Fundamentals of finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Fundamentals of finance - Essay Example Among other channels that ITV Plc owns include ITV2 that was formed in 1998, ITV3 that was formed in 2004, ITV4 that was formed in 2005, and CITV launched in 2006. ITV Plc has continued to grow. It acquired Friends Reunited in 2005 and 2007 saw two more acquisitions which were 12 yard, previously independent producers and Jaffe entertainment LLC, in which it took a controlling stake. Not every business for ITV Plc were acquisitions, in 2010 it sold some stake for $50 million in Screenvision and in 2011, ITV PLC acquired Channel Television and launched ITV1+1 (ITV PLC). ITV Plc has two major products ran in broadcasting and production. Broadcasting is done through a series of ITV channels that include ITV1-4, CITV, and Freeview while online service is provided by itv.com. These generate revenues through advertisement and viewer competitions. Production involves ITV studios which offer production operations, international distribution, and entertainment among others. ITV studios also g enerate programmes viewed through ITV channels (ITV PLC). WPP PLC Wire and Plastic Products (WPP) Plc is one of the biggest advertising companies as measured by revenue and with presence in 108 countries. It started in 1971 solely to produce wire shopping baskets. The company was renamed WPP Group upon the entry of Martin Sorrell as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 1985 after purchasing some state in the company. Sorrell put structures in place that were geared towards market leadership. Subsequently WPP Plc acquired many marketing services companies not only in UK but also in US. In 1987 alone, it acquired three companies, that is, J. Walter Thompson, Hill and Knowlton that was a public relations firm, and MRB Group which was a market research company (WPP PLC). Its fast growth saw it listed on NASDAQ in 1988 and this prompted its entry into US where it persisted with its acquisition of marketing services companies. In 1992, it was named the best agency group in the world by Ad vertising Age, a magazine that is market and media oriented, after acquiring The Oglivy Group together with its advertisement and public relations agencies. The same year saw a launch of CommonHealth that became a specialist in healthcare communication (WPP PLC). In 1995, WPP Plc ventured further into research an established Kantar, a company that steered research interests of the group. The group’s entry into Asia was seen in 1997 when it launched Mindshare, a company that offered the media planning, research, and buying options. It was then listed in London stock exchange (LSE) in 1998 following its formation of an alliance with Japan’s third biggest advertising agency, Asatsu-DK. Its acquisitions did not end there. In 1999 it bought Lambie-Nairn which specialised in corporate identity and Prism Group, a marketing company with big interest in sports. What followed in 2000 was the largest acquisition in the group’s history. Young and Rubicam Group with all its agencies and presence in many countries became part of WPP Plc. Other acquisitions included Cordiant Communications Group, Grey Global Group in 2005, TNS in 2008 (WPP PLC). WPP Plc proud itself in the research and advertisement arena with many awards that include Cannes International Advertising Festival awards, best in employing a number of digital staff by RECMA, 41st position out of 500 by Newsweek Green rankings in 2011, most effective company