Dolled up for virtual prom
Ad Networks and Analytics:
Tech magazine publisher IDG is launching an ad network consisting (unsurprisingly) of technology blogs.
BrightRoll is adding high-definition video to its ad network offerings.
Eyeblaster is planning an IPO.
WebVisible, which helps small business owners with online ad programs, secured a round of financing worth $12 million.
DoubleClick is adding support of self-publishing widget ads.
Tribal Fusion may be seeking a buyer willing to pony up between $800 million and $900 million.
Agencies and Executives:
- On the verge of his potential ouster from IAC/Interactive, Barry Diller looks back at his time there and has few, is any, regrets.
- Linkstorm has hired Lois Condon and Gabe Nydick of McCann-Erickson Worldgroup and 24/7 Real Media, respectively, to expand its advertising operations. Condon will assist with third-party ad operations; Nydick will run technology operations.
E-Commerce:
- A software solution for e-tailers lets sellers solicit ratings and feedback on products, but passes negative reviews on to manufacturers so they can follow up with customers.
- Online coupon clearinghouse RetailMeNot added social networking functionality that allows users to swap tips in a community setting.
Gaming:
Legal, Government and Regulation
- Footage related to Tibetan protesters drove China to block access to YouTube and other video sites.
- ValuClick will pay $2.9 million as part of its settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, which charged the firm with violations of the CAN-SPAM Act.
Music:
Online Video:
- Unilever will again sponsor a series of short online episodes of "24," which are part of the show's universe but do not feature main characters. Shorts will primarily appear on the DegreeRookie.com microsite.
- Advertisers aren't eager to put ads on YouTube, for fear of having them placed next to questionable videos.
- YouTube is rolling out high-quality video to publishers, something sure to draw the attention of marketers. The instructions for turning on high-quality are here.
- Not to be left completely behind is Yahoo, who (again) says video will be added to Flickr. Flickr will host user-generated content while Yahoo Video hosts professionally produced videos.
Publications:
- The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer are partnering on search functionality that gives access to both paper's stories, classifieds and more.
- comScore says those that don't read print newspapers are more likely by varying degrees to visit newspaper websites.
- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is the latest to join Yahoo's Newspaper Consortium.
Social Networks:
- AOL is on a buying spree. Shortly after buying Bebo, it's plunking down $90 million for KickApps, a social network and widget creation tool.
- NBCU has taken a 35 percent stake in DriverTV, an auto video content firm. MySpace and NBC.com will be launch distribution partners.
TV and Radio:
- CBS expects to bring in $25 million in ad revenue from the online streaming of NCAA March Madness basketball games, more than twice what it made last year.
- Until search can be done on more than meta-tags and the cost of streaming a show online comes down or the ad CPM rates go up, Fox Interactive's Ron Berryman says streaming shows will be a money-losing proposition.
- Radio stations are beginning to figure out what is and isn't working for them when it comes to monetizing their online executions. Search marketing is in the "working" column.
Virtual Worlds:
- Stable Media partnered with Wyndstorm to create riplounge.com, a virtual world/social network built around the Stable's ad network.
- CosmoGirl is hosting a virtual prom co-branded with ABC Family's "America's Prom Queen" reality show, within There.com. Users can dress up and be seen in their pixellated finest.
