MPs and peers launch ‘super committee’ to scrutinise online harms laws July 29, 2021 A joint committee of MPs and lords has been launched today to scrutinise controversial government plans to tackle online harms. The new super committee will be tasked with seeking views on the online safety bill, which was published in draft form in May. The bill is designed to hold tech giants such as Facebook and [...]
UK ad spend forecasts lifted as lockdown easing drives recovery July 29, 2021 Official forecasts for UK advertising spend in 2021 have been lifted after the easing of lockdown restrictions helped drive a better-than-expected recovery for the battered sector. Ad spend is now expected to grow 18.2 per cent this year to hit a total of £27.7bn, an upgrade from the 15.2 per cent rise forecast in April. [...]
Instagram influencer told to pay £40,000 after false surgeon claims following Brazilian butt lift July 28, 2021 A social media influencer who posted “totally false” allegations online about a leading cosmetic surgeon after undergoing Brazilian butt lift surgery has been ordered to pay him £40,000 after he won a High Court libel fight. Paulina Sobierajska was sued by Dr Alexander Amir Aslani, who works at a clinic in Marbella, Spain, and has [...]
Growing fears over doxing, revenge porn and slut shaming as nudes-sharing and dating apps soar July 28, 2021 Over the past 18 months, barriers to new relationships have pushed connections further online, and the quest for intimacy has gone digital. During three strict lockdowns, doxing, revenge porn and slut shaming have shut up as more and more people shared intimidate images online or signed up to an online dating platform. In fact, one [...]
ITV to restore dividend as advertising revenue bounces back July 28, 2021 ITV today pledged to reinstate its full-year dividend after the embattled broadcaster said it was emerging from the worst effects of the pandemic. The London-listed company said that while it will not pay an interim dividend due to ongoing uncertainty related to Covid, it planned to resume its payout at the end of its 2021 [...]
Converted: London Jehovah’s Witnesses HQ to start new life as film studio July 27, 2021 The former headquarters of the UK Jehovah’s Witnesses in north London will be given a fresh start as a film and TV hub in a bid to tap into surging demand for studio space. Flexible workspace firm Purpose has snapped up the 200,000 square feet site in Mill Hill and plans to transform it into [...]
Indian social media ShareChat teeters on $3bn valuation after funding rally July 27, 2021 Indian social media platform ShareChat is teetering on a valuation of $3bn after its latest funding round pulled in $145m. It comes not even three months after the Bangalore-based startup bagged $502m in backing, which hoisted its valuation to $2.1bn. With a climbing value, ShareChat has managed to secure a cool $911m in funding over [...]
Mirror publisher Reach restores dividend amid digital push July 27, 2021 Newspaper publisher Reach today restored its dividend after strong growth in its digital offering helped drive the group’s recovery after a torrid pandemic year. Reach, which owns the Mirror and Express as well as a number of regional titles, posted a four per cent rise in revenue to £302.3m in the six months to 27 [...]
WPP pulls out of Facebook media agency review July 23, 2021 WPP, which currently handles Facebook’s lucrative media planning and buying account, has pulled out of the social media’s agency review. GroupM, WPP’s media investment management division, has opted not to compete to retain the account, leaving rivals Dentsu, Havas and Publicis Groupe vying for the contract. Facebook’s media buying account is highly sought-after, reportedly covering [...]
MPs warn of ‘huge financial losses’ as scam ads left out of online safety laws July 23, 2021 A string of cross-party MPs have blasted the government’s failure to include paid-for adverts in its upcoming online safety laws, warning of “huge financial losses” to the public. In a joint letter to the prime minister, the Treasury Committee and the Work and Pensions Committee said fraudulent online ads were doing immense harm and urged [...]