Disruptive integration: AllTogetherNow’s Conor McNicholas explains why firms struggle with digital August 9, 2015 For a brand to make a big impact, a multifaceted campaign combining analytics, creative, media buying and more is now a requirement. But coordinating different specialists working on one campaign can be difficult, and agency models have begun to change so clients can be offered an end-to-end marketing solution. Former NME and Top Gear editor [...]
Real Madrid and Barcelona head to BT as Sky pulls out of bidding for La Liga TV rights August 1, 2015 BT Sport has struck the latest blow in its battle with Sky Sports for football broadcasting supremacy, as it closes in on securing the rights to Spanish football. Read more: Sky’s costs soar as battle with BT Sport weighs Sky is believed to have pulled out of the bidding process for rights to La Liga fixtures [...]
Chime Communications board gives thumbs up to £374m WPP and Providence takeover bid July 31, 2015 Chime Communications' directors have unanimously recommended a £374m takeover from Providence Equity Partners and WPP to shareholders Read more: Chime shares soar on £350m WPP takeover talk The takeover offer entitles shareholders to 365p per Chime share and an interim dividend for the current year of 2.53p per share. Chime's specialist sports marketing businesses appear to [...]
Liberty Global increases stake in ITV to 9.9 per cent July 31, 2015 ITV's largest shareholder, Liberty Global, has increased its stake in the broadcaster, citing the opportunity of "attractive growth potential". Read more: ITV share price skyrockets as Liberty Global pays £481m for stake In a statement this morning Liberty Global, the world's largest international cable company, said it had bought 138.7m shares in ITV, taking its total [...]
Former Apprentice star Stuart Baggs “the brand” found dead aged 27 July 30, 2015 Former Apprentice star and telecoms entrepreneur Stuart Baggs has been found dead at a house on the Isle of Man. Police were called to the 27-year-old's property at 9am this morning. A spokeswoman said the cause of death was “unknown” but not thought to be suspicious. A statement issued today said: "Police can now confirm [...]
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to make Top Gear-style show for Amazon July 30, 2015 Former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have found a new home at Amazon, after being ditched by the BBC earlier this year. Read more: Chris Evans picked to replace Jeremy Clarkson as Top Gear presenter The trio will create a Top Gear-style motoring show for Amazon's Prime Video service, with long-time [...]
Digital publishing duo launch listed takeover vehicle Gloo Network for deals July 28, 2015 Two digital publishing executives have joined forces to raise up to £30m from investors for an acquisition vehicle targeting online consumer brands. Rebecca Miskin, the former digital strategy director at Hearst Magazines UK – owner of magazines like Cosmopolitan – and Pearson’s ex-chief digital officer, Juan Lopez-Valcarcel, want to buy companies worth between £250m and [...]
First homes inside former BBC Television Centre go on sale next month – starting at £500,000 July 27, 2015 Homebuyers will be soon able to own a slice of television history, with the first 450 homes inside the former BBC Television centre set to go up for sale next month. The scenery block at the former BBC Television centre in London’s White City is eerily quiet. For over 50 years the cavernous space used [...]
Grey London’s Lucy Jameson on why truth is key to building a brand July 26, 2015 With a growing emphasis on content marketing and earned media, awareness of a brand is no longer enough. From bank accounts to biscuits, brand engagement hinges on social media interaction, practical participation and a visceral connection between the customer, a company and its product. Creative agency Grey London realises that ideas, strategy and creative development [...]
Nikkei swoops for Financial Times as outbound Japanese M&A hits all-time record in 2015 and analysts cite Abenomics July 23, 2015 Japanese firms are casting their nets far and wide as deals activity heats up, with media giant Nikkei’s £844m swoop for the Financial Times yesterday taking the country’s outbound M&A to an all-time high in 2015. Companies from Japan have splashed nearly $53bn (£34bn) on foreign takeovers so far this year, putting them on [...]