On-demand TV and broadband provider, HomeChoice, has appointed Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW) as its below the line marketing agency following a review of its business ahead of a new campaign due later this year.The new agency will work alongside brand specialists, Mother, in developing the personality of the HomeChoice brand, while TMW will be responsible… Continue reading HomeChoice Signs TMW Ahead Of Marketing Push

ITV saw its share price plummet this morning, following reports that a takeover bid for the company by Apax and Time Warner had been abandoned following concerns over the company’s pension deficit.A bid for control of ITV from private equity firm, Apax, and American media giant, Time Warner, has long been expected, following rumours earlier… Continue reading Pension Fears Call Halt To ITV Takeover Bid

Mobile video is proving a tough commodity to shift, according to American media analyst, In-Stat, which has published a new report, showing two thirds of mobile phone subscribers in the US are not ready for video services on their handsets, a number that is nearly unchanged from the previous year’s survey. The findings, published in… Continue reading Mobile Video Set For Slow Growth In US

Global advertising expenditure is estimated to increase by 4.7% this year, bringing 2005 adspend growth in line with expected GDP growth, according to forecasts published today by media group ZenithOptimedia. The agency’s outlook for 2006 is also positive, with advertising spend estimated to be up 6.1% compared to just 4% for the economy. These latest… Continue reading Global Adspend Growth Forecast In Line With GDP

Five and Paramount Comedy have co-commissioned their first series in a joint comedy initiative announcing plans to produce a UK version of hit US series Desperate Housewives with the new comedy Suburban Shootout.The eight-part, 30 minutes series from production company Feelgood Fiction, will follow the surreal world of two power-crazed housewives embroiled in a turf… Continue reading Five And Paramount Commission First Joint Comedy

Mark Cranmer, chief executive of the Europe, Middle East and African division of media agency Starcom MediaVest, has resigned after five years in the role.Cranmer is due to leave the company in March, but a replacement has not yet been named. According to Jim Marshall, Starcom UK chairman, the agency has informed its clients and… Continue reading Starcom Chief Executive Resigns

Richard Webb, general manager of News Group Newspapers, has resigned after ten years in the company, as part of a reshuffle in the senior management team at Times Newspapers.Webb will be replaced by Mike Gordon, commercial director for the group, while Clive Milner, managing director at TNL, will be broadening his role in the shake… Continue reading Webb Resigns From News International

Almost a fifth of mobile phone users worldwide have downloaded content to their phones, with a new study by LogicaCMG predicting a 60% increase in the technology in one year’s time. The research was conducted globally during May and June 2005, with the findings leading LogicaCMG to forecast the mobile content industry to bring in… Continue reading Mobile Downloading To Rise By 60%

Roly Keating, controller of BBC Two, has launched Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s much anticipated sitcom, Extras, lauding the new show as having “all the hallmarks of a great BBC Two comedy series” and underlining the station’s commitment to “pedigree comedy.”The much-anticipated new series will feature in the broadcaster’s spring schedule, along with several other… Continue reading BBC Pins Hopes On Extras For Audience Growth

The National Magazine Company has bought coastal lifestyle magazine Coast from Boat International, adding to its portfolio of living style guides and complementing the publishers successful Country Living.The magazine will start being published quarterly, giving NatMags the chance to gauge consumer and advertiser reaction to the publication.Commenting on the acquisition, Duncan Edwards, chief executive officer… Continue reading NatMags Adds Coast To Lifestyle Sector