Advertising, media, marketing and PR news & jobs

Facebook valued at $104bn

Facebook has priced its shares at $38 (£24) as it begins its stock market flotation, valuing the social network at $104bn (£65.8m), making it one of the most valuable share sales in US history.

HP prepares to cut up to 30,000 jobs

Hewlett-Packard (HP) is considering cutting up to 30,000 jobs, representing roughly 10% of its workforce, in order to turn around its ailing business, according to reports.

RAJAR Q1 2012: National commercial radio results in full

National radio listening figures for the first quarter of 2012 in full.

RAJAR Q1 2012: DAB and internet at listening-hours high

DAB and internet radio each hit a new high in terms of listening hours in Q1 2012, although DAB's share of radio consumption dropped from Q4 2011, despite the usual Christmas gifting of sets.

Home Office calls fast-turnaround ad pitch 1

The Home Office is looking for an advertising agency to work on quick-turnaround projects across a range of policy areas, including crime, immigration and counter-terrorism.

Zone hires TBWA's Reng as technology director

Digital agency Zone has hired TBWA/Tequila Australia's technology and innovations director, Rob Reng, as technology director.

Sheraton Hotels brand chief discusses serving the 'social traveller'

Hoyt Harper, Sheraton Hotels' senior vice-president and global brand leader, speaks to Marketing about Sheraton's $6bn renovation process, differentiating the brand, and the hotel's development across emerging markets.

RAJAR Q1 2012: Absolute Radio, Kiss and Smooth among the winners 1

Absolute Radio, Bauer Media's Kiss and GMG's Smooth all reported strong audience gains in the first quarter of 2012, while TalkSport's audience declined slightly despite a record lunchtime audience from Sony winners Richard Keys and Andy Gray.

RAJAR Q1 2012: Views from the radio advertising buyers

What do today's Rajar results mean for radio stations and advertisers? Four radio buyers give their view on why today's figures are good for most commercial radio groups but raise some questions about digital switchover and the Capital network.