SWP Advertising Agency Manchester UK, weekly updated news page

CAR PRODUCTION IS ACCELERATING
18th June 2010

Engineering Production of cars rose by 54 per cent in May while commercial vehicle production more than doubled, compared with the same month last year. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that 104.365 cars were produced in May. Output so far this year is 62.6per cent higher than in the same period last year, it said (Susan Thompson).

Courtesy of The Times

MORE PROPERTIES PUT
UP FOR SALE AFTER
HOME INFORMATION
PACKS ABOLISHED
31st May 2010

The number of properties coming on to the market has risen following the abolition of home information packs (Hips), according to Rightmove, a property website.

Listings soared by 35pc in the seven days after the Government said it was scrapping the controversial packs with immediate effect.

The jump in the number of properties being put up for sale following the decision to scrap Hips is in line with figures reported by the UK’s biggest estate agency, Countrywide which saw a 34pc rise in instructions in the week following the announcement on May 20.

Hips aimed to speed up the home buying process by giving people more of the information they need up front. But estate agents had campaigned against them, complaining that the typical £299 to £350 cost of compiling one of the packs was deterring people from selling.

Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph

DAILY MAIL RETURNS TO
PROFIT AS ADVERTISING
SALES RECOVER
28th May 2010

DAILY Mail & General Trust, publisher of The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday, has returned to profit for the first time in two years after a massive cost-cutting campaign.

The company which also publishes about 100 regional newspapers, provides financial information and also runs events, including the Surf Expo to Florida, reported pretax profits of £36m in the six months to April 4 compared with a £222m loss a year earlier.

DMGT said the profitability of its UK consumer business more than doubled compared with last year because of “recovering advertising trends”.

Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph

AD BUDGETS ON THE UP
FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2007
19th April 2010

ADVERTISING spending is on the rise for the first time in more than two years., according to a new survey that highlights a recovery in the UK’s creative industries.

The latest Bellwether report, a quarterly survey from the industry trade body the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and accountants, BDO, shows that marketing budgets were higher in first three months of the year – the first upgrade since the autumn of 2007.

One in five companies said they had increased their marketing budgets, compared to 16pc who made cutbacks. The balance shows industry-wide spending increased by 4.5pc, compared to a 7.2pc decline in the previous quarter. More than a third of companies increased their 2010 budgets.

Confidence among executives rose with 42pc of respondents stating they were “more optimistic” about the prospects for their company, compared to 20pc who were downbeat. The balance of 22pc of executives being upbeat contrasts with a record 58pc expressing concerns at the end of 2008.

Rory Sutherland, president of the IPA and vice chairman of Ogilvy Group’s UK business, said: “It’s good to see that businesses are now increasing their investment in marketing as a route to growth. While online activities are leading the turnaround this year, conventional advertising has now also turned the corner.”

Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph

ADVERTISING SUPPORT
BOOSTS PATAK'S SALES
20th April 2010

Sales at Leigh-based Indian food brand Patak's were “strongly ahead” of last year, thanks partly to greater spend on advertising by its parent group, Associated British Foods.

The industry giant said that UK sales of its Patak's sauces range grew as a result of increased advertising spend, while exports of both its Patak's and Blue Dragon products benefited from a weaker pound. However, the firm said that continued weakness in the pound pushed up raw materials costs and constrained margins.

“Good profit growth was achieved in the first half with the benefit of the higher sales and a good operating performance at the sauces factory in Poland,£ the firm said.

The grocery division, of which Patak's is a part, increased its pre-tax profits by 53 per cent to £95m on sales up 4 per cent to £1.6bn. ABF's overall sales were up 10 per cent to almost £4.8bn.

Patak's was sold by family owners Kirit and Meena Pathak to Associated British Foods in 2007 in a deal worth more than £100m.

Courtesy of BBC News and Halifax Building Society

UK HOUSE PRICES UP
IN MARCH, SAYS HALIFAX
8th April 2010

UK house prices bounced back in March, rising by 1.1%, after having fallen in February, according to the Halifax.

The latest increase pushed the annual rate of house price inflation up to 5.2% from 4.5% in February.

The rise means that the average home in the UK now costs £168,521, nearly £11,000 higher than a year ago.

"This was the eighth rise in the past nine months, taking the average price to 9.1% above the low point reached last April," the Halifax said.

The annual rate of price inflation is now at its highest since December 2007, the Halifax said.

Despite this, the lender argued that the underlying trend indicated a slowdown in prices in recent months.

"Prices in the first three months of 2010 were 0.6% higher than in the final quarter of 2009," said Martin Ellis, housing economist at the Halifax.

"This was smaller than the 3.6% rise between the third and fourth quarters of 2009, suggesting a slowdown in the trend rate of house price growth," he added.

"There are signs that an increase in the number of properties available for sale is beginning to reduce the imbalance between supply and demand. This should help to contain the upward pressure on house prices."

Courtesy of www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk

NATIONAL INSURANCE
HIKE ‘WILL DAMAGE UK’
22nd March 2010

LABOUR’S plan to raise National Insurance Contributions from next year, which Alistair Darling is set to confirm this week, will cause permanent damage to Britain’s economy than almost any other type of tax, according to the Policy Exchange, which urged the Chancellor to reconsider the Increase before it kicks in.

The report, to be released today, finds that higher National Insurance charges for employers would be likely in the long run to increase unemployment and reduce the dynamism of Britain’s corporate sector. It said that the Treasury’s own economic model suggested that a 2p rise in employers’ National Insurance could reduce GDP by a full 2pc after three years.

The Government is set to increase NICS by 1pc from next April – one of the tax-raising measures set out by the Chancellor in previous Budgets.

The Daily Telegraph

NORMAN TALKS OF
ITV TRANSFORMATION
22nd March 2010

ARCHIE Norman, the new ITV chairman, has said that the broadcaster faces a “complete transformation” and that a strategic review will be launched as soon as Adam Crozier arrives as chief executive on April 26.

Speaking at the weekend, Mr. Norman said that the commercial broadcaster is very likely to start using pay-TV mechanisms over the next few years and that it would be wrong for ITV to sell its production arm.

The former Asda executive also accused the BBC of engaging in behaviour that damages commercial television and said that the organisation should have its budget cut.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr. Norman stressed that future strategy will be a matter for Mr Crozier but that wide-reaching change is needed.

“We can be a much more efficient and successful business.” He said. “The more successful we become, the more people we can employ and the more money we can put into programmes. Is ITV lean and mean? No.”

Mr. Norman said that the company could not simply rely on the advertising market for its long-term future.

He also said that ITV has been slow to make money out of the ‘non-traditional’ revenue streams. He gave the example of a Britain’s Got Talent clip of singer Susan Boyle that went on to become a YouTube sensation. He argued that ITV had “not successfully monetise” such clips.

“The famous clip of Susan Boyle on YouTube – nobody made any money out of that,” he said.

The Daily Telegraph

SWP CONTINUED GROWTH
26th March 2010

SWP continues to grow the number of Agricultural clients in its portfolio with the addition of RAGT Seeds.

RAGT Seeds are a French owned seed development company with facilities throughout Europe but their UK base is at Ickleton in Essex. With a growing reputation in the UK for their high yielding and disease resistant cereal crops, RAGT and SWP will work together to raise the profile of their key branded varieties to the Farmers and Agronomists in the UK.

SWP, based in South Manchester already work with a number of clients in the agricultural sector including AGCO (Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Valtra and Challenger), Norbrook Animal Health, Shell Oils and Wareing Buildings.

Whilst developing their agricultural client base SWP have not turned their back on other areas. Another recent account win is Aspen Retirement Living, building and marketing retirement apartments throughout the Midlands and North Wales. SWP have a long track record of successful campaigns in the residential and commercial property sector and believe that the time is right to promote heavily at the moment with property prices starting to rise again.

SWP CONTINUED GROWTH
22nd March 2010

SWP continues to grow the number of Agricultural clients in its portfolio with the addition of Wareing Buildings.

Wareing Buildings, based near Preston, hale from Wrea Green and have manufactured bespoke Steel Frame Buildings since 1909. They are a proud family firm who focus on the highest service levels and attention to detailto produce the quality buildings demanded by their many customers. SWP will work with Wareing Buildings to grow their market share in the Agricultural sector and increase awareness in other sectors.

Whilst developing their agricultural client base SWP continues to win new business in other areas. Another recent account win is Aspen Retirement Living, building and marketing retirement apartments throughout the Midlands and North Wales. SWP have a long track record of successful campaigns in the residential and commercial property sector and believe that the time is right to promote heavily at the moment with property prices starting to rise again.

ADVERTISING BUDGETS
LOOK SET TO RISE
19th January 2010

The amount that businesses spend on advertising will increase this year as the economy recovers from the recession, a new study has indicated.

The latest Bellwether Report from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) found that UK firms cut their marketing budgets for the ninth successive quarter in the final three months of last year.

However, the rate of decline was the slowest since the recession began to bite.

According to the report, a quarter of those firms polled said that advertising spend had fallen during the period but 18 per cent said that their marketing expenditure had gone up.

The balance of -7 signals a distinct improvement on the -15 registered in the previous quarter. It was also the highest since the first three months of 2008 and much higher than the record lows seen in late 2008 and early 2009.

Optimism among those firms surveyed was similarly stronger. Asked about the financial outlooks for their industries, 35 per cent reported themselves more confident as opposed to the 22 per cent who were pessimistic.

Budgets allocated for advertising and marketing in 2010 are above those set in 2009.

A significant proportion of the increase in spend has been fuelled by the numbers of firms that are committing more money to internet-search advertising (an 11.5 per cent rise) and other online advertising channels to market (a 10.4 per cent rise).

However, non-electronic media have also benefited from the return to confidence. Direct marketing budgets this year are looking at a boost for the first time since 2007.

Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit and author of the report, said: “With budgets being set higher for next year as confidence among marketing executives about financial prospects continued to improve, the Bellwether adds further confirmation that the UK economy has pulled out of recession.”

But Mr Williamson added a note of caution: “Companies clearly remain cautious about increasing spending in an uncertain economic environment, however, as the setting of marketing budgets remains far less buoyant thanprior to the financial crisis.”

Courtesy of www.cassons.co.uk

HOUSEBUILDING HANDS
BOOST TO ECONOMY
6th January 2010

NEW homes are being built at the quickest rate since the Northern Rock collapse, adding to signs of rising confidence in the UK economy, writes Sam Fleming.

An index tracking residential construction activity surged to nearly 59 in December, well above the 50 dividing line between expansion and contractions, according to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and Markit.

That is the quest rate since August 2007 and it compares in lows of just 18 reached last year.

Courtesy of Daily Mail

HOUSE PRICES RISE FOR
THE THIRD MONTH IN A ROW
2nd November 2009

House prices edged ahead for the third month in a row during October as the market continued to be supported by a shortage of properties for sale, figures from Hometrack show.

The average cost of a home in England and Wales rose by 0.2 per cent during the month to £156,400, 4.2 per cent below its level 12 months ago, the company said.

Last week Nationwide said that annual house price inflation had turned positive for the first time since March last year.

PAYMENTS AGENCY
LOST PRIVATE DATA ON
100,000 FARMERS

By Louise Gray Environment Correspondent

30th October 2009

THE confidential details of every farmer in England went missing for a year, the Government has admitted.

Cds and tapes containing the personal information of about 100,000 farmers including bank details, addresses and security passwords were unaccounted for since June last yea.

The lapse by the Rural Payments Agency was first noticed by IBM, which was carrying out a review of the agency’s computer systems in May.

The IT consultants informed officials at the Department for The Environment Food and agency after years of incorrect payments and a scandal over ‘obscene pranks’. Workers at its office in Newcastle took part in lewd behaviour that included smearing walls with human excrement.

Auditors fear the agency could cost taxpayers more than £620 million in fines and administration costs.

It was only when whistle blowers, frustrated by the failure to do anything about the loss, contacted Farmers Weekly that ministers or the public were informed.

It is not clear whether the tapes were lost in transit to Newcastle or simply mislaid in tan office in Reading.

Courtesy of Daily Telegraph

CONFIDENCE RETURNS TO
PUSH UP HOME PRICES

By Myra Butterworth Personal Finance correspondent

13th October 2009

CONFIDENCE is returning to the housing market as a survey of estate agents gives the most optimistic outlook since the credit crisis began.

More agents said prices were on the rise in the past three months than said they were falling by 22 percentage points. It was the highest balance since May 2007, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Separate figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders showed that the number of loans approved for new homes was 29 percent higher in August than in the same month last year.

“A lack of supply is still underpinning the rise in house prices with new instructions to estate agents only edging up very gradually,” a spokesman for RICS said, He predicted a rise in prices “in the near term”.

However, Howard Archer, an economist at Global Insight, gave warning that as better values brought more houses onto the market, the greater supply would tend to hold prices down.

SIGNS OF RECOVERY
IN MARKETING BUDGETS

By James Hall

13th October 2009

MARKETING spend by British companies has fallen for the eighth quarter in succession, according to a key report released yesterday.

However, the bellwether survey by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) gave a glimmer of hope that recovery could be on the way when it said that the reduction in budgets was the smallest seen for a year.

The IPA said that the proportion of respondents reporting a decline in marketing budgets was 28pc, against 13pc reporting a rise.

The resulting balance of minus 15pc compares with minus 28pc in the second quarter and minus 42 pc at the peak of the financial crisis in the fourth quarter of last year.

The slowing rate of decline was attributable to a steep improvement in business confidence, IPA said.

:Although spend is still falling this is an encouraging sign that budget cutting is slowing.” Said Rory Sutherland, the resident of the IPA.

Respondents’ degree of optimism about their prospects was the strongest since 2006, with almost half seeing improved prospects.

“Whilst companies are still wary, the report reveals a strong rise in business confidence,” said Mr. Sutherland.

The retail, travel and entertainment sectors saw increased spending, with the steepest falls seen in financial services, IT and computing and industrial sectors.

Courtesy of Daily Telegraph

FARMERS WEEKLY AWARDS

FarmersWeeklyPresenter Glamorous BBC TV presenter, Julia Bradbury, guest speaker at the prestigious Farmers Weekly Awards, held on 8th October at the highly acclaimed and historic Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, is seen pictured attending the unique champagne reception, sponsored by SWP.

PRINT MEDIA ADS GIVE
BIGGEST BOOST TO SALES
13th October 2009

PRINT Media is the most effective form of advertising for retailers, with new research showing that the medium helps to significantly increase sales.

A study by econometricians at BrandScience for the Outdoor Advertising Association (OAA) has found that, for every £1 spent on newspaper and magazine advertising, retailers get a sales increase of £6.23. For every £1 retailers spend on television and outdoor advertising, their revenues increase by £3.57.

Despite the growth of online advertising, the OAA said the research proved that traditional media was more lucrative than online for “bricks and mortar” retail advertisers such as supermarkets and high street clothing shops. For these retailers, online advertising generated £2.23 in sales for every £1 spent.

The findings that traditional advertising mediums such as print are still effective and, in some cases, could prove more lucrative than online marketing, will come as welcome news to the media industry.

Courtesy of Daily Telegraph

PERSIMMON
26th August 2009

Who buys a house in August? Lots of people, says builder, which yesterday boasted that scores of homebuyers had taken a break from the beach to visit its sites. Forward sales are up 9 per cent to £910 million in the first half and its average selling price is up 6 per cent to £174,000.

Persimmon is convinced that the storm has passed and is starting work on 40 new sites, with plans afoot for a further 50 sites in the second half. Persimmon has even begun to take on management trainees, a big sign of confidence in the future.

If one swallow does not make a summer, a good few weeks does not make a long-term recovery and Mike Farley, chief executive, admits that much depends on the banks’ willingness to lend and job prospects.

Mortgage approvals stand at just over half the long-term average of 93,000 a month and the majority of buyers must provide a deposit of 25 per cent. Persimmon is getting first-home buyers over the threshold with the help of Homebuy Direct, a government scheme, under which the builder and the Government together lend 30 per cent of the deposit. Persimmon’s shared equity position rose to £47.2 million in the six months to June, up from £19.8 million. That puts Persimmon out of pocket and government funding for these schemes is also under pressure. When funds run out, it will be back to square one for first-time buyers. Stay away.

Courtesy of The Daily Times

EIGHT DAYS NOT OUT
– FTSE ON ITS BIGGEST
ROLL SINCE 1993
23rd July 2009

London’s blue-chip shares racked up an eighth straight day of gains yesterday, marking the FTSE 100 index’s longest winning streak of consecutive daily rises for 16 years.

The market’s upward spring came as growing optimism over an emerging economic recovery fuelled a new exuberant mood among investors. Since its close on July 12, the potent rally of almost 9 per cent in the FTSE 100 has added more than £90 billion to the value of Britain’s leading companies.

The Bank of England yesterday reinforced the bullish mood in the equity market with a more upbeat prognosis on prospects.

The record of this month’s meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) showed that it had concluded that recent indicators were ‘consistent with a smaller contraction in GDP in the second quarter than it anticipated two months ago”. Official GDP figures due tomorrow are tipped to show that the economy shrank by another 0.3 per cent in the past three months, a much less savage decline than the 2.4 per cent slump in the first quarter.

The MPC’s minutes also revealed that its members see increasing signs that “the momentum (of the economy) going into the second half of the year was greater than … expected in May”.

Courtesy of The Times

MARKET OVERVIEW
20th July 2009
market_overview

THE FTSE 100 recorded the best full week of the year so far, up 6pc or 262 points, as investors celebrated Goldman Sachs’ stunning results and “the most positive housing report in ages” out of the US. UK Traders were cheered by better than expected second-quarter earnings from IBM, Intel,, and JP Morgan Chase. Mining stocks added most points on Friday.

Courtesy of Daily Telegraph

HOUSING MARKET
‘IS RECOVERING’
13th July 2009

THE difference between the asking and selling prices for homes shrank to just 1.9 per cent last month a report shows.

The figure was down from 6.3 per cent in May and sales also held up last month despite fewer properties coming on to the market, according to a survey for the National Association of Estate Agents.

The average estate agent sold ten homes in June for the third month in a row, up from six in December. The average asking price for a semi-detached home was £210,755 in June, but they typically sold for £11,869 less at £198,886. Flats are faring much better, with the average asking price £144,048, compared to an average selling price of £143,049.

Gary Smith, president of the NAEA, said: ‘The housing market is in a far stronger position than it was 12 months ago.’

Courtesy of Daily Mail

NEW MORTGAGES SOAR
TO 13-MONTH HIGH AS
BUYERS RETURN TO THE
MARKET

The number of mortgages approved for house purchase rose to a 13-month high in May, new figures showed today.

A total of 31,162 loans were approved for people buying a property during the month, 7 per cent more than in April, the British Bankers' Association said.

The figure was also 16 per cent higher than it had been in May 2008, the first time the annual measure has shown an increase since November 2006.

Courtesy of Daily Mail

HOUSE SELLERS GET
CLOSER TO ASKING PRICES
16th June 2009

SELLERS are having to knock less off the asking price of their home before securing a buyer, figures show.

The gap between asking and selling prices is narrowing, data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reveals. On average, homes are now selling for 11 per cent below the asking price.

Almost 60 per cent of the 250 estate agents and surveyors who took part in the survey said the gap narrowed in the past three months.

A similar survey last August showed the gap was widening.

The survey suggests a lack of supply on the market is holding house prices up.

Analyists also believe sellers are more realistic about the price they can expect for their home, although some reports suggest asking prices have been relatively stable since February. Halifax and Nationwide both reported price rises during May.

Brigid O’Leary, of RICS, said: ‘The improvement in recent housing market surveys is reflected in a narrowing in the gap between asking and selling prices.”

The worst affected region is the North where sellers, on average, accept offers of 26 per cent less than their asking price.

Courtesy of Daily Mail

HOPE FOR
PROPERTY MARKET
12th June 2009

Mortgage lending jumped by 16 per cent in April – boosting hopes that the property market is recovering.

A total of 35,600 loans were advanced to buyers during the month, the highest level since October last year, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Courtesy of Daily Express

FRENCH FANCY TASTE OF
BRITAIN AS FOOD EXPORTS
RISE 20PC
11th June 2009

Exports of food and drink to France jumped by 22 per cent to £1.14billion last year due to the weak value of the pound and high-quality produce, figures from the Food and Drink Federation indicate.

It is the highest level since the mid-1990s. In total, Britain exported £7.72billion worth of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Ireland was the main market.

Courtesy of Daily Telegraph

RATES PEGGED AT 0.5PC
8th June 2009

THE Bank of England left its rates and money-printing strategy unchanged against an improving economic backdrop.

The Old Lady pegged rates at the historic low of 0.5pc and stuck with plans to purchase £125bn of gilts and corporate bonds. The news came as optimism continues to grow about the UK’s economic prospects.

House prices staged an unexpectedly powerful 2.6pc rebound in May, according to the Halifax. It was the strongest rise since 2002. The Price jump came just a day after Britain’s dominant services sector returned to growth for the first time in a year.

Yesterday Barclays upgraded its economic forecasts, predicting that national income will start growing again in the second half of 2009.

Courtesy of Daily Mail

CAR SALES REVERSE BY 24.8PC IN MAY
8th June 2009

NEW car sales fell 24.8pc in May compared with the same month last year, but orders for vehicles under the government’s ‘scrap-page’ scheme are set to give the numbers a boost next month.

The latest figures from the society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the Ford Fiesta was the best-selling car last month with 7,040 sold, boosting it to 48,182 for the year to date. Its stablemate, the Ford Focus, came second with 6,693 sold.

The annual fall was little changed from April’s 24pc decline, but the SMMT said orders prompted by the government’s £2,000 incentive to scrap old cars in exchange for new ones were yet to show up in the data.

SMMT chief Paul Everitt said there had been an ‘encouraging start’ to the scrappage scheme, with 35,000 orders since it was announced.

Courtesy of Daily Mail

HOUSEBUILDING ON THE MEND
5th June 2009

The latest construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) shows that housebuilding and orders showed a sharp improvement in May, much more so than commercial property construction and civil engineering.

"This data is a further sign that the UK economy is now past the worst of the recession, and may be moving closer to genuine growth," said Colin Ellis, economist at Daiwa Securities.

Courtesy of Globespan Media Limited

REDROW TO START
BUILDING AGAIN
15th May 2009

Redrow is to restart construction on the majority of its sites against the backdrop of more favourable market conditions.

BARRATT:
RESERVATIONS UP
15th May 2009

Barratt yesterday announced a 58 per cent increase in private reservations from the end of March to May 10, compared to the same period last year. Its number of visitors per site was also up 7.8 per cent.

Visitor levels for the full 19-week period – 1 January 2009 to 10 May – were down six per cent against last year’s comparable period. But its visitor levels were up 17 per cent on the first half of the financial year.

Its total net reservations, equating to 243 private sales per week, were 4.4 per cent up on last year and its forward order book stands at £778.2 million, translating to 5,253 plots – an increase from £455.8 million and 3,529 plots on 1 January 2009.

PROPERTY: 'IT'S A GOOD TIME TO BUY,' SAY FTBs
8th May 2009

Most potential first-time buyers think now is a good time to buy. Around 57 per cent of people hoping to get on to the property ladder said they thought house prices would either stay the same or increaseduring the coming 12 months, while 69 per cent thought now was a good time to buy.

One in five first-time buyers even said they thought it would be more difficult to buy their first home in a year's time, viewing the current market as a window of opportunity for people with a substantial deposit, according to Rightmove. Miles Shipside of Rightmove said: "It's a clear sign that the mood is swinging from negative to positive when first-time buyers are looking to re-enter the market. Canny investors have been snapping up some bargains, and now first-time buyers reckon prices are reaching a floor too.

"Some will be frustrated by the size of deposit that lenders are demanding to get the best mortgage deals, however."

Information supplied by Globespan Media

HOT NEWS!
7th May 2009
No change in interest rates announced today!

MARKETS BET THAT THE WORST IS OVER
Daily Telegraph Logo

BUSINESS SECTION
7th May 2009

MARKETS continued to rally yesterday after a wave of upbeat corporate news and positive economic data lifted hopes that the worst of the UK recession may be over.

The FTSE 100 closed up 1.4pc or 59.56 points at 4396.49. At one point during trading it reached a high of 4437.61, wiping out all of the falls in 2009.

POSITIVE NEWS
Daily Mail Logo

16th April 2009

THE pound rose to a three-month high against the dollar yesterday after a housing survey raised hopes of a recovery in the UK.

Sterling rose above $1.50, its highest level against the dollar since mid-January. It also rose against the euro, hitting a six-week high of 1,137 euros.

A survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors had found that new inquiries in the housing market had risen for the fifth consecutive month in March.

MANAGEMENT & FINANCE
Debbie

7th April 2009

Most companies are now doing what one would expect in a recession – 95 per cent are cutting or planning to cut discretionary spending, 81 per cent are cutting employee numbers and 86 per cent curtailing recruitment. Perhaps more surprising is that corporations appear to be more willing to cut jobs than marketing budgets. “Companies are now more in control and looking beyond day-to-day survival”.

“They need to think about what their company will look like as they emerge from this recession. They want to ensure that they position themselves in the marketplace taking advantage of the opportunities. Continuing to advertise and focus on marketing is one of the ways you do that.

“CFOs and the rest of the executive feel that they have done everything they can to batten down the hatches. (They) hopefully have financing now in place and there is more liquidity coming into the marketplace that will enable them to move forward in a more positive way”.

It might not be time to crack open the champagne just yet, but it might not hurt to put a bottle on ice, just in case.

SWP comment: We couldn’t have put it better ourselves!

NEW APPOINTMENT
- MEDIA BUYER

Following solid growth last year, SWP has appointed Debby Smith as Media Buyer.

Debby’s career spans across the leading media independents and agencies in Manchester with 20+ years in media including stints with Universal McCann for six years and Head of Direct at Mediaedge:CIA. Specialising in Direct Response including major brands such as Sky, T Mobile, Engage Mutual Assurance, Next Directory and Shop Direct Group. Launched Sky Digital and Sky Plus into the UK market.

She worked with Mike Williams, at AMS Advertising (now Feather Brooksbank) and Universal McCann, who has had a long track record of working with SWP handling the agency consumer media planning.

Debby is trustee/treasurer for the RSPCA Manchester & Salford branch, and when free, enjoys riding her horse to help her relax.

“Debby brings new valuable expertise to the agency which is most important following our level of new business success.” Comments Peter Suckley, Managing Director.

ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR HOUSE BUILDERS

NewHouses

Sequence Land & New Homes sold 700 homes in the last month, the most for a year and this trend is carrying on into February.

According to Halifax, house prices in January 2009 went up by 1.9%, this was agreed by Right Move 1.2%, the Royal institute of Chartered surveyors claim house prices will rise over the next few months.

Housebuilders will have sold all existing stock by the latest June 2009 (this is supported by David Pretty of the New Homes Marketing Board).

Housebuilders will now be building 3-5 bedroom homes for the Family Market.

Vogue Interiors who supply all of Taylor Wimpey's 22 divisions have been inundated to set up new show homes for new sites. This means for all the suppliers that there will be an increase in orders from bricks right through to kitchens.

The New Homes Mortgage Shop who specialise in mortgages for the new home market said there has been an increase in mortgage approvals for this sector.

The price of a detached family home has risen, according to the latest government figures, bucking the national downward trend in house prices.

The cost of an average detached house rose by 4.9 per cent between December 2008 and January 2009, pushing up average prices by 0.2 per cent for the month.

For week commencing 23rd February 2009 the number of planning applications showed a big rise. A rise in mortgage approvals by the major banks for the third month in a row has brought some cheer to the housing market. The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said that there were 28,179 mortgages approved for house purchases in February, up from 24,278 in January.

Information supplied by Globespan Media