Online retail sales in the US increased by 30% in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to new figures from comScore Media Metrix. The information firm estimates that $17.21 billion was spent on US shopping sites in the three months to the end of December. This figure includes event tickets but excludes auctions, car sales… Continue reading Internet Retail Boom Persists In Q4

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is unlikely to take steps to block the proposed acquisition of Hollinger Inc by the Barclay brothers (see Barclay Brothers Agree Telegraph Takeover Deal), according to reports today. Hollinger is currently under investigation for unauthorised payments made to senior executives, including erstwhile chief executive and non-executive chairman, Conrad Black… Continue reading SEC Has Few Qualms About Hollinger Takeover

Hollinger International has called an emergency board meeting to discuss whether to block a £260 million bid by the reclusive Barclay brothers to acquire The Daily and Sunday Telegraph. It is understood that the board could meet as early as today to discuss the impact of the deal after shareholders to express their outrage at… Continue reading Dispute Grows As Barclay Brothers Move On Telegraph Titles

The Wireless Group (TWG) has increased its interest in DRG, owner of the London III digital multiplex licence, it was announced today. The radio company has concluded an agreement with the administrators of Clubmend Ltd to acquire its 6% stake in DRG. The acquisition is subject to the exercise of pre-emption rights by the shareholders… Continue reading Wireless Group Invests Further In Digital Radio Market

The outlook finally appears to be improving for UK advertisers and new research reveals a rising tide of corporate optimism that could see adspend climb to levels not seen since the dotcom boom. The IPA’s latest quarterly Bellwether report shows that the improving economic conditions have prompted more than half of all companies to increase… Continue reading Bellwether Reveals Increasing Optimism For Advertisers

US adspend rose by more than 5% during 2003, according to the latest data from Nielsen Media Research, with local media showing the strongest growth throughout the year. Nielsen Monitor-Plus, the advertising information arm of the research company, has reported that all major media categories showed a growth in adspend during the year, and each… Continue reading US Adspends Tops 5% During 2003, Says Nielsen

While there has been justifiable excitement at the growth of broadband internet access, dial connections are far from dead and service providers will need to maintain support for their narrowband customers, says IDC. In its latest study, Western Europe Consumer ISP Forecast, 2002-2007, the research group predicts that the number of consumer broadband connections in… Continue reading ISPs Warned Not To Ignore Dial-Up Disciples

Online retail spend shot up by over 70% in the UK in December as a growing proportion of consumers eschewed the busy high street in favour of internet stores for their Christmas shopping. The Interactive Media in Retail Group claims that online sales totalled £1.324 billion last month, with electrical consumer goods and alcohol among… Continue reading Festive Boost For Online Retailers

Mobile data is driving further growth in the mobile market in Western Europe, with consumers taking up ever more sophisticated applications. A report from the Yankee Group has forecast continued growth in wireless data revenue as consumers move beyond text messaging to using data content services and applications. It estimates that mobile service revenue will… Continue reading Data Services To Boost Mobile Market

December saw a marked increase in activity at leading agencies as the account pipeline remained strong. There were a number of significant wins for Publicis which clinched the Lehman Brothers 2003 New Business Title. Following a strong November (see Strong Agency Account Activity In November), there was a 40% year on year increase in account… Continue reading Publicis Tops 2003 New Business League