Yesterday saw Channel 4 walk out on merger talks with Five, after concluding that obstacles to a tie-up between a state-owned and a commercial broadcaster were too difficult to overcome, according to a report in The Times. Andy Duncan, chief executive of Channel 4 said: “With concerns being raised about our future funding it was… Continue reading Channel 4 Walks Out On Five

As WPP continues to grow its international operations, wholly-owned operating company Landor Associates has this morning announced that is has purchased Australian branding and design consultancy, Lewis Kahn Staniford (LKS). LKS which achieved revenue of A$8.1 million for the year and net assets of A$1.3 million last year, employs around 45 people and clients include… Continue reading WPP Acquires Australian Branding Group LKS

The Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) group has today announced that Queensland Media Investments will acquire an 85.1% stake in its Australian commercial FM radio station, Hot 91. DMG Radio Australia (DMGRA) was required to dispose of at least 85.1% of its interest in Hot 91 as a result of purchasing a second Brisbane… Continue reading DMGT Disposes Of Stake In Australian Radio Station

Hollinger International has agreed its second major disposal of the year by selling its Jerusalem Post and Jerusalem Report titles to Israeli publisher, Mirkaei, in a deal worth $13.2 million. The firm, which was forced to reassess its business after former chief executive, Lord Black, became embroiled in financial misconduct investigations, is set to move… Continue reading Hollinger Disposes Of Jerusalem Post and Report

Using the internet as a source of entertainment has overtaken business and investment as the second largest paid content category on the web during the first half of 2004, according to the US Online Publishers Association (OPA). The entertainment category, which was fueled primarily by growth in the music sector, grew by 78.3% to £182.8… Continue reading Entertainment Spurs Online Paid Content To $853 Million In H1 2004

David Chance, chairman of Top Up TV and former BSkyB executive has claimed that Freeview homes will outnumber their Sky Digital counterparts by December 2005, stating that increased interest in pay-TV from terrestrial viewers was fuelling growth in his company’s low-cost premium channel offering. Speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch, Chance stated: “Freeview box… Continue reading Freeview Penetration Set To Equal Sky Next Year

The market for cable set-top boxes is bouncing back in 2004, according to market research firm In-Stat/MDR, as worldwide shipments for this year are expected to grow by 11% to reach 10.87 million. The latest report from In-Stat shows that North American cable television operators are fuelling growth with orders for personal video recorder and… Continue reading HD and PVRs Boost The Cable Set Top Box Market

ISBA, the representative body for UK advertisers, has responded to Government proposals on food, advertising and children, pouring scorn on the continued focus on advertising and calling for increased action on the social issues at the root of child obesity.Responding to Government plans set out in the Health White Paper published today, ISBA states that,… Continue reading ISBA Slams “Disproportionate” Food Advertising Plans

Multimedia group, Emap, has said it is ‘on track’ for the financial year as it today posted a 7% increase in total group profits for the first six months of this year.This morning’s results for the period ending 30 September 2004, which were in line with analysts expectations show that as group profits climbed to… Continue reading Emap ‘On Track’ To Deliver Revenue Expectations This Year

Carat has created a new customer communications planning team, claiming to be the first agency to help clients understand existing customers and better target their campaigns.The new division has been created in response to client demand and will be lead by Shona Forster, previously head of planning at Proximity London, during its launch phase, a… Continue reading Carat Creates New Team For Increased Customer Focus