Saturday saw BBC One’s new dance show DanceX hit our screens, with host Ben Shephard spurring on top choreographers Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli as they go head-to-head searching for a new dancing and singing group.The first show in the series, clearly intended for those of us who like nothing better than a passionate paso… Continue reading DanceX Makes A Triumphant Start

Greg Dyke, former director general of the BBC, has said that ITV cannot survive as an independent company, according to reports.Dyke, who led a failed private equity take-over of the broadcaster last year (see ITV Rejects Second Bid By Defeated Dyke Consortium), said ITV would have to be taken over, or hit the acquisition trail… Continue reading Former BBC Director General Hits Out At ITV

The latest Bellwether report, for Q2 2007, shows that ad budgets are growing at their fastest rate for seven years. Marketing budgets were revised up for the second successive quarter, with one in five companies reporting upward revisions. The internet again saw by far the strongest gain in Q2, now accounting for an estimated 6%… Continue reading Q2 2007 Bellwether: Marketing Budgets Revised Up

Spending on online marketing in Europe will double in the next five years, from around €7.5 billion in 2006 to more than €16 billion in 2012, according to a new report by Forrester Research. In five years, online marketing – including email, search, and display advertising – will represent 18% of total media budgets. According… Continue reading Online Adspend Set To Double

Emap has acquired Torcello Publishing Limited, owner of Infrastructure Journal, a subscription-based online information service aimed at the infrastructure project finance market, £20 million. Infrastructure Journal is an online news and information service providing subscription services and networking events for participants in the project finance market. Infrastructure Journal is a global business with 70% of… Continue reading Emap Acquires Torcello For £20 Million

Tiscali is to acquire Pipex Communications’ broadband and voice division for £210 million. The Division, which has more than one million customers, was expecting 2007 sales of over £300 million. Mary Turner, CEO of Tiscali UK, said: “The acquisition of Pipex’s broadband and voice division further cements Tiscali’s position as a fully integrated telecom and… Continue reading Pipex To Sell Broadband Division To Tiscali For £210 Million

A survey has revealed multinational computer technology corporation Microsoft as the number one brand in the UK.Brand monitoring group Superbrands surveyed 3,000 consumers for its annual rankings, which put Microsoft top, followed by Coca-Cola, Google, the BBC, BP, British Airways, Lego, Guinness, Mercedes-Benz and Cadbury. Brands falling out of the top 10 this year included… Continue reading Microsoft Tops Brand Poll

The ABC has defended its decision to allow newspaper circulation figures that may be boosted by promotions and give-aways.The audit body has come under attack from the Entertainment Retail Association, the trade body that represents the UK’s music, film and games retailers, following a Mail On Sunday deal offering Prince’s new album for free with… Continue reading ABC Says Newspaper Promotions To Boost Circulation Are Not Against The Rules

GCap Media has appointed Robin Pembrooke, director of product operations at Yahoo! Europe, to the new position of group director of online and interactive operations.Pembrooke will be responsible for leading and managing the creation of a portfolio of online brands and interactive services across analogue, DAB radio, online and via mobile or TV.He will report… Continue reading GCap Appoints Director Of Online And Interactive

ITV’s commissioning executive Liam Keelan will return to the BBC as its new daytime controller.Keelan will rejoin the BBC after just 18 months at ITV as controller of daytime.He left his role as BBC One scheduler early last year, when he was hired by then newly arrived ITV director of television, Simon Shaps, as part… Continue reading ITV Exec Will Return To The BBC