Companies: ERT    UBC   

This broad sector, which includes ventures involved in advertising, PR, media buying, radio, television and publishing, is enjoying a sustained resurgence as spending on advertising and marketing continues to grow. Some experts reckon prospects haven't looked so bright for over four years. Throw in the recent Euro 2004, and the forthcoming Olympics and US elections, and the scene becomes cheerier still.

On the company scene one of the big stories of the month came from Entertainment Rights, the specialist media group that owns the rights to classic character Postman Pat. Its share price gained on news of a new commission from the BBC. This ensures the popular character will be broadcast on terrestrial and free-to-air satellite and cable TV until 2010. The main board-quoted company says the character has been sold to more than 65 countries to date.

Over on AIM, radio services group UBC Media buoyed followers with upbeat AGM comments. First quarter sales in the commercial division were up 78 per cent.