In the air: M&C Saatchi gives Tories a boost

Advertising group M&C Saatchi today underlined hopes of economic recovery as half-year UK revenues jumped 8% — ahead of the wider market — with mobile and customer loyalty programmes growing strongly.

“The market is looking perkier,” said chief executive David Kershaw, who insists his view isn’t influenced by the fact his agency works for the Tories. “Doing good PR for the Tories is the last thing on my mind much as I love them. I’m much more focused on growing revenues at M&C Saatchi.” New account wins include a sports marketing deal with O2 for the England rugby team for the next three years.

* With press regulation still a top topic, the Great Hall in the Royal Courts of Justice is an appropriate choice for this year’s London Press Club Ball, one of the top social events in the journalism calendar, on October 10. Sponsors include the National Lottery, easyJet and car giant Nissan, which has donated a £25,000 eco-friendly Leaf electric car for the charity auction. BBC presenter Kate Silverton, pictured, is compere and all money raised goes to the Journalists’ Charity in aid of hacks who have fallen on hard times. Go to londonpressclub.co.uk, email LPC@entireaffair.com, or call 020 8429 7520 for more information.

* Does every self-respecting paper have to have its own pop-up in Silicon Roundabout? Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal is opening a cafe next week in Shoreditch for the second year running, with “free events for the area’s start-ups, entrepreneurs, developers and venture capitalists”. It comes after The Guardian launched its own tech cafe in the area, backed by mobile giant EE. Doubtless someone can prove it’s a brilliant marketing strategy.