The Advertising Association (AA) has released its latest long-term forecast, compiled by the World Advertising Research Centre (WARC), predicting a substantial rise of up to 43% in advertising expenditure between now and 2017. The new forecast follows a strong performance in 2004, with advertising expenditure growth in Britain slowing this year as the economy has… Continue reading AA Forecasts Ad Expenditure Growth

ZenithOptimedia has predicted steady growth in worldwide advertising markets, with occasional “healthy hotspots” of adspend increase above and beyond previous estimates. The company’s latest quarterly advertising expenditure forecast predicts global spend to rise by 4.8% in 2005, a figure broadly in line with previous estimates of 5%, while 2006 will become a “touch firmer” at… Continue reading ZenithOptimedia Forecasts Steady Adspend Growth

Cable giant NTL has today confirmed its consideration of a £835 million bid for Virgin Mobile, enabling the firm to offer Britain’s first “quadruple play” services of fixed and mobile phone lines, broadband internet access and digital television. The move would also lay an infrastructure for NTL to offer more advanced mobile services, such as… Continue reading NTL Eyes Quadruple Play With Virgin Mobile Bid

Media giant WPP has announced the purchase of the majority share in Direct.com, a leading provider of integrated marketing communications services, through its operating company RMG Connect Worldwide. Founded in 1997, Direct.com provides a wide range of integrated marketing services including direct marketing and consulting, Web technology development and merchandising from its offices in Miami.… Continue reading WPP Snaps Up Direct.Com To Extend Tech Expertise

High class car firm Rolls-Royce has turned to Five for its first ever terrestrial sponsorship deal, signaling that the broadcaster, once famously described as a platform for “football, films and fucking,” has shed its downmarket image.The deal will see Rolls-Royce support Five’s broadcast of the 2005 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, which serve as a forum… Continue reading Five Sheds Lowbrow Image With Rolls Royce Deal

ITV’s Doc Martin performed well for the broadcaster last night, administering a healthy dose of ratings success and topping the ever-popular I’m a Celebrity…The light-hearted drama staring Martin Clunes drew an average adult audience of 8.1 million, following the latest from the broadcaster’s celebrity campsite, which was watched by 7.7 million.A second I’m A Celebrity… Continue reading Doc Martin Keeps ITV In Rude Health

Royal Mail is to begin a wide-reaching campaign to drive awareness and understanding of its new pricing structure, ahead of radical changes to the ways in which publishers are charged for subscription mailings.Information packs will be sent to 2,500 of Royal Mail’s publishing customers early next month, with the postal giant hoping to provide as… Continue reading Royal Mail Launches New Pricing Awareness Drive

Five has announced a deal to acquire two high profile American series from Buena Vista International Television, broadening its imported programme portfolio and promising to draw larger audiences to its peaktime screenings.The American hit Grey’s Anatomy and much-talked about new crime drama Criminal Minds have both been acquired by Five for terrestrial transmission next year,… Continue reading Five Boosts Programme Portfolio With US Imports

ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… continued to dominate primetime viewing last night, as its seemingly unstoppable run of ratings success spelled more misery for the BBC.Last night saw an average of 8.3 million adults tune in to ITV’s antipodean adventures, despite the lack of an eviction from the celebrity campsite. The BBC’s competing Life In The… Continue reading Misery For BBC As ITV Celebrities Hold High Ratings

Cable operator Telewest has become the first of the country’s broadcasters to launch high definition (HD) services, rolling out several channels of vastly improved quality to an initial audience of around 400 customers.The company now offers free HD programmes from BBC Worldwide, including Pride, The Blue Planet and Wild Weather. Movies will also be made… Continue reading Telewest First To Launch HDTV Services