Digital news roundup- August 27th
- Added:
- Aug 27, 2009
The latest movers and shakers in the digital industry. This week: Google maps | Play.com | Gap | Rockabox | Lyris | Blue Barracuda | Commission Junction | WinkBall | Cheetahmail | IPC Ignite | The Web TV Enterprise
Google Maps tracks traffic flow
Google has invited US motorists to share their journey progress with other drivers through the Internet giant's online mapping service linked to smart phones. The new tool will combine feedback from individual drivers with other traffic information to let people know which roads are likely to get them to their intended destinations the quickest.
Google Maps software for mobile devices will use satellite positioning features in smart phones to gather anonymous information regarding how fast people are moving along different roads, according to Barth.. Google Maps users with concerns about strangers keeping track of where they drive can opt out of the program, according to the Internet firm. Information regarding vehicles remains anonymous and no records are kept regarding start and end points of journeys, according to Google.
Play.com gets new toy category
Play.com has expanded with a new dedicated Toys tab on the website. The category reflects a bigger focus for Play.com on the growing family market on the site, offering cross category deals to engage all members of family and providing the customer with the complete entertainment shopping proposition. Frank Keenan, Product Director of toys at Play.com explains the new strategy, “We have been selling toys for three years now and this has been an overwhelming success. The introduction of the toys category is a logical and natural progression for us”.
Gap finally sells online via Asos
Gap has made its online debut in the UK via website Asos, selling womenswear, menswear, kidswear and babywear as well as a range of accessories from the fashion retailer. The offer will be expanded further in the run up to Christmas. Gap already has an e-commerce site in the US, but seems to be using ASOS as a way of testing demand in the UK market.
The Gap store can be found here.
Google partners Rockabox for new video ad format
Google is working with Rockabox to launch a video ad format with interactive panels that can host dynamic content. This includes video advertising, social media widgets, mobile vouchers and content for side-loading to mobile phones. The ads are served via Google’s display ad firm DoubleClick, which will sell the format as part of its existing suite of tools.
Lyris Introduces “Cash for Email Clunkers” Programme
Lyris has debuted ‘Cash for Email Clunkers’ a new global programme letting UK marketers trade in their existing email marketing tool for Lyris HQ for three months at no cost. The first 250 companies who send in their last three months of invoices from an existing email marketing solution provider, together valued at least £2,000, will receive a credit for the value of those invoices towards a year-long subscription to Lyris HQ. Lyris will apply this credit to the first three months of service, enabling new customers to receive up to three months of Lyris HQ, totally free. To view a video of the scheme click here.
http://www.lyris.com/cashforemailclunkers
T.G.I. Friday's launches 'Summer of Fun' family activity weekends
Independent full-service digital agency, Blue Barracuda, will promote ‘T.G.I. Friday’s ‘Summer of Fun’ family activity campaign with an online marketing campaign combining display media, email marketing and search engine activity. The activity follows an overhaul of T.G.I. Friday’s website by Blue Barracuda. Banner advertising emphasises the fun activities and drives customers to search for a nearby restaurant. Customers can click through to a bespoke area of the site with content designed for parents of children under ten years old. Behavioural targeting will re-message people who have visited the T.G.I. Friday’s website in recent months to drive awareness and bookings at a low Cost-Per-Acquisition.
Commission Junction revamps merchant product feeds
Affiliate network Commission Junction has launched a new tool that gives its affiliates greater control over its merchant product feeds in a variety of different formats. FusePump has worked with Commission Junction to develop the CJ Feed Creator for the UK. It gives affiliates the opportunity to re-order the data to suit the unique requirements of their site. Merchants TUI, Sainsbury’s and Flybe are the first advertisers to sign up and are now live with this new product.
Notting Hill Carnival gets ad-funded online video coverage
Video messaging service WinkBall has partnered with Flip video cameras and CMC Matrix Sound System to bring the Notting Hill Carnival to the world through a series of video blogs hosted on a specially dedicated microsite WinkBall Notting Hill Carnival. Video blogs will feature Dragons Den entrepreneur and local celebrity Levi Roots. All messages will be supported by a network of five-second advertisements designed by Flip, which are played at the end of each video.
www.winkball.com/nottinghillcarnival
Fashion retailer hires CheetahMail
Multichannel fashion retailer, Boden, has appointed Experian CheetahMail, as its email marketing partner. CheetahMail will provide strategic counsel, technical services and transparent reporting. Email marketing revenue will be maximised by using web analytics and email behaviour analysis to increase click-throughs and transactions. Other tactics include introducing triggered cross-sell and up-sell messages and sending emails to customers that have abandoned items in their online shopping basket.
Menswear retailer powers Loaded and Nuts fashion sites
IPC Ignite has sealed an online partnership with Mainline Menswear to launch Loaded and Nuts branded fashion sections within the Mainline Menswear website. The affiliate partnership sees Loaded and Nuts link directly to branded fashion pages powered by the retailer, which features over 4,700 products from over 80 designer menswear brands. Loaded will support the launch with promotion in the magazine from the October issue. Promotion includes tagging across its fashion pages with ‘buy now’ referrals and a fashion tab added to the homepage. Nuts will support the launch with promotion in the magazine from the August 27 issue. Nuts’ fashion coverage will feature a carefully selected on-trend product each week that will be discounted for Nuts readers. Online, the site will also feature this weekly product on the homepage, along with advertising buttons.
Moviebeat hires The Web TV Enterprise for online video ad sales
Moviebeat, the editorial-led online film content publisher has re-launched its website and appointed premium video advertising company The Web TV Enterprise to exclusively manage video advertising sales. The site first launched in 2008 as part of parent company PPC Group (Picture Production Company), which has been marketing films for 27 years. Moviebeat creates exclusive video content pieces for film distributors including Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros. Videos include overnight premiere reports, interviews with stars and promotional launches. The content is distributed across the internet and via mobile through select digital media partners. The Web TV Enterprise will be selling pre-roll video advertising across all content created by Moviebeat on the Moviebeat website.
