Associated Newspapers and Metro International today confirmed the creation of an Irish edition of Metro, the free morning newspaper, to be published in partnership with The Irish Times Limited.The newspaper will be launched today in Dublin, with Metro International initially owning 10%, while Associated commands 90% of the new venture’s share capital.Pending clearance from competition… Continue reading Metro Branches Out With Irish Edition

Research and analysis firm Ipsos has announced the purchase of rival MORI in a deal worth £88 million, bringing the famous research brand under its control and renaming it Ipsos Mori.The acquisition significantly expands Ipsos’ capabilities in the UK, as well as widening its abilities in the European and global markets.MORI’s reputation is well established… Continue reading Ipsos Boost Profile With MORI Merger

Daily Newspaper MarketQuality titles saw the only increase in readership during the six months to August, with the Guardian, Independent and Times all bucking the trend for decline to add double figure percentage growth year on year.The Guardian performed particularly well, adding 23.4% year on year. The newspaper will be expecting similarly positive figures in… Continue reading NRS National Newspaper Round-Up: August 2005

Reports over the weekend claim French entrepreneur and chairman of Havas, Vincent Bollore, is preparing to increase his stake in British media firm Aegis to nearly 20%, adding further credence to rumours that his Groupe Bollore will soon make an offer for purchase of the company.Bollore has been steadily increasing his stake in Aegis for… Continue reading Bollore Set To Increase Aegis Share Further

Tonight sees Channel 4 launch its second digital entertainment channel, with More4 due to begin broadcasting to Freeview, Sky and Cable households at 8pm this evening.The new channel, which will broadcast daily from 4pm to 6am after tonight’s launch, has already courted controversy, with its launch schedule including a satirical drama on former home secretary… Continue reading More4 Set For Debut Broadcast Tonight

Reports this morning point to yet more upheaval for Britain’s cable industry, following ntl and Telewest’s confirmation of their merger earlier this week, with a consortium of American investors plotting a takeover bid for both companies in what could be one of the most complex private-equity transactions ever undertaken.According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ),… Continue reading Cable Giants Face Second Takeover By US Investors

The first mobile operators are beginning to offer fully fledged internet services to customers on the move, opening up a wide range of possibilities for online advertisers and content providers.The first such move was made by mobile firm O2 last week. The company’s adoption of Japanese firm NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode technology allows customers in Ireland… Continue reading Britain Wakes Up To Mobile Web Services

ITV’s advertising revenues could dip by almost 5% this year, with forecasts from media agency ZenithOptimedia painting a pessimistic picture for the broadcaster.According to the agency’s latest forcasts ITV stands to lose 4.8% of its revenues year on year, pushing the broadcaster’s total down to £1.59 billion.The downturn is predicted to continue into next year,… Continue reading ITV Set For Dip In Advertising Revenues

Havas has distanced itself from chief executive Vincent Bollore’s comments surrounding a possible takeover of media group Aegis, clarifying that the French entrepreneur was speaking in his capacity as chief executive of Groupe Bollore, and not as head of Havas.However, Havas refused to rule out its own approach for Aegis, stating only that Bollore’s comments… Continue reading Havas Distanced From Bollore/Aegis Rumours

Media buying firm Aegis has confirmed that preliminary discussions over merger possibilities have been held with “more than one” potential bidder, casting further doubt on French firm Publicis’ chance of success in securing a swift takeover proposition.Aegis, which owns media buying firms Carat and Vizeum, said in a statement this morning that “representatives and advisers… Continue reading Aegis Confirms Rival Bids For Takeover