BBC Worldwide is partnering with online auction site eBay to encourage people to recycle and reduce unnecessary waste. Under an affiliate partnership agreement the bbcgreen.com portal will run adverts encouraging consumers to buy “used only” goods from eBay. BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the corporation, say this is a way to recycle and reduce […]
BT has appointed former health secretary Patricia Hewitt as its non-executive director. The Blairite MP lost her post last summer when new Prime Minister Gordon Brown reshuffled his front bench. Hewitt, who left the Cabinet following the controversial doctor training schemes, will be expected to provide BT with guidance on “complex regulatory issues” from her […]
Internet company AOL has announced it is to acquire social networking site Bebo for $850m (£427m). AOL says the deal will give it a “premier position” in social media. Bebo has around 40 million users worldwide and is the third most popular US social media site and the sixth in the UK, according to Nielsen […]
Channel 4 has unveiled an “ambitious” blueprint of the enhanced public role it wants to fulfil in the “digital” future. The Next on 4 strategic blueprint, unveiled today (Thursday), underlines Channel 4’s commitment to maintaining its public status and calls for a new legislative framework to reflect the broadcaster’s transition to a multimedia network. Chairman […]
Morrisons has continued its strong performance, almost doubling pre-tax profit in the year to February to £612m. The result comes following the supermarket chain’s major rebranding campaign in the second half of last year. Company chairman Sir Ken Morrison (pictured), delivering his final financial statement, says 2007 was a strong year with good progress made […]
Dennis Publishing is extending its Monkey web magazine brand into a mobile TV channel. The mobile offering will be free and offer content from the magazine including comedy clips as well as made-for-mobile features. It is being launched today (Thursday) with mobile media company Player X. Mobile users can text the keyword MONKEY to 63333 […]
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has confirmed details of plans to auction radio spectrum which can be used for mobile TV and satellite radio. The provisional deadline for applications is April 10, with the auction for the spectrum likely to begin at the end of April. Spectrum licenses have swelled Government coffers considerably in recent years. […]
Argos owner Home Retail Group has reported an unexpected pick-up in sales in the last eight weeks of the year, due to buoyant video game sales and the earlier timing of Mother’s Day. However, the group, which also owns Homebase, says a weakening outlook for consumer spending would limit growth in the year ahead. Home […]
The property ladder is becoming increasingly hard for young people to get a footing on, and many more are being forced to rent or live with their parents as property prices soar beyond their reach
Twenty years ago it was the first independent mobile phone shop but now Carphone Warehouse is facing tough competition. Rufus Jay reports on how it is diversifying its services to stay ahead
Agencies are a shifty business. It’s not only the accounts, which are their financial and creative lifeblood, that come and go with alarming facility – so too does the talent that makes success possible in the first place. No difference there, perhaps, to other service businesses – the law, the City and even the software […]
Outdoor media contractor Vision Media Group (VMG) is launching an interactive information and advertising pod in shopping centres across the UK Claimed to be a media first, the product – called the “iconic pod” will provide interactive information as well as advertising content. The company has also announced a partnership deal with Clear Channel Outdoor […]
Initiative UK and Ireland chief executive and joint European chief operating officer Jerry Hill has taken the newly-created role of global strategic development director for Initiative. The move follows the retirement of Initiative Worldwide chairman and chief executive Alec Gerster at the beginning of this month. Richard Beaven, the chairman and chief executive of Initiative […]
Antidote is helping actor Neil Morrissey launch his own branded beer as part of a Channel 4 series (MW last week). The project is par for the course for an agency also involved in such headline-grabbing initiatives as the Anya Hindmarch-created “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” bag and We Are What We Do books, which […]
Online dating site Match.com has appointed Initiative to its 10m planning and buying brief following a four-way pitch.