Worldwide mobile phone sales totalled 190.5 million units in the second quarter of 2005, up by 21.6% year on year marking the second strongest quarter for handset sales on record, according to a new report from research and analysis company, Gartner. All the regions recorded, apart from Japan, reported growth during the quarter, with Nokia… Continue reading Global Mobile Phone Sales Hit 190.5 Million Units In Q2 2005

The Digital Radio Development Bureau has released its five year forecast for digital radio penetration, predicting that the technology will continue to see dramatic rises in adoption as more consumers discover its increased station choice, digital quality sound, and interference free listening. DRDB chairman, Ralph Bernard, welcomed the predictions, stating: “DAB Digital Radio continues its… Continue reading DRDB Predicts Massive Growth In Digital Radio

Emap’s Manchester-based radio station Key 103 has announced its largest ever marketing push with extra emphasis on its breakfast show, Toolan in the Morning, ahead of competition in the city from GCap Media’s Xfm, due to launch in October.The marketing onslaught, which is costing Emap a cool £2 million, will feature breakfast show presenter Mike… Continue reading Emap Spends £2 Million To Head Off Key Competition

Regional newspaper group, Johnston Press, has warned that there is little prospect of a recovery in the advertising market in the second half of 2005, describing the market as “challenging” and “difficult”. The group revealed that revenue for the six months to June 2005 reached £264.6 million, up from £261.5 million this time last year.… Continue reading Johnston Continues To Warn Of Difficult Ad Market

Consumers are willing to pay for mobile television content, with results from Nokia’s commercial TV pilots in Helsinki showing that 41% of participants would purchase mobile TV services, with over half believing that the technology would be popular. According to the pilot results, users wanted to watch familiar program offerings as well as new mobile… Continue reading Consumers Predict Mobile TV To Enjoy Popularity

Consumer knowledge of personal video recorders (PVRs) is increasing, with 88% of US adults aware of the technology, up from 74% in 2004, according to a survey from the Leichtman Group. A similar study from Find/SVP shows that PVR penetration in the US is around 15%, with time shifting the most commonly sited benefit of… Continue reading Consumer Awareness of PVRs Growing

Online retail sales in the US grew significantly in the second quarter of 2005, reaching $21.1 billion, enjoying a growth of 3.5% quarter on quarter, according to new figures from the US Department of Commerce. According to the commerce department, online sales accounted for 2.2% of all retail sales in the US during the second… Continue reading US Online Retail Reachs $21.1 Billion In Q2 2005

Circulation for stand-alone magazines and niche publications rose by 48.5% in 2004, demonstrating the growing trend among regional newspaper publishers to expand their reach by using portfolios of products to access a broader range of readers. According to the Newspaper Society’s (NS) annual industry survey, publishers are using a variety of vehicles including lifestyle magazines,… Continue reading Regional Newspaper Publishers Extend Reach Through Niche Publications

UBC Media has signed a deal to sell airtime for Chrysalis and Wireless Group’s new syndicated radio news service, a move which will give the company a presence within stations such as TalkSport, Galaxy, LBC and Chrysalis’ flagship Heart.Commenting on the deal, UBC’s commercial director, John Quinn, said: “Today’s announcement significantly broadens the company’s network… Continue reading UBC Signs Sales Deal For Syndicated News

Speaking at the 30th Edinburgh Television Festival, Andy Duncan, chief executive of Channel 4 asserted the importance of planning for the channels’ future with the impending digital switchover. Talking to Greg Dyke, Duncan raised concerns about advertising revenues as a result of the affects of the new technologies coming into the television market, such as… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: Channel 4 Must Plan For Digital Switchover