Marketing budgets look set to rise in 2006, compared to the succession of cutbacks endured by the industry in 2005.The growth, however, appears to be at the weakest rate since 2001, indicating that gross domestic product (GDP) growth is set to be downcast in early 2006.According to the latest IPA Bellwether Report, marketing budgets for… Continue reading IPA Bellwether Predicts Rising Ad Budgets For 2006

Highbury House Communications is expected not to receive more than £5 million for the sale of its magazines, according to sources close to the publisher.A report in this mornings Times claims that the proceeds of the sale of the titles would only pay back a small portion of the £30 million debt that crippled the… Continue reading Highbury Magazines May Raise Only £5 Million

News Corporation has announced the promotion of Jeremy Philips to the position of executive vice president, office of the chairman, overseeing the company’s internet activities following its recent string of online acquisitions.The new role will see Philips assume responsibility for the company’s internet investments as well as focusing on continuing acquisitions and strategy. He will… Continue reading Philips New Online Boss For News Corp

Media and communications group, Aegis, has announced the acquisition of market research business RBMR for a cash consideration of €5.4 million payable over five years.RBMR includes the market research subsidiaries of German based Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, which specialises in business to business, financial, utilities, telecoms and transport research.Commenting on the deal, Robert Lerwill, chief… Continue reading Aegis Acquires German Market Research Business

Independent News & Media has enjoyed a strong 2005, with a positive trading statement for the publisher showing good growth in circulation and advertising group revenues for the 11 months to 30th November.The Group revealed strong growth across its five main markets, the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa, expecting to report overall… Continue reading Independent News & Media Enjoys Strong 2005

Media and communications agency, Aegis, has revealed that trading for the eleven months to November has been in line with expectations, despite slightly weaker than expected growth in some of its European markets.According to the company’s pre-close trading statement, profits reported to 2005 will include a number of non-trading items as well as £1.6 million… Continue reading Aegis Claims Trading In Line With Expectations

Regional newspaper publisher, Johnston Press, has announced plans to acquire the entire issued share capital of publishers of the Scotsman newspaper and www.scotsman.com, Scotsman Publications.The deal will see Johnston purchase the company for a cash consideration of £160 million, with the newspaper publisher claiming the acquisition will be “earnings enhanced” within the first year.Tim Bowdler,… Continue reading Johnston Buys Scotsman Publications For £160 Million

Total UK adspend is predicted to top £15 billion by 2010, with online advertising expenditure share expected to reach 10% by 2007, according OPera’s latest Economic and Media Forecast for 2006 and Beyond.OPera project total advertising spend in the UK to rise to £13.2 billion in 2006, up from £12.8 billion this year, with advertising… Continue reading UK Adspend To Hit £15 Billion By 2010

ITV appears to be on the right track to embrace the impending digital age, with a panel of industry experts, rather to the surprise of many in the audience, commending chief executive Charles Allen’s leadership skills in preparing the channel for the multi-channel era.At the fifth MediaTel Media Question time, Bob Wootton, director of media… Continue reading MQT: ITV Ahead Of The Game In Multi-Channel Build Up- “Charles Is Playing A Blinder”

Advertising agency BBH has recently announced plans to “put media strategy back in the creative agency” resulting in other agencies implementing resources to bring media thinking back into the advertising process.Raising the issue at last night’s fifth MediaTel Media Question time, Paul Longhurst, ex managing director of The Allmond Partnership, asked the panel for their… Continue reading Calls For Agencies To Unite Creative And Media Divisions