Speaking at the MRG Conference in Nice this morning, Richard Eyre, chief executive of ITV, explained his thinking behind setting ITV’s 40% peak-time target for the year 2000. “I was not forced into it. ITV had under-performed, and the alternative was to manage decline. Everyone – John Birt apart – wants a strong ITV.”Eyre admitted… Continue reading Eyre Explains “Fantastically Ambitious” ITV Targets
The Sun has performed a U-turn in its attitudes towards homosexuals, it announced yesterday. After incidents involving the ‘outing’ of Peter Mandelson , and agricultural minister Nick Brown, the title’s editor David Yelland stated that the paper was “no longer in the business of destroying closet gays’ lives by exposing them as homosexuals”.On Monday this… Continue reading The Sun Does A U-Turn
Granada Media is running an interactive campaign to advertise its new ONdigital service, the world’s first digital pay television service to be received via an aerial.On Sunday the 15th of November, LWT will screen a high-profile sponsorship showcase for ONdigital, showing highlights such as An Audience With All Saints and Dinner Dates, and running from… Continue reading Battle Of The Bonds For ONdigital
Belinda Beeftink’s opening address as chairperson of the MRG talked of researchers “growing up” – a couple of hours later the traditional researcher had been gunned down with scarcely a whimper in response. The assassination, subtle in some cases, merciless in others, had been led by client, research company and independent media strategist.The last was… Continue reading Reflections On The 1998 MRG Conference, Nice
A report carried out by Fletcher Research states that the Financial Times website www.ft.com receives the most advertising revenue. The UK Banners Survey says that FT.com raised £1.1 million between February and August 1998. The amount of advertising spend on the site is due to the greater expansion of financial services companies.Tony Blin-Stoyle, commercial director… Continue reading FT Website Earns Most Revenue
Capital Radio’s preliminary financial results, released today for the six month period running up to 30 September, showed a group turnover of £117.2 million (up 9.8% from last year), and pre tax profit of £37.8 million, after lower exceptional charges than last year.Earnings per share are at 19p.Capital gained control of the London station XFM… Continue reading Capital Radio 10% Rise In Turnover
BARB has announced that is to appoint Caroline McDevitt to the position of chief executive. She will be taking over the position on January 1st 1999 from John Fox who will be retiring.Caroline was previously the commercial director of Westcountry Television until it was taken over by Carlton TV in 1997. BARB is its restructed… Continue reading New Chief At BARB
Neil Shepherd-Smith, a consultant already to two JICs, appeared to have his eyes on a third when he queried elements of the new RAJAR Gold Standard methodology at this year’s MRG. He believed the model took no account of the number of spots in a schedule, and that the new standard was flawed enough that… Continue reading “All that Glistens is not Gold”
The GWR Group, which earlier this month called for a review of the rules governing radio ownership (see Newsline), today released its interim results for the six month period up until 30 September 1998.Turnover increased by 17% from last year, rising to £41.2 million, and pre-tax profit rose a healthy 31% to £8.3 million.Earnings per… Continue reading GWR Pre-Tax Profits Rise 31%
After recent speculation that the Interpublic Group was to pool its UK media brands, a spokeserson within the group has stated that there are in fact no discussions about such a move.Western International Media, Initiative and Universal McCann will remain as separate brands in the UK.Western International Media: 0171 584 5033
