Google is negotiating a new guaranteed search deal with MySpace, TechCrunch reports, but sources claim the search giant thinks the deal is only worth $50-$75 million, which is significantly less than the $300 million per year Google pays now. We've all heard that the Google ads don't convert well. "Add to that the dramatic shrinking of MySpace page views and the predictive modeling gets ugly," says Michael Arrington. With three years of operating history with the company, Arrington says that Google should know how to value such a deal. And unless Microsoft or Yahoo comes in and …

How's this for an eye-popping statistic: "In 2009, more data will be generated by individuals than in the entire history of mankind through 2008." So says former Amazon Chief Scientist Andreas Weigend in an article for HarvardBusiness.org. Indeed, information is overloading, so what are the implications for marketers? Weigend says the first data revolution came about when companies started tracking the things people were doing online through clicks and searches. "Back then, customers had no choice but to share their intentions with firms," Weigend notes, giving companies all the power, and leaving consumers with no voice.

Alcatel Lucent is getting into the mobile ads business with text alerts, the Wall Street Journal reports. The new service, announced Thursday, will be managed by 1020 Placecast, a developer of cellphone and online ads tied to a user's location. It allows cell phone carriers to send their customers tailored alerts via SMS, such as the location of a nearby store sale or the closest ATM from the user's preferred bank. The service's technology identifies cell phone users within a specified distance from the advertisers' store, sending them the address and phone number. Ads can include links …

Earlier this week, Twitter cofounder Biz Stone went out of his way to say that advertising isn't an option that the ultra-hot microblogging service is considering right now. However, less than two days later, Stone went out of his way to write a blog post explaining that while Twitter isn't interested in running banner ads, it will "leave the door open for exploration" for other deals. What does this mean? Silicon Alley Insider's Dan Frommer thinks Stone is alluding to a possible Google search ad deal when he says, "traditional Web banner advertising isn't interesting …

PaidContent.org's Staci D. Kramer says that contrary to a report in the London Telegraph, Hulu's plans to launch in the UK have not been finalized. Kramer's sources say that no target date has been confirmed, and that no deals are in place with British broadcasting giants ITV and Channel 4, although discussions are ongoing. Apparently, the discussions have hit a snag over who controls the advertising. Kramer notes that Hulu has three ways to deal with the prospect of international programming: 1) it could bring international programming to its U.S. service, something it is already …

Gawker Media's Nick Denton talks shop with Ad Age's Michael Learmonth, and reveals that the downturn hasn't been quite as bad as he predicted-so far, at least. "I still think most companies should have -- and should still now -- plan for the contingency of a 40% decline across the cycle," says Denton. "Let's face it: there are plenty of properties-Wired down by half!-that have already suffered. But I'd assumed that marketers would just cut spending across the board in an undiscriminating panic. They've been much more strategic." What about Gawker's properties? Denton says that entertainment industry …

The Financial Times reports that Google was considering either buying or using its charitable arm to support underwater news businesses like The New York Times Company, but is now unlikely to pursue either option. In an interview with FT.com, CEO Eric Schmidt cooled the speculation, saying that Google had looked into buying a newspaper but was "trying to avoid crossing the line" between technology and content. Instead, he said the company is working with publishers to optimize their sites for online advertising. Schmidt noted that the "clever idea" of sheltering newspapers in non-profit structures had been suggested …