Online product research by consumers is a key factor in their offline purchasing decisions, according to a report from Forrester Research. The majority (86%) of Europe’s online population uses the internet to research products prior to purchase, but less than half of them (42%) stay online to make a transaction. Forrester concludes that the influence… Continue reading Online Research Drives Offline Sales, Find Forrester

The latest set of global advertising forecasts from Initiative Media‘s annual Spheres Of Influence report adds further weight to the argument that the wider advertising economy is improving. Initiative forecasts a 5.8% rise in global advertising this, after an expected growth rate of 4.8% in 2003. The UK’s adspend is forecast to finish 2003 up… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – January 2004

Almost five million UK homes will have subscribed to a high-speed broadband internet service by the end of this year, according to the latest study from Continental Research. The Spring 2004 Internet Report shows that the promotion of broadband services by telecoms companies is paying off, with take-up increasing from just 750,000 two years ago… Continue reading Broadband Remains Strong As Net Penetration Stalls

Last year was a watershed year for the national newspaper industry, as it faced up to – and made steps towards stemming – its circulation and advertising revenue decline trend. A new forward-looking report from Billetts Media Consulting says that 2003 saw a shake-down in the sector that should produce healthier results for 2004. Advertising… Continue reading UK National Press Outlook From Billetts

UK advertising growth is set to outpace economic growth this year, after underperforming in 2003, according to the Spheres Of Influence report from Initiative Media. Advertising expenditure is forecast to grow by 4.2% this year, after an expected 2.2% rise in 2003. Annual economic inflation, is predicted to close at 2.8% in 2003 – stronger… Continue reading UK Advertising To Outpace Economy In 2004, Says Initiative

BT Group intends to make high-speed broadband internet services available to 90% of the UK population by the summer, as part of its plan to achieve total coverage by 2005. Pierre Danon, chief executive of BT Retail, says the telecoms giant will have invested £22 million by next year in setting up public private partnerships… Continue reading BT Aims For Total UK Broadband Coverage By 2005

Radio revenues at GWR Group rose by 12% year on year during the three months to the end of December 2003, thanks to a strong performance from the Local Radio Group (LRG). LRG, which accounts for 70% of GWR’s revenues, posted a 13% jump, following the introduction of a new sales system. Local spend was… Continue reading GWR Group Sees 12% Revenue Rise In Q1

Personal video recorder (PVR) manufacturer, TiVo, is understood to be considering a return to the UK market just a year after it withdrew following disappointing sales. TiVo stopped producing its boxes in the UK last February after the expiry of a three year contract with its hardware partner, Thomson Multimedia. However, sources suggest the company… Continue reading TiVo May Return To UK Market

The battle between Lord Black and Hollinger International over the sale of the company’s newspaper assets became even more litigious last night as Black’s Hollinger Inc announced that it is to counter-sue Hollinger International. In a statement Black’s holding company claims that Hollinger International has engaged in ‘illegal maneuvering’ in order to interfere with the… Continue reading Black Counter-Sues Hollinger International Over ‘Illegal Interference’

Global advertising expenditure growth will accelerate in 2004, as a new world order in advertising emerges, according to the latest Spheres Of Influence report from Initiative Media.The agency network forecasts that worldwide adspend will rise by 5.8% to reach $331.4 billion in 2004. This figure accounts for the combined markets of the 44 countries on… Continue reading Global Adspend To Rise 5.8% In 2004, Says Initiative