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UK advertising to rise 1.1% in 2004: Zenith Optimedia
LONDON: Influential media forecaster Zenith Optimedia has hinted a slight 1.1 per cent increase in the UK’s advertising revenues in 2004, bringing to an end one of the worst recessions the industry has seen. The company predicts US TV advertising will grow by 2.9 per cent after unexpectedly strong demand at the latest “upfronts”.
But, the report adds that recovery will be much slower than elsewhere in the world, with global growth predicted to reach three per cent this year compared with just 0.4 per cent in the UK.
A mediaguardian report says that the UK advertising market is shrinking faster than any of the other big five economies with “no prospect” of a recovery in the ailing television market.
The report adds that the media giant issued a stark warning to the UK government in its latest report, saying the UK will miss out on any imminent recovery because of slowing consumer demand caused by high taxes and sluggish economic growth.
“Unlike the United States’ ‘jobless recovery’, the UK, seemingly determined to emulate the slow-mo eurozone model, is condemning itself to sluggish economic growth by creating too many unproductive public-sector jobs financed by excessive taxation,” the Zenith Optimedia report says.
“Consumer spending power is therefore eroding, and consumer demand is consequently expected to slow from 2.8 per cent growth this year to 1.3 per cent next. The UK ad market is shrinking fastest of the big five, and will be a slow grower in 2004.”
“The TV market is notably uninfected by the upfront enthusiasm in the US – having endured the worst share loss of any medium since 1999, with no prospect of restoring its real revenue within this forecast period,” said the report.
Worldwide growth is being driven by the US, where Zenith sees signs of an upturn in magazine and television advertising.
But it warned this would not be enough to “propel the US ad market single-handedly”, and said it did not point to a strengthening of TV advertising in Europe.
“Even if the whole $9bn does get spent (a good part is cancellable), it is still only six per cent of US media. And we do not know how much of it is new money as opposed to a redistribution of budgets between the many species of American TV airtime,” the report said.
“A hot upfront is a symptom of the growing scarcity of big audiences particular to the USA. No other large country has, or has in near prospect, such imbalanced demand and supply. On the contrary, TV pricing in western Europe remains soft.” Zenith said both the outbreak of SARS and the war in Iraq had dented global ad revenues earlier this year.
But it pointed out that the only countries to have suffered sharp downturns were those directly affected, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
