MediaCommunications

MediaCom View: In a bid to combat its falling circulation the Evening Standard are embarking on a series of promotions, including cutting its cover price by half, to 20p, for four consecutive Tuesdays in November. The hope is to entice new and lapsed readers into the Evening Standard, however Bert Hardy, who is care taking the Managing Director role, is adamant that this does not mean that in the near future the Standard will be distributed free. In addition to a free DVD of BBC show Spooks and a glossy travel magazine entitled Escapade that have been given away this week, the Standard will also be promoted across a number of radio stations, including Capital, TalkSport and Magic, and also in other Associated newspapers. Hardy has admitted that the marketing budget is tight for the paper, but is confident that this activity will boost the paid for edition.

MediaCom View: Changes in Rajar could account for Capital's fall to 3rd place but Heart and Magic firmly believe that it is their new formats and Capital's lack of focus which have toppled the ageing giant from the premier position in London. The next few Rajar results over the next six months will be the greatest test for all concerned in the battle for number one in the capital.

MediaCom View: The UK 's major broadcasters have pledged to find 3million to fund plans for next year as the body is determined to answer the threat to the dominance of the sector and prove its return on investment. The body will also appoint a full time chief executive at the start of 2006.

MediaCom View : The committee of all-party peers commented that the plans would still leave the BBC vulnerable to political pressure. Instead thy recommended a unitary board with a majority of non-executives should govern the BBC, and that the board should sit above the management committee headed by the director-general.

MediaCom View : More DAB services are welcome news for both the consumer and the advertiser. As a consumer/listener we get more choice and greater richness and as advertisers we're able to target more accurately and this means less wastage and better value for money.