Global ad spend is expected to decline 0.2% overall in 2009, while developing markets will still grow but at a slower rate than previously forecast, according to ZenithOptimedia’s new report.The report predicts that developing markets, such as Asia Pacific and Central & Eastern Europe, will largely counterbalance the decline in North America and Western Europe’s… Continue reading ZenithOptimedia: No growth in global ad spend next year

Newspapers and magazines will thrive during the recession, according to the Wall Street Journal‘s managing editor, Robert Thomson.Speaking at the Reuters Media Summit in New York last week, Thomson said: “You’re starting to see them emerge in the sunlight after this period of darkness.”Advertisers are slowly returning but are looking for safer options when spending… Continue reading WSJ editor: Newspapers & magazines will thrive during recession

BSkyB’s has made its new online video service Sky Player TV cheaper than its satellite TV packages.The broadcaster’s online service offers users a choice of three packages ranging from £15 to £34 a month, while Sky’s cheapest satellite TV package is £17 a month.Sky’s Entertainment Pack, which will be available at the cheaper monthly rate… Continue reading BSkyB is set make its online TV cheaper than satellite

ITV is set to rebrand its online catch-up TV service ITV Player to make it an instantly recognisable VoD brand.The broadcaster’s new name and logo come 18 months after ITV created its online broadband TV service, which currently comes under the ‘Catch Up’ section of the ITV.com website.ITV’s decision to rebrand the service also follows… Continue reading ITV rebrands online VoD service as ITV Player

The London Evening Standard will drop from three to two editions a day and cut the number of newsagents that sell the paper from Monday.Managing editor Doug Wills said today that the distribution changes are part of the titles review of its whole “distribution pattern”.A note to readers was published in yesterday’s Evening Standard, stating:… Continue reading London Evening Standard set to drop edition

MySpace is rolling-out a new international video streaming service that will allow users to view content on their mobile phones.Mobile users will be able to watch all MySpace-hosted videos on a range of multimedia phone handsets, including the Nokia N95, Motorola Q9, Palm Centro and Blackberry Bold.The social networking site, which claims to be the… Continue reading MySpace launches new mobile video service

The IPA is set to appoint the vice-chairman of Ogilvy Group UK, Rory Sutherland, as its next president.Sutherland’s nomination is expected to take place at the IPA council meeting on Thursday, before he officially starts in the role following the trade body’s annual meeting next April.His forthcoming appointment will put an end the IPA committee’s… Continue reading Sutherland set to become IPA’s new president

ITV’s run of Emmerdale, Coronation Street and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! managed to secure ITV1 with the peak audience all evening.Emmerdale kicked off at 7pm with over 7.1 million viewers and a 33.3% audience share, followed by Coronation Street, which gained an impressive 43.3% average audience share between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.More… Continue reading ITV holds on to the top spot

Scottish commercial broadcaster STV wants greater freedom from ITV to allow more scheduling flexibility.In response to Ofcom’s PSB review, STV said it rejects the idea of a single UK-wide Channel 3 licence as it won’t be in Scotland’s interest, according to reports.The broadcaster believes the retention of the Channel 3 network with dedicated licences, which… Continue reading STV wants more freedom from ITV

The future of Project Kangaroo remains uncertain after the Competition Commission’s provisional findings reveal that the proposed VoD service will “restrict competition” in the UK.Ahead of the final report into the joint venture between BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 (UKVoD), which is due to be published by February 8, the Competition Commission concluded that… Continue reading Competition Commission: Kangaroo “will restrict competition”