Global advertising company, WPP has announced a 15% increase in profits for 2004 to £546 million, reflecting the continued recovery of the advertising market. The second largest advertising company in the world, reported that revenue was up almost 5% to £4.3 million for last year, and that diluted earnings per share rose by over 11%… Continue reading WPP Reports Good 2004

Publishing and media group, United Business Media (UBM), has reported an increase in profit of 36.9 % up to £141.4 million for the financial year ending 31 December 2004. The group saw growth across all sections, with turnover up 8.4% to £809.6 million and operating profit up by 33.1% to £132.3 million. UBM’s operating margin… Continue reading UBM Reveals Strong Profits For 2004

Jeff Henry, UK chief executive of Hallmark TV has reportedly left the channel after its purchase by a conglomerate group, led by former chief executive of Five, David Elstein. The deal, said to be worth £127 million, saw private equity groups 3i and Providence Equity Partners back Elstein’s acquisition of the Hallmark Channels international operations… Continue reading Chief Executive Leaves Hallmark TV

ITV shareholders have ruled out the possibility of involvement in breaking up Scottish Media Group (SMG), damaging Lord Alli’s proposed takeover bid of Virgin Radio for private equity company 3i. Lord Alli had hoped to win support from ITV shareholders in his bid for Virgin, after the Glasgow-based media group had rejected his previous offers… Continue reading ITV Rules Out Helping Alli Buy Virgin

Internet protocol television (IPTV) looks set to be the future of TV, causing problems for advertisers with current scheduled TV advertisement breaks ceasing to exist in the new format. TV advertisers are already under threat from the new generation of TV set-top boxes, which allow viewers to fast forward through advertisement breaks. Research from media… Continue reading The Future Of Television – IPTV

US advertising expenditure is predicted to increase by 5.1% in 2005, to $150.5 billion, following the estimated growth of 10.6% in 2004, according to forecasts released by TNS Media Intelligence. TNS Media Intelligence estimates quarter-by-quarter growth of 6.9% for the first half of 2005, slowing to 3.5% in the second half. This decline is attributed… Continue reading Online Advertising Spend Leads Growth Projections For 2005

Scottish Radio Holdings looks set to fend off takeover bids from rival groups by acquiring radio and newspaper companies, according to chief executive David Goode, with the company belived to be actively seeking acquisition targets in a bid to become the hunter rather than the hunted.The move follows increasing speculation that radio giant Emap will… Continue reading SRH To Avoid Takeover Through Acquisitions

Channel 4 has announced its best January performance for five years, with an audience share of 10.3%, topping the performance of BBC 2 and defying the downward trend of its terrestrial rivals.The impressive performance follows a strong 2004 for the broadcaster, in which its audience grew by 2% year on year. A spokesman for Channel… Continue reading Channel 4 Sees Best January In Years After Audience Boost

Former Five chief executive, David Elstein, has succeeded in his purchase of the Hallmark Channel’s international TV operations, completing the long-rumoured deal worth an estimated £167 million.The purchase was backed by private equity group 3i and Providence Equity Partners, who reportedly put in half the money to buy the Hallmark property from Crown Media Holdings.Elstein… Continue reading Elstein Successful In Bid For Hallmark Channel

Radio operator GWR has announced the launch of the UK’s first dedicated ‘chill’ digital radio format, designed to broaden listener choice, offering a relaxing and ambient 100% music service.Chill will include artists such as Moby, Zero 7, Royksopp, Air, Groove Armada and Norah Jones and will be broadcast across nine NOWdigital multiplexes serving Bristol &… Continue reading GWR To Chill With New Digital Station