News round-up: 18th January 2009
- Added:
- Jan 19, 2010
This week’s movers and shakers in the digital industry: O2’s seed fund | LinkedIn app | Bongal and Rippleffect | Google goes electric? | ATG | Hallmark | Open Amplify | Impact Radius | Collective | SaveMoneyOnCars | Lyris | TheAgency | ADTECH | Macmillan | Best Buy | RNID | Foviance | SDL | NI broadband network | TalkTalk | Tug | Xbox Live | Pod1 | Subo Store | Leapfrog | TMW | British Library | Sapient | Tangent One | Netflix
O2 expands £1m ‘Seed Fund’
O2 has expanded its search for teams of web developers to create a network for businesses, with several more start-ups now being given the chance to be part of the programme. The winning teams will be given a monthly allowance, one of which will qualify for extended funding in consideration for O2 having an option to buy their business for up to £1 million at the end of 12 months. Developers interested in applying for the O2 Incubator Project should go to the initiative’s website.
O2 launched the Incubator Project in December 2009 to find the best web developers around to apply them to solving challenges that small businesses face and O2 are encouraging developers’ applications to reflect their ideas in this area. O2 has identified an opportunity using its business insights and customer experience, and is inviting developer applicants to input their creative ideas and skills to produce an attractive proposition for businesses.
LinkedIn debuts new iPhone app
LinkedIn has launched a new version of its iPhone application which is available to download now at the iTunes app store. The new application allows iPhone users who are members of LinkedIn to work more effectively from wherever they are, with a host of new features including a function to allow people to connect in real-time.LinkedIn for iPhone v3.0 includes a completely new search interface to easily find one of the 55 million professionals, including over 3 million in the UK, who are members of LinkedIn.
The new application also features a redesign of LinkedIn’s updates functionality, giving users up to date intelligence about their network and the ability to read and submit comments on updates, right from the iPhone. LinkedIn members can also use the iPhone app to easily send messages and invitations to their connections and can now download their connections into their iPhone contacts, with alerts for when a new connection has not yet been downloaded. The new application has revamped profile screens to quickly provide professionals on the move with a summary of a person’s details, experience, people they know in common and the ability to mark that person a favourite.
http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/12/28/linkedin-for-iphone-3-0-lets-get-this-party-started/
Social network Bongal to launch next month
A new networking site bongal.com launches next month, created by digital marketing agency Rippleffect, will launch in February 2010 and is designed to connect people, no matter what their interest, knowledge or location. Rippleffect has developed ‘a social explosion’ video campaign to raise awareness, encourage sign-up and elicit feedback ahead of its launch. Competitions are also available to reward individuals who join ahead of launch.
The teaser video campaign, which features British model and bongal.com co-founder Rory Marshall, directs users to its Facebook group and Twitter account to promote news of bongal.com’s imminent arrival. Since the viral campaign went live on 1st December 2009, it has gained thousands of fans on Facebook, all of whom are asked to share their views and opinions of current social network sites. Findings from all fans will be used to finalise design and deliver a site that has users at its core.
Google to sell electricity in US?
Google is reportedly seeking government authority to buy and sell electricity in the United States, a further expansion of its operations aimed at boosting renewable energy. In a document filed last month with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and obtained by AFP, Google indicated that its Google Energy unit asked for "market-based rate authority." Under that authority, "Google Energy will engage in wholesale electric power and energy transactions as a marketer," the filing said.
The move marked an additional step by the California-based Internet giant to reduce its carbon footprint. Google announced in 2007 that it would invest in renewable energy. It has already launched a free software, PowerMeter, that allows individuals and businesses to monitor their energy consumption. The company in mid-December pledged on its blog "Going green at Google" that it was going to make its operations carbon-neutral and reduce greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.
ATG buys IM help service InstantService
ATG has acquired Seattle-based InstantService, a leading provider of live chat services, for $17m. The acquisition strengthens ATG's leadership in the live help market by adding InstantService's 300 customers to ATG's existing base of 900 commerce platform and optimisation services customers. It also creates immediate business opportunities for ATG's growing line of optimisation services and market-leading ATG Commerce Suite
Hallmark debuts Twitter-only romantic verse competition
Hallmark Cards is giving the UK’s wannabe romantic poets, writers and song-smiths the chance to show off their talents through a new national creative writing contest, launching today. But there’s a unique twist – it needs to be done in just 140 characters on the social network site, Twitter!
The competition is being launched by Hallmark’s online personalised card service as part of its build up to Valentine’s Day, with a luxury weekend break away on offer for the winning ’Twittermantic’…that’s a romantic Tweeter to you and me. The best entries collected before the end of this month (January 31st) - whether they are funny, soppy or plain old romantic - will be judged by an online public vote and by a panel of experts, including poet and published author, Christine Miller.
http://cards.hallmark.co.uk/Cards/Seasonal/Valentines-Day/)
OpenAmplify debuts semantic keyword targeting tool
OpenAmplify has launched PinPoint, a new service delivering semantic data into keyword targeting. PinPoint can be implemented by ad networks, ad exchanges and online publishers to intelligently identify the most relevant and appropriate keyword for ad targeting on a Web page, based on sentiments, intentions and advice expressed on that page.
Ad systems that use any form of keyword targeting can use OpenAmplify’s PinPoint to improve selection of keywords. On any given Web page that mentions multiple topics, PinPoint uses the semantic context of each topic (sentiment, intent and guidance signals) to determine which topic is the most relevant.
See pinpoint in action here: http://community.openamplify.com/content/docs.aspx.
Impact Radius debuts ad exchange platform
Impact Radius has launched its new platform, featuring online negotiation features and open, centralised directory, connecting Advertisers and Media Partners in the delivery of campaigns across TV, radio, print, outdoor and online media channels.
The new multi-channel Performance Advertising platform centres around an open directory listing all Advertisers, Media Partners and Agencies working in the Performance Advertising space, plus advanced tools and technology built specifically for, and with, Advertisers and Media Partners in mind. Third-party intervention and non-disclosure are therefore no longer necessary, as partnerships can be defined and negotiated directly online.
Collective delivers branded sites for Radio 2 Chris Evans and Simon Mayo shows
Digital creative agency Collective has launched two new web commissions for the Radio 2 Chris Evans and Simon Mayo show pages. The new websites follow Chris Evans’ recent move to replace Sir Terry Wogan on the Radio 2 Breakfast programme – the most popular early morning show in the UK, with over 7.75 million listeners - while Simon Mayo has moved from 5Live to Chris’ slot on Radio 2 Drivetime. Collective delivered the design and code for the dynamic and static show pages, together with the design assets for mobile and other interactive services. These include widgets and promos for a range of BBC sites, iPlayer and podcasts.
www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/chris-evans/
New look for car website
SaveMoneyOnCars.co.uk has re-launched offering searches new and nearly new cars. Originally launched back in the summer of 2003, the new for 2010 www.SaveMoneyOnCars.co.uk has been entirely rebuilt from the first line of code upwards and now has a range of new user-friendly features such as a comprehensive car search function, recently viewed section and plenty of car photographs.
Lyris appoints Michael Weston as UK sales VP
Lyris has apppointed Michael Weston as vice president of sales for the U.K. and Europe. Based in London, Weston will be responsible for expanding international sales to meet the growing demand for Lyris HQ, the company’s flagship integrated online marketing suite.
Weston, who has over 12 years’ experience in the online marketing space, joins Lyris from wunderloop, where he was responsible for increasing international sales for the company’s integrated online targeting services. Previously, he held the position of managing director at Silverpop EMEA, a position he held for nearly four years following Silverpop’s acquisition of Digital Oxygen, a digital marketing agency founded by Weston in 2003.
TheAgency appointed to raise the profile of affordable home ownership
Sovereign Livinghas appointed TheAgency to raise the profile of affordable home ownership and increase the understanding of its eligibility for key target audiences such as first time buyers and lower income households in the UK.
In June 2009, housing minister John Healey announced the construction of thousands of extra homes as part of a £1.5 billion investment by the Prime Minister. The investment aims to deliver 20,000 homes in the affordable housing sector. Sovereign has several new developments in the South and South West of England under the New Build HomeBuy and Rent to HomeBuy brands as well as regeneration projects for which TheAgency will be developing creative in 2010.
ADTECH Appoints Former Bauer and Sky Digital Media Director
Ad serving firm ADTECH has appointed former Bauer and Sky Digital Media Director Paul Wright as Vice President Commercial for Europe.
“We have created this new role to ensure that commercial market needs are reflected in our technology solutions,” said Dirk Freytag, CEO of ADTECH. “Paul reports directly into me and will take over sales responsibilities in Europe. After working for over 12 + years in the new media market and with invaluable customer-side experience, we have tasked Paul with developing our existing markets and kicking off activities in new European territories. He will be based in London, but will also have an office in Dreich, Germany.”
Cebeb viral for Cancertalk Week
Ricky Gervais, Ray Winstone, Marco Pierre White, Tim Lovejoy, and Trevor Nelson are just some of the celebrities sharing their biggest “clangers” in a humorous new viral to support Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancertalk Week, from January 18 – 24. The viral film from leading brand and digital agency Rufus Leonard is part of Macmillan's campaign to break the silence on cancer. It was written and directed by Cathy Hutton and Helen Jones and produced through Delinquent.
Best Buy creates social media hub
Best Buy, the consumer electronics chain, has created an online hub to highlight its social media services and commitment to sustainability.Bby.com will initially focus on Best Buy's US business but will be tailored for the UK as it rolls out a chain of superstores here. The site includes a section on the company's green and charitable initiatives as well as company news and its range of online services.
Best Buy has embraced social media as a way of engaging with consumers. It has a Twitter-based customer services team, known as "Twelpforce", and its Facebook page has more than one million fans. Best Buy expanded outside the US last year when it bought a 50% stake in Carphone Warehouse. The company plans to open a chain of superstores in the UK and other European countries during 2010.
http://www.bestbuy.co.uk/page/home.aspx
RNID overhauls digital marketing with Enable Interactive
RNID, the largest UK charity working with hearing loss and hearing health, has appointed Enable Interactive to transform the charity’s digital marketing and internal communications in line with its new corporate strategy. Enable is also transforming the RNID’s intranet, scoping and designing new templates for its 1200 widely dispersed employees and volunteers across the UK
Foviance staff training for charity run up Tower 42
Shelter’s Vertical Rush has Foviance staff running up 28 flights a day in preparation for Tower 42
Customer experience firm Foviance are taking part in London’s second annual Vertical Rush in aid of housing charity Shelter. Foviance has supported Shelter for a number of years and in the spirit of keeping fit in the New Year, members of staff are preparing for the 920 step run up Tower 42 on February 25th. Foviance will be running alongside famous faces such as businessman and Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne, in an attempt to climb 42 floors of London’s tallest building in the city in less than 10 minutes.
E-commerce software company Fredhopper acquired by SDL
E-commerce targeting and marketing software company Fredhopper today announces that it has agreed to be acquired by SDL, a provider of global information management solutions, as it embarks on a global roll-out of its product suite.
The deal will allow Fredhopper, which counts Clarks, Toys R Us, B&Q, Waitrose and Otto Group - the world's second biggest eCommerce company behind Amazon.com - among its stable of over 100 large international retail customers, to expand operations into the US and Asia. The company currently operates in four European countries – the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Fredhopper will become an independent business unit of SDL that will be named ‘SDL eCommerce Technologies.’ The unit will be led by Fredhopper’s current management team, and remains fully focused on providing targeting and marketing software for online retailers.
Northern Ireland gets £18m broadband revamp
Northern Ireland's Department of Finance and Personnel has contracted BT to maximise high-speed broadband coverage through the country. According to a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union on 14 January, it has provided capital grant funding of £18m on behalf of the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). This will be used as gap funding to extend the broadband infrastructure.
The move has been made to help fulfil the DETI's target to increase the availability of next generation broadband to 85 percent of businesses by 2011. BT will be required to provide high-speed broadband services to the rural and urban business community in specified areas within a defined timeframe. The company will retain ownership of the network infrastructure and be responsible for its rollout and maintenance over the next five years
TalkTalk offers free broadband for a year
TalkTalk and the Carphone Warehouse are offering web users free broadband for a year. Customers who sign up to the 24-month deal will get internet access at up to 8Mbps, along with a free wireless router and unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK landlines. Users will be required to fork out for TalkTalk's £11.49 line rental each month and a one-off £29.99 connection fee. Once the year is up, the internet access will then be charged at £6.99 per month. To sign up to the offer, which is available until February 1, web users can either visit a carphone warehouse store, or visit the dedicated web page.
Tug appoints Account Director to lead client planning division
Tug, the search marketing agency, has appointed Faye Farman to head its client service and strategic search planning division. Faye will be working directly with major clients as campaign strategist to grow both agency and client relationships, ensuring that the company continues to deliver the highest quality of work and results for its clients.
A former business development manager for bigmouthmedia and Global Media, Faye was responsible for new client acquisition on both a national and international level in order to grow the client base. Faye has extensive skills in all aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, PPC, affiliate marketing, display, social media and online PR.
Microsoft unveils Xbox Live Game Room
Microsoft has unveiled a new online Game Room enabling players to create their own arcade and then invite friends over to play retro-style titles. During a presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the firm showcased its new digital gaming space for PC and Xbox 360, which will officially launch in the spring. The service, which bears some similarities to Sony's PlayStation Home, will enable players to "trick out" their own arcade and then compete with friends in Avatar form. Around 30 games will be available at launch, mostly retro-style titles such as Millipede, Space Hawk, Sea Battle and Astrosmash. The range will expand to 1,000 different games over the next three years, with each priced at around 240-400 MS points (£2-3.50).
LK Bennett appoints Pod1 for online design
Creative digital agency Pod1 has been appointed by women’s wear fashion house LK Bennett to redesign its new e-commerce website. Founded by Linda Bennett in 1990, LK Bennett has become well known for its signature accessory collections and sophisticated clothing. It first launched a site in 2007 and in that time has experienced considerable growth, making it necessary for the retailer to create a new online platform that could cope with a large user base. The retailer has appointed Portaltech, to provide a new ecommerce platform, with Pod1 to provide the design services.
Pod1 is working closely with LK Bennett to create the look and feel for the new site, ensuring that it recreates the in-store experience, with its attention to detail and high quality service. The site is due to go live at the end of January.
http://www.pod1.com/
Susan Boyle launches online shop
Britains Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle has launched her own online store called the Subostore, which features a wide range of products. Goods featured include t-shirts bearing her face, name, and her "I Dreamed a Dream" battle cry, brightly colored hooded tops, a red scarf named after her cat Pebbles, tote bags, posters, mp3 downloads, and electronic gift cards. One of the t-shirts called Duotone Collage features Andy Warhol-style images of the singer and is priced at $25.
LVG selects Leapfrogg for integrated SEO and social media campaign
Digital marketing agency Leapfrogg, has been selected by LVG, a provider of vocational driving tuition, as digital marketing partner. Leapfrogg will work across LVG’s RED Driving School and RED Instructor Training brands to create and implement ongoing SEO and social media activity.
Activity will begin later this month, following a full research audit of both brands’ online assets, competition and audience with the results being used to develop a broad digital marketing strategy which will include SEO, (search engine optimisation), social media planning and training, plus content creation and marketing.
Kerry Food Appoints TMW to Integrated Digital and CRM Strategy
Food and beverage company, Kerry Foods, has appointed digital and direct agency Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW- www.tmw.co.uk) to implement a best-in-class integrated digital and CRM strategy across all their brands. Kerry Foods owns 19 brands including household names such as Wall’s Sausages, Richmond Sausages, Mattesson’s Meats and Porkinson’s Sausages, along with new brands such as Low Low and Mumbai Spice.
TMW, part of the Creston Group of companies, was appointed without a pitch on the strength of previous experience and relationships with the agency amongst a number of the new senior management team at Kerry Foods. Kerry Foods has briefed TMW to develop a long-term, value-driving digital, social and CRM strategy to help compete against private label, drive greater consumption and justify the brand premium in the minds of consumers. The work will also include the building of a central Kerry Foods database for the UK and Ireland to give a single view of customers for campaign deployment and customer services management. TMW will be migrating and hosting all Kerry Foods websites and will be developing and implementing campaigns across digital and social media (including online, direct mail, mobile and email) , as well as CRM, for all Kerry Foods brands.
British Library to revamp online services
The British Library is set to start a transformation of its online services and has signed a £2.3m deal with Capgemini to support the process. The library plans to renovate the range and quality of its web-based services to its user base of thousands of members and boost the efficiency of searching, ordering and delivery processes.
Capgemini will be engaged in the design and implementation of a new integrated request management and delivery system, which is hoped to help ensure that public services delivered through the library’s web site match or surpass those achieved by leading commercial online businesses. The project will start with an initial test phase, based on the deployment of the Adobe LiveCycle software suite.
Octopus Travel boosts bookings with Sapient
Sapient (NASDAQ: SAPE) announced that its marketing services group, Sapient Interactive, has been selected by online hotel booking site, Octopus Travel, to implement a new online booking system offering customers greater choice and improved levels of service. Following the appointment, Sapient Interactive has developed a new, more scalable IT infrastructure to integrate multiple inventory providers and payment gateways, allowing Octopus Travel to triple its range of hotels available for online booking to over 44,000.
The new solution features hotel ratings and reviews from TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel community with over 30 million reviews and opinions, giving customers the ability to learn from and share experiences with fellow travellers. It provides back-office integration with hotel providers enabling Octopus Travel to make faster updates to its services such as room rates, as well as speed up the collection of commissions. Sapient Interactive has also incorporated analytical tools into the solution so that Octopus Travel can achieve real-time insight into user activity and make more dynamic changes to the site.
Which? launches ‘smart banner’ campaign with Tangent One
Consumer advice mag Which? has collaborated with full service digital agency, Tangent One, to create a ‘smart banner’ campaign, designed to dynamically contextualise the creative and take the targeting of online advertising to another level.
The campaign will involve an intelligent Which? ad banner in MPU, skyscraper or leaderboard format, that reads the contents of the page on aggregator sites such as Pricerunner. While reading the page the ads cross reference against a database of Which? product reviews, allowing the ad to inform the viewer, in real time, if there is a review of the product (or products) they are looking at on the Which? website. All viewers need to do is click through from the banner to reach the relevant reviews, which they can access on the Which? website for a £1 trial subscription.
Netflix in deal with Nintendo to show movies on Wii
Online DVD rental company Netflix inked a deal with video game console maker Nintendo to allow Wii users to stream movies and TV episodes to their television sets. The move comes months after Netflix started streaming movies through Sony Corp's PlayStation 3 video game console. Microsoft's Xbox has been streaming movies via Netflix since 2008.Netflix will go live on Wii, the best-selling home console, this spring in the U.S. at no additional cost to Netflix members who have a plan starting at $8.99 a month, the company said in a statement.
