• Microsoft's Windows 8 Tablet Ads Touch Up Brand Recall by Laurie Sullivan

    Microsoft worked with four advertising agencies to make touch part of the brand experience in Windows 8 on Surface tablets. Each of the four ad experiences -- Pictures film Jack Reacher, Delta, Ford and Jeep -- allow consumers to interact with the ads in new ways. ...Read the whole story

  • AOL Strengthens Brand Group, Acquires gdgt by Gavin O'Malley

    Building up its newly formed "Brand Group," AOL has acquired electronics review site gdgt for an undisclosed sum. Last year, gdgt (pronounced "gadget") partnered with Engadget to provide structured product data to the AOL-owned tech blog. ...Read the whole story

  • Ad Collision Costs $200,000 On $1 Million Ad Buy by Laurie Sullivan

    Fraud and ad collision continue to plague the online advertising industry. More than 20% of the ads being placed through publishers directly and through networks are suspected of being fraudulent. For ads placed through exchanges, the risk is closer to 30%. ...Read the whole story

  • Facebook PMD Applicants On Hold Pending New Criteria by Mark Walsh

    Facebook has closed its Preferred Marketing Developer (PMD) program to new applicants for now as it sets updated requirements, reflecting its focus on driving paid advertising along with "free" media, like brand pages and apps on the site. ...Read the whole story

  • Smartphone Sales Near 1 Billion by Mark Walsh

    Worldwide mobile phone sales declined slightly last year for the first time since 2009, the result of difficult economic conditions, shifting consumer preferences and fierce competition. However, overall sales are predicted to rebound this year. ...Read the whole story

  • Yahoo, AmEx Accused Of Stealing Travel Service Idea by Wendy Davis

    Yahoo and American Express have been sued by two entrepreneurs for allegedly stealing their idea for an online travel business. Tyler Strateman and Samuel Deutsch allege in their complaint that they conceived the idea for Insider Escapes, a Web platform for affluent travelers. ...Read the whole story

  • Publicis' Levy Dubs 2012 'Disappointing,' Warns 2013 Will Be 'Even More Difficult' by Joe Mandese

    Reporting on what proved to be a "difficult, uncertain and disappointing" 2012, Publicis chief Maurice Levy this morning cautioned shareholders that 2013 "looks like it will be even more difficult." As part of his full-year 2012 earnings report, Levy cited continuing "economic uncertainty" and "the weakness of Europe, where whole sectors of industry both lack competitiveness and face consumers' concerns" as the main reasons for his dour outlook for the year ahead. "Notwithstanding all this doom and gloom, there is good news from the USA," he added, "where growth is up -- even if the trend is still fragile -- ... ...Read the whole story

  • Certain Nielsen Shareholders To Reap More Than $1 Billion In New Offering by Joe Mandese

    Nielsen late Wednesday announced a secondary public offering of 35 million shares of common stock, which would be sold by "certain existing shareholders" -- presumably its controlling private equity backers -- and not the company itself, which will reap none of the proceeds. Based on Nielsen's current stock prices, the offering would raise more than $1.1 billion. ...Read the whole story

  • 'NYT' Mines Archives For NatGeo's 'Killing Lincoln' by Erik Sass

    The National Geographic Channel is riding the wave of interest in all things Lincoln-related with a new "factual drama," "Killing Lincoln." The New York Times Web site is helping them drum up interest for the original production with a custom advertising unit. ...Read the whole story

  • The Lunge That Refreshes by Barbara Lippert

    It was the lunge seen round the world: Senator Marco Rubio got cottonmouth during his live, televised response to President Obama's State of the Union ... ...More

The Whole Story: App Usage by Mike Bloxham

Not all apps are created equal - there is a world of difference between downloads and habitual use. Games have also becomes a major factor ... ...More

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