Vincent Bolloré, chairman of Havas, has increased his stake in Aegis, the UK media buying group, to almost 30%. Bolloré Group, Bolloré’s holding company, has increased its holding in Aegis from 29.15% to 29.86%, almost reaching the threshold where it would have to make a bid for the company. So far, Bolloré has made four… Continue reading Bolloré Increases Aegis Stake

Google has unveiled a new model of advertising on its video-sharing website YouTube, which aims to be much more effective than any other ad formats currently on the site.The “TV-style”, animated overlay, which will cover the bottom 20% of a video, will appear after 15 seconds of a clip has played. YouTube says that the… Continue reading Google Unveils New Ad Format On YouTube

Heart FM is to expand its content production services to offer its clients video, online and experiential marketing opportunities.The service, lead by Ian Fish, Heart’s former head of production in the Midlands, will be based at the 100.7 Heart FM offices in central Birmingham.The radio brand will be extending programming, sponsorship and promotions activities for… Continue reading Heart Expands Client Capabilities

The most widely circulated magazine in the UK, Sky’s customer magazine, has been relaunched by News Magazines.The newly renamed Skymag has been revamped in a bid to be more appealing to ABC1 women, introducing a raft of TV personalities as columnists in a bid to up the glossy ante on the title and make it… Continue reading Revamp For UK’s Biggest Consumer Mag

Two Lochs Radio, a not for profit Scottish radio station, is selling radio spots on eBay at £7.20 a go, having picked up on a growing trend in America to sell airtime on Google and the online auction site.According to a report on the Radio Today website, one of the questions on eBay says: “Can… Continue reading Radio Station Sells Ads On eBay

Consumer group Which? has today released a report claiming the use of characters to promote high fat, salt and sugar foods undermines parental efforts to help children eat healthily, drawing criticism from the Advertising Association.The AA has said that the ‘Cartoon Heroes and Villains’ report, which warns that biscuits and other snacks are being promoted… Continue reading Which? Report Says Advertisers Still Pushing Junk Food On Children

Emap Consumer Media has strengthened its team of digital experts with the appointment of two new digital directors and a head of business development.Ralph Percival has been appointed as the new specialist digital director and Andrew Robb has been appointed as lifestyle digital director.Percival will concentrate on the specialist portfolio which spans brands including Motorcycle… Continue reading Emap Consumer Media Strengthens Digital Team

Virgin Media’s CEO, Steve Burch, is to leave the company with immediate effect, citing family and personal reasons.Burch, who joined the company in January 2006, will return to the US having stepped down from the Virgin Media board.It is understood that Neil Berkett, chief operating officer, will take over from Burch until a full-time replacement… Continue reading Virgin Media CEO Steps Down

RadioCentre, the industry body for UK Commercial Radio has announced that national revenue figures for the Q2 period have risen to over £85 million – a healthy 3.4% increase year-on-year.Local revenue for Q2 grew 1.2% year on year to over 40 million and sponsorship & promotions revenue dipped slightly down to 24 million, but overall,… Continue reading Commercial Radio Revenues Increase

A new report from OPera Media says that the global economy remains on track for continued strong expansion in 2007 and 2008, with the UK economy expected to continue growing on, or near, its 2.5% long run trend in 2007 and 2008. Overall, says OPera, the UK economic picture is positive, with a stable labour… Continue reading Global Economy Remains On Track For Continued Expansion