ITV’s Jekyll and Hyde could be too scary for Ofcom, after watchdog receives 459 complaints November 1, 2015 Tonight’s episode of ITV show Jekyll and Hyde is bound to be filled with frights, but things have become scary off-screen too. On Thursday, TV watchdog Ofcom announced it would be launching an investigation into the show, after receiving 459 complaints. Viewers complained that the content of the first episode of the show, which aired [...]
UK media powerlist: These are the most influential people in media, advertising and communications on social media October 29, 2015 The creative industries of media, advertising and communications contribute billions to the UK economy and employ more than half a million people. But who’s making all that happen? We’ve put together a list of the leaders, the influencers, the movers and shakers, and the people creating a world-leading industry who have most clout on social [...]
Small TV companies offer potential hits for angel investors October 26, 2015 The tables have turned in the UK television sector. Small TV companies and new start-up entrants are growing their share of commissions from the major broadcasters, whilst the industry’s big players have seen revenues slow or even decline. This is creating interesting – and so far overlooked – opportunities for investors. Whilst the so-called ‘super-indies’ [...]
Sidney Taurel named Pearson’s new chairman, succeeding Glen Moreno October 26, 2015 Pearson has named Sidney Taurel as its new chairman, to replace Glen Moreno who is stepping down after a decade at the helm. Taurel is the former chief and chairman of pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, and boasts close ties to American politics. He served as a member of George Bush's Homeland Security Advisory Council, Export Council and Trade Policy and Negotiations Committee [...]
In the market for disruption: SapientNitro chief executive Nigel Vaz on consumer expectations October 25, 2015 Most disruptive companies have certain characteristics in common. They adapt constantly to stay ahead of the curve, they are dedicated to digital and deliver excellent customer service. Nigel Vaz, global chief strategy officer and European chief executive of SapientNitro, likens such businesses to gryphons – mythical hybrids with the wings of an eagle and the [...]
Hello, Adele’s new single has broken Vevo records: Here’s what people (and Lionel Richie) are saying about it October 25, 2015 Adele's latest single Hello was viewed 25m in one day, and since being released on Thursday has racked up an impressive 52.9m views. To put this in context, Taylor Swift's Bad Blood broke Vevo records when it clocked up 20.1m views in 24 hours back in May. Nicki Minaj's Anaconda was the previous record-holder, since August 2014 when [...]
Virgin Media hits out at BT and Sky over Premier League football TV rights deal October 21, 2015 Virgin Media has fired the latest shot in the battle of the broadcasters over the way TV rights for football games are sold. Research commissioned by Virgin showed that just six per cent of football fans said they were able to watch every match they wanted to on TV at home. Media watchdog Ofcom launched an [...]
Tax and ad-spend October 18, 2015 William Railton explores what the OECD’s BEPS proposals mean for marketers THE OECD has released its last pieces of guidance to governments on tackling corporate tax avoidance, and intellectual property is in the firing line. The final Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS) report calls for multinationals to provide more information about their “intangible” assets, [...]
Forget sex: Nostalgia gives you return on investment October 18, 2015 Arresting though they may be, sex and violence do not sell products. When confronted with graphic material, participants in a study by Ohio State University were likely to become so distracted that it impaired their “memory, attitudes and buying intentions for advertised products,” according to professor Brad Bushman. Nostalgia, on the other hand, fares more [...]
Optimal climate for success: House of Kaizen’s David Shiell talks Australian luddism and CRO October 11, 2015 Over the last few years, conversion rate optimisation (CRO) has been seen as a silver bullet for a company wanting to leverage existing web traffic and increase revenues, at a relatively low price. CRO is about maximising an audience’s engagement with an advert, but the process itself is exceedingly complex, as David Shiell, chief executive [...]