WPP has reported a 3.8% rise in pre-tax profit and a 2.7% rise in like-for-like revenues for 2008. The global marketing services group reported profits of £747 million for the year and an operating margin of 15%, although this was below its target of 15.3%, which WPP said was due to a weak fourth quarter.… Continue reading WPP reports 3.8% rise in pre-tax profits for 2008

ABC figures for February reveal that the London Evening Standard‘s circulation was down 5.3% period on period and 3.7% year on year, to around 277,500 copies.Afternoon freesheets the London Lite and thelondonpaper remained static period on period, with distribution figures of around 401,000 and just under 501,000 respectively.Morning business freesheet City AM once again saw… Continue reading Evening Standard sees circulation dip

Malcolm Wall, chief executive of Virgin Media’s content division, is to leave the company next month.The news follows reports that Virgin Media is to sell its content business (see Virgin Media could sell content division in next few weeks).Virgin Media’s content division, thought to be worth about £500 million, includes assets such as the company’s… Continue reading Virgin Media content chief to step down

In a wide-ranging address on the future media landscape, Richard Eyre (a director of Guardian Media Group) painted a gloomy picture for the future of print at yesterday’s Annual ISBA conference in London.“Inside 18 months, the first titles will become online only.” This will include some nationals, Eyre added. “Newspapers are kidding themselves if they… Continue reading Eyre: Expect first nationals to close within 18 months

David Brennan, research and strategy director of Thinkbox, speaking at ISBA’s annual conference yesterday, pointed to the “serious growth” in use of TV over the internet (or Me TV as he labelled it), and described the advertising opportunities around this as a “real extension to broadcast TV”.Brennan bemoaned the lack of audience research data to… Continue reading Thinkbox uses ISBA platform to urge BARB to “get a move on”

William Hill is launching a direct response outdoor advertising campaign to run on 5,000 Clear Channel Outdoor 6-sheets across the UK.The campaign was planned by communications planning agency Edwards, Groom Saunders.The creative invites new customers to call 0800 44 40 40 and quote ‘POSTER’ with the incentive of receiving a £30 free bet, when they… Continue reading William Hill launches campaign on 5,000 Clear Channel Outdoor 6-sheets

The vast majority of US adult consumers still consider the print editions of newspapers and magazines indispensable sources of news and entertainment, a survey has found. The survey, from public relations firm The Rosen Group, polled Americans about the current state of media, and what might be in store for the future. Nearly 80% of… Continue reading US adults still consider print media valuable entertainment source

Video-on-demand (VoD) libraries and widgets will be the first generation of video services driving adoption of connected television experiences in the U.S., according to a new report from Parks Associates. Parks Associates said that consumer electronics manufacturers and service providers will benefit from higher margins and ARPU generation in providing these web-like experiences via the… Continue reading Strong US interest in VoD libraries and TV widgets

Associated Newspapers’ free morning title Metro suffered double-digit declines in advertising revenues for the first quarter of the year. Managing director Steve Auckland revealed that the drop in advertising follows single digit declines between October and December last year. Auckland said: “The paper is still profitable, but it has suffered a double-digit decline in ad… Continue reading Metro suffered double-digit ad revenue declines in Q1 2009

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