Waiting on DisFriends
Ad Networks and Analytics:
- Forbes announced plans to expand its guaranteed ad program.
- Spot Runner is partnering with PR firm MultiVu to launch a planning, producing and distribution platform for videos.
- AP's Member Marketplace, an online exchange that enables registrants to exchange content, added 500 newspapers.
- Ad network Adconion launched AMG-TV, a network for syndicating video content.
Agencies and Marketing Execs:
- Dr. Pepper Snapple cut three marketing positions, including those of Randy Gier (Exec VP-marketing), Sean Gleason (Senior VP-brand action team) and Cindy Hennessy (Senior VP-innovation).
- Jeffy Strong is now Group Account Director at Brouillard. His accounts will include HSBC and ACE Insurance.
- Molecular promoted Melanie Lowe to VP-managing director of its San Francisco office.
Biz Buzz:
- LinkedIn claims to be profiting from Wall Street's calamity. Internal statistics say traffic from investment banking and financial services professionals doubled in the past seven weeks. In the last 14 days, site figures reportedly all increased, including page views (9 percent), recommendations (14 percent), and invitations (10 percent). The number of "connections," or successful friend requests, leaped 21 percent.
- Audobytel dissolved 75 positions — that's 35 percent of its employee base — last week. The company is reportedly preparing for a sale.
Campaigns of Note:
- Parody videos of Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin have become a hit over the 'net.
Email:
- MailChimp is partnering with ReturnPath to provide a service that tests whether email campaigns will render properly across email clients. Possible deliverability issues will also be flagged.
Mobile:
- To promote adoption of its Google Android handset, T-Mobile tentatively dropped its 1GB data limit on the unit.
- Hachette Filipacchi signed a multi-year site mobilization and mobile ad network deal with Quattro Wireless. The former operates magazines like Car and Driver, ELLE, ELLEgirl, Premier and Woman's Day.
Music:
- Underscoring the growing tide against digital rights management protection on music, Wal-Mart is shutting down its DRM music store.
New and Improved:
- Internet TV site Joost will now feature indy video content like "Tiki Bar," "Hilary Duff" music and fashion segments, and "Track-Shun" anime, courtesy of a liaison with Wizzard Media.
Overseas:
- Digital Sky Technology may acquire Russian search engine Seznam for $850 million.
Publishing:
- AOL launched Digital City, a magazine-style geo-blogging site that enables users worldwide to blog about local events.
Search:
- Search Engine Land published three rules for search marketing with franchise organizations.
Social Networks:
- Disney launched DisFriends, a social network for Disney fans.
- Facebook unveiled a much-anticipated iPhone app.
- Linden Lab commissioned The Electric Sheep Company to help make Second Life more amenable to first-time virtual world users.
- Facebook hired Ted Ullyot for general counsel.
User Experience:
