Twitter shares rise on second quarter revenue boost July 26, 2019 Twitter has posted a strong rise in revenue for the second quarter as its user numbers jumped, pushing shares up more than 10 per cent. The social media firm reported an 18 per cent increase in revenue to $841m (£677m), while monetisable daily active users rose 14 per cent to 139m. Read more: Twitter buys [...]
WPP sells 60 per cent stake in Kantar to value it at $4bn July 12, 2019 Advertising giant WPP is set to sell 60 per cent of its stake in analytics division Kantar to a private equity house as it raises cash for a turnaround strategy. Read more: WPP loses big name clients, sending sales on a steep decline Bain Capital has agreed to snap up the stake in a deal [...]
Bain closes in on $4bn takeover of WPP data firm Kantar July 2, 2019 Bain Capital has entered into exclusive discussions to buy a majority stake in WPP’s data analytics firm Kantar in a deal worth roughly $4bn (£3.2bn). Read more: WPP to sell stake in sports marketing firm Chime Communications The deal would bring to an end a lengthy auction process which has seen bids from a series [...]
New York and London top list of world’s best cities for marketing July 1, 2019 London has been named the second best city in the world for marketing activities, losing out only to New York. A new report published by Accenture named New York as the top location for marketers due to its world-class infrastructure, strong presence of brand owners and robust marketing ecosystem. Read more: WPP to sell stake [...]
WPP to sell stake in sports marketing firm Chime Communications June 30, 2019 Advertising group WPP is set to sell its stake in sports marketing agency Chime Communications in its latest move to slim down the business. WPP will sell its 25 per cent stake in Chime to US investment firm Providence Equity Partners, which holds the remaining 75 per cent, for £50m. Read more: WPP confirms sale [...]
Martin Sorrell labels tech firms ‘frenemies’ as he lays out vision for S4 Capital expansion June 24, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell chats to James Warrington in Cannes about S4 Capital, but can’t resist a dig at WPP SIR MARTIN is a busy man. So busy, in fact, that the only time he can carve out for an interview is 20 minutes in the back of his car, as his driver whisks him between [...]
WPP confirms sale of post-production house The Farm Group to US rival June 21, 2019 WPP has confirmed the sale of its TV and film post-production firm The Farm Group to LA-based rival Picture Shop. Read more: Sorrell poaches two former media executives with links to WPP for new venture S4 Capital The ad giant today said it has signed a deal to sell its 75 per cent stake in [...]
Sorrell’s S4 Capital to buy marketing firm Biztech as it ramps up global expansion June 21, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital is set to snap up marketing tech firm Biztech in its latest bid to expand globally and take on traditional ad agencies. S4 Capital said Media Monks, its content division, has conditionally agreed a merger with the Melbourne-headquartered firm for an undisclosed sum. Read more: Sir Martin Sorrell: Traditional agency [...]
Cannes Lions: How culture is catching up with adland’s notorious knees-up June 19, 2019 As the plane touches down on the hot tarmac at Nice airport, the butterflies start to set in. My neighbour, a senior media executive, has given me a disconcerting pep talk. “Trust me, it’s worse than Glastonbury,” he says with a smile. As we disembark, it’s clear everyone is headed for the same glimmering town [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell: Traditional agency model is ‘not fit for purpose’ June 18, 2019 Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has launched yet another attack on his old firm, saying traditional ad agencies are “not fit for purpose” and must go private to survive. Speaking at the Cannes Lions festival today, Sorrell said the industry has to change if it is to adapt to increased competition and a new [...]