Chief Marketer Staff

• Estée Lauder in New Product Deal with Designer Tom Ford

  Estée Lauder Cos. has signed former Gucci fashion designer Tom Ford to launch a new cosmetics line and fragrance products under Ford’s name. The deal marks the first time the cosmetics company has partnered with an outside fashion designer. The …

• Agencies

  Kia Targets ESPN for Sweepstakes

  Kia Motors America and ESPN are launching an integrated marketing campaign in support of Kia’s new 2005 Spectra5 compact sport hatch. The campaign includes the Kia Shootaround Challenge online sweepstakes, which is a basketball trivia contest available …

• McDonald’s Celebrates Golden Anniversary

  McDonald’s Corp. will mark an important milestone in its history, celebrating 50 years in business this week. The QSR, known for its golden arches and world-famous hamburgers, will kick off a series of celebratory events with the opening of its new …

• Agencies

  Two Brands Dangle Baseball Field Fix-Ups

  Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Sunkist Growers, Inc. are running separate contests that will allow the winner’s youth baseball fields to be refurbished. Small-engine maker Briggs & Stratton is sponsoring the second annual Diamonds in the Rough program, …

• Checkers Launches Speedy Campaign

  Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. is injecting a little velocity into a new theme as part of its You Gotta Eat campaign. And its one word message is simply—Go! Checkers’ new Go! theme reflects customers’ active lifestyles and the QSR’s ability to meet …

• Agencies

  Dew Action Sports Tour Picks up More Sponsors; Oxy and Others

  Mentholatum Co. brand Oxy Acne Solutions this week signed on as an associate sponsor of the Dew Action Sports Tour, the first-ever, season-long multi-sport professional tour in action sports. The tour, co-owned by NBC Universal and Clear Channel …

• Two of Three DMers to Add Staff: Survey

  (Direct Newsline)—Two-thirds of direct marketing companies will be adding employees in the coming three months, down from 70% last quarter, according to a survey from Bernhart Associates Executive Search. Ten percent said they still have a hiring freeze …

• TracyLocke Taps Engels to Lead New Business

  TracyLocke has hired ad agency veteran Todd Engels to head up new business for the Dallas-based promotion agency. Engels, who joined TracyLocke’s Wilton, CT, office last week, had been senior VP-account director at Lowe Advertising, where he also led …

• Draft Ships Minnec to London

  Draft is sending executive VP John Minnec overseas to become managing director of Draft London. Minnec has been in Draft’s Chicago office since 1996. He will now work with Sez Maxted, who becomes chairman of the London office. Executive creative …

• News Briefs

  BACARDI: has hired Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall as a spokesperson for its new product Island Breeze. She will appear in print and cable TV ads. The new beverage is made with Bacardi rum, natural fruit flavors and sucralose. The product hits retail …