VIDEO production and training firm First Take is planning to expand its services after securing a loan from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF).

LIME Pictures says the appointment of Paul Marquess as series producer of flagship soap Hollyoaks will be a "brilliant" move for the show.
Footballers' Wives creator Mr Marquess has succeeded Lucy Allan at the hit show, made at Lime's Childwall base.

MARKETING firms are becoming more optimistic about their financial fortunues, a new poll today reveals.
The latest Bellwether survey from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and accountants BDO showed marketing spend fell for the ninth quarter running in the last quarter of 2009, but with the rate of budget trimming the slowest since the first quarter of 2008.

Here's the latest blog from LDP Creative blogger Dougal Paver:

I DON'T doubt that if Dr Atkins were alive he'd be a most eloquent advocate for my choice of post-Christmas detox diet. And right now I need him.

VIDEO gaming trade association TIGA has today welcomed news that the Government is still considering implenmeting a tax relief scheme for the sector.
TIGA (The Independent Game Developers Association) has led a campaign for Games Tax Relief. It says that without it, the sector could see jobs and investment move to countries such as Canada where tax relief is provided.
The sector is vital to Merseyside and Cheshire, where hundreds are employed at companies such as Bizarre Creations and Sony.
Last week LDP Creative reported that TIGA's chief executive Dr Richard Wilson was still pushing for tax breaks to be introduced, even though they were not included in last year's Pre-Budget Report.

MULTI-AWARD winning David Milligan-Croft has been appointed as the new creative director at Wirral agency ICE.

VIDEO games body TIGA says it will not give up in its battle to win tax relief for the industry.
The UK video games sector is a world leader and a key employer in Merseyside, with companies such as Sony employing hundreds of people in the region.
But industry leaders warn that leading position could be put under threat unless the UK Government offers the sector tax breaks.

LDP Creative blogger Dougal Paver sees battle lines drawn on the party balance sheet

DAVID Cameron yesterday revealed the first chapter in the Tory party's manifesto - and backed up the PR blitz with 1,000 posters around the country.