New Media Age back issues from June 2009:
Microsoft bets on UK agencies in search gamble.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Technology giant flies in senior execs to drum up support for Bing in #100m bid to crack search By Will Cooper Microsoft is to launch a high-profile UK agency and advertiser roadshow to convince brands to invest in its new search platform Bing, in an attempt to ...
Mobile is perfectly placed to support the rise of e-books.
Jun 04, 2009 ... To return to a recurring theme, it's becoming clear as the year goes on that if 2009 isn't the mythical Year of Mobile, it's certainly getting closer. It's getting a bit tiresome to repeat but it's all down to Apple. The iPhone has caused a seismic shift in the approach of consumers, ...
BREAKING NEWS: Steak New York's Chrysi Philalithes joins (RED).(appointment of Chrysi Philalithes as global director at AIDS awareness organisation )(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Global AIDS awareness organisation (RED) has appointed Chrysi Philalithes as global director of digital strategy and marketing. The former Steak New York MD, who was a founding member of search network Espotting, joins former colleague Seb ...
BREAKING NEWS: Kellogg's partners with CondeNet for diet push.(Conde Nast Publications Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Breakfast cereal brand Kellogg's is kicking off an online content- sharing initiative with publisher CondeNet for its ShapeMate campaign. The integrated campaign for the brand's diet plan, which kicks off today, involves ...
Penguin to open digital catalogue to iPhone users.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Book publisher's partnership with Mobcast kicks off with app enabling iPhone and iPod Touch users to read digital editions Penguin plans to enable UK iPhone users to download its entire digital catalogue as book publishers renew their push onto mobile. The Penguin ...
Carlsberg makes first move into online ads with LoveFilm tie-up.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Beer brand targets young men at home through film-based online advertising campaign on LoveFilm and Sky Sports Carlsberg is tapping into the trend for entertaining at home with its first ever online ad campaign. The #1m Probably the Best Night In campaign involves a ...
Sky's Xbox Live deal will drive VOD on games consoles.(Video-on-demand)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Industry recognises that games consoles are the next platform to for on- demand content as more get connected to the web Sky's move to launch its TV-on-demand service Sky Player on Microsoft's Xbox Live platform will help kick-start a rush of content owners keen to get on ...
Crown copyright body pledges to work with Pact and IPA.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... The body responsible for crown copyright has said it will work with trade bodies to establish easier measures for enabling public sector digital work to be reused. The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), part of the National Archives, has responded to calls from ...
Mobile TV and video unlikely to reach the masses by 2010.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Mobile TV and video is unlikely to reach mass-media status by the end of 2010, according to a report by research company Mintel. The research found just 8% of people watch TV or videos on their mobile once a week, with a further 5% watching about once a month. This number ...
Creative Britain plan is insulting to industry.
Jun 04, 2009 ... I've always found the idea that you shouldn't kick a man when he's down to be rather odd. If you're going to kick someone, when he's down seems like a great time to do it. For a start, he's near your feet. So, in that vein, let's have a go at Gordon Brown. I got a call a few ...
DoubleClick ad exchange upgrade fuels Google gossip.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Google adamant it has no ad exchange launch to announce despite rumours surrounding DoubleClick platform upgrade Google-owned DoubleClick is to launch an upgraded version of its ad exchange platform by the end of August but it's unknown whether it will form the basis of the ...
IASH decision to abandon independent chair causes mixed reaction.(appointment of James Aitken and Julia Smith at Internet Advertising Sales Houses)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... IASH is to appoint a new chair from among the current members of the ad network trade body, despite calls to appoint an independent chair. It's looking to replace Richard Sharp, MD of media and head of trading at ValueClick, who has been interim chair since replacing James ...
Chocolate brand seeks strategy advice from online customers.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Fairtrade chocolate brand Divine Chocolate is to enlist its active online consumer base to advise on marketing and product strategy with the launch of a community platform. The confectionary company is launching a series of community focused areas on its site which will allow ...
MasterCard uses film campaign to back The Big Lunch event.(MasterCard International Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... MasterCard has launched a creative film campaign to promote its sponsorship of upcoming national event The Big Lunch. The credit card company has partnered with independent film organisation Raindance to enlist its network of filmmakers to produce films which will be featured on ...
Stardoll to launch video channel with comedy series.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Teenager's fashion virtual world Stardoll is to launch a video channel led by comedy series Chelsey:OMG! Swedish-based Stardoll, which has more than 31m global members, is expected to launch the channel this August, with the second series of Chelsey: OMG! its first commission. ...
Mail Online targets younger audience with addition of EPG.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Mail Online is to launch an online electronic programme guide (EPG) as it looks to attract a younger audience. The service, part of the TV section of the Daily Mail site, offers full listings for more than 146 channels and information on catch-up services such as the BBC ...
Holding on to users helps attract bigger advertisers.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Alex Burmaster Communications director, EMEA, Nielsen Online Our recent insights on how Twitter performs at retaining its audience, measured by the percentage of a given month's visitors who come back the following month (nma 7 May), generated a lot of interest and requests to ...
IAB UK Social Media Council to define ad metrics.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... The IAB UK Social Media Council is to release a white paper defining social media advertising metrics in a bid to encourage advertisers to integrate social media into more campaigns. The moves follows the US IAB's release of a similar document in May, called Social Media Ad ...
Dell Outlet hopes for UK Twitter result.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Dell is hoping to emulate the $1m (#610,000) in revenue referred through Twitter to its US online discount store with the launch of a UK equivalent. Twitter.com/DellOutletUK will feature voucher codes and special offers on products to buy directly from the online stockroom. ...
Airline alliance launches series of travel videos.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... An alliance of airlines has launched a series of online videos in a bid to promote the brand to frequent flyers. American Airlines, BA and Qantas are among the ten airlines in the Oneworld Alliance, which provides frequent-flyer benefits, corporate services and departure ...
LETTER: PRS's move brings realism to industry.(Letter to the editor)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Anthony Ackenhoff, CEO, Frukt As an agency constantly seeking to bring music to consumers in the most innovative formats and platforms, we're pleased with PRS's decision to drop the rate for streaming music, both for artists and brands as well as intermediary agencies and ...
LETTER: Don't leave in-banner advertising out of online video equation.(Letter to the editor)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Mark Connolly, commercial director, Adconion Media Group Christina Goodman's Analyst Speak column, 'Finding the best length for online video ads needs further research' (nma 14 May), has some great insights into what people want from online video. I also found the research ...
LETTER: Budget controllers fail to understand online.(Letter to the editor)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Benn Achilleas, account and sales director, Neoco So the Deloitte report came out and unsurprisingly TV is listed as the most influential media for consumers (nma 30 April). Even less surprising are the old-school media people scoffing at online 'scraping in' at third place, ...
COMMENT FROM NMA.CO.UK: Confidence in online ad innovation remains low.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Innovation in digital advertising formats may not actually be what's required and may even be counter-productive. Users find innovative formats invasive and annoying and these only serve to distract from the content of the site. Where there needs to be innovation is in ...
OPINION: When digital is part of the problem, but also the solution.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Rory Sutherland President, Institute of Practitioners in Advertising In case you wondered, the 'A' in IPA stands for 'advertising' not 'all that stuff seminal ad agency CDP used to do really well in the 1970s'. When we use the word 'advertising' it's in that broad way the ...
AD WATCH: T-Mobile proves that consumers really do like being social.
Jun 04, 2009 ... It's raining flash mobs, iPhone apps, Twitter and augmented reality. Help! So no matter which idea is picked as Ad Watch's campaign of the month, there'll no doubt be cries of "Oh no, not another ..." However, I've always been a big fan of generating curiosity and intrigue, ...
PROFILE MICHAEL COMISH: Fast forward`.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Timing is everything for Blinkbox CEO Michael Comish as he attempts to reach critical mass in the UK online video market before US rival Hulu makes its push into Europe When Blinkbox launched thirteen months ago, it was questionable whether the ability to slice and swap ...
DIGITAL THINKERS: Shaping Britain's digital landscape.(dialogue with Charles Leadbeater )(Interview)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Charles Leadbeater is a writer, thinker and consultant on issues surrounding the knowledge economy. He's a former advisor to Tony Blair and is a senior visiting fellow at Nesta, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts. He will be giving a keynote speech at the ...
NMA TV: Hitting the right note.
Jun 04, 2009 ... What do broadcasters need to do to convince users their sites are the place to go for the content they want to watch? What draws people to watch TV online: Susan Boyle or itv.com? Like any broadcast channel, ITV's online brand is intrinsically linked to the quality of its ...
NMA TV: CASE STUDY - Comedy Central.(New Media Age)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... When relaunching Viacom's Paramount Comedy channel as Comedy Central, Claudia Sestini-Samuels, head of brand marketing and online, "started from the premise that typical user behaviour is to search for a specific programme or talent. It's up to us to make sure our brand is found ...
NMA TV: PRODUCTION FILES: Endemol UK.(dialogue with Peter Cowley )(Interview)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... endemoluk.com Endemol UK is part of Endemol Group, a global creator of content with operations in 26 countries and headquarters in London and the Netherlands. Peter Cowley is MD of digital media in the UK and global head of original digital production. His ...
NMA TV: PRODUCTION FILES: BigBalls Films.(Interview)
Jun 04, 2009 ... bigballfilms.com BigBalls is an independent production company based in London that started out creating digital content for record labels in 2006. It's headed by Luke Taylor, Gavin Rowe, Chris Kelly and Neil Gordon, whose careers include being music video directors at ...
TV DATA: Sky+HD take-up figures show viewers are hot for high-def TV.
Jun 04, 2009 ... A few months ago some commentators had predicted pay-TV platforms would suffer as budget-conscious consumers reduced their monthly outgoings. As we feel the economic pinch, more of us are staying in, but many appear to be investing in new or upgrading existing home entertainment ...
ETAIL: Leader.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... UK shoppers spent #4.67bn online last December and overall online retail sales grew 14% from April 2008 to 2009, according to the IMRG CapGemini E-retail Sales Index. Average basket sizes are also increasing. So far so good. Consumers are hunting for bargains online. For ...
ETAIL: Payback time.
Jun 04, 2009 ... Cashback sites are fast becoming a standard part of shopping for bargain-hunting consumers, and it's not just retail brands that are offering shoppers rewards Cashback sites are reporting, perhaps unsurprisingly, that the recession has led to an explosion of interest in the ...
ETAIL: Cashback with a conscience.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Altruistic cashback is an area where sites have evolved in a way that probably couldn't have been foreseen. Many leading sites now have the option of cashback being given to good causes, and there are now a plethora of start-ups designed around either solely or mostly shopping for good ...
ETAIL: Sales management.(Survey)
Jun 04, 2009 ... While people continue to do more of their shopping online, it's not a case of growth across the board, reveals latest research. But one thing that is always rising is consumers' expectations At the start of the year the first new media age Online Shopping Survey revealed ...
ETAIL: Shopping experience.(Survey)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Retailers have discovered a whole new set of challenges when dealing with customers online, and new opportunities such as data gathering and personalisation. We asked top retail brands from different sectors about their experiences Justin Moodie, HMV: Customers everywhere ...
MOVES: OgilvyOne.(appointment of Dave Birss as digital creative head)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Digital and direct agency OgilvyOne London has appointed Dave Birss as digital creative head. He was most recently freelancing as a consultant but previously worked at digital agency Poke, where he was creative director. He was also creative director of MRM Worldwide and founded ...
MOVES: Start Creative.(appointment of Roger Thelwell as head of operations, Alison Bonney as head of PR and marketing and Nicola Cregan as account director)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Branding and digital agency Start Creative has recruited Roger Thelwell as head of operations, Alison Bonney as head of PR and marketing and Nicola Cregan as account director. Thelwell ...
MOVES: Neoco.(appointment of Jody Minton as account manager, Ben Cox as account executive, Ben Atkinson as business development)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Digital marketing agency Neoco has hired Jody Minton as account manager, Ben Cox as account executive, Ben Atkinson as business development, and Igor Ushkarev as developer. Minton was ...
MOVES: British Interactive Media Association.(appointment of Justin Cooke as its chairman)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... The British Interactive Media Association (Bima), has appointed Justin Cooke as its chairman. He has been MD of ...
MOVES: Huzu.(appointment of Graeme Harvey as client services director)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Social media technology company Huzu has recruited Graeme Harvey as client services director. He joins from Harper Collins ...
MOVES: Omobono.(appointment of Declan Burns and Tom Kelly as digital project managers)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Digital communications agency Omobono has hired Declan Burns and Tom Kelly as digital project managers. Burns was previously online editor for ...
MOVES: Maxymiser.(Tim Brown )(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Online content optimisation company Maxymiser has appointed Tim Brown as CEO. He was formerly CEO of ...
MOVES: Meteorite.(James Stevens )(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Integrated marketing agency Meteorite has appointed James Stevens as senior communications planner. He joins from charity fundraising ...
MOVES: FremantleMedia.(Richard Vargas, Andrew Pillar and Damien Marchi )(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... International production company FremantleMedia has promoted Richard Vargas to senior VP of production and development for its central new media division FMX. Andrew Pillar takes on the role of commercial director of FMX, in addition to ...
SITE INSPECTION: Can You Hear Me Europe?(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009; ... <Pre> caneuhearme.eu Owner MTV Networks International Agency VBSI Content 20/25 Usability 23/25 Branding17/25 Monetisation n/a Total 60/75 </Pre> This MTV site gives its audience an in-your-face message to vote in ...
SITE INSPECTION: National Lottery.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009; ... <Pre> national-lottery.co.uk Owner Camelot Agency in-house Content 16/25 Usability 19/25 Branding17/25 Monetisation20/25 Total 72/100 </Pre> Feeling lucky? Now might be the time to have a little flutter. The National ...
SITE INSPECTION: Lacoste.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009; ... <Pre> lacostered.com Owner Lacoste Agency Megalos Content 15/25 Usability 10/25 Branding21/25 Monetisation10/25 Total 56/100 </Pre> I kept on misreading the unfortunate URL for this site and wondered if 'to lacoster' ...
FULFILMENT: amazon.co.uk.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2009 ... Selection The leading etailer sells books, CDs, electronics, clothes and more. It also provides a marketplace for users to sell their own goods. Navigation The home page shows a long search bar and lists of categories, with items it recommends based on ...
Bookseller to launch digital newsagent as e-zines increase.
Jun 11, 2009 ... High street bookseller Borders is to launch a digital newsagent to sell magazine downloads as the popularity of e-zines continues. It said it was in the early stages of building an e-zine service to complement its in-store range of magazines. Meanwhile retailer Boots is ...
Does online advertising need to blow its own trumpet?
Jun 11, 2009 ... Safe. Familiar. Comforting. And, proponents of TV as an advertising medium would have you believe, effective. This week TV marketing body Thinkbox launched its first TV campaign. As a man on a therapist's couch sings some of the more famous jingles of recent decades, the message hits home ...
BREAKING NEWS: De-construct takes on Cake's Paul Glossop.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... Isobar-owned creative agency de-construct has appointed Cake's head of digital Paul Glossop as director of business development. Glossop, whose previous roles include being an account director at ...
BREAKING NEWS: Daily Mail moves into shopping comparison.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... The Daily Mail has become the latest publisher to launch a shopping comparison site. MailCompare allows users to search for and compare prices of financial products including car insurance, credit cards and mortgages. The publisher ...
Online ad currency validated by tie-in with Touchpoints.
Jun 11, 2009 ... Plans to integrate UKOM data into IPA's respected Touchpoints initiative increases validity of single online common currency The IPA is to integrate UKOM data into its influential Touchpoints initiative, giving the long-awaited single online trading currency a significant boost ....
Vodafone uses location tracking of black cabs in Formula 1 promotion.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... Operator uses sponsorship of McLaren Mercedes team as basis of campaign for its 3G network using teams of London cabbies Vodafone is promoting its GPS and 3G network via an online fantasy racing game as part of its sponsorship of the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team. ...
Bundling best way to get people to pay for on-demand TV.
Jun 11, 2009 ... Research finds viewers are getting used to on-demand video being free, but would consider paying via subscriptions Subscription models that bundle digital entertainment with broadband packages could be content owners' best chance to monetise on-demand TV, according to ...
Turner revamps Cartoon Network site with social media and gaming.
Jun 11, 2009 ... Turner Broadcasting's Cartoon Network is to launch a community site in a move to allow its young audience to interact safely. The relaunch of cartoonnetwork.co.uk on 16 June will provide the brand's target audience of 7-11-year-olds with social media features, personalisation ...
What Car? gets publisher's biggest digital investment to relaunch site.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... Car buying guide What Car? has relaunched its site to create a more streamlined and relevant experience for users and advertisers. The site, which attracts 1m unique users a month, has launched new content and features, as well as more targeted advertising and contextual links ...
LoveFilm trials video ads as it looks to provide films on demand.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... Online film rental specialist LoveFilm is to begin testing pre- and post-roll video ads ahead of an increase of video-on-demand content on its site. The company, which new media age understands will launch film streaming services in the near future, is looking to ramp up online ...
Brands turn to nostalgia in difficult times.
Jun 11, 2009 ... One of the defining features of this recession is the number of brands immersing themselves in utterly self-indulgent nostalgia trips, in an attempt to curry favour with increasingly cynical consumers. Hovis was first out of the traps last year with its British history lesson ...
Google denies rise in bidding prices is intended strategy.
Jun 11, 2009 ... Changes to AdWords algorithm have pushed up brands' costs and lowered response, finds IPA research, but who's to blame? Google has denied changes to its AdWords algorithm were intended to push up prices, after research by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) ...
Nokia loses exclusivity as Trinity Mirror adds second ad sales house.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... Trinity Mirror has ended its exclusive mobile ad deal with Nokia in a further blow to the troubled ad sales house. Trinity Mirror has agreed a second deal with rival network 4th Screen Advertising to represent inventory on its network of national and regional sites including ...
Mama Group to add streaming music across venue sites.(Music and Media Assets)(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2009 ... Music and Media Assets (Mama) Group is to stream music across its online properties including MeanFiddler.com. The company, which runs venues including the Hammersmith Apollo and Jazz Cafe, and publishes music magazine The Fly, aims to make its sites key music destinations by ...