R.I.P. Gord Ambrose:  Formerly music director of CFGM Radio, Ambrose died in Kingston, Saturday. He started at the station in 1979 as a weekend announcer and became one of Canadian country music's greatest supporters and DJs, helping launch Opry North, one of the country's most popular country music shows, from Minkler Auditorium in Toronto. He is survived by his wife Debbie.

Apple faces potential EU tax bill in the multibillions...

The Apple has fallen from the tree: according to the Financial Times, the European Commission in Brussels ruled that computer manufacturer Apple received illegal state aid from Ireland, and as a result, will be hit with Europe's largest tax penalty, said to be in the multi-billions.

In a 130-page judgment following a three-year investigation, the Commission found that two advance tax opinions issued by Dublin "violated EU law by granting Apple an advantage not available to other companies. Among these was Apple paying a less-than-1% tax rate on European sales, far less than Ireland's 12.5% tax rate on business profits.

As a result, the company may have to pay billions of Euros in back taxes. Before that happens, however, both Ireland and Apple will likely launch appeals.

Read the story here.

 

--  Virgin Radio 105.3 FM Kitchener's new morning man is Lee Haberkorn, formerly of Virgin Radio 96 Montréal. Replacing his weekend morning shifts is Shannon "Brooksy" Brooksbank, formerly of Corus Jump 106.9, Ottawa.

--  Montréal French-language sports station CKLX-FM 91.9 welcome RDS Canadiens play-by-play announcer Pierre Houde to the 6-10 morning slot of Du sport, le matin as a special columnist, joining contributors Michel Villeneuve, Réjean Trembley, Chantal Machabee, CA Sinotte, Alain Sanscartier, Marty Biron and Marc Griffin on the show, hosted by Michel Langevin and Enrico Ciccone. Sports Extra with Meeker Guerrier on weeknights is now extended by two hours until midnight, from a 7 p.m. start. 

-- Media Post predicts that at 5.8%, the U.S. ad market is expected to grow at its fastest rate since 2010. Wayne Friedman reports that London-based advertising researcher Warc will see ad spend rise to a record US $178 B, with TV ad spending rising  6.6% to US $68 B, mainly due to the Rio Olympics and the presidential election.

Warc also predicts that U.S. digital media spending will jump 13.7% - double the rate of TV - and although it will achieve near the same value of the TV ad market in 2016, the next year will see it leapfrog over the tube. In 2017, an Olympics-and-election-free TV ad market will decline 4.5% to US $65 B, but digital media will rise another 12.5% to $76 B, with 50% of that amount going to mobile platforms. 

Not faring so hot: newspapers will drop 12.7%; magazines, 12.4% and radio 2.8%, while some other outlets - namely in-theatre advertising and outdoor, will increase 5.1% and 3.3% respectively.

Warc claims that US $550 will be spent on advertising in 2017 for every US citizen, an increase of $60 from 2012.

Worth Noting

- Former CFNY DJ Brad McNally tells how basic radio training saved his life during brain surgery - Linked In.

- How to Use Google Analytics audience data to make media and marketing decisions - Marketing Land

- Ireland Prepares to Battle EU Over Alleged Tax Breaks For Apple - The Toronto Star

- Wireless service in Canada remains expensive, but should Ottawa intervene?  - Global News

 - Apple to possibly introduce iPhone 7 on September 7 - Wall Street Journal