Regional newspaper publisher, Johnston Press, has this morning announced that Stuart Paterson will become the group’s next finance director, replacing Marco Chiappelli, who has retired. Paterson takes up the role on 16 July. Johnston Press is the UK’s fourth largest regional newspaper group with a total weekly circulation of around 6 million copies.

This week, leading representatives of the UK radio, TV and outdoor markets have been reporting on their successes and failures in recent months and looking to the future with varying degrees of optimism. On Tuesday, GWR released their full-year results which fell within expectations. Revenues from flagship station Classic FM were reported to be up… Continue reading Insight Analysis: Mixed Outlook For Old Media

The UK’s digital television industry is now the most developed in the world; so much so, that BSkyB has recently committed to switching off its analogue broadcast altogether sometime this summer. Not bad considering the service has only been running for two and a half years. Sky Digital now has 5.4 million subscribers and is… Continue reading Insight Analysis: Is The UK Turned On By Digital?

Global advertising and market research company, Aegis Group, announced today that it has acquired Demoscopie, a French market research business. Demoscopie is a custom research company based in Paris, with both quantitative and qualitative full service capabilities, specialising in both consumer and business-to-business research. It generated revenues of around £3.5 million last year. As part… Continue reading Aegis Builds Global Market Research Reach With French Acquisition

Stock in Carlton Communications was one of the worst performers on the FTSE100 this morning, following the group’s financial results in which it warned that it is not yet possible to predict when the ailing advertising market will begin to improve. The downturn in the ad market, exacerbated by the dotcom marketing boom of last… Continue reading Carlton Stock Dives On Indefinite Ad Downturn

Radio company Forever Broadcasting this morning said that it is seeking for further suitable acquisitions to build on its purchase this year of Surf 102.7FM in Brighton and 107.7FM The Wolf in Wolverhampton (see Forever Broadcasting Acquires The Wolf – 9 February 2001). Announcing the company’s interim financial results, chairman John Joseph said: “We are… Continue reading Forever Broadcasting Looks To Further Radio Acquisitions

Martin Boase, chairman of outdoor advertising contractor Maiden, yesterday told his company’s AGM that there has been a strong start to the year for outdoor advertising, despite a broader slowdown in the ad market. He said that Maiden’s record performance in 2000 has so far been carried over into this year. Despite a ‘more uncertain… Continue reading Maiden Chairman Offers Positive Outlook

A debate over whether to impose harmonised advertising laws across the European Union’s member states has emerged, according to a report on the FT.com website. The controversial plans to reform the EU’s advertising legislation will be unveiled in more detail in a green paper to be released next month. However, the FT reports that whilst… Continue reading EU Split Of Advertising Reform, Reports FT.com

Radio operator GWR Group has this morning reported full-year financial results in line with expectations and at the same time announced that chief executive Ralph Bernard is to become chairman of the group. Bernard will take the chair from Henry Meakin, a founder director of the company for 20 years and chairman for the last… Continue reading GWR Announces Board Changes As Results Come In Line With Expectations

Sky Digital viewers watching Wimbledon tennis on BBC1 and BBC2 through their digital receivers this year will be able to watch up to five live matches at a time using interactive technology. The BBC’s director of new media, Ashley Highfield, said, “I’m thrilled that by working together with Sky, the BBC can offer this groundbreaking… Continue reading BBC And Sky Team Up For Interactive Wimbledon Broadcasts