Shareholders at WPP today approved the acquisition of Young & Rubicam, which will create the world’s largest advertising agency. The $4.7bn takeover deal was confirmed in May this year (see WPP Buys Young & Rubicam For $4.7bn). WPP is issuing 0.835 new American Depositary Receipts for each Young & Rubicam share. It is expected completion… Continue reading Shareholders Approve WPP/Y&R Deal

Yesterday’s trading statement by Granada Media, coupled with a downgrade at the beginning of the week by Merrill Lynch, has caused shares in the company to fall very steeply. Between Monday and close on Wednesday, Granada Media stock has lost 23.6% in value, closing at 438p on Wednesday. The trading statement, whilst on the whole… Continue reading Granada Stock Fall ‘Could Be Worrying’ Says FT

The merger of United News & Media’s ITV assets received overwhelming approval from its shareholders. At an extraordinary general meeting the majority voted in favour of a sale to Granada Media, following the announcement of the deal in July this year. Sir Roland Hampel, chairman of United, said: “United’s shareholders have recognised the outstanding value… Continue reading United Shareholders Approve Granada Merger

Shares in Granada Media continued to tumble this morning after the company issued a trading statement predicting a slowdown in ad revenue during 2001. After a significant downgrade from Merrill Lynch sent shares sliding yesterday, stock fell a further 12% after the group said it could not match the high levels of ad revenue growth… Continue reading Granada Predicts Slowdown In Ad Revenue, Announces Completion Of United Deal

Almost half of all adults in the UK have accessed the internet at some time, according to the latest quarterly survey from the Office of National Statistics. A total 45% – or 20.4m adults – have logged on at least once, although those embracing the new technology are increasingly male and from the professional classes.… Continue reading Almost Half Of All Adults Now Online

The older woman recently became one of the latest targets for consumer magazine publishers, with a flurry of launches into this relatively unbroken sector. Over in radioland it seems that the older audience has also been pinpointed as fertile ground for new services. Much has been written about the untapped potential for advertisers in the… Continue reading Insight Analysis: Radio Stations Look To Older Listeners To Expand Reach

Shares in Granada Media tumbled today after a “significant” downgrade by Merrill Lynch wiped 21% from its 2001 profit forecast. Prices slipped almost 9% as the bank highlighted ITV advertising softness, “conservative accounting” for the United TV assets and additional digital new media costs as contributing factors in its decision. Carlton Communications prices fell by… Continue reading Granada And Carlton Stock Tumbles After Downgrade

Silver surfers are tipped to be the next growth audience on the internet, according to the latest research from Forrester. By 2005, 3.2m retired people will be online in the UK and will present a huge opportunity to advertisers and online businesses. Increased leisure time and a love of communication are helping to push retired… Continue reading Silver Surfers’ Speed Catches Advertisers Unaware

Fears that personal video recorders could bring an end to television advertising as we know it could soon be abated. The companies that are revolutionising the way people watch television, letting them pre-record programmes and fast-forward past commercials at the push of a button, are still giving marketers a chance to catch viewers’ attention. TiVo… Continue reading Insight Analysis: Personal Video Recorders To Offer Tool For Advertisers

Broadband cable internet access is expected to accelerate its growth following under-performance so far. In the US broadband is predicted to grow by six times to 32 million users by 2003, according to eMarketer. Full growth has been stalled so far in US after internet service providers (ISPs) struggled provide broadband services and the costs… Continue reading Broadband Net Access Set For Growth In US