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Posts made in August, 2014

Liberty Global reportedly readying ITV takeover bid

on Aug 31, 2014

By Stephen Lepitak ITV is reportedly the subject of interest from Virgin Media owner Liberty Global, which could mount a takeover bid. The Telegraph claims that the media company owned by billionaire John Malone, is canvassing investors ahead of speaking to the board at ITV, with the main stumbling block apparently the price of the Channel 3 broadcaster. Liberty Global bought BSkyB’s last remaining 6.4 per cent stake in ITV for £481m. The move was speculated earlier in August by Channel 4 boss, David Abraham during his MacTaggart Lecture, where he said; “Liberty and other US share­holders are trying to play Read full story › Source: The Drum...

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The next California Gold Rush flexes its muscles: Will 2016 be the golden year for pot?

on Aug 31, 2014

By Noel Young CannaCon, the huge marijuana-business expo held outside Seattle last week, produced this opinion from publisher Greg James : “The pot industry in America is growing like a weed.” And nearby California could well be where a new Gold Rush touches down. James’s Seattle-based Marijuana Venture newsletter has gone from eight to 84 glossy pages since it launched in March. It is already profitable. “It’s amazing how fast this thing is moving, “James told the San Jose Mercury News. The legal pot business in the United States is expected to grow this year to $2.6 billion from $1.5 billion in 2013, Read full story › Source: The Drum...

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The X Factor and Cheryl Cole return to ITV with peak audience of 10.6 million viewers

on Aug 31, 2014

By Stephen Lepitak The new series of The X Factor, which included the return of Cheryl Cole and the debut of Spice Girl Mel B as judges, pulled in a peak audience of over 10 million viewers. According to overnight viewing figures released by ITV, the first episode of the 11th series of the musical talent show, which this year lowered its age limit to include contestants of 14 and over for the first time, drew a peak audience of 10.6 million viewers. A peak audience of 10.6 million viewers watched @TheXFactor on ITV last night #Xfactor2014 pic.twitter.com/Thkb566aoq — Read full story › Source: The Drum...

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Ad of the Day: Direct Line - "Mr Fix"

on Aug 31, 2014

By Staff Writer This spot decisively severs all ties with the phone line graphic so familiar to the brand and puts Harvey Keitel somewhat unexpectedly in its place. Yes, here he is, reprising his role as Pulp Fiction’s Winston Wolf, but fixing the insurance problems of ordinary folk instead of disposing of carelessly killed corpses. It’s quite a departure, and a terrific idea. Creative Agency Saatchi & Saatchi Film Production Gorgeous Director Chris Palmer Editor Scot Crane @ The Quarry Post Production nineteentwenty Sound Design Anthony Moore @ Factory Ad of the Day is created in association with David Reviews. Read full story › Source: The Drum...

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3D printing software Photobump proves standards locks are no longer secure from technology

on Aug 31, 2014

By Stephen Lepitak 3D printing technology just found a new use, with develops having created the ability to produce plastuc keys that will be able to open any door lock. The ability to create the keys has been devised by engineers Jos Weyers and Christian Holler through their software Photobump, a 3D file which can produce a bump key from just one image of a lock. Lock bumping is a lock picking technique that has been in existence for almost a century, featuring a key blank which can be used, alongside the light tap of a hammer, to fit and open any pin Read full story › Source: The Drum...

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