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ISBA director general Mike Hughes joined his new president, Coors CEO Mark Hunter, in urging the online industry to accelerate plans for a research currency today.Hunter described the lack of a currency as “unacceptable”, and a “major focus for ISBA this year”, whilst Hughes said he was “encouraging urgency and pace be put into it…… Continue reading “Snails Pace” online currency developments rile ISBA executive

The chief executives of the UK’s top regional newspaper groups have joined forces to pressure the government into relaxing merger restrictions.According to a report in the Financial Times, the Local Media Alliance came into being in January and then held a secret meeting at Claridge’s with communications minister Lord Carter on February 2.The seven executives… Continue reading Regional newspaper groups form alliance

ITV remains confident in the long-term course set by its content-led strategy, but will it be able to survive in the short-term?ITV today announced total losses of £2.7 billion after a huge downward realignment of its asset valuation – the broadcaster reported a pre-tax profit fall of 41% in 2008 and a 20% decline in… Continue reading Can ITV survive in the short-term?

Former ITV CEO Richard Eyre has called for a more open minded approach to behavioural targeting – “a game changer for advertisers”.Speaking at today’s ISBA conference, he said it may be “easier to attack than defend”, but there were huge opportunities here for advertisers. If this can get past the “privacy zealots and media vegans”… Continue reading Eyre backs behavioural targeting to replace our “geriatric advertising measures”

ITV has reported an adjusted pre-tax profit fall of 41% in 2008 to £167 million and a 32% drop in earnings before interest, tax and amortisation to £211 million. Annual revenues fell 3% from 2007 to £2.03 billion. Advertising revenues fell 4% to £1.43 billion, compared to a 5% fall in the overall TV market,… Continue reading ITV reports 41% fall in profits for 2008

More than 70% of UK adults take more notice of mail that is aimed specifically and accurately at them, according to new research.The research, from direct marketing specialist GI Direct, found that receptiveness to personalisation was highest in Scotland and the South, while people in East Anglia and the North West appear more “jaded and… Continue reading Consumers take more notice of personalised DM

BSkyB has expressed interest in buying the recently re-branded UKTV portfolio, which is currently 50% owned and operated by rival Virgin Media.Speaking at a conference in Florida, Sky’s chief executive Jeremy Darroch said that content companies are in Sky’s sights, according to reports.“We will look at acquisitions if we think they can advance our strategy,… Continue reading Sky expresses interest in UKTV acquisition

Ofcom today announced plans to back the development of ultra high-speed internet access across Britain in a bid to open up competition and clear the way for future investment.The media regulator has unveiled a series of new measures to develop broadband that runs at speeds in excess of 40 megabits per second, which is more… Continue reading Ofcom encourages expansion of ultra high-speed broadband

Ofcom has today published a consultation on a local commercial radio format change request, received from Liverpool’s 24-hour speech radio station City Talk 105.9.Bauer Radio, City Talk’s owner, has proposed all-speech content at peak times, which would include weekend breakfast, weekend late breakfast and drivetime, but wants to add a mix of music and speech… Continue reading Ofcom considers City Talk’s format change

Bauer Media’s men’s lifestyle magazine Arena is being “suspended” in a move which could see the loss of 12 jobs.A four-week staff consultation has begun, which could lead to redundancies in editorial and advertising. The April issue, out next Thursday, will be the last.The magazine, which launched in 1986, had a circulation of 29,374 according… Continue reading Bauer Media’s Arena to close after 22 years