News from Martin Sorrell, that March and April of this year are stronger than anticipated, was taken by dealers to mean WPP is likely to have results coming in above forecast. Speaking at a Merrill Lynch conference yesterday, Martin Sorrell said March and April were stronger than the first quarter average as momentum built. He… Continue reading WPP Likely To Beat Forecasts As Ad Recovery Is Stronger

British Sky Broadcasting(BSkyB) today announced plans to drive demand for digital satellite television through initiatives that will address free-to-air and premium pay-TV audiences. Speaking at an investor conference in London, James Murdoch, Chief Executive of BSkyB, said later this year the company will introduce a free-to-air satellite proposition that will support the Government’s proposed switchover… Continue reading BSkyB To Drive Digital Demand Through New Initiatives

A final deal for the Telegraph Group is imminent following bids yesterday from Barclays and private equity group 3i. US investment bank Lazard, which is handling the sale for Hollinger International, is expected to contact interested parties today in an attempt to ratchet up the price of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator… Continue reading Deal ‘Close’ As Barclays and 3i Bid For Telegraph

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), the growing popularity of digital stations is set to have a significant upward impact on total radio listening hours over the next few years. Speaking at the ‘The 21st Century Radio Listener’ seminar earlier today, RAB’s Client Services Director, Michael O’Brien, predicted total listening hours could grow by… Continue reading Digital Radio Forecast to Increase Listening

Should ITV’s recent decline in audience share continue, the broadcaster stands to lose up to £100 million in advertising revenue as advertisers seek to negotiate more competitive deals. Under Contracts Rights Renewal (CRR), a code introduced to prevent a newly merged ITV from exploiting its dominance over the commercial TV market, advertisers are able to… Continue reading ITV Could Face Ad Revenue Shortfall

IPC Media has launched an online version of Wallpaper* in an attempt to further extend and market the flagship lifestyle title, which has seen circulation decline in the face of increasing competition.The publishing group claims that wallpaper.com will complement rather than duplicate the magazine, providing an extension of the print product, which focuses on interiors,… Continue reading IPC Rolls Out Wallpaper Online To Boost Brand

Starcom Motive has secured the £11 million Pizza Hut media planning and buying account following a head-to-head competitive pitch against Mindshare.The account came up for review at the end of April when PHD decided not to re-pitch for the business. This followed the fast-food chain’s controversial decision to conduct its second review in as many… Continue reading Starcom Secures £11 Million Pizza Hut Account

SMG has performed strongly over the last six months and will continue to see increases in revenue across all of its main media interests over the coming year, according to outgoing chairman Don Cruickshank.The company’s AGM statement on Friday saw Cruickshank commend SMG’s achievements to date, including growth in its television advertising revenues, both national… Continue reading Outgoing SMG Chairman Predicts Positive Year

The Sunday Telegraph is attempting to cash in on this summer’s feast of football by publishing a special 48-page Euro 2004 magazine with the newspaper next weekend.The title, sponsored by British Airways, includes contributions from regular football columnists Gary Lineker and Gerard Houllier, who will both be writing for the paper during the forthcoming tournament.The… Continue reading Sunday Telegraph To Cash In On Euro 2004 Football Frenzy

SMG, the Scottish media conglomerate, is reportedly in the process of sounding out potential buyers for its Virgin radio station, which it hopes to off-load for around £130 million.It is understood that several rival radio groups have expressed an interest in Virgin, which SMG acquired three years ago for £225 million. However, industry sources say… Continue reading Virgin Radio Could Be Sold For £130 Million