Just under half (48 per cent) of agencies taking part in pitches where procurement was involved said their part was both transparent and fair according to the latest IPA survey on the pitching practice.

Though almost half were pleased with the role of procurement in the pitch process 31 per cent of respondents disagreed, and only 34 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that where there was procurement involved the selection techniques were appropriate with 38 per cent disagreeing.

In pitches where procurement is involved the survey suggests elements of the pitch process do not run as smoothly as they could. 45 per cent of those surveyed said timetables were agreed, set and adhered to during the pitch process when procurement was involved, in comparison to 64 per cent of pitches which ran to time without procurement.

Just under a quarter (24 per cent) indicated that a client’s budget was clear and upfront, compared to 44 per cent where no procurement was involved. 22 per cent said feedback from interim meetings was clearly actionable in pitches involving procurement, compared with 50 per cent where no procurement was involved. The survey does, however, indicate that in two-thirds of cases where procurement was involved their role was clearly identified at the start of the pitch.

When intermediaries were involved in the pitch, 45 per cent of respondents stated that the process was excellent or very good; this fell to 19 per cent where there was no intermediary involved. 40 per cent of respondents described the performance of an intermediary as being excellent or very good, with 10 per cent of cases describing the performance as poor.

“This survey provides a wider view of those involved in the pitch process, be they intermediaries or procurement. It is reassuring to find that the majority do indeed conform to the best practices set out in the joint industry guidelines, while at the same time providing focus for where improvements can be made a priority,” commented IPA finance director, Alex Hunter.

IPA president Ian Priest cites the agency-client relationship as one of the key components from his ADAPT agenda, he added: “Pitches are the start-point for many client- agency relationships. Handled well they should set the scene for long, healthy, productive partnerships between both parties for mutual commercial gain. So adapting this process to ensure best practice is followed and potentially new methods investigated, can only be a win-win.”

The IPA is set to launch the ADAPTATHON series on Thursday 3 October.

Channel 4 has recalled a team of producers from Dragonfly productions to London following allegations printed in The Sun newspaper that they had offered a ‘special prize’ for tracking down women using the morning after pill on the holiday island.

The unseemly goings on formed part of filming for What Happens in Kavos, a three-part series looking at Brits abroad, but the revelations sparked an immediate response from station bosses, who commissioned the series, as they pulled the plug on filming and recalled the production team.

This followed an angry telephone exchange in which embarrassed Channel 4 execs ‘breathed fire’ down the line.

Simon Dickson, head of Dragonfly, said: “We have apologised to Channel 4 and halted production so we can regroup the team in London, investigate and fully understand how this happened.”

In their blurb for the three-part series Channel 4 described the show as a: “Documentary series following young Brits over a summer in Kavos, Corfu, to get a glimpse of what really happens in the hedonistic party town away from parents and surrounded by temptation.”

No decision has yet been taken on whether to air footage obtained thus far.

A Top Gear stunt in which Jeremy Clarkson, James May Richard Hammond took the helm of a customised hovercraft and left a trail of chaos in their wake along the River Avon has been labelled a ‘fake’ after an actor employed in the scene revealed all.

Broadcast last week the programme showed a rowing boat capsize and diners at a nearby restaurant having their meal interrupted as the ungainly vehicle barrelled down the genteel Warwickshire river.

Unbeknownst to viewers however these scenes were staged and the angry citizenry shown were all actors – and Clarkson took several attempts to successfully spray his targets .

In his online blog actor Michael Bott explained how he had been directed to appear as if nonchalantly enjoying lunch before he was drenched in water and had his table overturned by a blast of air from the passing vehicle.

Bott then took to his feet in synthetic fury for the cameras.

The BBC declined to comment on the allegations but has conceded in the past that certain stunts were faked on the long-running entertainment programme.

ITV has revealed that it expects to see an increase in advertising revenue of a fifth during August, having revealed a two per cent total revenue increase of £30m to £1,309m.

The broadcaster saw a three per cent fall in advertising revenue during the first half of the year, but has claimed it expects advertising revenue to be ‘broadly flat’ for the first three quarters, with an increase in July of 12 per cent and an expected further increase next month of 20 per cent.

The broadcaster has also recorded a rise in online and interactive revenue of almost 20 per cent reaching £56m as it expects this area to deliver double digit revenue growth for the full year, having also recorded a 17 per cent increase in long form video requests through the broadcaster’s digital platforms.

Figures also revealed a rise in non-net advertising revenue (NAR) of 11 per cent, reaching £568m, including the 19 per cent increase from online, pay and interactive revenue, with an overall increase in external revenue of one per cent to £1,144m.

Pre-tax profits have risen by 18 per cent £179m with revenue reaching £1,144m leaving an operating profit of £255m and broadcast and online revenue of £914m

A total consideration of £53m was spent of the acquisitions of shares in UK company Garden and US companies High Noon and Think Factory.

Adam Crozier CEO of ITV described the figures as showing “good progress” for the company.

“In the first six months of the year ITV continued to increase group profits and revenues despite the expected fall in our H1 advertising revenues. Non-advertising revenues were up by 11 per cent to £568m, driven by significant growth in Online, Pay & Interactive and in ITV Studios.

“ITV Studios delivered further growth in the UK and internationally both organically and through selective acquisitions in our key target markets – with total Studios revenues up 11 per cent. We’re showing real momentum in our strategy of creating a robust international content business and in building substantial strength and scale in the US market.

“The improved variety and quality of the ITV schedule has driven a strong on-screen performance in the first half of the year with ITV Family share of viewing up 1 per cent.

Our cash generation remains strong and we continue to have a robust balance sheet to support the strategy and invest in our future growth.

As we anticipated, the shape of the television advertising market this year is very different to 2012. In spite of monthly volatility we expect ITV Family NAR to be broadly flat for the nine months to the end of September with Q3 up nine per cent. We expect both ITV Studios and Online, Pay & Interactive to deliver double digit revenue growth for the year as a whole as we continue to rebalance and strengthen ITV.”

The broadcaster also revealed that it is on track to deliver cost savings of £20m for the year.

ITV has been hit by a fresh product placement row over its flagship soap, Coronation Street, just days after Channel 4 announced it would broadcast separate allegations.

The latest row centres on the character Roy Cropper who mentioned a new theatre show from Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace during Monday night’s broadcast.

In it Cropper remarked to his screen wife that he had picked up tickets to see Midnight Tango, just one day prior to its five day run in Manchester – prompting Flavia to tweet her gratitude.

The star tweeted: “Thank you @itvcorrie for our @VFMidnightTango mention, can’t believe it but thank you xx.”

Not everyone was quite so happy about the plug however with some flagging it up as a possible breach of broadcasting laws as set out by Ofcom.

Although product placements are permitted on the show a letter ‘P’ must be shown in the opening credits to alert viewers to the fact – something which did not happen in Monday night’s episode.

It has also been suggested that there may be some connection to the recent recruitment of Flavia’s fiancé, Jimi Mistry, to the show.

A Coronation Street spokeswoman said: “The episode script was written long before Jimi Mistry was even approached.

'It is untrue to suggest there is any connection between the two. All episodes are cleared through compliance before transmission.”

Two unfortunate sports presenters have been labelled as ‘paedophiles’ by wayward subtitling software whilst overseeing ESPN’s UK coverage of the Gold Cup final in Chicago.

The incident took place as the commentary team were about to sign off their coverage of the United States vs Panama square off.

Instead of saying ‘That’s it from the pair of us’ however the automated subtitle program inexplicably churned out ‘That’s it from the paedophiles’, prompting wry amusement from hard of hearing viewers.

The faux pas soon went viral on the net but ESPN were swift to remove videos footage of the incident on the grounds of copyright infringements.

Google has received requests to remove more than 100 million links since January 2013 for web pages deemed to be in breach of copyright laws, it has been revealed.

This number is double the requests received in the whole of 2012, with 14 million requests being made in the last month alone.

Copyright owners such as the British Recorded Music Industry account for a large number of requests, as well as broadcasters such as HBO.

Research from online brand protection specialist NetNames found that 60 per cent of businesses have no system in place to protect intellectual property online.

The research also found that 93 per cent of executives think protecting online assets will become more important, or remain just as important, over the next year.

Invicta Telecare has launched the biggest marketing campaign in its 27 year history targeting adults worried about their parents’ welfare.

The six-month campaign from the independent telecare provider aims to raise awareness of its services and is supported by regional press and display ads, digital activity, direct marketing and PR.

“There is a tendency for older people to hide care needs from worried family members which, combined with the lack of understanding about telecare’s benefits, has made it crucial for us to reach out directly to the adult relatives of those in need. The campaign’s striking imagery and copy of has been designed to capture the benefits of telecare for both vulnerable older people and their relatives compared to other care solutions,” explained managing director of Invicta Telecare, Wendy Darling.

Already launched in Invicta’s native-Kent, the campaign by osbornenash focuses on the benefits of a personal alarm for elderly relatives, showcasing how telecare services can help people remain independent in their own home for longer.

Parent company Circle Housing Group is managing the campaign in-house with the support of external agencies.

Sports Direct has come under fire over its embrace of so-called zero hour contracts, a form of employment contract which offers far fewer rights than standard employment.

All 20,000 part time staff at the retailer have been put on such contracts, meaning they are entitled to no holiday or sick pay and are subject to an uncertain rota week in, week out.

This contrasts sharply with the fortunes of the 3,000 full time staff at the firm, who each enjoy generous bonus payments worth more than £70k next month alone.

Andy Sawford, Labour MP for Corby, a chief critic of the government scheme, told the guardian: “It would be much better for Sports Direct to instead of offering bonus gimmicks, they should offer their staff the security of proper contracts.

"The zero-hours contracts are highly exploitative and suit the company because it keeps people in a fragile state where they are at the beck and call of their employers."

Twitter troll Oliver Eric Rawlings has apologised and appears to have deleted his account after he tweeted Mary Beard calling her a ‘filthy old slut’.

Rawlings then tweeted Jeremy Vine, who called him a troll for his comments about Beard.

.@Rawlings153 @wmarybeard So Oliver, you are trolling the guest @BBCRadio2 who told us about how upset she was by people trolling her?

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 29, 2013

This then led to other members of Twitter attacking Rawlings for his comments; which came shortly after Twitter has said it will make reporting abuse easier after campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez received tweets that threatened murder and rape.

One of these tweets from angry members of the public seemed to strike a nerve, suggesting that Beard contact Rawling’s mother.

@wmarybeard Mary, If you would like to send a copy @Rawlings153's tweet to his mother, Joanne. I'd be happy to give you the postal address

— John Wilson (@tug) July 29, 2013

It was shortly after this that Rawlings apologised, saying ‘I sincerely apologise for my trolling. I was wrong and very rude. Hope this can be forgotten and forgiven xxx’ and ‘I feel this had been a good lesson for me. Thanks 4 showing me the error of my ways. I wish you both all the best’.

Men’s magazine Nuts has mounted an online campaign in response to the Co-op’s ruling that ‘lads’ magazines must come in modesty bags within six weeks, or be removed from sale in their stores.

Co-op’s decision comes after a campaign from UK Feminista and others, leaving the likes of Loaded, Nuts and Zoo needing to implement the changes by 9 September.

The shareable image released by Nuts, entitled ‘Keep your hands off our Nuts!’, reads: “These magazines are entirely legal and bring entertainment and enjoyment to many thousands of men – and women – across the UK, and I see no reason why they should be banned to appease the views of a minority protest group.

“This proposed move is a blatant act of censorship with UK Feminista seeking to ban something just because it doesn’t happen to like it.

“Magazines like Nuts feature a broad range of content, and are stocked out of the reach of children, and are enjoyed by a large number of supermarket customers whose voices also deserve to be heard.”

The magazine has also started the hashtag #KeepTheLadsMags on Twitter which is being supported by male and female readers and a number of glamour models and TV stars who have appeared in lads mags including Sophie Coady, Hollie Hatton, Chanelle Hayes and Holly Hagan. A number of supporters are also pointing out that women’s celebrity, fashion and health magazines all use images of women in bikinis, or less, on their covers and are not subject to the new rules.

If we start picking apart one genre of magazines, the others will be next. Where will we stop?! #KeepTheLadsMags

— Chanelle Hayes (@chanellejhayes) July 30, 2013

What's this I hear about these mad PMT women "protesters" wanting to stop @nuts_official! #LeaveIt #KeepTheLadsMags

— Sean (@CarperSean) July 30, 2013

@nuts_official #KeepTheLadsMags there is no reason for one of the most popular genres of magazine to go.

— Sonny Skelton (@Mr_Spaceman_97) July 30, 2013

If they're gonna cover up the lads mags, then they should cover up the girl mags too, it's only fair. #keeptheladsmags

— David Bradburn (@xFragileBirdx) July 30, 2013

@nuts_official @HollyJadePeers @catdeeley what's the difference ?? #KeepTheLadsMags pic.twitter.com/JLsfMbsBWE

— Hollie Hatton (@holliehatton) July 30, 2013

Amazon owned LOVEFiLM has announced that it has signed a deal with Scripps Networks Interactive to bring a range of food and lifestyle focussed TV content from Food Network and Travel Channel to LOVEFiLM Instant.

This includes Andy Bates and Reza Muhammad from the UK and a host of tasty morsel from the US; including Restaurant: Impossible, House Hunters International, Bizarre Foods, Barefoot Contessa & Man v. Food Nation.

Simon Morris, chief marketing officer at LOVEFiLM said: "We're delighted to announce this latest deal with Scripps Networks Interactive, which brings something very different and exciting to our members. There is no doubt that we are a nation of foodies, and it's great that this deal will enable us to meet increasing viewer demands for this particular type of content."

Kate Bradshaw, VP Digital UK/EMEA from Scripps Networks added: "We're pleased to be partnering with LOVEFiLM Instant to provide consumers another platform to engage with some of our best-loved shows, wherever and whenever they want. We are incredibly proud of the fantastic content that we work hard to create and we know that LOVEFiLM members will savour every episode."

Mat O’Brien has been named as creative director at integrated marketing agency Space.

Joining from Initials Marketing where he held the same role, O’Brien has been tasked with leading Space’s creative thinking, adding weight to its strategic offering, and delivering the agency’s creative output across the full breadth of the agency’s client work. As creative director he will report to Space managing partner, David Atkinson, and joins the leadership team to continue the agency’s growth.

O’Brien brings over 10 years’ worth of experience in creating national and international integrated campaigns. Prior to working with Initials O’Brien was at The Bank, overseeing the creative direction on the global Grolsch account. He also has experience with promotional, digital, experiential, above and below-the-line campaigns and is an accomplished video director.

Of the appointment Atkinson said: “Mat is an innovative, fresh and dynamic creative director who brings the right experience, attitude and ambition to the agency at an important stage of our development. I look forward to working with him to achieve great results for our clients and therefore for Space.”

O’Brien added: “Space has a great history of producing award-winning, innovative creative work which is a tradition I intend to continue and build on.”

Real estate company Hammerson has announced the appointment of isobel to handle the creative for Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester, and Queensgate in Peterborough.

Isobel, who already hold the Bullring Birmingham Shopping Centre account, will create a new positioning and campaign for each centre, both to be launched for Christmas.

Dave Alexander, creative director at isobel, said: “Bullring was our second ever client so this appointment means a lot to us. The work on Bullring has consistently set the pace in the sector and we’re determined that both Highcross and Queensgate will do the same. We can’t wait to get started.”

Louise Hamer-Brown, regional marketing manager at Hammerson, added: “Re-positioning Queensgate and Highcross in the hearts and minds of our customers is a high priority for Hammerson, so finding the right partner is vital. Consumer research demonstrated just how well isobel execute creative and strategic brand thinking which genuinely resonates with our consumers in the Midlands.”

The agency was appointed following a two-stage pitch process.

A mysterious restaurant which garnered rave reviews on Trip Advisor has left salivating diners flummoxed by its non-existence.

Reviewers had logged in to sing the praises of Oscar’s, a Brigadoon like floating eaterie, championing its ‘mind blowing’ fare and exotic surroundings, said to be fashioned from the hull of a ‘phantom class’ fishing trawler.

Other fishy claims included enthusiastic waiters who happily donned diving gear to catch live fish from the restaurants own aquarium.

One happy customer enthused: “I am fortunate enough to live in Catalunya, home to some of the best restaurants in the world. I have dined at both elBulli and El Celler de Can Roca.

“Is Oscar’s as good? No not quite - but as has been mentioned already, there is an unbelievable quality about it.”

Sadly, readers who fell for this tale hook line and sinker were faced with a tricky proposition in locating the establishment, which directed people to a dingy alleyway in Brixham, Devon, lined with rubbish bins.

Amused locals reported seeing disappointed patrons arriving by taxi at the down at heel lane, only to go home hungry, before the entry was finally removed by Trip Advisor.

A disgruntled local businessman later owned up to the con as part of efforts to expose flaws in the Trip Advisor site, after a friend's hotel found itself on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism – suspected to have originated from a business rival.

Seamus Whittingham has been appointed vice-president of commercial operations at Qubit ahead of the company’s European expansion plans next year.

Whittingham will initially plan operational strategy and run commercial teams dealing with UK customers but will take on responsibility for European customers as the analytics company moves further into Europe in 2014.

CEO of Qubit, Graham Cooke, said: “As we look to expand the company, our latest appointment validates the direction that we want to take Qubit in. We look forward to working with Seamus and wish him every success in his new role.”

Prior to joining Qubit, Whittingham was the EMEA managing director for Channel Advisor and had a stint as sales director for GSI Commerce and Art Technology Group.

O2 has channelled the spirit of Rocky Balboa in its new ‘Fit for 4G’ teaser trailer.

Launching on the network this summer, O2’s video shows how the network is in training to take on the current champion of 4G EE. In the trail we see a O2-coloured blue thumb lifting weights, doing press-ups, running up stairs and punching chicken nuggets before stepping into the ring with its red-coloured opponent.

The video also debuts O2’s new Thumbbells – dumbbells for thumbs – which are designed to improve dexterity and cut down on smartphone-related injuries. Their invention comes following an O2 survey which showed the average Brit used their phone for almost an hour each day, with over 40 per cent claiming they needed to give their thumbs a rest while two thirds said they wish their thumbs were faster.

Speaking of the product and the impending 4G launch, David Johnson, general manager devices, O2 UK, said: “We know our customers are using their thumbs more than ever. Data use is experiencing exponential growth and with 4G just around the corner, we want to make sure our customers are ready to make the most of what 4G will offer them.

“Whether it's choosing tracks to listening to, scrolling through videos or playing mobile games, we're all using our thumbs to interact with the technological revolution, and as such it's important we keep our most precious digits healthy.”

Downing Street has scotched criticisms of an illegal immigrant poster campaign, designed to encourage people to go home voluntarily, by saying it is ‘already working’ and suggesting that it could be rolled out nationwide.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister hailed a pilot campaign in several London boroughs as a success after vans were dispatched on the streets bearing the message ‘go home or face arrest’.

The Home Office said there had been ‘a great deal of interest’ from illegal immigrants phoning the helpline to seek assistance in returning home, although the full results have still to be collated.

Despite this apparent success Lib Dem members of the coalition have publicly rubbished the campaign with
business secretary Vince Cable calling it ‘stupid and offensive’.

Asked whether they concurred with this view David Cameron’s spokesperson said: “No is the short answer. This pilot is about targeting people who are here illegally and giving them the opportunity to leave the country voluntarily rather than be arrested, detained and removed.

“We know that voluntary returns are the most cost-effective way of removing illegal immigrants. If you talk to the Home Office they can tell you that they’ve had a great deal of interest and they are looking at seeing which inquiries they can take forward."

UK energy company npower has appointed McCann Manchester as its lead creative agency following a competitive pitch.

McCann Manchester will now assume responsibility for launching npower’s latest brand proposition later in the year.

Debbie Britton, director of marketing for npower, commented: “It’s our vision to be number one for customer experience by 2015. To achieve this, we’re reviewing the whole way we do business - and everything we do will have the customer at the heart of it.

“A key part of this process is our work to develop our new brand positioning and a creative look and feel. McCann Manchester had an intuitive understanding of what we’re trying to achieve and I’m looking forward to them helping us bring it to life, over the next few months.”

David Donaghue, McCann Manchester managing partner, added: “We are tremendously proud to have been selected by npower to work with them on this brief. The marketplace is undergoing a period of considerable change and there is a real opportunity to shift consumer perceptions.”

To celebrate the launch of action comedy film Pain & Gain UK supplement brand LA Muscle has teamed up with Paramount Pictures offering the chance to win a luxurious holiday for two to Miami, Florida, where the movie was shot and set.

Running from 25 July to 16 September, the competition will be promoted through a number of channels including an integrated TV advertisement on The Active Channel and advertising throughout the LA Muscle website and social media platforms.

In addition to the competition LA Muscle will also be offering an extra 25 per cent free on 2.2kg LA Whey during the promotional period.

Feroz Sadique, managing director of LA Muscle, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Paramount Pictures on the launch of Pain & Gain. There’s a great relationship between our brand as a sports supplement and the movie which is predominantly set within a gym environment.”