Analysts are quietly confident that 2004 will bring about an upturn in the US advertising market with demand being driven by economic confidence.Also On MediaTel Insight Today…Lagardere Cleared To Acquire EditisThe European Commission today approved the takeover of Vivendi Universal’s publishing division by the French group Lagardere.Subscribers to MediaTel Insight can access more national and… Continue reading MediaTel Insight: Muted Optimism As US Ad Demand Grows
Speculation is mounting that press tycoon Conrad Black could be forced out as chairman of Hollinger International as controversy over unauthorised executive payments lingers on. Black stepped down as chief executive of the newspaper group in November after it was revealed that he and other executives had received unapproved payments totalling $32.2 million (see Black… Continue reading Hollinger Chairman Could Be Ousted
The European Commission today approved the takeover of Vivendi Universal’s publishing division by the French group Lagardere. Competition concerns mean that Lagardere will only retain a 40% stake in Editis (formerly VUP) with the remainder of the business going up for sale again. Lagardere is the world’s largest magazine publisher but has been keen to… Continue reading Lagardere Cleared To Acquire Editis
The troubled Interpublic Group has taken steps to ease its financial situation by selling four of its five UK motor racing circuits. The famous Brands Hatch complex has been sold, together with Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Snetterton to a new company called MotorsportVision for an undisclosed sum. The business is fronted by former racing… Continue reading Chequered Flag Comes Down On IPG Motorsports Empire
Communications regulator Ofcom has set out proposals for new guidelines that could hamper Government plans to make media mergers easier in the newly deregulated marketplace. The cross-media watchdog, which assumed its full responsibilities last week, plans to investigate companies hoping to complete deals that could fall foul of the plurality test amendment to the Communications… Continue reading New Ofcom Guidelines Could Tie-Up Major Media Mergers
The media sector was cheered yesterday after Aegis, the media sales and market research group, raised its forecasts for advertising growth this year amid signs of improving corporate confidence (see Aegis On Track To Deliver Strong Growth This Year).Daily Mail & General Trust was seen in focus up 0.8% following news that it and other… Continue reading Sharewatch: Forecasts From Aegis Lift Media Sector
The UK is the world’s ninth largest broadband country, according to new research out this week.The research firm Point Topic calculates that as at 30 September 2003 there were 1.4 million DSL and 1.2 million cable broadband lines in UK homes and businesses. The number of lines increased by more than 20% in the third… Continue reading UK Becomes A High Speed Haven For Internet Users
Viacom Outdoor has completed its national sales line-up with the appointment of Simon Mead as its new head of agency sales.The position will see Mead lead two teams responsible for pitching new ideas and creative solutions to agencies. He will work alongside head of specialist sales, Charlie Richardson, who joined the company last September.Mead will… Continue reading Viacom Outdoor Appoints New Head Of Agency Sales
Geoffrey Russell, director of media affairs at the IPA, looks back at how the £4.5 billion merger of Carlton and Granada dominated the media landscape in 2003. He also considers what effect one of the biggest deals in broadcasting history will have on advertisers in the year to come…It’s been a long 12 months.There will… Continue reading NewsLine Column: Don’t Look Back In Anger
Granada Enterprises has secured a deal with cheese manufacturer, Bell UK, that will see its Leerdammer brand become the exclusive £1.5 million sponsor of a new ITV ‘Mystery Dramas’ package.The deal comprises broadcast full sponsorship and off-air marketing of ITV’s brand new package, which includes the forthcoming series of Midsomer Murders, Taggart and a new… Continue reading Granada Brings Cheese To Prime Time ITV Drama
