The US competition regulator the Federal Trade Commission given approval to Google’s $3.1 billion (£1.5 billion) acquisition of DoubleClick. The acquisition was cleared by the FTC by four votes to one, with the regulator saying that the takeover was “unlikely to substantially lessen competition”. The decision is the culmination of an eight month investigation into… Continue reading US Regulator Approves Google DoubleClick Deal

Ofcom has unveiled figures showing that third quarter Freeview sales stood at almost 2.4 million, the platform’s second strongest quarter ever. Ofcom’s Digital Television Progress Report found that sales were driven by digital TVs, which accounted for just over 50% of Freeview sales and consistent set top box sales which have increased by 20% year-on-year.… Continue reading Strong Q3 Sales Figures For Freeview

US advertisers are expected to spend $1.6 billion on social networks in 2008, a year on year rise of 69%, according to the latest figures from eMarketer. Debra Aho Williamson, author of the report, said: “In 2007, 37% of the US adult internet population and 70% of teens used online social networking at least once… Continue reading US Advertisers To Spend $1.6bn On Social Networks In 2008

If the magazine industry focused on initiatives to encourage more sampling of the wide range of magazine titles it would see an impressive sales uplift, according to new research.The research was carried out as part of the Periodical Publishers’ Association’s (PPA) Magazine Week initiative, designed to boost sales and increase awareness of the diversity of… Continue reading Magazine Sampling “Boosts Sales”

GCap Media has entered a co-marketing campaign with iTunes including a series of integrated initiatives aiming to simplify the consumer journey between music discovery and purchase.Specific initiatives will see GCap embed contextual links to the iTunes store within their online players, playlists and relevant articles across the portfolio of 53 websites.Radio listeners will also be… Continue reading GCap And iTunes In Co-Marketing Campaign

The Competition Commission has recommended that Sky be forced to sell down its 17.9% stake in ITV to under 7.5%.The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform today published the 163 page Competition Commission report, which found that the acquisition could be “expected to operate against the public interest”.The Competition Commission said that there are… Continue reading Competition Commission Recommends Sky Sell Down ITV Stake

The share of the UK internet population made up of ‘Silver Surfers’ (55+ year olds) has increased from 16% to 19% over the past year (October 2006 -October 2007), according to the latest research from Nielsen Online.Nielsen Online said that during the same period, the share made up of under 25s has decreased from 29%… Continue reading Silver Surfers Claim Larger Share Of UK Online Population

Ofcom has fined Channel 4 a total of £1.5 million for misconduct in viewer competitions in Richard and Judy (the You Say We Pay competition) and Deal or no Deal programmes.Channel Four was found in breach of the following rules:Rule 2.11 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, which came into effect on 25 July 2005, “Competitions… Continue reading Ofcom Fines Channel 4 £1.5m Over Phone In Quizzes

Fru Hazlitt has been appointed chief executive of GCap Media with immediate effect. Hazlitt currently serves as an executive director of GCap as managing director, GCap London.As announced by GCap on November 23, 2007, current Chief Executive Ralph Bernard signalled his intention to step down on appointment of his replacement (see Ralph Bernard Steps Down… Continue reading Fru Hazlitt Appointed GCap Chief Executive

The BBC has unveiled the first phase of its multimedia campaign for the iPlayer, which launches on Christmas Day.The first phase of the campaign will feature a mix of on and off-air activity, with key BBC talent highlighting their own unmissable moments from BBC Television.Nationwide city screens, street-live screens and large format posters will feature… Continue reading BBC Unveils iPlayer Multimedia Campaign