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 [...]
Nikkei buys Financial Times from Pearson for £884m July 23, 2015 Japanese media company Nikkei is the triumphant bidder for the FT, picking up the newspaper and other publications from Pearson for £884m in an all-cash deal. The sale includes the famous pink paper and website FT.com, a web design business FT Labs, FT Chinese and Financial Publishing which includes publications such as The Banker and [...]
Pearson share price jumps after confirming Financial Times sale talks with Axel Springer in the spotlight July 23, 2015 Shares in the publisher of the Financial Times, Pearson, have jumped more than two per cent following reports that it will announce the newspaper group's sale "imminently". Pearson confirmed that it is in "advanced discussions" to sell off the FT Group. Latest: Nikkei buys Financial Times from Pearson for £884m In a market update, the company [...]
BBC appoints Laura Kuenssberg as political editor amid shake up July 22, 2015 The BBC yesterday announced the appointment of Laura Kuenssberg as political editor, taking over from Nick Robinson. Kuenssberg, who has been chief correspondent and a presenter on Newsnight since February 2014, previously served as business editor at ITV News between 2011 and 2014. She said yesterday: “I’m completely delighted and I recognise the responsibility on [...]