As social media marketing becomes an ever-more lucrative channel, which formats are likely to enjoy the most growth this year? Will Ashton, Managing Director at Alchemy Social, looks at the social media trends in 2012 – with particular focus on sponsored stories.

Twitter has acquired Dasient, a web security firm that helps protect ad networks and publishers from malicious ads.

Google has incorporated rail information into its UK mapping tools, following a partnership with TheTrainLine.

Last November’s public sector strikes resulted in the biggest online shopping day of the year, according to new research.

Demand for consumer technology will soar in 2012, with streaming video and cloud storage being two major tends this year, according to Deloitte.

Global marketing and technology agency LBi has signed a partnership deal with Service2Media, leading provider of advanced app solutions for mobile devices.

Google is helping small and medium-sized businesses in India to build an online presence through a new online training initiative.

Groupon has bought US-based social shopping company Mertado for an undisclosed sum.

Research in Motion has seen its two co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis step down, as the Blackberry smartphone maker struggles to compete with Apple and Google’s Anrodi in the smartphone market.

Katie Price surprised her Twitter followers this weekend when she came up with bizarre rants about the global economy and politics, as part of a new Snickers social media campaign.