French media and telecoms firm Vivendi Universal has announced a 59% drop in third quarter sales following structural changes at the group.Vivendi reported sales of €5.90, down from €14.55 in the same period last year. The 2002 figure included revenues from units such as Veolia Entertainment and Vivendi Universal Publishing which have since been sold.Excluding… Continue reading Sales Slide As Vivendi Sheds Assets
The growth of the Freeview platform will slow significantly next year and then continue to fall in the following years, according to forecasts from Informa Media Group. Informa expects Freeview to add 1.1 million homes during 2003, but growth will fall sharply next year to 678,000 homes. In 2005, the digital terrestrial platform would add… Continue reading Freeview Growth Will Slow In 2004, Says Informa
Debt-laden cable company Telewest was seen in the spotlight after revealing it has reduced its losses by 18% in the first nine months of the year (see Telewest Losses Narrow In Third Quarter). The news was greeted with scepticism in the market and the stock was seen down 11.11%.Elsewhere the BSkyB saga continued to dominate… Continue reading Sharewatch: Telewest Falls Despite Curbing Losses
Viacom Brand Solutions has secured Sega to sponsor its new show Wildboyz in order to promote its new Worms 3D game.The series, which begins later this month features Steve-O and Chris Pontius from infamous stunt show Jackass. The show will follow them around Africa where they will perform “wince worthy stunts involving native wild animals.”The… Continue reading Viacom Secures Sega For MTV Sponsorship
Losses at Telewest fell by 25% in the third quarter of 2003 as the cable firm sought to build on its customer base and free itself from crippling debts.Telewest said yesterday that turnover was up 1% to £339 million in the three months to September while operating losses were slashed by 73% to £17 million.… Continue reading Telewest Losses Narrow In Third Quarter
Emap’s fortnightly women’s magazine More is launching a viral email campaign which invites readers to download a virtual boyfriend.Readers will be emailed a link to a microsite, The desktop boyfriend then sends an email and photo every day. However, inevitably as the relationship unfolds, the boyfriend deteriorates and after two weeks an email from More… Continue reading More Launches Virtual Boyfriend Viral Campaign
Future Publishing has promoted Andy Sutcliffe to the position of publishing director of its London titles, which include Total Film, Bang and Metal Hammer.Sutcliffe, who was previously group publisher at Future, will take responsibility for building Future’s London portfolio. He will take overall responsibility for all London titles and work closely with Jacquie Duckworth, who… Continue reading Future Appoints Sutcliffe To Head Up London Titles
Granada Enterprises has successfully launched three new interactive advertising campaigns, reflecting its commitment to the medium.The ads, for Honda, Ford and BSkyB are the first to air on ITV1 and ITV2 since the broadcaster secured a deal with Sky Interactive to develop its interactive advertising portfolio (see ITV Launches New Interactive Platform For Viewers).The new… Continue reading ITV Unveils New Interactive Ads
Confirmation came this month that the advertising industry is finally ‘climbing out of the bath’. This somewhat curious assessment comes from WPP’s chief Sir Martin Sorrell, who has used a bath-tub description to depict the fortunes of the industry during the downturn. A marked decline was followed by a long period of flat growth and… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – October 2003
The Daily Telegraph is launching a specially commissioned Christmas luxury goods supplement, sponsored by cruise liner group, Cunard.The 48-page stand alone magazine, put together by the Telegraph Magazine’s editorial team, was specially devised for Cunard and reflects the increasing popularity of sponsorship led editorial.The supplement will feature full-colour, full-page ads for luxury brands including Louis… Continue reading Telegraph Launches Luxury Christmas Supplement
