U.S. Lags Europe, Emerging Markets In Smart TV Adoption by Daisy Whitney

While smart TVs hold great promise for marketers in terms of engaged audiences, that potential won't be realized until more consumers actually connect their sets to the Web. Only 21% of U.S. consumers connect their TVs to the Internet, Magid has said -- and while that's up from 16% in 2011, it's still far behind Europe, according to new information from both research firms and technology shops servicing this business. ...Read the whole story

  • SteelHouse Streamlines Video Ad Production by Erik Sass

    Ad firm SteelHouse, which specializes in real-time offers and retargeting with video and display advertising, is streamlining the online ad production process with a new product, A2, intended to make it easier for advertisers to use video and other rich media in online ads. ...Read the whole story

  • TV Remains Decision Driver For Purchases by David Goetzl

    A study commissioned by the TVB shows that local television is the dominant influencer of decisions throughout the purchase funnel, from awareness at the top through purchase at the bottom. Research shows that 64% of respondents say TV is the "primary action driver" of awareness and 39% of purchase. ...Read the whole story

  • Game On: EA, Google Find Predictive Behavior In Search Data by Laurie Sullivan

    Google released a study Monday demonstrating how search can predict the demand for video games with examples from Electronic Arts. Google found that search data and clicks can identify and influence 84% of sales during a 10-month launch cycle. The method could also support the cycle along the purchase path from release to post launch for other brands. ...Read the whole story

  • Mobile Sites' Easy Use Is Critical To Conversions by Laurie Sullivan

    Mobile sites that load within five seconds or less have a greater chance of converting visitors into buyers, compared with ones that take longer, according to new research. ...Read the whole story

  • Turner Utilizes 'Funny' Site To Up TV Ad Sales by David Goetzl

    Turner is looking to capitalize on its investment in comedy site Funny or Die by using its talent and other assets to increase ad sales on TV networks such as TBS and Cartoon Network. ...Read the whole story

  • Hulu Lands WWE Exclusivity, Key Male Audience by Gavin O'Malley

    In the fight for exclusive content contracts, Hulu just landed the wrestling equivalent of an atomic backbreaker. Now, if fans want full online access to World Wrestling Entertainment programming, they have to go through Hulu Plus. ...Read the whole story

What You Need To Know About The Revolutionary Arrival Of RTB/Ad Exchanges by John R. Osborn

The past year has seen a revolutionary advance in techniques and the participants in a process that has several names: RTB (Real Time Bidding/Buying), Media Exchanges, Ad Exchanges, Media Trading. Digital RTB Exchanges are already handling trillions of buy/sell transactions monthly across online display, mobile (tablet, smartphone) and OTT T/V (Over-The-Top or non-cable/satellite) digital platforms. This is an unprecedented level of efficient and optimized buying for both sellers and buyers. The traditional, time-consuming direct selling/buying process is joined and supplemented by this new kind of "stock exchange" for targeted/addressable media impressions. ...More

  • To Promote TV Show, Faux Security Firm Analyzes Your Employee Potential by Amy Corr

    The most talked-about percentage of late has been 47%. Prior to that, it was the 99% vs. the 1%. Campfire created an elaborate campaign for "Hunted," a drama launching on Cinemax Oct. 19, that starts with unbranded outdoor ads running on Wall Street exclaiming: "We're Not For Everyone, Just The 1% That Matters." ...More

  • The Irony Of Targeting In-Game Content by Ashkan Karbasfrooshan

    This year, I've tried to determine whether there's any fundamental, material difference between ad networks targeting video game content vs. video content. ...More