesley

Media Planning Group’s digital division Media Contacts has hired Google’s head of agency client services Grant Macfarlane as its new head of search.

16 Jan 07 – Media Sales Careers by Natasha Murray

One of my biggest frustrations with media people is being talked at quite clearly from a script.

30 Dec 06 – MPG rises to top of Media Agency tree by Isabelle Musnik

But MPG now heads up the media agencies with €3.4bn billings in 2006, up 18.8% on 2005. Carat is second with €3.1bn – a rise on 2.9% – while OMD follows with €1.5bn.

27 Dec 06 – Daily Mail by Paul Revoir

BBC1 had its worst-ever Christmas Day ratings this year even though The Vicar of Dibley was the most-watched programme with 11.4 million viewers.

27 Dec 06 – Gazza's The Man by editor

One man who can look back on 2006 and feel proud is Gary Lineker.

27 Dec 06 – Lineker is the host with the most by Pete Samson

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was Britain’s most watched TV presenter in 2006.

26 Dec 06 – Davina TV's most watched female by editor

A report by Media Planning Group has found Davina to be the most watched female television presenter on British Screens.

26 Dec 06 – Gary Lineker is UK's Top TV Presenter by editor

Gary Lineker is the UK’s top TV presenter – watched by more viewers than anyone else in 2006, according to new viewing figures.

26 Dec 06 – Lineker Scores by editor

Gary Lineker was the most watched television presenter in 2006, according to viewing figures. The host of the World Cup and Match of The Day was seen by two-thirds of the viewing public, the Media Planning Group said.

26 Dec 06 – Lineker tops 'most seen' list by editor

Ex-footballer and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was seen by more viewers than any other UK TV presenter in 2006, a media agency study has suggested.

12 Dec 06 – Has Channel 4 overpaid for Big Brother by Jim McDonald

It is the channel’s flagship programme. It will have had its own commercial justification for paying what it paid.

12 Dec 06 – Why 2006 was a watershed for digital by Julia Martin

Paul Frampton, head of digital at Media Contacts, says: “The exponential growth in online ad spend has clearly helped, but it is the more potent recipe of this, alongside a radical shift in consumer behaviour, that has been the tipping point.

11 Dec 06 – Age before beauty in stars' popularity ranking by Owen Gibson

Research into the most popular TV presenters in 2006 has shown that six of the top 10 are men aged over 40, with Match of the Day anchor Gary Lineker leading the way.

06 Dec 06 – Digital Choice: Second Life by Dave Katz

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth an He saw that it was good. A few hundred thousand years passed until man created the internet, and he saw it was good.

05 Dec 06 – Deal or no deal: the fight for TV trade by Ian Quinn

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast director at Media Planning Group warns: “I doubt Matt Shreeve [C4 head of agency sales] will be able to do what he did last year, which was go in and bang his fist on the table and say I want 50% of CRR.”

1 Dec 06 – MPG to launch offices in Eastern Europen regions by editor

Media Planning Group, Havas’ global media network, is launching offices in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus.

1 Dec 06 – Save the Children stick to its aims by Marie Oldham

More than a year has passed since we were asked to Make Poverty History, and July 2006’s G8 summit has come and gone.

30 Nov 06 – Havas Restructure by editor

Havas has integrated its media operations under the umbrella of Havas media. Havas media will include the MPG global network.

28 Nov 06 – Agencies welcome Grade's imminent arrival at ITV by Mark Banham

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at Media Planning Group, said: “One of the biggest challenges ITV has faced in the last two years has been competing with the BBC now that its delved into more commercial aspects of broadcasting.”

28 Nov 06 – Will alcohol ads be the next target? by Elizabeth Barrett

Jim McDonald, head of broadcast at the Media Planning Group, which handles drinks brands such as Magners Cider, says he fears increased regulation for TV alcohol advertising was “probably only a matter of time”.

23 Nov 06 – MPG strengthens position in former Soviet bloc by Pip Brooking

MPG has extended its presence in the CIS, with launches in Belarus, Azebaijan and Kazakhstan. The media nework’s competitiveness in the region is further strengthened through a partnership with ADV group.

17 Nov 06 – MPG wins Skins by editor

Media Planning Group has won the media planning and buying business for Skins, an Australian sportswear manufacturer. MPG will work on a multimedia strategy for the Skins launch ahead of Christmas.

15 Nov 06 – Apple iPod Nano by Dan Hagen

This is my third iPod. The original 20Gb model is permanently on a charger in the car, as the battery is dead, and the 6Gb Mini sees commuter use.

14 Nov 06 – Counting the cost of digital by Alastair Ray

John McLoughlin, managing director at Media Contacts, the online planning and buying arm of MPG, says: “mostly, the people who bring that up as an issue are those who have never worked on digital before and do not understand the huge back-office requirement that’s incredibly work intensive, but also massively valuable.”

14 Nov 06 – Europe's Print Media by Caitlin Fitzsimmons

“It’s heartening for newspapers, since in this day and age we do have rolling news channels on TV and the immediacy of breaking news sites,” says Ian Rotherham, head of International at MPG.

14 Nov 06 – Havas agency wins Skins job by editor

Havas-owned media agency Media Planning Group has been appointed to spearhead the £2m planning and buying activity surrounding this week’s launch of Australian sportswear manufacturer Skins.

14 Nov 06 – Pioneer signs deal to sponsor channel by editor

The National Geographic Channel has secured Pioneer as a sponsor in a deal brokered by Havas-owned agency Media Planning Group.

Nov 06 – Is the age of the interruptive online ad nearing the end? by Philip Buxton (Paul Frampton comments)

I’m not convinced by the IAB PWC figures. Search is clearly in the ascendancy, but from our experience i’d suggest the share is 45-50%.

8 Nov 06 – MTV Flux by John Broughton

With MTV Flux, the broadcaster has become another big name entrant into the world of social networking. The TV channel’s website has been live for some time, so there is a decent volume of content and ‘community’, including active forums and lots of video content.

06 Nov 06 – Pioneer links up with National Geographic for HDTV push by Joe Lepper

Media Planning Group has brokered a deal between Pioneer and National Geographic Channel to promote the electronics giant’s high-definition TV range.

2 Nov 06 – MPG plots launch of MPG in Asia-Pacific regions by editor

Havas will launch its Media Planning Group global media network in the Asia Pacific region in January next year.

24 Oct 06 – Media Environment is crucial to the message by Jennifer Whitehead

Media context as much as message is responsible for inspiring response to advertising campaigns-but is the ad industry over looking this vital factor?

17 Oct 06 – Media Planning Group has won the £1m media planning and buying for 08000-MumDad by editor

Media Planning Group has won the 08000-MumDad, a phone service enabling children to make reverse charge calls to their parents. Launch activity will kick off this month with a three-week test TV campaign, targeting 11-22 year olds.

13 Oct 06 – Is Ed Richards business savvy? by Mark Craze

“The general concern given Ed Richards’ background is that theory will dominate over pragmatism. Where advertisers are concerned the main issue will continue to be ITV.”

13 Oct 06 – New York MPG wins $100m Danone media account by editor

Groupe Danone has awarded its $100m media planning and buying account to Media Planning Group.

10 Oct 06 – Can a new-look Maxim revive mens' monthlies by Alex Russell

But only if Dennis accepts Maxim has a greater resonance with its audience as a branded content provider, rather than a monthly magazine.

10 Oct 06 – Silverjet picks MPG and M&C Saatchi for launch campaign by editor

Silverjet, a low-cost transatlantic business airline, has hired M&C Saatchi and Media Planning Group to handle its ad and media accounts respectively, ahead of its inaugural flight early next year.

22 Sep 06 – Breathe Right, the nasal congestion company. by editor

Breathe Right the nasal congestion company has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £1million UK media planning and buying business.

21 Sep 06 – London freesheet launches to start circulations u--turn by Mark Choueke

The battle between free evening newspapers in London will cause newspaper circulation to increase this month for the first time in almost a decade.

20 Sep 06 – Breathe Right - anti-snoring nasal strip by editor

Breathe Right, the US anti-snoring nasal strip, has appointed Media Planning Group to handle its £1m media account ahead of the product’s UK launch.

19 Sep 06 – Breathe Right by editor

Media Planning Group, the Havas-owned media agency, has won the £1m account for Breathe Right, the drug-free product that relieves people of nasal congestion when they are sleeping and so helps eliminate snoring

19 Sep 06 – In Brief by editor

Media Planning Group, the Havas owned media agency, has won the £1m account for Breathe Right, the drug-free product that relieves people of nasal congestion when they are sleeping and so helps eliminate snoring.

14 Sep 06 – PUIG uses online to push Mango perfume by Richard Simpson

Beauty company PUIG UK has launched an online campaign to promote its latest perfume brand, Mango Delirium.

12 Sep 06 – Is thelondonpaper better than the London Lite by Erica Donnelly

Thelondonpaper is truly London-focused and celebrates all that is good about the city. It has a clean layout and articles with just the right depth for an afternoon freesheet.

31 Aug 06 – Creatives vote for their media supermen (and superwoman) by Joe Lepper

ROONEY CARRUTHERS NOMINATES MARC MENDOZA, MANAGING PARTNER, MPG
Rooney Carruthers, partner, Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest
“Marc is the straightest, most honest person I have ever worked with. Being a bit of a media luvvie, I think every day when I was creative director at WCRS, I would be rushing to enthuse him over a media idea I had.

31 Aug 06 – Off the Fence - Is media fragmentation good for planning and buying? by Mark Craze

YES – Mark Craze, Managing partner, MPG
Fragmentation increases the chance to target the right people in the right environment with minimal wastage. That is the Holy Grail for clients and media planners. We need to adapt and stop bemoaning that Corrie does not deliver 20 million viewers anymore. But that does not change the fact that for those looking to embrace the future, fragmentation is good.

25 Aug 06 – Close-Up: Live Issue - How should Lucy Owen change Nabs? by Noel Bussey

The new chief executive says the industry charity needs to move with the times.

11 Aug 06 – Media: Double Standards - 'Our technology could kill the boozy media lunch' by Paul Frampton

Most consumers would not consider a purchase without researching it online.

8 Aug 06 – CRR: the case for and against by Adam Woods

Jim Mcdonald, Head of Broadcast, Media Planning Group.
“Most agencies in town would go along with the principle of CRR-that if you audience comes down, you should attract less money, and just because you have strong negotiating power in the market, you can’t charge a higher price than your audience justifies…”

3 Aug 06 – Is social networking sector all sewn up? by editor

TS Kelly, VP and director of research and insight at US consultancy Media Contacts, says, “We’re seeing an emergence of specialised social networks that have launched having seen the success of MySpace…”

1 Aug 06 – What does it mean for the agencies? by editor

Paul Frampton, head of digital at MPG, believes more integration is needed on both sides of the fence, saying “Agencies need to invest in their new blood, so that they are capable of of planning across all media with a full appreciation of the digital offering.”

Jul - Aug 06 – Industry hails new user Survey by Danielle Long

Paul Frampton, head of digital Media Contacts admits that exsisting panels are “notoriously unreliable, but adds: “I’m not sure you can get an actual online Planning tool unless you can track actual behaviour.”

14 July 06 – Interview with Marc Mendoza from Media Planning Group by Steve Clarke

Marc Mendoza managing partner, Media Planning Group . we don’t watch a lot of comefy but Curb Your Enthusiasm on More4 is a must.

14th Jul 06 – MPG Have won £4m Robert Dyas account by editor

MPG the Havas – owned media agency, has won the £4m planning and buying account for garden and homeware chain Robert Dyas.

14 Jul 06 – Robert Dyas by editor

Robert Dyas, the chain of garden and houseware stores, has appointed Media planning Group to handle its media planning and buying.

12 Jul 06 – Robert Dyas hands MPG £4m business by Jeremy Lee

Robert Dyas has appointed Media Planning Group to handle it’s media planning and buying account, estimated to be worth £4m, ahead of a series of store openings.

11-18 Jul 06 – MPG secures £4m Robert Dyas win by Jennifer Whitehead

The Havas-owned Media Planning Group has won the £4m account for Robert Dyas without a pitch, ahead of an aggressive expansion plan by the retailer.

4th -11th Jul 06 – MPG PIcks up NCG Food Co business by editor

Havas-owned Media Planning Group has won the £2m media buyinig account for New Covent Garden Food Company after a pitch against WPP Group’s MediaCom.