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News Corporation has become a strategic investor in online video company ROO Group, for an estimated $12 million (£6 million). Roo Group currently handles video distribution for the News Corporation’s The Times and The Australian online versions. Under the agreement News Corporation will receive up to a 5% interest of the current fully diluted shares… Continue reading News Corp Invests In Online Video Company

Michael Grade, ITV’s new executive chairman, has hired Carolyn Fairbairn to lead the broadcaster’s corporate development and strategy team. Fairbairn was the former director of strategy at the BBC, and previously worked with Grade when he was BBC chairman (see BBC Chairman Jumps Ship To ITV Top Job). He said her experience of “broadcasting and… Continue reading Grade Hires Fairbairn To Boost ITV

Independent News & Media has joined with private equity firm the Carlyle Group to make a $2.2 billion bid for Australia’s APN News & Media. APN News & Media is already 40% owned by Tony O’Reilly’s Independent News & Media. Ted Harris, chairman of the independent sub committee of the APN Board said: “The proposal… Continue reading Independent News & Media Renews APN Interest

David Pattison, who quit as chief executive of PHD Worldwide last year, is to become the chief executive of ILG Digital, the holding company for i-level and Generator Consulting. Pattison takes on the role in May and will be charged with expanding ILG Digital’s range of services and looking at the possibility of international growth.… Continue reading Pattison Joins ILG Digital

Reports that James Murdoch is to quit as BSkyB chief executive in the summer and head to New York to work for News Corp have seen sources close to the Murdoch family deny the rumour. The Mail On Sunday originally reported that Murdoch will be replaced at Sky by the head of Sky Italia, Tom… Continue reading Sources Deny Murdoch Could Leave BSkyB

Rupert Murdoch has emerged as a potential bidder for Big Brother producer Endemol. A report in Spanish newspaper La Gaceta claims that Murdoch is interested in buying Telefonica’s 75% stake in the production company. Telefonica is expected to launch a formal auction for Endemol within weeks, says today’s Times, having tabled a meeting with Merrill… Continue reading Rupert Murdoch Could Bid For Endemol

The latest Ernst & Young Independent Treasury Economic Model (ITEM) Club Winter forecast for the UK economy predicts growth in GDP of 2.9% in 2007, as the City continues to drive corporate activity. The positive outlook for the economy is ultimately being propelled by the confidence of firms in the business and financial services sector.… Continue reading UK Economy Predicted To Grow 2.9% In 2007

Pearson is on track to produce record profits in 2006 and expects adjusted earnings per share to come out at the top end of analyst’s expectations. The Financial Times publisher said that it continued to perform strongly through the fourth quarter of 2006, with all of its businesses trading well. Pearson Education sustained its good… Continue reading Pearson On Track For Record 2006 Profits

James Murdoch, chief executive of BSkyB, could leave the satellite broadcaster in the summer in order to take up a position at News Corp. According to a report in the Mail On Sunday, Murdoch will be replaced at Sky by the head of Sky Italia, Tom Mockridge. The US based News Corp is headed by… Continue reading James Murdoch Could Leave BSkyB

John de Mol is believed to be discussing with Disney the possibility of placing a joint bid for Endemol, the company he co-founded. According to reports in the trade press, de Mol and Disney are looking for a private equity firm to join their partnership and help finance the deal. Last week Dutch regulators announced… Continue reading Disney Could Join De Mol In Endemol Bid