At present, the advertising industry is characterised by uncertainty as marketers try and get a handle on the likely effect of world events on the general economy. The pervading feeling is pessimistic but a number of media observers are convinced that the war is not wholly to blame for the stagnation of activity.Also On MediaTel… Continue reading MediaTel Insight: The War’s Effect On US Advertising
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation is in prime position to take control of DirecTV after its only rival for the US satellite broadcaster withdrew from the bidding process. Telecoms operator SBC, which has been tracking the pay-TV network all year (see SBC Expresses Interest In DirecTV) this week broke off talks with Hughes Electronics, the owner… Continue reading Murdoch Closes In On Satellite Dream
Revenues at the Telegraph Group fell by almost 5% in 2002 as worsening advertising conditions and falling circulation continued to impact on turnover. Full year results show that the group, which publishes the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator, earned £41.1 million before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation. This represents an increase of 24.7%… Continue reading Telegraph Fails To Arrest Revenues Decline
Cable & Wireless has ended speculation over the identity of its new chief executive by appointing Francesco Caio to replace outgoing CEO Graham Wallace. Caio was the founder and boss of IP service provider, Netscalibur. He is joined at C&W by Kevin Loosemore who moves into the new position of chief operating officer. Loosemore was… Continue reading C&W Brings In Caio To Steady The Ship
Emap has today announced the proposed acquisition of Excelsior, the French publisher, in a deal worth €90 million. Excelsior owns a number of consumer magazines, which fall into the categories of science and knowledge, women’s fashion and men’s lifestyle. Emap will also take a 70% share in Excelsior Publicite Interdeco, which carries out advertising sales… Continue reading Emap Raises Profile With French Acquisition
The European Commission has conditionally approved the acquisition of Telepiù by News International paving the way for the formation of Sky Italia. The decision marks the end of a five-month investigation which sought to determine whether the purchase of the Vivendi-owned operator would result in a monopolistic market (see EC To Investigate Telepiu Takeover). Rupert… Continue reading Murdoch To Rule The Roost Over Italian Pay-TV Market
The ASA has upheld complaints against Letts Educational, which provides exam, study and revision guides, for an advertising campaign that appeared to encourage bullying.The campaign to promote an online GCSE curriculum quiz, comprised a series of promotional postcards, which stated either “I Am A Wimp” or “I Am A Big Wuss”. The postcards were distributed… Continue reading ASA Raps Letts Educational For Encouraging Bullying
Granada was seen in focus yesterday after a positive note from Investec, which advised clients to build positions on war-related weakness. Investec claims only a “small amount” of advertising has been pulled because of the war in Iraq. The stock was seen up 5.26%.However, Granada’s chief executive, Charles Allen, had little to smile about after… Continue reading Sharewatch: Granada Rises On Positive Forecasts
Geoffrey Russell, director of media affairs at the IPA, discusses how the continuing war with Iraq will affect the already battered advertising industry.The UK advertising industry does not like publicly voicing concerns about potential falls in media expenditure. In a world in which client confidence is all too easy to shake, worries, once expressed, have… Continue reading NewsLine Column: Counting The Cost Of Conflict
The Sun is reportedly planning to increase its cover-price this week after the rival Daily Mirror called an end to the ongoing price war that has taken its toll on both titles.News International, the Sun‘s parent company, is yet to comment on the speculation, but the Guardian suggests that the tabloid will immediately increase its… Continue reading Sun Reportedly Planning Cover-Price Rise
