MITSUBISHI PENCIL CO. SNIFF OUT WINNING RETAIL FORMULA

Mitsubishi Pencil Co. has undertaken one of its most successful retail activities to date in an effort to promote its latest range of writing instruments.

Throughout August, the leading pen brand carried out a national shopping centre tour to increase awareness and drive sales of its new scented ink gel pens – uni-ball Signo Scents.

From Manchester’s Trafford Centre to Bluewater in Kent, shoppers were invited to take part in ‘sketch and sniff’ activity by spinning a wheel of fortune painted with the bright colours of the smelly pens. Shoppers were then asked to scribble, sniff and guess the correct scent to receive a free pen sample along with a voucher that entitled them to a 50% discount off any Signo Scents purchase from WHSmith stores.

Managed by innovative experiential agency VIA, the activity also provided the firm with an opportunity to promote its national Signo Scents competition. Run exclusively online at www.signoscents.co.uk customers can win prizes such as a family trip to Florida, a Nintendo Wii and other home entertainment products by simply entering the pen’s 14 digit ID number.

“We generated intrigue and excitement amongst shoppers by engaging with them on a unique marketing platform,” said Stuart Barker, marketing manager at Mitsubishi Pencil Co. “By using bright and colourful promotional staff alongside an interactive promotional space, we created significant interest in Signo Scents that will undoubtedly strengthen our retail performance in 2010.

“The feedback received was overwhelming with people of all ages reminiscing about the scented pens from yesteryear. Today, thanks to our range of ten fruity and sweet smells, we’re pleased to say that writing has never smelt so good.”

For further information visit www.signoscents.co.uk, www.uniball.co.uk or call 01905 755043.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Mitsubishi Pencil Co. by Connect PR

For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com

CHILDREN VOTE WITH THEIR NOSES

Chocolate and baked treats have been voted the nation’s favourite canteen smell as children across the UK go back to school.

According to a survey carried out by leading pen brand uni-ball, the delicious tasting foods are a firm favourite with young starlets. The survey also revealed that children continued to turn up their noses to bad smells such as boiled cabbage, semolina and liver.

uni-ball carried out the survey amongst 200 children as it launched its Signo Scents range – ten brightly coloured gel pens available in fruity and sweet scents such as Pineapple Yellow, Coconut Brown and Bubblegum Pink.

Stuart Barker, marketing manager at uni-ball said: “The results of the survey confirmed that fruity and sweet smells remain the talk of the playground, underlining our decision to emulate them within the Signo Scents range.

“We now want children to design their own pongy pens of the future. It could be the smell of cheese and onion sandwiches, freshly cut grass, lavender or the salty sea air – you never know, the scent may even go into production and prove to be a best seller for us one day.”

The winning ‘suggest a smell’ design will receive a VIP trip for five to ZSL London Zoo, with special opportunities to get up-close and personal with some of the zoo’s smelliest animals. Five runners-up will also receive a special uni-ball goodie bag.

Entry forms can be requested by emailing scents@connect-group.com or by writing to the uni-ball press office, c/o Connect PR, The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT. Closing date for entries is December 17, 2010.

For further information visit www.signoscents.co.uk or follow uni-ball on Facebook by becoming a fan of uniball_uk.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of uni-ball by Connect PR

For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com

TOP MARKS FOR MITSUBISHI PENCIL CO.

Two new stationery products are set to take the classroom by storm as Mitsubishi Pencil Co. reveals its latest Back to School offering.

The pencil case is to be given more space as the magical uni-ball Fanthom arrives to replace the need for messy correction fluid and tape. Educated starlets young and old will be amazed by the Fanthom’s ability to easily erase text by using the pen’s cap to remove handwritten notes. Available in six different colours, the Fanthom is sold loose and in a variety of single, twin and triple pack formats.

uni-ball Signo Scents are another great addition to the pen pot. A collection of ten pens that smell fruity and sweet, they have fast become the talk of the playground as children collect them to write essays that stink and draw pictures that pong. Handwriting has never smelt so good thanks to the eye catching packaging, point of sale materials and a dedicated microsite that supports the range. Pens are sold individually and in packs of three or five.

Stuart Barker, marketing manager at Mitsubishi Pencil Co., said: "These new products expand our already extensive Back to School offering, which includes the ever-popular Jetstream and Signo ranges. With exceptional offers available in our Back to School / College promotion, retailers should take stock now to ensure their shelves are filled with today’s most sought after and innovative writing instruments.”

For further information on Mitsubishi Pencil Co. visit www.uniball.co.uk, www.unisuperpens.co.uk or view their latest tweets on Twitter by following @uniball_uk.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Mitsubishi Pencil Co. by Connect PR

For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com

A SCENT-SATIONAL NEW PRODUCT FROM UNI-BALL

Writing has never smelt so good thanks to a new range of scented gel pens.

Launched by the leading rollerball pen brand uni-ball, Signo Scents are available in ten fruity and sweet smells to liven up retail spaces across the UK.

Sold individually or in packs of three or five, the scented pens will soon become the talk of the playground as children collect them to write essays that stink and draw pictures that pong.

Stuart Barker, marketing manager at Mitsubishi Pencil Company, said: “We are really excited to be announcing the arrival of uni-ball Signo Scents. We are confident that they will prove to be hugely popular thanks to the eye-catching packaging, point of sale materials and dedicated microsite we have created.

“We hope that by making the pens smell sweet and fruity, we can help develop the enjoyment of writing to further strengthen our foothold in the writing instruments market.”

Scents available include Strawberry Pink, Orangey Orange, Blueberry Blue, Pineapple Yellow, Coconut Brown, Cola Black, Soda Blue, Cherryade Red, Bubblegum Pink and Mint Green.

For further information on uni-ball visit www.signoscents.co.uk, www.uniball.co.uk, www.unisuperpens.co.uk or view their latest tweets on Twitter by following @uniball_uk.