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The Government’s plans to relax the media ownership regulations to allow major newspaper groups to buy Channel Five could face defeat in the House of Lords, according to influential Labour peer, David Puttnam. In an interview with the Financial Times, Lord Puttnam warned the Government that up to 60 Labour peers could rebel against the… Continue reading Puttnam Warns Of Defeat Over Channel Five Ownership

The research and information company Taylor Nelson Sofres has announced a 12% rise in annual profits and is confident of further growth following a bright start to 2003. The group saw turnover, including joint ventures, increase by 6.2% to £618.9 million in 2002. As a result, TNS has now overtaken the WPP subsidiary Kantar to… Continue reading Taylor Nelson Sofres Achieves ‘Creditable’ Results In 2002

Despite the prospect of war and fears of a double-dip recession, there was a general mood of optimism at the AAAA Media Conference in New Orleans last week. Of late, industry observers have been divided over the state of the advertising business. Jack Myers has insisted that the US market is experiencing ‘sustained upward momentum’… Continue reading AAAA Chief Upbeat On Ad Outlook

Carlton and Granada’s proposed £2.6 billion merger to form a single ITV company (see Carlton And Granada Enter Advanced Merger Talks) is due to be referred to the competition commission this week for a full enquiry. The decision by the Department of Trade And Industry, which has been expected for some time, will end hopes… Continue reading Full Scrutiny Of ITV Merger Looks Inevitable

Profits at Interpublic fell by almost 80% during 2002 as market conditions took their toll at the world’s second largest advertising group. Earnings were down to $20.3 million from $96.4 million in 2001 largely as a result of weakness at McCann-Erickson WorldGroup where $1.26 billion worth of business was lost last year. Interpublic now faces… Continue reading Interpublic Sees Earnings Plummet In 2002

Vivendi Universal yesterday announced record losses of €23.3 billion for 2002 but senior management has expressed confidence that the worst of the crisis is now over. The loss ranks as the largest in French corporate history, eclipsing the €20.7 billion deficit reported by France Télécom earlier this week. Total revenues rose by 4% to €28.7… Continue reading Vivendi Left Reeling By Staggering Losses

Havas, one of the world’s largest advertising groups, has defied tough market conditions and reported a profit of €23.5 million for 2002. The French company, which owns Euro RSCG Worldwide and the Media Planning Group, posted a €57.8 million loss in 2001 but staged a mini-recovery last year and the EBIT margin went up from… Continue reading Havas Returns To Profit In 2002

Ofcom, the new super-regulator for the media and communications industry, is to be up and running and ready to take on its full responsibilities by mid-December this year. The regulator’s recently appointed chief executive, Stephen Carter (see Carter Set For Chief Executive Role at Ofcom), has informed staff across the five existing bodies that Ofcom… Continue reading Ofcom To Be Fully Operational By December This Year

Viacom is considering a bid for the US entertainment assets of Vivendi Universal, according to reports today. Vivendi remains heavily in debt and there has been widespread speculation that it is prepared to divest its American businesses which includes Universal Pictures and USA Cable (see Bidders Move On Vivendi For Entertainment Assets, Say Reports). Sumner… Continue reading Viacom Eyes Up VU Entertainment Division

SMG, the media group which owns Virgin Radio and Scottish Television, this morning said that it does not expect any material recovery in advertising conditions before 2004. Releasing the group’s annual financial results, chief executive Andrew Flanagan said: “Overall, we remain cautious about the outlook for 2003 and we are managing the business on the… Continue reading SMG Sees No Ad Recovery This Year