MySpace Sale Almost Complete (For Real This Time) by Erik Sass

News Corp. first revealed it was putting MySpace up for sale back in February of this year, after which the auction process seemed to sort of fizzle in the face of sheer investor indifference. Now the planned MySpace sale is moving forward again, according to rumors, with two companies considered front-runners for eventual ownership: Specific Media, which specializes in "addressable advertising," and Golden Gate Capital, which specializes in investing in bankrupt or distressed companies (MySpace definitely fits the bill). ...Read the whole story

  • Will The Google+ Project Out Social Facebook? by Laurie Sullivan

    Google began rolling out a social network called Google+ to a limited number of users that it believes will crack the code on the social market game. If it can convince consumers to give up a few personal details and a photo to build a profile, the site could make the Mountain View, Calif. company a formidable competitor to Facebook. ...Read the whole story

Two-Thirds of Local Merchants Advertise on Social Network; 1/5 Use Facebook by Jack Loechner

According to MerchantCircle, new local ad offerings from Facebook are making inroads with local merchants and may put increasing pressure on Google and pure-play deals companies such as Groupon for share of local marketing budgets. With its huge consumer adoption, ease-of-use and low barrier to entry, Facebook continues to be the most popular digital site for merchants to market their business, though, overall, 66% are using the social network for marketing. ...More