Virgin Radio is set to launch a massive outdoor advertising campaign to promote its high-profile breakfast signing, Christian O’Connell.The new marketing activity will launch on 16 January, proclaiming Virgin as the home of “Britain’s Best Breakfast Show” through a range of outdoor advertisements, before O’Connell takes to the air a week later.The new campaign is… Continue reading Outdoor Campaign To Boost Virgin Breakfast

Research from Internet research specialist Nielsen//NetRatings shows European web users flocking to the Internet through a variety of channels, with the spread of access methods across different nations reflecting the growing diversity of online audiences.According to the new figures, Internet access from the home remains the most popular method of access overall, with 93% of… Continue reading Online Round-Up: European Web Habits Revealed By Research

ITV’s director of programmes, Nigel Pickard, has announced his intention to leave the broadcaster after three years, dealing a further blow to the company, which yesterday lost one of its biggest stars, Paul O’Grady.Pickard re-joined ITV in February 2003 (see ITV Appoints New Director Of Programmes), following a two year career as the BBC’s controller… Continue reading ITV’s Pickard Steps Down After Three Years

Out of home advertising agency, Viacom Outdoor, has renewed its prestigious contract with the New York City Transportation Authority to handle all display advertising on the New York subway. The ten year deal will give Viacom Outdoor access to 1,600 urban panels, significantly increasing the division’s street furniture inventory in New York City and giving… Continue reading Viacom Outdoor Renews New York Subway Contract

United Business Media (UBM) has announced the purchase of US events business Shorecliff Communications for $12.3 million, and the events assets of MediaLive International for $65 million. The acquisition of Shorecliffe will see the company’s four principal events focussing on the high growth technology markets of radio frequency identification, broadband services, wireless infrastructure and telecoms… Continue reading UBM Extends Reach In Events Arena

Global advertising body, WPP, has announced that its relationship marketing network, Wunderman, will merge its Danish operations with one of Denmark’s leading independent agencies, Emerge. The merged company will be renamed Emerge/Wunderman, with WPP retaining a minority share in the business, with options to acquire a majority interest. The consolidation of the two companies will… Continue reading WPP’s Wunderman To Merge With Emerge

Last night saw a clash of the celebrities, as ITV’s Soapstar Superstar went head to head with Channel 4’s Big Brother, but both were floored by BBC One’s time-travelling detective drama, Life On Mars.The BBC drama scored an average adult audience of 6.8 million, while ITV drew 5.7 million and Channel 4 attracted 3.5 million.Channel… Continue reading Life On Mars Eclipses Celebrity Showdown

Channel 4 has poached one of ITV’s highest profile stars, with Paul O’Grady switching sides to leave ITV management “ashen faced.”O’Grady will front a daily show for Channel 4 for half the year beginning in spring, as well as taking on some peaktime work with the broadcaster. Richard and Judy will present a teatime show… Continue reading O’Grady Latest Chat Host To Leave ITV

Emap’s Kiss has appointed former brand marketing director of Chrysalis Radio’s Galaxy Network, Nick Button, as its new marketing director.Button will take up the newly-created position on 16 January, overseeing all of Emap’s Kiss marketing, creative and brand strategy planning, initially focusing on the London-based Kiss 100 before developing the network as a whole.Commenting on… Continue reading New Marketing Director For Emap’s Kiss

News International will next month launch its first women’s weekly magazine, putting increased pressure on an already crowded market and, according to industry speculation this morning, sparking a price war as rivals scramble to attract readers.The publisher has remained tight-lipped over its plans for new title, Love It, but has reportedly hired former New Woman… Continue reading New Launches Threaten Price War For Women’s Weeklies