How business rates reform can thwart the retail apocalypse October 1, 2019 When businesses like Thomas Cook fail to adapt, they are smited by new technologies with leaner business models and more efficient practices. This is Joseph Schumpeter’s creative destruction in action. Yet there is something profoundly bleak about boarded-up shops or “clearance sales” posters in the windows of once thriving businesses – particularly as the demise of [...]
Marketing trends 2019: Interactive content and voice search are in, annoying chatbots are out September 28, 2019 Marketing is an industry undergoing seismic changes. New technology, changing consumer attitudes and shrinking budgets mean marketers are constantly having to adapt. But while many large advertisers have tightened the purse strings, marketing remains a key way for businesses to drive growth. A recent report by marketing consultancy Lewis, which looked at the world’s 300 [...]
Boost for broadcasters as young viewers flock to live shows September 26, 2019 Live events are still the most watched TV programmes among young audiences, new data has revealed, marking a much-needed boost for traditional broadcasters. Live TV favourites such as reality shows, talent shows and sports fixtures made up more than half of the top 30 most-watched programmes among 18 to 24-year-olds, according to figures from the [...]
London retains crown as best European city for real estate investment September 25, 2019 London has been ranked as the best European city for long-term commercial real estate investment potential for the third year running, helped by the strength of its tech sector. London was ranked first across five of six categories – inspiration, innovation, interconnection, infrastructure and investment – and was ranked second for the final category, inclusion. [...]
Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge signs TV deal with Amazon Studios September 24, 2019 Actor and screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge has sealed a bumper deal with Amazon Studios, just days after sweeping up three Emmy awards. The Fleabag star has inked an overall deal to create exclusive new TV shows, which will be streamed on Amazon Prime. Read more: Netflix boss says The Crown will ‘look like a bargain’ as [...]
Hopes of US-China trade truce boosts stocks on Wall Street September 24, 2019 US stocks edged up today amid mounting optimism over trade talks between the US and China. The S&P 500 and Nasdaw Composite both rose by slightly over 0.5 per cent after trading opened. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 117 points, or 0.4 per cent, led by a rise in Apple’s share price following [...]
Google advertising overtakes rival Facebook in app downloads market September 24, 2019 Adverts on Google now drive more app downloads than adverts on Facebook, marking the first time the search giant has overtaken its Silicon Valley rival. Google has increased its share of the app installation sector eightfold in the last five years and is now the largest player in the app marketing space, according to marketing [...]
Antony Gormley at the Royal Academy: An existential crisis has never felt so invigorating September 23, 2019 This giant Antony Gormley retrospective feels like the artist’s unified theory of everything. The works are drawn from four decades of output, but feel so indelibly fused with the famous halls of the Royal Academy you can barely imagine them elsewhere. Gormley bends and shapes the gallery to his will like a potter at a [...]
Why Softbank is struggling to attract investment for its second Vision Fund September 22, 2019 Softbank’s Vision Fund was created to disrupt the tech sector – and it succeeded. Launched in 2017, the $100bn (£80.2bn) investment vehicle is the world’s largest tech fund, and made Softbank chief Masayoshi Son the industry’s biggest investor. The unicorn ‘kingmaker’ The gargantuan Vision Fund (VF) quickly became known for making bold bets on promising [...]
BT lines up Champions League bid as it looks to retain lucrative rights September 22, 2019 BT is gearing up to defend its control of Champions League TV rights as the telecoms giant cashes in on price rises in its broadcast division. BT Sport paid £1.2bn in 2017 to secure exclusive rights to Champions League and Europa League matches for three seasons, cementing its control of European football coverage. Read more: [...]