IPA Bellwether: UK businesses boost sales promotions to record levels but pessimism lingers July 20, 2023 UK firms have ramped up sales promotions to an all-time high, leading to a growth in overall marketing budgets, according to the second-quarter IPA Bellwether Report released today. The report, which tracks marketing trends, revealed that sales promotions budgets have reached their highest level in the 23-year history of the survey, as more businesses increased [...]
Andria Vidler to lead Allwyn UK as it gears up to operate the National Lottery July 19, 2023 Lottery operator Allwyn UK has announced the appointment of Andria Vidler as its new boss, as it prepares to take over operation of the National Lottery. Vidler will spearhead Allwyn’s operation of the National Lottery starting in February 2024, as it focuses on maximising funds generated for its giving-back initiative ‘Good Causes’ during its 10-year [...]
Warner Music signs deal with Tiktok to ‘harness’ its viral social media power July 19, 2023 Warner Music Group has inked a multi-year licensing deal with Tiktok to help drive up its revenues and increase marketing opportunities. While specific financial details remain undisclosed, Warner said the venture aims to “harness” the viral media power of the short-video app to bolster revenues and marketing opportunities. Both companies have dubbed the new partnership, [...]
Audioboom hopes new ad strategy will power recovery as it reports net loss July 19, 2023 Podcasting platform Audioboom today posted a net loss of $1.8m (£1.4m) for the first half of the year, but said that its new advertising strategy would see the firm “emerge from the economic downturn in a position of strength”. Revenue for the first half of the year came in at $31.8m (£24.6m), down from $40.9m [...]
TNT Sports replaces BT Sport in ‘clean slate’ – but bumps lie ahead July 18, 2023 TNT Sports will appear on the television screens of sport fanatics across the UK and Ireland from today, replacing BT Sport. It was revealed in February that BT Sport would undergo a rebrand to TNT Sports as part of a deal between the broadband giant and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), signed last autumn. The media [...]
Countdown on for Microsoft and Activision as they try to extend deal deadline July 18, 2023 Time is ticking for Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, which are reportedly in discussions to extend the deadline for their proposed multi-billion pound tie up. Originally set to be closed by today, the deal may now require more time as the two tech companies work to address regulatory concerns, according to sources close to Reuters. If [...]
Darktrace share price spikes after EY review finds ‘no skeletons in the closet’ July 18, 2023 Shares in Darktrace shot up over 20 per cent this morning after it revealed that a review of its accounts found a “number of areas” for improvement but were not “material” to its financial reporting. The London-listed cybersecurity company hired EY in February to review its books after a short seller questioned its accounts. New York-based hedge [...]
Revolution Beauty chief exec and chair quit in Boohoo settlement as share price soars July 18, 2023 The row between Revolution Beauty and Boohoo may finally be nearing an end, with a settlement reached including the departure of the former’s chief exec and chair. Revolution’s boss Bob Holt and chair Derek Zissman will leave, but Holt will remain as interim boss until the end of August 2023. Following the news, Revolution Beauty’s [...]
Live music gives London a £2bn boost – but venues are still battling rising costs July 18, 2023 Economists and melomaniacs alike have reason to cheer the capital’s post-pandemic musical revival with the capital’s coffers given a £2bn boost by large and small concerts alike. Nearly 5m music lovers flocked to the capital last year to attend live music events, according to a report from UK Music, filling hotels, bars and restaurants. The [...]
UK optical chip company Optalysys bags £21m in funding for ‘groundbreaking’ encryption tech July 17, 2023 A UK chip designer has secured £21m in a Series A round of investment as it looks to enhance its “groundbreaking” data-sharing security that could pave the way for new levels of encryption able to defend users even from quantum computer-using hackers. Leeds-based Optalysys has secured the funding led by investment companies Lingotto and Northern [...]
