The Cobra Group: Difference between revisions
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Although The Cobra Group is known for some contributions towards socially benevolent causes (such as work with ''[[Save the Children]]'', as referenced above), the organisation has also received much negative press, including an investigation by the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''. Field Representatives working for companies associated with the Cobra group are expected to register as self-employeed and therefore are not considered to be actual employees, hence the use of the term "independent contractors" <ref>http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2005/08/just-6-for-eight-days-work-for.html</ref>. In addition to the Daily Mirror article, companies associated with the Cobra Group have faced criticisms from former "[[independent contractors]]" about the conditions, hours and status of the workers. |
Although The Cobra Group is known for some contributions towards socially benevolent causes (such as work with ''[[Save the Children]]'', as referenced above), the organisation has also received much negative press, including an investigation by the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''. Field Representatives working for companies associated with the Cobra group are expected to register as self-employeed and therefore are not considered to be actual employees, hence the use of the term "independent contractors" <ref>http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2005/08/just-6-for-eight-days-work-for.html</ref>. In addition to the Daily Mirror article, companies associated with the Cobra Group have faced criticisms from former "[[independent contractors]]" about the conditions, hours and status of the workers. |
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Although the legal definitions may not be technically accurate, some former employees ("independent contractors") of the associated companies have used words such as "[[scam]]" and "[[cult]]" to describe the group, and the practises they employ have led to claims of "[[brainwashing]]" due largely to what is believed to be semi-[[hypnotic]] use of [[strobe lighting]] and music. |
Although the legal definitions may not be technically accurate, some former employees ("independent contractors") of the associated companies have used words such as "[[scam]]" and "[[cult]]" to describe the group, and the practises they employ have led to claims of "[[brainwashing]]" due largely to what is believed to be semi-[[hypnotic]] use of [[strobe lighting]] and music. <ref>http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/245/RipOff0245020.htm</ref> There is an online Cobra Group notice board featuring [[blogs]], "success stories" and other promotional material <ref>http://internetmadness.blogspot.com/2009/06/cobra-group-how-it-helped-me-succeed.html</ref>. It is a good example of the positive [[doublespeak]] and self promotion used by Cobra Group companies. |
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== Companies known to be associated with The Cobra Group== |
== Companies known to be associated with The Cobra Group== |
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Revision as of 13:59, 12 June 2009
| Company type | PLC |
|---|---|
| Industry | Marketing |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Chris Niarchos |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Chris Niarchos, Founder and Chairman Michael Hogg, CEO Richard Davison, CFO Paul Sanderson, Chief Operating Officer Mike Blane, Managing Director |
| Website | www.cobragroup.com |
| Footnotes / references [1] | |
The Cobra Group is a sales and marketing company specialising in a variety of direct marketing strategies,[1] including event marketing and face-to-face selling (door to door) in the business-to-consumer and business-to-business channels.
The company is based in London, UK and Sydney, Australia and has an affiliate network of legally independent sales companies in 20 countries throughout Europe and Asia. The Cobra Group represents firms in industries such as telecommunications, home security, energy and financial services. The group also services donor acquisitions on behalf of charitable organisations [2] [3].
Positive and negative responses within the community
Although The Cobra Group is known for some contributions towards socially benevolent causes (such as work with Save the Children, as referenced above), the organisation has also received much negative press, including an investigation by the Daily Mirror. Field Representatives working for companies associated with the Cobra group are expected to register as self-employeed and therefore are not considered to be actual employees, hence the use of the term "independent contractors" [4]. In addition to the Daily Mirror article, companies associated with the Cobra Group have faced criticisms from former "independent contractors" about the conditions, hours and status of the workers. Although the legal definitions may not be technically accurate, some former employees ("independent contractors") of the associated companies have used words such as "scam" and "cult" to describe the group, and the practises they employ have led to claims of "brainwashing" due largely to what is believed to be semi-hypnotic use of strobe lighting and music. [5] There is an online Cobra Group notice board featuring blogs, "success stories" and other promotional material [6]. It is a good example of the positive doublespeak and self promotion used by Cobra Group companies.
Companies known to be associated with The Cobra Group
Some of the companies within The Cobra Group are Appco Direct, Appco Energy Direct, Credico, Allsports and Support Direct, Coulson Corporation, Tuscan Marketing, Red Planet Marketing, Causeway Marketing Group, Roar Promotions, Aston Advertising.
Few, if any, of the following business are owned outright by The Cobra Group, nor are they necessarily subsidiaries of The Cobra Group, but they do have direct associations with The Cobra Group through various contracts, and essentially are individual business operating under The Cobra Group banner.
Often there will be two or more "companies" operating from the same building, sometimes with separate phonelines. This means that they will have the same basic address and only the name of the company and possibly the phone number will be different.
Australia
- VIP W/W
- Biramint
- Playfair Enterprises
- Shockwave promotions
- SC Promotions
- Blake
- CDMG Marketing
- Red Leaf Solutions
- TCI Group
- Focus Marketing Group
England
- 3D Organisation
- Double L Marketing
- Coulson Corporation
- Stride Marketing
- Tuscan Marketing
- Ginger Solutions
- AKA MARKETING LTD
- Chilli Corporation
- Cooper Advertising
- Red Planet Marketing
- Paramount Force Promotions
- D-Commerce
- Triple 8
- ETM Marketing (and Highland) in Leeds
- Marketing Ltd
- Cobra Group UK
Note: There are a lot of Cobra branches in London, many that are not listed here.
Germany
- PHD Marketing
- Primus Enterprises
Indonesia
Netherlands
New Zealand
- Causeway marketing group
- MPD
- Bond St Marketing
- APPCO DIRECT LTD (Provides services for leading clients in the telecommunications, financial services and public utility companies.)
- SUPPORT DIRECT LTD (Provides innovative donor acquisition and fundraising for charitable organisations.)
- GRANTON DIRECT LTD (Creates cost-effective promotions for clients in the entertainment, hospitality and sporting industries.)
- PRO-SALES DIRECT LTD (Mass distribution of consumer goods throughout NZ)
Republic of Ireland
- Roar Promotions
- DRG Global
- XR Marketing
- Aston Advertising
- Elite Marketing
- HM Firm
- Tippoff Marketing
- Redstone Promotions Ltd.
Singapore
- Dreamworks Advertising
- Redwoods Advance Pty Ltd
- Dirad Ptd Ltd (Sales Management Executives)
- Asia Pacific Promotion Group
- TML & Associates (Agency Development Officer)
- Asia Pacific Promotion Group Pte Ltd (Regional Management Trainee)
- JYPartnership (Marketing Development Executive/Management)
- EA & Associates (Sales Associates / Recruitment Executive)
- Jeregon International Pte Ltd (Corporate Campaign Executive)
Spain
Sweden
- B.A.D Corporation AB
- Southfork the Company AB
- The Draft AB
References
- ^ a b The Cobra Group plc - Company Overview. Business Week. Retrieved on 2008-07-21.
- ^ http://www.savethechildren.net/australia/corporate/cobra/cobra_school.html
- ^ http://www.fundraisingireland.ie/legacyFundraising.html
- ^ http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2005/08/just-6-for-eight-days-work-for.html
- ^ http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/245/RipOff0245020.htm
- ^ http://internetmadness.blogspot.com/2009/06/cobra-group-how-it-helped-me-succeed.html
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