• Privacy Groups Ready FTC Complaint Against Facebook by Wendy Davis

    Adding to the backlash against Facebook's new advertising programs, privacy groups are preparing to file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission against the social networking site. The digital civil rights group Electronic Privacy Information Center intends to file a complaint by January about both Facebook's new SocialAds and Beacon programs. The Center for Digital Democracy, which currently has a complaint pending at the FTC about behavioral targeting, also intends to pursue regulatory action against the company. ...Read the whole story

  • Google Unveils Green Energy Push by Tameka Kee

    Google unveiled its Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal, or REC initiative on Tuesday, a set of strategies and investments to back projects aimed at producing electricity from alternative energy sources. REC will work in conjunction with its Google.org philanthropic arm to initially focus on developing solar, wind and geothermal power systems. In the coming months, the company will hire engineers and energy experts, and partner with established renewable resource providers. ...Read the whole story

  • Verizon To Open Nework to Outside Devices by Mark Walsh

    Adapting to a shifting mobile landscape, Verizon Wireless said Tuesday that it will let customers connect to its network with any device or application that meets minimal technical standards starting next year. The decision to open up its network is driven by a rapidly expanding universe of options for mobile consumers, says Verizon's CEO. ...Read the whole story

  • Networks Look to AOL's Userplane For Tools by Gavin O'Malley

    Seeking new ways to engage and retain viewers, TV networks are increasingly investing in online community tools and other initiatives. Several have enlisted the help of America Online's Userplane subsidiary, which licenses ad-supported chat, instant messaging and video messaging tools. ...Read the whole story

  • Spotzer Ugrades Auto Ad Service by Mark Walsh

    Started earlier this year, Spotzer provides "ready-to-air" spots to small- and medium-sized marketers unable to afford traditional TV and video media buying and production costs. It maintains a library of 500 generic commercials that can be customized for any client and targeted geographically and demographically across broadcast and cable TV, out-of-home TV networks, and the Web. ...Read the whole story

  • Firebrand Channel Features Best TV Spots by Gavin O'Malley

    Firebrand, an online and mobile platform featuring the "coolest" TV commercials and backed by Microsoft and NBC Universal, made its online debut this week at Firebrand.com. The channel, which is attempting to turn "the commercial break into a commercial destination," also is available on iTunes on a nightly late-night show on the Ion Network. ...Read the whole story

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