CondeNet Apps Up for MySpace Users

Online publisher CondeNet has launched MySpace applications for Style, Epicurious and Wired, as well as Flip.com, a scrapbook app aimed at female teens. Each app extends the lifestyle experience for magazine devotees. The Epicurious app brings a Recipe of the Day to users; Style shares style tips. As with Facebook, users can install them on their […]

Posted: Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Clear Channel Expands Offerings at Radio Sites

Clear Channel Radio has introduced a host of features to its station websites, tailored for both listeners and advertisers. The first of the offerings, Erockstar, debuted two weeks ago and allows people to create playlists or upload music in a social networking environment. Clear Channel has since partnered with Gracenote to avail lyrics for each song, by […]

Posted: Monday, May 12th, 2008

MySpace Profiles Follow Users to Twitter, eBay, Elsewhere

Reuters reports that MySpace users will now be able to share information on sites like Twitter, Yahoo and eBay. MySpace users may control what information — such as profile pictures and contact information — gets shared. The move is tied to MySpace's support of OpenSocial, which encourages interoperability of applications and tools between social networks […]

Posted: Friday, May 9th, 2008

Industry Buzz & Snippets: 4/29/08

Ad Buying, Planning and Selling: Media service agency KSL Media is launching eWorld Asset Trading, allowing for the bartering of surplus for ad inventory. Emmis Communications is opening its Emmis Interactive online ad production and sales unit to other radio stations. It's already signed a Pittsburgh broadcaster as its first outside client. Ad Networks and Analytics: Video ad network […]

Posted: Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Gannett, Meredith Tap Ripple6 to Build Indie Music, Recipe Communities

Social network technology provider Ripple6 has found two new customers in publishers Gannett and and Meredith. Gannett shall use Ripple6 to build a community for supporting local, independent and unsigned bands. Users can vote on which songs they want to hear on the radio. Existing websites with a similar ethos include IndieSolo, which launched late last […]

Posted: Monday, April 28th, 2008

NJ Court Determines Web Users Have the Right to Privacy

A New Jersey court has ruled internet users have the right to expect their online activity will be private, reports MediaPost. During the case, which dealt with a criminal matter, the court ruled a user's IP address cannot be disclosed to police by an ISP without a grand jury subpoena. It likened IP information to […]

Posted: Friday, April 25th, 2008

GoldSpot Promises Dynamic Targeted Mobile Ad Placement

GoldSpotMedia hopes to woo advertisers with tools it claims make mobile video ads more effective. The company says its ad insertion technology is capable of delivering targeted ads in mobile TV. The dynamic ad insertion packages can be placed based on two factors: What is being watched What the advertiser has found works best Advertisers are invited to explore […]

Posted: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Top Online Ad Networks Led by AOL's Platform-A in March

Each of the top online ad network delivered ads to at least half the US internet audience in March - with leader Platform-A reaching 91 percent - according to comScore, which also notes the emergence of a series of audience-specific niche ad networks, MarketingCharts reports. Below, the March findings released by comScore: Top 15 Ad Networks Among the […]

Posted: Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Older Web Users: Online Content, Ads Aimed at Young

Most internet users age 45 or older say content online serves less their needs and interests than those of younger persons, according to (pdf) a Burst Media survey on the availability of age-appropriate online content, website design and targeted advertising, writes MarketingCharts. Still, 67.7 percent of all respondents say their daily routine would be disrupted […]

Posted: Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

Behavioral Targeting (Mostly) OK by Consumers — If Privacy, Security Safeguards Instituted

Most US adults are uncomfortable about websites using online activity to customize content or ads. But if site privacy and security policies are improved, most would be comfortable with the practice, according to a new study, writes MarketingCharts. Specifically, the Harris Interactive survey found: Six in ten (59 percent) are not comfortable when sites like Google, […]

Posted: Monday, April 14th, 2008

Digital Media Screens in Quick-Service Restaurants Get Attention

Millions of US adults visit quick-service restaurants each month, and they constitute a prime audience for in-store digital media, according to an Indoor Direct study conducted by Arbitron at Wendy's, Denny's, Hardee's, Arby's, and CiCi's Pizza stores, writes MarketingCharts. Nearly 100 million people - about 42 percent of the US adult population - visit at […]

Posted: Thursday, April 10th, 2008

Niche Content, Ad Opportunities Open to Pringo Social Networks

Content syndication platform Mochila has just formed its first social networking relationship, with white label platform Pringo. Pringo is not itself a social network. Like its more casual rival Ning, it enables businesses or groups to create their own online communities. Mochila shall integrate its marketplace interface onto Pringo, so social network admins can search for […]

Posted: Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

Industry Buzz & Snippets: 3/27/08

Acquisitions: The acquisition of Clear Channel by Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital Partners was scuttled by the latter's inability to finance the buy. The buyers subsequently sued the reluctant banks for breach of contract to force the deal. CraveOnline, a network of sites for male audiences, bought basketball site HoopsVibe. HoopGurlz.com, a basketball site with a […]

Posted: Thursday, March 27th, 2008

Spot Runner Bakes Up Ad Templates for Politicians

Spot Runner has launched a site designed for political candidates, reports Broadcasting & Cable. The political ad site is stocked with spots on education and taxes, all of which await tweaking from a creative but time-constrained candidate. The spots can be customized and aired in 24 to 48 hours and for as little as $499. As with […]

Posted: Thursday, March 27th, 2008

iGoogle Gadget-Maker: Now in 42 Languages

Google has announced its iGoogle Gadget Maker is now available in all 42 Google-supported languages. iGoogle is the name of Google's customizable homepage, accessible in the upper right-hand corner of Google.com when users are logged into GMail. Last year iGoogle gave non-programmers the ability to create their own "gadgets" — Google vernacular to describe glorified personal widgets […]

Posted: Thursday, March 20th, 2008

MySpace Opens App Store — er, Gallery — to Members

Following the example of Apple's App Store, MySpace has launched an application gallery to showcase apps developed on the MySpace Developer Platform. Most of the apps available are widgets users can embed on profiles. The gallery will not be prominent on the homepage; it is mainly intended for developers to test apps on users. MySpace notably left […]

Posted: Friday, March 14th, 2008

Current Location Goes into Syndication with MyLoki

SkyHook Wireless has launched a service called MyLoki, which allows users to share their immediate locations with friends. Anywhere a user picks up a wi-fi connection, his or her location can be beamed to multiple platforms around the web, such as Facebook and blogs. MyLoki is compatible with Macs, PCs, Windows Mobile, and the smartphone platform Symbian […]

Posted: Wednesday, March 12th, 2008

Healthcare Consumers Take Active Role, Want Customized Services

Overall healthcare consumer needs are basic — better service, personalization and value — but they are starting to include health plan customization, help with clinical decisions, unique coverage and pricing features, and holistic options, according to Deloitte's 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers, MarketingCharts writes. Below are some of the findings from the survey. Consumers want […]

Posted: Monday, March 10th, 2008

CMOs: Personalized Communications Not Measured, Underutilized, Under-Tested

Inadequate customer data is the key obstacle facing top marketing executives in their adoption of personalized communication techniques, according to findings from "The Power of Personalization" global survey, issued by the CMO Council, MarketingCharts writes. About half of the chief marketing officers surveyed report having only "fair" to "poor" knowledge of their customers, complicating campaign design […]

Posted: Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Disparity Between What Health Care Consumers Want (Stuff Online) - and Actually Get

Consumers want access to technology and services that they do not get from healthcare providers - like online access to medical information and the price of physician/hospital services, finds a Deloitte Center for Health Solutions survey, writes MarketingCharts. Among the findings: Some 88 percent of consumers surveyed want expanded use of in-home monitoring devices and online tools […]

Posted: Monday, March 3rd, 2008