johnhh - 11:25 pm on Feb 22, 2013 (gmt 0)

"requesting specific anchor text is part of a 'marketing' campaign that isn't to do with ranking"

You are assuming it was requested by a SEO or intended to be an optimisation technique - no proof of that. It could also be .. let's see what entices people to click the link is it "great flowers online" or "don't forget your flowers for Mothers Day !" ?

Web site marketing and sales is not all about SEO !

Sometimes its about getting the message across to the maximum number of people. If you have got the budget what better way to spend it than a marketing campaign on major newspapers seen by millions each day.