Media Mix: Co-op’s campaign; McCann swallows Blue Banana & more

THE Co-operative is investing £175,000 in a multimedia campaign fot its wills and funeral planning service.

The ‘Life is amazing: Pass it on’  theme will include regional press adverts, specialist magazine inserts, radio, an email campaign and web-based activity
. 
For the first time these services will also be promoted via instore radio within The Co-operative food stores as well as animated till screens and point of sale in The Co-operative’s pharmacy stores

Adeline Bibby marketing manager for The Co-operative Life Planning said: “The creative is very much about all the experiences we gain through life.

“They’re not necessarily huge things, but these memories are so important to us and really make us who we are. As we get older we like to share these learnings, experiences or advice that we’ve gathered through life so they’re not forgotten.” 

::

MARKETING communications agency McCann Manchester has boosted its planning and research function with the acquiisition of Manchester based Blue Banana Agency.

Blue Banana, which employs five people and is based on Little Lever Street, works for major corporates such as Unilever, Budget Insurance, Clearblue, Bakkavor Foods and Walkers.

Blue Banana was founded by managing director Jamie Peate, who previously worked as a planner at McCann Erickson.

McCann Manchester chief executive Sue Little said: “Consumer insight is central to everything we are developing for clients and the knowledge and expertise this deal brings will really help us to stand out in the marketplace.

“Importantly it also provides a platform for us to really build insights into consumer behaviour online and this will be pivotal to our future digital growth plans.”

::

ZEUS PR has been appointed by production company Carbon Digital after a three-way pitch.

The Cheshire and Manchester-based agency will work with  Carbon Digital – which specialises in visual effects and live action filming – to raise its awareness among creative agencies, programme makers and consumer brands.

Zeus PR MD Anthea Fosti said: “Carbon Digital offers best in class commercial production, and we are relishing the opportunity to ‘tell their story’ to those in the industry who have not yet discovered what this very talented team are capable of.”