MediaPost | Online Media Daily

Yahoo Search Experiments With New Look

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:30:00 -0400

Yahoo Search has been experimenting with colors, features and layouts, as the company tries to determine the correct mix to boost clicks across properties and query traffic on its search engine, as well as increase revenue per thousand searches.

Path Seeks Dismissal Of Wireless-Spam Case

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:07:00 -0400

Mobile social network Path is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that the company violated a federal consumer protection law by sending unsolicited text ads to people's cell phones. The lawsuit stems from Path's invite-a-friend feature, which allows users to invite their friends to join via SMS message.

Amazon Appstore Goes Global

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:59:00 -0400

Amazon may have been late to the app store game, but that hasn't stopped it from going global. The online retail giant on Thursday said the Amazon Appstore is now available in nearly 200 countries worldwide.

Data Is Springboard For Product Development

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:00 -0400

Several companies, from PepsiCo to 1-800-Flowers, tap data to drive new product and service innovations. At PepsiCo, data doesn't drive marketing; it acts as a strong enabler. 'The Financial Times' uses sign-up data to develop products, recommended reads, acquire new customers and sophisticated targeting for advertisers

Lack Of Data About Data Drives Opportunity

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:24:00 -0400

Richard Frankel, president, Rocket Fuel, argues that there won't be a standard for evaluating the value of data any time soon.

Experian Takes Universal View Of Data

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:21:00 -0400

Marcus Tewksbury, global vice president of product strategy, Experian Marketing Services, said the split between offline and online data and across channels is becoming a "more transparent view."

Vice, Twitter Partner For Mobile Show

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:14:00 -0400

Simultaneously expanding its video and social strategy, Vice on Thursday unveiled #dailyvice -- a daily show tailored for Twitter users and featuring short clips featuring the publisher's irreverent brand of news and cultural coverage.

MediaVest Database Charts Brand Experience, Social Media Impact

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:11:00 -0400

Publicis Groupe's MediaVest has created a massive database designed to help clients better understand, communicate with and market to consumer communities. A key issue for marketers is how well communities can scale impressions by sharing information with other community members. The study found that blogger/social networks/message board communities was the top-ranked group for scale potential.

Discovery Launches TestTube.com, Ups Digital Video Involvement

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:27:00 -0400

Discovery Communications is looking to get into digital video platforms in a big way -- launching a new online science network targeting young men, called TestTube.com. The new ad-supported network will start up with 15 short-form original series, launching with an expected 10 million video views monthly.

The Whole Story - How Social Media Is Used

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:06:00 -0400

Now that the 50+market is truly engaged with Facebook and Pinterest, entire subset of the media and marketing business has effectively sprouted from Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room.

Network Advertising Initiative Proposes New Mobile Privacy Rules

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:03:00 -0400

Moving forward with its plan to issue mobile privacy rules, the self-regulatory group Network Advertising Initiative this week provided members with a draft version of a code of conduct regarding information collected from apps. The proposed mobile rules, which were provided to Online Media Daily, require companies to let people opt out of receiving behaviorally targeted ads on mobile devices.

Entertainment, Travel Bet On Mobile Banners

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:16:00 -0400

Banner ads have long been the whipping boy of online advertising, and the same is now true for mobile. But in the entertainment, travel, and auto categories, advertisers have seen results.

Marketers Should Tailor Specific Pitches To Tablet, Smartphone

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:51:00 -0400

Tablets are used mainly in lean-back mode at home, for two-screen viewing, consuming media and as e-commerce tools. Smartphones, by contrast, are used both on the go and at home, for communication and content-snacking, and apps. Brands and businesses should use search marketing on tablets to drive higher conversion rates.

Good TV Content Trumps All, Trad TV Or Streaming

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:42:00 -0400

While consumers continue to perceive TV programming as superior in quality to that of online fare, their viewing habits are becoming harder to differentiate between channels. However, consumers were actually less likely to recall ads that accompanied what they thought was TV content.

Google Releases Self-Serve Display Benchmark Tool

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:02:00 -0400

Google introduced a tool Wednesday that lets brand marketers and agencies pull up-to-date industry benchmarks to help plan and measure the success of display campaigns. In the past, DoubleClick published a yearly report of these benchmarks, but now the self-serve tool enables marketers and agencies to run their own, any time.

Twitter Brings Lead Generation To Tweets

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:14:00 -0400

Twitter began testing a lead generation tool Wednesday in its tweet stream that resembles a cross between a daily deal alert and call-to-action ad in search engine query result pages. It serves up in one of Twitter's Cards, the expandable display unit that allows brands to attach photos or other media.

DigitasLBi, Razorfish Tap Execs For Global Ops

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:26:00 -0400

Publicis Groupe digital agencies DigitasLBi and Razorfish have installed new executives to run their respective international operations, the shops confirmed Wednesday. The moves come in the wake of the DigitasLBi merger that was put in place a few months ago after Publicis completed the acquisition of LBi for approximately $540 million.

More Consumers Turn To Mobile To Research, Book Travel

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:03 -0400

The majority of consumers used a mobile device to book travel in the last 90 days, per a new study. What's more, 44% said they are willing to spend more than $500 when purchasing travel via mobile.

Showrooming Overhyped, Mobile Key To Shopping Purchases

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:00 -0400

Given consumers' mobile in-store shopping trends, some consider the showrooming hoopla overblown. The research process still begins at home on search engines and comparison sites. While just 6% of smartphone users conduct their most recent mobile retail search in a store while shopping, 77% make their purchases in the store they visit.

Shopping App Swirl Adds In-Store Capability

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:00 -0400

Swirl entered the mobile shopping fray last year with an iPhone app allowing users to learn about fashion deals near them. Now it is adding an in-store feature to its app that delivers exclusive content and offers while users are shopping at participating stores. The initial group of retail partners includes Alex and Ani, Timberland, Kenneth Cole, The Blues Jean Bar, Scott James, and Exhale Spa

Tablets Gain Popularity With Shoppers

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:00 -0400

Internet-connected devices are exploding in the United States. There are 31.8 million Internet-accessible tablets, according to The NPD group, and IDC estimates with global tablet shipments rising 142% in the first quarter of 2013, the post-PC era shows no signs of slowing.

DataXu Opens Black Boxes, Launches Marketplace For Ad Algorithms

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:48:00 -0400

In a push to demystify the black box world of programmatic trading, a major ad technology developer is creating a marketplace where advertisers, agencies and trading desks can shop for algorithms. The so-called Algorithm Marketplace, which is being launched today by demand-side platform DataXu, will start with a couple of dozen off-the-shelf algorithms developed either for DataXu's internal operations or for specific clients, but will add new ones -- about a dozen a year -- over time, CEO Mike Baker tells RTM Daily.

FTC's Ohlhausen Questions Privacy Recommendations

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:05:00 -0400

The Federal Trade Commission's 2012 privacy recommendations could unintentionally disadvantage smaller online ad companies, Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen suggested on Tuesday. "A policy that limits the ability of advertisers to access new information, to reach consumers, can have unintended effects in the marketplace," she said.

Subway's Comedy Promotes Brand, Content Strategy

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:43:00 -0400

Setting a new bar for brands and their programming aspirations, Subway's scripted comedy series, "The 4 to 9ers," appears to be performing better than anyone expected. The series is nearing 10 million views on Hulu.

Future of Social, Digital Shops In Doubt

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:48:00 -0400

Amidst all the discussion of fully integrated marketing strategies, some are predicting the demise of stand-alone specialist shops, such as social media and digital agencies. According to a new study from European business school Mediaschool Group, 80% of marketing students polled across Europe believe that stand-alone social media and digital marketing agencies will disappear within 10 years.

Google+ Needs Android To Climb Out Of Experimental Phase

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:24:00 -0400

Marketers continue to view Google+ as a fledgling network requiring experimentation, although the company released a revamped social application for Android that integrates with Google Play, along with features improving support for photos, location, and streams.

AOL, Support.Com Settle Scareware Lawsuit For $8.5 Million

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:20:39 -0400

Web company AOL and software vendor Support.com will pay $8.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by consumers who say they were duped into purchasing software that promised to repair problems with their computers.

Gmail Hangouts Disable Google Voice

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:23:00 -0400

Google's new version of Hangouts for Gmail eliminates Google Voice features. The move is frustrating heavy users, many of whom disconnected landline phones in exchange for Internet calling. The disconnect follows Google's recent rollout of Hangouts for mobile and Google+, although the change brings Google's video chat in line with Microsoft Skype.

Digital Boost: Ziff Davis Acquires NetShelter

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:19:00 -0400

Ziff Davis on Monday announced the acquisition of content network NetShelter from ad platform inPowered. The NetShelter community includes more than 150 consumer and business tech sites, including AndroidCentral.com, MacRumors.com, Neoseeker.com, SlashGear.com and TechSpot.com.

LikeableAds.com Launches, With Focus On Social Media Ads

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:04:00 -0400

To keep up with growing demand from Madison Avenue, the social marketing consultants at Likeable Media have debuted a media and planning department. Dubbed LikeableAds.com. The unit will specialize in crafting, placing, optimizing, and analyzing social ads for clients. Tim Bosch, former strategy director at Likeable, was named director of the media and planning business.