Visual vanguard: JCDecaux’s Spencer Berwin talks hawks, scaling and London’s digital landscape April 25, 2016 London's landscape is in flux. Almost 120 skyscrapers are in the pipeline, and the proliferation of bright digital billboards in train stations, roundabouts and bus shelters are transforming the capital’s aspect into something altogether more dynamic and enthralling. Outdoor specialist JCDecaux is behind this massive digital roll-out. After winning TfL’s £300m bus shelter contract last [...]
Martin Sorrell’s WPP leads marketing and communications global deals surge in first quarter of 2016 April 21, 2016 The value of deals activity in the marketing and communications sector grew by two-thirds in the first quarter of 2016. During the three months, 288 deals completed in the global market, up 32 per cent year on year, according to new research by Results International published today. The combined disclosed value of the deals was [...]
Frontrunner in Yahoo bidding process Verizon reports first-quarter results for 2016 April 21, 2016 Verizon Communications, the company tipped to win the Yahoo bidding war, reported a 2.9 per cent growth in earnings per share (EPS) in the first quarter of 2016. The figures The US firm's revenue grew 0.6 per cent on the first quarter of 2015 to $32.17.bn (£22.4bn). This was slightly below analysts' expectations of $32.46bn, [...]
Sky News loses Gherkin presence after six years in the heart of Canada April 19, 2016 Sky News has lost its presence in the Gherkin after six years. The broadcaster's business coverage is now being shot in its Millbank and Osterley studios. Read more: Mapped: Londoners are sick of all the skyscrapers Morning Wire understands Sky News's landlord activated a break clause forcing the broadcaster to leave Canada this month. Sky [...]
Dave and Gold owner UKTV tipped for deal spree if BBC is forced to sell off £500m stake in broadcaster April 18, 2016 UKTV is being tipped to go on an acquisition spree if the BBC is forced to sell off its £500m-valued stake. The broadcaster owns 10 channels including Dave and Gold, which broadcasts Only Fools and Horses, Alan Partridge and Fawlty Towers. It has been reported that if the BBC is forced to sell its 50 per cent stake, [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell defends £63m pay package amid fears of 2016 shareholder spring: “If WPP does well, I do well” April 18, 2016 Sir Martin Sorrell, the founder and chief executive of WPP, has defended his £63m pay package. Sorrell was a victim of the so-called shareholder spring in 2012, with 60 per cent of WPP shareholders rejecting his £6.8m pay that year. There was also a repeat in 2014 when 28 per cent voted against his remuneration [...]
Mobile is a hot topic (again) as Advertising Week Europe comes to town April 18, 2016 "This will be the year of mobile” has been a multi-year meme in the ad industry, but there’s some logic to it. Since the first iPhone captured consumers’ imaginations in 2007, each subsequent year has truly been the year of mobile, with app developers inventing new uses for these palm-sized computers, marketers observing how these devices [...]
Making global local: Maxus’s Lindsay Pattison talks India, inequality and the long term April 18, 2016 "Media is the fastest growing area of marketing. We are the link now between advertising and sale, and everyone wants a piece of the action,” says Lindsay Pattison, global chief executive of Maxus. The fourth arm of WPP’s Group M – the world’s largest advertising media company, which buys one in every three adverts sold – [...]
CNBC International targets business thirst for news from China as bullish boss backs network to succeed in multiplatform media world April 14, 2016 China's economy may have been an area of concern for many in the business world so far this year. But for CNBC, the US-founded international business news broadcaster, it represents an opportunity. The international business community's "thirst" for news from China is growing. And CNBC wants to be there to provide it – despite the political challenges of working in the country. [...]
Peppa Pig maker Entertainment One denies ITV takeover approach, but sees share price jump April 14, 2016 Shares in Entertainment One leapt this morning following claims ITV is considering a takeover bid for the Peppa Pig owner. But the Canadian film distributor, which has a market valuation of $964m (£683m), denied reports of the approach. It told shareholders this morning: "Entertainment One notes the press speculation regarding a potential offer. No approach has been received by [...]