* Plans by Denis O’Brien’s Digicel to secure a phone licence in Burma might have to be put on hold following the emergence of a corruption scandal involving the country’s telecommunications ministry.

An investigation into alleged corruption is under way, with reports suggesting that up to half a dozen senior officials at the ministry are under scrutiny.

This follows the resignation recently of Thein Tun as telecommunications minister.

This news emerged just before this week’s deadline for investment proposals from foreign and domestic companies for the two telecoms licences. The expectation is that this process will now have to be delayed.

Burma is one of the few countries in the world not to have liberalised its telecoms industry and O’Brien has made no secret of his desire to get a slice of the action there.

With at least 18 foreign entities reported to have pitched for the licences, O’Brien will have his work cut out to secure one, whenever the process is held.

* It’s already involved in brand-building and digital media and now Dublin-based Neworld Associates is preparing to offer advertising services to clients.

The group, which is led by Pat Kinsley, has hired industry veteran Barry Dooley to lead the new business.

Dooley spent 20 years with Irish International and more recently has worked as a consultant with Chemistry.

Neworld is currently helping fuel group Maxol roll out new forecourt branding.