Former Network Ten GM Louise Barrett resurfaces at News Corp
Network Ten's Sydney GM Louise Barett has resurfaced at News Corp in a string of new management shifts. Barrett left Ten in May of this year after three years at the network. She joins News Corp in the newly created role of executive GM network partnerships, as part of a new network sales leadership models, which aims to strengthen the company's commitment to its advertising clients. Barrett has previously held roles at Nine, Bauer and Macquarie Radio Network.
Yesterday, it was announced PacMags CEO Peter Zavecz was joining News Corp.
Google takes on interstitial ads
Google has waged war on the interstitial ad unit, saying in a blog post that as of early next year publishers displaying interstitials could pay a price when it comes to their spot on Google's search rankings. Google has deemed most interstitials to be “intrusive”, in the way in which they block the content that users have used Google to locate. Some have praised to move saying it's a win for user experience, while others are saying it's just another step to far from Google, when it comes to controlling a publishers every move on the mobile web.
WPP reveals half-year results
WPP has reported its global results for the first half of 2016, with the business revealing its billings had risen 9.3% at £25.319 billion. The business also saw its revenue rise 11.9% at £6.536 billion, with constant currency revenue growing by 8.9%, like-for-like revenue was up 4.3%. India was the holding group's stand out market with a like-for-like net sales growth of more than 17%. The business also claimed new-business wins of nearly USD$3 billion in the first half of 2016, up from USD$2 billion in the same period of the previous year. CEO of WPP Martin Sorrell in the investor presentation saying he's disappointed of the groups recent losses, being VW and AT&T.
De nouveaux mouvements
Havas Village Australia has launched a 'French Desk' within the agency, designed to develop and increase the Havas footprint with the growing number of French businesses in Australia. Mathieu Van Hieu has been appointed to the newly created role of group business director and head of French Desk. His spot follows roles at the Young & Rubicam Group and George Patterson Y&R. He also spent five years at Havas Paris. Van Hieu's key responsibility will be to lead business development and service key French-owned businesses. He'll also work closely with Havas' global headquarters in Paris, leveraging international assets from across the network to support local businesses on the ground in Australia.
Survivor moves to three nights a week
Network Ten’s entertainment series Australian Survivor will go to air three nights a week from next Sunday, as the remaining castaways prepare to outwit, outplay and outlast each other. Ten will add a Tuesday night showing to the Sunday and Monday episodes, putting the show up against Nine's The Block and Seven's Zumbo’s Just Desserts. AdNews understands the increase in airing time is a response to the satisfactory ratings Survivor has received.
The New York Times confirms Australian expansion
The New York Times has confirmed it will launch in Australia and Canada, with a spokesperson telling AdNews the publisher is assessing how to further its reach in these markets. The expansion was tipped by Politico, and is part of the paper's three-year $50 million to grow its readership outside the United States. Earlier this year, The Times announced an international growth initiative, NYT Global, which reflects an effort to increase the size of its paid digital audience. The NY Times declined to comment further.
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