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Don Marketing

Chapter in the book UNITED STATES TRADEMARK LAW about RoyalDutchShellPlc.com

UNITED STATES TRADEMARK LAW

ENTIRE CHAPTER 11

royaldutchshellplc.com is a Royal Dutch Shell gripe site and blog operated by Alfred and John Donovan, who engaged in several marketing campaigns with Shell during the 1980s and early 1990s. The father and son duo believe Shell violated intellectual property agreements and filed several law suits against Shell prior to starting several websites critical of Shell, including royaldutchshellplc.com. The site has been oft quoted in news sources and is known for its activities as an Internet leak and forum for Shell whistleblowers. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Links to several hundred articles by a host of different publishers including the FT, Wall Street Journal, Reuters etc., mainly containing references to RoyalDutchShellPlc.com or its founders

REGULARLY UPDATED: Links to over 500 articles (and radio and TV broadcasts) by a host of publishers including the FT, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Dow Jones Newswires, Bloomberg, New York Times, CNBC, Forbes etc. Plus UK House of Commons Select Committee Hansard records, information on U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission website, legal documents filed in the U.S. Courts, all containing references to the Donovan’s, their Shell related websites, or their former company, Don Marketing. Includes newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, video clip links and interview transcripts. All in date order. In addition, there are references to our websites and/or our activities, published in over 100 books. In all, over 550 externally published references to date including articles originated by news agencies such as Reuters or Dow Jones, syndicated to a variety of individual publishers such as the New York Times or The Washington Post. Plus over 60,000 Shell related articles published on our own Shell focussed websites.  read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Don Marketing blockbuster promotions for Shell (images)

A promotional game devised for Shell by Don Marketing

A promotional game devised for Shell by Don Marketing

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SHELL MASTERMIND GAMEPIECE

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Don Redhead, Director of Don Marketing

Don Redhead, Director of Don Marketing

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This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell speaks out over Don Marketing

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Forecourt Trader: Shell speaks out over Don

Page 5 of April 1995 Edition

Text from article

Shell has broken its vow of silence and issued a strongly-worded statement to defend itself against what it sees as “the growing number of untrue and often offensive allegations being made by Don Marketing”.

Shell is defending legal actions which allege that it wrongfully used two forecourt promotions devised by Don Marketing. Previously, the oil company has remained silent, preferring to “resolve the dispute in the courts which Shell believes is the proper forum for a commercial dispute”. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell unethical, incompetent and greedy

Screen Shot 2013-01-25 at 01.00.51In 1996, I received an unsolicited letter of apology from Dr Chris Fay, the Chairman & Chief Executive of Shell U.K. Limited for the way we had been treated by Shell. It is printed below. This came at the climax of 3 high court actions we brought against Shell for breach of confidence and breach of contract, all settled in our favour. He was not amused by our whole page announcements in trade magazines of surveys about Shell involving over 1,000 Shell retailers in the UK.

By John Donovan

In 1996, I received an unsolicited letter of apology from Dr Chris Fay, the Chairman & Chief Executive of Shell U.K. Limited for the way we had been treated by Shell. It is printed below. This came at the climax of 3 high court actions we brought against Shell for breach of confidence and breach of contract, all settled in our favour. 

Some time previously I had a nearly 2 hour meeting with Dr Fay at Shell Mex-House – just the two of us, served tea by his butler. He was not amused by our whole page announcements in trade magazines of surveys about Shell involving over 1,000 Shell retailers in the UK. I was a co-founder of the Shell Corporate Conscience Pressure Group, which commissioned the surveys.
read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Alfred Donovan 1917 – 2013 RIP

Screen Shot 2013-07-27 at 18.49.33My father, Alfred Donovan, passed away earlier today in Colchester Essex, after a short illness.  “Don”, as he was known to friends and family, served in the UK Regular Army – Royal Corp of Signals (Royal Berkshire Regiment) – for 12 years. From December 1933 until March 1946 he served in the UK, Palestine, Egypt and India, and he fought in the Burma campaign in World War 2. He was a successful businessman operating a chain of garages in East London for many years, before co-founding the sales promotion agency Don Marketing, which had many blue chip clients, including Guinness, Whitbread, BP, Conoco and Royal Dutch Shell. Nearly 10 years ago he was the co-founder of this website. He was everything that anyone would wish their father to be. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

United Kingdom: a lone fighter against Shell

ARD TV in Germany – the German equivalent of BBC TV – on Saturday, 21 April, broadcast a feature about me and this website (royaldutchshellplc.com) as part of the EUROPA MAGAZINE programme.

By John Donovan

ARD TV in Germany – the German equivalent of BBC TV – on Saturday, 21 April, broadcast a feature about me and this website (royaldutchshellplc.com) as part of the EUROPA MAGAZINE programme.

LINK TO VIEW FILM SEGMENT

Click here to read a translation of the narration.

During the film, *Oleg Mitvol, the Russian Environmental Minister in 2006, confirmed what he has said before on the subject  of Sakhalin II i.e. that he got the evidence from me (Donovan) that cost Shell its majority stake in the project (and many billions of dollars). read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung article on Royal Dutch Shell Plc .com

I am described as having a stately stomach and accurately combed hair over a bald head. So we know that the journalist in question is unbiased, fearless, and truthful.

By John Donovan

On Saturday 17 March 2012 the largest broadsheet German daily national newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, published a whole page article by the journalist Christoph Giesen about this website royaldutchshellplc.com, which it correctly says has cost Shell billions of dollars.

SEE: Royal Dutch Shell’s No1 Enemy

The article is displayed below divided into two images, each of which can be enlarged by clicking on the image. PDF and English translation versions will be published.

I am described as having a stately stomach and accurately combed hair over a bald head. So we know that the journalist in question is unbiased, fearless, and truthful. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Royal Dutch Shell’s No1 Enemy

The article says that the content of an email sent to President Pution in Moscow was explosive and that the leaked information, which cost Shell its majority stake in the Sakhalin 2 project, came from me, John Donovan.

By John Donovan

On Saturday 17 March 2012 the largest broadsheet German daily national newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, published a whole page article by the journalist Christoph Giesen about this website royaldutchshellplc.com, which it says has cost Shell billions of dollars.

The headline is “Konzernfeind No.1” freely translated as: “The Company’s (Shells) Enemy No.1”

Mr Giesen made several trips to meet me in the UK during the course of preparing his article and had sight of numerous documents, including Shell internal communications and my related email correspondence with President Putin and the so-called Kremlin attack dog, Oleg Mitvol. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Gripesites: How to Gut Goliath by Becoming an Interactive Hub of Dissent

By John Donovan

GRIPE WEB SITES

At long last, someone has written an invaluable guide on how ordinary individuals can publicly criticize the rich and powerful, including multinational corporations, by using the Internet.

My father and I pioneered the use of websites for exposing Royal Dutch Shell.  Indeed, the author, Robert Eringer, uses our experience as a case study for how David can tackle Goliath.

Moreover, Eringer relates his own case study:  himself against a whole country–the Principality of Monaco.  ([email protected].) read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Royal Dutch Shell deceiving itself

Printed below is a Shell internal document from May 2006 which we assume was prepared by Shell in-house lawyers for the misinformation of Shell senior management. It deliberately paints a false picture, probably to protect Richard Wiseman, the former Shell Legal Director...

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Will Shell’s intergalactic experiment pay off?

ARCHIVE ARTICLE: Hang on! I've got a new idea... ...said Don Marketing when the agency sold Shell its idea for the Star Trek promotion, neatly persuading the oil giant to abandon its catalogue scheme promotions. Case study by Anne-Marie Crawford

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

U.S. Courts: Shell in deepwater, accused of more IP theft

U.S. Courts: Shell in deepwater, accused of more IP theft

By John Donovan

12 August 2008

Trawling the Internet seeking information about Court cases involving Shell, we stumbled across details of current litigation in the U.S. Courts against Shell International for alleged theft of Intellectual Property.

I personally know of several High Court Actions successfully brought against Shell on the same grounds, all by me. All resulted in media coverage.

Is Shell not concerned that it must be losing out from parties no longer willing to disclose ideas to the group because of its reputation as a serial poacher and predator of Intellectual Property? read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

NBC President, Myron ‘Mike’ Weinblatt

By John Donovan

BUSINESS PARTNERS OF DON MARKETING

I had a meeting in  1979 with NBC Entertainment President, Myron “Mike” Weinblatt (left). My colleague Don Redhead and I made a presentation to the full board of NBC at the Rockefeller Centre in New York. Also present; Irwin S. Segelstein (President NBC Television) and W Watts Biggers (Buck Biggers – shown right) NBC VP Advertising & Promotions.

Following negotiations in New York and London with NBC Senior Vice President Steve Sohmer, I subsequently signed an agreement for a joint NBC/Don Marketing project with Ray Timothy, President of NBC Television. Lars H Lenck, President of Don Marketing USA, a former Chevron executive, was also involved in the negotiations with NBC. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Abysmal Track Record In Legal Proceedings with Alfred and John Donovan

Royal Dutch Shell Abysmal Track Record In Legal Proceedings with Alfred and John Donovan

Saturday 13 August 2005: 13.15 ET: (Updated 13 August 2012)

By John Donovan

The following is an accurate list of the various proceedings between Shell and the owners of ShellNews.net, Alfred Donovan and John Donovan, commencing just over a decade ago, with the most recent proceedings being decided on a unanimous verdict against Shell International Petroleum Company Limited on 8 August 2005.

1. High Court proceedings brought against Shell in respect of “Shell Make Money” promotion, alleging breach of confidence and breach of contract: Outcome: Settled out of court by Shell for £60,000 ($108,000 US approx) read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

The week in which a watchdog came under a heavy Shelling

Daily Telegraph: The week in which a watchdog came under a heavy Shelling

“Sir Philip Watts is hardly going to enjoy being linked with Robert Maxwell but he probably owes the fat fraudster rather more than he realises.”

City comment

Edited by Neil Collins, City Editor

(Filed: 17/09/2004)

Sir Philip Watts is hardly going to enjoy being linked with Robert Maxwell but he probably owes the fat fraudster rather more than he realises. It was Maxwell, twisting in front of the Department of Trade, who forced the concession that he should be allowed prior sight of the findings of the bits of any inquiry that related to him.

Since then, some sort of “Maxwell clause” has been inserted into most relevant bits of legislation, including the Financial Services and Markets Act, under which the FSA operates. Sir Philip has managed to keep quiet while he watched his lifetime’s work and reputation being put through the shredder, but the devastating report into Shell’s downgrade of its reserves was the last straw. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Sunday Telegraph: Shell bosses ‘must remain liable for recent blunders’

Sunday Telegraph: Shell bosses ‘must remain liable for recent blunders’

By Sylvia Pfeifer (Filed: 20/06/2004)

Leading shareholders in Royal Dutch, the Netherlands-based arm of Royal Dutch/Shell, are insisting that its directors remain legally liable for the series of blunders that have plunged the oil giant into crisis over the past year.

In an unusual move, shareholders say they will refuse to absolve directors of their responsibilities for the past year at the annual meeting on June 28. In accordance with Dutch law, shareholders will be asked to vote on a resolution to “discharge” the managing directors and members of the supervisory board of “responsibility” in respect of their management and supervision. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Forecourt Trader: Shell action abandoned

Forecourt Trader: Shell action abandoned

August 1999

The long-running and acrimonious dispute between Shell UK and sales promotion agency Don Marketing has ended following a statement released by both parties last month. The dispute centred on Don Marketing’s claim that Shell stole its idea for the Smart loyalty scheme. John Donovan, managing director of Don Marketing, took legal action against Shell claiming breach of contract and misuse of confidential information. Shell counter-sued him for breach of confidentiality.

Mr Donovan claims that between 1989 and 1992 he had a series of meetings with Shell where he outlined plans for a card-based, multibrand loyalty scheme. Two years after Mr Donovan’s last meeting with Shell where he was apparently assured of involvement if the scheme went ahead, Shell launched a trial of its Smart card without him. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell has settled out of court with John Donovan…

Shell has settled out of court with John Donovan…

Marketing Magazine read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Bury Free Press: Shell claim is settled

Shell claim is settled: Bury Free Press 9 July 1999

BURY FREE PRESS

Friday, July 9, 1999

Shell claim is settled

A DAVID and Goliath battle between a Bury St Edmunds businessman and oil giant Shell has ended in stalemate after both sides agreed an out-of-court settlement.

John Donovan, 52, was suing Shell claiming the company stole his ideas and turned them into its successful Smart Card loyalty scheme.

Shell denied the allegation and made a counter claim against Mr Donovan, alleging his company, Don Marketing, breached a confidentiality agreement. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stalemate for marketing firm’s ‘stolen’ idea claim

Stalemate for marketing firm’s ‘stolen’ idea claim: East Anglian Daily Times 7 July 1999

East Anglian Daily Times

Wednesday, July 7, 1999

Stalemate for marketing firm’s ‘stolen’ idea claim

STALEMATE

John Donovan, from Bradfield Combust, sued Shell over a promotion he said was his idea. But yesterday his claim, and the firm’s counter suit, were dropped

Photograph: ANDY ABBOTT

A DAVID and Goliath court battle between oil giant Shell and a promotions expert who claimed they “pinched” his idea and turned it into a highly successful Smart Loyal Scheme has ended in stalemate. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Incentive Today: Don and Shell end Smart row

Article being added to our Online Archive

 Incentive Today: Don and Shell end Smart row

July-August 1999

After a bitter six year legal battle with Shell UK John Donovan has abandoned his claim against Shell UK. Donovan alleged that Shell stole his ideas for the Shell Smart loyalty scheme and initiated court proceedings in 1993.

Both parties issued a joint statement saying, “John Donovan has abandoned his claim against Shell in relation to the Shell’s Smart loyalty scheme. He has acknowledged that these claims are without foundation and should not have been brought. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

SHELL IN HIGH COURT SUIT OVER SMARTCARD SCHEME

ARTICLE BEING ADDED TO OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE

DEBRIEF: SHELL IN HIGH COURT SUIT OVER SMARTCARD SCHEME

July 1999

SUFFOLK-BASED promotions agency Don Marketing faced multinational giant Shell UK in the High Court to argue its case of alleged breach of contract and misuse of confidential commercial information.

The dispute centres on Shell’s Smart multi-brand loyalty card, now operational in the UK and eight other countries. This, claims Don’s managing director John Donovan, is based on proposals he first put to Shell in 1989 – an allegation denied by Shell, which insists that Smart’s genesis was an inhouse project codenamed Onyx which began in autumn 1991. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

BURY FREE PRESS: INTO BATTLE WITH SHELL

Man sues oil giant over 'his idea'

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Incentive Today Magazine: Shell loyalty row continues

The latest bizarre development in the case is an intervention in the form of a letter from the wife of Mark Moody-Stuart, the head of Shell International.

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Marketing Week: Judge Shell by actions not words

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Marketing Week: Judge Shell by actions not words

25 February 1999

I read with interest your editorial about the ethical dilemmas facing multinationals and the reference in particular to Shell’s recent public relations disasters. You say that “Shell has apparently learned its lesson”. I beg to differ.

My claim against Shell UK in respect of the Smart loyalty scheme is set down for a three week High Court trial in June.

I invite Marketing Week to attend the trial. You will then be able to make an informed assessment of Shell’s ethical conduct after sensational evidence is put into the public domain. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

London Evening Standard: On cyberpicket lines: DON’T GET MAD GET EVEN

Evening Standard

28 September 1998

On cyberpicket lines

IN THE NET

DON’T GET MAD GET EVEN

WE’VE got Internet banking, Internet sex, Internet hype (aplenty). Now say hello to cyberpicketing, the most fashionable way for little people to get their own back.

Hacking for Girlies recently sabotaged the New York Times website, replacing the usual sober journalism with a rant in support of imprisoned hacker Kevin Mitnick.

At BP, for instance, they were surprised to discover a new website, www.britishpetroleum.co.uk. that was eerily close tn appearance to their corporate home page,www.bp.com. However, all the site’s links led to information about one Mr Bunt, and how his car had been damaged in the carwash of a BP (franchise) garage. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

LEAFLETS BEING HANDED TO STAFF OUTSIDE SHELL CENTRE

Screen Shot 2014-07-03 at 22.41.06LEAFLETS BEING HANDED TO STAFF OUTSIDE SHELL CENTRE 

YOU MAY BE HANDED A LEAFLET OUTSIDE SHELL CENTRE BY MR ALFRED DONOVAN, FORMALLY OF A COMPANY CALLED DON MARKETING UK LIMITED. 

YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT JOHN DONOVAN, A DIRECTOR OF DON MARKETING UK LIMITED, MR ALFRED DONOVAN’S SON, HAS ISSUED A WRIT AGAINST SHELL UK CLAIMING THAT HIS COMPANY INVENTED THE SMART LOYALTY CARD PROGRAMME. 

MR DONOVAN’S ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED BY SHELL UK AND DISCUSSED IN DETAIL WITH MR DONOVAN AND HIS SOLICITORS. THE CLAIM IS BEING VIGOROUSLY DEFENDED.  read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

55% OF RESPONDENTS IN SURVEY OF OVER 1500 SHELL RETAILERS SAY “SHELL UK OPERATES IN AN UNETHICAL MANNER” (SEPT 98)

INFORMATION ADDED TO OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE

55% OF RESPONDENTS IN SURVEY OF OVER 1500 SHELL RETAILERS SAY “SHELL UK OPERATES IN AN UNETHICAL MANNER” (SEPT 98) read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Marketing Week: Don claims first round in Shell libel action

ARTICLE ADDED TO OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE

Marketing Week: Don claims first round in Shell libel action

30 July 1998

Picture Caption: Shell Smart: Don claims victory

By Clare Conley

Don Marketing, the sales promotion agency, is claiming a victory against Shell UK in the first round of a libel case against the oil giant.

Shell UK was ordered to pay costs for a preliminary hearing at the High Court  which took place earlier this week. The libel case will be heard before a jury and Don Marketing will have the power to subpoena top Shell UK management, including chairman Chris Fay, to give evidence. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Daily Telegraph: Donovan’s beef with Shell on-line

Daily Telegraph 11 June 1998

Donovan’s beef with Shell on-line

HIGH court writs have been filed against Shell UK by independent marketing man John Donovan. Through his company, Don Marketing, he claims that in 1989 he was the brains behind Shell’s Smart Card scheme.

Donovan is alleging a breach of confidence and breach of contract and has also filed a separate writ for libel. He is talking of “multi-million pound” damages.

Suffolk-based Donovan is publicising his gripes on two elaborate and colourful internet websites, don-marketing. com and shell-shareholders.org. He has also decided to book adverts in the marketing press. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Marketing Week: SHELL SMART LEGAL NOTICE

SHELL SMART LEGAL NOTICE read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

MARKETING WEEK: Shell: Don is more than ‘disgruntled’

MARKETING WEEK MAGAZINE

LETTERS

Shell: Don is more than ‘disgruntled’

Picture Caption: Shell: Don Marketing’s battle over the Smart concept is its fourth High Court action against the UK company

I am writing in response to Alan Mitchell’s article about the key to loyalty card survival (MWMay 14).

He mentioned Shell’s aspiration to reach 8 million members within a year “legal battles with disgruntled sales promotion agencies permitting” – a reference to our High Court action against Shell. “Disgruntled” is not the description I would choose. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Marketing Week: ASA dragged into Shell UK Smart battle

Having been caught red-handed stealing our intellectual property, Shell settled by making a substantial payment to us. Frankly we were shocked at the arrogance, lies and subterfuge.

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Forecourt Trader: Don’s Smart writ

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Forecourt Trader: Don’s Smart writ

May 1998

Shell UK is being sued for allegedly breaching copyright on the idea it used to create Shell Smart Card, its loyalty programme.

John Donovan, managing director of Don Marketing UK, has issued the High Court Writ alleging that the current Smart scheme operated by Shell is based on a proposal that his company disclosed to the oil company in confidence. The writ also alleges breach of contract.

In 1989, Donovan’s company presented the idea of a multibrand loyalty card scheme to Paul King, who at that time was Shell UK’s national promotions manager. In July 1990, Shell took the option. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Promotions & Incentives: Shell stands firm on Smart charges

ARTICLE BEING ADDED TO OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE

Promotions & Incentives: Shell stands firm on Smart charges

May 1998

Shell will defend itself against claims by its former promotional agency Don Marketing, that it came up with Shell’s Smart consortium idea.

Don Marketing director, John Donovan, issued a writ against Shell on 9 April claiming multi-million pound damages.

Shell and Don Marketing have been discussing the allegations since Shell’s AGM last year. Both parties have assembled evidence and interviewed witnesses in the interim.

The action relates to proposals Don Marketing claims to have put to Shell in 1989 for a “multi brand” loyalty scheme. The agency claims it went as far as seeking out potential partners, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s before Shell said it did not wish to proceed with the idea in 1990. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Sales Promotion Magazine: Shell in legal row

Sales Promotion Magazine

May 1998

Shell in legal row

SP agency’s claims over Smart Card cause troubled water for oil company

A promotional agency is suing Shell (UK) for allegedly breaching copyright on the concept idea Shell used to create its multipartner Smart Card loyalty scheme.

The allegation follows two previously unpublished out- of-court settlements which were kept secret as part of the agreement reached by the two sides.

The legal dispute between Shell and Don Marketing could delay the card programme even further – its launch was originally planned for the end of last year before partners failed to agree on a date. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Loyalty Magazine: Shell Smart copyright battle gets nastier

Loyalty Magazine: Shell Smart copyright battle gets nastier

John Donovan, a director of Don Marketing UK ltd, believes he owns the copyright to the Shell Smart loyalty scheme. He has been involved in protracted legal wrangling with Shell UK and last month issued a High Court writ when talks broke down. Recently he decided to write to all Shell partners and petrol station managers warning them they may face legal action if they participate in the scheme. Donovan spoke to Loyalty about why he believes the copyright is his.

The advertisement in Marketing Week states that “Any business contemplating becoming a partner in the SMART consortium scheme is hereby notified that any such participation may involve an infringement of rights, rendering it liable to legal action.” It refers interested parties to its web site at www.don-marketing. com.

John Donovan is stepping up pressure on one of the largest company in the world, in his fight for recognition that he thought of the Shell Smart Card idea first.

That David is taking on Goliath is obvious, and in itself proof of the depth of feeling that the small man has been wronged. read more

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Marketing Magazine: Donovan brings new Shell writ

30 April 1998

Marketing Magazine: Donovan brings new Shell writ

John Donovan, the sales promotion agency managing director who is suing Shell for copyright infringement over its Smart Card loyalty scheme, has served another writ on the oil company, this time for libel.

Donovan, whose agency, Don Marketing, has already brought three copyright actions against Shell, is suing over a press statement the oil firm released in response to his latest copyright writ.

Shell responded to the writ, served two weeks ago, by saying it was satisfied that “the claim … is entirely without substance”. read more

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Shell in legal row over Smart Card

The writ also reveals that Don Marketing had approached both Sainsbury's and Tesco, among other potential partners, to join a multibrand scheme with Shell in early 1990. Sainsbury's was an initial member of the Shell Smart Card consortium in 1996 but is not part of the Scottish trial.

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Marketing Week: LEARNING THE RIGHT RULES OF THE GAME

ARTICLE ADDED TO OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE

Marketing Week: LEARNING THE RIGHT RULES OF THE GAME

11 October 1985

Promotional games can be a powerful friend to today’s marketer- or a deadly enemy if mishandled. John Donovan picks his way carefully through a potential minefield

Games are one of the most powerful promotional weapons available.

But when they make headlines, it is not always good news – as the Mirror Group, Esso, Asda and Cadbury Typhoo found to their cost recently when their games had to be curtailed or withdrawn. The media take a disproportionate interest in such disasters, often giving them front-page coverage to the exclusion of more important events. read more

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Shell UK Oil and Don Marketing

Debrief Newsletter

October 1995

Despite meetings between Shell UK Oil and Don Marketing in an attempt to reach settlement in their long-running dispute over alleged theft of promotional concepts (Debrief, 3-63), the parties are agreed on only one point – that the matter should go to court. 

http://www.shellnews.net/PDFs/DebriefNewsletterOctober%201995.pd

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Marketing Week: John Donovan, of Don Marketing, says he will have a team picketing Shell’s London headquarters for four days a week…

Article added to our Online Archive

Marketing Week News: 2 June 1995

John Donovan, of sales promotion agency Don Marketing, says he will have a team picketing Shell’s London headquarters for four days a week distributing a leaflet detailing his company’s grievances against the oil giant (MW May 26). 

http://www.shellnews.net/PDFs/MarketingWeek2June1995.pdf

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Debrief News: DAVID DON AND GOLIATH SHELL: EPISODE 3,651

ARTICLE ADDED TO ONLINE ARCHIVE

DAVID DON AND GOLIATH SHELL: EPISODE 3,651

Debrief Newsletter

June 1995

IT TAKES GUTS and endurance to challenge the might and financial muscle of an opponent like Shell UK Oil and Don Marketing’s John Donovan clearly has both in spades!

The latest episode in this long-running saga of alleged theft of promotional concepts [Debrief, 2-113; 3-14,36,48] has minnow Don picketing Shell’s annual general meeting and handing out leaflets to shareholders and staff. 

Meantime, Donovan père managed to persuade the chairman of Shell Transport and Trading, John Jennings, to meet him after the agm, although the court hearing remains set for 24 June. read more

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Shell has confirmed that its senior management will hold talks with Don Marketing

Marketing Magazine

25 May 1995

STOP PRESSShell has confirmed that its senior management will hold talks with Don Marketing to resolve legal actions between the two. Don has issued a libel writ, a high-court action and a small-claims case against Shell in a two-year struggle over two disputed promotions.

Shell has confirmed that its senior management will hold talks with Don Marketing (Original Article)

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Marketing Week Magazine: Shell faces libel action as Don’s founder issues writ

Article added to our Online Archive

Marketing Week Magazine: Shell faces libel action as Don’s founder issues writ

21 April 1995

Alfred Donovan, a founder of sales promotion company Don Marketing and the Shell Corporate Conscience Pressure Group, has issued a writ against Shell UK claiming damages for libel.

This latest twist in the long-running legal wrangle between Don Marketing and Shell comes as the two companies prepare to meet in court over Don’s accusation that Shell used the agency’s ideas in a series of promotions without permission or payment (MW February 24 and March 31). read more

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PROMOTIONS & INCENTIVES: Shell promotions dispute intensifies

The legal dispute between Shell and Don Marketing over the origin of two promotions has become a public feud, with both sides adopting hardline positions.

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Marketing Week: Don Marketing and oil giant Shell UK’s latest round in their continuing legal battle…

ARTICLE BEING ADDED TO OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE

Marketing Week News 24 February 1995 read more

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Forecourt Trader: Pressure group to target Shell

Forecourt Trader: Pressure group to target Shell

February 1995

Picture Caption: Don Marketing’s managing director, John Donovan

The protracted legal wranglings between promotions specialist Don Marketing and Shell (UK) have prompted Alfred Donovan, father of Don Marketing’s managing director, John Donovan, to form the Shell Corporate Conscience Pressure Group, dedicated to changing Shell’s “lack of interest in settling disputes amicably” and the way in which the company controls the flow of information to the people it works with. read more

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NOTICE TO SHELL DEALERS!

Published in Forecourt Trader and Forecourt News February 1995

NOTICE TO SHELL DEALERS!

We have issued a number of High Court Writs against Shell relating to proprietary rights to the following promotions

“MAKE MONEY” “NOW SHOWING”

THE SHELL NINTENDO GAME

If willing to complete a questionnaire which may assist us in our legal actions against Shell UK Ltd, please kindly fill in, detach, and return to us your Station details in the panel below. We will then provide you with confidential background information which you may find quite intriguing.

Issued by:

Don Marketing UK Limited read more

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