The UK economy is predicted to grow by 2.8% this year, driven mainly by consumer spending and investments, according to a new forecast from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The NIESR adds that after rising in 2005 by 1.4%, the slowest pace since 1992, personal consumption increased by 1.9% in 2006… Continue reading UK Economy Predicted To Grow 2.8%

The latest advertising forecast from Merrill Lynch estimates 5.0% UK advertising growth in 2007, higher than the UK forecasts from both Aegis and Zenith. The financial analyst forecasts 3.6% global advertising growth in 2007, comprising 4.3% Western European growth, 4.0% Latin American growth, 5.0% Asia Pacific growth and 2.9% US growth. This is lower than… Continue reading 5.0% Ad Growth Forecast For UK In 2007

GMG Radio is to rebrand its newly acquired Saga stations as Smooth Radio in the middle of March, taking its number of Smooth stations to six.GMG acquired the three Saga stations in December 2006 (see Saga For Guardian Media Group), although the acquisition was only formally completed this week.As part of the March rebrand, the… Continue reading GMG’s Saga Stations Go Smooth

Emap is apparently in serious discussions with Channel 4 about joining the 4Radio bid for the second national digital multiplex.According to reports in the trade press, Emap is expected to announce plans to attach one of its magazine titles to the bid.In December it was rumoured that 4Radio might join with UBC Media and UTV… Continue reading Emap Could Join 4Radio Second Multiplex Bid

The editor of the Evening Standard, Veronica Wadley, has claimed that readers are coming back to the title having tried the afternoon free papers currently available in the capital.Wadley was talking to the Guardian as the Evening Standard launches a new advertising campaign using the slogan ‘There are papers. Then there are Standards’.Wadley said of… Continue reading Editor Says Readers Returning To The Standard

GCap Media has announced that it has renewed Johnny Vaughan’s contract to host Capital Radio London’s Breakfast Show in an exclusive three year deal.Johnny has been presenting the Capital Radio breakfast show since April 2004, taking over from Chris Tarrant.At the last RAJARs, released in October, Capital Radio remained London’s top breakfast station, with over… Continue reading Johnny Vaughan Signs New Capital Contract

IPC Media has appointed Andy Cowles, currently creative director, to the role of editorial development director.Cowles will take up his post on February 12 and will work closely with the IPC Media board and publishing and editorial teams on the strategic development of new magazine and online concepts, as well as on the re-development of… Continue reading IPC Appoints New Editorial Development Director

News Corporation has become a strategic investor in online video company ROO Group, for an estimated $12 million (£6 million). Roo Group currently handles video distribution for the News Corporation’s The Times and The Australian online versions. Under the agreement News Corporation will receive up to a 5% interest of the current fully diluted shares… Continue reading News Corp Invests In Online Video Company

New research from Informa Telecoms & Media shows that legitimate online TV and video services will generate revenues of US$6.3 billion in 2012, almost ten times the 2006 figure. Informa says that advertising will consistently outperform a la carte and subscription-based download services in terms of revenue generation and North America will be the largest… Continue reading Online TV Revenues To Grow Massively

The number of mobile phone users accessing the internet on their handsets continued to grow during the last quarter of 2006, according to figures announced today by the Mobile Data Association (MDA). An overall total of 45.6 million unique users were recorded as having used their phones for downloads and browsing the mobile internet in… Continue reading Mobile Internet User Numbers Grow