Monday, 8 February 2010

You @#$+^&%! beauty!

Today, Craig Hockley joined THE DM GROUP as digital planning director of clickDM.

He brings over a decade of digital communications experience to his new role, gained at both multinational and specialist agencies working with clients including Holden, Makita, Huggies, ANZ and the Victorian government.

Now Craig will be helping our clients get the most out of the constantly evolving opportunities digital marketing offers.

Craig’s early advertising experience was in direct mail, a medium that he appreciated for its immediacy and accountability. From there, he says it was easy to recognise the power of digital communication.

‘It’s the ultimate way to open up conversations between brands and consumers.’

But Craig has also explored a few side paths along the way.

Last November saw him trekking up to Everest base camp. And he’s also spent time living in a Buddhist monastery, where he taught orphans to speak – and swear – in English.

We think he’ll fit right in around here.

Friday, 22 January 2010

Small bickies make a big impact

This week THE DM GROUP took time out from our efforts to contribute to another – PLAN’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

Which is why our inhouse frau Kristin spent all night baking.

For a small donation you could choose from her homemade apple cake, cherry cake and chocolate muffins.

But as our CSR team explained, even small bickies can have a
big impact.

For instance, $50 will provide a family with a household kit of cooking utensils.

While $100 will provide temporary shelter for up to three families
or a School in a Box Kit for 30 kids.

Hmmm…

Not such a half-baked idea after all.

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

Kraft consumes Cadbury

After 180 years Cadbury has been swallowed by Kraft.

And while the iconic confectionery brand won’t disappear from our shelves, it’s worth reflecting on its place in advertising lore.

Take ‘A glass and a half’ for instance.

While Cadbury has now turned to an emotional selling proposition of ‘joy’, it’s the unique selling proposition that will be forever etched in chocolate lovers’ minds.

Which, of course, has also led to the label ‘Cadbury girl’, applied to those amongst us more easily prone to the influences of alcohol.

And who could forget the award winning ‘Gorilla’ TVC above?

(The John Farnham version is however best forgotten…)

But perhaps most interesting observation in The Age article about the Kraft takeover is the following:

Kraft’s revenue from its Australian operations was nearly $620 million in 2008, while Cadbury’s revenue was $985 million in the same period…

Which goes to show our love for a glass and half of goodness is much greater than our love of yeast extract.

Bon appetit!

Monday, 18 January 2010

Marshmallows go hard for charity

While THE DM GROUP was enjoying a fun festive break, some of our (softer) clients from the Y weren’t.

Instead, they were clocking up the donations and the clicks – 404 painful kilometres of them – in the Murray Marathon.

But for good reason.

Because from this Christmas, the historic race is being managed by YMCA Victoria.

It’s a fitting replacement for the Australian Red Cross, which ended its association after 39 years at the helm.

Not bad for an event that began in 1969 when 10 friends decided to paddle the Murray River to raise $250.

Today, the grueling annual five day race has grown to include more than 750 paddlers and over 3000 support crew and volunteers.

Including The Murray Marshmallows.

Not so soft after all.

Monday, 11 January 2010

Making news in the art world

Today, Rob Walker joined us as general manager of artworkDM.

With 20 years solid studio expertise as well as business experience, he’s the perfect person to lead our corporate artwork service.

‘I’ve always seen the huge potential in the corporate artwork sector but most agencies aren’t properly structured to service it.

With artworkDM, however, I saw a real difference.

It’s set up to provide corporates with an agency-quality product and experience minus the account service and creative overheads.’

Rob must have been impressed.

He quit his role as studio head at George Patterson Y&R Melbourne to start the year with THE DM GROUP.

Which is big news for us.

And the trade press, too.