Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over Black Widow streaming release July 30, 2021 Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney over its decision to release new superhero blockbuster Black Widow on its streaming platform. The actor, who stars in the new Marvel thriller, alleges that the media giant breached her contract when it offered the film on Disney Plus at the same time as in cinemas. Disney said there was [...]
Pearson hikes dividend as it swings back to profit July 30, 2021 Education giant Pearson has hiked its dividend for the first half of the year as it swung back to a profit following a torrid pandemic year. The FTSE 100 firm today reported an adjusted operating profit of £127m for the six months to the end of June, compared to a loss of £23m in the [...]
Cineworld secures $200m loan boost as it gears up for bumper film slate July 30, 2021 Cineworld today said it had secured $200m (£143m) in incremental loans to help shore up its finances as the chain prepared for a bumper schedule of film releases later this year. The loan facility, which matures in May 2024, was secured from a group of Cineworld’s existing lenders. The company said it did not have [...]
Screenshot: Will the digital advertising boom ever end? July 30, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: You are what you tweet **Will the digital advertising boom ever end? **Esports: Britain’s next big thing? Media Moment of the Week: You are what you tweet You know the scenario: someone says something you don’t like on Twitter and you have an overwhelming urge to rise to [...]
Exclusive: HMV’s new owner on where he wants to take his High Street stores July 29, 2021 Music and entertainment retailer HMV confirmed last week plans to open 10 new stores, including a flagship London site. Following its decline into administration two years ago its Oxford Street store – along with many others – were closed. However, new owner Doug Putman, a Canadian music retail executive, bought the struggling business and believes [...]
Netflix, Google and Facebook to require jabs for return to office July 29, 2021 Netflix, Google and Facebook will require all US employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before they can return to work. In an email to staff Google boss Sundar Pichai said the tech giant was pushing back its return to the office from September to mid-October. He added that vaccinations will be compulsory for US staff, [...]
Informa hikes revenue forecasts on hopes of trade show return July 29, 2021 Informa has increased its revenue forecasts for the full year as the exhibitions group struck an optimistic tone over the return of in-person events. The FTSE 100 company said it now expects to pull in revenue of £1.8bn in 2021, up from previous guidance of £1.7bn. This reflected a “progressive return” of physical events in [...]
MPs and peers launch ‘super committee’ to scrutinise online harms laws July 29, 2021 A joint committee of MPs and lords has been launched today to scrutinise controversial government plans to tackle online harms. The new super committee will be tasked with seeking views on the online safety bill, which was published in draft form in May. The bill is designed to hold tech giants such as Facebook and [...]
UK ad spend forecasts lifted as lockdown easing drives recovery July 29, 2021 Official forecasts for UK advertising spend in 2021 have been lifted after the easing of lockdown restrictions helped drive a better-than-expected recovery for the battered sector. Ad spend is now expected to grow 18.2 per cent this year to hit a total of £27.7bn, an upgrade from the 15.2 per cent rise forecast in April. [...]
Instagram influencer told to pay £40,000 after false surgeon claims following Brazilian butt lift July 28, 2021 A social media influencer who posted “totally false” allegations online about a leading cosmetic surgeon after undergoing Brazilian butt lift surgery has been ordered to pay him £40,000 after he won a High Court libel fight. Paulina Sobierajska was sued by Dr Alexander Amir Aslani, who works at a clinic in Marbella, Spain, and has [...]
