Ladbrokes Coral merger: The Competition and Markets Authority launches its investigation December 16, 2015 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced it may carry out a 'fast track' investigation into the proposed merger between Ladbrokes and Coral. Today is the first day of the CMA's investigation to explore the effects on market competition if the two bookies merge as planned. The process normally takes 40 days, but the CMA said [...]
The science of branding: Neuro-Insight CEO Heather Andrew on brands and brains December 14, 2015 Emotion is not enough, says Heather Andrew When Cadbury’s drumming gorilla was unleashed in 2007, its soundtrack and surrealism allowed the confectioner to draw a line under its salmonella scare, and boosted sales by 9 per cent. But an entertaining advert is not enough. The role which branding plays within the advert is crucial, [...]
UK broadband battles: Ofcom consultation into BT pricing to close tomorrow December 13, 2015 Get ready for another round of the UK's broadband battles, as industry regulator Ofcom’s consultation into how much BT can charge its rivals for leasing its broadband lines closes tomorrow. After a month-long consultation, part of its Business Connectivity Market Review, Ofcom’s review into BT’s cost attribution methodologies closes tomorrow, leaving the watchdog with a [...]
Vodafone sues KPN for £83m for “anti-competitive” behaviour December 10, 2015 Vodafone has filed a lawsuit against KPN for alleged anti-competitive behaviour, seeking €115m (£83m) in damages from the leading Dutch telco firm. Vodafone claims that its launch of combined TV, broadband and telephone services was delayed for three years, due to the former state monopoly not supplying the necessary technology. Rob Shuter, chief executive of [...]
Uber’s $62.5bn valuation means it’s worth more than BT, Prudential and Barclays – and 86 other FTSE 100 constituents December 4, 2015 Uber is reported to have filed paperwork outlining plans to raise as much as $2.1bn (£1.4bn) in its latest funding round. Were the company to complete that funding round (and according to the Bloomberg report, the wheels are very much in motion for that to happen – with Tiger Global Management and T Rowe Price both [...]
The Ofcom 4G spectrum sale has been postponed until 2016 due to Telefonica and Hutchison’s O2 Three merger and BT and EE’s mobile mega deal December 3, 2015 The government's sale of 4G spectrum which is expected to net the Treasury at least £70m has been delayed by the deal between Hutchison and Telefonica to merge mobile its networks O2 and Three. The auction process was due to commence this month, however, it will now go ahead as late as summer next year to wait for an EU decision on [...]
City Moves for 03 December 2015 | Who’s switching jobs December 2, 2015 COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL Colliers International has bolstered its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business with a new head of EMEA finance, David Jones. Based in London, David’s role will focus on the delivery of financial commitments for the rapidly growing business and controlling EMEA financial reporting through to the group finance team in Canada, while [...]
Ofcom warns BT that internet status quo is likely to change as Vodafone, TalkTalk and Sky pile on the pressure December 1, 2015 OFCOM yesterday said Britain is doing well in rolling out superfast broadband compared with other major European economies, yet it added that the status quo in the industry is likely to be altered. Service providers, such as TalkTalk and Sky, have demanded that Openreach, which provides the infrastructure connecting people to the internet, be spun [...]
City Moves for 2 December 2015 | Who’s switching jobs December 1, 2015 TAYLOR WESSING The law firm has appointed Emma Jordan as head of contentious trusts in its private client practice. She joins from Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, where she was a contentious trusts and litigation partner. Jordan has a particular focus on advising and representing trustees and high net worths in litigation. LV= The insurance, [...]
Broadband battles: BT and Virgin Media trade blows over the government’s broadband delivery scheme December 1, 2015 Join us for the latest act in the telco giant drama: Virgin Media has lashed out against the government’s broadband scheme, complaining it gives BT an unfair advantage to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds out of taxpayers’ pockets. BT and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have hit back at claims, [...]