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Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP is to acquire Grey Global for £845 million in a deal that brings it neck and neck with US-owned Omnicom for the title of the world’s largest advertising agency. WPP saw off competition from French advertising group Havas and San Francisco-based private equity firm Hellman & Friedman with a knockout bid… Continue reading WPP Wins Battle For Grey With £845 Million Bid

NTL has confirmed it is in the process of reviewing its strategic plans, which could result in the sale of the group’s television and radio broadcasting business. According to the Financial Times, the sale of the UK cable operators ‘tower’ business is expected to generate at least £1.2 billion. A spokesperson confirmed that NTL is… Continue reading NTL Reviewing Plans Which Could Result In Sale Of ‘Towers’ Business

Publicis Groupe, the world’s fourth largest marketing services company, has given its clearest indication yet that it might follow in the footsteps of its rivals with the creation of a single media buying point outside of the US. The news comes as the French-owned holding group for ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest revealed plans to create… Continue reading Publicis Ponders Creation Of Single Buying Point

As the advertising upturn continues, Scottish Media Group (SMG), has seen a turnaround in its fortunes as pre-tax profits grew by 20% to £5.5 million during the first half of this year. The Glasgow-based group’s television division recorded the strongest performance of all sectors, for the period from January to June, as operating profits grew… Continue reading TV Boosts Fortunes At SMG

French advertising group, Havas, has said its board of directors has given the green light to move forward with a bid to purchase US rivals, Grey Global Group. Havas’ bid, which will be joined by offers from UK advertising giants, WPP and private equity firm, Hellman & Friedman, will have to be submitted before today’s… Continue reading Havas Given Go-Ahead For Grey Global Bid

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has today announced that pre-tax profits have jumped up 59% to £132 million in the first half of this year, driven by an improvement in advertising revenue which grew by 4% for the group. Although significant improvements were seen across the board for ITV, the biggest achievement comes from its news division… Continue reading Improved Advertising Revenue Drives ITV Profits Up 59%

As time draws closer to the bidding deadline for US advertising firm, Grey Global Group, WPP are thought to be putting together an offer of cash and shares worth around $1.3 billion. According to a report in The Times, the bid from the advertising giant’s chief executive, Sir Martin Sorrell, will be joined by an… Continue reading WPP Prepares Bidding Offer For Grey

Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director general, has played down rumours that the Corporation is planning to sell off its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, and attempted to diffuse speculation of a tie-up between the BBC and Channel 4, stating that a merger could occur between the BBC and any of the UK’s commercial broadcasters. In an… Continue reading Thompson Plays Down BBC Mergers And Worldwide Sell Off

Advertising and PR firm, Chime Communications, has today revealed a positive turnaround in profits during the first half of this year, as operating profits grew by 8% to £3.6 million. Commenting on the results, chairman, Lord Bell said: “I am pleased that we have returned to reporting pretax profits. Our successful fund raising and the… Continue reading Chime Communication Sees Improvements In Profits

Global market research group, Aegis, has today unveiled that revenues for the first six months of 2004 have grown by 15% to just under £339 million, spurred by a recovery in Europe and stronger than expected new business wins. Pre-tax profits from January to June grew to £294.5 million as a result of the ‘global… Continue reading New Business Wins Spur On Revenues At Aegis