Clothing retailer French Connection has once again fallen foul of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for using its initials, FCUK, in an advert in a way which could lead to the letters being read as “fuck”. The 132 complaints received by the ASA concerned a poster advert advising consumers to visit the website “fcukinkybugger.com”. Complainants… Continue reading Retailer’s Kinky Bugger Ad Provokes Complaints To ASA
Reuters announced yesterday that it is pressing ahead with the proposed flotation of its financial information service Instinet. The move has provoked criticism from media analysts as the timing coincides with worldwide slumps in stock markets.The filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission indicates the business is valued around $3bn, a figure which, while… Continue reading Reuters’ Plan To Float Instinet Meets With Market Criticism
Yesterday saw share prices fall across most media stocks, with several of the largest names suffering the most. BSkyB had its target price downgraded by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter because of the UK’s advertising slowdown. Shares fell 88p, over 10.5%, as a result, ending at £7.33.Cordiant lost over 10% of its value, while Carlton continued… Continue reading Sharewatch
While press reports declare the UK to be slipping into ad revenue decline the outdoor industry continues to enjoy a boom period. Still one of the market’s smaller players, with around 5% of total adspend, its growth continues, partly as a result of corrosion across other media.Iain McLellan, director of the Outdoor Advertising Association (OAA),… Continue reading Feature: Outdoor Holds Onto Its Place In The Sun
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has confirmed that it has renewed the licences for the remaining Channel 3 companies. Border, Central, Grampian, Granada, LWT and Scottish have all extended their licences for a further ten year period.Financial terms for licence renewal were revealed by the regulatory body last month (see ITC Announces Financial Renewal Terms… Continue reading ITC Renews Remaining ITV Licences
WPP has announced the acquisition of Glendinning, a sales and marketing management consultancy. The UK-based group helps clients such as Coca-Cola, Nestle and Tesco develop sales development skills, customer marketing and management.WPP has made a signed a number of deals in recent weeks (see WPP Acquires European Branding Consultancy), taking advantage of cheap acquisitions as… Continue reading WPP Buys UK-based Management Consultancy
Following a trading statement last week outlining plans to further cut its internet operations (see Emap Receives US Approaches, Cuts Digital Spend And Sees Year-End In Line With Expectations), Emap has now given details of a boost to its launch budget. The media group is to increase its new launch spend from £17 million to… Continue reading Emap Boosts Magazine Launch Budget
Global marketing communications group, Cordiant, has announced the acquisition of Gallagher & Kelly Public Relations, a leading business communications consultancy in Ireland.Based in Dublin, Gallagher & Kelly provides clients with a range of corporate communications services, including media relations, public affairs and corporate brand communications. The company advises and represents a range of domestic and… Continue reading Cordiant Acquires Dublin PR Firm
Digital terrestrial broadcaster ONdigital is to undergo a major revamp, according to press reports. Owners Carlton and Granada are considering changing the name of the platform to ITV Digital as it steps up competition with its main rival BSkyB.A name change received support from investment bank Merrill Lynch last week, who believe that the familiarity… Continue reading ONdigital Expected To Be Rebranded
Cable & Wireless was among the few TMT stocks to show an improvement yesterday, after news that it is to sell its stake in Hong Kong’s Pacific Century Cyberworks. Shares ended the day up 15p at £4.90. By contrast Telewest was out of favour and dropped 5½p to end at £1.09.WPP announced the acquisition of… Continue reading Sharewatch
