Most Facebook Ad Clicks Come From Bots, Start-Up Claims by Erik Sass

Boy, it just hasn't been Facebook's summer: a high-profile dumping by General Motors was followed by a busted IPO in May, and its stock continues to sink -- trading at $21.77 at the time of writing, down 43% from the IPO price. Meanwhile, a new eye-tracking study has cast (even more) doubt on Facebook's ability to monetize mobile traffic through advertising. But the most damaging news may come courtesy of a New York-based start-up, Limited Run, which claims that 80% of the clicks on its Facebook ads came from bots. ...Read the whole story

  • electronics Celebrities Make Phone Cases Fashionable by Aaron Baar

    This September, Case-Mate, which makes covers for all sorts of electronic devices, will launch an advertising campaign highlighting how matching the right cover for the right occasion is essential in these digital times. ...Read the whole story

  • Google+ Followers Up, Actively Follow Top 100 Brands by Laurie Sullivan

    The number of people following the top 100 brands in the Google+ social network rose 54% to 12 million in the past two months. The top 10 brands have more than 9 million followers, accounting for 75% of the Google+ total follower base. ...Read the whole story

  • IAB Pushes For DIY Ad Units, Modules by Laurie Sullivan

    Industry insiders believe agencies, brands and publishers need to take steps to create and adopt drag-and-drop display ad units online -- or they risk losing dollars to offline and falling CPM prices. IAB is promoting do-it-yourself ad units to encourage publishers to "de-clutter" Web pages. ...Read the whole story

  • Hearst Taps Sprinklr To Up Social Strategy by Gavin O'Malley

    Hearst Digital Media will use Sprinklr's tools to help its media properties -- including 'Elle,' 'Cosmopolitan' and 'House Beautiful' -- post across social networks, as well as review analytics and measure engagement. ...Read the whole story

  • spirits New Ultimat Vodka Video Goes Viral by Karlene Lukovitz

    The video, part of the brand's "Find Balance, Find Ultimat" campaign, shows a window washer dressed as a businessman flashing signs at office workers from his perch outside their skyscraper windows. ...Read the whole story

Ten Comebacks I'd Like To See by David Berkowitz

It could be the Olympics, or the fear of another early ending to the Mets' season, or Ben Folds reuniting with the other two guys as they ironically tour again as Ben Folds Five. Whatever the reason, I've got comeback fever. While I try to find the cure, I keep thinking about social media. Here are 10 social media comebacks that I'd love to see: ...More

  • Twitter Boots Journalist Who Posted NBC Exec's Contact Info by Wendy Davis

    Twitter has long had a reputation for standing up for users' rights. Last year, the company distinguished itself by going to court to challenge a subpoena for information about account holders who appeared to have ties to Wikileaks. The company also drew praise from digital rights advocates for appealing a court order requiring it to disclose data about Occupy Wall Street protester Malcolm Harris' account. But today, the microblogging site is under fire by free speech advocates. That's because Twitter suspended the account of journalist Guy Adams, the Los Angeles bureau chief for The Independent, who forcefully criticized NBC's decision ...More