David Coulthard-backed company Whisper Films receives Channel 4 investment August 13, 2015 Channel 4 has taken an equity stake in Whisper Films, a London-based production company specialising in sports content. The investment was made through the £20m Channel 4 Growth Fund, which was launched at the beginning of 2014. Whisper Films was established in 2010 by former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, TV presenter Jake Humphrey and [...]
Pearson sells stake in The Economist Group for £469m August 12, 2015 Pearson has agreed to sell its 50 per cent stake in The Economist Group for £469m just weeks after offloading the Financial Times. Italian investment group Exor take on 27.8 per cent of The Economist's ordinary shares for £227.5m and all of the B special shares for £59.5m. Pearson's remaining ordinary shares will be [...]
Johnston Press presses on with digital push as print revenues decline August 12, 2015 Johnston Press yesterday reported a £6.2m fall in revenue in the six months to 3 July, citing a “slowdown in general trading”. Driving the decline in revenues was a fall in income from print advertising, which fell to £64.1m, down 9.5 per cent on the same period of last year. The newspaper and magazine publisher [...]
Super Evil Megacorp raises $26m to fund global expansion of Vainglory video game August 10, 2015 Super Evil Megacorp has commanded $26m (£16.8m) of investment to fund its plans of world domination. Read more: eSports introduces random drug testing to combat doping in professional video gaming But alas, it's not a dastardly group of comic book villains: Super Evil Megacorp is a video game publisher with its sights set on ruling the [...]
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 [...]