Arif Durrani

Revenue lost from ad blocking estimated at $21.8 billion

Revenue lost from ad blocking estimated at $21.8 billion

Frustrated consumers turn to software to block online ads, a growing trend

Publicis opens global agency Blue 449

Publicis opens global agency Blue 449

GLOBAL - Publicis Groupe is launching a global media agency network called Blue 449, led by a restructured and rebranded Walker Media in the UK.

Publishers form programmatic alliance

Publishers form programmatic alliance

GLOBAL - The Guardian has joined forces with CNN International, the Financial Times, Thomson Reuters and the Economist to launch a private marketplace for programmatic advertising called Pangaea Alliance.

Video: Sorrell talks Maurice Lévy, China

Video: Sorrell talks Maurice Lévy, China

LONDON - Last year's attempts for a mega-merger of equals between Publicis Groupe and Omnicom collapsed because Maurice Lévy failed to show John Wren "sufficient respect," according to WPP's Martin Sorrell, who went on to talk about the global economy and his own retirement plans.

Bloomberg launches business hub

Bloomberg launches business hub

Bloomberg has expanded its media footprint with the launch of a new flagship media site, Bloomberg Business, designed to broaden the financial giant's remit in the business world.

MediaCom wins global media planning business for Mars

MediaCom wins global media planning business for Mars

MediaCom has won the consolidating pitch for Mars' global media planning business, spanning 80 markets.

Prism will alter attitudes towards data, warns Sorrell

Prism will alter attitudes towards data, warns Sorrell

CANNES - The Prism scandal, in which the UK and US governments have been found to be "legally compelling collection" of information from internet giants Google and Facebook, will change perceptions on privacy, warns Sir Martin Sorrell.

Publicis Groupe buys LBi for US$514 million

Publicis Groupe buys LBi for US$514 million

GLOBAL - Publicis Groupe has reached an agreement to buy digital specialist LBi for US$514 million (€416m) in a deal that has "unanimous support" from the management board of LBi.

Coke promotes social causes and story-telling with Coca-Cola Journey 'magazine'

Coke promotes social causes and story-telling with Coca-Cola Journey 'magazine'

GLOBAL - The Coca-Cola Company has replaced its corporate website with what it is calling a "dynamic, digital magazine", designed to encourage interaction and showcase "universally important topics, social causes and company news".

Cannes 2012: 'If Sorrell resigns over pay it would be great', says David Jones

Cannes 2012: 'If Sorrell resigns over pay it would be great', says David Jones

GLOBAL - If WPP's embattled leader Sir Martin Sorrell were to leave over the shareholder revolt surrounding his near US$20 million pay packet, it would be a "brilliant" thing, according to David Jones, global chief executive of rival network Havas.

Unilever calls US$4.65 billion global media review

Unilever calls US$4.65 billion global media review

GLOBAL - Unilever has started a global review of its estimated US$4.65 billion media planning and buying business, currently handled by WPP's Mindshare in the UK.

Unilever's Keith Weed: 'Marketing's at a crossroads'

Unilever's Keith Weed: 'Marketing's at a crossroads'

LONDON - Marketing as an industry is at a crossroads, and needs to adapt to better serve a changing world defined by diminishing natural resources and an ever-expanding global population, warns Keith Weed, chief marketing officer of Unilever.

Facebook reports a 69% lift in ad revenue in 2011

Facebook reports a 69% lift in ad revenue in 2011

GLOBAL - Facebook's advertising revenues rose 69% to hit $3.15 billion in 2011, according to accounts filed for its $5 billion initial public offering (IPO).

Euro RSCG's David Jones promoted to Havas CEO

Euro RSCG's David Jones promoted to Havas CEO

GLOBAL - David Jones has been named the new chief executive of French advertising group Havas, as Fernando Rodés steps aside after five years.

Cannes Lions 2011 names Media Person of the Year

Cannes Lions 2011 names Media Person of the Year

GLOBAL - Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt will be presented with the Media Person of the Year Award at this year's Cannes Lions Festival.

Virgin Atlantic launches 'Your airline's either got it or it hasn't' global campaign

Virgin Atlantic launches 'Your airline's either got it or it hasn't' global campaign

Virgin Atlantic has launched its first global advertising campaign in the UK with a series of bullish ads playing off the strap line 'Your airline's either got it or it hasn't'.

Facebook prepares to launch localised ad vehicle

Facebook prepares to launch localised ad vehicle

GLOBAL - Facebook is on the verge of launching location-based software that will enable users to receive personalised information and advertising based on their current surroundings.

Facebook launches new global advertising metrics

Facebook launches new global advertising metrics

GLOBAL - Facebook has launched a range of new advertising metrics in an attempt to better leverage the value of social context on the site and attract more advertising spend around the world.

Nokia appoints new chief marketing officer amid restructure

Nokia appoints new chief marketing officer amid restructure

GLOBAL - Nokia has unveiled a newly formed marketing and communications set-up and appointed Jerri DeVard to lead it as chief marketing officer.

Facebook Messages hits the right note with experts

Facebook Messages hits the right note with experts

GLOBAL - The arrival of Facebook Messages this week has been widely welcomed as a timely, one-stop shop for social communications by media and digital specialists, with one noting "it's what Google Wave should have been".

Mindshare retains US$112m global Lufthansa business

Mindshare retains US$112m global Lufthansa business

GLOBAL - WPP's Mindshare has retained the estimated US$112 million (£70 million) media business for German airline Lufthansa, ending a protracted, multimarket five month pitch.

BP faces 'massive task' to repair brand damage

BP faces 'massive task' to repair brand damage

GLOBAL - BP's group chief sales and marketing officer, Luc Bardin, has admitted that the energy company faces a 'massive task' if it is to salvage its reputation in the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Google turns 12 years old

Google turns 12 years old

Google officially turned 12 years old yesterday, and to celebrate, the internet giant replaced its regular logo with an image of a cake.

Facebook launches 'a social inbox' called Messages

Facebook launches 'a social inbox' called Messages

GLOBAL - Facebook, the social networking site, launched Messages, 'a social inbox and seamless messaging' service last night that integrates chat, texts and email into a single, continuous thread.

Facebook prepares to launch localised ad vehicle

Facebook prepares to launch localised ad vehicle

GLOBAL - Facebook is on the verge of launching location-based software that will enable users to receive personalised information and advertising based on their current surroundings.

Carlsberg creates longlist for $240 million global media review

Carlsberg creates longlist for $240 million global media review

GLOBAL - Carlsberg Breweries, parent to beer brands Carlsberg, Tetley and Tuborg, has started a review of its global media business.

Havas returns to global growth in Q1 2010

Havas returns to global growth in Q1 2010

GLOBAL - Havas, the marketing and communications group behind Euro RSCG and MPG, has reported "better than expected" results for the first quarter of 2010, after "strong new business wins" around the world.

US online ad spend to overtake all print and DM

US online ad spend to overtake all print and DM

GLOBAL - Spending on digital advertising in the US will overtake print for the first time this year, according to new figures.

Coty to launch global review of $285 million media business

Coty to launch global review of $285 million media business

GLOBAL - Coty, the world's largest fragrance company, is preparing to launch a global review of its estimated US$285 million media planning and buying business.

OMD wins US$40 million Virgin Atlantic global account

OMD wins US$40 million Virgin Atlantic global account

GLOBAL - Virgin Atlantic has appointed Omnicom's OMD to handle its newly consolidated US$40 million global media account, ending a two-year relationship with MEC in the US.

YouTube celebrates five years, but commercial success is yet to come

YouTube celebrates five years, but commercial success is yet to come

GLOBAL - YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing website, finds itself at a cross-roads as it celebrates its fifth birthday this week.

Bayer consolidates $850 million global advertising business with Omnicom, WPP

Bayer consolidates $850 million global advertising business with Omnicom, WPP

GLOBAL - German pharmaceutical giant Bayer Healthcare AG has consolidated its $850 million global advertising account with Omnicom Group and WPP.