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Virgin Media has begun the sale of its content division, issuing a sales memorandum for its Virgin Media TV business and sales house IDS, although it is excluding its 50% stake in UKTV. It is understood that the UKTV stake will be sold when there is a clearer picture of the future of joint owner… Continue reading Virgin Media begins sale of content division

The economic downturn could provide an opportunity for innovative research practices to come to the fore, according to the panel at the latest MediaTel Group seminar on the ‘Future of Media Research’.Speaking at this morning’s event, panellist Sheila Byfield, leader, business planning at Mindshare Worldwide, said: “At the danger of being shot, recessions are quite… Continue reading Economic downturn could see greater innovation in media research

Arnaud de Puyfontaine has been appointed new chief executive of NatMags, replacing Duncan Edwards.De Puyfontaine, former head of Emap France, will report to Edwards, who was promoted to president and chief executive of non-US operations at NatMags’ parent company Hearst in January.De Puyfontaine joined Emap France in 1995, becoming chief executive three years later. When… Continue reading Natmags appoints new chief executive

Google is making 200 staff redundant from its global sales and marketing division, with 100 job cuts coming from its US operation and the other 100 from its offices around the world.Google announced the cuts in a post on its official blog yesterday.Omid Kordestani, Google senior vice-president of global sales and business development, said: “Google… Continue reading Google cuts 200 sales and marketing jobs

Outdoor firm Avanti Screenmedia saw ad revenue from national brands increase 15% year on year in 2008. For the final six months of 2008, Avanti’s revenue totalled £2.39 million, down 9.5% from 2007. However, it said a 42.8% reduction in operating costs saw a reduction in its pre-tax losses to £1.63 million, from a loss… Continue reading Avanti Screenmedia reports 15% increase in ad revenue

The BBC Trust has reaffirmed its view that a partnership approach from the BBC is the best way to deliver a wide range of public service broadcasting.In a response to the government’s Digital Britain report (see Broadband for all by 2012Broadband for all by 2012Broadband for all by 2012 ITV and BBC could share regional… Continue reading BBC Trust emphasises support for BBC partnerships

Aegis’ market research business Synovate enjoyed a 20.9% increase in operating profits to £42.2 million in 2008. Synovate put the growth down to a mix of organic growth, acquisition effects and benefits from its SmartWork efficiency programme. Overall revenues were up 19.7% to £518.2 million, with EMEA revenues up 20.3% to £248.4 million. Americas revenues… Continue reading Operating profits up 21% at Synovate

Special interest media group Future has announced that its pre-tax profit will be down by about £1 million following disruption to distribution of its newsstand magazines in the US. It said: “In February and March, Future’s US business experienced an unexpected disruption to distribution of up to 40% of its newsstand magazines, following a dispute… Continue reading Future Publishing expects fall in pre-tax profits

Daily Mail & General Trust has reported that advertising revenues fell 24% at its national newspaper division, and 37% at its regional business Northcliffe Media in the first quarter. The company said that it expects a net total of about 1,000 job cuts at Northcliffe this year, double the level it announced in November. Classified… Continue reading DMGT reports fall in ad revenues

BSkyB has been cleared to make another appeal against the Competition Commission’s ruling that it reduce its 17.9% stake in ITV to below 7.5%.The satellite broadcaster was originally told to cut its stake in ITV in January 2008 when business secretary John Hutton accepted the commission’s recommendation (see Sky Told To Reduce ITV Stake To… Continue reading BSkyB cleared to appeal against ITV stake sell-off