More Media Business articles

A merger of the cable firms Telewest and NTL will not take place for at least another year, according to a report in today’s Guardian. The newspaper claims that bondholders want both management teams to achieve operational targets before they provide more funds and support amalgamation. This will come as a surprise to many industry… Continue reading UK Cable Merger Put On Hold

The media sector has continued to feel the brunt of the plummeting stock market this week, with all but seven of the media companies listed in MediaTelINSIGHT Sharewatch showing falling prices yesterday. UK stocks have been falling for well over a week now as market uncertainties – particularly the spectre of war – cause company… Continue reading Continuing Share Falls Slash Media Company Values

As expected, Deutsche Telekom (DT) looks set to sell its cable assets to a consortium of financial investors for between â‚Ź1.7 billion and â‚Ź2.0 billion. The price range falls slightly short of the â‚Ź2.2 billion that DT had hoped to secure for the six regional cable franchises. The Financial Times today says that the deal… Continue reading Deutsche Telekom To Net

Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of WPP, has reproached his fellow advertising bosses for whingeing about the state of the market, arguing that recessions are part and parcel of managing a business. According to a Daily Telegraph report from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sorrell said that chief executives should ‘stop moaning’ and… Continue reading Sorrell Lambasts ‘Moaning’ Industry Chiefs

Like-for-like radio revenues at Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) rose by 6.5% in the group’s first financial quarter, from October to December 2002. According to the company’s AGM statement, released this afternoon, revenues at the press division, Score Press, were up 5.5% year on year, with growth continuing into January. The group said it has had… Continue reading Scottish Radio Sees Good Start To The Year

Capital Radio’s advertising revenues fell by 6% in the quarter ending 31 December 2002. October was down by 14% and November and December were broadly flat. Capital says that this reflects the continuing tough advertising market. The group anticipates that January revenues will be modestly up year on year. However, the outlook for February and… Continue reading Capital Radio Ad Revenue Falls 6% In Q4 2002

The fortunes of Interpublic, the world’s second-largest advertising network, hit a new low yesterday as a prominent ratings agency issued a warning about the group’s debt. Interpublic endured a torrid 2002, punctuated by poor results, accounting revisions and ruminations on the state of the advertising economy. Just recently, IPG’s chief executive CEO John Dooner said… Continue reading Interpublic On The Brink Of Junk Status

The Barclay brothers have reportedly drawn up a plan to sell their national weekly newspaper, The Business. According to confidential documents obtained by the Financial Times, a possible management buy-out of The Business has been under consideration for some time. It is understood that lawyers acting for the Barclays have exchanged letters with City advisers… Continue reading Barclay Brothers Set To Sell The Business

Despite the ongoing advertising downturn, the majority of UK agencies managed to increase or sustain their investment in marketing and new business during 2002. A survey of over 150 agencies across advertising, PR, direct marketing, digital and media disciplines shows that advertising agencies had the largest number of staff dedicated to new business and marketing,… Continue reading Agencies Maintain New Business Spend During 2002

Despite the confidence emanating from high-ranking decision makers at the UK’s top companies, there is as yet little concrete evidence to support claims that the marketing and media sectors are on the road to recovery. The latest IPA Bellwether report showed that of those setting new budgets for 2003 in the fourth quarter, twice as… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Bellwether Brings Mixed Message For Marketers