Global market research firm, Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), has this morning confirmed that it plans to buy NFO Worldgroup for $425 million. The announcement comes after a preliminary statement from TNS last week, in which it confirmed that discussions with NFO’s owner, Interpublic Group, were underway (see Taylor Nelson Looks At NFO WorldGroup Acquisition). Based… Continue reading TNS Shares Jump On $425m NFO Worldgroup Acquisition

Omnicom and WPP are performing most strongly of the major global agencies, whilst Havas and Interpublic Group are weaker, according to the recent round of first quarter financial results. Data compiled by Lehman Brothers in the graph below show that Omnicom’s figures are considerably ahead for both organic growth and reported revenues, whilst Havas remains… Continue reading First Quarter Ad Agency Performance Comparisons

US radio advertising revenues fell by 2.0% year on year in March, reversing a stronger trend that had been established in January and February. National dollars rose by 4%, whilst local spend fell by 3%, according to the latest figures from the US Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB). The decline in local spending was attributed by… Continue reading US Radio Revenues Dip 2% In March After Strong Start To The Year

Almost one hundred million homes, equivalent to 10% of global TV households, will have access to digital television by the end of this year, according to a new report from Informa Media. The information provider says that by the close of 2003, the number of DTV households will have effectively tripled in the space of… Continue reading Digital TV Approaches 100 Million Homes

BSkyB added 150,000 subscribers to its digital satellite service in the third quarter of its financial year, beating the consensus expectations. Analysts had predicted that there would be between 137,000 (Merrill Lynch) and 153,000 (Morgan Stanley), with Lehman Brothers forecasting 145,000 (see Morgan Stanley Expects 153k New Sky Subs In Q3). The group now has… Continue reading BSkyB Adds 150k New Subs In Q3, Strong Financials

Bertelsmann, the Germany-based global media group, is selling its scientific publishing arm, BertelsmannSpringer, to UK venture capitalist groups, Cinven and Candover. The two groups will pay €1.05 billion (£700 million) for the BertelsmannSpringer division, which comprises 70 different publishing companies. This deal will given the two private equity firms one of Europe’s largest publishers of… Continue reading UK Equity Groups Take BertelsmannSpringer For €1.1bn

The broadband market has defied the downturn in the rest of the telecoms and internet sector and ‘enjoyed striking growth’ across the globe in the last three years, according to The McKinsey Quarterly. This expansion is set to continue for the foreseeable future as consumers tap into the benefits of high-speed internet access. In its… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Broadband To Be A Boon For Business

The government today launched its ‘Get Started’ campaign in an attempt to encourage non-internet users to visit the web. According to a recent survey from the Office of National Statistics, some 38% of the UK population have never accessed the internet (see Internet Usage Up 16% In 2002, Says ONS). This has raised fears that… Continue reading UK Government Seeks To Bridge ‘Digital Divide’

BT faces a challenge to its hold on the UK residential telecoms market following news that two of the country’s leading supermarket groups are planning to launch services which will undercut the incumbent. According to weekend press reports, Talktalk, a joint venture from J Sainsbury and the mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse, will offer fixed… Continue reading BT Must Contend With New Fixed Services

Cordiant Communications this morning said that it is still in negotiations to reach a plan that will secure its future, following the devastating news of a key account loss a couple of weeks ago. Drinks group, Allied Domecq, announced that it intends to terminate the contract with Cordiant as of October this year; the advertising… Continue reading Cordiant Looks For Survival Plan