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Ad Ops Daily Bits: March 11 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:50:26 +0000

- Latino Advertising Pioneer, Victor Ornelas, Allies with Matador Marketing Group
Victor Ornelas, founder of Ornelas & Associates and a pioneer in Hispanic advertising, has joined forces with Matador Marketing Group, a Latino marketing and advertising firm located in Fort Worth, Texas, it was announced today by Luis Caballero, president of Matador. The alliance reunites Ornelas and Caballero 18 years after Caballero launched his career as an intern at the renowned Dallas agency.
“We have recruited one of the industry’s champion matadors,” said Caballero. “Victor is a mentor, coach, sage and dynamo for our firm as we seek to engage national clients interested in tapping the fast-growing Latino marketplace in a more meaningful and profitable way.”

- Lenco Mobile Inc. (LNCM.PK) Completes the Purchase of Online Marketing Assets from Superfly Advertising, Inc. (SPFL.PK)
Lenco Mobile Inc. announced that it had completed the previously announced purchase of the online advertising arm of Superfly Advertising Inc. (Pink Sheets: SPFL). Announcing the transaction, Michael Levinsohn, CEO of Lenco Mobile Inc., said that the newly acquired business would be rebranded under the Lenco name and housed in a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenco Mobile Inc., to be known as Lenco Media.
Less than a month ago, Lenco Mobile Inc. announced that it was to acquire the online arm of Superfly Advertising Inc. The transaction was subject to the renegotiation of certain financing arrangements with Superfly Advertising Inc. “The newly acquired business is strategic and complements our mobile marketing platforms,” said Levinsohn. Lenco Media will offer clients a full range of software and network infrastructure related to the operation and management of online affiliate advertising networks and online lead generation. The products offered by Lenco Media also include search marketing, list management and online brand building platforms which are used by advertisers to enhance their online marketing activities.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 10 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:50:50 +0000

- Global Traffic Network Announces Closing of Its Purchase of the Unique Broadcasting Company Limited from UBC Media Group
Global Traffic Network, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNET), a leading provider of custom traffic and news reports to radio and television stations outside the United States, today announced that its United Kingdom subsidiary, Global Traffic Network (UK) Limited, has completed its acquisition of the commercial division of UBC Media Group plc (LSE: UBC.L), which supplies traffic and travel information to approximately 230 radio stations and entertainment news information to approximately 120 radio stations in the United Kingdom in exchange for commercial airtime inventory that is then sold to advertisers. The acquisition was effected through a purchase of the entire share capital of The Unique Broadcasting Company Limited, the UBC subsidiary that housed the commercial division operations. UBC’s commercial division has approximately 700,000 radio commercials available for sale on an annual basis. In addition to the radio networks, The Unique Broadcasting Company has approximately £3 million pounds of tax losses that Global Traffic Network expects to be able to utilize against future earnings of its U.K. operations.

- ExactTarget Continues Record Growth with More Than 50 Percent Increase in ’08 Revenue
1,000+ New Clients, Expanded Multi-Channel E-Marketing Platform Highlight Historic Year
ExactTarget, a leading provider of on-demand email and one-to-one marketing solutions, announced today it posted record-setting annual performance in 2008, boosting revenue by more than 50 percent and adding more than 1,000 new direct clients.
The growth of the integrated e-marketing provider marks the continuation of 32 consecutive quarters of growth and 12 consecutive quarters of profitability for the company that added industry powerhouses including Advance Auto Parts, Priceline.com and Trip Advisor to its client list during the year.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 9 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:50:37 +0000

- telecomsmarketresearch.com: Research portal says Mobile Messaging, MVNOs and Mobile Data are on the up
Often the first things businesses cut back on in a recession are advertising and market research budgets. But this recession is different, and one market research portal reckons that market research is bucking the trend.
Says Keith Wallace, Managing Director of www.telecomsmarketresearch.com : “This is the fourth major recession we have endured in over 20 years of trading. In all the previous ones we have seen a sharp decline in business clients buying market research reports and studies, but we are seeing sales actually holding their own or increasing.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 6 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:50:42 +0000

- Silverpop Positioned to Usher in a New Age of Engagement Marketing
Silverpop, a leading provider of online marketing solutions, underscored its leadership position in the new age of engagement marketing as it rolled out its new brand and Web site that features resources outlining how B2B and B2C marketers can more fully engage with customers and prospects.
“The concepts behind engagement marketing have been in place for many years, but only recently have marketers begun to realize─and grow concerned about─the true, fundamental shift occurring in the marketplace,” said Bill Nussey, CEO of Silverpop. “Marketing has always been about relevance and relationships, but engagement marketing takes this one giant step further into a world where customers assert more control over the brand and fully expect companies to participate in dialogues with them.”

- Acacia Subsidiary Enters into a License Agreement with LookSmart
Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTG) announced today that its subsidiary, Performance Pricing, Inc., has entered into a license agreement with LookSmart, Ltd. covering a patent portfolio that relates to e-commerce pricing.

- Lamar Advertising Company Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End 2008 Operating Results
Lamar Advertising Company (Nasdaq: LAMR), a leading owner and operator of outdoor advertising and logo sign displays, announces the Company’s operating results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2008.
aLamar reported net revenues of $279.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 versus $304.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, an 8.4% decrease. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $23.8 million as compared to $51.3 million for the same period in 2007. There was a net loss of $6.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to net earnings of $4.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2007.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 5 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:50:13 +0000

- Advertising, Branding and Interactive Agency The UXB® Unveils New Swatfame Corporate Website
The UXB, an award-winning advertising, branding, and interactive agency, and apparel manufacturer Swatfame, Inc., announced the launch of Swatfame’s new corporate website at www.Swatfame.com. Designed to showcase the company’s new corporate brand identity and top apparel brands, the site utilizes strong black and white and color imagery combined with crisp, clean graphics to embody the character and soul of the new Swatfame brand.

- Gannett Co., Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend
Gannett’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 4 cents per share, payable on April 1, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business March 6, 2009. This is a reduction from the first quarter dividend rate of 40 cents per share.
“Today’s action by the Board is another prudent response to the full-fledged recessions in the U.S. and UK and the continuing difficulties in the credit markets,” said Craig A. Dubow, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
“The reallocation of more than $325 million of free cash flow annually to pay down debt will further strengthen our balance sheet, provide us with even more financial flexibility and position us well to continue to seize opportunities for growth. This dividend represents the 163rd consecutive dividend paid by the company since 1967.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 4 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:50:42 +0000

- Jupitermedia Announces Completion of Sale of Jupiterimages to Getty Images and Change of Jupitermedia Name to WebMediaBrands
Jupitermedia Corporation announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of Jupiterimages Corporation (“Jupiterimages”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jupitermedia, to Getty Images, Inc. (“Getty Images”) for $96 million in cash, subject to certain post-closing adjustments (the “Sale”).

In connection with the Sale, Jupitermedia terminated its Credit Agreement with KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank) and applied approximately $82 million of the proceeds from the Sale to repay all outstanding indebtedness. Jupitermedia’s existing interest rate swap arrangement with KeyBank will remain outstanding.

- Alliance for the Arts Integrates Online Marketing Campaigns with Lyris
Lyris, Inc., the online marketing expert, announced that Alliance for the Arts is using Lyris HQ to better manage, track and interact with their diverse audiences through targeted email communications.

Alliance for the Arts serves the New York cultural community through research and advocacy and issues cultural guides and calendars for the public. With limited resources spread across the management of three separate online properties (NYC-ARTS.org, NYCkidsARTS.org and AllianceforArts.org), Alliance for the Arts needed a solution that could maximize the reach and effectiveness of each site with the most efficient investment of time and money. Lyris HQ provided the right solution for the organization to better manage and cleanse email lists and send and track weekly email communications to its diverse audiences. They also have future plans to utilize the mobile and social media enhancement features of Lyris HQ.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 3 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:50:46 +0000

- Merkle Releases 2009 ‘View from the Inbox’ Email Marketing Trends Report
Merkle (www.merkleinc.com), one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing database marketing agencies, today released its 2009 ‘View from the Inbox’™ email marketing report. This report highlights the results of Merkle’s annual study, which is conducted in conjunction with the national survey research firm Harris Interactive. The study sets out to measure the attitudes and behaviors regarding permission-based email among U.S. consumers. Permission-based or “opt-in” email marketing is a marketing approach used to reach consumers who voluntarily sign-up to receive updates, offers and information from select organizations.

- Online Marketing Connect Institute Offers New Webinar for Marketers Who Need to Improve Usability and Conversion Rates
iPerceptions Inc. (TSX.V:IPE), a leading provider of web-focused Voice of Customer analytics, has teamed up with the Online Marketing Connect Institute to offer a new webinar to help marketers increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their online properties. The webinar, titled “A to Zs of Traffic to Conversion: How to Drive Your Target Audience to Your Website and Make Sure They’re Happy Once They Get There,” will spotlight the most common user experience pitfalls as determined by feedback from visitors to thousands of sites worldwide—and offer easy fixes that will increase conversions and sales. The free webinar takes place on Wednesday, March 4, at 2:00 pm EST, and registration is now open at www.bulldogsolutions.net/OMC/OMC03042009/frmRegistration.aspx?bdls=18325.

- Engauge Digital Names Chad Israel Director of Social Marketing
Engauge, a total marketing solutions agency, has tapped digital pioneer Chad Israel as the agency’s Director of Social Marketing. Israel will lead the social and emerging marketing initiatives for Engauge Digital in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Chad is a unique talent who brings a deep understanding of how brands can connect with their customers using social media and move them to action,” said Melissa Read, Ph.D., Engauge Digital’s Vice President of Research and Innovation. “He’ll oversee our strategic social marketing initiatives, with offerings that include social media outreach, viral marketing campaigns and social media measurement and analysis.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: March 2 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:50:31 +0000

- The New York Times Company Board of Directors Suspends Dividend
The New York Times Company’s Board of Directors voted to suspend the quarterly dividend on the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock. In November 2008, the Company reduced the payout level of its fourth-quarter dividend to $.06 per from $.23 per share in the third quarter of 2008.

“Today’s decision provides the Company with additional financial flexibility given the current economic environment and the uncertain business outlook,” said Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., chairman of the Company. “We have taken decisive steps to reduce capital spending, lower operating costs and re-evaluate our assets. Last month we announced a private financing transaction for $250 million in senior unsecured notes and warrants. We also recently announced that we are exploring the possible sale of our ownership interest in New England Sports Ventures, LLC. We expect the suspension of the dividend, coupled with our other actions, will help us decrease debt and improve the liquidity of the Company, a difficult but prudent measure in this operating environment.”

- Visible Technologies Launches TruCast 2.5 Social Media Management Platform

Visible Technologies today announced availability of TruCast® 2.5, the next generation of its pioneering social media monitoring and engagement software platform. TruCast 2.5’s enhancements deliver richer data faster, enabling organizations to glean better insight and engage directly in the online social conversations that increasingly affect their brand’s reputation and customer experience perceptions.

- Wizzard Media Signs Content Distribution Agreement with Leading Publisher Guideposts

Wizzard Media (NYSE Alternext: WZE), the world’s largest podcasting network announced that it has signed an agreement with Guideposts, the foremost source for inspiration and personal change in print, on the Internet, and now as downloadable podcasts. Guideposts was founded in 1945 by the renowned Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, and is dedicated to helping people from all walks of life achieve their maximum personal and spiritual potential. The organization shares principles and means that support successful daily living for people everywhere.

The first audio and video podcasts to be made available under this agreement will be “Mysterious Ways.” The series is available in iTunes, Zune Marketplace and in a Wizzard Media player on the Guideposts website at http://www.guideposts.com/mwvideos/mwvideos. Hosted and narrated by Guideposts editor in chief Edward Grinnan, “Mysterious Ways” are true personal tales of wonderment and inspiration about real people experiencing moments when God’s presence unexpectedly reveals itself in their lives.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 27 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:50:59 +0000

- What do fourth generation ad networks look like?

Find out from Jeremy Liew’s very concise, yet beautifully explained post here.

- Behavioral Targeting: Privacy Peril or Key to Web Prosperity?

“If behavioral targeting is the key to providing Web users with advertising that’s better tailored to their particular needs and interests–instead of banner ads that they ignore–then what’s the harm to consumers?“, asks Mark Walsh of MediaPost. Read the whole debate on MediaPost.

- Firing SQAD: Data Firm Sets ‘CPM’ As Online Ad Metric
“SQAD’s initiative comes as Madison Avenue is racing to standardize its buying metrics for television, abandoning the decades-old CPP, or cost-per-point (as in TV rating points) metric for spot and local TV buys, and standardizing all local and national TV advertising deals around the CPM.” Joe Mandese explains how the CPM became the standard metric, here.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 26 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:50:54 +0000

- Advertising Agency Search Consultant, Hank Blank, Completes the Villeroy & Boch Review
Advertising Agency Search Consultant, Hank Blank, recently completed the Villeroy & Boch USA Bath and Wellness Division review. http://www.villeroy-boch.com. Hank Blank is an advertising agency search consultant specializing in identifying advertising, public relations and interactive agencies for clients. He also conducted the Jenny Craig advertising selection process. http://www.jennycraig.com/

The advertising portion of the Villeroy & Boch Bath and Wellness Division was awarded to Rieches Baird www.riechesbaird.com. Rieches Baird is based in Irvine, CA, and is well recognized as one of the premium Business to Business Advertising agencies. The agency has a long history of building brands in the homebuilding products arena.

- Premiere Online Wholesaler DollarDays Chooses Didit as Search Marketing Agency of Record
Didit, the Inc 500 / Deloitte Fast 500 leader in search engine marketing, is pleased to announce that DollarDays International (www.DollarDays.com)—the premiere online wholesaler and closeout company—has become the newest member of Didit’s client roster.

DollarDays cites Didit’s expertise in driving efficiencies at even the most granular levels as a critical factor in its transition to Didit. Didit’s emphasis on efficiency, explains Marc Joseph, President and CEO of DollarDays, fits with DollarDays’ own approach to business.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 25 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:50:01 +0000

- Former Yahoo Executive to Spearhead Ad Sales for ChaCha
ChaCha, the fastest growing SMS mobile search service, today announced advertising veteran, Rob Wilk, will assume the role of Vice President of Advertising Sales, reporting directly to CEO Scott Jones. Rob will oversee national advertising sales from ChaCha’s new Manhattan office.
Specializing in search engine marketing and digital media, Rob Wilk has over 14 years of media experience. He joins ChaCha from Yahoo, where he most recently served as the company’s director of agency sales. In that role, Wilk managed and developed an agency sales team from its infancy, providing exceptional service to Yahoo’s strategic digital agencies and encompassing Yahoo’s entire product and service line. He came to Yahoo from Overture in 2002, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2004. Wilk also led the development of the East Coast Search Engine Marketing team at Razorfish.

- Vontoo Voice Marketing Secures $2 Million in Funding Led by EDF Ventures
Vontoo, Inc., a world-class voice marketing provider, announced it received $2 million in funding; a half million dollars more than subscribed. Venture capital firm EDF Ventures led the round of funding, more than doubling their original investment.
The company’s impressive growth comes at what might seem like an unlikely time, during an economic downturn. But Vontoo is proving that when voice marketing is done properly, it can take 80-90% off a company’s traditional marketing expenditure and improve marketing results.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 24 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:50:05 +0000

- Openwave Extends Feature Set for Industry Leading Messaging Platform
Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OPWV), one of the world’s leading software innovators enabling revenue-generating personalized services which converge the mobile and broadband experience, announced Openwave® Email Mx 8.0. Openwave Email Mx is an extensible, carrier-scale email solution that was ranked the market leader and top player in Radicati’s annual 2008 Messaging Platforms for Hosted Email Providers Market Quadrant. The latest version, Email Mx 8.0, now supports mobile email using the IMAP IDLE standard, and high capacity mailboxes. The IMAP IDLE feature enables service providers to offer mobile email directly to their subscribers with any compatible handset, and high capacity mailboxes offer nearly limitless storage to handle the increasing amount of rich content.

- Research and Markets: Strategy in Context Is Available Now
The arrival of the standardized three year bachelor degree as the European undergraduate norm, the outcome of the Bologna Agreement, has widened the scope for textbooks which deal with European business issues. There is consequently a wider spread of demand, beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon countries, for English language business and case books. The target market is therefore undergraduate students completing a course in strategic management or international strategic management. The undergraduate students will probably be in the final year of a bachelor in business degree in a European university. This book is a standard strategic management text and case book, with the accent on the cases.

- Skimlinks Gets $1m To Give Publishers Control Of Affilate Ads

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 23 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:50:59 +0000

- Google Executive David DiNucci Joins Infuse Creative to Focus on Entertainment
Infuse Creative is pleased to announce that former Google Executive David DiNucci is the new Senior Vice President of Infuse Creative’s entertainment division business development.
DiNucci’s extensive Google search and marketing experience for Google entertainment customers gives him a unique perspective on entertainment marketing and in his new position at Infuse Creative, DiNucci will focus on connecting industry leading, search marketing (One Infuse Creative movie studio client paid less than 1/4th their top 4 competitors cost per click), video marketing, social media and mobile marketing results and cost savings to the entertainment sector via focus on theatrical, television, cable, home entertainment/DVD, iPhone/mobile, video games and online gaming, music, literary publishing, and more.

- GyPSii’s Mobile Social Network Added to LG Electronics’ Mobile Phones
LG Electronics (LG), a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications (KSE: 066570.KS) and GeoSentric Oyj’s (NASDAQ OMX: GEO1V), GyPSii business unit (www.gypsii.com), announced a partnership to embed GyPSii’s location-enabled mobile digital lifestyle application on a range of new mobile devices.
Under the terms of the deal, LG Electronics mobile customers will have access to GyPSii’s broad range of location-aware functions and mobile lifestyle services – including user generated content sharing, friend finding and social networking application, as well as the ability to view it all on a map – within a single, easy to navigate user interface. The service will be provided in partnership with Intrinsyc, LG’s navigation solution provider.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 20 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:50:17 +0000

- ValueClick Announces Fourth Quarter 2008 Results
ValueClick, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCLK) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Revenue and adjusted-EBITDA1 were above their respective previously-issued guidance ranges.

“While macroeconomic headwinds clearly impacted the quarter, ValueClick’s focus on execution allowed us to exceed our revenue and adjusted-EBITDA guidance for the quarter, and expand adjusted-EBITDA margin year-over-year,” said Tom Vadnais, chief executive officer of ValueClick. “In the fourth quarter, we generated $30 million in free cash flow, bringing the full year total free cash flow generation to over $120 million. Our performance-based offerings, strong balance sheet and relentless focus on driving margins make us a formidable competitor in this challenged environment.”

- GinkoMedia, Inc. Announces Product Launch
GinkoMedia, Inc. has announced they may be the first to release web based software giving users a brand new “do it yourself” approach to creating and delivering rich media messaging. The user combines video, images, text and more to easily construct more than a message; it becomes a visual and sensory-filled experience. Whether the goal is to effectively generate leads, educate an audience, or make corporate announcements, GinkoMedia delivers with impact. Messages can be launched from email, newsletters, and web sites. Viewed messages are tracked and statistics reported with comprehensive analytics.

GinkoMedia enters the on-demand rich media presentation market with three key ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) components:

* An online authoring tool allowing users to combine their videos with content to create rich media messages without the need of a creative department or Flash® developer
* Message content delivery via a customizable and brand-able player
* Reporting and analytics detailing viewing statistics for messages

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 19 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:50:05 +0000

- Lijit Networks, Inc. Enables Anyone to Create and Manage Content Networks
Lijit Networks, Inc., a company that provides search-powered applications for individual online publishers and publisher networks, announced the launch of Lijit Content Networks, which are sites built to support self-organized groups of bloggers that write about a common area of interest. Much the way FeedBurner, Inc.’s FeedBurner Networks once worked, Lijit’s Content Networks aggregate their content via RSS feeds from many individual sites into a single website that captures the collective perspective of all sites in the network.

Lijit created the Content Networks offering in response to publishers’ requests for a way to build dynamic topical communities that would promote their content and drive traffic to their individual sites. Lijit powers the infrastructure for the offering, which includes destination sites featuring the aggregation of content feeds, networked search, and display and search advertising. The offering also includes Content Network search widgets for network members to install on their sites, which provide not only excellent site-search capabilities, but also surface results from across the associated Content Network. This gives readers access to a wealth of information about a topic from the people who know it best – the influencers and trusted experts in that field.

- Rockport Launches Its ‘Choose to Walk’ Global Advertising Campaign
The Rockport® Company (www.rockport.com) announced the launch of a new global advertising campaign – called “Choose to Walk” – to promote its spring 2009 collection.
The new campaign features four authentic individuals who have chosen interesting and often unexpected paths to success and personal fulfillment. The eco-designer team of Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen create sustainable homes that are better for the environment. Theater Producer Marc Falato left the lucrative world of Wall Street for the bright lights of Broadway, and within four years his production company won two Tony Awards®. And Celine Cousteau, Ocean Adventurer, has dedicated her life to exploring and protecting the planet’s marine life.

- interCLICK Announces Record Fourth Quarter Results; Reports First Quarter of Positive EBITDA and Positive Free Cash Flow
interCLICK, Inc. (OTCBB: ICLK), a leading behavioral targeting company, announced record revenues for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. Fourth quarter revenues of $8.4 million increased 46% sequentially compared to 2008 third quarter revenues of $5.8 million. Revenues exceeded the Company’s previously announced guidance of $7.0 million. interCLICK’s 2008 fourth quarter revenues increased 54% compared to revenue of $5.5 million for the prior year period. Advertiser spending rose significantly across multiple industry segments during the fourth quarter including but not limited to CPG, electronics, entertainment, retail and telco.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 18 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:30:58 +0000

- Rubicon Project: Now Optimizing Over 1 Billion Ads / Day
Big congrat to Frank Addante & co: an earlier update on Frank’ Twitter reads: “We broke the 1 billion ad transactions per day mark (30BN/month) at the Rubicon Project yesterday! That’s more than half volume of NASDAQ.“

- Google to Present at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference
Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced that Alan Eustace, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Research, and Patrick Pichette, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a question-and-answer session at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco. The session is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time / 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
To access the live audio webcast of the session, please visit http://investor.google.com/webcast.html.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 17 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:30:23 +0000

- infoGROUP Reports 4th Quarter and FY2008 Results
* Record Revenue of $738.3 Million for the Fiscal Year 2008 – up 7%
* Fourth Quarter Revenue of $178.1 Million – down 4%
* Debt Reduced from $313 Million to $301 Million
* Dividend Eliminated for 2009 to Ensure Accelerated Debt Pay Down
* Solid Cash Flow
- Van Kampen Appoints Elizabeth Hughes Eginton Head of Product and Marketing
Van Kampen Investments Inc. (Van Kampen), announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hughes Eginton as Managing Director, Head of Product and Marketing. In this new role, reporting to Jerry Miller, President and CEO of Van Kampen, Ms. Eginton will be responsible for product management, product development and marketing.
Most recently, Ms. Eginton served as senior vice president and director of corporate strategy at Legg Mason Capital Management (LMCM). At LMCM, she assessed potential new products, led a major competitor review, managed the firm’s launch into its first major non-proprietary retail distributor and led initiatives to revamp the firm’s overall marketing activities and enhance LMCM’s brand.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 13 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:30:30 +0000

- Graceland Unveils 2009 Tourism Ad Campaign
Ads Use Humor and a Contemporary Design to Remind Travel Consumers Graceland is a Destination That is Fun for the Whole Family
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) unveiled a new advertising campaign today for the 2009 tourism season that will highlight Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion, a National Historic Landmark, as a high-energy and family-friendly music-themed destination. The launch of the campaign comes just weeks before Graceland opens three exhibits, Elvis in Hollywood, Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture and the addition of never-before-seen vehicles owned by Elvis in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. The campaign will utilize print, outdoor, internet and a new 30-second commercial featuring archival footage of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In addition to the ad campaign, the 2009 plan for tourism includes an emphasis on marketing within social networks.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 12 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:30:47 +0000

- Superbowl-ads.com Names the “Top 10 Super Bowl 2009 Commercials” and Makes Them Available for TV Viewing
A new Superbowl-ads.com poll identifies the top 10 ads for Super Bowl 2009, with “Free Doritos” at #1. A special partnership using the GridCast TV service lets viewers watch all the Super Bowl ads on their TVs, using an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or Internet-enabled TV.
Superbowl-ads.com, a leading Web portal for watching and reviewing Super Bowl TV commercials, today announced this year’s top 10 Super Bowl ads, based on post-game audience polling.
Because Superbowl-ads.com uses the GridCast TV service, viewers can watch all of the newest Super Bowl videos from the site on their TVs, including ads from this year’s Super Bowl as well as the top ads from Super Bowl 2008. GridCast TV can be viewed by anyone with an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Internet-enabled TV, or other UPnP (universal plug and play) device, without a set-top box or any additional hardware.

- President and CEO of Sun-Times Media Group Resigns
Sun-Times Media Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets: SUTM) President and Chief Executive Officer Cyrus Freidheim announced his resignation. The resignation is effective February 28, 2009 to allow for an orderly transition. No replacement has been named.
As previously reported, Davidson Kempner (DK), a large shareholder of the Company, recently succeeded in a consent solicitation that removed from the Company’s Board of Directors Mr. Freidheim and all but one of the previous Board members and elected three new members to the Board.
Mr. Freidheim joined the Board in October 2005 and became CEO in November 2006. He saw the Company through a number of crises and one of the worst print advertising markets in memory. During the past two years, the Company has downsized dramatically, successfully outsourced a number of functions, consolidated plants and departments, and significantly improved financial reporting and controls. Over the past year, the Company improved its advertising market share, and the Chicago Sun-Times and several community papers stabilized and grew circulation in a declining but intensely competitive market.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 11 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:30:15 +0000

- Focus on Commercials During Nielsen Sweeps
As Hollywood studios enter the nail-biting sweeps season once again, producers are asking what they can do to capture and hold the attention of TV watchers across the country. According to a recent NYU Stern study, commercial breaks can be a key ingredient to enhancing the TV watching experience for certain kinds of programming.
NYU Stern Marketing Professor Tom Meyvis, Doctoral Candidate Jeff Galak and Leif D. Nelson of the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego, demonstrate through six studies that viewers watching a television program with commercial breaks rate the program higher than viewers who watch the same program without commercial interruptions.

- GreenChek Commences Internet Marketing Campaign for Distribution Network
GreenChek Technology Inc. (OTCBB:GCHK), a leading globally focused provider of hydrogen fuel cell technology reports that they are implementing a new Internet marketing campaign designed to develop a North American distribution partner network. GreenChek has entered into exclusive discussions with CyberMesh Systems Inc, regarding the implementation of this campaign. Modeled after Barack Obama’s successful grassroots Internet presidential campaign, the initial goal is to establish 30 regional distribution partners in 2009, growing by 30 distributors annually to 90 regional distribution partners by the end of 2011. The estimated potential gross revenue from this project for 2009-2011 is $76.8M.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 10 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:30:24 +0000

- Introducing Google Earth 5.0
Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced the launch of ocean in Google Earth, a new feature that enables users of Google Earth to dive beneath the water surface, explore 3D underwater terrain and browse ocean-related content contributed by leaders in ocean science and advocacy. The new version of Google Earth also introduces Historical Imagery, a feature that enables users to virtually travel back in time through archival satellite and aerial imagery, Touring, which makes it simple to create a narrated tour in Google Earth and share it with the world and Google Mars 3D, which features hi-res imagery and terrain of the red planet.

- Jack in the Box Launched Multi-Week Campaign with Super Bowl Ad
Jack in the Box®, one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains, kicked off a multi-week marketing campaign during the Super Bowl with a cliffhanger ad that left the fate of famed Jack in the Box founder, Jack, up in the air.
While the Super Bowl ad promoted the expansive menu at Jack in the Box and that guests can order anything on the menu, anytime of day or night, it culminated with Jack being seriously injured by a bus and left Jack’s fans wondering what would become of the company’s beloved icon. Within minutes of the ad airing, a special website created to provide updates and news on Jack’s condition – www.hangintherejack.com – crashed for a few minutes when thousands and thousands of people flooded the website.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 9 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:30:02 +0000

- The New York Times Launches New Online Syndication Marketplace
The New York Times Syndication Sales announced the re-launch of nytsyn.com. The Web site now features an online syndication marketplace that allows users to purchase the latest news articles, features, images and multimedia from The New York Times and more than 100 of its content providers.
The revamped site showcases articles, images, graphics, videos, slide shows, podcasts and cartoons – Syndication Sales’s complete offerings – with new content being added daily. Users who register for the site can purchase individual products online or contact a representative to subscribe to contract services.
“We are very excited to announce the launch of nytsyn.com,” said Cristian Edwards, president of The New York Times News Services Division. “We are committed to offering the highest quality journalism and developing more effective platforms to reach our global client base. Our new e-commerce site allows us to better serve our clients by offering a more immediate and convenient solution to their content needs.”

- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group Names Jim Wuthrich President, International Home Video and Digital Distribution
Thomas Gewecke, President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Ron Sanders, President, Warner Home Video announced the promotion of Jim Wuthrich to President, International Home Video and Digital Distribution.
Warner Bros. created the Home Entertainment Group in 2005 to bring together the complementary home entertainment businesses under one unified strategy. This newly created position furthers those efforts by bringing closer alignment to the Studio’s packaged goods and digital businesses globally.
In this newly created post, Wuthrich will report to both Sanders and Gewecke, working closely with the international territories to identify strategic opportunities for the Home Entertainment Group abroad while implementing the Company’s current growth priorities. Marc Gareton, currently serving as Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, Yves Caillaud, Warner Home Video’s current Senior Vice President, International, and Chris Dyde, Senior Vice President, International Licensee will now report to Wuthrich in the consolidated structure with Caillaud overseeing EMEA, Gareton overseeing Asia and Pacific, and Dyde coordinating international licensees.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 6 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:30:24 +0000

- Demandbase Wins AlwaysOn OnMedia 100 Award
Demandbase, a leading provider of B2B customer acquisition solutions, today announced that it has been named a 2009 OnMedia 100 winner in the technology enabler category. The OnMedia 100 Award is given to private, emerging technology companies in the advertising, publishing, marketing, branding and public relations spaces. Demandbase was selected by the AlwaysOn editorial team based on demonstration of growth, market opportunity, quality of innovation and customer traction.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as one of the AlwaysOn OnMedia 100 winners,” said Chris Golec, CEO of Demandbase. “The recognition by our peers and the opinion leaders at AlwaysOn is a true testament to the power of our team, products and ability to help our customers easily identify, reach, and convert new business through our SaaS solutions.”

- N.C. Ad Agency Launches Website to Celebrate This Year’s Best Super Bowl Ads
Super Bowl Ad Fans Can Follow Coverage Live at SuperBowlTalkies.com

Talk, Inc., a Wilmington, N.C.-based company, created the Talkies in 2008 to judge the creativity, innovation and effectiveness of the industry’s most expensive-and most watched-ads.
This year’s event kicked off with the launch of SuperBowlTalkies.com, a website that includes video commentary and favorite ads from past games, a blog feed tracking the agency’s ongoing Super Bowl ad reporting from TalkIncBlog.com, polls for readers to weigh in on their favorite ads and a live chat feature that allows visitors to comment before and during the game. Super Bowl ad fans can join the festivities by logging on to SuperBowlTalkies.com anytime through game day to chat live and follow the action.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 5 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:30:03 +0000

- Report Reveals One in Six Ads During Football Broadcasts Inappropriate for Kids
“…I wasn’t too happy with ads for erectile-dysfunction drugs popping up every 15 minutes whenever I watched a football game with my daughters in the room.” –– Barack Obama, The Audacity of Hope, 2006
After listening to complaints from scores of fed-up parents, Common Sense Media released a report today on the content of ads shown during NFL broadcasts. The report, Broadcast Dysfunction: Sex, Violence, Alcohol and the NFL, looked at ads in more than 50 games from this season and found it was impossible to watch a single game without coming up against sex, violence, or Viagra®.
“Nearly 5.3 million kids watch football each week,* yet one in six of the ads shown during the broadcasts features content that’s wildly inappropriate for kids –– that’s every other commercial break, ” said founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, James Steyer. “The game of football is great fun for families, but it can be really awkward for parents when they have to explain erectile dysfunction on a Sunday afternoon, or have to dive for the remote during violent promos for network shows. I know we speak for millions of football fans and parents everywhere when we say this situation is really getting ridiculous.”

- ValueClick to Announce Fourth Quarter 2008 Results on February 12
ValueClick, Inc. (Nasdaq:VCLK) announced that it will release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2008 financial results on Thursday, February 12 at approximately 4:05 p.m. ET.
At 4:30 p.m. ET, chief executive officer Tom Vadnais and chief financial officer John Pitstick will host a conference call and Webcast to discuss the Company’s results.
Analysts and institutional investors may obtain the conference call dial-in information through StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com) or ValueClick’s Investor Relations department at (818) 575-4677. The live Webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of www.valueclick.com.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 4 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:30:23 +0000

- Increased Spam and Phishing Attacks Tops List of Email Marketer Challenges for 2009 – Even More than the Economy
Increased spam and phishing attacks along with further email and image blocking by ISPs top the lists of marketer’s concerns for 2009, this according to a recent Goodmail-sponsored survey conducted by JupiterResearch.
The survey asked 202 email marketers which challenges related to the success of their email marketing initiatives over the next twelve months most concerned them. Marketers cited “increased spam and phishing attacks” as the most pending anxiety, with 53 percent of respondents calling it a top concern in 2009, followed by “further email and image blocking by ISPs” (45%).
By comparison, survey respondents were less concerned about “slowing consumer spending” (40%); their ability to stay relevant with subscribers (27%), or securing adequate budget for their programs (16%). Only 11% feel that their email programs are threatened by “increased consumer preference for social and mobile communications.”

- NT Media Announces Launch of New Video Sharing and Social Networking Website NEUROTRASH.tv
NT Media Corp. (http://www.ntmedia.tv) (OTCBB:NTMI) announces the development of NEUROTRASH.tv, the first in a series of websites that will establish the organization as an online entertainment and media provider.
NEUROTRASH.tv is a video-sharing site targeting young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Users will be able to post and share videos on the site as well as take advantage of NEUROTRASH.tv’s video player to place videos on their own sites, social networking profile pages and blogs. NEUROTRASH.tv will promote the development of both hip content by amateur and professional videographers, and useful information channels. Extensive social networking opportunities exist on the website. The Company also plans to produce exclusive proprietary entertainment content for the site as well as adding licensed content.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 3 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:30:57 +0000

- Trinity Mirror to Build Online Communities Using Social Media
Pluck® Corporation, a subsidiary of Demand Media and the leading provider of social media capabilities to publishers, brands and retailers, today announced that Trinity Mirror has selected Pluck’s SiteLife Suite to bolster reader interaction on its main national and regional newspaper websites, including Mirror.co.uk, DailyRecord.co.uk and LiverpoolEcho.co.uk.

Trinity Mirror, whose portfolio includes five national newspapers, over 150 regional newspapers and 400 plus websites, is using Pluck social media tools to build accessible online communities that are engaging and easy to use.

- iWebTrack™ Launches Blackberry™ and Windows Mobile Applications
iWebTrack Holdings, Inc. has recently launched improved mobile applications of their web analytics tool iWebTrack™, www.iwebtrack.com, for both Blackberry™ and Windows Mobile™ platforms. iWebTrack™ once again leads the way in innovation as the first web analytics provider to offer mobile tracking applications.

iWebTrack™ customers can now access their iWebTrack™ account both in the office and on the road thanks to these mobile tracking applications. iWebTrack™ customers can download the free web tracking application for their Blackberry™ or Windows Mobile™ device directly from http://iwebtrack.com/downloads.asp, enabling them to access their web statistics from anywhere in the world. Customers are no longer restricted by geography, and can now gauge site visitors, search engine traffic, ad campaigns, as well as conversions directly from their PDA. iWebTrack™ also offers a level of customization customers can’t find with competitors such as ClickTracks™, IndexTools™, WebTrends™, or even Google Analytics™.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: February 2 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:30:23 +0000

- Yesmail™ Presents “Best Practices to Grow Your Email Database” During the Association of Strategic Marketing National Audio Conference
Yesmail™ (an infoGROUP company, [NASDAQ: IUSA]), a recognized industry-leading provider of permission-based online email marketing solutions, will present “Best Practices to Grow your Email Database” at the Association of Strategic Marketing national audio conference on January 29th at 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

Most email marketers are being faced with acquisition budget cuts, but they still need to grow their lists aggressively year over year. Tanya Hyde, vice president of Yesmail professional services together with Dan Babb, senior director of append solutions at Walter Karl, will present to marketing professionals, an overview of organic and paid list growth tactics that work to successfully convert prospects to new customers. Attendees will learn why there has never been a more important time to focus on acquiring new customers.

- Local.com to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Financial Results
Local.com Corporation (NASDAQ: LOCM), a leading local search site and network, will conduct a conference call with analysts and investors at 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 19, 2009, following the release of its fourth quarter and full year 2008 financial results at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET on the same date. Heath Clarke, chairman and chief executive officer, Bruce Crair, president and chief operating officer, and Doug Norman, chief financial officer, will host the call and discuss the company’s results and outlook.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 30 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:30:42 +0000

- Wyndstorm Corporation Launches Social MicroSites™, a Platform for Rapid Roll-Out of Social Media Marketing Programs
Social Networking Conference (Booth number 204) – Wyndstorm Corporation (OTCBB:WYND), a leading provider of end-to-end social media technologies and marketing services, announced today the launch of its Social MicroSites™ product, a platform that enables rapid implementation of social media programs using pre-built features. The announcement was made at the Social Networking Conference in Miami, a premier conference for social media and networking.

- Digital Agency The Visionaire Group Continues Record Growth in 2008 Despite Recession
The Visionaire Group, an award-winning digital agency, announced record year-over-year earnings growth of 46% in fiscal 2008. Hybrid Studio, the website design division, and Media Banners, the digital banner division which specializes in Rich Media, both posted significant double-digit gains while Xtreme Widgets, the company’s branded viral widget/application division, closed out 2008 with astounding earnings growth of 160%.
“We feel very fortunate to celebrate our best year ever during this economic downturn,” says Dimitry Ioffe, CEO of The Visionaire Group. “We attribute our success to following our core values of Creative Commitment and consistent Innovation.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 29 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:30:35 +0000

- HubSpot Announces Landing Page Wizard for Its Internet Marketing System
For marketers, the landing page is the place on a site where prospects are captured as leads. A landing page is the page to which a user’s call-to-action link directs, or where the user makes an offer and captures lead information. HubSpot’s Landing Page Wizard offers users a simple drag-and-drop interface and content management system that makes it quick and easy to create custom landing pages.

- Samsung and NFL Announce Winner of “That’s How I See It” Super Ad
With more than one million votes cast, Samsung and the NFL have announced the winner of this year’s fan Super Ad contest. Reginald Castilla, from Ridgeland, Miss., will have his story turned into a commercial that will air during the Super Bowl XLIII pregame show on Feb. 1, 2009, on NBC.
Castilla, a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan, told his story of “That’s How I See It” at a Best Buy in Alexandria, Va., while in town for a conference. Castilla told the story of how he would sneak a black and white portable TV into his dad’s car every Sunday morning before church so he could watch the Cowboys play.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 28 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:30:17 +0000

- HubSpot Announces Lead Tracking Tool for Its Internet Marketing System
HubSpot has announced Lead Tracking and Intelligence for its Internet marketing system, allowing users to track leads’ paths through their sites and capture intelligence about them to help qualify leads and close more sales.

HubSpot’s tool tracks detailed information about every visitor to a website. This information turns into valuable intelligence when visitors convert to leads. For each potential lead, HubSpot tracks the number of visits, the referring source and details about activities such as commenting and watching webinars. When an individual fills out a form on a user’s website, all of this intelligence is captured in the HubSpot lead tracker.

- AOL Launches New Version of Web Mail
AOL’s Products and Technologies Group announced the launch of an enhanced version of AOL Web Mail that offers users one-click access to Gmail, Yahoo! Mail and a variety of third-party sites and destinations directly from the AOL Web Mail page, http://mail.aol.com. Over the past year, AOL has added more than 30 new features and a variety of new functionality to Web Mail in an effort to make it more open to third-party content and to offer more monetization opportunities to advertisers. The new version is being released globally, making it available in more than 38 countries and locales around the world.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 27 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:30:46 +0000

- JangoMail Develops New API Method for Improved Transactional Email Marketing
JangoMail, an industry leader in permission-based email marketing, announced it has developed a new API (Application Programming Interface) method that enables organizations to send transactional emails in a fast, high-volume manner with immediate delivery over SMTP relay. The new API-centric feature, dubbed SendTransactionalEmail, is designed for users who have JangoMail running as the engine behind their applications that send emails.

- Reprise Media’s Campaign Planning and Social Media Among Top Ranked in U.S. Search Marketing Agencies by Third-Party Independent Research Firm
Reprise Media, an award-winning search and social media marketing agency, has been named a “Strong Performer” in the January 2009 report The Forrester Wave™: US Search Marketing Agencies, Q1 2009. The Forrester Wave Report is an evaluation of leading SEM firms with a detailed analysis of vendors’ products and services based on transparent, fully accessible criteria.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 26 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:30:20 +0000

- Advantage Sales and Marketing Announces Transition in Leadership
Advantage Sales and Marketing, LLC (ASM) announced a change in its executive leadership with the retirement of President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Meyer later this year. Meyer will spend the next several months transitioning his responsibilities to Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Olivier, named President of Sales, effective Feb. 2.
“Mark has built a first-class client and customer-focused organization at ASM,” said Sonny King, ASM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “His dedication and service to ASM has been invaluable. He retires from ASM with a reputation for excellence in our industry and I thank him for his outstanding contributions over the years.”

- MoCo Marketing Agency Continues International Expansion with Australian Office
MoCo (www.bigideas.com) announced today the opening of a new office in Brisbane, Australia, which will allow the company to better serve its clients in the Pacific region.
The new MoCo Pacific office comes six months after the company expanded to Hong Kong, to better serve its U.S. customers through the sourcing and production of a wide variety of marketing materials at highly competitive prices.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 23 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:30:02 +0000

- StreamSend Delivers “Smart Email Marketing Guidelines for 2009″
StreamSend, a leading email marketing solutions provider, today released guidelines for businesses looking to build and maximize email marketing programs in 2009. These client-tested best practices have helped thousands of organizations cement email as an indispensable marketing strategy.
“To make the best of a tough economy, more marketers are looking for cost effective methods to reach prospects and customers,” says Dan Forootan, president and CEO of StreamSend. “As email activity and competition grows, the need to plan, create and maintain smart campaigns becomes even more important. To see the most benefit from their email marketing programs this year, we advise our clients to consider the following principles.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 22 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:30:26 +0000

- KickApps Launches App Studio with Integration of Meebo and Yahoo Maps
KickApps, the industry’s leading on-demand social media, video player and widget platform, today announced the release of the KickApps App Studio, the next generation of its drag-and-drop Widget and Video Player authoring solution. Users of the web-based KickApps App Studio can create highly customized embeddable Flash applications with drag-and-drop ease, including the ability to integrate best-of-breed third party applications, content and web services. The KickApps Widget and Player authoring tool already produces over 90 million app views per month.

- Local Online Advertising Leader Yodle Announces Completion of $10 Million Series C Financing
Yodle, Inc., a leader in local online advertising and lead generation, announced today that it has completed a $10 million Series C funding. The round was led by JAFCO Ventures, joined by Draper Fisher Jurvetson Growth and existing investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Bessemer Venture Partners. The funds will be used to double investment in product and technology innovation as well as to continue a national sales expansion.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 21 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:30:19 +0000

- Online How-to Just Got Easier with the New Dummies.com®
Relaunched website debuts how-to videos, photo step-by-steps, and a panel of expert bloggers
For Dummies®, a branded imprint of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., announced today the relaunch of Dummies.com®, an ad-supported website that brings the world’s most highly regarded reference series online – now with a robust offering of free how-to videos, knowledgeable bloggers, photo step-by-steps, and expanded instructional articles. As with the trusted For Dummies book series, Dummies.com enlists proven experts to distill complex subjects into concise, jargon-free steps that make learning how to do anything easier.

- Marchex Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend for Common Stock
Marchex, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHX), a local search and advertising company, announced that the company’s Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.02 per share on its common stock. Marchex will pay these dividends on February 17, 2009 to the holders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2009. As of January 15, 2009, 10,959,216 shares of Class A common stock and 26,093,851 shares of Class B common stock are outstanding.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 20 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:30:35 +0000

- SnapTell Announces Martha Stewart Weddings to Feature Interactive Advertisements
SnapTell , the leading provider of image recognition-based mobile marketing solutions, announced today that the Winter 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings is enabling marketers to provide interactive or “live” advertisements in the publication. The magazine features more than 200 advertisers giving tips from the Martha Stewart Weddings archives, special offers, store locators, ringtones and wallpapers. Martha Stewart Weddings is the first bridal magazine to use SnapTell technology with interactive advertisements.

- Gannett to Webcast Fourth-Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) said that its fourth-quarter 2008 earnings conference call with financial analysts will be held on Friday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The call will be accessible live to the media and general public via Webcast and through a limited number of listen-only, dial-in conference lines.
The company’s earnings announcement will be released to news outlets and wire services before the market opens on January 30. Materials related to the call will be available at that time through the Investor Relations section of Gannett’s Web site, www.gannett.com.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 19 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:30:11 +0000

- Are your FAQs Questions your Customers Actually Ask Frequently? – Sarah Worsham has a few recommendations on that!

- Mobile Marketing Association Appoints Mike Wehrs as President and CEO
The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) (www.mmaglobal.com) announced that its Board of Directors has named mobile industry veteran Mike Wehrs as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the association, effective immediately. In his previous role as Vice President of Industry Affairs and Evangelism at Nuance Communications, Inc., Mr. Wehrs was responsible for the company’s overall mobile business strategy, product strategy, industry and public policy and a key member of the mergers and acquisitions team. As President and CEO of the MMA, Mr. Wehrs will continue to promote its charter to build a sustainable ecosystem for the mobile marketing industry globally, focusing on delivering benefits to MMA members, establishing guidelines and best practices for future growth, and driving mobile adoption worldwide.

- Gannett Offers to Sell Assets of the Tucson Citizen
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) said it is offering to sell certain assets of the Tucson (AZ) Citizen. If a sale is not completed by March 21, 2009, Gannett said it will have to close the newspaper.
“The Tucson Citizen has been part of Gannett since 1976 and we deeply regret having to take this step. But dramatic changes in our industry combined with the difficult economy – particularly in this region – mean it is no longer viable for our partnership with Lee Enterprises Incorporated to produce two daily newspapers in Tucson,” said Bob Dickey, president of the U.S. Community Publishing division of Gannett. “We applaud the hard work and ongoing efforts of our employees at the newspaper. Their dedication to journalism and to the community of Tucson deserves the highest praise. We hope for a quick and positive response to this offer.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 16 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:30:23 +0000

- A must-read is JackFeuer’s piece in Media Post’s edition from Wednesday, titled “Media X: The Plot Sickens“. Here’s an excerpt: “The people who work in fictional advertising are white males with European backgrounds. They are never Latino. They are never Asian. They are never black. They sure aren’t Semites. And they are never, God forbid, from places where people sweat a lot and wear bathrobes instead of pants.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 15 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:30:17 +0000

- Lithium Technologies’ Social Media Solutions Fuel 100% Growth
2008 was a year of accelerated momentum for Lithium Technologies, the leader in on-demand enterprise customer communities. Today the company announced a 100% percent growth in new monthly recurring revenue in less than one year, resulting in-part from Lithium’s continued penetration into the Fortune 1000 market, adding companies including Caterpillar, Pitney Bowes, and AT&T among many others. To help keep pace with this growth – and to advance the company’s strategy and solution offerings – the company is also announcing key additions to its management team.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 14 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:30:35 +0000

- ValueClick Investor Conference
ValueClick’s senior management presented at the following investor conference:
* Tuesday, January 6 at 2:30 p.m. MT at the 2009 Citi Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications Conference at The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.
Presentation materials and webcast links to the presentations are now available on the Investor Relations section of www.valueclick.com.

- Constant Contact Opens 2009 With More Than 250,000 Email Marketing Customers
Constant Contact®, Inc. (NasdaqGM: CTCT), a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys for small organizations, today announced that in December of 2008 it surpassed 250,000 customers, marking a significant company milestone. This accomplishment rounded out an impressive year of company achievements and customer success and positions Constant Contact to help even more small businesses achieve their communication goals in 2009.
Constant Contact’s 250,000th customer is WEST Builders, Inc., a mid-sized construction company located in Pasadena, California. In celebration of this important achievement, the company will award WEST Builders with a free lifetime subscription to its email marketing services.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 13 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:30:36 +0000

- The Slate Group Names Matthew Turck Vice President of Advertising Sales
Turck joins The Slate Group from Time Incorporated, where he worked in various capacities for nearly 20 years, most recently as publisher of This Old House and formerly as Associate Publisher of Time magazine, where he managed magazine advertising revenue that was the second largest in the U.S. at the time.

- Derek Edmond Becomes Partner in Massachusetts-Based Search Engine Marketing Firm, KoMarketing Associates, LLC
KoMarketing Associates, LLC is pleased to announce that Derek Edmond, currently the Director of Search Engine Optimization & Search Marketing Strategies at the firm, has now become an equity Partner and Manager at the company.
“I am very excited about Derek becoming a Partner. It has been a long time coming and will strengthen the company as we continue to grow,” said Andy Komack, President of KoMarketing Associates. Komack adds, “Derek has already established himself as an expert in the fields of search engine optimization and social media marketing. By taking an ownership stake in the company, Derek is putting his expert reputation behind the growth of the company for the long term.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 12 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:30:32 +0000

- Lance Trebesch, CEO of TicketPrinting.com Joins the Board of the Better Business Bureau
Lance Trebesch, CEO of TicketPrinting.com has joined the Board of the Better Business Bureau, serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho & Montana. TicketPrinting.com has been an avid supporter and member of the Better Business Bureau and considers its accreditation in the BBB vital to its online business.
“We serve over 40,000 customers across North America, and even some in Europe, said Lance Trebesch, CEO of TicketPrinting.com. “Customers need to know they can trust an online business like ours; especially with their important events and ticket printing. As a new Board Member I will bring ecommerce and online trust experience to the Better Business Bureau.”

- Marchex Participated in the 19th Annual Citigroup Global Entertainment, Media and Telecommunications Conference
The live audio Webcast and archived version of the Marchex presentation is available by visiting Events in the Investor Relations section of the Marchex Web site (http://www.marchex.com/investors/events.html).

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 7 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:30:57 +0000

- GroundFloor Media Receives Gold MarCom Award for Social Networking Campaign
GroundFloor Media, Inc., a Denver-based public relations agency, was awarded a Gold MarCom Award for its “What If? Colorado” social networking campaign developed and executed for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. The Gold Award is presented to entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. Of the more than 5,000 entries in this year’s competition, 18 percent were honored with Gold.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 6 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:30:02 +0000

- The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun to Share Content
The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun announced that effective January 1, 2009 they will share selected stories, photos and news content with each other in order to better serve readers of both newspapers.
The Post and The Sun have agreed to share the newspapers’ day-to-day coverage of certain Maryland news and sports. In addition, The Post and The Sun may draw on each other’s national, international and feature stories that are distributed by the LAT-WP News Service, to which both contribute. The exchanges will allow each paper to take advantage of the other’s strengths and expertise in specific subjects around the region and the world.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: January 5 2009

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:30:42 +0000

- Veoh Networks and Axel Springer Ink Strategic International Partnership
Veoh Networks, the world’s most comprehensive Internet Television service, and Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH, a subsidiary of one of the leading European media enterprises Axel Springer AG announced a strategic international partnership that strengthens Veoh’s international footprint, explores integrated content and technology opportunities, and introduces global brands to Veoh’s young and influential audience.
Under the terms of the agreement, Axel Springer will receive sales access to Veoh’s large, highly-engaged user base in Germany as well as access to Veoh’s German-language viewership in other European markets. Veoh will gain the support of one of the Europe’s leading convergent media marketing and sales organizations, Axel Springer Media Impact. In addition, the two companies will look into ways to leverage Axel Springer’s digital television solution “My Personal TV DIGITAL” and Veoh’s proprietary content discovery and recommendations technologies together in the future.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: December 30 2008

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:30:31 +0000

- ADRevolution Wins Prestigious Software Award
ADRevolution, the Austin-based digital advertising software company, has been awarded the Austin Business Journal’s annual prize for the most innovative software solution. The award, which is highly competitive, recognizes the most creative solution that will transform society.
Andrew Westmoreland, the 24-year-old Founder and CEO of ADRevolution created the software solution called The Natural Intelligence Marketing Engine or NIME, which is transforming the way advertisers and publishers relate to consumer in the digital age.

- Gannett Names Sally Clurman Vice President, Taxes
Sally Clurman has been named vice president, taxes for Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) succeeding Christopher W. Baldwin, who will retire in April after 30 years at the company. Clurman, whose appointment takes effect Jan. 1, has been director/taxes since 2002.
“Sally’s quiet competence, hard work and dedication make her the ideal person to lead the Tax Department. After nearly 20 years with Gannett, she is well prepared and more than ready for this new challenge,” said Gracia Martore, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“We are sorry to see Chris leave. He has been the driving force behind our tax program and provided invaluable service to Gannett with his background, knowledge and understanding of the tax world. We are grateful for his tireless efforts and all he has done,” Martore said.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: December 29 2008

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:30:21 +0000

- Hydra Bolsters In-House Creative Team with Addition of Johnny Talisman as Creative Director
Hydra, the largest and fastest growing affiliate advertising network distributing results-based campaigns through banners, social media, e-mail and search marketing today announced it has appointed industry veteran Johnny Talisman to the network’s newly formed position of Creative Director. In his new position, Talisman will head up Hydra’s in-house creative team and will be responsible for developing unique and important creative that will meet the network’s goal of delivering the highest possible conversions for their clients.
As the largest pure performance-based ad network, Hydra has set its primary focus on driving higher conversions to generate more revenue for its affiliated publishers, and more customers for its advertisers. As a result of that commitment, the network is investing in strengthening its creative department with industry veterans who can apply their direct experience to create higher-producing campaigns. Along with the appointment of Talisman, who previously worked for McCann-Erickson and Ogilvy & Mather and developed campaigns for Boeing, Cathay Pacific, AltaVista and Shell, Hydra has hired a Senior Designer who will start January 1st.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: December 26 2008

Otilia Otlacan — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:30:46 +0000

- interCLICK Taps Calton Chan as Vice President of Sales
interCLICK, Inc. (OTCBB: ICLK), a leading behavioral ad network, announced that Calton Chan has been appointed vice president of sales, East region. In this role, Chan will lead the New York office’s sales team and help expand interCLICK’s roster of digital agency and vertical market-focused advertising customer relationships throughout the East Coast. An experienced online advertising and marketing professional with more than 12 years of sales management experience, Chan most recently held the position of managing director, Eastern region at BrightRoll, one of the largest online video advertising networks.
“Calton is another excellent addition and will be a tremendous asset to the interCLICK team,” said Michael Katz, president, interCLICK, Inc. “We look forward to bolstering our East Coast team with his leadership. Moreover, his expertise in video complements what we have planned in 2009 and beyond.”

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: December 23 2008

Otilia Otlacan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:50:33 +0000

- Dynamic Marketing Systems Partners with New Jersey Credit Union League to Offer Webinar Series on the Use of Technology to Create Marketing Campaigns
Dynamic Marketing Systems (DMS), a provider of Web-enabled marketing resource management solutions, announced it is joining New Jersey Credit Union League (NJCUL) to participate in a Webinar series entitled “Marketing Your Credit Union,” which addresses how credit unions can more efficiently and cost-effectively create marketing programs and associated collateral material.
The first Webinar was scheduled to take place on December 18 at 10 a.m. EST. Additional Webinars will also be held during the first quarter of 2009.

Ad Ops Daily Briefs: December 22 2008

Otilia Otlacan — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:00:06 +0000

- Gannett Co., Inc. Announces Expiration and Final Results of Cash Tender Offer for its Floating Rate Notes Due 2009
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) announced the expiration and final results of its previously announced cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding Floating Rate Notes Due 2009 (CUSIP No. 364725AF8) (the “Securities”). The tender offer was made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase dated December 4, 2008 and the related Letter of Transmittal, which set forth the terms of the tender offer.
The tender offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 11, 2008. $98,430,000 in aggregate principal amount of Securities, representing approximately 13.5 percent of the outstanding Securities, were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the tender offer. The Company has accepted all such Securities for payment and will pay the full tender offer consideration, plus accrued interest, on the settlement date pursuant to the terms of the tender offer. The Securities will be purchased utilizing borrowings under the Company’s existing credit facilities.

- Publicis Groupe: AFEP-MEDEF Recommendations
At its meeting of 2nd December 2008, the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe S.A. (Paris:PUB) examined the AFEP-MEDEF recommendations dated 6th October, 2008, concerning the compensation of executive directors of listed companies.
The Board considers that these recommendations are in line with the corporate governance principles of the Groupe and notes that existing commitments with the members of the Management Board already comply with these recommendations.
Accordingly, in application of the Act of 3rd July, 2008, implementing the European Union directive 2006/46/CE of 14th June 2006, Publicis Groupe declares that the amended AFEP-MEDEF corporate governance code will be the reference for the preparation of the report provided for in Article L. 225-68 of the French commercial code, as from the 2008 fiscal year.