A recent survey has shown that consumer brand marketing managers will be doubling their MarketingPR budgets over the next two years. Opting for MarketingPR is a choice they are making based on the credibility of the editorial messages. Other reasons established by the survey include the need to reach a large audience and the relatively low costs involved. The marketing managers are especially interested in bringing the product to the public’s attention, realising a positive brand approach and generating a feeling of satisfaction.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Netherlands this season, Sesamstraat (Sesame Street) and its residents plan to celebrate the event in style! Not only did Sesamstraat’s residents move into a glorious new street on 3 September last, a wide range of festivities, promotions and events are being organised in honour of the occasion. Sesame Workshop, the international organisation behind Sesamstraat, has appointed Linden & Barbosa to arrange its MarketingPR involving the 30th anniversary of the Sesamstraat brand. Linden & Barbosa won the account following a closed competition. Activities on the agenda include a drawing and painting competition for children organised in a joint effort with the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum. Following the announcement of the winners, a selection of the work will be put on show during a ten-day exhibition at the Rijksmuseum.

Maison de la France (the French Tourist Board) is eager to promote the many different faces of its French ski resorts. For this purpose it will be launching a campaign this season in cooperation with Linden & Barbosa and Het Frankrijk Huis, covering 18 affiliated ski resorts. By dividing the ski resorts into 5 lifestyle themes, all target groups are reached. The themes are: Ski Breaks, A ‘Tasteful’ Winter, Family Fun, Ski Extra Large and Places to Ski. The campaign aims at both the consumer (joint promotions, 'phone & win' contests) and the press. The campaign includes the organisation of specific theme trips for members of the press.

Top of the Pops celebrated its 5th anniversary on 20 August 2005! And what a party it was! Famous Dutch artists went on stage during a special anniversary broadcast. Performers included Direct, Lange Frans en Baas B, Entwine, Within Temptation, Ali-B, Brace and Kane. These artists had been selected by the Dutch audience in the run-up to 20 August as today’s hottest artists. In addition to the show’s permanent hosts Hanna Verboom and Curt Fontin, the spectacular show was presented by a number of guest hosts including the Lama’s, Kim-Lian, Ruud de Wild and Wouter van der Goes. Commissioned by BBC WorldWide and BNN, Linden & Barbosa stimulated press interest by means of html teaser mailings detailing facts and figures. L&B was also responsible for the press invitation route.