Will an algorithm generate the next big Christmas ad? November 18, 2024 Christmas is coming and algorithms are at work, pushing the boundaries of creativity to ensure the tills keep ringing. But can AI tools ever really craft an ad that resonates on a deep, human level? Asks Paul Armstrong The Christmas ads have arrived, including a fake – and viral – John Lewis one, flooding our [...]
Festive advertising set to reach record high this Christmas November 7, 2024 Corporate spending on advertising is set to reach a record high this Christmas as brands look to cash in on consumers’ appetite for festive storytelling. Companies are set to spend a record £10.5bn in the UK on advertising over the Christmas season, according to industry trade body the Advertising Association and data provider WARC. Many [...]
Eurostar’s £39 fare promotion blasted for being misleading – again November 6, 2024 Eurostar has been scolded by the advertising regulator for the second time this year, over how it presented Instagram and Facebook ads for £39 fares.
WPP: New deals with Amazon and Unilever drive growth October 23, 2024 Like-for-like revenue at advertising giant WPP ticked up 4.1 per cent in the quarter to 30 September, despite a decline in business outside of the US and Europe. However, net new billings declined year-to-date. The figure came in at $3.2bn (£2.5bn) compared to $3.4bn (£2.6bn) in 2023. However, other regions struggled. Revenue in the UK [...]
Channel 4 reports record loss as advertising troubles persist October 9, 2024 Channel 4 has reported a challenging year, amid a "tough cyclical TV advertising downturn", but said this is beginning to stabilise.
How BT, EE, Plusnet, Talktalk, O2 and Virgin Media misled customers over mid-contract price rises October 9, 2024 Six of the UK’s biggest broadband providers, BT, EE, Plusnet, Talktalk, O2 and Virgin Media, failed to make mid-contract price increases clear to consumers, the advertising watchdog has ruled. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the companies misled consumers by placing important information about price rises separately to headline prices and in areas of less [...]
The Independent’s profit soars after TV and US growth October 7, 2024 British online news site The Independent has seen profits soar on the back of its success in TV and US expansion, lining it up for double-digit revenue growth in 2024. In its financial year 2023, operating profit shot up by 82 per cent to £3.5m, from £1.9m the previous year, despite flat annual revenue at [...]
Sir Ridley Scott’s production company in the red after battling ‘turbulent waters’ October 4, 2024 Sir Ridley Scott’s production company fell into the red as it battled with the “turbulent waters” of the film and TV industry, it has been revealed. Ridley Scott Associates has reported a pre-tax loss of £2.6m for the 12 months to 30 September, 2023, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The loss comes after [...]
Pearl & Dean: Cinema advertising giant banking on Wicked and Gladiator 2 success after loss-making year October 2, 2024 Cinema advertising giant Pearl & Dean is hoping that the expected commercial success of Wicked and Gladiator 2 will help it return to the black. The London-headquartered business fell to a pre-tax loss of £1.7m in 2023 despite the boost provided by the popularity of films such as Barbie, Oppenheimer and Wonka. The loss came [...]
Mission Group: Mastercard contract win helps group growth September 24, 2024 Advertising agency Mission Group posted first half results in line with expectations as it gears up to open a new office in Saudi Arabia to muscle in on the region. The London-listed company reported revenue edged up two per cent to £42.2m in the six months to 30 June. Excluding the results of the group’s 80 per cent [...]