Asia boosts Burberry’s first quarter July 13, 2011 SHARES in Burberry leapt to yet another record-high yesterday after the British luxury brand reported a 34 per cent underlying growth in quarterly sales. The fashion house outshone market expectations, posting revenues of £367m for the three months to 30 June, with Asian countries leading the growth. Sales from Burberry’s retail operations, which make up [...]
BLOOMSBURY CAUTIOUS ON TRADING OUTLOOK July 11, 2011 HARRY Potter publisher Bloomsbury Publishing said yesterday it remains cautious about trading due to soft revenues and “difficult prevailing retail conditions”. The publisher said the current consumer economy is the worst it has been for decades. Bloomsbury, which publishes the Harry Potter series in the UK, also said yesterday that it has bought Continuum International [...]
Life, the universe, everything July 7, 2011 Film THE TREE OF LIFE Cert: PG-13 A FILM whose purpose is a slow, dream-like pondering on the meaning of life, the universe and everything – from fiery planets and early amoebic life through to the disappointments and small dramas of our modern lives, and beyond into transcendental spirituality – is never going to be [...]
Harry Potter and the publishers of fury June 23, 2011 JK ROWLING yesterday delivered a warning shot to the publishing industry that it must adapt to the rapidly-changing online world or risk becoming marginalised. The Harry Potter author revealed she will offer her record-breaking children’s books for download through her own website, circumventing the need to visit digital bookshops like those owned by the likes [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS May 25, 2011 Cable & Wireless The telecoms company has appointed Ian Gibson as chief financial officer and executive director, with effect from 21 July. Gibson joined the group in 1995 and has held a number of senior management positions, most recently deputy chief financial officer. In 2009 he was appointed as acting chief financial officer and played [...]
Pirates break box office record May 22, 2011 The latest Pirates of the Caribbean film made $346.4m (£213.2m) in its global box office debut this weekend, falling short of forecasts but still making it the biggest opening weekend this year. Disney said “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” set a record as the highest international movie opening of all time, with $256.3m [...]
James Bond studio backs £96m Peel bid April 27, 2011 PINEWOOD Shepperton, the iconic British studios that has played host to screen legends including James Bond and Harry Potter, looks set to be sold to Peel Holdings for £96m. Peel fought off an eleventh hour rival approach from controversial Fulham FC owner Mohamed al Fayed. The former Harrods owner is thought to be mulling an [...]
ALSO OUT THIS WEEKEND FILMS, MUSIC, GAMES April 14, 2011 FILM YOUR HIGHNESS Medieval slacker comedy with Natalie Portman and James Franco. LITTLE WHITE LIES Critically acclaimed, hugely successful French contemporary drama. SCREAM 4 Yet another return to the post-modern, post-ironic, post-necessary slasher genre spoof. DVD HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 The wizard series hits a pre-finale holding pattern. THE GIRL WHO [...]
Peel must up bid to secure film business April 10, 2011 Peel Holdings, the majority shareholder in Pinewood Shepperton, will be forced to pay substantially more than its initial 190p per share approach for the film studio, according to a source close to the deal. On Friday, Pinewood disclosed that it had received an offer of 190p per share from Peel Holdings, which owns 29.7 per [...]
Murphy hoping to make it Big at the Festival again March 13, 2011 Colm Murphy trains 50 horses in Ballinadrummin, Killena, Gorey – an address more Harry Potter than Dick Francis, but apparently it’s in the heart of County Wexford. We didn’t meet face-to-face and only spoke on the phone – he was too busy finalising his Festival plans and I couldn’t find platform nine and three quarters. [...]