23rd June
ITV is involved in talks with major advertisers regarding a series of bespoke campaigns.
MediaCom View: In an effort to fight back against falling impacts and
maintain its advertising revenue, ITV has started going to clients direct in order to provide bespoke advertising
solutions. Agencies have welcomed the move, saying that channels need to work more closely with clients in order
to deliver results and innovation.
The OFT questions the commercial activities of the BBC.
MediaCom View: In a recent letter to the Government, the Office of
Fair Trading has highlighted the BBCs values of driving its output and market share, at the expense of
rivals, which lie in direct contrast to their obligation as a Public Service Broadcaster. The OFT is considering
a referral to the Competition Commission.
BSkyB has announced a major new strategy to enable millions of its viewers to download sports
and films via broadband.
MediaCom View: Top-tier customers on Sky will soon get the opportunity to
download films and sport on a broadband connection to either their PC or TV. The service should be available before
the end of the year and marks another step for Sky in its target of 10million customers by 2010.
RAB and IAB join together in debut cross-platform initiative.
MediaCom View: The RAB are a progressive bureau and this is proof of their
ability to champion radio involvements and issues across the media industry. We are expecting big and exciting
things from this venture.
The Guardian has confirmed its is to relaunch in a Berliner size this autumn.
MediaCom View: The news of an early re-launch comes as no surprise as
speculation has been mounting for the last couple of months. The new Berliner size format, 6cm narrower than
a broadsheet and 10cm longer than a tabloid, is already used by many European titles including Le Monde in
France . The Independent and Times, which relaunched last year, have both enjoyed circulation increases, with
the Guardian suffering possibly as a result. This latest move accentuates the need for publishers to take
steps if they are to survive in this ever-evolving marketplace.
ACP-NatMag is to enter the buoyant real-life women's weekly sector with a magazine called
Real People.
MediaCom View: This is the first launch from ACP-Natmag, a joint venture
between The National Magazine Company and Australian Consolidated Press. It aims to take on H.Bauers Take a
Break which leads the traditional womens weekly market with an ABC of 1.2 million. Other major players include
Take a Breaks sister title Thats Life, along with IPCs Chat and Pick Me Up, which launched earlier this year.
The launch date is yet to be confirmed but rumours of a summer debut are currently circulating.
