Chief Marketer Staff

• Qwest Names Draftfcb Chicago Agency of Record

  Qwest Communications International Inc. has named Draftfcb of Chicago as agency of record for its consumer advertising programs.

• Eight for ’08: Brand and Marketing Trends

  It’s been said that all the evidence shows that God was actually a gambler. That the universe is really just a great casino, where dice are thrown, slot machine handles are pulled, and roulette wheels spin on every occasion and for every event. And, over a large number of bets, the odds even out, so mathematicians and scientists can make predictions.

• Holiday Marketing Report Card: Marketers Earn “B-” By Better Embracing Cyber Monday

  When consumers shop online in droves and in patterns that can be predicted, retailers should do all they can to earn a larger share of the results. It’s good to see that they’ve acknowledged the online consumer surge of Cyber Monday and begun to approach this more proactively, but there’s plenty more opportunity.

• PCH Must Stop Mailings to High-Spending, Elderly Iowans: AG

  In an agreement with the Iowa Attorney General, Publishers Clearing House has agreed to reform its practices when marketing sweepstakes to elderly people.

• Absolut Pears Takes Campaign to the Drink Customers

  In a case of fishing where the fish are, Absolut Vodka will place ads and interactive content for its premium Absolut Pears brand on the TouchTunes network of digital jukeboxes.

• Digital Brand DNA: Who Controls Your Brand?

  At a time when consumers have hijacked brands through user-generated content such as blogs and videos, clients are asking this very question about their own brands. It becomes especially acute in the digital realm, which can seem like a consumer-generated free-for-all of YouTubers, bloggers and Facebookers all telling the world what they think of you 24/7.

• Kimberly-Clark Hires Naked Communications for Neutral Planning Strategy

  Kimberly-Clark Corp. has accelerated its move to a channel neutral planning process with the hiring of Naked Communications.

• Agencies

  Checkers Launches Virtual Game to Promote Double Value Menu

  Checkers Drive-In Restaurants has rolled out an online game to promote its new Double Value menu.

• Agencies

  Cigna Runs Essay Contest for Road Race Entry

  Cigna is conducting an essay contest to energize interest in its August road race in Falmouth, MA.

• Johnny Walker Offers Engraving Invitation

  Shoppers buying Johnny Walker Blue, Diageo’s premium blended whiskey sold in individually numbered bottles, have the option of personalizing those bottles with an engraved message this holiday season.