After the government’s volte-face on the sugar tax, will marketeers be left with a crashing low? March 22, 2016 Should the announcement of a sugar tax in last week’s Budget have marketeers worried? It certainly represents a volte-face on the part of the government. In October, when the advisory group Public Health England (PHE) released a report recommending measures to tackle childhood obesity, including a sugar tax of 10 to 20 per cent, a [...]
The Underground adland: After winning TfL’s £1.1bn advertising contract, Exterion Media boss Jason Cotterrell lays out his subterranean vision March 22, 2016 City A.M. may thoroughly engross commuters during their morning Tube journey. But once you’ve alighted, navigating the bustling corridors and escalators of the Underground requires your undivided attention. For the brands and companies which advertise on its billboards, London’s transport network presents a rare opportunity. “In the main, users are younger, affluent, in work, and [...]
Advertising company Exterion Media wins £1.1bn Transport for London contract March 17, 2016 Advertising company Exterion Media has won a Transport for London (TfL) contract worth more than £1bn. The partnership will begin on 1 October 2016 and was described by TfL as the largest outdoor advertising contract in the world. As part of the agreement, Exterion will oversee advertising on trains and at more than 400 stations across [...]
Newspaper publisher Guardian Media Group announces plans to cut 250 jobs as part of bid to break even March 17, 2016 Guardian Media Group, the owner of The Guardian and Observer newspapers, has announced plans to cut 250 jobs. The publisher said 100 of the jobs will be editorial and also said it would be restructuring less profitable parts of the company. The other 150 jobs are expected to come from commercial departments. Read more: Guardian reveals [...]
Trinity Mirror doubles cover price of New Day newspaper despite circulation struggles March 17, 2016 The cover price of Trinity Mirror's New Day newspaper doubled to 50p today despite the title's circulation falling to below 90,000. The publisher originally intended to raise the cover price from 25p to 50p after two weeks, although it stressed it could be flexible. Read more: New Day could be closed if it's not profitable by [...]
Sony agrees $750m deal with Michael Jackson’s estate for his 50 per cent stake in joint music publishing venture March 15, 2016 Sony has agreed a deal to pay Michael Jackson's estate $750m (£529m) for his share of a joint music publishing venture. The late pop star held a 50 per cent stake in Sony ATV Music Publishing as part of a business partnership dating back to 1995. The deal means Sony now has the rights to around three million [...]
Publishing and events company Ascential reports return to pre-tax profit in 2015 after flotation this year March 14, 2016 Ascential, the Cannes Lions advertising festival owner that floated on the London Stock Exchange this year, returned to pre-tax profit in 2015. The figures Ascential reported revenue growth of 6.1 per cent to £319.1m. This growth was down from seven per cent in 2014. Its pre-tax profit for 2015 was £8.4m, up from a loss of £5.4m the year before. The [...]
Digital marketing company Be Heard agrees deal to acquire MMT Digital for up to £20.5m March 14, 2016 Digital marketing company Be Heard has conditionally agreed to acquire MMT Digital for up to £20.5m. If approved by shareholders, Be Heard would pay an initial £5.1m for the design, build and user experience agency. And an additional £15.4m could be paid subject to performance. Be Heard announced a temporary suspension of trading on the [...]
Channel 4 chief executive warns privatisation would be “a solution in search of a problem” March 8, 2016 Channel 4’s chief executive today made the case for the network to remain public, saying: “Privatisation is a solution in search of a problem." Channel 4’s revenue was £938m in 2014, and David Abraham said he expects turnover to exceed £1bn in 2016. He also said Channel 4 has reserves of more than £200m, meaning it [...]
TV producer ITN sets out 2020 vision, with plans to increase revenue by 50 per cent and grow US presence five-fold March 7, 2016 Television producer ITN has set out plans to boost its revenue by 50 per cent in the coming years. The company, which creates content for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, is aiming for a turnover of more than £180m by the end of 2020. Read more: ITV shares drop despite growth and Euro football hopes [...]