Vincent Bolloré, chairman of Havas, has increased his stake in Aegis, the UK media buying group, to almost 30%. Bolloré Group, Bolloré’s holding company, has increased its holding in Aegis from 29.15% to 29.86%, almost reaching the threshold where it would have to make a bid for the company. So far, Bolloré has made four… Continue reading Bolloré Increases Aegis Stake

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has begun an investigation into Virgin Media following claims that its broadband advertisements are misleading customers.The ‘Truth, Lies and Broadband’ campaign featuring ads in national newspapers, on radio and online, state that the cable company’s broadband is “delivered via a fibre optic cable – meaning that it is officially the… Continue reading ASA Investigates Virgin Media Ads

In May, a study carried out by StrategyOne for Motorola’s Connected Home Solutions Division revealed that almost half of Europe is now regularly watching TV over the internet. France emerged as the most enthusiastic nation for consuming video on demand, with 59% watching previews and episodes of their favourite shows over the web, while the… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – May 2007

Aegis has recorded a total revenue increase of 10.8% at constant currencies for the first quarter, 4.6% at reported rates. The group’s organic revenue growth (excluding currency movements and the impact of acquisitions) has increased since 2006, to 8.5% in the first quarter, and Aegis says that it continues to achieve the fastest organic revenue… Continue reading Aegis Announces Q1 Revenue Increase

BSkyB’s 17.9% stake in ITV has been referred to the Competition Commission by the Department of Trade and Industry.The decision to refer the case to the Competition Commission follows recommendations from Ofcom (see NewsLine) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) (see Sky’s ITV Stake Raises Significant Competition Concerns)that the matter should be referred.In an… Continue reading Sky’s Stake In ITV Referred To Competition Commission

A new report from Media-Screen says that US broadband users are spending 48% (approximately one hour and 40 minutes) of their spare time online in a typical weekday, with the trend increasing across all age groups. Additionally, the report entitled Netpop | Play, finds that when users are online, 54% of that time is spent… Continue reading US Broadband Users Spend Almost 50% Of Spare Time Online

‘Silver Surfers’ are set to overtake the 35-44s as the age group with the largest representation online, according to online competitive service Hitwise.Those aged 55+ accounted for 22% of UK visits to all categories of websites in the four weeks to 12 May 2007, up 54% since 2005 and 40% since 2006. This compares to… Continue reading Silver Surfers Boost Online Presence

‘Silver Surfers’ are set to overtake the 35-44s as the age group with the largest representation online, according to online competitive service Hitwise. Those aged 55+ accounted for 22% of UK visits to all categories of websites in the four weeks to 12 May 2007, up 54% since 2005 and 40% since 2006. This compares… Continue reading Silver Surfers Boost Online Presence

Each week, NewsLine brings you a round-up of the latest news from the City affecting the media industry.There were some major manoeuvres in the City this week, with Havas chairman Vincent Bollore once again failing in his bid to win representation on the Aegis board.Bollore, who has a 21.9% share in Aegis, called a third… Continue reading Media In The City

Havas has announced that for the first time since 2001, its annual revenue was up in 2006 (0.6% organic growth and 0.8% natural growth). Net income before tax remained virtually stable at €83 million, with operating income of €121 million versus €128 million in 2005. There was a sharp rise in net new business in… Continue reading Havas Announces Revenue Increase