A syndicate of 20 banks is planning to sell almost all its shares in WPP, the advertising group which includes JWT and O&M. The £200m placing is to be carried out this autumn.The banks received the shares as part of a £176m debt-for-equity swap two years ago when WPP ran into financial difficulties. The placing… Continue reading WPP Share Sale
News International has commissioned research from Arthur Andersen into media concentration in the UK. The study was commissioned as a result of two other major enquiries into Media Concentration, the first the EC’s Green Paper, and the second the Government’s investigation into Cross Media ownership.The aim of the survey was primarily to discover a methodology… Continue reading Media Concentration Research
The Independent has today cut its price to 30p, devoting the entire front page to its own news. The 30p price, which matches the Telegraph, and is 15p cheaper than the Guardian, will not remain in place indefinitely. A statement from the shareholders says, “It is felt that the premium quality the Independent achieves will,… Continue reading Independent Joins Price War
EMAP should learn tomorrow if its bid for Trans World Communications can proceed. If the Radio Authority’s decision that their bid is legal is upheld, then it may spark a flood of similar media take over bids.
Societe Europeene des Satellites, the Luxembourg company which operates the Astra satellite system has been split by boardroom difficulties and an attempt to oust the director general.An attempt was made last month to oust Pierre Meyrat, the director general, by a group of shareholdes. The main criticism against Meyrat was that he did not consult… Continue reading Board Split At Astra Operator
According to RAJAR figures leaked to the Sunday Times, Radio 1’s audience has slumped by almost 900,000 to less than 12.3m weekly listeners. Virgin 1215 has achieved its best performance yet with 3.4m weekly listeners, closing the gap with Classic FM at 4.6m listeners.The topline RAJAR data is embargoed until midnight tonight, and will be… Continue reading Radio 1’s Audience Drops Further
In October awards for 14 categories of advertising excellence in the regional press will be presented for the first time.Categories include Campaign of the Year, Advertisement of the Year, Media Planning Award of the Year and Colour Advertisement of the Year.Details from the Newspaper Society: 071 636 7014
The ITV Network Centre has just announced that Dick Emery, Director of Market Strategy at the ITV Network Centre, is to become BBC Worldwide’s Director of Strategy and Marketing. He will take up the appointment shortly.Andrew Quinn, chief executive of the Centre, said, “Dick has done a first rate job for the Network Centre during… Continue reading Dick Emery Leaves ITV For BBC
Camelot has announced that the first draw in the National Lottery will be made on Saturday 19 November. The winning numbers will be revealed on a live TV show, likely to be broadcast on BBC1.A jackpot prize of around £1 million will be on offer in the first draw, dependent on ticket sales. It is… Continue reading Lottery Draw In November
