David McCourt explains why micro-working is vital, and why he’s so disappointed by Trump and Clinton August 1, 2016 Do you mind always having to up sticks?” I ask David McCourt, founder, chairman and chief executive of telecoms and media investment firm Granahan McCourt, in regard to his likely move to London later this year. “No,” he replies. “I was only in the house my kids grew up in for 14 days last year; I’m [...]
Winter is coming for Game of Thrones as HBO reveals final season July 31, 2016 It's time to say goodbye to John Snow for real this time… on the small screen, at least. The show of the century, Game of Thrones, is officially coming to an end, its maker HBO has said. There will be just two more seasons of the hit show which has been a cash cow (or should that [...]
This top ad boss has been suspended after sharing his dodgy views on gender July 31, 2016 One of the UK's top advertising bosses has been told to take a "leave of absence" after making some dodgy claims about gender diversity in advertising that incurred the derision of some of the most powerful women in the industry. The chairman of Saatchi and Saatchi Worldwide Kevin Roberts, who also has the title "head coach" for its [...]
Pearson’s share price tumbles after former FT publisher reports 11 per cent revenue fall July 29, 2016 The former publisher of the Financial Times and Economist, which has transformed itself into primarily an education business, today reported an 11 per cent fall in revenues for the first half of the year. Pearson’s share price fell around six per cent to 913.5p after it reported the results on Friday morning and at the time [...]
Northern newspaper to stop publishing – after just five weeks July 28, 2016 Publishing group Cumbrian Newspapers (CN) is shutting down its most recently launched title after just five weeks in print, after failing to sell enough copies. CN launched 24 – The North's National on 20 June, a Monday to Friday publication with a cover price of 40p and the aim of "giving readers a national newspaper [...]
Sky grows revenue and profit as it eyes up European expansion July 28, 2016 Sky shares shot up in early trading this morning after the company revealed it grew revenue and profit on an adjusted basis in the year to 30 June. The figures The broadcaster reported a seven per cent increase in adjusted revenue, up to £11.97bn from £11.28bn the year before. Operating profit went up 12 per cent [...]
Don’t stop the press: Pro-Remain national paper launched after Brexit vote lives on July 27, 2016 A pro-Remain “pop-up” newspaper launched by a regional publisher is to continue printing beyond its original plan of four weeks. Archant launched the New European in the aftermath of the UK’s Brexit vote. It promoted itself as the “pop-up paper for the 48 per cent” who voted Remain in the referendum. The broadsheet newspaper has come [...]
Guardian newspaper losses accelerate amid industry’s advertising struggles July 27, 2016 The publisher of the Guardian newspaper has reported accelerated losses amid advertising struggles. The figures Guardian Media Group’s revenue for its 2015/16 financial year totalled £209.5m, down £8m from the year before. Despite an online push, the Guardian’s digital revenues were down nearly £2m to £81.9m. Print advertising revenue, meanwhile, was down 15 per cent. [...]
ITV targets £25m of savings after Brexit vote July 27, 2016 ITV is targeting £25m of cost savings next year as part of a “robust plan to allow us to meet the opportunities and challenges” resulting from the Brexit vote. The broadcaster today reported total revenue in the first half of the year was up 11 per cent to £1.5bn. Net advertising revenue was flat on [...]
Yah-ooh dear: Verizon reports five per cent revenue fall July 26, 2016 Verizon Communications, the US company that yesterday announced a $4.83bn (£3.7bn) deal for the internet business of Yahoo, has reported a more than five per cent drop in revenue. The figures Total operating revenues for the second quarter of 2016 were $30.5bn, down 5.3 per cent on the same period in 2015. Analysts had expected the [...]