In its latest media economy forecasts, Optimedia predicts that UK advertising will see an upturn in Q3 2002 and boldly forecasts that a decline of 2% in overall growth in 2001 will be followed by a 2% increase in 2002. Estimated Total Advertising Revenue and Inflation    2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  £ millions… Continue reading Media Revenue & Inflation Forecasts From Optimedia

In a pre-conference trading statement today, Cordiant Communications revealed that underlying profits were likely to decline by around 9% for the full year, compared to previous expectations of 5% (see Shares Slump As Cordiant Issues Profits Warning). The group says that market conditions remain “exceptionally difficult” and that the acceleration of decline in the second… Continue reading Cordiant Makes Further Jobs Cuts As 2001 Revenue Predictions Fall Further

Aegis Group have announced the acquisition of Research Fact, a Japanese market research company for an initial consideration of £1 million. There is also deferred cash consideration, subject to performance criteria, payable over the next three years. Research Fact had revenues of approximately £3.5 million during the year ended 30 June 2001. This acquisition extends… Continue reading Aegis Extends Interests In Japan

Carlton Communications Plc has announced the launch of a bond, exchangeable into shares in Thomson multimedia, which expected to raise approximately £311 million in cash with an option to increase the issue by up to a further £62 million. The exchangeable bond, which will mature in 2007, is expected to carry a coupon of between… Continue reading Carlton Launches Thomson Bond To Raise Cash

The PPA reports that the value of the UK magazine market grew by 12.1% to reach £3.1bn between 1999 and 2000, according new data from Euromonitor. The UK has demonstrated better growth than France and Germany, whose magazine markets grew by 0.7 % and 2.3% respectively in the same period. According to Euromonitor the UK… Continue reading Euromonitor Reports Impressive Growth In Men’s Magazine Market

eMarketer reveals in its ‘North America Wireless Report’ that the number of mobile phones in the US is approaching 125 million making it one of the largest wireless markets in the world. Growth of wireless opportunities will be strong, says eMarketer thanks to a growing user base of young people and increasing corporate demand for… Continue reading Wireless Internet Forecasts From eMarketer

Starcom Worldwide, a division of Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) the media network of Bcom3, and Thomas Koch Media have announced that they are to merge their operations in Germany. The new company will be called TKM Starcom and will become the fifth largest media agency in Germany. Thomas Koch, currently chief executive of Thomas Koch… Continue reading Starcom Worldwide Strengthens Presence In Germany

Granada released its preliminary end of year results this morning revealing losses of £185 million for the year and admitting that more jobs would have to go. In addition to the widespread downturn in the advertising market, Granada faces mounting losses at ITV Digital. Losses at Granada’s digital media division, which includes ITV Digital, rose… Continue reading ITV Digital Losses Weigh Heavy On Granada As Job Losses Continue

Jack Myers today reiterated his forecasts for 2002 ad spending saying that “the economic indicators that we study do not look as positive [as other analysts might suggest]”. Myers forecasts that the best-case scenario for ad spending in 2002 is an overall decline of 1.7% and that worst-case sees ad spend falling by 7.4%. Most… Continue reading Myers Restates “Pessimistic” Ad Forecasts

European online retail spending will rise by 160% year on year this Christmas season, reaching a value of ₏4.1 billion, according to a new report from Forrester Research. Just under a quarter of all European online sales for the year will take place in December. The UK leads the way, with consumers accounting for 34%… Continue reading European Online Retail To Reach E4.1bn This Christmas