Streaming is believing: The race for streaming supremacy is on June 29, 2015 Don’t we just love a media-fuelled battle for supremacy, the winner in the ‘big race’, Goliaths all lining up for the 100 metre Dad’s dash? The truth is, in the mega-subscriber streaming market the gun went off years ago. The battle for streaming kingship is, as they say, a marathon not a sprint and [...]
Music streaming wars: Is Apple about to unveil a Spotify killer? June 1, 2015 After months of conjecture, is Apple about to take the bull by the horns and launch a Spotify rival? The Wall Street Journal reported today that the company is poised to take on the music streaming giant. According to the WSJ, the technology giant is planning to go into direct competition with Spotify and Pandora, an internet radio [...]
What can misfit entrepreneurs teach business? May 21, 2015 The underground economy is a hotbed of creativity and innovation It is not often the case that chief executives and managers turn to pirates, hackers or highly disruptive entrepreneurs for advice. But as business writers Alexa Clay and Kyra Phillips suggest, that’s exactly what they should be doing. Indeed, leaders trying to boost innovation [...]
Star of Seville can shine again in the Musidora May 12, 2015 RECENT Newbury winner STAR OF SEVILLE lines up against a handful of talent in today’s Musidora Stakes at York (3.45pm) and she should take all the beating. The John Gosden-trained filly stretched away impressively in a conditions race at Newbury last time out and York’s flat track should suit perfectly. The going will also be [...]
Allan Leighton confirmed as Co-op chairman February 19, 2015 ALLAN Leighton has no qualms about taking the toughest jobs in business. The self-style pluralist has experienced several, including Leeds United (where he organised a rescue takeover) and Asda (which he turned around after near-bankruptcy) to name a couple. The boardroom veteran added another to his list yesterday after the Co-operative Group confirmed the appointment [...]
Co-operative Group appoints former Asda man Allan Leighton as chairman February 19, 2015 The Co-operative Group has brought in former Asda chief executive Allan Leighton to chair its board. Leighton will take over with immediate effect from Ursula Lidbetter, who was parachuted into the role at the end of 2013 after then-chairman Len Wardle stepped down. It's another string for Leighton to add to his bow: as well as [...]
Profit growth is just the charm for jewellery maker Pandora February 17, 2015 Shares in Danish jewellery maker Pandora soared almost 17 per cent yesterday after full-year results showed a near 40 per cent increase to net profits, powered by strong US sales and new ring ranges. The performance represents a turnround for the Denmark-listed company, famous for its charm bracelets, whose shares fell nearly 80 per cent [...]
US budget to be released – The week ahead on Wall St February 1, 2015 BARACK Obama will be in the spotlight today, as the White House unveils its budget for the 2016 fiscal year. The President is expected to call for an increase in domestic and military spending, as well as a tax on firms’ foreign earnings. Employment, automobile and sales data, all due out this week, are expected [...]
Angela Merkel and Syriza are about to open Pandora’s box: Watch out, Eurozone January 11, 2015 It is not often that I feel sorry for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Having lived in her country since 2006, for me she is the most overrated of modern politicians, having accomplished almost nothing in terms of substantive policy achievements, while somehow being lionised for her lack of ambition. She is the archetype of this [...]
Taylor Swift right to shake off Spotify: Why music streaming services are bad economics January 8, 2015 Did Taylor Swift make the right call when she withdrew her music from Spotify? A new report on the profitability of the music streaming industry suggests she was. Strategy Analytics, a technology advisory and consultancy firm, argues that despite the music streaming industry’s rapid growth, it will continue to struggle to provide adequate royalty [...]