Not that we needed any more proof of rich media being effective than static media, DoubleClick yesterday released data that show click-through rates on rich media ads to be six times higher than non-rich media ads. The data also shows click-through rates on the recently published IAB size ads marginally higher than non-IAB size ads.

Pop-ups may not be very popular with consumers, but they do attract their attention (if only by forcing people to click on the X). And since ad dollars habitually follow eyeballs, more advertisers are begrudgingly spending money on things that go ‘pop.’

The last time two research companies tried to merge, Jupiter Media Metrix ended up torn to pieces between Nielsen//NetRatings and comScore. The latest case of merging researchers is much more peaceful.

How’s this for a promising cross-media initiative? As Dow Jones reported late yesterday, the New York Times-owned Boston Globe, in partnership with NewsStand Inc., has launched an electronic edition that lets users download an exact digital replica of the Globe via the Internet.

Even though it may seem like the predominant subject of conversations in the last few weeks was War Emblem’s chances of winning the Triple Crown, there are more important things going on the world of sports online. That’s according to the latest data from NetRatings, of course.

We all knew it wouldn’t be long before someone would snap up what’s left of Media Metrix. And the winner is… comScore Networks, Inc. And it only cost them $1.5 million.

The Online Publishers Association recently released a new White Paper entitled Internet Metrics: The Loyal Audience, the first in a series of OPA White Papers intended to provide marketers with a better understanding of audience measurement and the role of various metrics in evaluating a site's advertising potential.

With all this talk about geo-targeting recently, online media buyers are often faced with one seemingly simple question of "Just how popular are local TV websites?"

Remember the Unilever/MSN study the IAB conducted not too long ago that validated the importance of online advertising in the overall marketing mix? Well, the IAB is building on that research.

I hate to start the week off on a dissonant note, but this following announcement release has been bugging me since Friday afternoon.