Carlton and Granada’s proposed £2.6 billion merger is expected to be referred to the Competition Commission this week by the Office Of Fair Trading.The two broadcasting giants agreed the terms of the deal last October following months of speculation about the future of the ITV Network (see Carlton And Granada Enter Advanced Merger Talks).It is… Continue reading ITV Merger Set For Competition Commission Referral
Vivendi Universal is believed to be considering a new bid for its US entertainment businesses from the oil tycoon Marvin Davis. It is alleged that Davis held a closed doors meeting with Vivendi boss Jean-René Fourtou last week in which he offered $15 billion for VUE, which includes Universal Studios and Universal Music. He has… Continue reading Davis Makes New Offer For VUE
Media Audits has appointed Tony Reardon to head its international marketing and communications operations.Reardon, who has been involved in media and marketing for 20 years, has been working for Media Audits on a project basis for over six months, driving the rebranding and repositioning of the group (see Media Audits Appoints New UK Head). He… Continue reading Reardon To Drive International Marketing At Media Audits
The ASA is using the full extent of its power and is referring marketing consultancy, The J Partnership, to the Office Of Fair Trading (OFT) for its part in a misleading direct mail campaign.This is the first time that the ASA has referred a marketing agency to the OFT, and is a re-iteration of the… Continue reading ASA Uses Full Force Against Marketing Agency
The media sector ventured into positive territory on Thursday after some up-beat economic indicators and news that the US federal Reserve is to keep interest rates on hold.On the corporate news-front, the radio sector was in focus after the release of RAJAR audience measurement data for the fourth quarter of 2002.Capital Radio was in the… Continue reading Sharewatch
The latest IPA Industry Census shows that smaller agencies appear to have escaped the brunt of last year’s downturn, increasing the size of their workforce during 2002.According to the report, small and medium sized agencies experienced a respective 4% and 5% increase in the number of people they employed last year, compared to large agencies… Continue reading IPA Census Brings Good News For Smaller Agencies
Cordiant Communications has chosen Nigel Stapleton to be the company’s next chairman, replacing Charlie Scott who announced his intention to step down last September (see Cordiant Chairman Follows Bungey And Jumps Ship). Stapleton, who was formerly joint-chairman at Reed Elsevier, will take the helm on March 1. He is charged with the responsibility of reversing… Continue reading Cordiant Appoints New Chairman
London-based alternative music station Xfm has unveiled its biggest ad campaign for two years.The campaign will focus on the London Underground and will comprise around 9,000 poster sites including 16-sheets, 6-sheets and tube cards.Running throughout February, the campaign will feature high-profile DJ’s Christian O’Connell, Zoë Ball and Ricky Gervais and will aim to promote the… Continue reading Xfm Launches High-Profile Ad Campaign
Forever Broadcasting, the Newcastle-based independent radio company, today said that it has experienced encouraging trading for its first quarter to 31 December 2002, although no actual growth figures were given. The group pointed to yesterday’s RAJAR figures showing a 9% quarter on quarter and 30% year on year growth in listeners across its stations as… Continue reading Forever Broadcasting In Bid Talks, Trading Strong
Radio revenues at GWR Group were flat in the final quarter of 2002, despite a 14% increase at the group’s flagship Classic FM station, the company announced in a trading statement this morning.National airtime revenues were also flat, whilst local sales dropped by 4%. Like-for-like revenue figures for January 2003 are expected to show an… Continue reading GWR Group Sees Flat Q4 Revenues
