Companies taking part in the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)’s Bellwether report have revealed that their total marketing budgets for the current financial year had, on average, been revised down during the third quarter. This is the first time a downward revision has been recorded since data was first collected at the start of… Continue reading Marketing Budgets Down During Q3, Says IPA’s Bellwether Report
Month on MonthIn a month on month analysis, sales of national newspapers rose by 1.1% during September 2000. Figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) showed that small rises were seen across the majority of titles.The heaviest losses were felt at the Racing Post where sales dropped by 5.8%. The Sunday Sport fell even… Continue reading National Newspaper ABC Round Up – September 2000
Rumours of Vivendi’s wish to move away from BSkyB (see Sharewatch) were confirmed on Friday when the company announced that it is to dispose of its 22.7% stake in the BSkyB group in order to gain clearance from the European Commission for its merger with Seagram. BSkyB responded by saying that “Any disposal has no… Continue reading Sharewatch
The Wireless Group has today announced the acquisition of Wave 105 FM, the Southampton-based contemporary radio station. In its first deal since floating earlier this year (see Wireless Group Sets Price For Flotation), TWG is to pay £21.3m to purchase the remaining capital, excluding its current 24.6% stake.The acquisition will complement the group’s existing portfolio… Continue reading Wireless Group Expands Its Southern Portfolio
The proposed acquisition of British Interactive Broadcasting Holdings (BiB), which operates the interactive TV service Open, by BSkyB (see BSkyB Takes Control Of Open, Plans To Improve Look, Feel and Services) should be allowed, providing the satellite broadcaster agrees to provide a clean feed of premium TV to rival distributors, quelling competition concerns.Announcing the decision,… Continue reading BSkyB Must Undertake Clean Feed Guarantee For Open Takeover To Proceed
Viewing of non-terrestrial channels in digital homes slipped slightly during September, helping terrestrial channels gain back audience share. The latest BARB figures show viewing of BBC1 in digital homes increased from 16.4% in August to 19% during September, while ITV increased its share from 15.5% to 17.5% in digital homes.ITV continues to lose out in… Continue reading Digital Round-Up – September 2000: Terrestrials Gain Share In Digital Homes
Granada Media has announced that it is to form an independent internet and broadband company in partnership with high street retailer Boots.The company is to launch a health and beauty information and transactional website and interactive digital television channel in February 2001. Revenues from the venture will come from the sales of around 10,000 product… Continue reading Granada Media Teams With Boots To Create Internet and Broadband Company
Matthew Bannister, head of marketing and communications at the BBC, has resigned from his position and will leave the corporation at the end of the year.Greg Dyke regretted his decision to quit in a statement today: “Matthew has been a great colleague in the short time we’ve been working together and the ideas he has… Continue reading Bannister Quits BBC
Granada Media announced its alliance with high street chemist Boots yesterday, to form an internet and broadband company (see Granada Media Teams With Boots To Create Internet and Broadband Company). News of the deal had no effect on Granada’s shares, which remained at £3.92.WPP jumped 37p to end at £7.30 following a positive recommendation.BSkyB shares… Continue reading Sharewatch
Future Publishing is set to invigorate the video games market with the launch of Video Gamer. The title, which hits the newsstands on 1 November, will be the first in the sector to retail at a price of 99p.With a print run in excess of 200,000 and an initial marketing budget of £300,000, the title… Continue reading Future Prepares For Games Explosion
