Profiting from creative tension: MediaCom’s Josh Krichefski talks Coca-Cola, DNA and short-form video February 8, 2016 "People in advertising have always worked long hours, but I don’t think that is necessary to deliver great work,” says Josh Krichefski, MediaCom UK’s new chief executive. “You won’t get a promotion here for working late,” he adds. Last year, the agency launched a programme called Project Blend to allow employees to talk with their [...]
Exasperated business bosses want second runway at Gatwick if Heathrow expansion faces further delays February 7, 2016 Senior business figures are demanding that the government grants Gatwick the right to build another runway, if expansion at Heathrow continues to be thwarted by political and legal obstacles. The Airports Commission backed a third runway at Heathrow last July describing the west London site as the “clear and unanimous” option. The government has repeatedly delayed [...]
BT finance chief Tony Chanmugam to announce retirement February 7, 2016 BT's finance director is expected to announce his retirement within weeks and will step down later this year. Tony Chanmugam, who has been BT's group finance director since December 2008, will also step down from the BT board. Before becoming head of finance at the telecoms major, he held two senior positions at BT Retail, as [...]
Three-O2 deal: Virgin Media urges Europe to allow £10.5bn merger as Vodafone blasts Hutchison’s price freeze pledge February 5, 2016 Virgin Media has come out in support of the proposed £10.5bn deal between Three and O2, even as rival Vodafone blasts it as “re-monopolisation” of the telco market. Virgin is calling on the EU’s competition watchdog to approve the deal, following pledges made yesterday to open up the combined network to other players. A deal [...]
Super Bowl 50: Potential of London NFL franchise discussed with Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and Manchester United’s Joel Glazer February 4, 2016 The NFL has held discussions with the American owners of Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as London club Fulham, about plans to set up a London franchise, executives have told City A.M. As owners of both NFL teams and English football clubs, Arsenal’s Stan Kroenke and Manchester United’s Joel Glazer are [...]
Five things entrepreneurs and founders need to know before joining a growth business accelerator programme February 4, 2016 British entrepreneurs have a lot to be excited about at the moment. With over half a million businesses started in the UK in 2013 alone – helped by a business environment with the fewest barriers to entrepreneurship in the world – and the number growing, it’s a good time to be a British-based business. Unsurprisingly [...]
Zanzibar for adventurers: Stay in Dr Livingstone’s palace off the East African coast February 4, 2016 I wandered into Dr Livingstone’s old quarters in Zanzibar, overlooking the indigo Indian Ocean, where he planned his journey into the dangerous heart of Africa in search of the source of the Nile. It was an ill-fated trip, and within weeks his assistants had begun to desert him; some even returned to Zanzibar and reported [...]
Audioboom chosen as content provider for new Google Play app February 3, 2016 London-based streaming service Audioboom has just been selected for Google Play, making it the first non-US content provider for the app. A total of 12 producers have been chosen to create content for the Google Play app, currently being revamped ahead of its new launch later this month. We’re thrilled to be partnering with @GooglePlay & [...]
Tech startups have transformed the UK: Backing Britain’s scale-ups is the next challenge February 3, 2016 The growth of the UK’s digital industries has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it has had a profound effect on the wider economy. Statistics from last year’s Tech Nation report show that more than 1.46m people are currently employed within the sector. The UK is increasingly underlining its digital credentials on the global stage. [...]
Nature Vs machine: Eagles trained to take down rogue drones by Netherlands police February 2, 2016 How do you take down a rogue drone? In the Netherlands, they're turning to the natural world to solve the man-made problem. Dutch police will use specially trained eagles to take down drones which threaten security. "The bird sees the drone as prey and takes it to a safe area," said Mark Wiebe, innovation manager of the national [...]