New Media Age articles from February 2005

New Media Age archives from February 2005

Channel 4 and BT plan mobile return path for on-screen ads.
February 3, 2005... Channel 4 is launching a joint venture with BT that will allow TV viewers to interact with on-screen ads via their mobile phones. The initiative marks a major step forward for the broadcaster, enabling it to extend its interactive...

IAB denies move away from search.(Interactive Advertising Bureau)
February 3, 2005... The UK search marketing sector has been rocked by speculation that the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is planning to significantly reduce its focus on search. According to industry sources, the new IAB chief executive Guy Phillipson...

FT plans launch of ad-funded mobile services to end users.(Financial Times Ltd.)
February 3, 2005... The Financial Times is to embark on a new advertiser-funded model for its mobile content services. The company has also begun pilots of its first ever video content, designed as a cornerstone of its 3G content play. The FT offers a...

Corporem extends lead over rival with #2m business wins.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Search engine marketing agency Corporem Global won #2m worth of new business in the last two months of 2004. The company signed up 13 new clients, including Betfair and Britannia hotels, as well as several other pan-European retail and...

Volkswagen uses rich media to reach Web-savvy audience.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Car manufacturer Volkswagen is promoting its new Golf GTI with an online campaign based entirely around large-scale, rich-media ad formats. Created by digital agency Tribal DDB, the campaign will use messaging plus units (MPUs) and...

First Choice trials SMS for ad response with limited results.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Travel firm First Choice has become the latest brand to use mobile as a response channel on its TV advertising. The campaign, which ran in January, used SMS as a response mechanic on the company's nationwide TV and print campaign. ...

Ad networks slam media buyers for only using portals.(advertising)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Online media planner/buyers have come under fire from key industry figures for directing the majority of client's spend to major portals and ignoring smaller sites. Online ad network AdLink, which has just revamped its sales structure to...

AOL in talks with TV producers to devise broadband content.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... AOL is in talks with independent TV production houses to develop new online content, in a bid to meet the rising expectations of broadband users. At the same time, the portal is revamping its content team, with some jobs disappearing...

Marketing guru Wunderman says Web offers new era.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Lester Wunderman, who is widely recognised as the founding father of direct marketing, has declared marketing in the Internet age as a new era of "personal advertising". Wunderman said the term 'direct marketing', which he coined in the...

MSN woos northern agencies in attempt to boost ad revenues.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... MSN is looking to boost its UK ad revenue by directly targeting agencies in the northern regions for the first time. The portal has signed a 12-month deal with Manchester-based digital media sales house Agenda Media, which will manage...

Unoduo plans brand push for UK and US.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Online leisure network Unoduo has appointed a digital agency to promote its services in the UK and US. The Australia-based company will work with Web Liquid in London to develop an online strategy to raise awareness of its ability to...

MSN begins search push.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... MSN UK is preparing a multi-million-pound integrated ad push for its new search engine, launched this week. The campaign, which goes live on 7 February, will include TV ads for the first time in four years. The online element, which accounts...

Pathe pushes 'Magic Roundabout' film online.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Pathe has launched an online marketing push for its forthcoming film remake of 1960s animated TV show The Magic Roundabout. The campaign is built around a new Web site, created by digital agency Greenroom Digital, which aims to engage the...

De-construct to build new site for Barbican.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Barbican has appointed creative agency De-construct to develop a new site following a competitive pitch before Christmas. The account will include events listings, centre information, e-ticketing and email marketing. De-construct, which...

Loudeye names new CEO.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Loudeye, the digital media firm that owns OD2, has appointed Michael Brochu as its new president and CEO. He takes over from Jeffrey Cavins, who has resigned to pursue other interests. At the same time, Loudeye said it expects to beat its...

Channel 4 launches video jockeying site.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Channel 4 has launched a new Web site dedicated entirely to the emerging audiovisual art of video jockeying (VJing). Created by digital design agency Notonlybutalso, PixnMix Online is intended to provide users with a head start in the world of...

Greenlight opens new office in New York.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... UK-based search engine marketing agency Greenlight is to make its first foray into the US market with the launch of an operation in New York. The new office will initially be headed by Greenlight CEO Warren Cowan, who founded the company...

BT buys sales rights to e-security software.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... BT has bought the sales rights to online security software from Scottish firm Iomart. The deal covers the firm's NetIntelligence software, which BT Wholesale will now be able to sell to its broadband ISP customer base in the UK. NetIntelligence...

Aura Sports Survey finds Web sites essential.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Nearly 80% of sports fans polled in the Aura Sports Fan Survey see their football team's Web site as the most important popular medium for getting information on sports results, news and information. This is compared to 61% who use national...

BT defends its position as ISPs await results of Ofcom review.(internet service providers, British Telecommunications PLC)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... BT has given a robust defence of its business in the past week as broadband ISPs wait to see how much it's prepared to voluntarily change in the face of Ofcom pressure. Consultation on the second phase of the Telecoms Review ended as NMA...

DMA develops guidelines for mobile marketing campaigns.(Direct Marketing Association )(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is developing best practice guidelines for mobile marketing, set for publication in three months' time, after an industry consultation process. The move is the first development from the Mobile...

UIP uses branded browser for SpongeBob.(United International Pictures)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... United International Pictures (UIP) is launching a branded browser campaign on CITV.co.uk to promote the launch of its new animated movie SpongeBob SquarePants. Users visiting the CITV Web site will see their browser assume SpongeBob...

Wanadoo changes strategy and signs one-year deal with MoneySupermarket.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Wanadoo has changed tack in its dealings with MoneySupermarket, signing a new wide-ranging deal one year after cutting back its links with the online finance company. The two firms had a three-year deal in the past covering a number of...

BBC halts TV over mobile video due to shortcode restrictions.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The BBC has delayed its plans to launch primetime TV using mobile video shortcodes until all network operators offer the facility. The Corporation planned to launch EastEnders highlights over the service, which enables 3G consumers to have...

Video Networks to roll out enhanced ads on HomeChoice.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Video Networks is looking to roll out a range of enhanced advertising opportunities across its recently relaunched HomeChoice on-demand TV platform. The broadband entertainment provider is currently talking to agencies and clients about...

Tetley targets consumers and trade with new Chaya Web site.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Tetley is taking its new Chaya range of Indian-inspired latte-style teas online with the launch of a new site. The site, developed by digital agency Grand Union, aims to appeal to both consumer and trade visitors, providing information on...

Batchelors promotes Cup-a-Soup online.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Batchelors is targeting professional women with a new six-month online campaign for its Cup-a-Soup range. The company has signed up digital content solutions provider Que Pasa Communications to deliver editorial content for the campaign....

European Commission appoints Mindmatics.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The European Commission has appointed mobile marketing agency Mindmatics to provide an SMS alert service for delegates. The alerts will provide news such as votes results and motions. The Rapid News Service will also be available online. ...

US ranks highly for page impressions on Guardian.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... More than 46% of Guardian Unlimited's 90.6m page impressions came from the US in December. However, the latest global audience breakdown from the online newspaper shows that the majority of the site's 8.6m unique users still came from the...

Lastminute promotes Jerwood to iTV head.(Promotions)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Lastminute.com has promoted Matt Jerwood to the new position of head of mobile and iDTV. Jerwood was previously manager of global multi channel development. His initial focus is likely to be around development of Lastminute's mobile...

ITV and Video Island create Movieclub.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... ITV has launched its revamped movies Web site with a new online DVD rental service. Created in association with Video Island, ITV Movieclub allows consumers to rent five DVDs for #9.99 a month. There is a selection of over 28,000 titles to...

Yahoo! gambling site suffers launch delays.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The new Yahoo! gambling service suffered initial delays this week. While the full Yahoo! Betting service won't launch until March, a co- branded service was due to go live at the start of the week. However, the only gambling service available...

Yahoo! signs BA as sponsor for Six Nations.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Yahoo! UK & Ireland has signed up British Airways as exclusive sponsor for its coverage of the RBS Six Nations rugby tournament, which kicks off on 5 February, as well as the 2005 Lion's Tour. The deal, which was planned by BA's digital...

Opera Telecom opens Australia office.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Opera Telecom has opened its first office in Australia. The Sydney office, with a staff of five, will serve existing clients in both Australia and New Zealand. In addition to premium SMS services, Opera plans to launch WAP, which remains far...

Stream acquires Mchex for #1.5m.(Mchex Limited)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Mobile content company Stream Group has announced the acquisition of Mchex from Morse. The #1.5m purchase gives Stream direct connections to all UK operators and enables the company to enter the SMS aggregation market. Stream also announced...

SkyNetGlobal lists on AIM.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... SkyNetGlobal, which provides broadband services using powerline technology, listed its shares on AIM as NMA went to press. It's initially targeting Australia and Asia, but has plans to expand into the UK and other European markets. ...

O2 outlines its plans for i-mode.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... O2 has announced that transactional services will be a key element of its i-mode service, heralding the arrival of true m-commerce later this year. The operator also promised a new platform for SMS that would make premium services four...

P&G uses branded mobile game for Head & Shoulders campaign.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Procter & Gamble has launched a mobile marketing campaign for Head & Shoulders centred around a branded multi-player mobile game. Running in France, the campaign features a Formula One-based game being promoted on TV ads that encourage...

Perfectmatch due to launch UK site.(perfectmatch.com)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... A UK version of Perfectmatch, the self-styled US 'relationship' site, is due to launch in February. The technology behind the site is different to other dating sites, claims UK director Vic Fatah, as it matches personalities rather than...

ICRA devises ratings system for bloggers.(Internet Content Rating Association)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Blogs could soon be using a new system to rate their own content, bringing them into line with the mainstream of the Web. The Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) has developed a labelling system, which it will start promoting in the...

Allegran to divorce advertising business from its dating sites.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Allegran is to split into two as a result of its online dating sites outgrowing its traditional online advertising sites. Its three dating sites now account for 80% of the company's #5m annual turnover, despite having only been running...

Wireless connections reach enterprise sector.
February 3, 2005... ANALYST SPEAK: TIM GOWER, Datamonitor Public wireless LAN (PWLAN) locations (hotspots) enable laptop or PDA users to access the Internet from locations such as airport lounges and coffee shops. In 2003, there were 31,700 hotspots around...

Consumers prefer professional emails.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The majority of consumers respond more favourably to messages sent from professional email addresses - that is, those sent from company domains - than those from Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail accounts, claims research from Web hosting company...

MDA predicts 30bn texts will be sent this year.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... 30bn person-to-person text messages will be sent in the UK this year, predicts the Mobile Data Association (MDA). It also reports that mobile phone ownership has exceeded population numbers in several European countries. The UK, Sweden,...

Mobile operators lose #6.9bn in customer churn.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Losing customers to rival networks cost European mobile operators E10.1bn (#6.9bn) in 2003, equivalent to 8.6% of total mobile revenues, claims a report from Analysys Research. Of this, E4.5bn (#3.1bn) was spent on 'unnecessary' costs such as...

ISPs and Webmail firms block one in three marketing emails.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The UK's biggest ISPs and Webmail providers blocked one in every three marketing emails last month. The proportion of blocked emails jumped significantly over the past month, from 21% in December to 35% last month. The average over the...

Online radio listeners increase.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The number of people listening to the radio via the Internet continues to rise at a rapid rate, according to the latest official audience figures from Rajar. Data from the radio ratings body shows that 16.3% of the UK population tuned...

Sky Media reports record month for iTV ad campaigns.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Sky Media claims to have experienced a record breaking month for interactive advertising during January. A total of 45 red-button campaigns ran on Sky channels last month, representing an increase of 40% on the same period the previous...

Twin London launches to serve growth in behavioural targeting.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... A new online ad technology firm called Twin London has launched in the UK to capitalise on the growing interest in behavioural targeting. The company was founded by Peter Jones, former strategic planning director of TBWA\GGT and TBWA\...

National Gallery offers art search via touchscreen kiosks.
February 3, 2005... The National Gallery has unveiled ArtStart, a network of touchscreen kiosks giving visitors access to information about its entire collection. The system, which replaces the previous Micro Gallery kiosk system introduced in 1991, was...

Google gives advertisers more control over AdWords system.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Google has opened up access to its AdWords pay-per-click system to give advertisers more control over their search campaigns. The search engine has released an AdWords API (application interface) that will enable advertisers to link...

Iovation offers anti-fraud software to UK sites.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Anti-fraud company Iovation has launched its software in the UK, targeting gambling sites and online retailers and banks. The US company has only signed up one customer to date, Ultimatebet, but says it has already reduced some types of fraud...

Mobile users miss out on money saving offers.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Only a fifth of mobile users in the UK take advantage of money-saving 'minutes and text' packages, according to a survey by Virgin Mobile. However, one in ten of the 2,029 people surveyed felt that searching for a better mobile deal was too...

Ad networks must learn some home truths.(media agencies are lazy to do the advertisements by themselves)
February 3, 2005... Ad sales networks blame lazy media agencies for only placing ads on the big-name portals. But are they equally guilty of not doing enough to promote their services? AdLink's decision to restructure its entire UK sales division (NMA...

THE RISK OF RISING AD RATES.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Until recently, the Internet was having to fight its way onto media schedules and supply of online ad space far outstripped demand from advertisers. With the sheer number and breadth of sites available increasing all the time, it's unlikely...

Too soon to create a hierarchy of online advertising.(Editorial)
February 3, 2005... In the world of offline advertising, TV is at the top of the tree, way above print, outdoor, radio and so on. And above-the-line is, of course, far more prestigious than below-the-line - so much so that the terms might have been invented to...

Regulation of TV broadcasting can't cope with new channels.
February 3, 2005... WOOLFSON ON GOVERNMENT Broadcasting is facing a revolution. The traditional means of delivery and regulation are in the process of being challenged and replaced by the more flexible dynamics offered by high-speed broadband services. ...

Letter: Getting to know the older generation.(Letter to the Editor)
February 3, 2005... A quick survey of our studio last week revealed an average age of 31. And while we've always secretly liked Werther's Originals and The Antiques Roadshow (for betting purposes only), this came as quite a shock to an agency specialising in...

Letter: Searching for ways to boost conversion rates.(Letter to the Editor)
February 3, 2005... The recent launch of the MSN search index and interface will no doubt drive a frenzy of search engine optimisation activity and a review of PPC campaigns. But all this good work is more than 95% pointless since the vast majority of...

Letter: iTV numbers alone don't show whole picture.(Letter to the Editor)
February 3, 2005... The interactive TV advertising industry is obsessed with numbers: how many brochures were ordered, how many entries to the draw, how many people interacted and so on. Advertisers will only invest if they know that the channel will reach an...

OPINION: Will guidelines help or hinder growth of online ad industry?
February 3, 2005... The recent announcement of a global standard to measure online ad impressions is certainly thought-provoking. It's a great sign that the online ad industry is finally maturing, and standardisation will help the industry as long as there's...

AD WATCH: Whether simple or complex, be direct with your message.
February 3, 2005... Now that rich-media ads are a standard component of online campaigns, are agencies taking advantage of their forte - the two-way interaction - for a better and more relevant brand experience? Meme Digital has created a campaign for Mini...

PROFILE - DARYL AND WAYNE ARNOLD: Family unity.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Daryl and Wayne Arnold, founders of Profero, have grown their agency to become a global player, yet have held on to their independence. Susie Harwood finds out why Daryl and Wayne Arnold are aiming to build the first independent global...

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS: Exploring new terrain.
February 3, 2005... Although it's long-established, maybe even old-fashioned, the RICS has found there's a lot it can do with interactive media to better serve its members, reports Greg Brooks Since its beginnings in 1868, the Royal Institution of Chartered...

INTERVIEW - JIM STENGEL: 'New media offers us tremendous potential'.(Interview)
February 3, 2005... In charge of Procter & Gamble's massive global marketing budget, Jim Stengel tells Yinka Adegoke how interactive media can help P&G stay in touch with consumers Jim Stengel has been global marketing officer at Procter & Gamble, the...

INTERACTIVE TV: Last in break.(broadcasting industry plannning to do interactive advertising)
February 3, 2005... ITV was the last of the major broadcasters to get into iTV advertising and has big plans for catching up. But it's rivals aren't standing still, reports Gareth Jones Interactive TV advertising has found its way onto the media schedule of...

`Spooks' interactive succeeds at turning viewers into spies.
February 3, 2005... INTERACTIVE TV: PROGRAMME REVIEW Series three of Spooks, which concluded on BBC1 at the end of last year, saw the raising of the BBC's game and the setting of new standards in interactive televisual entertainment The main iTV...

Keeping the viewer in sight when devising interactive ads.
February 3, 2005... INTERACTIVE TV: AD REVIEW In the 1960s, ad agencies decided it would be a good idea to find out what consumers thought about their advertising - what they liked, what messages they took out and how it affected their image of the brand....

INTERACTIVE TV: Uncle Sam presses red.
February 3, 2005... In the US, iTV has taken third place to video-on-demand and digital video recorders. But now broadcasters are realising the benefits of interactivity, finds Daisy Whitney The much-repeated phrase "This is the year for interactive TV" is...

Moves: Simpay.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Simpay, the mobile phone payments company, has appointed David Taylor as CEO. He succeeds Tim Jones, who will continue to act in an advisory capacity to the company. Before joining Simpay, Taylor was VP of consumer and small business...

Moves: NetServices.(Appointments)(NetServices PLC)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Shelley Wilson has joined Manchester-based network distributor and broadband wholesaler NetServices as joint sales director. Formerly sales and operations director at communications firm Firstnet Services, the company recently acquired by Pipex...

Moves: Mirago.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Mirago, the provider of results for Internet search engines, has recruited Jonathan Porton as marketing manager. He will be responsible for improving brand awareness and Web site content. Porton was previously online marketing manager for...

Moves: The Usability Company.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Lis Angle has joined The Usability Company as accessibility consultant. As the lead accessibility specialist, she will be responsible for delivering the company's range of Web site accessibility services, including running training courses...

Moves: Shopping.com.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Shopping.com, the online shopping comparison service, has recruited Ehud Furman as VP and MD for Europe. He has five years' retail management experience and has been UK MD of the company since 2000. Furman will oversee Shopping.com's expansion...

Moves: Trafficmac.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Julian Baring has joined Trafficmac, the provider of interactive ad software, technology and outsourcing services, as director of European operations. He will be responsible for managing strategy and client services in the region. Baring...

Moves: Retec Interface.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Digital communications group Retec Interface has appointed David Haverty as account director. He formerly worked in the digital retail arena for IBM and St Clair Interactive, and will work on the BT and IBM accounts. Copyright: Centaur...

Moves: Exposure.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Exposure has appointed Jeroen Matser as director of digital. He has seven years' digital media experience, having held senior posts at Framfab and Clockwork in the Netherlands. He will oversee digital work for Exposure's PlayStation and 3...

Moves: Vitesse Media.(Promotions)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... AIM-listed online and print publisher Vitesse Media has promoted Chris Broadbent to the post of executive sales director. Prior to joining Vitesse three years ago, he worked for publishing companies Quantum Business Media and James Kimber...

SITE INSPECTION: Boss Design.(boss design.co.uk)(web sites)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Boss Design boss-design.co.uk Owner: Boss Design Agency: WebXpress Content 20/25 Usability 22/25 Branding 22/25 Monetisation 0/25 Total 64/100 According to the press release, contract...

SITE INSPECTION: How's Your Drink?(howsyourdrink.org.uk)(Websites)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... How's Your Drink? howsyourdrink.org.uk Owner: Alcohol Concern Agency: Agency Republic Content 20/25 Usability 18/25 Branding 18/25 Monetisation 0/25 Total 56/100 In anticipation of the...

SITE INSPECTION: 1-2-3 Healthy Balance.(123healthybalance.com)(Websites)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... 1-2-3 Healthy Balance 123healthybalance.com Owner: United Biscuits Agency: Wheel Content 22/25 Usability 23/25 Branding 8/25 Monetisation 0/25 Total 53/100 If I were looking for information...

FULFILMENT: dvdworld.co.uk.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... dvdworld.co.uk Founded 1998 Selection A good range of films and TV series, as well as DVD players and recorders and home cinema equipment. Technical problems When I selected the option to change shipping address, the...

Channel 4 asks operators and ISPs to pitch for BB content.(Big Brother, internet service providers, Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2005... Channel 4 is inviting mobile network operators and ISPs to pitch for the rights to develop content around this year's Big Brother. The initiative is part of Channel 4's strategy to grow commercial revenue from the reality TV series by...

In-store media sector turns to mobile.
February 10, 2005... The booming in-store media market, buoyed by the recent launch of Tesco TV, is turning to mobile to provide an interactive offering for advertisers. Immedia Broadcasting, which runs a network of in-store radio stations for retailers...