ITV and ZenithOptimedia UK have developed a new airtime sales initiative designed to encourage viewers to pay more attention during key commercial breaks on ITV1.The initiative will be used to promote the launch of a new banking retail system to safeguard against credit-card fraud. The chip and PIN system will encourage consumers to key in… Continue reading ITV Sales And Zenith Launch New Airtime Initiative

GWR Group has increased its stake in Digital Radio Group (DRG), the third London digital multiplex, from 23.6% to 30.2%, it announced this morning. It has increased its holding through the £3.3 million acquisition of shares from Clubmend, Asian Sound and Matsushita Electric Europe. GWR provides a range of digital services on DRG through its… Continue reading GWR Raises Stake In London Digital Multiplex

The UK economy grew by 2.3% during 2003, according to Chancellor Gordon Brown, who delivered his eighth Budget this afternoon. Brown claims that the country is witnessing its longest period of economic growth since the Industrial Revolution. The Chancellor is maintaining his forecast of 3-3.5% economic growth for 2004 and 2005. Along with the US,… Continue reading Britain Enjoys Longest Economic Growth In 200 Years, Says Brown

Regional newspaper group, Johnston Press, has posted a 38% rise in 2003 profits to £128.0 million. These include the first full-year contribution from Regional Independent Media (RIM), which Johnston acquired in 2002. The group says that like-for-like advertising revenues grew by 3.8%, with a rise of 3.0% in H1 followed by 4.6% growth in H2.… Continue reading Johnston Press Sees ‘Superb’ Year In 2003

Pan-European broadcaster, RTL Group, moved back into the black in 2003, as pre-tax profits rose from 2002’s â‚Ź56 million loss to a profit of â‚Ź14 million this time. The group owns 65% of the UK’s Five, which reported positive earnings for the first time since its launch in 1997. In a broadly weak television advertising… Continue reading RTL Is Back In Black As Five Performs Well

There were 24.6 million high-speed internet subscribers in the US by the end of 2003, taking the total broadband penetration to more than 20% of residential households. According to new data from Leichtman Research Group (LRG), the country’s twenty largest cable and DSL providers – representing about 98% of the market – added a combined… Continue reading A Fifth Of US Homes Take Broadband In 2003

US cable corporation, Liberty Media, is to spin off its international businesses to shareholders, as part of efforts to simplify the group’s complex structure. The detached businesses will run as Liberty Media International (LMI) and will operate principally in Europe, Japan and Latin America. These businesses include UnitedGlobalCom, Jupiter Telecommunication and Liberty Cablevision of Puerto… Continue reading Liberty Media To Spin Off International Businesses

Television spot advertising expenditure in Western Europe will rise by 33% in real terms over the coming decade, according to a new report from ZenithOptimedia. This is a slower growth rate than the 43% rise recorded in the previous ten year period. Advertising expenditure stood at $22.0 billion in 2003 and is expected to grow… Continue reading W. European Pay-TV Revenues To Exceed Adspend In 2004, Says Report

Heinz and Sony have been revealed as the UK’s most remembered brands ahead of some of the best known international names, which failed to get mentioned in the latest Brand Check Survey.The research shows that Sony has regained strength to draw level with Heinz, which has almost consistently been the best-remembered brand since market research… Continue reading Heinz And Sony Are Most Remembered UK Brands

WCRS, the agency that devised the high-profile 118 118 campaign, is reported to be on the verge of agreeing a £20 million management buyout from French advertising network Havas.It is understood that WCRS managers, who have been in talks to gain independence from Havas for some time, will buy a majority stake in the advertising… Continue reading WCRS Close To Finalising £20 Million Buyout From Havas