The BBC has confirmed that it is talking to some of the world’s biggest media companies, including Bertelsmann, Time Warner and Disney, about the future of its commercial operation, BBC Worldwide.A spokesman for the BBC said that discussions are underway with a number of companies interested in BBC Worldwide, which is currently the subject of… Continue reading Global Media Giants Line Up For BBC Worldwide

MSN and specialist digital marketing agency Zed have secured a deal with DreamWorks to promote its new movie The Terminal through a unique MSN Homepage take-over targeting over three million internet users.The deal is the first of its kind for MSN and will see a combination of image overlay advertising and streamed video carried on… Continue reading MSN To Transform Homepage With Terminal Promotion

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has today announced that pre-tax profits have jumped up 59% to £132 million in the first half of this year, driven by an improvement in advertising revenue which grew by 4% for the group. Although significant improvements were seen across the board for ITV, the biggest achievement comes from its news division… Continue reading Improved Advertising Revenue Drives ITV Profits Up 59%

As the advertising upturn continues, Scottish Media Group (SMG), has seen a turnaround in its fortunes as pre-tax profits grew by 20% to £5.5 million during the first half of this year. The Glasgow-based group’s television division recorded the strongest performance of all sectors, for the period from January to June, as operating profits grew… Continue reading TV Boosts Fortunes At SMG

French advertising group, Havas, has said its board of directors has given the green light to move forward with a bid to purchase US rivals, Grey Global Group. Havas’ bid, which will be joined by offers from UK advertising giants, WPP and private equity firm, Hellman & Friedman, will have to be submitted before today’s… Continue reading Havas Given Go-Ahead For Grey Global Bid

Broadband internet has established itself as a firm favourite in the UK, as 41% of web surfers now opt for a high-speed connection when going online. According to new research from global market research group, NOP World, the growing popularity of the internet in the UK, which now reaches 58% of the population (26.8 million),… Continue reading UK Broadband Usage Doubles In Six Months

The BBC has launched a cross promotion campaign between its market leading Gardeners’ World and Good Food magazines to boost the new BBC book, Delia’s Kitchen Garden with a specially produced Delia Smith supplement accompanying the title’s October issues.The move marks the first time the two magazines have teamed up and will see a close… Continue reading BBC Pushes Delia Book With Dual Magazine Tie In

The return of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway to ITV this autumn will be sponsored by PZ Cussons’ Imperial Leather soap brand, the broadcaster has announced, with the high-rating programme expected to further bolster ITV’s viewing share.The fourth series of the popular Saturday night variety show was secured by Cussons in a seven-figure sponsorship… Continue reading Cussons Coughs Up Cash For ITV’s Takeaway

As time draws closer to the bidding deadline for US advertising firm, Grey Global Group, WPP are thought to be putting together an offer of cash and shares worth around $1.3 billion. According to a report in The Times, the bid from the advertising giant’s chief executive, Sir Martin Sorrell, will be joined by an… Continue reading WPP Prepares Bidding Offer For Grey

Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director general, has played down rumours that the Corporation is planning to sell off its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, and attempted to diffuse speculation of a tie-up between the BBC and Channel 4, stating that a merger could occur between the BBC and any of the UK’s commercial broadcasters. In an… Continue reading Thompson Plays Down BBC Mergers And Worldwide Sell Off