Although the number of video-on-demand (VOD) users continues to rise, a new report from In-stat/MDR says, consumer interest remains lukewarm due to pricing and content concerns. A recent survey from the research group revealed that although 80% of US households were familiar with VOD services, the take-up rate was only 8%. In-stat said that this… Continue reading VOD Interest Lukewarm But Uptake To Soar By 2008

It was confirmed today that Guardian Media Group (GMG) has bought a 14% stake in Development Hell, publisher of the music and entertainment magazine Word. After much interest from other trade investors, the bosses at Development Hell decided that a tie with GMG would be ideal. Publisher, Jerry Perkins said: “It is a diverse media… Continue reading GMG Acquires 14% Stake In Development Hell

Publishing giant, Reed Elsevier, unveiled yesterday that it had acquired US data services group, Seisint in a deal worth $775 million (£417 million). Reed said that the groups legal and government information arm, LexisNexis, will wholly own Seisint and will fit very strongly with the LexisNexis risk management business and allow it to expand further.… Continue reading Reed Acquires US Data Group Seisint

Film giant UIP has announced the first online campaign to promote summer blockbuster, Thunderbirds, employing United Virtualities’ Ooqa-Ooqa technology to replace viewers’ web browsers with branded alternatives.The technology is used for the first time today as the campaign launches on www.citv.co.uk, with Ooqa-Ooqa replacing visitors’ normal browser toolbar with an advertiser branded browser.The technology is… Continue reading UIP Pushes Thunderbirds With Branded Internet Browser

Emap Advertising and Starcom Motive have secured a £1.5 million cross-media deal with Golden Wonder to promote its Nik Naks snack brand across Emap’s range of Kiss and Kerrang branded media.The four-month campaign will target 16 to 24 year-old consumers with a range of on-air sponsorship and promotions covering Kiss TV, Kerrang TV and The… Continue reading Emap Bags Golden Wonder For Cross-Media Deal

An investigation by the National Audit Office has revealed continued confusion surrounding the Freeview digital TV service, claiming that the BBC has failed to significantly improve public understanding of the service, despite numerous high-profile campaigns.The NAO report claims that the BBC’s campaigns have not yet succeeded in “significantly reducing consumer confusion about Freeview in non-digital… Continue reading NAO Claims Confusion Still Rife Over Freeview

Mirror Group Newspapers has bolstered its advertising team with another raft of senior appointments designed to improve its relationship with clients and agencies.Clare Dove, director of advertising for Trinity Mirror’s national newspaper division, has recruited Keith Yonish as head of innovation. He joins from the Independent where he held the position of controller of Independent… Continue reading Mirror Group Announces Raft Of Advertising Appointments

Capital Radio Group has secured an innovative deal with Columbia TriStar films to promote the release of the new Spider-Man 2 flim to around 10 million listeners a week via the Hit 40 UK chart show.The deal takes advantage of a new package that gives advertisers a week-long national radio presence by providing brand mentions… Continue reading Capital Secures Deal To Promote Spider-Man Release

The BBC is believed to be considering a £1 billion sale of almost all of its commercial operations in an attempt to bring the Corporation closer to its core public service remit in the run up to charter review in 2007.The BBC’s commercial activities range from Teletubbies merchandise to studio facilities and could be worth… Continue reading BBC Considers £1 Billion Sale Of Commercial Arm

ITV has secured Lever Fabergé’s Sure deodorant brand as the six-figure broadcast sponsor of its new daytime show, The Test, which launches on the network later this month.The 30-minute show, presented by psychologist Jeremy Milnes, will air each weekday from 19 July in an attempt to cure people of their fears. The fact that phobias… Continue reading ITV Puts Sure To The Test With Daytime Sponsorship