Troubled advertising group Cordiant Communications was seen under pressure once again yesterday, down 9.09%, as WPP increased its grip on the group after buying out its remaining creditor.Profit takers also moved in on ITV merger partners, Carlton and Granada, which were seen down 3.635 and 3.30% respectively.Media investors will today consider reports that a last… Continue reading Sharewatch: Cordiant Falls Ahead Of Take-Over
One of the bidders for the Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE) portfolio of businesses is understood to have been eliminated from the auction process, according to a report in today’s Financial Times. The paper says that Universal Partners, the consortium led by US oil billionaire Marvin Davis, has been ruled out by Vivendi, as its offer… Continue reading Vivendi Selects VUE Bidders In Auction
Revenues from online gaming are set to rise from last year’s $875 million to over $5 billion worldwide by 2008, according to a new report from DFC Intelligence. The research group predicts that this growth will be driven by video games consoles users, as well as PC-based subscription services. By 2008, it forecasts that the… Continue reading Online Gaming Revenues To Pass $5bn By 2008, Says Report
Capital Radio’s London-based alternative music station Xfm has extended its deal with Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila, after research revealed the success of the drinks brand’s first sponsorship campaign on the station.Jose Cuervo has been sponsoring Xfm’s dance shows, The Remix, Rinse and Flo Motion, for the past ten months. The sponsorship package was recently put… Continue reading Research Helps Xfm Extend Jose Cuervo Sponsorship Deal
The cost of GPRS data will have to fall if it is to achieve its potential. So says a new report, GPRS Pricing Improves, But Users Still Paying A Packet, from Strategy Analytics. GPRS has been made more accessible through the introduction of a pay-per-use pricing system. However, prices are generally found in the $10… Continue reading GPRS Users Still Overcharged, Says Report
The latest global advertising forecasts from ZenithOptimedia offer a mixed prognosis for the industry with regional variances providing cause for consideration. The media services agency continues to predict full-year growth of 2.9% in current currency and 1.0% in constant currencies.Worldwide ad expenditure for 2002 came in at $315.3 billion, representing an improvement over 2001 of… Continue reading NewsLine Feature: Global Ad Forecasts From ZenithOptimedia
The Government has ended the deadlock over the relaxation of the media ownership regulations and has agreed to accept Lord Puttnam’s plurality test amendment to the Communications Bill.In an attempt to avert a last minute defeat in the House of Lords, which would effectively end three years of policy making, Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, has… Continue reading Government Ends Media Ownership Deadlock
Ofcom’s chief executive, Stephen Carter, has criticised Lord Puttnam’s recent amendment to the Communications Bill to give the new super-regulator a greater emphasis on protecting the interests of citizens.In his first public speech since his appointment earlier this year (see Carter Set For Chief Executive Role at Ofcom), Carter said the amendment, which was passed… Continue reading Carter Blasts Risky Amendments To Communications Bill
Global market research network, Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), this morning said that trading in its markets will yield broadly flat revenues for the first half of the year. The group’s figures paint a similar picture to WPP’s trading statement this week (see Sorrell Sees Signs Of Stabilisation). That is to say, the US is stronger… Continue reading TNS Sees Flat H1, NFO WorldGroup Deal Progressing
Independent News & Media has issued an upbeat trading statement in which it claims to be generating revenues in excess of 2002 levels and is on target to deliver encouraging interim results.The group, which owns The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and the Belfast Telegraph, said that circulation revenues continued to grow in all markets… Continue reading INM Reports Strong Start To Year
