Zenith Media has been adjudged the ?Media Agency of The Year 2001? in Asia Pacific by Media Magazine.

A slew of key accounts in one of the most demanding years, Zenith won the honour for the second time in four years, beating key competitors like The Media Edge, MindShare, OMD and Universal McCann, according to a company release. "Zenith put on nearly 17 per cent in new business?and invested in consumer insights such as its study of China?s rural children and working towards single source data for the mainland?s TV markets. On top of this it continues to invest in talent and creativity across its regional network?Zenith owes its winning streak to the talent and tools it has at its disposal. Ultimately, agencies are about people and Zenith has recruited, retained and even rehired key talent to spearhead growth," the award citation reads.

In the last year, Zenith Media won a number of key accounts, including the prestigious Procter & Gamble buying account in China and planning accounts in IndoChina and Singapore. Other accounts won in China were Sony, Danone, Amway, 999, Huiren Pharmaceuticals and the drinks brand Robust. In Japan, Zenith Media won the AXA Direct and Renault accounts. Some other major wins for Zenith Media in the region have been Timberland, Puma and 3Com.

In the past quarter in India, Zenith Media has picked up LML Ltd., P A Time Industries (Maxima Quartz) and Ozone Ayurvedic Limited in Delhi. In Kolkatta, Zenith Media has gained Jindal Industries and Shalimar Paints. The Mumbai branch has won International Coffee as well as planning for Tata AIG.

In Asia, Zenith Media is in the top 3 in 8 out of the 10 countries that it operates in, and in India, Zenith Media handles more than Rs 30 billion worth of media buys.

Hong Kong based company SpeedCast has renewed the partnership agreement with Bloomberg Television, the global provider of financial information and business news. Speedcast is a leading broadband enabler of satellite based services.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bloomberg Television?s live, around-the-clock financial information and business news will be available on SpeedCast Multimedia?s satellite-enabled services, NetTV and BizTV throughout Asia and the Middle East. The business video content will be delivered directly to end-users? PCs 24 hours a day on a subscription basis.

NetTV and BizTV?s subscribers can see Bloomberg Television content live from America Asia and Japan. They can also catch up on Bloomberg Headlines and the top Asian and world news. End users will enjoy SpeedCast?s unique browser that combines both video and audio content, together with data and search functions. They can select from four viewing modes: minimal, compact, standard and full screen display interfaces.

Bloomberg?s content is delivered through satellite directly to last mile Internet connection or through corporate LANs. Speedcast CEO Thomas Choi said, "We are proud to carry on our long standing partnership with Bloomberg Television and deliver their focused and timely information via our platform.

Bloomberg Television is one of the top five NetTV channels that demonstrate a track record of high traffic and help increase the stickiness of our media content. We believe the high quality authoritative streaming media content is the key to attract and retain viewership and to drive further revenue to Bloomberg and other content partners".

The SpeedCast network service is delivered via the AsiaSat 3S satellite, a geographical footprint covering more than two thirds of the world?s population.

Bloomberg Television provides the most comprehensive coverage of fast-breaking money and business news, stock reports, world news, market updates, sport and weather in the world. Bloomberg has 1,500 reporters and editors based in 85 news bureaus worldwide, delivering news and analysis 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bloomberg Television is part of the Bloomberg financial information network including Bloomberg Professional terminals, news wires, radio, magazines, book publishing and the Internet.

Last week ESPN. and Sports Capital Partners announced the creation of ESPN Classic Sport. This is a new network of European sports channels which will highlight greatest moments in sports history. Sports Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on sports, media, leisure and lifestyle related businesses. The company sees the creation of ESPN Classic Sport as a tremendous opportunity for their fund.

TWI which claims to be the largest independent producer, packager, and distributor of sports programming in the world will also be involved by providing support services like production.

Early next year France will first get a taste of ESPN Classic Sport with a minimum reach of 2.5 million homes, including the subscribers of CanalSatellite and TPS, France?s direct-to-home satellite TV operators.

It will show highlights of domestic, European Club, and national team football matches; the best action from the tennis Grand Slams, historic races from the Tour de France, great moments in golf plus rugby, skating, skiing. Launches in other major European markets will occur over the next several years.

ESPN Classic Sport is ESPN?s first branded network initiative in Europe. ESPN has a 70% stake while the remaining 30% is owned by Sports Capital Partners. It will be a 24 hours a day deal. The programming will be a mix of full length matches, event highlights, and produced retrospective programs. Some sports that will be covered are football, tennis, gymnastics and skiing.

ESPN Classic Sport will be presented in the local language of each country where it is available.

In America ESPN Classic claims to be the leader in presenting classic moments in sport. It claims to reach more than 43 million subscribers. ESPN also has an equity interest in ESPN Classic Canada which was launched in September.

The headquarters and main production office for ESPN Classic Sport will be based in London, with sales, marketing and local production in Paris.

President, ESPN George Bodenheimer said, "Launching ESPN?s first branded network in Europe is exciting. It reflects ESPN?s continued growth and the great interest in the quality services we provide to fans. With ESPN?s experience in classic-themed sports programming, the support of Sports Capital Partners, and the multifaceted television experience of TWI, we will offer European viewers a unique opportunity to relive the most memorable moments in sports history.

ESPN International now has interests in 26 networks distributed to over 112 million households in more than 140 countries and territories outside of America.

TWI produces 6000 hours of original programming each year for distribution to more than 200 territories and has production centers in London, New York, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Stockholm and Sydney.