Advertisers have condemned the BBC’s decision to schedule its Fame Academy talent show against ITV’s new series of Pop Idol as a ‘flagrant abuse’ of its public service duty.The decision, which comes just days after the BBC said it would strive to be “richer and more ambitious” than the commercial sector (see BBC Annual Report… Continue reading Advertisers Slam BBC As TV Talent Shows Go Head To Head
Advertisers are to be banned from making vague or misleading claims about food products under new European Commission rules proposed yesterday.The planned regulation will see the rules on labelling food “low fat” or “high fibre” tightened, and comments like “preserves youth” or “reduces stress” banned altogether, in an attempt to prevent consumers being mislead by… Continue reading Marketers Forced To Swallow New Rules On Food Ads
Active Value has refused to accept defeat in its attempt to scupper WPP’s bid for Cordiant despite the decision of two prominent executives to withdraw their candidacy for places on the board.Richard Wheatly, the ex-Jazz FM chief, and Stephen Davidson, a former WestLB Panmure executive have announced that they will no longer be standing for… Continue reading Active Value Running Out Of Options In Cordiant Saga
The majority of consumers are not prepared to pay to avoid advertising on television, according to a new survey commissioned by Media Planning Group.The research into “convergence” was carried out to asses how the increasing popularity of personal video recorders (PVR) and video on demand services (VOD) has affected the use of televisions and computers.The… Continue reading Viewers Not Interested In Paying To Avoid TV Commercials
Bacardi Rum has launched a new £500,000 outdoor advertising push to support its current TV campaign featuring Vinnie Jones.The outdoor promotion begins later this month and will see over 1,200 six-sheets positioned at 12 key drinking hotspots throughout London, including Piccadilly Circus, Clerkenwell, Hoxton, Covent Garden and Islington.The initial campaign will be supported by activity… Continue reading Bacardi Rum Launches New Outdoor Ad Campaign
Further trading information from key advertising businesses confirms that Q2 is shaping up to be very similar to Q1, that is to say relatively flat throughout, according to Merrill Lynch analysts. The US market is still showing positive momentum, whilst Europe remains a little depressed.Also On MediaTel Insight Today…BSkyB Results To Beat Consensus, Says Lehman… Continue reading MediaTel Insight: Agencies See Flat Second Quarter
The Broadcasting Standards Commission has revealed a 7% year on year increase in complaints during 2002, in its last annual review to be published before handing over control to the new super-regulator Ofcom.The watchdog noted the rising levels of violence and offensive language on television in general and expressed particular concern over an increase in… Continue reading TV Watchdog Warns Against Rise In Soap Violence
The ASA has slammed BT for using the words ‘Public Notice’ in a national press ad for its new directory enquiries service.Communications regulator Oftel and members of the public complained the use of that particular strapline misleadingly implied that the ad was an announcement from a public authority.The ad stated: “Public Notice. BT directory enquiries… Continue reading ASA Slams BT For Misleading Directory Enquiries Ad
BSkyB was seen in focus yesterday, up 1.37% following speculation it is to make a £1 billion bid for the rights to all Premiership football matches (see BSkyB Bids To Retain Premiership Prize).Elsewhere, investors considered reports that Publicis is to make a deal with investment fund Active Value to take-over Cordiant. However, some analysts have… Continue reading Sharewatch: BSkyB Rises After News Of Football Rights Bid
Gloomy news emerged earleir this week with the latest edition of the IPA’s Bellwether Report, which shows that more marketers are reducing their budgets than are increasing them.The report, published today, found that 29% of companies questioned are revising their current budgets downwards, with just 18% reporting an upward revision. This leaves a net balance… Continue reading Feature: Outlook Remains Uncertain For UK Marketers
