New Media Age articles from November 2008

New Media Age archives from November 2008

BBC Worldwide takes behavioural targeting global.(British Broadcasting Corp.)
November 6, 2008... BBC's commercial arm looks to expand ad revenues from international and brand properties BBC Worldwide is to launch behavioural targeting across its international website BBC.com as it looks to bolster ad revenues estimated to reach #70m...

Consumer opinion can do more harm than good at times.
November 6, 2008... What's the difference between a hotel and a doctor? It sounds like the start of a bad joke, but in fact it's a question about the limits of social media, which we look at this week. IWantGreatCare is a site with a noble aim: to help...

BREAKING NEWS: IAB appoints its first head of mobile.(Jonathan Mew appointed at Internet Advertising Bureau)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) has appointed former Orange head of marketing Jonathan Mew as its first head of mobile. The move comes as the IAB looks to support mobile advertising in the UK and increase awareness of the sector. Mew...

BREAKING NEWS: Thomas Cook won't replace 4DS for ad sales.(Thomas Cook Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... The Thomas Cook Group has said it will no longer outsource its online ad sales account following the closure of its sales house 4DS. The travel operator is instead seeking to partner with a marketing agency to secure key sponsorship...

Absolute Radio launches online player application.
November 6, 2008... Radio station rolls out the second phase of its #15m branding campaign as it pushes listening to the new station via online Absolute Radio is to launch a radio player application and online sampler campaign to attract listeners to the...

Channel 4 to appoint cross-platform head to strengthen strategy.(appointments at Channel 4 Television Co.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Broadcaster aims to build on its commitment to cross-media content by creating a cross-platform commissioning role Channel 4 is to appoint a head of cross-platform commissioning as the broadcaster moves to build on its commitment to...

Google develops video ad planning tool to give insight.
November 6, 2008... The new tool will enable brands and agencies to understand before a video ad campaign is launched how effective it will be Google is the latest company to put its weight behind developing video ad metrics as part of its increased push to...

Tesco bids to become online destination for green issues via overhaul.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Tesco is attempting to become a key destination online for environmental issues through a complete overhaul of its Tesco Greener Living website. The grocery giant has made corporate social responsibility issues, such as the environment, a...

BT intended to launch links from Freeview to advertisers within a year.(British Telecommunications PLC)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... BT aims to launch red-button linking from Freeview channels through to dedicated advertising sites within the next 12 months. Marc Watson, the newly appointed director of content and business development for BT Consumer, said the service...

Telegraph Media Group builds on casual gaming with puzzle channel.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Telegraph Media Group (TMG) has launched a dedicated gaming channel to take advantage of the growing interest in casual gaming. The CluedUp site, created by digital agency World Archipelago, will offer more than 50 new puzzles a week,...

Change can be good if it's handled correctly.
November 6, 2008... Way back in the day (by which I mean around 1996), by far the most common quote I used to see in presentations was from Bob Dylan: "Because something is happening here, but you don't know what it is, do you, Mr Jones" (subtext: I do, so hire...

BBC builds site to trail Last Chance To See TV series.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... BBC creates interactive website with exclusive video clips of new Last Chance To See series ahead of broadcast next year The BBC has launched a rich-media site ahead of Stephen Fry's forthcoming TV series Last Chance To See. The...

Heineken puts Draughtkeg on mobile as part of Bond tie-up.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Heineken has launched a mobile site to promote its Draughtkeg product on the back of its global partnership with the latest James Bond film. The alcohol brand will launch a major marketing campaign to drive users to the site, which...

Cathay Pacific launches first affiliate activity for 2009 push.(Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Cathay Pacific is to ramp up its digital marketing activity in the new year as it turns to online to drive consumer engagement with the airline. The long-haul operator is launching its first affiliate marketing campaigns with...

Egmont uses online trailers to promote book.(Egmont Children's Books)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Children's book publisher Egmont has launched an online trial targeting retailers and trade buyers to generate interest in its titles. It's using online trailers to promote its catalogue to retailers to influence their purchase...

The Financial Times set to launch own ad network via Adify deal.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... The Financial Times is to create its own ad network as it seeks to boost advertising revenues. The business newspaper is partnering with vertical ad network developer Adify to build a network of sites that would enable brands to buy ads...

Borders to boost online video content across site after success of TV.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Borders is to implement a major overhaul of its site in the next few weeks to incorporate video and interactive content within every product page, following the success of its Borders TV proposition. The book retailer introduced...

Who's advising you on your financial decisions?
November 6, 2008... During a number of consumer research projects, the BDRC financial services team has become increasingly aware of the power a small number of online influencers are having over people who use the web to research financial products and services....

InBev makes age verification on its drink sites clearer.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Alcoholic drinks giant InBev has said it will implement clearer age- verification methods across its websites to reflect best practice. The news comes just weeks after nma revealed continued confusion around best practice in the industry....

BT loses second online executive to Virgin Media.(Matt Walton exit from BT.com and joined in Virgin Media Group Ltd.,)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Matt Walton, BT.com's head of online acquisitions, has quit to join rival quad-play operator Virgin Media as its new head of online sales. Walton, who will take up the post in January, will be responsible for driving sales through...

Keystream plans move to UK.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Keystream, the company partnering with ITV to trial video ad overlays, plans to launch in the UK. California-based Keystream - which analyses videos to find suitable free space to insert ads - announced in October a partnership with ITV...

Domino's signs as first sponsor for Northcliffe Media online chat show.(Domino's Pizza Inc. contract with Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Local newspaper publisher Northcliffe Media has launched an online video chat show, with Domino's Pizza as its first sponsor. The show will be pushed through local title The Exeter Express & Echo, as well as the Thisisexeter portal, part...

Hotel group rolls out new site for The Berkeley.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Luxury London hotel The Berkeley has revamped its website. It's part of ongoing work by the Maybourne Hotel Group, which has already launched a site for The Connaught in Mayfair and is due to launch one for Claridge's this month. The...

LETTER: All bets are off after Google gambling move.(Letter to the editor)
November 6, 2008... Grant Whiteside, co-founder and technical director, Ambergreen Your 'Gains for Google' headline (nma 23 October) is putting it mildly. 'Ruthless times ahead' might be closer to the mark. Google's lifting of its gambling ad ban has already...

LETTER: BA shows brands the way to use social media.(Letter to the editor)
November 6, 2008... Steve Richards, MD, Yomego British Airways' foray into social media underlines the appeal and potential of these channels for mainstream brands (nma 9 October). UGC gets its fair share of damaging headlines, but BA's Metrotwin initiative...

LETTER: Keep a close reign on your confidential data.(Letter to the editor)
November 6, 2008... Paul Bates, UK MD, StrongMail Systems As organisations continue to outsource confidential aspects of their business to third-party suppliers, the issue of data loss grows. This problem is particularly acute when it comes to marketing...

OPINION: Outlook remains rosy for online advertising during downturn.
November 6, 2008... The global economic climate has prompted considerable review of spending, and recent media reports have focused on who will be the winners and losers as industries are forced to rationalise. Online in particular seems to have been thrust into...

AD WATCH: Diesel pushes all the right buttons for viral pass-on.
November 6, 2008... On the whole I wasn't really excited by this month's work. The two biggest places for improvement were design and concept. Sometimes we forget that people aren't always looking to interact with our brand - they're looking to interact with...

PROFILE: Ben Drury.
November 6, 2008... 7Digital became the first digital music download store to offer 100% DRM-free music. Co-founder Ben Drury discusses its competitive advantage There have been times when it was unfashionable to believe you could charge for digital music....

HEALTH SOCIAL NETWORKS: Support groups.
November 6, 2008... Social networks can provide much-needed support for those suffering from illness. But are they necessarily a suitable place for the healthcare industry to be? In a chatroom on Macmillan's Cancer Support website, Allpeachy is feeling...

MEDIATECH 100: Ten to watch.
November 6, 2008... Research firm Library House has selected the top 100 media technology start-ups with the potential to be the names of tomorrow, as selected by a panel of VCs and analysts. Here the top ten tell how they hope to realise that promise It's...

NMA MOBILE: Subs offer.
November 6, 2008... Nokia's comes With Music service introduces the possibility for other forms of content to be bundles with handset subscriptions Nokia's Comes With Music service has generated wide interest following its launch last month. The handset...

NMA MOBILE: A phone is for life, not just for Christmas.
November 6, 2008... Every year it seems like the shops start bigging up Christmas just that little bit earlier. In my childhood, Christmas was white and started in December, as far as I can recall (it was a long time ago). Selling Santa-shaped chocolates in...

NMA MOBILE: How nokia comes with music works.(Carphone Warehouse Group PLC contract with Nokia)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Nokia Comes With Music launched on 16 October with an exclusive retail agreement with Carphone Warehouse. It will be supported by a multi- million-pound marketing campaign from 1 November. Consumers who purchase a Comes With Music phone can...

NMA MOBILE: Opening the floodgates.
November 6, 2008... AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo are each extending their ad network offerings onto mobile. Will this be what it takes to unlock the huge potential of mobile advertising? AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo have big plans for the small screens of mobile...

NMA MOBILE: THE BIG THREE MOBILE AD NETWORKS.(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... AOL: Platform-A/Third Screen AOL has yet to reveal any customers using its mobile ad network or how many sites and publishers it plans to run on. It's working with more than 200 sites globally and is talking to mobile operators about...

MOVES: Wired.(Wired magazine UK appoints Rachel Reidy and Claire Dobson )(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Wired magazine UK has hired Rachel Reidy as ad director and Claire Dobson as promotions director. Reidy previously held the same role at the Conde Nast commercial team, while Dobson joins from Press Holdings Media Group where she was head of...

MOVES: eDigitalResearch.(Dominic Bean appointed at eDigitalResearch)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Online research specialist eDigitalResearch has hired Dominic Bean as head of business development and Lloyd Viney as head of the commercial department. Bean joins from The Independent where he was head of insight, while Viney was previously...

MOVES: Red Bee Media.(Chris Frampton appointed at Red Bee Media )(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Red Bee Media has appointed Chris Frampton to the role of new business director. He was previously head of sales and marketing at Dynamax Technologies. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

MOVES: Touch DDB.(Victoria Fox appointed at Touch DDB)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Through-the-line communications agency Touch DDB has hired Victoria Fox as deputy MD. She was previously head of account management at Partners Andrews Aldridge. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

MOVES: Cube 3 Marketing.(Sarah Addyman appointed at Cube 3 Marketing )(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Cube 3 Marketing has hired Sarah Addyman as communications manager. She has previously been freelancing for clients including Cube 3 Marketing, All Words and Crain's Manchester Business. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

MOVES: Wax Communications.(Sean Watkins appointed at Wax Communications )(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Wax Communications has appointed Sean Watkins as client services director. He joins from Virgin Trains where he was marketing manager with responsibility for new media, CRM and brand management. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

SITE INSPECTION: Scalextric.(Website overview)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Scalextric.com Owner Scalextric Agency Red Ant Content 19/25 Usability 22/25 Branding 22/25 Monetisation 23/25 Total 86/100 I wonder if anyone under the age of 35 still buys...

SITE INSPECTION: CenterParcs.(Website overview)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Centerparcs.co.uk Owner CenterParcs Agency Golley Slater Digital Content 20/25 Usability 17/25 Branding 19/25 Monetisation 18/25 Total 74/100 When people are tightening the...

SITE INSPECTION: ESPN Scrum.(Website overview)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Espnscrum.com Owner ESPN Agency Perform Content 19/25 Usability 15/25 Branding 16/25 Monetisation 18/25 Total 68/100 After buying the rugby portal last year, ESPN has given...

FULFILMENT: pier.co.uk.(Website overview)(Brief article)
November 6, 2008... Selection Handcrafted furniture and home furnishings from the well-known high street chain. Navigation The site is easy to get around, with items broken into broad categories and into smaller menus illustrated with images. You...

Freedom from operators lets location services run free.
November 13, 2008... Last month Google quietly announced it was incorporating Wi-Fi into its MyLocation mobile app. If you own the right phone and have the application installed, a blue dot will identify your location with even greater accuracy than before, by...

BREAKING NEWS: HarperCollins delays launch of Book Army.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... HarperCollins has delayed the launch of its major online social media play Book Army until next year. The site, which was slated for October, remains without a launch date. The News Corporation-owned publisher first outlined plans for the UK...

BREAKING NEWS: IAB reveals best practice guide for voucher codes.(Interactive Advertising Bureau UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... The IAB Affiliate Marketing Council has unveiled its code of best practice for the use of voucher codes online, first reported by nma last month (nma 30 October). The code stipulates that sites displaying voucher codes must provide full details...

Huggers executes major reshuffle at BBC Future Media.(British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Broadcaster hopes the restructuring of its Future Media & Technology division will close the gap with its content groups The BBC has restructured its Future Media & Technology (FM&T) department in a bid to "create the most valued open...

Setanta merges web offerings in bid to be top online sports site.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Setanta.com and Setantasports.com will together create a flagship site to drive sales online for the sports broadcaster Setanta Sports is planning to merge Setanta.com and Setantasports.com to create a flagship site as it makes a play to...

TV industry glad of broadcasters' push into multi-platform.
November 13, 2008... ITV follows Channel 4 in restructuring around 360-degree commissioning, signalling end of 'superficial' online content Structural moves by ITV and Channel 4 to drive integrated multi- platform projects are expected to help create better...

Bmibaby hires Avenue A/Razorfish to refresh brand and boost sales.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Low-cost airline bmibaby is to overhaul its website in a bid to refresh the brand and improve customer retention in the troubled airline category. It has appointed digital agency Avenue A/Razorfish, following a competitive pitch against...

Use of mobile internet jumps by 3% in Q3.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... The mobile internet audience has risen by just over 3%, from 12.2% in Q2 to 15.25% in the last quarter, according to Nielsen Mobile. The figures reveal renewed growth in the audience in Q3, after just 0.1% growth between Q1 and Q2. ...

Users start to take charge of their own content.(Column)
November 13, 2008... Digital businesses are often seen as safe havens from the financial axe, or even a beacon of justified investment for future proofing. But it seems now that they're also experiencing cutbacks as most companies are proclaiming consumer...

Walt Disney makes integrated push for Christmas DVDs.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Home-page take over of Virgin Media and display ads across the portal will push DVD releases of Wall-e and Prince Caspian Walt Disney Home Entertainment has launched an integrated campaign to promote the UK DVD releases of Wall-e and...

Five online shop to sell merchandise from strand of children's shows.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Five is to roll out its first online shop to sell programme-related stock based on its children's programmes. Merchandise from shows running on Milkshake!, the broadcaster's strand of children's programmes which runs every morning, will...

ITN On buys digital rights to distribute rugby clips.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... ITN On has bought the digital rights from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to distribute a series of England international rugby matches. The content production company will provide video highlights of November's Investec Rugby Series...

Match.com rolls out personality testing to boost dating success.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Match.com is rolling out psychometric personality testing on its site to offer its 15m members better value. The 30-minute test will take users through 56 questions, some based on images, to help those searching for a partner. Early...

Sony employs VoD content for Christmas push of PSP3000.(Video-on-demand)(Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) is rolling out a multi- million-pound integrated campaign positioning the new PSP3000 as the must-have multimedia handheld device this Christmas. The Your Whole World in Your Hands campaign, which...

Joost appoints Utarget.Fox to sell video ads across its site.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Internet TV service Joost has taken on ad network Utarget.Fox to sell video ads across its site. The exclusive European deal will see Utarget serve video inventory including pre-, mid- and post-roll and companion ads across the site. ...

Online ads have measurable influence on users' purchases.(advertising)(Survey)
November 13, 2008... Digital advertising's ability to drive branding is seen as a possible reason for the industry's continued growth in difficult times. BMRB's TGI Net Europa survey provides evidence to back the internet's capacity to help brand building. ...

BBC suspends plan for 'passion sites'.(BBC Worldwide Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... BBC Worldwide has indefinitely delayed the launch of its commercial network of 'passion sites' as it focuses its energy on other portals, such as Top Gear and Lonely Planet. The broadcaster has abandoned its plans to roll out five portals...

Innocent opens user ratings and reviews section.(Innocent Drinks)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Innocent Drinks has launched a rate and review feedback area across its site in a bid to engage with users. The tool, which sits across all of Innocent's recipe pages, enables users to upload feedback and peer-to-peer reviews. It...

Orange adds horoscopes to online and mobile portals.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Orange has launched horoscopes across its online and mobile portals. The operator has secured a content deal with astrologer Russell Grant to include a daily video horoscope on Orange's ad-funded mobile video magazine Zap!. The...

Tesco trials Surface for market research.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Tesco has become the first European brand to use Microsoft's Surface table-top technology as part of market research for Tesco Wines. The grocery giant has been testing the platform, which provides an interactive touchscreen table-top, at...

Auto Trader extends reach of online search.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Auto Trader has significantly expanded its reach online by signing a series of key deals with additional online properties including Virgin Media and The Telegraph. Auto Trader will power all car searches across Virgin, The Telegraph,...

Lastminute to use ad format Youniverse.(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Lastminute.com is the first brand to use a new ad format from Youniverse, the social network based on images or 'visual DNA', that allows branded quizzes to be embedded within them. The online travel brand is testing the format, with users...

LETTER: Keep purchase options within context.(Letter to the editor)
November 13, 2008... Chris Autry, CEO, Tailgate Technologies The impulse purchase is one of the most powerful opportunities for brands everywhere. YouTube's adoption of click-to-buy ads (nma.co.uk 8 October) is an important one as it brings the in-the-moment...

LETTER: Adapt your strategies to digital, not vice versa.(Letter to the editor)
November 13, 2008... Simon Mathews, CEO, Eden State For some time brands and marketing services groups have been locked in a circular debate about the virtues of adapting leviathan models, with all their scale and revenue, versus contemporary greenfield...

LETTER: Comment from nma.co.uk.(Letter to the editor)
November 13, 2008... Re: Pepsi launches on-pack QR codes Perhaps the first paragraph should read "Pepsi is to launch on-pack and on-shelf mobile QR codes in a bid to reduce consumer interaction with the brand." No one has a QR reader on their phone and...

OPINION: Large-screen handsets will revolutionise email marketing.
November 13, 2008... The gloves are off in the race to out-cool the iPhone. Touchscreen handsets have evolved from being an early-adopter fashion accessory to a mainstream mobile must-have. With all the major brands jumping on the Apple bandwagon, these devices are...

PROFILE: Jason Stockwood - Well matched.
November 13, 2008... From online travel to online dating, Jason Stockwood has used his digital expertise to push the boundaries of finding love on the web He may appear relaxed, but as international MD of Match.com Jason Stockwood knows that love is a serious...

LOCATION SERVICES: Where next?
November 13, 2008... Location-based services have been discussed in the mobile industry for years. But with recent developments, they now look like a real possibility Discovering where a device's user is located has always been mooted as a way of opening up...

LOCATION SERVICES: ALL PERVASIVE: THE MEDIA SANDBOX PROJECT.
November 13, 2008... If a mobile device can always announce where it is on a map, it follows there will be demand for services that allow people to manage their relationships with friends, business contacts and service providers. That's the thinking behind...

MOVES: Ukash.(appointment of Paul Coxhill at Ukash)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Online cash payment company Ukash has appointed Paul Coxhill as marketing director. He joins from ABSA in South Africa where he was general manager of retail bank propositions. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

MOVES: Bazaarvoice.(appointment of Justin Crandall at Bazaarvoice)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Online ratings and reviews technology provider Bazaarvoice has promoted Justin Crandall to the role of UK MD. Crandall originally joined Bazaarvoice as US sales director. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

MOVES: My-wardrobe.com.(appointment of Carol Duncumb and Morgan Hay at My-wardrobe.com)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Online designer fashion retailer My-wardrobe.com has appointed Carol Duncumb to the board of directors and Morgan Hay as finance director. Duncumb was previously chief executive of lingerie firm Intimas, while Hay worked on the acquisition...

MOVES: eHarmony.(appointment of Sean Cornwell )(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Online relationship and compatibility matching company eHarmony has appointed Sean Cornwell as VP of international markets. He joins from Google, where he led the EMEA group marketing team. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

MOVES: Coast Digital.(appointment of Hilary Rogers and Kayas Fayyaz)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Coast Digital has hired Hilary Rogers as account director and Kayas Fayyaz as online marketing executive. Rogers joins from EWA, part of the WPP Group, where she was senior account director, while Fayyaz was formerly digital marketing executive...

MOVES: Tradewind London.(appointment of Andrew Allen at Tradewind London )(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Digital consultancy Tradewind London has hired Andrew Allen as innovation director of the consultancy's sister division Digital Agency Search. He was previously a outsource specialist at Clusta. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

MOVES: iCrossing.(appointment of Jeffrey F Rayport at iCrossing)(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Digital marketing company iCrossing has appointed Jeffrey F Rayport to its board of directors. Previously he was a faculty member at Harvard Business School where he taught the first graduate-level ecommerce course in the US. Copyright:...

MOVES: Collective.(appointment of John Goodbody )(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Digital creative agency Collective has appointed John Goodbody to head client relationships as group account director. He joins from Tribal DDB where he was digital director. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

MOVES: MadeByPi.(appointment of Karen Lewis )(Brief article)
November 13, 2008... Digital agency MadeByPi has hired Karen Lewis as account director and Stuart Jacklin as lead designer. Lewis joins from Swamp, Jacklin from Dubit interactive. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors