WPP has published its preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 1996. The results show record profits for WPP, now in its eleventh year. The group ranks 105 of all UK companies by market capitalisation.The international agency saw its profits before tax rise 35% to £153.3 million; operating profits were up 22% to £182.4… Continue reading WPP Profits Rise 35%
Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising has merged K Advertising into the company. 6 redundancies were made in the process, but the other 34 account-handlers and creatives have been integrated into Saatchi & Saatchi’s existing groups. K Advertising billed £30.5 million in 1996.A number of client conflicts will result from the merger. The most significant clashes are… Continue reading Saatchi And Saatchi Takeover K
The largest computer manufacturer on the globe is to launch the world’s first digital television. Compaq will introduce a range of TVs by the time digital signals are broadcast in Europe and America. The sets are expected to have 36 inch flat-screens, high definition TV and all the facilities of a home computer including a… Continue reading First Digital TV To Hit The Production Lines
The IPA Trends in Television report, covering the last quarter of 1996 and 1996 as a whole, has been published. ITV and BBC1 are still monopolising the Top 20 and ITV’s social class profile continues to be relatively down-market. Number Of Programmes In Top 20 ITV BBC1 All Adults 11 9 AB Adults 6 14… Continue reading TV Viewing Falls
According to the Guardian, when the Sun joined forces with Camelot to give Britain’s best-selling title away free, on the morning of the first midweek lottery draw *Camelot Gives Sun Away Free, it not only boosted in its own circulation, but it also increased sales of its rival paper. The Mirror is reported to have… Continue reading Sun Promotion Backfires
For the first time The Royal Tournament will be shown on ITV. After more than 40 years on the BBC the show has swapped sides. The Royal Tournament will be produced by LWT and will be broadcast on the network this Summer.Gladiator’s producer Ken Warwick will oversee the action-packed show and Jonathan Glazier will direct… Continue reading Royal Tournament Moves To ITV
The proposed new glossy magazine for high-flying Irish people living in Britain has still not got off the drawing board *Its A Cracker.Aim Publications has failed to raise the £350,000 necessary to turn What’s the Crack? from an idea into a monthly magazine. All is not lost however, the company’s 13p shares are to remain… Continue reading Crack Up-Date
The ITC has issued a code on subtitling, sign language and audio description for digital terrestrial television.It has been decided that 50% of programmes must be subtitled, 10% of programmes must have audio description and 5% of programmes will be required to have sign language. These target must be reached within ten years of the… Continue reading Digital TV Gets The Sign
On the day that Channel 5 is to launch its schedule ITV has released its rival programme menu. In the first week that the new channel goes on air ITV will screen The Vanishing Man, a two hour drama written by Anthony Horowitz and starring Neil Morrissey.The third channel is also to screen Ace Ventura… Continue reading ITV Announce Battle Strategy For The Imminent War Against
5
The ITC has published its advertising complaints bulletin for November and December 1996.The report begins by drawing attention to the danger of using flashing and repetitive images in adverts. The ITC received complaints about 7 different commercials in 1996 reported to have triggered epileptic seizures in viewers. Boots No 7 cosmetics “Black” and “Red” adverts,… Continue reading Marmite And No 7 Ads Withdrawn
