For reference, the following table shows forecasts for advertising expenditure of GDP in selected countries. The overall trend is that ad expenditure as a percentage of GDP is falling in the short term, particularly in North America and Europe. Analysts at Merrill Lynch note that there is often enthusiasm for emerging markets as advertisers in… Continue reading Advertising Expenditure As Percentage Of GDP For Selected Countries

Confidence amongst senior marketers in the UK has now hit ‘rock bottom’, according to the latest figures from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). The organisation says that in contrast to just three months ago – when 19% of executives believed that sales plans were achievable – now just 3% of marketers believe they can… Continue reading UK Marketing Confidence Plummets To All Time Low

The value of the Western European broadband access market is set to quadruple in the next four years, according to figures from The Yankee Group. The research firm estimates that high-speed internet services generated almost $4.7 billion (€4.3 billion) in revenue last year. DSL is expected to drive future growth and it is forecasted that… Continue reading European Broadband Revenues On The Rise

New digital terrestrial television operator, Freeview, has sold over half a million set top boxes in the four months since its launch, according to the BBC’s director of marketing and communications, Andy Duncan. Speaking at the FT New Media & Broadcasting conference earlier today, Duncan confirmed that Freeview has overtaken its now collapsed predecessor, ITV… Continue reading Freeview Customers Surpass ITV Digital’s Total

Revenues at the FT Group, publisher of the Financial Times newspaper, declined by 8% in 2002, largely as a result of the weak advertising conditions. The poor economy also had a slightly negative effect on newsstand sales, parent group Pearson said this morning in its year-end financial results. The Financial Times newspaper itself saw underlying… Continue reading FT Ad Revenues Drop 24% In 2002, No 2003 Recovery Seen

Venture Capitalist group, Candover Partners, which held takeover talks with Trinity Mirror last year, is reported to be considering making a fresh bid for the newspaper group. Candover, in partnership with another private equity group, Apax, held talks with Trinity Mirror last year about a possible deal (see Trinity Mirror Rumoured To Have Received Take-Over… Continue reading Venture Capitalist Group Mulls Fresh Trinity Mirror Bid

There are some mixed messages coming from the media and advertising sector at present and it feels somewhat unclear whether we are heading into a period of gradual recovery, or whether conditions actually began to dip towards the end of last year as economies weakened. One indication of weakness is the decision by analysts at… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – February 2003

US online retail sales exceeded $14 billion in the final quarter of 2002, according to a new report from the Department of Commerce. The study calculated that e-commerce sales surged by 28.2% year on year to $14.33 billion. This in turn was an increase of 29.3% on the Q3 figure of $11.06 billion (see US… Continue reading US Online Sales Hit New High In Q4

Cable’s dominant position in the US multichannel television market is under threat, as a growing number of subscribers are choosing to leave their operator and switch to a new access provider. This is the conclusion of recent analysis by technology researchers at The Yankee Group. in spite of the efforts being made to promote digital… Continue reading Cable Fights To Maintain Multichannel Pre-eminence

The tough advertising conditions in the US hi-tech market were largely responsible for a 24% decline in 2002 pre-tax profits at United Business Media (UBM), according to the group’s financial results released today. Overall group pre-tax profits, before goodwill and exceptionals, were down from 2001’s £95.9 million to £72.9 million last year. However, regionally, the… Continue reading UBM Profits Fall 24% In Tough US Ad Conditions