Joe Biden secures landslide victory in South Carolina primary March 1, 2020 Joe Biden’s campaign to reach the White House has been given a new lease of life after the Democrat secured a resounding victory in the South Carolina primary yesterday. Biden, who served as vice president under Barack Obama, emerged victorious in the vote, where Democrats decide which candidate they want to run against President Donald [...]
Government launches review to protect future of radio February 27, 2020 The government today outlined plans for a review aimed at protecting the future of radio amid growing pressure from new technology and listening habits. The digital radio and audio review will address changing trends in the UK audio market, including the rise of smart speakers and streaming services. Its terms of reference, agreed with industry [...]
Netflix UK shows ‘not aligned to British taste’, say top media analysts February 27, 2020 Netflix’s UK shows are “not necessarily aligned to British taste” and cannot be compared to the BBC’s home-grown dramas, according to top media analysts. In a note issued today, Enders Analysis threw its weight behind the BBC’s value to the wider creative economy and blasted “naive” comparisons between the public service broadcaster and Silicon Valley [...]
Facebook and Google ad revenue to surpass TV for first time February 27, 2020 Brands are set to splash out more advertising dollars on tech titans Facebook and Google than the entire global TV sector this year, according to figures released today. Advertising revenue for Facebook and Google parent company Alphabet is forecast to reach $231.9bn (£185bn) in 2020, according to industry body Warc. TV ad spend is set [...]
Online harms laws will not harm free speech, vows Ofcom boss February 27, 2020 The rollout of new laws to tackle so-called online harms will not lead to censorship or damage free speech, a top Ofcom executive has said. Earlier this month the government said it would appoint Ofcom as Britain’s first internet watchdog, tasked with crackdown down on illegal and harmful material on social media sites. The beefed-up [...]
Homebase makes early return to profit as turnaround plan pays off February 27, 2020 Homebase today said it had returned to profit earlier than expected after its turnaround plan helped deliver strong growth. The DIY retailer reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of £3.2m for the year, up from a £114.5m loss in 2018. Homebase has embarked on a radical turnaround strategy after it was bought by [...]
WPP shares crash as fourth quarter revenue stalls February 27, 2020 Shares in WPP crashed 15 per cent in early trading after the advertising giant failed to deliver growth in the fourth quarter. The figures Like-for-like revenue less pass through costs fell 1.6 per cent to £10.8bn for the full year. Profit before tax dropped 21.9 per cent to £982m. Net debt was slimmed down from [...]
Amigo shares fall as impairment charges hit profit February 27, 2020 Shares in Amigo fell more than nine per cent this morning after the lender reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profit and withdrew its guidance for the full year. The figures Net loan book rose 3.8 per cent year on year to £722.3m in the nine months to the end of December. Revenue grew 8.5 [...]
Chrysalis Records relaunches with Laura Marling deal February 26, 2020 Iconic record label Chrysalis Records today announced its relaunch as an active label, signing up British singer songwriter Laura Marling. Chrysalis, which was founded in 1968, pioneered some of the biggest artists in the 70s and 80s, including Billy Idol, Blondie and Sinead O’Connor. The relaunch marks the first time in more than two decades [...]
Salesforce promotes former BT chief in management shake-up February 26, 2020 Salesforce has promoted former BT chief executive Gavin Patterson to a top role as part of a wider shake-up of its management team. Patterson, who joined the business software firm in September last year, will now serve as president and chief executive of Salesforce International. He will be based in Salesforce’s UK headquarters in the [...]
