Speculation continued amongst traders yesterday concerning WPP‘s expected move to buy buy US rival Grey Group. The American firm yesterday lost its media planning account with Proctor & Gamble, one of the main attractions for a WPP bid.The P&G account was scooped by Aegis, which dipped by 0.30%. WPP too saw a decline of 1.25%… Continue reading Sharewatch: Doubt Over WPP Deal As Aegis Scoops P&G
The BBC has confirmed that Rupert Gavin, chief executive officer of the Corporation’s commercial Worldwide arm, has resigned from his role without reason and with immediate effect.The unexpected move by Gavin, profiled in today’s Times Business supplement, comes as the Corporation faces increasing pressure from rival companies to downsize its commercial operations.Commenting on the shock… Continue reading BBC Worldwide Chief Makes Shock Resignation
Publishing giant, Reed Elsevier, unveiled yesterday that it had acquired US data services group, Seisint in a deal worth $775 million (£417 million).Reed said that the groups legal and government information arm, LexisNexis, will wholly own Seisint and will fit very strongly with the LexisNexis risk management business and allow it to expand further.A statement… Continue reading Reed Acquires American Data Group Seisint
Dennis Publishing chief executive Alistair Ramsay has announced the closure of the company’s groundbreaking small format men’s magazine, Jack, due to poor sales and increased competition in the sector.The title, purchased by Dennis in June 2003 as part of its acquisition of I Feel Good Plc, had been increasing circulation, with over 39,000 readers according… Continue reading Dennis Closes Jack Following Disappointing Sales
ITV is planning to create new versions of several classic drama series in an effort to increase ratings and win back viewers.The broadcaster has confirmed its intention to create the new programmes, with Inspector Morse, Sharpe and Rumpole of the Bailey understood to be in the planning stages.A spokeswoman for ITV said: “They are very… Continue reading ITV To Rescue Ratings By Resurrecting Classics
The Office of Fair Trading has issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange stating that ITV’s proposed acquisition of Scottish Media Group’s 25% stake in GMTV may be referred to the Competition Commission for investigation.The statement invites feedback about any competition or public interest issues to be sent to the OFT by 29 July… Continue reading GMTV Purchase May Be Judged By Competition Commission
WPP was the talk of trading floors yesterday, dipping by 1.51% as rumours circulated that the advertising giant is preparing to buy US rival Grey Group.A purchase would bring the company into WPP’s portfolio and bring an end to one of the few remaining independent advertising agencies. Grey was put up for sale in June,… Continue reading Sharewatch: WPP Dips As Grey Purchase Speculation Mounts
Film giant UIP has announced the first online campaign to promote summer blockbuster, Thunderbirds, employing United Virtualities’ Ooqa-Ooqa technology to replace viewers’ web browsers with branded alternatives.The technology is used for the first time today as the campaign launches on www.citv.co.uk, with Ooqa-Ooqa replacing visitors’ normal browser toolbar with an advertiser branded browser.The technology is… Continue reading UIP Pushes Thunderbirds With Branded Internet Browser
It was confirmed today that Guardian Media Group (GMG) has bought a 14% stake in Development Hell, publisher of the music and entertainment magazine Word.After much interest from other trade investors, the bosses at Development Hell decided that a tie with GMG would be ideal. Publisher, Jerry Perkins said: “It is a diverse media group… Continue reading GMG Acquires 14% Stake In Development Hell
Emap Advertising and Starcom Motive have secured a £1.5 million cross-media deal with Golden Wonder to promote its Nik Naks snack brand across Emap’s range of Kiss and Kerrang branded media.The four-month campaign will target 16 to 24 year-old consumers with a range of on-air sponsorship and promotions covering Kiss TV, Kerrang TV and The… Continue reading Emap Bags Golden Wonder For Cross-Media Deal
