• WPP's Kantar: Search, Display Plummet In Q4, Contribute To General Ad Declineby Joe Mandese

  WPP's Kantar Media unit estimates that measured paid search and online display ad spending plummeted during the fourth quarter, contributing to an overall decline in U.S. ad spending during the quarter and contributing to weaker-than-expected full-year results for the ad industry. ...Read the whole story

• Lowe's Hopes Pinterest + Facebook = Higher Engagementby Mark Walsh

  Lowe's is hoping for big things as one of the first brands to feature its Pinterest presence in Facebook through a new tool from social marketing firm Vitrue. Since Pinterest heavily draws females, Lowe's has been actively cultivating that audience by posting product images tied to home decor and do-it-yourself project ideas on Pinterest since October. ...Read the whole story

• Tag Management Becomes Serious Ad Businessby Laurie Sullivan

  Tag management companies have begun stepping up services for collecting and blocking data from ads and analytics platforms. Tealium now supports a feature that blocks the ability to gather data. It recognizes Web browser headers when consumers activate the do not track options, preventing tags from collecting data. ...Read the whole story

• Fitch: Trad Radio Holds, Digital Poses Threats But Less Revsby Erik Sass

  In the near term, radio faces a number of threats in the evolving media landscape from the Internet and mobile. While traditional radio broadcasters' digital initiatives could capture "a sizable portion of digital listening," Fitch doesn't expect their digital efforts to produce significant revenue for another year or two. ...Read the whole story

• TRESemme Launches Multi-Phase Digital Campaign by Gavin O'Malley

  TRESemme is hoping to engage women with an inside look into Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. While a video or two might have sufficed, the Unilever brand splurged on an eight-month-long program, featuring 32 original episodes, and "Twilight" star Nikki Reed. ...Read the whole story

• Most Web Users Dislike Behavioral Targeting, Personalized Searchby Wendy Davis

  The majority of Web users say they don't want to receive ads targeted based on behavior or search results personalized based on their prior activity, according to a new report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Despite the ad industry's efforts to tell people how to opt out, only 38% of Web users said they are "generally aware" of ways to limit the information ...Read the whole story

• Instagram Passes 27 Million Users, Android Version Coming (No, Really)by Steve Smith

  Apple has declared Instagram, which allows users to quickly modify and share photos from their iPhone, its App of the Year for 2011. And the founders of the small company have been promising an Android version for many months. ...Read the whole story

• Major Retail Mobile Sites, Apps Reached 60% Of Smartphone Owners During Holiday 2011by Steve Smith

  The renewed emphasis on mobile Web development among brands in 2011 paid off last holiday as many more mobile shoppers accessed the major retailers via browser than app. According to Nielsen, the top brands combined -- including Amazon, Best Buy, eBay, Target and Walmart -- reached nearly 60% of smartphone users during the height of the shopping season. ...Read the whole story

What compels us to watch "Downton" is that we, like the characters, live in a world that is fundamentally changing and full of promise. The digital changes we witness are as life-changing as those that propelled ...More