Regional newspaper group Archant has reported profits up 5.8% as a result of improving advertising sales in 2002. The newspaper group, ranked seventh amongst UK regional publishers, said that operating profit reached £27.7 million last year. This was based on turnover of £146.2 million, up 1.2% on 2001. Archant’s chief executive John Fry commented: “During… Continue reading Archant Sees Profits Rise In 2002

Still reeling from discouraging preliminary results and a shareholder revolt at its AGM last week, Reuters yesterday announced a 13% fall in group earnings for the first three months of 2003. The news and information provider said that underlying revenues totalled £798 million in the first quarter, down from £912 million in the same period… Continue reading Reuters Revenues Hit By Slump In Online Broking

US entertainment giant Viacom withstood ongoing pressures in the advertising marketplace and has reported a profit for the first quarter of 2003. The corporation has also agreed a deal to take full control of the the Comedy Central network. In the three months to March, Viacom, the world’s third largest media company, saw revenues rise… Continue reading Viacom Buoyed By First Quarter Earnings

The advance of digital technology has helped to stimulate cinema advertising and major brands are fast realising that they can deliver their message effectively to movie theatre audiences. Jack Myers reports that an increasing number of digital projectors are being installed in cinemas across the US. Digital screenings have received positive feedback from moviegoers (see… Continue reading Cinema Ads Hit The Mark In The US

Despite the uncertain economic and media environment, advertisers are continuing to shop around for their agencies, particularly in Europe. According to new figures from AdForum, the number searches for new agencies in Europe was up by 15% quarter on quarter in Q1 2003. The Index of Agency Search Activity also showed that client reviews in… Continue reading Agency Reviews On The Rise Despite Uncertain Climate

Expenditure on market research in the UK increased by 2.6% in 2002, according to new industry figures. The British Market Research Association (BMRA) calculates that MR spending totalled £1.18 billion last year. Domestic sales grew by 2.3% to £884 million while international research accounted for £292 million, a rise of 3.8%. These estimates are based… Continue reading Market Research Sector Grows 2.6% In 2002

The war in Iraq has had a significant short-term effect on media industry confidence, with the majority of senior professionals expecting the UK economy to decline over the next three months. The findings of a study carried out by the Media Guardian and NOP show that 51% of media owners, advertisers and media planners expect… Continue reading War Knocks Media Confidence In The Short-Term

Having so far escaped the advertising recession relatively unscathed, the UK’s regional press may be in for a tougher period as economic and consumer factors turn against the sector. According to economists and media analysts at Merrill Lynch, the outlook for critical factors is now ‘overwhelmingly negative’. Around 84% of regional newspaper advertising revenues are… Continue reading Conditions ‘Overwhelmingly Negative’ For UK Regional Press

According to press reports, Dennis Publishing has launched a bid for for the magazine company, I Feel Good as it seeks to extend its portfolio of titles in the UK. IFG announced last week that it had received a bid for its assets, which include adult comic Viz and lads mag Jack. The Sunday Times… Continue reading Dennis Linked With Move For IFG

Omnicom Group remained the world’s largest advertising organisation in revenue terms in 2002, according to the newly-released Advertising Age Agency Report from AdAge. The report shows that Omnicom’s 9.4% rise in revenues extended its lead over number two network, Interpublic Group, which saw an 8.7% decline year on year. With WPP remaining in third place… Continue reading Omnicom Holds Global Ad Network Top Spot