Former ITV CEO Richard Eyre has called for a more open minded approach to behavioural targeting – “a game changer for advertisers”.Speaking at today’s ISBA conference, he said it may be “easier to attack than defend”, but there were huge opportunities here for advertisers. If this can get past the “privacy zealots and media vegans”… Continue reading Eyre backs behavioural targeting to replace our “geriatric advertising measures”

ITV has reported an adjusted pre-tax profit fall of 41% in 2008 to £167 million and a 32% drop in earnings before interest, tax and amortisation to £211 million. Annual revenues fell 3% from 2007 to £2.03 billion. Advertising revenues fell 4% to £1.43 billion, compared to a 5% fall in the overall TV market,… Continue reading ITV reports 41% fall in profits for 2008

US online ad spending in the first-quarter of 2009 will see a year on year fall for the first time since 2001, according to a recent forecast from IDC. IDC said that US online ad spending was basically flat in the fourth quarter of 2008. During that time, search ads increased 10% while display and… Continue reading US online ad spending forecast to fall in Q1 2009

US internet users aged 12-28 have embraced online applications that enable communicative, creative, and social uses, according to new research from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Older users are more likely to engage in online activities that require some capital, such as travel reservations and online banking, the research found. It… Continue reading Younger US internet users embracing creative and social online applications

A new US study has found that light PC internet users are 30% more likely than heavy PC internet users to use their mobile devices to access online content. The results of the comScore study show that, in total, 42 million people in the US used their mobile devices in October 2008 to access news… Continue reading Light PC internet users more likely to go online via mobile than heavy PC internet users

Clear Channel Outdoor’s worldwide revenue was flat year on year during 2008, although it fell 16% year on year in the fourth quarter. Revenue at Clear Channel’s international division was up by approximately $62.3 million in 2008, mainly brought about by movements in foreign exchange. There was, however, a slight revenue decline in the UK.… Continue reading Revenues flat at Clear Channel Outdoor

Havas has reported a rise in net income of 25% for 2008, to €104 million, with net debt down to €79 million. The group, whose operations include Euro RSCG, Havas Media and Arnold Worldwide, saw organic growth grow 4.7% while its operating margin was 12.1%, up from 8.2% in 2006. Havas said that its new… Continue reading Havas reports strong performance in 2008

Pearson, owner of the Financial Times, has reported an increase in sales and operating profits for 2008. The company, which also owns Penguin books, saw its strongest profit growth at the FT Group, up 13%. Online showed impressive growth for the FT Group last year, with 67% of revenues coming from digital services, up from… Continue reading Pearson reports increase in sales and operating profits

Interpublic Group’s revenues fell 4.1% year on year in the three months to December. The group’s revenues dropped to $1.9 billion (£1.33 billion) in the fourth quarter. US operations saw a 1.9% decline in revenues while there was a 6.3% decline in international revenues. Michael Roth, Interpublic chairman and chief executive, said: “The latter part… Continue reading Interpublic’s revenues fall 4.1%

Screen Digest is forecasting UK advertising revenue to drop by 8.4% in 2009 as marketer’s confidence falls to its lowest point and several major client industries such as finance, retail and automotive retract budgets. As prices have hit an all-time low, TV advertising is set to decline by 7.7% in 2009, predicts Screen Digest. Amplified… Continue reading UK ad revenue to drop 8% in 2009