COI - changes on the way for 2011

The future of the Central Office of Information remains in doubt after the Cabinet Office announced a formal review into the Government's marketing services provider.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude has commissioned Matt Tee, the permanent secretary for government communications, to review the COI's "role, funding, organisational status, governance; and the most effective organisation of cross-departmental coordination and leadership on strategic marketing and communication issues."

Tee will work with COI chief executive Mark Lund on the review, which will also cover "the coordination of cross-department marketing and communications," and report back to Maude with recommendations in January.

The news again raises questions over the future nature and role of the COI. A spokesman for the Cabinet Office says it is "too early to pre-judge" the outcome of the review when asked if it could lead to the end of the COI.

The COI is already being pared down following the coalition Government's freeze on all but "essential" marketing spend.

The Office has axed 287 staff, about 40% of its workforce, "to reflect the reduced volume of work".

Tee's review is part of the Cabinet Office's wider assessment of the future of Government marcomms, due to conclude next March. Options being considered also include a "US-style" Ad Council and a payment by results model.

Maude says in a statement: "This Government has worked hard to cut down on unsustainably high spending on communications. The next step is to ensure that COI is well placed to respond to the needs of the future."

Tee is to leave the Cabinet Office in March, the statement adds, "having seen through this review and the transition to new arrangements

Marketing news today - FD & Barclaycard

First Direct has topped a list of 75 service providers for best customer service, in a survey that revealed internet-based banks and phone companies offered better customer service than high street banks. The bank was awarded a service rating of 89% in a survey of more than 14,000 high street shoppers, with praise for its staff attitude and 24-hour availability.

Barclaycard has released a breaking press ad in today's tabloid newspapers to promote its Freedom reward programme, which states that existing members can this weekend earn 5% ‘Reward Money’ when using their credit card at participating retailers, rather than the usual 1%. The detailed ad depicts the day's journeying of a man who notices the offer in the papers, and consequently visits a number of places to capitalise on it. The offer also runs over the 4/5 December weekend.

Another PPI casualty

Lloyds Banking Group may be faced with a £1bn charge after being found guilty of overcharging and mis-selling payment protection insurance on credit cards, although it is not yet clear how many customers are likely to make a financial claim against the bank. The FSA reported that between 2005 and 2009, PPI revenues at all UK banks totalled £17bn with a significant portion considered to be mis-sold. Over the next five years, issues of mis-selling are expected to cost the industry between £1bn and £3bn.

Whereas Aviva moves away from TV

Aviva is moving away from TV advertising and will instead focus on outdoor and digital media. The insurer's first global brand campaign, which launched this week with the strapline 'You are the big picture', includes large posters in the UK, France, Poland, Singapore and India featuring images of Aviva customers.

Credit card with buttons

Citibank is to pilot a new line of credit cards which allow consumers to press an embedded button on the surface of the plastic to select their preferred payment or points redemption option. The cards feature programmable and electronic components, including a battery, an embedded chip, two buttons and a card-programmable magnetic stripe.