ITV Launches Friends Reunited Marketing Drive

ITV is set to launch a £10 million marketing push for Friends Reunited, so it can compete with other social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

The campaign will include a TV ad and online drive, promoting the fact that the site is now free to sign up to, according to reports in the trade press.

Friends Reunited used to have a £5.99 subscription fee, while rival sites, including Facebook and MySpace, have always been free to use.

Hurrell Moseley Dawson & Grimmer are responsible for the new tv ad, which features friends kite flying and shopping.

ITV bought Friends Reunited for £175 million in 2005 and this week announced the appointment of Richard Parboo as new head of agency sales strategy in the online sales team, which covers the networking site (see ITV Appoints New Sales Head).

The Friends Reunited Group also recently hired Andy Baker, group director of digital recruitment at Trinity Mirror, as managing director (see New MD For Friends Reunited).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com