The number of text messages sent in the UK last year almost doubled compared to 2000, according to the latest figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA). December’s 1.3 billion total means that during the course of 2001, some 12.2 billion chargeable person to person text messages were sent, compared to 1.1 billion in 1999… Continue reading Text Message Total For 2001 Exceeds 12 Billion
I Feel Good Holdings (IFG) has sold its film magazine, Hotdog, the creation of ex-Loaded and FHM editor and IFG CEO James Brown, to Paragon Publishing. Brown explained: “We are a young publishing company and unfortunately cannot afford to maintain non profitable publications.”Hotdog was launched in May 2000 as the first title from the newly… Continue reading IFG Sells Hotdog to Paragon
50% of UK adults who have digital TV are unaware that they can use their TV remote control handsets to access interactive services or buy products, according to a report from research and advisory firm Gartner.The report shows that of the total UK digital subscribers who knew they had access to interactive services, over 40%… Continue reading Digital Viewers Slow To Interact
Channel 5 has confirmed that its programming budget for 2002 will be increased by around £5m to £149m, up from £144.2m in 2001.Last year, stakeholders RTL and United Business Media (UBM) went to court over UBM’s reluctance to grant an increase to the 2001 budget, which began the year at £141.6m. In the end the… Continue reading Channel 5 Programming Budget Increased
The commercial radio industry has signed John Peel as the new “voice” of DAB digital radio. The signing sees the continuation of marketing efforts to raise the profile of the platform.The Digital Radio Development Bureau’s (DRDB) marketing director, Mike Spencer, said: “The last months of 2001 were very positive for digital radio. The announcement of… Continue reading DRDB Signs John Peel For Marketing Campaign
Week on week analysis shows that Cordiant, which is reported to be in talks with its bankers about its extending its £276m overdraft following a period of weak advertising sales (see Cordiant Looks To Refinance Overdraft After Tough Year), was the worst performer in last week’s media market. Shares were down 10.86% week on week… Continue reading Sharewatch
The Government is planning to tighten broadcasting regulations to ensure that all major sports events are shown on terrestrial TV.Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell is believed to have written to the ITC requesting a change in the law to close a loophole that Kirch tried to exploit last year when selling the rights for this summer’s… Continue reading Government Pushes For Sport On Terrestrial TV
Jazz FM is launching a bid to acquire London News Radio (LNR), which owns the London-based stations LBC and News Direct.In a statement issued today, Jazz FM confirmed that it has “an interest in acquiring LNR and has made an indicative initial offer.” The bid, believed to be around £20m, comes as the industry prepares… Continue reading Jazz FM Bids For LNR
The new BARB system has been harshly criticised by Janet Goldsmith, managing director of Universal Studios Networks UK, whose interests include the Sci-Fi Channel and The Studio film channel.Writing in today’s Media Guardian, Goldsmith says that when the service resumed after the technical delay in the first half of the month, “The service was not… Continue reading New BARB System Comes In For Criticism
Digital marketing company ad 2-one is to start measuring the effectiveness of its client’s online advertising campaigns following a deal with Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).Ad 2-one, which is owned by Vivendi Universal, is to start using TNS’ AdEval technology, which allows advertisers to track brand awareness, brand favourability and purchase intent.The AdEval system, which was… Continue reading Online Brand Awareness Tool Unveiled
