Independent News & Media has issued an upbeat trading statement in which it claims to be generating revenues in excess of 2002 levels and is on target to deliver encouraging interim results. The group, which owns The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and the Belfast Telegraph, said that circulation revenues continued to grow in all… Continue reading INM Reports Strong Start To Year

The latest global advertising forecasts from ZenithOptimedia offer a mixed prognosis for the industry with regional variances providing cause for consideration. The media services agency continues to predict full-year growth of 2.9% in current currency and 1.0% in constant currencies. Worldwide ad expenditure for 2002 came in at $315.3 billion, representing an improvement over 2001… Continue reading Worldwide Advertising Forecasts From ZenithOptimedia

Until now, Central and Eastern Europe has been considered something of a broadband backwater but DSL is beginning to have an impact and the number of high speed internet connections is expected to double this year. In its recent study, Central and Eastern Europe Broadband Access Services Forecast and Analysis, 2002-2007, IDC examined services in… Continue reading DSL To Drive CEE Broadband Subscriptions

Almost one in six UK internet users spend more than £100 online per month, according to a study from the Royal Bank of Scotland. The survey, carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres, found that net users spend an average of £86 on web purchases each month. Men spend more than women, averaging £95 per month… Continue reading UK Becoming A Nation Of Internet Shoppers

The Government now looks almost certain to bow to pressure from the House of Lords and accept Lord Puttnam’s plurality test amendment to the Communications Bill, in a move that will end the long running deadlock over the relaxation of the media ownership regulations (see Puttnam Threatens To Quash Communications Bill). The proposal to impose… Continue reading Government Almost Certain To Accept Puttnam Proposal

WPP has cleared one of the last hurdles en route to the acquisition of Cordiant Communications by agreeing to buy out the outstanding debt held by a US investment fund. The global advertising group has paid £90 million to Cerberus Capital Management, a week after offering £266 million to take control of Cordiant and its… Continue reading WPP Raises Stakes In Cordiant Tug Of War

The Institute Of Practitioners In Advertising has strengthened its opposition to the proposed £2.6 billion merger of Carlton and Granada and has branded plans to regulate the way in which ITV sells airtime advertising as “flawed, complex and dangerously open to abuse”. Earlier this week both the IPA and ISBA appeared before the Competition Commission… Continue reading Advertisers Strengthen Opposition To ITV Merger

Reports have emerged that US media giant Viacom is set to bid for some of the entertainment assets of Vivendi Universal, taking to six the number of parties that have expressed interest in the businesses. Vivendi announced two months ago that it was prepared to listen to offers for its US entertainment division which comprises… Continue reading Viacom May Bid For Vivendi Cable Assets

Online video advertising is poised to experience noticeable growth this year but spending will still account for only a small proportion of interactive adspend. Jupiter Research reports that 65% of marketers plan to try online video advertising this year, up from just 38% in 2002. However, investment will remain low with just 25% intending to… Continue reading Online Video Advertising Grows In Popularity

Wi-fi hotspots are one of the main talking points in the Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT) sector at the present time with observers divided over the potential impact of wireless LAN. WLAN relies on radio waves to transfer data with laptop and PDA users able to access the internet at high speeds of up to… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Sense Of Realism Needed In WLAN Market