More Industry News articles

ITV’s director of programmes, Nigel Pickard, has announced his intention to leave the broadcaster after three years, dealing a further blow to the company, which yesterday lost one of its biggest stars, Paul O’Grady.Pickard re-joined ITV in February 2003 (see ITV Appoints New Director Of Programmes), following a two year career as the BBC’s controller… Continue reading ITV’s Pickard Steps Down After Three Years

Out of home advertising agency, Viacom Outdoor, has renewed its prestigious contract with the New York City Transportation Authority to handle all display advertising on the New York subway. The ten year deal will give Viacom Outdoor access to 1,600 urban panels, significantly increasing the division’s street furniture inventory in New York City and giving… Continue reading Viacom Outdoor Renews New York Subway Contract

United Business Media (UBM) has announced the purchase of US events business Shorecliff Communications for $12.3 million, and the events assets of MediaLive International for $65 million. The acquisition of Shorecliffe will see the company’s four principal events focussing on the high growth technology markets of radio frequency identification, broadband services, wireless infrastructure and telecoms… Continue reading UBM Extends Reach In Events Arena

Global advertising body, WPP, has announced that its relationship marketing network, Wunderman, will merge its Danish operations with one of Denmark’s leading independent agencies, Emerge. The merged company will be renamed Emerge/Wunderman, with WPP retaining a minority share in the business, with options to acquire a majority interest. The consolidation of the two companies will… Continue reading WPP’s Wunderman To Merge With Emerge

Last night saw a clash of the celebrities, as ITV’s Soapstar Superstar went head to head with Channel 4’s Big Brother, but both were floored by BBC One’s time-travelling detective drama, Life On Mars.The BBC drama scored an average adult audience of 6.8 million, while ITV drew 5.7 million and Channel 4 attracted 3.5 million.Channel… Continue reading Life On Mars Eclipses Celebrity Showdown

Channel 4 has poached one of ITV’s highest profile stars, with Paul O’Grady switching sides to leave ITV management “ashen faced.”O’Grady will front a daily show for Channel 4 for half the year beginning in spring, as well as taking on some peaktime work with the broadcaster. Richard and Judy will present a teatime show… Continue reading O’Grady Latest Chat Host To Leave ITV

Emap’s Kiss has appointed former brand marketing director of Chrysalis Radio’s Galaxy Network, Nick Button, as its new marketing director.Button will take up the newly-created position on 16 January, overseeing all of Emap’s Kiss marketing, creative and brand strategy planning, initially focusing on the London-based Kiss 100 before developing the network as a whole.Commenting on… Continue reading New Marketing Director For Emap’s Kiss

News International will next month launch its first women’s weekly magazine, putting increased pressure on an already crowded market and, according to industry speculation this morning, sparking a price war as rivals scramble to attract readers.The publisher has remained tight-lipped over its plans for new title, Love It, but has reportedly hired former New Woman… Continue reading New Launches Threaten Price War For Women’s Weeklies

Sky’s pilot broadband TV service has launched, giving a glimpse of the broadcaster’s intentions for a fully-fledged video on demand (VOD) service following its acquisition of internet service provider, EasyNet.The Sky By Broadband pilot is available free of charge to all Sky subscribers, offering content from Sky Movies and Sky Sports through a peer-to-peer (P2P)… Continue reading Sky By Broadband Trial Offers Glimpse Of VOD Plans

ITV has retained chocolate giant Cadbury as the exclusive sponsor of prime-time soap, Coronation Street, guaranteeing the confectioner’s coverage for a further two years in a deal worth £10 million per year.The deal sees Cadbury retain the Coronation Street coverage for its 12th year, covering all episodes transmitted on the ITV family of channels, including… Continue reading ITV Retains Cadbury As £10m Corrie Sponsor