I'm taking a break this week, much like a large percentage of the ad industry (and I have the autoresponders to prove that), so I thought it would be fun to reprint some of the lighter, sillier Minutes from the past to celebrate the end of the summer and take a break from serious issues. Next week, we'll get back to the business at hand. Until then, here's something from the past: June 23, 2000 Here's something that could "alter your advertising strategies." AdOutlet.com, a NYC-based advertising exchange company, asked about 160 people to keep diaries of their thoughts …

I'm taking a break this week, much like a large percentage of the ad industry (and I have the autoresponders to prove that), so I thought it would be fun to reprint some of the lighter, sillier Minutes from the past to celebrate the end of the summer and take a break from serious issues. Next week, we'll get back to the business at hand. Until then, here's something from the past: April. 19, 2000 I just couldn't resist! Even though brand management is not the focus of MediaPost, this following study takes the cake as the most ridiculous …

Judging by the number of autoresponders in my inbox from the last few days, the ad industry (myself included) is going to be on vacation next week. The last week of August is always the lowest point of the summer doldrums for us advertisers, so I've prepared a few laughs for those of you left in the office next week. But before I take off, I wanted to bring you a tiny piece of good news. As you know, when it comes to ad spending forecasts, I'm a jaded skeptic. Generally, I don't think anyone should take them seriously …

The prospects for m-commerce may appear limited for the foreseeable future, but a mobile wireless strategy is nevertheless emerging as an essential component for most e- business plans, according to a recent report by The Intermarket Group. The Mobile Wireless Internet Briefing reports that the importance of developing such a strategy is driven in part by the increasing share of the Internet population that will be comprised of mobile wireless users. According to the report, by 2005, more than one-third of Internet users will have access through wireless handset devices and more than one-half (59%) are expected to …

The percentage of Internet users who have ever tried streaming media has crossed the 50% threshold according to a new Internet Study by Arbitron and Edison Media Research. The "Internet VII: The Internet & Streaming: What Consumers Want Next" study finds that, as of July 2001, the number of "Streamies" - those who have watched or listened to streaming media online - has risen to 52% of online Americans. Arbitron estimates that more than a third of all Americans 12 and older are Streamies, which is about 78 million people. Bill Rose, VP and general manager of Arbitron …

Unicast, the developers of the Superstitial, released a case study yesterday showcasing the success of a recent campaign they did for StartupJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal's online center for entrepreneurs. Created by Trahan Burden & Charles, the goal for StartupJournal's "Mind your Own Business" online campaign was to increase awareness and to generate qualified leads for the site. The overall campaign included newspaper and magazine print concurrent with several online advertising formats, including banners. The results? Though the Superstitial comprised less than 1/2 of 1% of the impressions in the overall online campaign, more than 33% of all …

After I got criticized for not talking about the demise of the Industry Standard last week, I'm sure some readers would criticize me for not talking about Engage, so here it goes. By now, I think everyone knows that the ad network is trying to sell off its media business and is cutting staff. So what's there to talk about? Is anyone surprised? Was this unexpected? Shocking? No, not after their parent company CMGI decided not to renew a $50 million loan two weeks ago. The main reason I didn't want to talk about it is because I've …

A few days ago, one of the cable news channels aired a segment on teachers and students and how computers are changing the dynamic between the two groups - when it comes to computers and the Internet, most students know more than their teachers and that's a scary reality of the times we live in. Well, maybe all's not lost in the quest to reach and capture the attention of students and the younger generation in general. If the latest Nielsen//NetRatings report is any indication, schools and especially colleges are trying to catch up with the times and their …

The cross-platform media deals that advertisers and media companies have recently announced will require a better understanding of the people's cross-media usage if they are to maximize their investment. That's according to a new cross-media usage study of 100,000 people just released by BIGresearch. The study was conducted in April and it shows that the cross- media usage of today's consumers may create a new logic for how to best reach them with advertising. It documents how cross-platform or integrated media buying needs to be more than mixing and matching media choices packaged by large media conglomerates. One …

Everyone keeps talking about wireless, but the U.S. advertising industry is still largely skeptical about placing any ads on wireless devices. Why? For one, according to the latest eMarketer Wireless report, the U.S. wireless market is only just beginning to find some direction, and is not yet large enough to warrant a shift in ad budgets. That, and there is too much uncertainty about where the wireless industry is really going. As they have done for other industries in the past, eMarketer analysts recently studied a plethora of forecasts and predictions from several different research companies and found that …