Aegis And Five In Deal Dispute

Following the failure of Five and Aegis Media to reach agreement over the terms of agency deals for 2008, clients of Carat and Vizeum have been pulled from advertising on the channel.

The dispute is understood to relate to differing valuations of the Five audience, according to a report on Brand Republic.

The report added that there is a further twist provided by the fact the Five is a client of Vizeum, which has handled its media planning and buying since 2003.

In addition, ZenithOptimedia is reported to be involved in a smaller disagreement, involving ITV’s digital channels, with ZenithOptimedia yet to commit to its deal with channels including ITV2 and ITV3.

Brand Republic said that it had spoken to sources who claimed that ITV’s share of the £3.5 billion TV market had remained flat after a relatively good 2007 under the terms of the CRR trading mechanism.

An agency broadcast director said: “ITV went into negotiations with a policy of 100% retention under CRR and there’s been little deviation from that. ITV’s determination has dictated the tone of the negotiations round.”

Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv Aegis Group: 020 7070 7700 www.aegisplc.com