News in Brief

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has made a submission to the Government's review of the BBC's online activities. It said that the BBC's dominance on the web cost UK internet companies up to £40m in ad revenue during 2003.

Yahoo! Europe is seeking a new managing director following the departure of Mark Opzoomer, who leaves at the end of this year to "pursue other business interests". The company is expected to seek an outsider to replace him.

Manning Gottlieb OMD has been appointed by COI Communications to work on its Modern Apprenticeships business, worth in the region of £5m. The campaign aims to encourage employees to take on apprentices.

The organisers of London's 2012 Olympic bid, led by Barbara Cassani (pictured), are asking outdoor media owners to guarantee that sites near venues will be available at a set price in 2012. JC Decaux and Van Wagner are among the companies being asked to guarantee space.

Mark Byford has been appointed deputy director general of the BBC. His appointment signals a realignment at the corporation, which is aiming to create a more effective complaints procedure.

The Government is seeking a permanent secretary for communications and marketing. The position was created following recommendations in the Phillis Report.

A new Sunday newspaper that promotes family values and shuns sensationalism is expected to launch next year. It is promoting and donating its profits to good causes. Life Newspaper has been registered as a holding company at Companies House and executives, including former News International circulation director Nick Thompson, are believed to be building a team for the launch. The title is expected to be called Life on Sunday.

The Financial Times is to distribute the International Herald Tribune in the UK, from this month. The paper was previously distributed by International Press Network.

The Horror Channel has appointed Digital Media Sales to handle its sales and is launching on March 29 on Sky Digital.

Plans were unveiled early this year by Tony Hazell, formerly the head of broadcast operations at God TV. The channel was initially expected to launch in August.

Disneyland Resort, Paris, is to sponsor all ITV1 programming during the New Year holiday period in a deal worth in the region of £500,000. The strapline "Need Magic? It's closer than you think" will run across idents and break bumpers.