GCap’s London-based indie station Xfm has backtracked on its denials yesterday that drivetime host Lauren Laverne is to scoop its high profile Breakfast Show, confirming this morning that she will succeed outgoing Christian O’Connell within weeks.The move will make Laverne the Capital’s only female breakfast host, as station newcomer Lucio takes the reigns of her… Continue reading GCap Backtracks To Give Laverne Xfm Breakfast

Video search engine Blinkx has become the latest operator to provide personalised web TV feeds to users, launching its My Blinkx.tv service with the potential to deliver thousands of hours of user generated content.The move echoes that of others in the field, such as Google which unveiled its plans to amass an online library of… Continue reading Video Search Engine Offers ‘Personalised TV’

ITV has made two senior sales appointments as part of its ongoing management reshuffle, promoting Gary Digby as managing director of ITV Sales, and appointing Clare Salmon as new director of marketing and commercial strategy.The new role will see Digby take responsibility for all aspects of ITV’s sales operations and reporting directly to the broadcaster’s… Continue reading ITV Unveils Further Management Moves

Large format outdoor media contractor, Ocean Outdoor, has hired Mark Wilkinson as its first sales director following what the company claims has been an “excellent first year.”The appointment sees Wilkinson leave his current position as sales director at media publishing company Job Opportunities to take charge of sales at Ocean and further build the department.Wilkinson… Continue reading Expanding Ocean Outdoor Hires Sales Director

Media buying firm Aegis has confirmed that preliminary discussions over merger possibilities have been held with “more than one” potential bidder, casting further doubt French firm Publicis’ chance of success in securing a swift takeover proposition. Aegis, which owns media buying firms Carat and Vizeum, said in a statement this morning that “representatives and advisers… Continue reading Aegis Confirms Rival Bids For Takeover

WPP has joined the growing list of businesses interested in acquiring media buying group Aegis, with the company reportedly considering a bid for the British firm’s research arm. Meanwhile, French entrepreneur Vincent Bollore has further increased his stake in the company, fanning the flames of speculation surrounding his intentions, and securing 12.63% of the firm… Continue reading Bollore Raises Stakes As WPP Shows Interest In Aegis

Aegis has acquired Hungary’s leading digital agency, Kirowski Rt; for a total cash consideration of up to €10 million, payable over four years. Kirowski will become part of the media communications company’s digital network, Isobar, bringing with it an impressive client list, including, Hungarian Telekom MOL Group, Nestle and Renault. The agency provides clients with… Continue reading Aegis Extends Digital Reach In Europe

French entrepreneur Vincent Bollore has again increased his stake in media communications business, Aegis, raising his share in the company to 11.4% over the weekend to make him the firm’s largest stakeholder. The move adds fuel to industry speculation that Bollore is planning a take-over bid for Aegis, after he began increasing his share in… Continue reading Bollore Increases Aegis Stake To 11.4%

News Corporation has sold its TSL Education division to Exponent Equity for £235 million, marking the first disposal of owner Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper titles since he entered the market 36 years ago. The deal will see News International continue to print and distribute The Times Educational Supplement and the Times Higher Supplement, with the sale… Continue reading Murdoch Sells TSL Education

Almost 12 million people in the US have access to broadband at home, however, many of those do not use the internet actively, according to a new study from Nielsen//NetRatings. In the seven months between January and August 2005, Nielsen//NetRatings show the percentage of people in the US who have access to broadband reached 42%,… Continue reading Broadband Access In The US Reaches 42%