News round-up: 29th October 2009
- Added:
- Oct 29, 2009
This week’s movers and shakers in the digital industry: Scam Olympic tickets | Tremor Media | w00t!media | Emailvision | LinkShare | smartclip | The FA | Innocent | MobileBroadbandSupermarket | Omniture | DBDMedia | Gamesload | Sony Ericsson | Jellyfish | White Hat Media | Shopstyle | Clash Media | Aedgency | Solid State | Xing | Simplexo | Parity | Artemis8 | TV Everywhere | ConsumerChoices.co.uk | Forward Slash Digital
Scam Olympic tickets sites on the rise
Websites are already being set up by criminals to sell fake Olympic tickets. Which? Computing showed how easy it is to do by building such a site for just £7. There is a rapid increase in domain names being registered in the UK that refer to the Olympics. The process is surprisingly easy. In a couple of mouse clicks, Which? Computing registered the name www.olympic-games-tickets.org.uk. The Office of Fair Trading is campaigning to make people more aware of scam ticket websites, but Which? Computing thinks much more should be done to wipe them out. The computer magazine fears criminals could sell fake Olympic tickets and sites could also be used to gain personal and financial details or to commit identity fraud.
www.olympic-games-tickets.org.uk
Political video ads to debut at UK general election
Tremor Media are launching a service that lets UK political parties use TV-like adverts in their election campaign for the first time. Under the Communications Act 2003, political parties are prohibited from advertising on television and radio, thus excluding them from running broadcast ads. Political parties can take advantage of Tremor Media’s unique suite of in-stream video ad formats including vChoice, which plays a short video clip before inviting the viewer to click through to a party’s web site, microsites, social media, YouTube channel or any other part of their digital election campaign.
Firebox.com appoints w00t!media for ‘quirky brand ads’
Online gift retailer Firebox.com has appointed independent digital sales house w00t!media to bring bespoke, quirky brand advertising campaigns to the site that will appeal to Firebox’s audience of gift and gadget enthusiasts. Firebox.com was founded in 1998 and now sees over nine million visits every year, with a fortnightly newsletter reaching over 600,000 subscribers. w00t!media will be looking to secure bespoke, beyond-banner advertising campaigns from suitable brands.
Emailvision launches iPhone app for email campaigns
Emailvision has developed a new iPhone application for its on-demand email marketing software, Campaign Commander. It allows marketers to view details, monitor results and pause their email marketing campaigns on the move. This new app means that marketers can interact with their email marketing campaigns at every stage, from initial design to response analysis. Emaivision’s iPhone app offers secure access to the Campaign Commander service, allowing marketers to monitor performance data on the move and optimise their campaigns and strategies accordingly. Campaigns can also be instantly paused via the iPhone should a problem be identified. In addition, the application helps marketers to share marketing performance data with management and extended teams more efficiently.
www.emailvision.co.uk
LinkShare launches Twitter shopping tool
Affiliate network LinkShare has launched the LinkShare TweetShop Tool that enables anyone with a Twitter following to monetise their Twitter feeds, and turn customised tweets into an effective shopping tool. The tool is generally available to publishers in its network. Publishers can customise tweets through the user interface which automatically creates a shortened URL that directs an online shopper to the landing page for the recommended object of affection. To hear what industry experts have to say and add to the conversation, search and / or tweet on the following hashtag: #TweetShop.
smartclip signs advertising agreement with blinkx
European interactive video network, smartclip is to work with blinkx to help monetise its vast portfolio of media partnerships which includes national broadcasters, commercial media giants and private video libraries. “We are pleased to partner with smartclip because we believe they have proven expertise and a track record of success in the European market,” said Federico Grosso, SVP of business development, blinkx. “We were impressed by smartclip’s focus on measurability and results.”
FA Cup matches to streamed for free online
The Football Association will stream live FA Cup matches from the first two rounds of this season's competition for free online. Leeds United's visit to Oldham Athletic on Saturday 7 November will be the first match broadcast, with kick-off at 17.15. ITV.com will show highlights of all first-round matches online, including such potential giant-killings as Paulton Rovers v Norwich City and Northwich Victoria v Charlton.
Innocent debuts ‘giant consequences’ viral game
Innocent drinks will be launching a big game of online consequences with the help of Francesca Simon, author of the Horrid Henry books. As the campaign begins, special free fridge magnets will be available in promotional packs of innocent smoothies for kids. Innocent have worked with Soup to develop the campaign and the site which will house the consequences game. Francesca Simon has written the opening line of each of the 26 stories, each inspired by innocent's new alphabet fridge magnets. Every day users can choose their favourite letter and story, read what's already been written and then submit their next line of the story. By the end of the day a winning line will be chosen and uploaded to the site, ready for the competition to start all over again.
http://www.innocentkids.com/magnets/
MobileBroadbandSupermarket.co.uk using Twitter to gauge networks’ performance
Mobile connectivity firm MobileBroadbandSupermarket.co.uk, have come up with a unique way of monitoring the levels of service that networks are delivering to mobile broadband customers. The dongle comparison site has formulated a way to analyse all tweets within twenty five miles of twelve UK cities. All comments about mobile broadband networks and their performance will be logged in order to give a developing picture of the quality of service consumers are experiencing. The outcome will enable visitors to the MobileBroadbandSupermarket site to see for themselves just how well each network is performing in their area. The current plan is that MobileBroadbandSupermarket will issue a quarterly statement indicating levels of performance across the following UK conurbations – London, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle/Sunderland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Sheffield.
www.MobileBroadbandSupermarket.co.uk
Omniture debuts social media optimisation solution
Omniture has launched the Social Media Optimisation Solution for Omniture SiteCatalyst customers, which allows for social media measurement and analytics capabilities. The solution provides customers the engagement and interaction reports and dashboards they need to better determine and enhance ROI. For example, using the solution customers can see a spike in Twitter or Facebook activity around their brand that reveals a customer service issue to quickly address or a new product feature that can be introduced
www.omniture.com
De Vere Hotels, Resorts and Venues selects DBD Media
DBD Media, the search engine marketing specialist, has been appointed by De Vere Hotels, Resorts and Venues to manage its integrated pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and search engine optimisation (SEO). The appointment follows De Vere's decision to merge its three key business areas and their previously individual websites into one as part of its online marketing strategy. DBD Media has been tasked with driving qualified traffic and online bookings and enquiries across De Vere's entire portfolio, having successfully managed PPC advertising for De Vere Venues.
Gamesload expands to the UK
Gamesload, the Deutsche Telekom games platform, is going international. The first launch will give customers from 20 countries including Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Hungary an immediate access to the Gamesload service in English. With a portfolio of up to 1,500 PC and casual games, the German market leader will be offering one of the biggest suites of products for gamers in Europe right from the start. Payments can be made via credit card or PayPal, and other options are due to follow. The prices for individual products vary from EUR 1.99 to EUR 49.99 and are always quoted in national currency. Other benefits offered on the international site include a download manager, a free download guarantee over two years for purchased games and free test versions for a broad range of casual games. Don't wait too long though: the first 2,000 customers will in addition receive a complimentary version of the game "The Rise of Atlantis" This move into the international arena gives games publishers new opportunities for cooperation as Gamesload will be able to offer partners online distribution Europe-wide from a single source in future.
Sony Ericsonn gets Dolce&Gabbana campaign
Sony Ericsson' has launched its new Jalou by Dolce&Gabbana mobile phone with a new campaign. The 24 carat gold plated handset is used as the ultimate object of desire in the media campaign, which also features five enigmatic, beautiful women who play by their own rules to find the ultimate style statement. The print advertising campaign reflects the online film. The media campaign assets are available to view here: www.sonyericsson.com/jaloudolcegabbana, with a total of six videos and two print advertisements.
Jellyfish nets Haymarket magazines Pay Per Click business
Haymarket Consumer Media, one of the UK’s primary magazine publishers, has appointed Jellyfish to handle pay-per-click (PPC) campaign sites across a range of titles. Jellyfish, the UK’s leading agency dedicated to paid search, will now handle paid search drives on a Cost Per Acquisition basis for specialist magazines Stuff, F1 Racing, What Car?, Autosport, Autocar and Gramophone. The agency already handles the PPC campaign sites for Haymarket’s football monthly FourFourTwo and was awarded the work off the back of the existing activity. The aim of the PPC campaign sites is to drive annual subscriptions, trial offers and gifts by linking people from the paid search ads to dedicated campaign sites, which are also being built and run by the agency. Jellyfish has already launched the www.stuff.magazine.co.uk and www.gramophone-magazine.co.uk campaign sites with the other titles to follow in the coming weeks.
Online campaign nets Gym Group 20,000 new members
The Gym Group, the UK’s first low-cost chain of health clubs, has attracted more than 20,000 new members with a website and online campaign created by Brighton-based search and social media specialist White Hat Media. The Gym Group, which has five gyms in Surrey, London, Liverpool and Manchester, has been widely covered in the press due to its new approach to facilities, membership costs and contracts. The gym is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and membership costs are between £9.99 and £14.99 per month. There are no contracts and customers are free to leave at any point. Four gyms in London, Surrey and Liverpool opened between November 2007 and October 2009. Manchester is due to open on 30 November. White Hat Media was appointed to create a straightforward, user-friendly website that provided a paperless membership system and secure members’ area, as well as setting out the benefits of joining The Gym Group. An SEO campaign has generated huge awareness online - one gym in London has seen 5,000 people sign up as a result of the activity.
ShopStyle powers online shopping for Living Etc
Fashion site ShopStyle.co.uk, is to power a new shopping service for livingetc.com. The deal with Livingetc.com will enable its visitors to access hundreds of Britain’s most desirable homes brands, including products, furniture and accessories for every room in the home and even electrical goods. The partnership extends an already successful relationship between ShopStyle and IPC Southbank. Users of this new co-branded shopping service can search interiors retailers by item, colour, price, brand and even designer. In addition, Livingetc has enhanced the new shopping service with editorial content such as design news and inspiration galleries.
http://livingetc.shopstyle.co.uk/
Clash-Media offers downloadable Xmas vouchers for marketers
Lead generation firm Clash-Media has launched an initiative to help marketers boost sales over the Christmas period with short-term Online Lead Generation campaigns. The campaigns are designed to drive customer footfall and boost online sales in the run up to Christmas by targeting the most relevant audiences with money-saving offers and promotions, such as '2-for-1' and '10 per cent off' vouchers. Marketers will have the flexibility to implement campaigns to their own specification, for example they can opt for 'one day only' campaigns or run several voucher offerings side-by-side during the Christmas period.
www.clash-media.com
Aedgency appoints UK Sales Head
Aedgency is further extending its business in the UK with the hire of James Applin as Sales Manager UK. Applin is tasked with striking new partnerships with advertisers, agencies and publishers. He takes on overall responsibility for new business across Aedgency’s entire product range in the UK. Applin has five years of experience in senior online sales roles at companies including Adconian Media Group and TradeDoubler. “This year the UK overtook Germany as Europe’s largest online retail market so 2009 was the right time to bring Aedgency to this market” said James Applin, Sales Manager UK. “Aedgency has grown exponentially since it launched five years ago and we’ve made great progress since we launched in the UK in March and I’m excited to be onboard.”
Solid State gives away Google Wave invites to promote CMS
Web agency Solid State Group has launched its latest version of its content management system, Cookie Jar 7. Highlights of Cookie Jar 7 include a new contemporary look and feel that complements their recent rebrand, usability improvements to all areas of the content management system that enhance the user experience, a major overhaul of the content model and the addition of In-Context Editing. Solid State Group are giving away five Google Wave invites over five days. For a chance to win, simply ReTweet “@solidstategroup launches Cookie Jar 7 and is giving away 5 Google wave invites. ReTweet and follow for a chance to win: http://bit.ly/IUkbl” and follow them on Twitter. A winner will be picked randomly every day for five days from 26th to 30th of October. Winners will be notified via twitter.
XING launches ‘Recruiter Membership’
XING has launched its Recruiter Membership, with a range of new features specifically designed to make the search for new employees much more efficient. The new Recruiter Membership enables users to add search filters optimized especially for recruitment purposes, such as “Career level”, “Professional experience”, “Company size” and “Industry” – thus limiting search results to the desired number of best-matching profiles. Up to 50 search alerts can be saved at any one time, producing automatic search results whenever a suitable prospective applicant registers on XING or whenever an existing member updates their profile to match a recruiter’s specific search criteria.
http://recruitermembership.xing.com/en/
Smartclip strikes publishing deal with PS3’s VidZone
Video ad network smartclip has secured a new publishing deal with VidZone, the exclusive music service part of PlayStation3 (PS3), to monetise its pre-roll advertising inventory. This will also be rolled out across all platforms of the Sony Interactive Music Service from next year and promises to be a truly interactive music video solution for TV. The first advertisers have already booked this new large-scale video-advertising tool. Nokia, EA and McDonalds have launched their current campaigns on VidZone.
Enterprise search goes mobile
Simplexo Mobile has been developed to enable anyone working out of the office to access vital corporate documentation and databases via their mobile devices in a safe and secure way. Available now for the iPhone and any Windows Mobile 6 device, and on the Blackberry platform within 30 days, Simplexo can simultaneously search across all enterprise environments including SharePoint, live and archived email, word processing documents, images, spreadsheets, databases and applications such as CRM and SAP.
www.simplexo.com
Parity launches social media health-check
Parity is launching a ‘social media health-check’ to help organisations evaluate and plan for the implementation of an effective social media strategy with a clear ROI. The initiative will involve Parity assessing an organisation's understanding of social media, analysing what it wants to achieve internally and externally before recommending what is needed to realise its goals. Parity will look at the organisation's business processes, technical infrastructure, and cultural make-up within the organisations business strategy and performance targets. From this, Parity will recommend a social media strategy that will bring real, tangible business benefits and help the company communicate effectively.
www.parity.net
Artemis8 boosts affiliate and search teams
Performance marketer Artemis8 is bucking the general recruitment trend and has significantly increased its team, bringing four new members of staff onboard as a direct result of ongoing client wins. Tina Judic, managing director of Artemis8, says: “The Artemis8 team are highly regarded in the market for their innovative thinking and commitment to client delivery. These four new appointments will enable us to continue to respond to growing client demand and ensure we remain a formidable force within the Affiliate & Search sectors.”
TV Everywhere revamps video management system
TV Everywhere has released the latest version of its video management system, VidZapper. VidZapper is used by clients including corporates, government bodies, academic institutions and commercial internet TV services and made available through a global network of qualified resellers. It was developed by a the veteran Internet TV team behind Web Channels and Narrowstep. Recently launched channels include film trailers channel Moviebeat TV, a channel for the University of Wales and another for sailing’s World Match Racing Tour. One of the world’s largest retailers, Spain’s El Corte Ingles has also chosen the platform for a raft of new channels, as has Spanish energy giant, Endesa.
Consumerchoices opens up to ads with web redesign
Consumerchoices.co.uk has re-designed its full range of price comparison and consumer advice websites. Orangutan Productions carried out the comprehensive revamp which was undertaken to improve usability for the 700,000+ unique monthly visitors to the site and increased inventory for advertisers. Advertising inventory now includes a wide range of solutions that will drive incremental sales for brands. In addition to the more traditional marketing opportunities of banners and sky scrapers, Consumerchoices.co.uk will also create bespoke newsletter mailings to its 300,000+ registered community along with the opportunity to sponsor its popular “white papers” - ultimate print out-and-keep guides to consumer issues. Recent white papers have included topics such as how to speed up a broadband connection (sponsored by Be Broadband), which has received over 19,000 downloads to date.
Digital agency builds business networking site
Recently launched business networking site MeettheBoss.com was designed and built by leading Bristol Digital Agency Forward Slash Digital. Aimed at C Level executives across vertical industries, MeettheBoss.com is a business networking tool that enables communication between members using innovative technology. Forward Slash Digital created the site with an in-built ‘smart words’ feature that tracks users interests through their activity. This intuitive system ranks users interests based on their interaction with certain subjects and topics. The result is a personalised list of keywords that presents the site with user behaviour, enabling relevant user driven content.
