Concerns over the inexperience and intentions of new BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch are likely to prolong uncertainty at the company, according to city analysts. The appointment of Murdoch, youngest son of media baron Rupert, has irked shareholders concerned that the family may be exerting too great an influence at the satellite broadcaster (see Murdoch’s… Continue reading BSkyB Coronation Could Cause Disruption, Says Merrill Lynch

Clear Channel Communications saw turnover rise in the third quarter of 2003 but the flat performance of the radio division shows that this sector remains slow. Total revenues at the US media corporation rose by 9% to $2.54 billion with net profits coming in at $636.0 million, up from $212.5 million in 2002. The gain… Continue reading Clear Channel Waiting On Radio Recovery

Carlton and Granada have confirmed that the former head of Lloyds TSB Sir Brian Pitman is to become interim chairman of ITV plc (see Allen Deal Could Spark Fresh Shareholder Dispute). A steering committee of six non-executive directors, three from Carlton and three from Granada, met earlier today to discuss the future of the board,… Continue reading ITV Plc Unveils Steering Committee

NTL, the UK’s largest cable operator, has unveiled plans to raise $1.43 billion to enable the firm to regain its financial footing. Under the terms of the proposed rights issue, 35.8 million shares will be offered at $40 each, the objective being to reduce the company’s debt to around $5.3 billion. Current shareholders will receive… Continue reading NTL Outlines Details Of Rights Issue

BSkyB is bracing itself for a torrent of shareholder unrest following the appointment of James Murdoch, son of group chairman Rupert Murdoch, as its new chief executive. According to Sky, James Murdoch was appointed following the unanimous recommendation of a four-member nomination committee of non-executive board members. As a result the board had the simple… Continue reading Murdoch’s Son Lands Top Job At BSkyB

Mirror Group Newspapers has appointed Clare Dove as its new Director of Advertising. Dove, who will take up the position in January next year, will have responsibility for the ad sales operations of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and the People. She will report to Ellis Watson, General Manager of Mirror Group Newspapers. Prior to… Continue reading MGN Appoints New Director Of Advertising

Worldwide advertising expenditure will rise by 1.7% this year and by 3.2% in 2004, driven by a stronger market in the United States, according to the latest Ad Barometer report from Interdeco. The figures concur with recent commentary that conditions in Europe are weaker, whilst the US markets continue to show more positive growth. European… Continue reading Global Advertising Forecasts From Ad Barometer

The growing popularity of digital outdoor products was highlighted at the annual outdoor advertising show, Inside Outdoor. During the show, held at Islington’s Business Design Centre, a broad range of delegates including outdoor specialists, advertisers and media and creative agencies discussed new developments in outdoor and ambient media. Digital technology was at the heart of… Continue reading Outdoor Ad Show Celebrates Digital Advances

Until now, text messaging has been generally regarded as a leisure time pursuit primarily used to communicate with friends. However, it also has value in the workplace and the Mobile Data Association has taken steps to gauge this. In a poll of 300 UK business managers, the MDA found that 40% send SMS messages as… Continue reading Mobile Industry Assesses Potential Of Business Texting

New research from Reuters Business Insight and TNS has revealed that advertisers are ignoring older consumers, despite the fact they are set to become the mainstream market. This is the latest in a long line of studies to focus on consumers’ growing disquiet with advertising’s obsession with youth. Reuters claims that by 2006, the over-55s… Continue reading New Research Urges Marketers To Target Grey Pound