Mediaedge:cia (MEC), the WPP-owned media network, has shaken up its UK management team and named Tom George as its first UK CEO. George will now take responsibility for all aspects of the MEC UK business including sponsorship, interaction and MEC Manchester. Toby Jenner and Steve Hatch now become joint managing directors and Stuart Sullivan-Martin is… Continue reading Mediaedge:cia Appoints George As First UK CEO

Vincent Bollore has again failed in his bid to win two seats on Aegis’ board, with 94.2% of the votes not controlled by Groupe Bollore cast against the two resolutions it proposed at today’s EGM. A high turnout was achieved with 77.2% of eligible votes cast, compared to 76.6% at the AGM in June where… Continue reading Bollore Fails Again In Aegis Board Bid

During the first 19 days of November this year, total online retail spending in the US reached $6.35 billion, marking a 23% increase versus the corresponding days in 2005, according to a new report from comScore Networks. Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks, said: “With 23% growth versus the same days last year, online holiday… Continue reading US Online Retail Increases In November

More than 70% of UK television households, almost 18 million, are watching digital television on at least one set in the home, according to new research released by communications watchdog Ofcom. The report entitled ‘The Consumer Experience’, also found that 26% of British homes have bought digital terrestrial television receivers, more than twice as many… Continue reading Almost 18 Million UK Households Have Digital TV

UK internet shopping reached a new all time high in October, according to new research from the Interactive Media In Retail Group (IMRG). The IMRG says that sales for October were estimated to be worth £2.73 billion, with e-retail growing at its fastest ever rate in 2006, increasing by an average of £50 per month… Continue reading UK Internet Shopping Reaches October High

The UK is Europe’s slowest-growing major ad market in 2006 and, were it not for the internet, would also be in 2007, according to a new report from Group M. Group M also predicts internet advertising will comprise 18% of media investment in 2007, v regional newspapers 18% and national newspapers 12%. It adds that… Continue reading UK Is Europe’s Slowest Growing Major Ad Market

More than 40 million mobile phone users in the UK have used their handsets for downloads and browsing the internet during Q3 2006, according to the latest figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA). A total of 40.7 million users were recorded as having used their phones for this purpose. In July, the figure was… Continue reading More Than 40 Million Use Mobiles To Browse The Net

ITV has rejected NTL’s merger bid, saying that there is “little, if any, strategic logic for ITV to combine with NTL.” The rejection by ITV comes after BSkyB acquired a 17.9% stake in the broadcaster for £940 million on Friday (see ITV Share Price Falls After BSkyB Acquires Stake). The NTL bid offered 105p cash… Continue reading ITV Rejects NTL Merger Bid

Shares in ITV have dropped 5% after BSkyB acquired a 17.9% stake in the broadcaster for £940 million. The move by Sky now makes a possible takeover by NTL of ITV (see NTL Telewest Could Merge With ITV) unlikely. The BBC quotes Sir Richard Branson, NTL’s biggest shareholder, as saying of the Sky deal: “BSkyB’s… Continue reading ITV Share Price Falls After BSkyB Acquires Stake

RTL Group, which is rumoured to be interested in acquiring ITV, has announced that it has sold its remaining 25% shareholding in Sportfive, the European sports rights marketing firm, to Lagardère SCA. Last week it was reported that RTL, Europe’s largest broadcaster, was in talks with private equity backers on a possible £5 billion bid… Continue reading RTL Sells Sportfive Stake To Lagardère