The NASDAQ of advertising: Reprogramming programmatic with Infectious Media January 30, 2017 About 10 years ago, programmatic advertising was but a twinkle in the eye of some Silicon Valley bods, determined to bring about a sea change to digital advertising transactions. They were unaware, perhaps, of the flood that opening this sluice would bring to AdLand, nor the landscape that would remain when the new tide washed [...]
The government has sold more Lloyds Banking Group shares January 30, 2017 The government has sold more shares in Lloyds Banking Group, bringing its holding below the five per cent threshold. UK Financial Investments, which manages the government's stake in the bank, said today it now owns 4.998 per cent of the group. Shares in the bank dipped 1.4 per cent at the open. Until a few [...]
Enter The Dragon: Why China is snapping up British assets January 30, 2017 What do Heathrow, Thames Water, black cabs, Harvey Nichols and Rio Tinto have in common? They’re all part-owned by Chinese companies. “Britain holds a number of attractions for Chinese investors,” says Simon Bevan, head of the China Britain services group at Grant Thornton UK. “As a country, our language, business culture, rule of law and [...]
It matters not whether a payday lender or a dog groomer, morally policing advertising is a dangerous precedent January 30, 2017 One of the many perks of living in a democratic capitalist society is the laissez faire relationship between (legitimate, legal) business and government. But questions must be asked when giants step on smaller businesses. Especially when based on the moral posturing of a cabal of pious zealots. Such is the case with Google, who in [...]
March on Downing Street planned to protest Trump’s Muslim travel ban January 30, 2017 Protesters will gather outside Downing Street tonight to show opposition to US President Donald Trump's travel ban. The demonstration will start at 6pm at 10 Downing Street and there will be speeches from MPs including Ed Miliband and Caroline Lucas. The protest has been organised on Facebook, and 18,000 people have said they will attend. Read [...]
Six people have been killed in a gun attack at a Quebec mosque January 30, 2017 Six people have been killed after gunmen opened fire at a mosque in Quebec during Sunday night prayers, in what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said was a "terrorist attack on Muslims". Eight people were also wounded in the attack. Police said two suspects had been arrested, but gave no details as to the motive [...]
Starbucks to hire 10,000 refugees in response to Donald Trump’s Muslim travel ban January 30, 2017 Coffee house chain Starbucks said it will hire 10,000 refugees globally over the next five years in response to US President Donald Trump's travel ban. The company's chief executive Howard Schultz said in an open letter that the "American Dream" was "being called into question" by Trump's latest executive order. Trump has blocked visitors from [...]
Can big business relax? HMRC probes struggle as cash yielded from investigations falls January 30, 2017 The taxman is struggling to squeeze Britain's largest businesses as the cash yielded from its investigations fell by a quarter. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collected an extra £2.6bn from largest businesses in 2016, down from £3.5bn the year before, according to analysis of HMRC’s Large Business Directorat by law firm Pinsent Masons. Read more: "Middle [...]
Brexit uncertainty fails to hamper progress at Smith & Williamson January 30, 2017 Mid-tier beancounters Smith & Williamson said it had delivered a strong performance despite the economic uncertainty created by the Brexit vote, revealing double-digit revenue growth over the period that straddled the referendum. Operating income grew by 10 per cent to £117.5m, while operating profit was over a fifth higher (22 per cent) at £17.7m over the six [...]
The first of many? TP Icap seals first deal under new banner January 30, 2017 Newly named financial broker TP Icap has made its first acquisition, picking up analytics and business consulting firm Burton-Taylor International. TP Icap has its own division providing independent real time information on over-the-counter financial product prices. Burton-Taylor will "complement" this division, TP Icap said. Read more: This high-profile City boss just sold his shares in new company TP Icap [...]