WPP is considering the possibility of a £500 million rights issue to purchase American advertising group, Grey Global. Chief executive of WPP, Sir Martin Sorrell, said last week, he is looking at Grey’s book but did not confirm whether he would be making a bid for the last independent advertising network. According to a report… Continue reading WPP Considering £500 Million Rights To Buy Grey

International consumer magazine group, Future Network, has today announced that it has acquired two UK games magazines from Dennis Publishing for £2.5 million. The purchase of PC Zone and Computer & Video Games (CVG) from the US publishing house, includes sister website, computerandvideogames.com. Managing director, Robert Price said: “This acquisition is good news for Future… Continue reading Future Network Buys Games Mags For £2.5 Million

The proposed £1 billion sale of the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has generated a flurry of interest from commercial broadcasters, venture capital groups and investment banks. However, it is understood that some would-be buyers are being put off by confusion over the lucrative rights to successful BBC shows and products, such as The Office… Continue reading Sale Of BBC Worldwide Raises Issues Over Rights

Broadband data networks could reach nearly two million US households by the end of 2004 if the current take-up rate continues, says a new report. According to Parks Associates’ Consumers & Emerging Multimedia Platforms study, the success of home networking, which reached more than one million US households this year, is expected to be as… Continue reading Broadband ISPs Find Success With Home Networks

Merrill Lynch has said that it expects global advertising giant, WPP to grow by up to 4% this year, as strong underlying business momentum is spurred on by a general recovery and key boost from the Olympics. The update from Merrill Lynch, which was issued as a result of WPP announcing its half year results… Continue reading Latest WPP Forecasts From Merrill Lynch

Channel Five has launched a dedicated commercial development team to maximise secondary revenue streams outside of traditional spot advertising.The newly created team will form part of Five’s existing airtimes sales division and will be responsible for growing revenue from sponsorship and promotions, interactive, joint ventures, telephony, licensing and merchandising.Five’s former head of sponsorship, Jon Lewis,… Continue reading Five Launches Commercial Team to Maximise Revenues

High-street retailer Woolworths has extended its sponsorship of radio chart show Hit 40 UK until 2006, in a deal that covers the programme as it is syndicated across numerous commercial radio stations and on Channel 4’s latest music television show.The deal, which is believed to be the biggest radio sponsorship deal in history, was brokered… Continue reading Capital Spins Sponsorship Deal With Woolworths

The Daily Telegraph has become Tate Modern’s autumn media partner in a deal that will see the paper support a number of exhibitions at the iconic contemporary art gallery.The deal, which begins on 6 October and runs until 23 January next year, will see the Telegraph feature the exhibitions in its daily arts pages and… Continue reading Telegraph Partners With Tate Modern For Autumn Season

Hachette Filipacchi has announced a series of promotions and appointments to its marketing department in a move that affects the company’s portfolio of women’s, teen and soap titles.Hachette has replaced the roles of product managers, Cherie Chambers and Amanda Fry, who now become brand managers in charge of two titles each, a move which should… Continue reading Hachette Filipacchi Restructures Marketing Team

Senior executives from Channel 4 and RTL, the pan-European broadcaster that holds the controlling stake in Five, are scheduled to meet next week to hold discussions about a possible tie-up between the two broadcasters.The two commercial rivals have made no secret of their desire to forge closer links to help them compete in the multi-channel… Continue reading Television Bosses Set To Hold Further Merger Talks